VMI Facilities

ALUMNI MEMORIAL FIELD AT FOSTER

GRAY-MINOR STADIUM SPRINTURF FIELD

CORMACK FIELD HOUSE/READ ‘16 MEM. TRACK FOSTER STADIUM - LACROSSE

COCKE HALL - THE THUNDERDOME

<20> VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 www.vmikeydets.com Track & Field Facilities

Keydet track and field athletes have the benefit of track coach who guided the Keydets for 25 years Another important tool in the training of VMI ath- being able to train year-round in some of the finest and started the Winter Relays. Cormack Field letes was brought to a new level in 1995 with a track facilities in and the region. House features a newly resurfaced 200-meter massive renovation and refurbishing of the Charles banked APS Tartan track and newly renovated lock- S. Luck ’20 Memorial Weight Room, located in The H.M. “Son” Read ’16 Memorial Track is the er rooms that house both the VMI men’s and Cocke Hall. With over 7,000 square feet of space, most recent jewel added to on-post facilities. In women’s track teams. 35 the Luck Weight Room now contains over 15,000 1986, the outdoor track was converted from six to Indoor Championships have been held in the build- lbs. of free weights, and 2,000 lbs. of dumbbell eight lanes, and from 440 yards to 400 meters. It ing that will continue to play an important role in weights. Over 70 pieces of free weight training was recently recovered with a new polyurethane the Keydet Track and Field program. equipment are available for the use of the student- surface. athlete, and over 40 pieces of resistive training The Shenandoah Valley area offers some of the machine-type equipment. Completion of the project, along with the 1986 and most beautiful yet challenging terrain imaginable for 2000 renovations, gives VMI one of the best ovals training. During the fall, members of the VMI Cross Another new addition to the list of facilities avail- in the Southeast and a 10,000 seat outdoor facility Country team utilize the rugged hills and wooded able to the student-athletes is the Cardio Room. that opens a new era in outdoor scheduling at the paths in the area to prepare for the upcoming sea- Located next to the Luck Weight Room, the Cardio Institute. VMI has played host to the Southern son. The team host annual meets at the Virginia Room is equipped with the latest in cardiovascular Conference Outdoor Track Championships in 1991, Horse Center Cross Country Course, which is a 5k workout and fitness equipment - all in a pleasant 1994, 1997, and 2001, as well as the Big South course comprised of 100% grass over rolling hills. atmosphere for Keydet athletes to train and excel. Outdoor Championships in 2003. In 2005, the Horse Center was also the site of the , one of the first indoor facili- Big South Cross Country Championships, hosted by ties in the nation, continues to provide an outstand- VMI. Given its panoramic views, the course offers ing training and meet site for the winter track sea- spectators and coaches an opportunity to view the son. entire race from the start/finish area. The Blue Ridge Parkway, less than 10 miles away, is also a Nicknamed “The Pit,” the building was renamed in frequent training site. 1986 after Walt B. Cormack, the legendary VMI

www.vmikeydets.com VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 21 Record Books Men’s Indoor Track and Men’s Outdoor Track and Field School Records Field School Records

