11 minute read
Athletics 36 President's Circle
Dear Panther Family,
I am excited to introduce myself to our Wesleyan community as we begin a new chapter in Kentucky Wesleyan Athletics. As a lifelong educator and former teacher and coach, I will be entering my 20th year in college athletics next year. I have enjoyed great experiences at other institutions, and I am excited to implement new initiatives here.
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As we move into the new academic year, we are excited about many things. First, we are pleased that we have returned to "normal" with our full complement of fall sports back in action, as we also prepare winter and springs sports in anticipation of a great year.
We have also welcomed our new head coach for cross country and track and field, Sol Stephens. Sol brings an energy and depth of experience at the collegiate level as a student-athlete and coach, and will move us forward in many ways.
Also, I was excited to welcome our student-athletes back this year as "One Team Wesleyan." We are focused on supporting each other and accomplishing our goals as one team with programming covering four core areas: Scholarship, Sport, Service and Life. You will hear more about this program in the next year. Finally, we look forward to celebrating 70 years in the Owensboro Sportscenter, where we have enjoyed so much success with our men's and women's basketball teams.
One Team Wesleyan preseason gathering in August
Go Panthers!!
Mark Shook
Interim Athletic Director
@KWC_Shook
@KWCPanthers Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics kwcpanthers.com Follow us
Evelyn Raines
1921-2021
Evelyn Raines was the College's oldest and most passionate Panther fan. The last founding member of KWC's booster group, the All-American Club, she followed the Panthers across the nation, including Hawaii. Her enthusiastic support of the All-American Club was legendary. She wrapped thousands of hot dogs and hamburgers at home games over many decades – until age 97. Evelyn and her husband, Clarence, who passed away in 1996, were the epitome of servant leadership. Beloved by Panther fans, the College honored her dedication to KWC Athletics with her induction to the Panther Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. She is survived by her daughters, Deloris Raines and Robbie Remole (Ronnie), her daughter-in-law, Melanie Raines, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Celebrating 70 Years of Panther Athletics
by Roy Pickerill '75
1951 The College arrived in Owensboro in 1951 with four men's teams: baseball, basketball, golf and tennis. The basketball Panthers moved into the Owensboro Sportscenter on February 26, 1951, and blew away Centre 114-17 before a full house.
1960s
1966 Unranked KWC came from behind to win its first NCAA Basketball Championship by upsetting No. 3 Southern Illinois 54-51 before a crowd of 10,319 in Evansville, Ind. 1968 For the second time in three seasons, No. 2 ranked KWC won the NCAA title by fighting back from a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat No. 9 Indiana State 63-52 in Evansville, Ind., with 13,062 fans watching. 1969 The Panthers marched to their second-straight NCAA First NCAA Championship team in 1966 Championship and third in four seasons. No. 6 ranked KWC, leading by 21 at halftime, held off a rally by No. 12 Missouri State, to win 75-71 in Evansville, Ind., before 12,132 fans. KWC ended the season with a 25-5 record.
1970s
1970-1990 Following their NCAA Championship careers, All-Americans Dallas Thornton '68 and J.B. Brown '88, played professionally for the "World Famous Harlem Globetrotters" for many seasons. 1973 Unranked KWC pulled out a 78-76 overtime win over Tennessee State to win its fourth NCAA Title in basketball in Evansville, Ind. KWC compiled a 24-6 record. 1974 The Panthers qualified for their first trip to the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November 1974. The sport had been added in 1969. 1976 The tennis team became co-ed with the addition of women. 1977 The first women's team (tennis) was added.
1980s
1984 The dynamic duo, Rod Drake '84 and Dwight Higgs '84, along with head coach Mike Pollio, restored KWC's championship basketball tradition by leading the Panthers back to the NCAA Championship tournament in 1982, 1984 and 1985. 1987 No. 9 ranked KWC traveled to Springfield, Mass., to win its fifth NCAA Basketball Championship by clobbering No. 7 Gannon 92-74 before a nationally televised audience with Tim Brando and Dick Vitale calling the action on ESPN. The Panthers finished with a 28-5 record. 1989 Randy Weber '91 made history when he became KWC's first football All-American as a third team selection. Stacy Calhoun '93 became the first women's All-American in any sport when she was named first team AllAmerican by the American Women's Sports Federation.
