Otterbein’s new athletic director and I share a key strategy to help Otterbein win. We want high achievers—in the classroom, on the playing field and as graduates in the world.
President Krendl with 2011 Otterbein Hall of Fame Inductee Jack Pietila ’62.
This issue of Towers offers a collection of stories that illustrate the commitment, hard work and heart that distinguish our scholar-athletes, faculty and alumni—no matter where they are competing in life’s journey.
More than 20 percent of Otterbein’s entire student body is comprised of student athletes. That means one-fifth of our students provide ample opportunity for us to cheer for Otterbein as a community at sporting events. It’s easy for us to watch each player grow and develop throughout the season. And while the final game score never tells the whole story, it certainly is one measure of their success.
What we aren’t able to see are the countless ways these very same student athletes are performing in the classroom and the community as promising scholars, dedicated volunteers and budding professionals. Their performance here is no less worthy a cause for celebration. But the scoreboard that keeps track of these kinds of wins doesn’t stand in a field. Their growth and development is measured by the kinds of leaders these young men and women are becoming. Regardless, their best win still happens in front of a large and excited crowd in the Rike—when they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
In the world of sports, statistics are commonly used to evaluate success. If that’s the case, here are some averages and scores that matter at Otterbein.
Since 2000, we have had . . .
- 64 student athletes selected as Athletic All-American
- 31 student athletes selected as Academic All-America
- 55 Conference championships won by the Cardinals
- 42 Ohio Athletic Conference “Coaches of the Year”
- 23 NCAA team appearances and three Final Four appearances.
These numbers take on additional meaning when you also consider that . . .
- 292 student athletes earned a 3.0 or better G.P.A. last year
- 85 Otterbein athletes participate in more than one sport
- And, in 2011, our student athletes volunteered 3,025 hours in service while maintaining their academic and athletic responsibilities.
Whether you’re a loyal fan in the stands or a loyal supporter of Otterbein; or, whether you wear a number on a uniform or you wear your pride in other ways—my thanks to all who help “coach” our students to greater success. This issue reminds us of the many different ways the entire Cardinal team of athletes, alumni, faculty, students and fans, give us countless reasons to cheer for our dear Otterbein.
Go Cards!
~ President Kathy A. Krendl