Posted By rcapehart on November 23, 2009
It was just an incredible weekend! By now, we’ve all seen or heard of the eye-popping performance of the West Liberty University football team in winning their second round game of the NCAA Division II playoffs by an astounding score of 84-63. The coaches and staff deserve all of the credit for such an outstanding game and the right to move on to play California of Pennsylvania in the Regional Finals next Saturday at noon at Russek Field.
If you’ve been on campus this weekend, you may have also witnessed the success of our basketball teams. On Friday night, Coach Jim Crutchfield’s men’s basketball team established an new school record in beating the University of Pittsburgh-Titusville, 145-70. On Saturday night, a great crowd was again on hand to watch the men’s team defeat arch-rival Wheeling Jesuit University 90-69. On Sunday, another good crowd was on hand at the ASRC to watch the women come from behind to beat a highly-touted Indiana University of Pennsylvania team who are the defending PSAC champions.
Whew! If you enjoy sports, this was quite a weekend. But, the past few days has been more than just sporting events. It was an exhibition of our ability to host a series of high quality events and create a community celebration in a manner befitting our outstanding University.
First and foremost, let me begin by acknowledging and thanking Athletic Director Jim Watson and his staff for their presentation, their attention to detail and the hospitality they displayed to our visiting teams and coaches. Everything they did was first class. We are fortunate to have the experience and vision of Coach Watson who - I believe - thoroughly enjoys the challenges of putting on such events and can do it better than anyone in the country. I spent some time with Dr. Frank Condino, the athletic director from IUP who served as the NCAA representative for the game, who offered high praise for this weekend’s events and the exciting college atmosphere that was created. Likewise, Edinboro Athletic Director Bruce Baumgartner (a former Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers ever) was highly complimentary of our hospitality. Again, congratulations to Jim Watson and his staff!
Also, congratulations to Theresa Gretchen and the crew at Channel 14 for their tireless efforts to provide television and audio coverage of all of our sporting events while not missing a beat in producing their regular shows on Friday. They started early and stayed late - well after all of us had retired for the evening - in order to take advantage of the opportunity to promote West Liberty University. Theresa stayed on campus this weekend and was up until 3:00 a.m. on Sunday morning editing highlights that were forwarded and appeared on ESPN. She and others took considerable time away from their families to utilize the terrific facilities we possess at the Media Arts Center to promote our University. For their commitment and dedication, Theresa and her crew deserve the gratitude of the entire University family and our community.
Along the same line, our heartfelt thanks to Reid Amos, our Executive Director of the Office of Communications and “the Voice of the Hilltoppers,” a voice that was most assuredly tired after calling all four contests. Yet, if you heard his call of the women’s basketball game yesterday, it was just as fresh, insightful and enthusiastic as ever. We are fortunate to have one of the best announcers in college sports that you will find anywhere in America.
Congratulations also to Jay Ware and the Hilltopper Marching Band and the pep band who performed everywhere this weekend - including the Festival of Lights parade in Wheeling. The revival of the band has greatly enhanced the spirit and atmosphere of the games and the campus, in general. We continue to hear extremely positive comments regarding the band’s appearances and their performance. Jay and its members may look forward to an outstanding future.
There are so many others that you miss when you start down this road - but on behalf of the faculty, staff, alumni and fans - thanks again to everyone for an outstanding effort.
As we think back on this weekend, we’ll certainly remember the score. The 5,000 fans that attended the game and all of the events of this weekend left having witnessed a part of West Liberty University history. But, another important memory we hope will be the sense of excitement and community of which we were a part. Many of the fans at Saturday’s game did not graduate from West Liberty University. In fact, many were not associated in any manner - other than they were active members of our community and that our University has been, is and shall continue to be an important part of this community. They cheered every touchdown and mourned every lost fumble every bit as deeply as our alumni, benefactors, faculty and staff - and now they are a part of the West Liberty University family.
Sure, it was just a game - but its impact goes far beyond the sixty minutes of play. It has helped strengthen the bond between the community - and a great University.
Category: Athletics, Campus Events, Personal Reflections |
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Tags: Football
West Liberty University’s enrollment picture for the Fall 2010 continues to look encouraging based upon figures recently compiled by Dean of Students Scott Cook. As of the March Application Report, the University has received 1,770 applications for the Fall 2010 term. This is a 12% increase over the University’s March report in 2009. Moreover, the number of students accepted to the University has increased 7% over this same point last year. The enrollment for the Summer term 2010 is also encouraging. Currently, summer enrollment is up 26% over this point last year.
