2008 Woodie Awards
Alumni of SDSU come together for fellowship
The WNIT, a doubleheader and men's basketball gave alumni from all over a chance to meet.
Ariy-El Boynton
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Sports
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On March 20 just before the first round of the Women's National Invitational game against Creighton University, a group of alumni gathered to examine the campus and changes that have been going on. What they saw pleased their eyes.
"It is great to re-live the past and see great things from the university," said Joan Ellen, an education major of the class of '76. "Brookings has always been a home for me and number one in my heart; I have missed it."
Even non-SDSU graduates had great things to say about the campus.
"I am pleased to be here for the game. I sent three daughters here, and a lot of family have graduated from State; I have the most respect for it," said Mike Blanchester, who went to SDSU for two years before transferring to an out-of-state college. In all, a majority of the 4,999 fans in Frost were non-students as the game occurred during Spring Break.
One gathering that was solely for alumni was the men's basketball reunion luncheon at the SDSU Foundation Center on Feb. 9 before the doubleheader game against Western Illinois. Head coach Scott Nagy, along with assistants Rob Klinkefus, Deryl Cunningham, Brian Cooley, Alex Focke, Tim Hill and Luke Cardona, were on hand to meet and greet alumni from the 1940s to present-day.
About 40 ex-players, along with friends and family from all over the region, came to the gathering. The number would have been higher if not for harsh winter weather.
The players appreciated the chance to gather. "It felt good to see the guys and see Coach (Nagy); we are a family, and for a day, we were together both young and old," said Derrick Schantz, who played for SDSU from 1999 to 2004.
Fred Oien, SDSU's athletic director and class of 1972, gave a report on the status of the campus of their school.
"If you haven't got a chance to look around the campus, I would recommended it," said Oien. He made mentions of the new Northern Plains Biostress Building, Caldwell Hall and the new athletic faculties on the north side of the campus. Oien alerted the group that the current student-athletes have the highest G.P.A. of all-time.
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