FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 17, 2010

Campbellsville University Athletics

Contact: Chris Megginson

Cell: 270-403-1503

GOVERNOR, STATE LEGISLATURE HONOR CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY

VOLLEYBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

From left: Front from left: Front row — Rep. John “Bam” Carney (R-Campbellsville), Head Coach Amy Eckenfels, Caroline Martin (Curitiba, Brazil), Lilian Odek (Nairobi, Kenya), Caitlin Dresing (Louisville), Gov. Steve Beshear, Lilian Da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Jovana Koprivicia (Belgrade, Serbia), Shannon Cahill (Louisville) and Former Head Coach Randy LeBleu. Back row — Brooke Marcum (LaGrange, Ky.), Whitney Haynes (Louisville), Samantha James (Louisville), Renee Netherton (Louisville) and Christiana Sindelar (Napoleon, Ohio). (Photo by LRC Public Information)

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Campbellsville University's 2009 Lady Tiger volleyball team continued to celebrate its National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship with a visit to the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

Governor Steve Beshear was the first to welcome the team, as they gathered for a photo in Capitol Room 110

“You've made your university, community and the Commonwealth very proud,” he told them.

Following the time with the governor, the team was presented to and honored by both legislative houses. Rep. Bam Carney (R-Campbellsville) presented the team in the House, while Sen. Ken Winters (R-Murray), former CU president, did the honor in the Senate on behalf of Sen. Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon).

“It was a good day. I don't know if the girls knew exactly what to expect,” said Randy LeBleu, head coach of the 2009 CU Lady Tigers. “It was a great opportunity to showcase the sport of volleyball, and it was good to see the senators and representatives not from our area go out of their way to recognize us and shake our hands. Being on the floor of both the Senate and House was a great experience.”

Though unable to make the trip, Campbellsville President Dr. Michael V. Carter was grateful for the state's recognition and proud of the team's experience.

“We are all very proud of the Campbellsville University national champion volleyball team. The recognitions of the team by Governor Steve Beshear, Representative Bam Carney and the Kentucky House of Representatives, and State Senators Jimmy Higdon and Dr. Ken Winters and the Kentucky State Senate, are noteworthy experiences for the members of the Lady Tigers volleyball team and coaching staff,” Carter said. “We appreciate the support by our state officials for Campbellsville University and our student-athletes.”

In the Senate, the Lady Tigers were brought to the floor by Winters, who served as Campbellsville's president from 1988-1999.

“I really am honored to have been allowed to do it. Sen. Higdon, knowing my connection to the university, yielded to me to make the award,” Winters said. “Many years of my life were spent there with the school. I'm proud of this team effort and our first national championship. It was a real exciting time. I'm very, very proud of team, as I am of Campbellsville University as a whole.”

From left: Front row —  Former Head Coach Randy LeBleu, Jovana Koprivicia (Belgrade, Serbia), Lilian Da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Lilian Odek (Nairobi, Kenya) and  Caitlin Dresing (Louisville, Ky.). Second row — Shannon Cahill (Louisville), Renee Netherton (Louisville), Samantha James (Louisville), Head Coach Amy Eckenfels and Sen. Kenneth Winters (R-Murray, former CU President). Third row — Caroline Martin (Curitiba, Brazil), Sen. Jimmy Higdon(R-Lebanon), Christiana Sindelar (Napoleon, Ohio), Brooke Marcum (LaGrange, Ky.), Whitney Haynes (Louisville) and Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville). (Photo by LRC Public Information)
 

Higdon said it brought satisfaction to see Winters make the presentation.

“You could tell he was bubbling over with joy today when he made the presentation,” Higdon said. “Out of respect for him and his deep love for the university, I wanted to present this opportunity to him. He's so proud of Campbellsville University, and so am I … It was a thrill to have a national champion visit us today.”

Carney presented the team in the House and was present for photos in the House chambers and with Beshear.

From left: Rep. John “Bam” Carney (R-Campbellsville), Jovana Koprivicia (Belgrade, Serbia), Caroline Martin (Curitiba, Brazil), Christiana Sindelar  (Napoleon, Ohio), Lilian Da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Lilian Odek (Nairobi, Kenya), Shannon Cahill (Louisville), Samantha James (Louisville), Whitney Haynes (Louisville), Renee Netherton (Louisville), Caitlin Dresing (Louisville), Brooke Marcum (LaGrange, Ky.) and Former Head Coach Randy LeBleu. (Photo by LRC Public Information)

“We were honored to have them in Frankfort to celebrate a milestone for the university. It's a very impressive group of young ladies, and it was a joy to have them there,” said Carney, who received his teaching certificate from CU. “It was an honor and privilege on my part, being from Campbellsville, to share their accomplishments with the other representatives across the state. It's a historic moment for our community and the school.”

John Chowning, Campbellsville University's vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, worked with the governor's office, the offices of Sen. Higdon and Rep. Carney and CU Athletic Director Rusty Hollingsworth to organize the event. “It is a great honor for our volleyball team and university to be recognized by the House and Senate in Frankfort. I want to personally thank John Chowning for coordinating with the offices at the State Capitol,” Hollingsworth said.

From left, Head Coach Randy LeBleu, Christiana Sindelar (Napoleon, Ohio), Sen.  Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon), Renee Netherton (Louisville), Lilian Da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Brooke Marcum (LaGrange, Ky.), Whitney Haynes (Louisville), Samantha James (Louisville), Shannon Cahill (Louisville), Jovana Koprivicia (Belgrade, Serbia), Caroline Martin (Curitiba, Brazil), Caitlin Dresing (Louisville, Ky.), Lilian Odek (Nairobi, Kenya) and Head Coach Amy Eckenfels. (Photo by LRC Public Information)

Campbellsville captured the NCCAA Division I Championship on Dec. 5, 2009 in Kissimmee, Fla., and completed the season with a school record 38 wins.

The Lady Tigers were honored Jan. 15 by U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-2nd District), CU Mayor Brenda Allen and Taylor County Judge Executive Eddie Rogers. The following week, the team was presented in front of a home basketball crowd at halftime.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is also expected to recognize the team at a time to be announced.