Winthrop Athletics Tom Hickman, the Dean of He Is a Former Member of the Big South Conference Athletic NCAA Div
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this is Winthrop University one of America’s best where students live, learn and lead Founded in 1886, Winthrop University is rated as one of top regional With its 100-acre main campus and 300-acre athletic complex, Win- higher education institutions in the nation. The picturesque campus is throp is home to a student body that numbers nearly 6,400.Unique ideally located in the beautiful upstate section of South Carolina in the academic coiurse offerings and modern, well-equipped facilities guar- growing city of Rock Hill and only 30 minutes from uptown Charlotte, antee a national-caliber education. Winthrop, students excel in an North Carolina. academic environment that is second to none. ‘We are Eagles, come fly with us’ Dr. Jayne Marie Comstock became the 10th president in Winthrop’s 128-year history on July 1, 2013. She, her husband Larry A. Williamson and Cocoa, their 9-year-old Chesapeake retriever, now make the Presi- dent’s House at Winthrop their home. Comstock has extensive experience as a senior-level academic administrator and a national reputation in the area of higher education leadership. Most recently, she served as the director of the Executive Leadership Group for American Council on Education (ACE) in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining ACE, Comstock President served as the chief academic officer at three different universities, most Comstock recently at Butler University. w Ph.D in comunication from the University of Arizona w B.A and M.A degrees in communication from Illinois State University Area Attractions Charlotte Skyline Bank of America Stadium Time-Warner Arena Knights Stadium Downtown Rock Hill Ampitheater Paramount Carowinds Theme Park Winthrop Athletics Tom Hickman, the dean of He is a former member of the Big South Conference athletic NCAA Div. I Management Council, directors, is in his 18th year as the NCAA Legislative Review and Winthrop’s director of athletics. Interpretations Committee, and Prior to his appointment to the NCAA Minority Opportunities that post in 1996, Hickman was and Interests Committee. He the associate athletic director formerly served on the NCAA Div. for seven years. I Championships/Sports Manage- The North Carolina native ment Cabinet. is a graduate of Wake Forest He serves on the Big South where he received his bach- Conference Budget and Basket- elor’s degree in 1970 and his ball Tournament Committees. master’s degree in 1974. He and his wife Karen, are the Hickman is a member of the parents of two sons, Wesley and National Association of Col- Brett, a daughter, Lauren, and a legiate Directors of Athletics granddaughter, Aubrey Simone (NACDA). Hickman. Tom Hickman Athletic Director Dan Murray Scott McDonald Jack Frost Daniel Hopper Jeff Lahr Associate AD Associate AD Assistant AD Assistant AD Assistant AD Facilities, Operations & Sales Compliance, Student Services Media Relations Marketing & Sales Athletic Training & Donor Relations Athletic Complex Is Superb Winthrop’s 300-acre athletic complex includes outdoor venues for base- ball, (The Winthrop Ballpark), men’s and women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse (Eagle Field), men’s and women’s track & field (Belk Track), men’s and women’s tennis (Memorial Courts), and softball (Terry Field). Irwin ‘Ike’ Belk Track The Winthrop Ballpark Memorial Courts Eagle Field Terry Field Academic & Student-Athlete Services Winthrop Athletics is strongly committed to the welfare and support of its student- athletes through its Academics, Student Services and Compliance offices. A variety of resources are available to student-athletes in the Rock Hill Coca-Cola Academic Resource Center which is housed in the Winthrop Coliseum. The academic staff works closely with its student-athletes throughout their entire experience at Win- throp to ensure their academic success. Graduation Is Our Goal CHAMPS/Life Skills Programs The CHAMPS/Life Skills program provides is designed to provide leadership and service Winthrop student-athletes with personal devel- learning experiences. In addition, programs opment opportunities that challenge and en- and seminars address career development, hance the collegiate experience. The program and academic and personal pursuits. Athletic Training Winthrop provides five full-time certified athletic trainers along with three graduate assistant trainers who are dedicated to attaining excellence in all aspects of sports medicine. Led by the veteran head athletic trainer Jeff Lahr, the staff works hard to deliver the highest quality health care to all of its student- athletes. Lahr, the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Training, is in his 19th year at Winthrop. The full-time staff of assistant athletic trainers includes Daniel Lundy, Charlie Hart, Amber Radtke and Eby Krebs. Several students enrolled in the University’s