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1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

Athletics

Transylvania coaches choose to celebrate holidays with local schoolchildren

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Co-workers often get together this time of year for libations and secret Santa gifts. But members of the Transylvania University athletics program decided to do something different. About 20 coaches and staff members got off the season’s sidelines and took a van ride up North Limestone to visit Arlington Elementary students. “I had so much fun reading the Christmas books with the kids,” head women’s lacrosse coach Haley Marvine said. “Children around the holidays are always so excited. It was a really fun day.” The students reacted enthusiastically not only to the stories but also to the coaches’ participation in their physical education classes, which kept the track and cross-country coaches hopping (er, jumping rope, that is). Transylvania athletes and athletic staff have taken a more active role in the community all year. For example, the women’s basketball team donated door receipts from the Besuden Classic toward a $1,000 gift to God’s Pantry, and members of the volleyball team have been reading to elementary school children for two months. “This is something we will do again,” said cheer and dance head coach Tora Carter, who helped coordinate the Arlington visit. “Everyone really enjoyed interacting with the teachers and students. Being able to give back at this time of year is special.” Arlington’s Family Resource Center Director Linda Prater worked with Carter to make the event possible, as did Karen Anderson, coordinator of Transylvania’s community service and civic engagement office.

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Rudolph named sports information director at Transylvania University

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Transylvania University announced today that Laura Rudolph will become sports information director in July. She replaces Glenn Osborne, who resigned in May after serving in the position for 14 years. Rudolph, currently the university’s digital recruitment coordinator for the admissions office, has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, with emphasis in sports journalism, from Eastern Kentucky University and is completing a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University. Rudolph covered NCAA Division I athletics, the Ohio Valley Conference, major league baseball, OVC championships, and the NCAA football championship subdivision tournament as a sports editor for the Eastern Progress, in Richmond, Ky. In addition, she has covered and photographed local high school and college athletics as a sports reporter at the Corbin News Journal in Corbin, Ky. “I am humbled and excited about the opportunity to continue my love for Transylvania as a member of the Transylvania athletics department,” Rudolph said. “I look forward to focusing my efforts and abilities on telling Transylvania’s untold stories, developing our online platforms and sharing the amazing accomplishments of our student-athletes and alumni.” Osborne enlisted Rudolph to take charge of digital media coverage for first-round games in the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2012, which were hosted by Transylvania. Rudolph was also responsible for occasional sports photography, running live blogs and social media during Transylvania’s basketball games with the University of Kentucky. The sports information director serves as the primary media contact for

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

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

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

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

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

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

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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