TEXAS WESLEYAN CELEBRATES CHAMPIONS
May 11, 2006

FORT WORTH, TX:  Members of the Texas Wesleyan University faculty, staff, and board of trustees, as well as alumni, friends, and family gathered at the Fort Worth Club on Thursday to honor two National Championship programs.  Members of the Texas Wesleyan men’s basketball team received their national championship rings while members of the national champion table tennis team also received awards.

Chairman of the board of trustees, Dr. John Maddox said, “Greatness frequently comes when ordinary people do extraordinary things.”  The Fort Worth Club was packed with ordinary people who pulled off extraordinary feats.

The Texas Wesleyan Table Tennis team won its third consecutive national championship this season.  They nearly swept all championships by taking titles in the men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and team competitions.

Coaches Keith Evans and Jasna Reed handed out several awards.  Carlos Chui received the 3-D Award for the player who showed the most desire, dedication, and determination.  Eric Owens was named MVP for the third time.  Owens, a biochemistry major with a 3.8 GPA was also selected as Scholar Athlete.  Mike Meier received the Coaches’ Award.

The accomplishment of the men’s basketball team has been well documented, winning the NAIA Division I National Championship as the 27th seed in the field of 32 teams.  Since defeating Oklahoma City University 67-65 on March 21, the team has received numerous awards and honors including resolutions and proclamations from two city councils, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, the Texas State Senate, and United States Congress just to name a few.

Head Coach Terry Waldrop addressed the gathering, “It’s been said that basketball doesn’t build character, it reveals it,” he said.  “If that is the case, then we have the most character laden team that I have ever been around and it is an honor to have the chance to recognize these young men who epitomize the student-athlete.”

Waldrop went on to say, “These guys are now bonded forever.  We weren’t the most individually talented squad there, but we were the best team.  This experience is something that we will each carry with us forever.”

That bond that connects the 2005-2006 Rams is now signified by the diamond-encrusted rings that they can wear with pride for the rest of their lives.