athletic training program are also involved in helping with daily training room and game management duties. The University athletic training department is teamed up with Dr. John Temple, a former member of the Winthrop men’s basketball team who serves on staff at Ortho Carolina, to provide the best healthcare for its student- athletes. Strength & Conditioning Since Winthrop began its Strength and Conditioning programa little over 10 years ago, it has become a key component to the success of Winthrop Athletics. The program was created to aid in injury prevention and improve athlete performance. All student-athletes receive personal instructions and attention from head strength coach Hayes Galitski and his staff that includes assistant coach Todd Riedel and graduate assistants. Galitski is responsible for designing and implementing the strength and conditioning programs for all 18 sports teams. He works closely with each individual coaching staff to design a program that is geared for that particular sport. Winthrop offers a modern and well-equipped strength and conditioning facility in the coliseum as well as the baseball stadium. Assistant Assistant Strength Coach Strength Coach Todd Riedel Todd Riedel 2007 Big South Champions In 2007 the Lady Eagles broke 13 school team records, including most wins in a single season with 50. The program made its first ever trip to the NCAA Regionals and picked up its first ever wins in an NCAA Regional by knocking off Furman and North Carolina. The season included wins over Georgia, Purdue, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh and South Carolina. The team captured the 2007 Buzz Classic hosted by Georgia Tech. Lisa Kingsmore became the school’s fifth different player in history to finish a season with a .400 or better batting average. Jenny Scrymgeour set the school record for RBI in a single season with 60. The team also had winning streaks of 11 and 10. Individually, Winthrop combined to earn 28 awards. 2008 Big South Champions In 2008, the Lady Eagles defeated Liberty 6-1 in the championship game to capture its second straight Big South Championship. The game was played at Terry Field, giving Seniors Stephanie Reid, Sarah Magee and Izzy Trottier victories in their last game on their home turf. The team won 36 games (86 in two seasons) while earning victories over #18 Oregon State, Georgia Tech, Auburn and Rutgers. Winthrop was 14-1 in league games, posting the most conference wins in a single season in school history. Cari Wooldridge earned Big South Conference Tournament MVP honors for the second straight season. 2014 Season Outlook Eagles Look For Return To Big South Title Game The Winthrop softball team is coming off and 243 RBI during their careers. only made 19 appearances with 12 starts. the program’s 13th Big South Conference Filling their shoes will be an obvious She finished second on the staff with 82 championship game as it finished as the tough task but Cooke feels he may have innings but is the only arm not returning this 2013 runner-up, falling in the title game to more depth than any team he’s had. “We season. Longwood. have more viable athletes this year. We Cooke feels Watson had a great sopho- Head coach Mark Cooke feels he and could start 14-15 players and not lose a more campaign, her first as a starter, and his staff have assembled a team to make an- beat. I think the strength of this team is the can be even stronger this season. “Sutton is other run at the Big South title in 2014. Last versatility of our players. I think we have one going to keep us in the game. She’s going year’s team was very dependent on the long of the deepest, strongest team’s we’ve ever to challenge people. She really worked hard ball as it broke the school record for home had.” to improve her game and I feel she got a lot runs in a season with 64 (previous record As for a starting lineup, only a couple better in the fall.” was 52). of roles may be solidified as Cooke says Watson as the edge to be the top starter While the Eagles do return a couple of competition has been strong as a lot of kids but Cooke has the competition wide open starters with some proven power, Cooke are stepping up. So expect to see different as he plans to use all of his pitchers to start feels the greatest strength and difference lineups over the first few weeks as the team the season to figure out his starting rotation. with this year’s team will be speed and ath- starts to form its identity and starters. Senior Sarah Allen along with sophomores leticism. “This is going to be a speed team. I Dallas King and Bradlee Holeman will be in think the strength is our legs, these kids can MILESTONES the mix. Allen tossed 57.1 innings last year fly.” and was 2-3 but Cooke said she had a good In 2013 the Eagles batted .271 with run- The Winthrop softball program is closing fall as she is throwing hard and with bet- ners in scoring position and Cooke feels the in on 1,000 victories as it currently boasts team left too many runners out there.