A heartfelt note from Nan
Dear Fellow Varsity D Association Members,
It is my sincere hope that this communiqué finds you and your loved ones both healthy and safe.
WOW, who would have guessed a virus could create such a challenging time within our culture? This has been apparent over the last few weeks since we had the painful task of telling our swimmers and divers and our hundreds of spring sport athletes that their seasons would not continue. Many were on the cusp of championship seasons and achieving some lofty goals, which have made it even more disappointing.
As we were informing our athletes, our own Coach Gregg Parini shared an article from the University of Michigan’s swimming & diving coach whose team also was preparing to compete in the NCAA Championships. He framed his message to his athletes as “this is something you can give to the greater good” versus dwelling on what was being taken away. That’s a sentiment for all of us to remember at this time of extreme disruption and uncertainty.
While the sting hasn’t lessened, I remain ever grateful for the opportunity to lead Denison athletics at OUR alma mater. Our athletes were devastated to have the element of “competitive excellence” taken from them. But President Weinberg continually reminds us that personal relationships are embedded deeply in Denison’s DNA, and our athletes continue to be buoyed and sustained by those bonds with their coaches and fellow players, albeit now from a distance.
I am so proud of our student-athletes and the integrity they demonstrated as they came to terms with the current situation. While no one can anticipate how we will look back on this time, I know I will recall our final weekend of contests in March when we were able to preserve and celebrate the love of sport, competition, and what it means to be a teammate. Denison truly prevailed! The reflections linked below will give you a sense of this.
In closing, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the retirement of three venerable Big Red mentors from our coaching ranks this spring. Peter Burling, Bob Ghiloni, and Rob Russo, head coaches of men’s tennis, men’s basketball, and men’s soccer, respectively, have served a combined total of 69 years at Denison and earned numerous honors along the way. It will be difficult to replace these icons, and we wish them all the best as they pass the torch to our next generation of Big Red coaches. You can read more about their illustrious careers by following the links below.
Nan Carney-DeBord ’80
Associate Vice President
Director of Athletics
Professor and Chair of Health, Exercise, and Sport Studies
