2005 Reunion

On the evening of Saturday, October 1, 2005, over 110 OWU lacrosse alumni, current players, their parents, and friends of OWU lacrosse, were on hand to celebrate the rich history and the “Pride & Tradition” of Ohio Wesleyan University men’s lacrosse. The weekend festivities began Friday, with the 45th annual induction of nine OWU alumni athletes into the OWU Athletic Hall of Fame. One of the inductees was Dave Breslin, ’93, recognized for his outstanding play as a goalie and first team honors received in the Midwest Lacrosse Association and NCAC. He received Division III Goalkeeper Honors, in addition to North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year, All-NCAC, and first-team All-America citations. As a senior, Dave was the goalkeeper as OWU advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship game and to the national semifinals in two other seasons. Dave’s induction was celebrated by his wife, his parents, and more than 20 OWU lacrosse alumni, representing the classes from 1961-1980, who returned to honor him at this event.

The Hall of Fame attendees were also on hand to witness the conferring of OWU Honorary Alumnus status to Steve “Fatty” Aubrey, who served as an assistant lacrosse coach during the 1975 - 1977 lacrosse seasons and was the catalyst that help support and thrust the OWU lacrosse program into national prominence. The honor was presented by Nancy Morgan Giles ’60, President of the Ohio Wesleyan Alumni Association.

The traditional alumni versus varsity lacrosse game played on Saturday, had over 30 alumni, represented by classes from 1965 through 2005—it was the largest turnout for the annual event, and witnessed by a crowd of more than 100 alumni, parents and friends of OWU lacrosse. It was a “win-win” game as the alumni took an early lead, only to see the varsity respond in an overwhelming display of offensive prowess. To end this great competition, the alumni team, coached by Fred Watkins ’74, challenged Coach Ryan to a “last goal wins” contest. The alumni team called a critical time out and ran a devised play. Once the play was executed, and shot taken by Andy Kay ’02, varsity freshman goalie, Matt Cipolla ’09, from Harrison, NY, made the initial save, then “lost control of the ball,” as it trickled into the goal, much to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd.

The highlight of OWU Alumni Lacrosse Reunion Weekend was the banquet in which the following awards were presented:

The 2005 Fred Myers Award

Given to an Alumni or friend of the lacrosse program for their outstanding leadership role in promoting the national reputation of the team. The 2005 recipient honored was John Hildebrand ’76, Lacrosse All-American - Presenter: Rich Seiler ’72, OWU Lacrosse All-American, former OWU Lacrosse Head Coach and NCCA Coach of the Year.

The 2005 OWU Legends Award

Given to an Alumni or friend of the University Lacrosse program who exemplifies the Alumni Lacrosse experience and acts as a catalyst for the traditions surrounding OWU Lacrosse. The 2005 recipient honored was Jeff Coulson, Class of ’71 - Presenter: Fred Watkins ’74.

The Alumni Award

Given to a current player who best exemplifies OWU’s desire to reach an NCAA Championship. The 2005 recipient honored was John Schlegel ’05, 2-time OWU Lacrosse All-American - Presenter: Austin Vandeveer ’04, OWU Lacrosse All-American and the 2004 recipient of the OWU Alumni Lacrosse Award.

Head Coach Sean Ryan shared with the gathered alumni, parents, and friends of OWU Lacrosse, the expectations of the Varsity Men’s Lacrosse program for the 2006 season. With the return of upper classmen, bolstered by the recruitment of an excellent freshman class of student athletes to the team, the Bishops intend on taking the NCAC title and moving onto the NCCA play-off semi-finals to contend for the National Championship this coming season.

The evening’s festivities were brought to a rousing close with the announcement by University President, Dr. Mark Huddleston, that Morty Bouchard ’80, had made a substantial contribution for the renovation of Selby Field, as part of the Remembering Mr. Rickey campaign. Morty will be leading the fund raising drive and looking to fellow lacrosse alumni for their continued support in raising the balance of funds to reach the $1.5 million dollars needed to complete this portion of the Selby Project. The gathered OWU lacrosse alumni and current players jumped to their feet and with a standing ovation, toasted Morty Bouchard’s generosity (which was repeated multiple times at a later meeting at the Brown Jug) and to reaching the funding goal to and to making Selby Field the finest Division III lacrosse and football facility in the nation. Coach Fred Myers’ son, Paul Myers ’74 was in attendance for the entire Homecoming – Alumni Lacrosse Reunion weekend and played midfield for the alumni team in the traditional alumni versus varsity game.