The New Shelbourne Wrestling Center

Took a walkabout this morning…wanted to get out of the office and check on construction around the campus.  As you can see above, the Shelbourne Wrestling Center is coming along nicely.  It will give our wrestling team a dedicated practice area while also providing locker room facilities for the wrestlers and the tennis team.

New construction

That’s Sigma Chi on the left, Delt in the background, and a new hall takes center stage.  The west side of campus will undergo a huge visual change when it is all complete.

Hall, Lodge, and Townhouse

Here you see one of the townhouses with a Lodge in the middle and a Hall behind it.  The plastic sheeting in the center covers the “connector” between the Lodge and Hall.

Delta Tau Delta

Of course, no west side walkabout would be complete without a brief stop at the Delt House.  It won’t be long now…

Mason Zurek Over The Top

So…my jaw isn’t so tight anymore and it’s time to put it all into perspective.

That’s Mason Zurek going over the top for a first down at St. Thomas.  My grandson Coley refers to Mason as a “beast” – it’s the greatest compliment he can make.  Coley saw Mason at Hampden-Sydney and walked away saying “Mason Zurek is a beast.”  All true – he’s clearly a record-setting running back for the Little Giants.

But that’s just a small portion of the man Mason Zurek.

He’s a young man who always smiles.  Friendly beyond compare.  Once you meet his parents, you understand friendly and happy run in the family.

Mason’s GPA at Wabash is north of 3.5 – you’d need to add my two best semesters together to equal his.  On December 5, 2015, the day of the St. Thomas game, Mason was originally scheduled to take the LSAT – THE test for Law School.  He postponed it for a very special football game.  But he’ll attend law school and be a very special attorney.

AJ Clark Fires Up The Team

I have known AJ Clark throughout his time at Wabash.  He’s a talented young man in many ways.  He’s made films while a student here.  He’s been a leader.  And he’s never stopped giving his all as a member of the football team.  AJ Clark’s challenge has been he’s in a group of a lot of very talented linebackers.  So he had to wait his turn.  Meanwhile, he always seemed to be in on a special teams play.  This year has been different.  #10 on defense got the call and he’s delivered.  Leaders lead…and AJ Clark is a leader.

So on this Tuesday morning driving down from Lafayette, I finally paid the right amount of attention to the right things.  The football team was one of the last eight teams standing. 12-1.  A great season.  Is St. Thomas a better football team?  Probably.  They were on the day.

But, the Grunge wouldn’t change anything about who the Little Giants are.  Not one thing.  Mason and AJ are just the tip of the iceberg of great young men who are, in the truest fashion, student-athletes at Wabash.  Mason and AJ and…well, you can add a boatload of seniors’ names here…Michael Putko, Connor Karns, Eddie Cmehil, Matt Gibson, Tom Garrity, Evan Rutter, Tyler McCullen, Wes Brown, Chris Broecker, and Matt Dickerson to name a few…these guys set the standard.

These guys will help change our world.  Long after the scores fade away…these guys will still be scoring touchdowns in the game of life.

The Wabash Pep Band at St. Thomas

The Wabash Pep Band proved they travel just like Wabash football fans as they made the 600 mile trip to St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota for the quarterfinal game between the Little Giants and St. Thomas.  Wabash had a good crowd as you can see.  In fact, a few St. Thomas fans commented that they wished their fan base traveled as well.

Ryan Vaughn ’00

Ryan Vaughn’s “Callings” talk – Chase the mission, not the money – was unbelievably good.  Ryan described his journey in many of the same ways classmate Jeremy Bird ’00 did in an earlier Callings presentation.

Ryan’s journey looks like, in his words, “someone who couldn’t hold a job.”  However, his explanation clearly presents a search for opportunities to help people and his community.  His path also reinforces the fact that doing a good job in the position you hold opens doors for future growth and development.

Great advice for our young men

I couldn’t help but think how many people sets their sights on a salary figure and not on a calling or mission.  Ryan clearly outlined why the search for work one is passionate about is paramount.

Rick Cavanaugh ’76 and Ryan Vaughn

Before Ryan began his talk, Rick Cavanaugh ’76, the President of our Alumni Board, presented the Young Alumnus Award to Ryan.  Originally scheduled for Homecoming, a death in Ryan’s family prevented his attendance.  As it turned out, his award citation was a great opening to his talk and reinforced what a remarkable young man he is.

