Simpson Championship Night recognizes athletes, coaches

Simpson Championship Night recognizes athletes, coaches

by Ashley KatchStaff Writer

Championship athletes swarmed Cowles Fieldhouse Jan. 27 during halftime of the men’s basketball game. The Simpson Athletic Department honored its five 2006 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship teams.

Cory Chapman, head coach of women’s soccer, thought it would be a fun idea to give each of the championship teams recognition for their seasons.

“The purpose behind the event is to continue building school spirit, provide motivation for the other Simpson teams that are still competing, and this will be a great opportunity to bring recruits on campus to see the success Simpson has athletically,” Chapman said.

The Storm had five teams win conference championships in 2006. Those teams were baseball, women’s basketball, women’s golf, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball.

At first, the plan was to unveil one championship banner at a time throughout the basketball season, but it was decided that it would take too much time to do one banner per game. That is how the idea of acknowledging all of the championship winners at the same time came about.

Senior basketball player Tessa Van Oosbree thinks that Championship Night was a great idea.

“I think it’s a really good opportunity for Simpson students and faculty to see the successes that Simpson individuals, teams, and coaches have had in athletics throughout the past year,” Van Oosbree said. “I think it’s great that the teams can all be addressed in one night.”

Championship teams weren’t the only ones being recognized. Those who received awards from the National Collegiate Athletic Associated were also noted. This included NCAA Tournament Qualifiers, NCAA All-Region Players, and NCAA Regional Coaches of the Year.

Head Softball Coach Henry Christowski was acknowledged for his introduction into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

IIAC Most Valuable Performers and Coaches of the Year were noted as well. All Storm athletes who received First or Second Team All-Conference honors were also announced.

Senior Volleyball player Tiffany Everding is proud to be a part of Simpson athletics.

“I think it is awesome that so many of our athletic teams are dominating the Iowa Conference,” Everding said. “It makes me proud to say that I am part of such a successful college.”

This night was not only for the athletes, teams, and coaches being recognized, but was also considered a special event for the parents, Gold Club sponsors, potential recruits and members of the community who support Simpson and it’s athletic teams.

Junior golfer Noel Treibel thinks that Championship Night was a great opportunity to showcase some of Simpson’s accomplishments.

“I think that showing off all of the different sports was a really good idea,” Treibel said. “It’s a good opportunity for potential Storm athletes to see that Simpson has a lot of sports to offer. I think that this idea will not only help promote the athletic department at Simpson, but will also help promote Simpson as a whole.”

This is the first year that Simpson has had a Championship Night. With everyone on campus wanting to continue to build the championship tradition at Simpson, it is possible that Championship Night could become an annual event.