Community honors Wood with fund
By JANEL MILLER
Sports Writer
They came from all across the nation. They were found in a range of sizes, shapes and ages. And they all came together to celebrate and honor one man.
Better known throughout northern Indiana as "Mr. Hoosier," Marvin Wood was more than just a legend for the women of Saint Mary's, he was a friend, a confidant, and their coach.
Last year after Wood passed away, Tammy Radke Raster, a 1988 graduate and former player for Wood, began to devise a way to honor her college coach. Raster, with some help from the current Saint Mary's athletic staff, sent letters to all alumnae and family, current Saint Mary's students and their families, and anyone else whom "Marv" might have impacted. In a letter to her former teammates and alumnae, Raster expressed her goals for a memorial:
"I wanted the fund to be a way for former players to remember how Coach Wood impacted our lives, and to allow future players the chance to honor such a pillar in the history of Saint Mary's athletics," Raster said.
Raster and athletic director Lyn Kachmarik devised the idea for the first annual Alumnae Athletic Weekend, which began Friday night with the dedication of a memorial bench for Wood. Over 25 alumnae returned to celebrate Wood and reunite with alumnae from all classes in their respective sports.
An inscription on the bench reads: "In memory of a man of great integrity, who will forever be cherished for his loyalty and dedication to the women of Saint Mary's."
The bench will remain at the entrance of Angela Athletic Facility were it will be recognized as a token of the hard work and commitment of a man that touched the lives of many Saint Mary's women. Many of Wood's players, friends, and colleagues were in attendance, along with his wife.
Following the conclusion of the dedication the 2000-2001 Belles basketball team hosted a night filled with basketball.
Twelve Saint Mary's basketball alumnae tied on their sneakers to take on the winner of the current Belles basketball team's inter-squad scrimmage.
"I think everyone that played had a great time. I know that my girls had fun," said Suzanne Smith, Belles head coach.
Coach Wood began his tenure with Saint Mary's in 1984.
He spent another 11 seasons with the Belles and in 1996 finally retire after coaching for over 40 years. Before coming to Saint Mary's "Marv" coached at Bethel College, Mishawaka High School, North Central High School, New Castle High School and Milan High School. In 1954 Coach Wood led his team from the small town [Milan] to the Indian State Champion-ships. The storyline of the movie "Hoosiers" was based on Wood's 1954 team and their championship bid.
The highlighted event for Saturday was the tailgate sponsored by alumna Kara O'Leary.
"This weekend gave us a reason to actually come back," said alumnae swimmer Tara Krull. "It was a lot of fun."
Highly attended, the tailgate brought those just arriving with those women who were able to attend the previous night's events.
The weekend of celebration and remembrance was wrapped up early Sunday morning with an alumnae swim meet and brunch at Rolf's Aquatic center.
In attendance was a 1976 graduate who was the highlight of the meet.
Sheila Rafferty Civale started the swim team at Saint Mary's with another woman, Linda Rocco Hearstman.
The inaugural team consisted of three women, Hearstman and their coach, Civale. Civale returned Sunday to swim in the alumnae meet, along with several alumnae from the early 90s and 1993 to 1995 Belles coach Greg Janson
Janson, who flew in form his residence in Calif., said he had his greatest coaching experience while at Saint Mary's.
"I have a lot of great stories — mainly because I worked with a lot of great women," said Janson.
Janson wanted to stay with the Belles but left because he couldn't afford to stay with the low amount Saint Mary's was paying him.
Under Janson, Saint Mary's had its first swimming NCAA All-American qualifier — 1997 graduate Allison Smith.
"We were able to finally put faces with the names we read about in all the newsletters we get. I'm very excited for next year's meet," said alumnae swimmer Meghan Hurley Nadzan. "We're going to make sure it is bigger and better than this year's."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, November 14, 2000
