March 4, 2014
For Immediate Release
By Chris Megginson, sports information director
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University athletics and the Big Maroon Club hosted a special postseason kickoff luncheon for donors Friday, Feb. 28 in the Winters Dining Hall Chowning Executive Dining Room.
Each winter and spring sport was represented in person, or by video, to help share the importance of postseason play and ask for financial support to reach their goal.
As of Feb. 28, 176 student-athletes have qualified for regional or national competition to represent 16 CU sports teams in postseason play. By the end of May, that number could grow to as many as 300 student-athletes and 23 sports teams.
“I want to thank all those individuals that attended our postseason kickoff fund-raiser luncheon on Friday. We had a great group that supports our athletic programs join us to hear about the success of our student-athletes and teams as we prepare for more postseason for winter and spring sports,” CU Athletic Director Rusty Hollingsworth said.
Those in attendance had the opportunity to hear from two student-athletes whose teams have already qualified for postseason competition this season: cheerleading senior Audrey Wunderlich and men's bowling senior Jordan Ventresco.
“It is always a good reminder for all of us to hear from student-athletes, like Audrey and Jordan, about the impact Campbellsville University has had on their life,” Hollingsworth said.
Wunderlich and Ventresco both shared their personal stories about the impact CU has had on their lives, especially Ventresco, who shared how he came to know Christ through sports at CU. Later this month, he and the Tiger bowling team will make their second postseason appearance in the program's five-year history.
“It was an honor for me to be one of only two speakers at the event. As a senior, the postseason means so much to me, because it will be my last time in a CU uniform trying to go out on top,” Ventresco said. “All sports teams strive for the postseason at CU, and it is where the most memories are made without a doubt.”
A special video, produced by WLCU, featured CU basketball head coaches Keith Adkins and Ginger Colvin, baseball head coach Beauford Sanders and softball head coach Shannon Wathen. Student-athletes Nathelie Zetrenne (women's track and field), Tyler Alsip (men's wrestling), Alyssa Barker (softball), Jordan Myers (men's basketball) and Katie Allen (women's basketball) were also featured in the video.
National postseason competition in the NAIA begins this week for winter sports, starting with the NAIA Women's Swimming National Championships,March 6-8, in Oklahoma City, Okla.
“It was nice to see the boosters and supporters and be able to thank them for their support on Friday,” CU swim coach Casey Smith said. “As my team and I prepare to travel to NAIA Nationals this week, it is great to be able to see the faces of some who have helped make it possible. Nationals is such a wonderful experience, even my coaching staff and I look forward to it all year.”
Fifth-ranked Tiger Wrestling and women's indoor track and field will also compete in NAIA postseason competition this week. Ten men's wrestlers will compete in CU's 10th NAIA tournament, March 7-8 in Topeka, Kan., and sophomore Christiana Harris will represent CU at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Geneva, Ohio on March 8.
CU men's and women's basketball also begins its postseason bid this week, competing in the Mid-South Conference Tournament in Lebanon, Tenn., March 6-9. The fourth-ranked Lady Tigers have already clinched a bid to the NAIA Championships, March 19-25 in Frankfort, Ky., while the men are looking to play their way into the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Championships in Kansas City, Mo., March 19-25.
Men's and women's bowling will compete in the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Singles and Team Sectional Qualifier in Smyrna, Tenn., March 14-16, and will compete in the NAIA Invitational on March 29 in Indianapolis. CU's cheerleaders will return to their NAIA Invitational in April in Daytona Beach, Fla.