KEYDET CLUB 2013 Scholarship Awards Banquet the Largest Ever shared some of the experiences he encountered during his six decades at VMI, highlighting his lasting memories of cadet-athletes and coaches. At the conclusion of White’s remarks and the evening’s events, Bill Loughridge ’65, White’s brother rat and close friend, took the stage to announce the establishment of the Coach Donny White ’65 Athletic Scholarship in White’s honor. (Editor’s Note: See accompanying article about White ’65 Scholarship.) For more information on next year’s banquet or how to support cadet-athletes, please contact the Keydet Club at 800-444-1839, or visit the Keydet Club’s website at www.vmikeydetclub.com. The Keydet Club hosted the largest crowd in the history of the Scholarship Awards Banquet with more than 727 attendees.
Once again, the Keydet Club hosted the largest-ever crowd for the Scholarship Awards Banquet Oct. 12, 2013, with more than 727 cadet-athletes, parents, endowed scholarship donors, annual full scholarship donors, fund representatives, coaches and administrators. The event brought together the largest number of the Institute’s most generous benefactors to athletics and their scholarship cadet-athletes in the history of the banquet. Football defensive end Justin Smith ’13, a fifth-year player, welcomed the crowd and gave the blessing before dinner. Robert Crumpler ’07, Donnie Ross ’74 and Andrew Deal ’12, who are members of the Keydet Club staff, recognized all of the scholarship-athletes and their scholarship donors and/or fund representatives who were present. “The evening brings together all of VMI’s young men and women who are fortunate to attend the Institute on an athletic scholarship and gives them a chance to meet the people who make their education possible,” said Greg Cavallaro ’84, Keydet Club CEO. “It is a great opportunity for cadets and donors to develop meaningful relationships that can last a lifetime. For our donors, these relationships are without question the single biggest factor that influences their generosity and continued support to the Keydet Club.” One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Keydet Club’s Three-Legged Stool Award. This year’s award went to Ted Gottwald ’14, who serves as president of the VMI Honor Court and captain of the wrestling team. Coined by the late Giles Miller ’924, one of VMI’s most legendary alumni, the term three-legged stool best describes the Institute’s well-rounded educational mission. The Three-Legged Stool Award highlights a cadet’s outstanding achievements in all three major “legs” of the VMI education: ademics, leadership and athletics. Cadet Gottwald became the first Honor Court president to receive the award. (Editor’s Note: See accompanying article about Gottwald on previous page.) Guest speaker Donny White ’65, then-director of Intercollegiate Athletics, was introduced by Superintendent Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62. The superintendent recognized White’s achievements through his 35 years of service to VMI as a cadetathlete, coach and athletic director. In his remarks, White
2014-Issue 1
Keydet Club CEO Greg Cavallaro ’84, left, and Gene Scott ’80, right, with Greg Henderson ’17, the recipient of the Armstead ’81 and Coach Williams Track Scholarship.
From left, Bruce Gottwald ’54, Ann Parker Gottwald, Ted Gottwald ’14, Nancy Gottwald and Teddy Gottwald ’83.
Chris, left, and Ken Perry ’53 with Cadet Kate Collins ’13, who is the recipient of the Kenneth Perry ’53 Annual Scholarship.
181