1990 The "Birthplace of Basketball," Springfield, Mass., will be forever remembered as the place No. 4 ranked KWC made Division II basketball history by winning a record-breaking sixth NCAA Championship with 93-79 victory over No. 13 Cal State Bakersfield.
1993 Kenny Alward '93 became the first golfer to earn All-American honors. 1999 National Division II Player of the Year Antonio Garcia '00 led the No. 1 ranked Panthers to their seventh NCAA Championship before a nationally televised audience of three million in Louisville as they soundly beat Metro State 75-60. National Coach of the Year Ray Harper '85 guided KWC to a record of 35-2.
2000s
1990s
2001 National Coach of the Year Ray Harper led the Panthers to their record-breaking eighth NCAA Division II Championship (31-3 record) by defeating Washburn (Kan.) 72-63. Todd Lillpop '01 became the second alumnus and the 12th head baseball coach in history after two seasons as an assistant coach.
2002 1991 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year (basketball) Corey Crowder '91 earned induction into the inaugural class of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Hall of Fame. Former 1966 NCAA Championship Coach Guy Strong became the first basketball coach or player from KWC Eighth National Championship team in 2001 to be inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. 2003 Marlon Palmer '03 earned 2003 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year and GLVC Player of the Year (basketball). 2005 The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted pitcher Cory Wade '05 in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. KWC named the new football field for former player, coach and director of athletics Robert "Bullet" Wilson '31. The football press box was named for the first modern-day football coach Billy Mitchell (1983-89). KWC honored 2004 NFL Executive of the Year and San Diego Chargers Vice President and General Manager A.J. Smith '71 by naming the Woodward Health and Recreation Center's new weight room in his honor. ESPN featured the men's basketball program as One of Top 10 College Basketball Powerhouses in America. Basketball legends George Tinsley '69 and Antonio Garcia '00 were named to the NCAA 50th Anniversary Division II Basketball All-Elite Eight team. 2008 KWC honored basketball All-American and head coach Ray Harper by naming the floor in Jones Gymnasium the Ray Harper Court. Pitcher Cory Wade made his MLB debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Cory Wade '05 Arizona Diamondbacks. Courtesy of MLB
2010s
2010 KWC celebrated 100 years of men's basketball by selecting AllCentury and All-Decade Teams. Former Panther assistants, husband and wife Caleb and Nicole Nieman, were named the first the co-head women's basketball coaches in history. 2011 The Panthers women's team earned its first-ever trip to the NCAA Basketball Tournament with a 17-10 record. Centerfielder Jordan White '12 became the first All-American in baseball history. He also captured the GLVC Player of the Year honor. KWC established the Athletic Hall of Fame. KWC basketball All-American George Tinsley was selected for induction into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. The Great Lakes Valley Conference added football to its sports programs. 2013 Pitcher Chris Smith '10 signed with the New York Yankees. Paige (Kramer) Crisp '15 earned first-team Academic All-America Honors in soccer. Chelsea (Brothers) Hoffman '15 was named second-team Academic All-America in volleyball. 2014 KWC moved from the GLVC and joined the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Keelan Cole '17 Courtesy of Jacksonville Jaguars 2015 KWC entered into an agreement with Owensboro Public Schools to build a state-of-the-art track and field stadium at Owensboro Middle School across from KWC. Owensboro Health supported the project. 2016 Long-time Voice of the Panthers Joel Utley '74 became the third KWC inductee into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. Wide receiver Keelan Cole '17 earned first-team All-America honors plus Great Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year Award. Pitcher Chris Smith '10 made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays. 2017 Keelan Cole became the first Panther to play in the NFL. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. The baseball team made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1988.
