Students and their families gathered to celebrate Union University athletics and the athletic teams’ accomplishments over the past year Sept. 28 on the Great Lawn.
The gathering took place as part of Union’s Family Weekend event and was a special time to recognize student athletes and coaches as university athletics moves toward full membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II.
Jerry Tidwell, senior vice president for university relations and athletics, oversaw the celebration.
“I’m not sure if we had known two and a half years ago how much work this was going to be if we would have started down this road,” Tidwell said. “But it has been an exciting and challenging time.”
Tidwell said that the university decided to hold the celebration to recognize the hard work of everyone involved in the transition, including administration, coaches and athletes.
“The ones that often get overlooked in this transition are the student athletes,” Tidwell said. “If they were not able to compete at this next level, we would not be taking this step.”
Josh Simmons, campus media specialist, introduced the teams and coaches as each team took the stage at the event.
He listed the teams’ various accomplishments and awards of the past year.
Union began the process of joining the NCAA Division II in July of 2011 and is now well into its third year, called a probationary year.
“We have the membership to compete,” Tidwell said. “We have the right to call ourselves an NCAA school, but this is our year to get ready for the full membership next year.”
The lawn was filled with excitement as the teams were introduced.
Upbeat music played, and members of the athletics department launched shirts commemorating Union’s NCAA membership into the crowd.
University athletics ended the night by unveiling a large banner on Miller Tower which is the new NCAA Union logo.
“The great news about being a part of the NCAA right now is this says that as a Christ-centered university these student athletes can still compete with the very best of the best,” Tidwell said.
More information on Union University athletics can be found on its website at www.uuathletics.com.
TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The athletic teams’ accomplishments as announced at the celebration are listed below:
• Softball: Reigning NCCAA national champions, won NCCAA Mideast region title
• Baseball: Won three of the last four TranSouth conference tournament titles, played in 4 straight national tournaments
• Women’s soccer: Won first TranSouth conference regular season title
• Men’s soccer: Won NCCAA Mideast region title, finished third in NCCAA national tournament, finished second in the Gulf South conference regular season standings.
• Women’s golf: Played first season, posted five top-three finishes
• Men’s golf: Won five tournament championships last season, posted top-three finishes in 10 of 11 events, runner up in NCCAA national tournament
• Women’s cross-country: Had two first-place finishes last season. Finished eighth in NCCAA national tournament. Won nine straight TranSouth conference titles
• Men’s cross-country: Won eight straight TranSouth conference titles
• Women’s basketball: Won NCCAA Mideast region tournament, finished third in NCCAA national tournament, won first place in their first year in the Gulf South conference competition. Won five NAIA national titles
• Men’s basketball: Advanced through the semifinals of NCCAA Mideast region tournament, won four of its last six Gulf South conference games