EVENT NAME(S) RECORD YEAR EVENT NAME(S) RECORD YEAR 55m Dash Greg Hatchett 6.24 1988 100m Dash Paulvince Obuon 10.20 2004 Kevin Mitchell 1983 200m Dash Mario Small 20.90 1991 60m Dash Paulvince Obuon 6.70 2005 400m Dash Mario Small 45.76 1991 200m Dash Paulvince Obuon 20.85 2004 110m HH Tim Bridges 13.8 1979 400m Dash Mario Small 47.11 1989 400m IH Sylvester Davis 50.23 1984 500m Dash Henry Sanchez 1:01.38 1983 800m Felix Kitur 1:46.75 2008 800m Felix Kitur 1:49.43 2008 1,500m Jack Ditt 3:42.70 1982 1,000m Jud Springer 2:27.8 1984 3,000m ST. Rex Wiggins 8:50.20 1978 Mile Run Jody Weatherwax 4:04.7 1980 5,000m Jack Ditt 14:20.0 1981 3,000m Jack Ditt 8:07.0 1983 10,000m Paul Webb 30:32.0 1982 5,000m Ed Daniel 14:36.8 1981 Long Jump Terry Fortune 25' 2-1/4" 1985 55m HH Greg Hatchett 7.33 1990 Triple Jump Malcolm Grimes 51' 6" 1977 60yd HH Tim Bridges 7.26 1979 High Jump Dale Davis 7' 3" 1982 Shot Put Jordan Brandon 56’1" 1997 Pole Vault JB Rosson 16' 4-3/4" 2004 35# Weight John Chisholm 64' 6-1/2" 2001 Shot Put Frank Boehling 57' 1/4" 1994 High Jump Dale Davis 7' 2-3/4" 1983 Discus Tony Edwards 167' 8" 1982 Long Jump Marcus Lynch 25' 1-3/4" 2001 Hammer Jersey Johnson 199' 8" 1986 Triple Jump Paul Perry 51' 4-3/4" 1979 Javelin Chris Brandriff 211’ 9” 2006 Pole Vault JB Rosson 16' 3-1/4" 2002 Old Javelin Jeff Roseme 245' 9" 1980 Mile Relay Sanchez, Davis, 3:11.0 1984 4x100 Relay Bratton, Frost 40.44 1991 Black, Estes Hatchett, Small 1,600m Relay Sanchez, Pitts, 3:10.47 1983 4x400 Relay Davis, Estes 3:04.80 1984 Estes, Davis Black, Sanchez 3,200m Relay Neville, Scott, 7:38.01 1979 4x1500m Harris, Mikels 16:41.64 2005 Sanchez, Keyes Bierlein, Switzer DMR Sanchez, Young, 9:48.31 1984 4x1600m Harris, Sullivan 17:44.63 2006 Springer, Ditt Mikels, Eggleston Heptathlon Garrett Brickner 5,114 2005 Decathlon Phil Alicea 7,125 pts. 1996

*NOTE: All school records are current up to the start of the 2008-09 men’s track & field season

New VMI Assistant Coach Garrett Brickner ‘05 is the Sylvester Davis ‘85 was a 1984 All-American and current school record holder in the heptathlon with member of three relay teams that hold school marks. 5,114 points, and was a 2005 qualifier to the NCAA Champhionships in the high jump..

22 VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 www.vmikeydets.com Record Books Women’s Indoor Track and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field School Records Field School Records

EVENT NAME(S) RECORD YEAR EVENT NAME(S) RECORD YEAR 55m Dash Shelly Mackall 7.23 2003 100m Shelly Mackall 12.00 2004 60m Dash Shelly Mackall 7.73 2005 200m Shelly Mackall 24.99 2005 200m Dash Shelly Mackall 25.77 2005 400m Chandale Williams 57.55 2008 400m Dash Chandale Williams 58.44 2008 100m HH Ashley West 14.71 2006 500m Dash Aarika Johnson 1:19.67 2004 400m IH Aarika Johnson 67.84 2004 800m Dash Ania Najda 2:18.10 2005 800m Ania Najda 2:18.00 2007 1,000m Ania Najda 2:59.02 2006 1,500m Ania Najda 4:47.63 2005 Mile Run Hannah Granger 5:05.74 2007 3,000m Hannah Granger 10:27.07 2008 3,000m Hannah Granger10:08.07 2008 3,000m St. Kelsey Stafford 11:08.59 2008 5,000m Hannah Granger 17:31.94 2007 5,000m Hannah Granger 17:49.19 2008 55m Hurdles Ashley West 8.29 2007 10,000m Hatley Clifford 39:48.66 2005 60m HH Ashley West 8.88 2005 Long Jump Ashley West 18' 6 ½" 2006 Shot Put Mildred Cooper 47' 11-3/4" 2005 Triple Jump Ashley West 36' 5-1/2" 2005 20# Weight Ketra Alexander 56’ 11-1/2” 2007 High Jump Jennifer Carroll 5' 8-3/4" 2001 High Jump Jennifer Carroll 5' 5-3/4" 2001 Pole Vault Nadia Wendlandt 11' 1/4" 2003 Trisha Coughlin 2005 Shot Put Mildred Cooper 47' 10-1/2" 2002 Long Jump Ashley West 18’ 7 1/4” 2008 Discus Mildred Cooper 141' 1-1/4" 2005 Triple Jump Jasmine Hairston 36' 1 1/2" 2008 Hammer Ketra Alexander 162' 5" 2007 Pole Vault Nadia Wendlandt 11' 5-3/4" 2003 Javelin Michelle Feole 134’ 5 1/2" 2008 4x400m Relay Jones, Tugman 4:08.88 2002 4x100m Relay Johnson, Arraiz 49.30 2004 Naslund, Johnson Ferguson, Mackall DMR Blain, Johnson 12:39.71 2004 4x400m Blain, Thompson 4:05.79 2003 McAtee, Naslund Mackall, Johnson 4x1600m Resetar, Ward 22:32.65 2006 Franck, Clifford Heptathlon Jennifer Carroll 3,857 pts. 2000