2019 Meredith Daunhauer '19 garnered third team Academic All-America recognition and finished her career as KWC softball's all-time leader in hits, stolen bases and batting average. Madisyn Hunt '21 earned third team All-America and Academic AllAmerica honors in soccer.
Meredith Daunhauer '19
2020s
2021 The Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletic Department sponsors 21 (11 men /10 women) varsity sports, competing at the NCAA Division II level and in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
through Oct. 1, 2021
Building
Jack T. Wells '77
Auditorium
Panther Room
Lobby and Guest Welcome Center
Kitchen
SGA (Student Government Association) Office
Campus Ministries Office
Campus Ministries Office
Marilyn & William Young Foundation
Dr. J. Charles '62 and Margaret (Heltsley) Schertzinger '59
Larry '64 and Lamone Mayfield
Scott Pickrell in memory of his mother, Joyce S. Taylor
Dr. Jim '93 and Sharon (Murphy) Duncan '91
Ed '93 and Dr. Jodi (Parks) Krahwinkel '93
Rev. Dr. Donald '65 and Pat (Webster) Rankin '55 in memory of Rev. Dr. Roy E. Webster II '55
The Major Family
Meeting Room
Prayer Room
Food Pantry and Professional Closet
Jeff '88 and Leslie Sampson
Classmates, friends and loved ones in memory of Cochran Dorsey '73
Chuck '72 and Nancy (King) Schmeal '71 and Jeff '72 and Susan White
Continuing the Legacy Continuing the Momentum
by Eddie Kenny
The newest building on the campus, the Activity Hall at 3300 Frederica St., officially became the Jack T. Wells '77 Activity Center in September. A transformational legacy gift from the loyal alumnus and former trustee chair made the purchase of the property a reality 16 months prior to the agreed upon purchase deadline. Wells reaffirmed his commitment to his alma mater and the mission of Kentucky Wesleyan College with the estate provision, which will also fund the Jack T. Wells Endowed Scholarship for Owensboro Independent School District students in perpetuity.
Jack T. Wells '77
The news topped off a summer of incredible momentum as investors named numerous spaces in the now-named Wells Center. Beginning with Dr. Jim '93 and Sharon (Murphy) Duncan '91, who
named the Student Government Office, classmates Ed '93 and Dr. Jodi (Parks) Krahwinkel '93 soon followed by naming the Student Activities Programming Board Office. Inspired by the lead gifts, Rev. Dr. Donald '65 and Pat (Webster) Rankin '55 named a Campus Ministries Office in memory of Rev. Dr. Roy E. Webster II '55.
More investors followed, and major improvements included new windows throughout the building, new flooring, removal of the pews and the installation of a state-of-the-art audio/visual system in the Auditorium. Faculty, staff and alumni worked together to provide 400+ hours of work to enhance the building, as they also did in the summer of 2020.
The bequest from the Wells Trust made the purchase of the building a reality and created a first-of-its-kind building and programming endowment for the facility. All received gifts for named spaces and those which follow will go toward the endowment to provide continued maintenance coverage for the building's use.
Learn more about further opportunities to support this significant and timely addition to the Kentucky Wesleyan College campus at kwc.edu/activityhall
Left to right: Tia Chavella '21, Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. Diane Earle, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Dr. W.L. Magnuson, Max Dubree '21, Evan Morton '22, Adan Cano Gandarilla '22 and Jessica Shelton '21 The Kentucky Wesleyan Singers and Band at "In Meeting We Are Blessed: A Fine Arts Showcase" in the Auditorium during Homecoming.
Panther Room
2021 Oak and Ivy Recipients
Induction to the Order of Oak and Ivy is the College's most prestigious honor.
Oak symbolizes strength of character, endurance of purpose and hardiness of spirit. Ivy represents the bonds of friendship, constant devotion and lasting memory.
This honor is conferred on persons who exhibit spiritual leadership and intellectual ability in seeking to promote the interests and welfare of Kentucky Wesleyan College.
