Hello everyone. I've archived 2 years worth of posts from this blog.
Let's review a few of the things that have happened since the spring football game.
The big story this summer was the SAC President's Meeting where WU president Jerry McGee and Vice President and Athletic Director Steve Poston accepted the seventh consecutive Echols Trophy for Athletic Excellence. Wingate is the only current SAC Conference member to achieve that record. Winning in 2013-2014 would establish a new all time record in the conference. The trophy is awarded via a point system for all sports to the college or university in the South Atlantic Conference with the greatest accumulated point score. Points are awarded for the highest regular season or tournament standing. Wingate finished 20 points ahead of it's next nearest SAC rival.
Two new conference members, Coker College of Hartsville, SC and Queens University of Charlotte NC will begin competing in the SAC conference beginning this fall. Both of these schools will compete in all sports except football. Queens has been a non-conference rival for many years, especially in Volleyball and men's basketball. The 2013-2014 year also brings two new sports into the conference as Men's and Women's Lacrosse and Men's and Women's Track and Field are added as official South Atlantic conference sports.
Construction and renovating continued this summer. Helms dorm has been renovated and rebuilt to exacting standards. Not only have the rooms been completely rebuilt but the exterior facade has changed. Between the two wings new residents will find a swimming pool and a barbeque pit. The Caf has been renovated allowing for more serving room and seating space. Bright new colors and changes to the ceiling give more of an open feeling. The big brick planters in front of the Caf are gone, replaced by an aesthetically pleasing seating area with accompanying landscaping. At long last Cuddy Gymnasium in the Cannon Athletic Complex is being air conditioned.
Recruiting classes for Men's and Women's Lacrosse were announced in early July. Men's Coach Michael Lawson has new Bulldogs coming from Canada, Florida, the Carolinas and England. Women's Coach Caline Ohmsted has recruits coming from North Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, Florida and California.
Volleyball Coach Shelton Collier announced the "most challenging schedule" in Wingate's Volleyball history. Wingate will open the season in early September traveling to St. Paul, MN to play in the Concordia Tournament.against elite Divison II opponents. Concordia is the 6 time National Champion.
Returning Senior QB Robbie Nallenweg Averaged 331.3 yards per
game passing and threw 29 touchdown passes
Football Head Coach Joe Reich released the 2013 schedule last week. It is the same 10 game schedule that came out prior to the spring game. The Bulldogs will have an open date the first week of the season. The first game will be a home game with St. Augustine September 14th. Fall camp will open in about 3 weeks, in early August. Some of the veterans have been on campus lifting weights and running in preparation for the opening of camp. That takes real dedication. Conditioning is a huge plus for athletes coming into camp. Camp is intense and physically draining. Those that aren't ready suffer more from the heat and sometimes get sick or cramp up.
That beautiful new track is ready for records to be broken by Wingate Athletes. My six year old grandaughter looked at the track and said "Wingate is getting awesomer and awesomer"
