1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

Athletics

Sheilley named athletics director at Transylvania University; will serve as first female AD in the university’s history

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LEXINGTON, Ky. —Transylvania University has named Holly K. Sheilley, currently the assistant director of championships for the NCAA, as its new athletics director, effective July 1, 2013. “Holly will be an outstanding addition to Transylvania,” said President R. Owen Williams. “Her extensive and varied experience will enhance our already strong athletics program.” Sheilley has been with the NCAA since 2010. She managed four Division I Championships, including the two largest in terms of student-athlete participants, as well as five Division III Championships, including the two biggest. In total, she was responsible for oversight of over $3 million in operating budget. “I am extremely humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve as the athletics director at Transylvania University, Sheilley said. “I am committed to continuing the long-standing history of academic and athletic excellence by raising the bar and moving us forward as contenders in Division III. After getting to know the people here, it is clear that the university has a bright future. I am excited to work with such a great group of coaches, staff members and student-athletes.” Prior to joining the NCAA, Sheilley spent eight years in athletics administrative posts at the University of Louisville, working under athletics director Tom Jurich. She has been assistant athletic director for championships and student development and assistant compliance coordinator since 2002. “I am delighted that Holly is coming to Transylvania,” said Barbara LoMonaco, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

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Transylvania’s A. B. “Happy” Chandler was commissioner of Major League Baseball when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Transylvania’s own Albert B. “Happy” Chandler (class of 1921), the commissioner of baseball, had approved Robinson’s contract with the Dodgers to set the stage for the landmark event. Robinson went on to become the National League Rookie of the Year and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The recently released film “42” chronicles Robinson’s struggles as a baseball pioneer who becomes a national icon.   In 1985, Chandler discussed the reasoning behind his decision in this interview. He argued that young Americans who had risked their lives on the front lines during World War II should not be denied the opportunity to play the nation’s pastime. With his mind made up, he had the courage to overrule the recent vote of the Major League owners, who wanted to deny African-Americans a place in their sport. While at Transylvania, Chandler played three sports-he was captain of the baseball and basketball teams and the quarterback for the football team-and briefly pursued a professional baseball career. He instead decided to attend law school and launch a political career. He eventually served as Kentucky’s senator and governor (twice). Chandler was elected posthumously to Transylvania’s Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2012. Photo: Commissioner of Baseball A.B. “Happy” Chandler shakes hands with Jackie Robinson at the 1949 World

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Transylvania University athletics director, Jack Ebel, steps down

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Barbara LoMonaco announced today that Jack Ebel, director of athletics, will become the associate athletics director for outdoor facilities at Transylvania, effective July 1, 2013. “Jack’s many years of experience and vast knowledge of athletics at Transylvania will be a tremendous asset to us as we expand our sports facilities and programs,” LoMonaco said. “It has been my pleasure to serve as director of athletics for the last seven years.” Ebel said. “During this time, the athletics program has made great strides in hiring more women coaches and increasing the competiveness of our women’s sports program.” Under Ebel’s tenure, the number of athletes increased from 270 to almost 400; numerous teams qualified for NCAA post season play; men’s and women’s track, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and equestrian programs were added and the cheer and dance program was upgraded to competitive status. In addition, the women’s program won two HCAC All Sports awards and is currently in the lead for this year. The men’s and women’s program combined, won the last two HCAC Commissioner Cup trophies. “It is only through the hard work and relentless efforts of our coaches and staff that these remarkable achievements have been attained,” Ebel said. “I am proud to have played a role in these successes.” In his new position, Ebel will oversee and coordinate the use of the university’s new Fourth Street athletics facilities, including

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Transylvania breaks ground for state-of-the-art athletics complex

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Junior Abby Felthaus was one of several to participate in the groundbreaking. LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University broke ground today for a new athletics complex at 555 West Fourth Street that will become home to women’s and men’s soccer, lacrosse, and track and field teams as well as the field hockey team. The facility is expected to be ready for use in early fall of the 2013-14 academic year. Centerpiece of the complex will be a state-of-the-art lighted turf field for soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey, surrounded by an NCAA-regulation eight-lane track with an all-weather surface. Space for field events will be adjacent. An 800-seat grandstand, press box, and concession area will complete the playing facilities. A new office and locker room building will house coaches’ offices and a training room, and on-site parking will be available. “This project represents a bold approach to Transylvania’s future,” said Board of Trustees member Brian Wood, a 1994 graduate of the university. “By expanding beyond our traditional campus boundaries and integrating the Transylvania culture into a new neighborhood, we are setting a course that says we are a dynamic and innovative college.” Colmon Elridge, executive assistant to Governor Steve Beshear and a 2003 graduate of Transylvania, spoke on behalf of the governor’s office. “Transylvania University is enshrined in the fabric of who we are as Kentuckians,” he said. “And, this historic university is not resting on its laurels. Transylvania University is on the move.” President

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A.B. “Happy” Chandler tops list of Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees

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A.B. “Happy” Chandler, Class of 1921 LEXINGTON, Ky.—Former Kentucky governor and baseball commissioner A B. “Happy” Chandler and basketball star Orbrey Gritton top a list of seven new inductees into Transylvania University’s Pioneer Hall of Fame. The 2012 class was inducted on April 27, following a reception and dinner. The latest additions bring the total number of Pioneer Hall of Fame members to 102, plus one team, since inductions began in 1992. The newest members include Chandler, a 1921 graduate who played baseball, football, and basketball at Transylvania prior to a long career in politics; Gritton, a 1989 graduate who ranks 13th on the all-time men’s basketball scoring list and was district player of the year and an NAIA All-American as a senior; and Mark Turner, a 1977 graduate who retired as the winningest coach in the history of the women’s basketball program. Also entering the Hall of Fame this year are swimming All-American Jay Ecleberry, a member of the Class of 1992 who still holds two school records; tennis standouts Elizabeth Boyd Fryar ’81 and Andrea Barton Lane ’90, both of whom starred on regional championship teams; and Emily Veeneman ’96, a field hockey and softball player who holds the field hockey records for most goals in a game, in a season and for a career. The Pioneer Hall of Fame was founded by the school’s alumni office and the athletics and physical education department to recognize former athletes,

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