Tower & Times Sprint 2009 - University of Rio Grande

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Rio Grande Rio Grande Joins Mid-South Conference Beginning in the fall of 2009, the University of Rio Grande athletic teams will compete in the Mid-South Conference, leaving the American Mideast Conference. Rio Grande has competed in the AMC since its inception in 1998. The AMC formed out of the old Mid-Ohio Conference, which Rio Grande joined in 1971. Before that, Rio played in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC). The Mid-South Conference is one of the most competitive and highly respected conferences in the NAIA. The move will constitute a jump in divisions for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, which had been NAIA Division II since the 2000-01 season. Basketball is the only sport that has two divisions in the NAIA. Rio leaves the AMC/MOC with a number of championships. The RedStorm have won 10 conference or division championships in men’s soccer and will now have the likes of national power Lindsey Wilson to tangle with for Mid-South crowns. Baseball won two titles in the MOC (1974 and 1978), softball tied for the AMC South Division championship in 2006 and 2008 with Ohio Dominican, women’s basketball copped three MOC titles in 1990-91, 1992-93 and 1993-94 and AMC Tournament Championships in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Women’s cross country won the 1997 MOC title and women’s track and field went back-to-back in 1993 and 1994. Rio volleyball won four MOC titles (1987, 1991-1993) and men’s basketball captured 10 titles as well as the 2001 and 2003 AMC Tournament crowns. Men’s cross country won an outright MOC championship in 1992 and men’s track and field won MOC titles in 1990 and 1993. 8 Tower & Times • Spring 2009 The Mid-South has 15 members overall, but seven schools are members in football only and two others play football and compete in track and field. The teams which Rio will compete against include: Bethel (TN) (M/W track only), Campbellsville, Georgetown (KY) College, Lindsey Wilson, Pikeville College, Shorter College (M/W track only), St. Catharine’s, The University of Cumberlands (KY), and WVU-Tech. Mid-South Conference Commissioner Mike Pollio is pleased to have Rio Grande as a part of the conference. “We are very excited to have a first class school like Rio Grande join what is considered one of the best conferences in the nation,” Pollio said. “When we toured Rio Grande we were very impressed by the class and professionalism of everyone including the President, A.D. and the coaches. Rio is a welcome addition to the Mid- South Conference.” Athletic Director Jeff Lanham, as well as the entire athletic department, is excited and looking forward to the move. “The opportunity for the University of Rio Grande to participate in the Mid-South Conference is very exciting!” Lanham said. “We believe we are moving from one of the top NAIA D II leagues in basketball to one of the top NAIA D I leagues in the country. Our coaches are very thrilled about the move.” Lanham talked about Rio’s past and returning to play the majority of their conference games in the Bluegrass State as it did when his father, Art, was coaching Rio Grande back into the 1960’s. “We belonged to the KIAC during the ‘60’s and are now returning to familiar ground,” Lanham said. “This has generated enthusiasm in our athletes, students and alumni, and will rekindle old rivals for Rio.” Lanham said that it has been a smooth transition to this point. “The A.D.’s, coaches and administration have been very helpful and have welcomed us with open arms,” he said. “We are moving from the team in a league which is the farthest team south to a league where we are the farthest team north.” “Our fall and spring sports will benefit from the move to the south,” Lanham added. Lanham also talked concerning the competitiveness of the Mid- South and about the increased exposure Rio Grande will now have in the neighboring state of Kentucky. “The MSC is very competitive and we are looking at this as a challenge to all of our programs,” Lanham said. “The philosophy and commitment to the students/ athletes by the schools in the Mid- South Conference fit Rio’s goals. Our exposure in Kentucky will benefit our admissions goal to expand their recruiting in the state of Kentucky.” Lanham added that the Mid-South is also heavily involved in the Champions of Character Initiative, which is something Lanham believes strongly in. “The Mid-South Conference, as does the University of Rio Grande, follows the Champions of Character Initiatives.” Competition in the Mid-South Conference for Rio Grande will begin with the Fall Sports Season of 2009- 2010. ◆
The Shared Vision Alumni Board Description continued from page 6 The individual Board member strives to: • Identify with Rio Grande and endorse its mission • Know Rio Grande’s goals and objectives • Serve as an ambassador for Rio Grande • Support Rio Grande financially by giving at the Society of 1876 level ($100 - $499), or above, annually • Participate in the annual Alumni Phonathon by making calls to alumni and signing letters to class mates as requested • Attend, at minimum, 1 alumni event per year • Meet, as a group, four times per year. If you would be interested in becoming an Alumni Board member, please contact Annette Ward at 740-245-7431, or 800-282-7201, ext. 7431, or award@rio.edu ◆ We Want To Hear About You! If you recently found a job, were promoted, were married, moved, had a baby or did anything else of interest, please let your University of Rio Grande family know about it. Fill out the form below and send it to the Office of Alumni Relations, University of Rio Grande, PO Box 500, Rio Grande, Ohio 45674. Name_____________________________________________________ Phone________________________________ Grad. Yr.____________ Street_________________________________ City________________ State_______________________Zip________ County______________ Email Address__________________________ ■ Check if this is a new address. News:_ ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Parents: If this issue of Tower & Times is addressed to your son or daughter who has established a separate permanent address, please notify us of the new address: 740-245-7431, or 800-282-7201, ext. 7431, or award@rio.edu Nomination Form Request The University of Rio Grande accepts nominations for the following awards on a continuous basis. The deadline for nominations within a given year is February 1 of that year. Nomination forms are kept on file and reviewed yearly. ■ Alumni Awards (Distinguished Alumnus, URG Alumni, Atwood Achievement, Faculty Citation, Citation of Appreciation) ■ Athletic Hall of Fame ■ Educators’ Hall of Fame Please send the nomination form indicated above to: Name_____________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________ Mail this request to: Office of Alumni Relations, University of Rio Grande, PO Box 500, Rio Grande, OH 45674 The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College do not discriminate against applicants, employees, or students on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, or disability. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Human Resources Director, Allen Hall, 740-245-7228. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be made through the Human Resources office.
Page 4: Rio Grande Rio Boards commit to sha
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Tower & Times Sprint 2009 - University of Rio Grande

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