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By Jim Alexander '76, Roundball Club Secretary (October 25, 2008) - Over 200 fans, alumni, parents and players gathered last week at the Country Club of Virginia in Richmond for the Third Annual Tip-Off Banquet. It was an evening to introduce Krissy and Dee Vick ‘94 to the members of the Roundball Club and supporters of program, and was an event those in attendance will never forget. Athletic Director Joe Bush welcomed guests and thanked Dave Wilson ‘63 and the Roundball Club for their support of the basketball program and help in developing other clubs supporting athletics at Hampden-Sydney. Roundball Club President Dave Wilson ’63 thanked the table sponsors, led by Car Coop, Inc, Ed Shield ’63, C. Porter Vaughan, Inc, and the Parents of the 2008-2009 Basketball Team, for their generous support. A full listing of all of the Table Sponsors can be found on the Basketball Website. The proceeds of this event represent a significant portion of the funds raised each year that support our student-athletes. Byron Lawton ‘09 spoke on behalf of the five seniors on the team. Senior leadership always plays an important role and the five seniors on this year’s team have been diligent in leading the team through their preseason lifting and running regimens. Over the years, H-SC has been tops in the ODAC when it comes to academic achievement; this year’s senior class has a cumulative GPA of 3.2 and includes the President of the Student Body, Fitz Robertson. When former coach Tony Shaver took the podium you could hear a pin drop. In introducing the Tigers’ new coach, Shaver spoke of Dee’s athleticism as a player recalling a critical regular season game against Virginia Wesleyan during his senior year. With the scored tied, Dee stole the in-bounds pass under the basket and shot over the backboard to win the game and improve the Tigers’ seeding in the ODAC tournament. As Shaver’s assistant at H-SC and later at William and Mary, Vick developed into a top notch coach, tactician, and recruiter. Tony is simply thrilled to see Dee, Krissy and their children back at Hampden-Sydney in part because Tony and Ann raised their three sons under similar circumstances, and because his son Austin is one of Vick’s assistants. Coach Vick was at ease when speaking to the audience which included a number of former players and alumni who remember his playing days. He spoke of his wife Krissy and how supportive she has been, of Tony Shaver as a role model both on and off the court and of assistant coaches Larry Blunt and Austin Shaver and the high regard he has for both. Dee is excited about the challenges of recruiting top student-athletes and competing in the very competitive ODAC and has set the bar very high for Hampden-Sydney basketball. He thanked the Roundball Club for its support and fired up the audience when he asked junior transfer Jonathon Mudd ’10 to lead the team in a cheer. He also presented Dave Wilson and Jim Alexander with basketballs signed by the team in recognition of the work they have done with the Roundball Club. Dr. “Tee” Jennings ’95 delivered a stirring Benediction. A very close friend and teammate of Dee’s, Jennings spoke of the loyalty Hampden-Sydney students and alumni have and the sense of the community that makes the College like no other. His comments were a fitting close to an emotional evening. The Tigers open their season on Saturday, November 15 when they play Voorhees College at 5:30 pm. That is the day of the Macon football game. Don’t miss that double header! -www.hsc.edu/athletics- |