*NOTE: All school records are current up to the start of the 2008-09 women’s track & field season

Mildred Cooper was a six-time conference champion, Sophomore Hannah Granger set eight VMI school and the first female conference titleist at VMI. She holds records (T & F/XC) during her outstanding freshman sea- a trio of VMI school records. son.

www.vmikeydets.com VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 23 The Virginia Military Institute

24 VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 www.vmikeydets.com The Virginia Military Institute

www.vmikeydets.com VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 25 General J.H. Binford Peay, III - VMI Superintendent

among undergraduate colleges. In July 2007, on a 35-year career in the United States Army. the Institute, in a superb performance, suc- He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil cessfully completed its ten year Compliance Engineering from VMI, a Masters of Arts degree Certification by the Southern Association of from George Washington University, and he is Colleges and Schools receiving reaffirmation also a graduate of the United States Army War of accreditation. Modernized and technologi- College. As a cadet, he was a quarterback on the cally enhanced academic buildings and a full football team, a member of the Honor Court, a academic support staff complement splendid Battalion Commander and awarded the Institute's instructors. The Institute receives annual prestigious Cincinnati Medal at graduation. national and state recognition for its pro- He assumed command of the 101st grams. Airborne Division on 3 August 1989 and led the Military and athletics combine with aca- Division throughout Operations DESERT SHIELD demics to form the historic three-legged stool and DESERT STORM in the Persian Gulf. at VMI, and both play major roles in Vision Promoted to Lieutenant General in 1991, he was 2039. A significant increase in commission- assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for ing is called for as General Peay emphasizes Operations and Plans, Department of the Army the importance of military service, not neces- and Senior Army Member, United States Military sarily as a career, but rather for a couple of Committee, United Nations and on 26 March years in the true spirit of the citizen-soldier. 1993, he was promoted to the rank of General Over the past four years, the percentage of and appointed the 24th Vice Chief of Staff of the graduating cadets receiving commissions has United States Army. grown from 34% to 51%. A strong proponent His last assignment was Commander-in- of athletics, Vision 2039 (and "every cadet an Chief, United States Central Command, MacDill athlete") calls for huge capital building efforts Air Force Base, Florida, from 5 August 1994 to General J. H. Binford Peay III, VMI Class of which will benefit intercollegiate teams, club 13 August 1997, with responsibility for the 1962, became the Institute's 14th teams, intramural sports, and the Corps in gener- region encompassing twenty countries in Africa, Superintendent on July 1st 2003. Through Vision al. the Middle East, Persian Gulf and South Asia. 2039, he has ushered in a period of enthusiasm, The initial and most obvious effort is the General Peay is currently Chairman, the Allied growth, and change throughout all aspects of newly renovated football stadium at Alumni Defense Group, and a Director with BAE VMI. Never losing sight of VMI's primary "acade- Memorial Field, dedicated - Foster Stadium - in Systems, Inc. mic focus," which he emphasizes as "first among September 2006 in honor of P. Wesley Foster, Jr., equals," Vision 2039 sets forth a plan that will VMI Class of 1956. The Gray-Minor guide the Institute for decades to come, as it Stadium, named in honor of Senator Elmon Gray moves toward its 200th anniversary. '46 and G. Gilmer Minor, III '63, and the Enhancing the physical and cultural environ- Paulette Locker Room complex in honor of Bill ment is a key component for the future. Full ren- Paulette '69 were completed and dedicated in ovations of Nichols Engineering Hall, Crozet Hall, March 2007. A lacrosse-soccer stadium, addi- Mallory Hall, and J.M. Hall have recently been tional multi-purpose fields, new Corps confi- completed, with a major modernization project at dence courses, tennis courts, RAT Challenge Kilbourne Hall, a new Leadership and Ethics courses, and an improved cross country "Chessie Center, and a third Barracks all in "full swing." In Trail" are planned for the North Post area and addition to the new third barracks structure, this will "round-out" what General Peay calls "leader- project will include modernization of all rooms in ship valley." the current Old and New Barracks as well. General Peay considers his General Peay and his staff have also spent hun- Superintendency as an opportunity to give some- dreds of hours buried in the details of cadet lead- thing back to VMI which has had such a signifi- ership functions, cadet organizations, the regi- cant influence on his life and that of his family. mental and class systems, the Honor System, His Father, J.H.B. Peay, Jr. was a graduate of the and daily schedule. VMI Class of 1929, and he and his wife, "We must have the daily schedule right; Pamela, have two sons, who are also graduates: leadership, cadet life, study time, management Jim, Class of '98, and Ryan, Class of '02. Born skills, and everything else at VMI evolve around in Richmond, Virginia on 10 May 1940, General that," says General Peay. Peay, upon graduation, was commissioned a Academically, VMI remains a clear leader Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery, embarking