Ryan Vaughn – truly Some Little Giant!

National Award Winners

Gordy’s Marine is owned by our friend Tom Whowell ’62.  In true liberal arts fashion, Tom is also a professional-level tailgater!!!

The press release.

From Boating Industry:

Boating Industry announced the 10th annual list of Top 100 dealers at a black tie gala November 19 in Orlando.

“For a decade, Boating Industry has recognized the best boat dealers in North America as the Top 100,” said Boating Industry editor-in-chief Jonathan Sweet. “These dealers are truly the elite of the marine industry, recognized for their business acumen, customer service and overall excellence.”

Topping the list this year, and earning Dealer of the Year honors, was Gordy’s Lakefront Marine of Fontana, Wisconsin.

A heartfelt Thank You to all of our extended Gordy’s family for making this honor possible. We are thankful, humble and proud!”

Congrats to Tom and the entire Gordy’s team!!!

Cold and Snow!

This photo is of the football field at St. Thomas.  The raised seats on the right are the visitors’ seats.  Better get there early.

It would be great to see all of that full and people standing all along our sidelines.

WAF!

Mason Zurek Against Thomas More

If you are going to go NORTH for football in December, north as in Minnesota, it better be for a good reason and the college football playoffs, with the Little Giants in the thick of things, is right on!

We’re already hearing for alumni throughout the Midwest on parking / tailgating / tickets / etc.  One challenge we have – the folks at St. Thomas do not allow tailgating on campus.  Working it now…we’ll see.

After the foot of snow early this week, the weather is stacking up to be pretty decent…

Wabash Always Fights!

Snow clouds move over the Canyon

The Grunge is back for the Grand Canyon!  Many, many thanks go out to Dudley (’64) and Judy Burgess for putting together a superb trip.    The total party included: Dudley and Judy, President and Mrs. Hess, Walt (’68) and Kathy Snodell, Dean Michelle Janssen, Scott Dreher (’82) and Aimee Cox, Ray LaDriere ’78, Greg (’85) and Sarah Estell, Jeff Perkins ’89 and Brandon Leyton.  Hikers were: Dudley, President Hess, Walt, Scott, Ray, Greg E., Jeff, Brandon, and the Grunge.

Hikers ready to go: Runge, President Hess, Brandon, Scott, Jeff, Ray, Greg E., Walt, and Dudley

We headed into the Canyon on the South Kaibab Trail and exited on the Bright Angel Trail.  A good time was had by all.

On our arrival at the Canyon, we were greeted with a south rim snow fall.

Walt and Kathy Snodell with the snow moving through

That snowfall made the first couple of miles “interesting” as you can see.

President Hess on the early switchbacks

By the time the group left Phantom Ranch, everyone knew the “Wabash hikers”.  Had to get the “banner” shot in front of Phantom Ranch.

Some tired but happy..hikers! Ray, Dudley, Jeff, Greg E., President Hess, Walt, Scott, and Brandon

DePauw and Wabash had great turnouts

It was fun…the Grunge told everyone to tell CINC Grunge that the temp was 45 and it was raining…but it was beautiful!

All eyes on the TV

The game was on three screens so the group divided up.  Here’s you can see the Wabash fans pretty intent on the game.

The Phoenix crew has their own Bell…it went home with Wabash’s Mike Rapier again.

The organizers (Mike Rapier ’89 is our guy) thanks everyone for being there.

Judy Burgess catches up with a young couple

The grandson of Tobey Herzog H’11 and Cal Black ’66 – waive his app fee!

A victory toast!

The Monon Bell Arrives

The traditional Monon Bell Chapel was, yet again, a great event.  Each captain talked for a short time.  Seven different messages – all united in purpose.  I always walk away from the Monon Bell Chapel thinking our guys are exceptional examples of what it means to be a true student-athlete.

Connor Rice

Evan Rutter

Tyler McCullen

Michael Putko

Mason Zurek

Eddie Cmehil

AJ Clark

Coach Erik Raeburn

Coach Raeburn was as good as ever.  He shared his insight into coaching as well as “public relations.”  He had the entire Chapel in stitches.

For some other photos – featuring some distinctive Mohawks – and these in a larger size, click here.