Support for our student athletes
By Micah McVicker | Editorial Assistant
Last year, I attended the first half of UIndy’s homecoming football game against Northwood, which was the only UIndy sporting event I went to last year. I left at halftime so I could watch my Auburn Tigers play Vanderbilt. I share this little tale to help you avoid making the mistake I made when I overlooked the quality sports teams; both in individual and team sports, on this campus.
I wonder how many of my fellow students know that volleyball coach Jody Butera earned her 300th career victory this season?
How many would know that we have a defending national champion on this campus?
This past May, senior Lyndsay McBride won the individual title in women’s golf. Also, the team tied for third out of 12 teams, marking the best finish in program history.
How many know that men’s golf coach Brent Nicoson has led his team to back-to-back GLVC Championships? Or that he is a finalist to coach the Palmer Cup team, the college equivalent of the Ryder Cup?
Last spring, two wrestlers, then-junior Matt Irwin and then-redshirt sophomore Cory Fornal traveled to the University of Houston to compete in the NCAA Division II National Championships. While both lost on day one, the experience they gained will prove invaluable both to them and to younger wrestlers as the team moves forward.
Fifteen swimmers competed in nationals from March 11-14. On the men’s side, the ‘Hounds placed in the Top 15 for the 10th consecutive season. Meanwhile, the lady Greyhounds achieved their ninth consecutive top-12 finish. Indianapolis collected 13 All-American finishes during the four-day championship.
Our volleyball team went to the NCAA Midwest Regional last fall. The ‘09 volleyball team, despite losing an All-American setter to graduation, went 32-1 this regular season, breaking many records in the process, including highest winning percentage in a single season at .970.
The lady ‘Hounds have made noise in postseason play, as they defeated arch-rival Lewis University in the GLVC Tournament. In the Midwest Regional Championship game, the Greyhounds again defeated Lewis, running their record to 38-1 and earned their first-ever Elite Eight appearance.
Indianapolis’ softball team compiled a 37-21 record this past season on their way to the first College World Series appearance in program history.
Who noticed?
Does anyone know that our women’s soccer team compiled a 15-5-0 record 11-3 GLVC? They competed in the NCAA Tournament as the fifth seed in the Midwest Region, marking the second time Indianapolis earned an NCAA Tournament bid.
According to the 2009-10 “Division II Bulletin” Preseason Poll, the UIndy women’s basketball team commences their season as the No. 4 team in the country. Indianapolis returns nine players from last year’s team that lost 69-52 to No. 22 Michigan Tech in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional championship game, marking the first time in the program’s history Indianapolis reached the NCAA Tournament’s round of 16.
The men’s basketball team defeated the defending national champion Findlay Oilers 71-63 Saturday night, a statement win for coach Gouard. Indianapolis snapped Findlay’s 38-game winning streak as well. A side note: the turnout for that game was invariably deplorable.
We have some very good teams on this campus. I challenge you, the students, to educate yourselves about our sports teams and come support them in a boisterous fashion. Do your part to help make Nicoson Hall an intimidating place for opposing basketball teams to play. And I avidly encourage fans to come out to Key Stadium and make UIndy a dreaded team for any opponent to play because of an enthusiastic fan section, whether it’s soccer or football.
Instead of going to IU, Purdue or back home for the weekend, stay on campus and see for yourself the great teams and individuals who wear the Greyhound colors.