26 VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 www.vmikeydets.com Athletic Director

team had its best conference record in 21 years that had not won a Southern Conference game and won 93 games in three years, the lacrosse the three previous years. His 1982 debut squad squad advanced to the finals of the conference compiled six league wins and White was named tournament for the first time in history, and track Southern Conference Co-Coach of the Year. His athlete Felix Kitur finished 9th in the nation in teams won 85 games in six years and his 1987 the 800-meter run at the NCAA Championships. squad reached the Southern Conference champi- Between coaching at the Institute and onship game. While serving as baseball coach, returning to head VMI's athletic program, White White also taught on the Physical Education staff spent 11 years concentrating on private business, as an assistant professor. as well as high school athletics. The current VMI White is a 1965 graduate of VMI with a AD began a six-year stint as the athletic director B.S. degree in civil engineering. As a cadet, he at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia was a Distinguished Military Student, named in 1992. During his time in that position, Who's Who in American Colleges and improvements were made in facilities, ticket Universities, and was awarded the VMI sales, and booster club membership. The foot- Intercollegiate Athletic Award for excellence. ball program reached the ranks of the state's White co-captained the 1964 VMI football team elite, winning 57 of 65 games, including the and was selected All-Southern Conference in The most ambitious capital improvements to ath- state championship in 1994. baseball for three consecutive years as a short- letic facilities in 20 years have been launched White compiled a distinguished VMI coach- stop while also leading the team in batting. He under the Vision 2039 initiative of VMI ing career in two sports spanning 15 years. He was inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame in Superintendent General J.H. Binford Peay, and joined the football staff in 1971 as a defensive 1975. Athletic Director Donny White has been a guiding backfield coach and helped lead the Keydets to After graduation from VMI, White was com- force in the process. two Southern Conference Championships and a missioned as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Over the past two years, both the football State Championship in 1977. Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. His and baseball programs have seen their facilities White coached the defensive backs to a decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, significantly upgraded with the additions of P. number one national ranking in 1975 and num- and Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters. Wesley Foster, Jr. '56 Stadium and Gray-Minor ber four ranking the following season. He served White and his wife, Bettie, have four chil- Stadium. as VMI co-defensive coordinator from 1976 to dren, Kyle, Katherine, Shannon and Bryan, and White is entering his 26th year in VMI 1981 and had the Southern Conference's top- seven grandchildren. Athletics, having spent 15 seasons as a coach ranked defense in 1977. His defensive backfields and the past 10 years as Athletic Director. The led the conference in pass defense three times. improvement of athletic facilities on post is just White also recruited seven football players who one issue that White has tackled since taking were selected all-conference. over as AD in 1998. Upon his return, White In the fall of 1981, White became VMI head immediately went to work addressing the chal- baseball coach and began to resurrect a program lenging issues facing the VMI athletic department. At the same time, he has built support for intercollegiate athletics among the VMI community and its alumni. His effort has resulted in a change in confer- ence affiliation, increased funding for oper- ations, the development of women's athlet- ics, and a better overall competitive envi- ronment for VMI sports. In 2007-2008, the Keydet programs made significant strides: VMI posted 14 wins for the second-consecutive year as standout Reggie Williams led the nation in scoring for the second straight season. In addition, the baseball Donny White ‘65 with Gil Minor ‘63 at the dedication of Gray-Minor Stadium in March 2007.

www.vmikeydets.com VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 27 Athletic Staff

Sherry Baucom Col. Tom Baur Col. Eric Hutchings Cliff Wade SWA/Academic Faculty Chair of Chief of Staff Assoc. AD/Business Advisor Athletics and Compliance ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS:

SID Office Phone (540) 464-7253

SID Fax (540) 464-7583

SID Mailing Address VMI Sports Lance Fujiwara Elizabeth Igo Andrew Westhouse Betsey Nicely Information Assoc. AD/Sports Assistant Assistant AD/Mark. Athletic Dept. Wade Branner Christian Hoffman Brad Salois Medicine AD/Facilities and Operations Secretary Assoc. AD for Athletic Asst. AD for Media Assistant Sports 116 Smith Hall Comm./SID Relations Information Director Lexington, Va. 24450

Contact Info: Contact Info: Contact Info: Ticket Information P: (540) 464-7515 P: (540) 464-7514 P: (540) 464-7015 540-464-7266 C: (540) 319-1271 C: (540) 460-6920 C: (940) 642-9865 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website www.vmikeydets.com Coverage: Coverage: Coverage: Football, Basketball, W-Soccer, Cross Men’s Soccer, Indoor & Video Streaming Rifle, VMI Radio Country, Wrestling, Outdoor Track & Field, viabigsouthsports.com Network Swimming, Baseball Lacrosse Judy Cash David Sigler Stephen Ross Don Jamison Athletic Dept. Ticket Manager Academic Advisor Assistant to the Secretary Athletic Director HEAD COACHES

Duggar Baucom Darrin Webb Ben Freakley Head Basketball Dir. of Track & Head Men’s Head Baseball Coach Field/Cross Country Soccer Coach Coach

Bill Nicholson Jeff Shirk Paul Spangler Head Swimming & Head Football Head Lacrosse Cross Country Coach Diving Coach Coach Coach

John Trudgeon Bryan Williams Jim Thorpe Head Wrestling Women’s Soccer Head Rifle Coach Coach Coach

28 VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 www.vmikeydets.com The

Kyle Kallander James Companion Dawn Turner Mark Simpson Chad Cook Mark Bryant Commissioner Associate Associate Assistant Director of Coordinator of Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Marketing New Media

www.bigsouthsports.com

The Big South Conference is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2008-09, a milestone in 2006 came in just the fifth-year of the Big South's football existence. coming on the heels of unprecedented achievements and unparalleled success in League history over the past few years. Since its founding in 1983, the Big South In August 1996, Kyle B. Kallander replaced Sasser as the League's third Commissioner, Conference has matured into a competitive leader in college athletics, actively pursu- and in his 12 years at the helm of the Big South, Kallander has been instrumental in ing excellence on the field of play and in the classroom. The League's growing pres- aggressively promoting the Conference to new levels. ence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is evident by athletic accomplish- ments on the national stage, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased The Conference has enjoyed record levels in marketing revenue during the past sev- television packages, and quality athletic competition while intentionally fostering the eral years, he has brought television coverage to Big South women's basketball, base- academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of each student-ath- ball and softball for the first time in Conference history, as well as increased national lete. television exposure to the League as a whole through aggressive and unique televi- sion packages. Under Kallander's leadership, the Big South developed and initiated its The Big South Conference was formed on August 21, 1983, when Charleston first long-range strategic plan, re-affirming the League's vision as a distinctive athletic Southern (then Baptist College) Athletic Director Howard Bagwell and Augusta Conference committed to the quality of institutional life through athletic competition. President George Christenberry began recruiting members into the Big South, receiv- He also spearheaded the efforts to add football as a championship sport, which came ing initial commitments from Augusta, Charleston Southern, , to fruition in 2002. Kallander's long range vision has also included technological Coastal Carolina and Winthrop. One month later, Dr. Edward M. Singleton was advancements, as the Conference introduced its first live event video streaming in selected as the League's first Commissioner and continued to solicit new members. 2005 and has since expanded its video offerings to more than 500 events annually His efforts led to the additions of Armstrong State, Radford and UNC Asheville, giving through a partnership with the member institutions, as well as the creation of a the Big South more than the required six members to constitute an official confer- Conference blog and an online merchandise store. ence. The Big South's first year of competition was in the Fall of 1984, and in September 1986, the Big South Conference was granted full-fledged NCAA Division I The Conference's on-field accomplishments have been duplicated in the classroom. status. Annually, more than 40 percent of Conference student-athletes are named to the Big South's Presidential Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average, During its infancy and prior to securing automatic bids to NCAA Championships, the and the League has had more than 90 Academic All-Americans in its quarter-century Big South made early strides in earning at-large berths in several national postseason of existence. events, including volleyball, women's basketball and women's . The League received its first automatic bid in 1990 to the NCAA Baseball Championship. In The Big South Conference 1989, George F. "Buddy" Sasser replaced the retiring Dr. Singleton as Commissioner. 7233 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 100 Under Sasser's leadership, the Conference implemented its public relations and com- Charlotte, NC 28226 pliance programs, and introduced its first-ever men's basketball television package, fea- Office Phone: (704) 341-7990 turing the Big South competing among some of the finest teams in the nation. Media FAX: (704) 341-7991 Kyle Kallander, Commissioner In the last 15 years alone, the Big South Conference has experienced monumental James Companion, Assoc. Commissioner-Marketing growth and success in nearly every sport. During this time, the Conference has had Dawn Turner, Associate Commissioner-Compliance two individual National Champions, close to 200 All-Americans, has reached the Mark Simpson, Asst. Commissioner-Public Relations "Sweet 16" in men's soccer, women's basketball and baseball, has received national Top Chad Cook, Director of Marketing 25 rankings in men's soccer, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, men's out- Mark Bryant, Coordinator of New Media door track & field, and men's golf, had an individual selected to play in the NCAA Nancy Perkins, Office Manager Singles Championship three times, had the No. 1 ranked men's golfer in the country, Nic Bowman, Asst. Director of Public Relations had the national team and individual scoring leader in men's basketball twice, received Claire Surratt, Marketing Assistant an at-large playoff berth in the Football Championship Subdivision in 2006, and had an Rebecca Hay, Public Relations Assistant institution finish fifth in the NCAA Men's Golf Championships - the Conference's Alex Masse, Administrative/Compliance Assistant highest-ever team finish in an NCAA event.

In 2006-07 alone, the Big South was the only Conference nationwide to have an at- large participant in the football playoffs (Coastal Carolina), a team in the Second Round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (Winthrop) and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Baseball Regionals (Coastal Carolina). In fact, Coastal Carolina's baseball program has been a No. 1 seed three out of the last four years, while its playoff berth

www.vmikeydets.com VMI TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 29