President's Message

What a six months it has been! As we reflect on where we were when this global pandemic began to where we are currently, I’m not sure anyone could have predicted the challenges that we continue to face. While there is still much unknown, we do know this … sports won’t be played at the collegiate level this fall, at least at most DIII institutions.

Regardless of what side you are on, the reality is that the leadership of the colleges, universities and conferences in every state have had to make some difficult decisions, knowing that this may impact their enrollment long term. What these leaders continue to do is have the safety, health and well-being of the student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators at the forefront of these decisions. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank two individuals that helped see the Brown & Gold Club come to fruition over the past four-plus years, former BW Director of Athletics Kris Diaz ’78 and Past President Natalie Winkelfoos '03. Kris led the BW department for the past 12 years and we thank him and applaud him for all of his hard work and dedication and wish him the best of luck in his retirement. Natalie, while not retiring, will be serving in the past president role for the year and will continue to be an asset to this group moving forward.

We look forward to the year ahead with John Snell ’87 taking the reins of the department and continuing to lead our talented student-athletes as interim director of athletics.

So, as we continue to transition to the new way of life, it is more important than ever, that we continue to support our mission of advancing a championship athletics culture that honors the legacy of previous, current, and future BW student-athletes.  

I look forward to the next time we can celebrate the Brown & Gold in person! 

Stay healthy and safe,

#yj4l
Julie Work '99
President

OAC Unveils Spring Schedule for Postponed Fall Team Sports

The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) has announced the preliminary spring competition schedules for the three-team sports that were postponed this fall due to COVID-19. 

All-American Distance Runner Kelly Brennan Named NCAA Woman of the Year Award Conference-Level Nominee

New Track Surface Installed Inside BW's Finnie Stadium

The University and Kiefer U.S.A. recently completed the installation of a new state-of-the-art track surface inside The George Finnie Stadium. 

Director of Athletics Kris Diaz '78 Retires

On June 30, Director of Athletics Kris Diaz '78 retired from BW after 12 years serving in the role. Assistant Director of Athletics John Snell '87 will serve as interim director while the University conducts a national search. Read more here.

Athletic Communications Director Kevin Ruple Retires

On June 30, Director of Athletic Communications and Public Relations Kevin Ruple retired after serving BW 37 years. Jeff Miller '96, who has served as Sports and Media Information Director for the past four years, will succeed Ruple as Director of Athletic Communications.
Read more here. 

Read the Latest BW Alumni Updates!

Snell '87, Miller '96 and Becker '04 set to lead BW Athletics in 2020.

Clayton Stanton '18 joins the BW Yellow Jackets football coaching staff as an assistant offensive line coach.

Bob Walters '64 BW Athletics Hall of Famer, honored for coaching Ashtabula Area City Schools tennis teams for 56 years.

Check out additional alumni profiles here to see what your teammates and recent graduates are doing, and keep us updated on your news and achievements, too.

A Message from BW's Interim Director of Athletics John Snell '87

Greetings, Yellow Jackets! Hope everyone had a great summer and is now ready for the fall season. I want to first let you know how grateful and excited that I am to be serving as your interim director of athletics! I have said this several times, that I am following in the footsteps of many great people who have served before me. As you all know, this has been a unique year for us in athletics and it will probably be different than what we are typically used to, for this school year as well. But, that being said, we are doing everything that we can to provide opportunities for our athletes to train in a COVID-safe environment. It is our hope that we will be having a full spring of athletic competition. We are not allowed by conference rule to have any form of competition until after January 1.

I am meeting with every team to communicate that we are going to do everything in our power, to make the absolute BEST of this school year for our student-athletes. I want every senior athlete to have those “Memorable Senior Moments” on their respective field, court or pool. There is nothing better than the experiences and relationships that are formed on the athletic fields and we are fully committed to try and provide those opportunities for our student-athletes. In order to do that though, we must continue to limit the COVID cases on campus and countywide. Here are some of the things that we are presently allowed to be doing with our athletes:

• Training sessions Monday-Friday that are individual based and voluntary
• Rehab of our athletes who have had any health issues so they can be ready for the spring
• Leadership meetings that the NCAA now allows us to have within each program
• Leadership class that is taught by Dr. Alan Kolp that allows 20 students per semester to participate
• As long as our COVID cases remain on a decline or in a healthy position, then we will progress into more involved training for each program
• Compliance meetings with every team to review NCAA compliance and mandates

We look forward to seeing you supporting Yellow Jacket Athletics. If there is anything that you need from us, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I have said this a million times - we are part of the greatest family in America - THE BW FAMILY! 

GO JACKETS!

YJ4L
John Snell
Interim Director of Athletics

Announcing the 2020 BW Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

BW's Athletics Hall of Fame was created in 1965 to recognize exceptional achievements and impact on the Brown & Gold.   Each fall, a new class of Yellow Jackets for Life is inducted into the Hall of Fame and celebrated for their contributions to the legacy of BW Athletics and for the standards of excellence they set as student-athletes.

We congratulate the Class of 2020 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees:

 Nominate an outstanding Yellow Jacket for Life here. All nominations are due by March 15. The roster of current members of the Hall of Fame can be found here.

Due to COVID-19 and in compliance with University guidelines, the 2020 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be postponed to a future date when guests can safely gather on campus. Please stay tuned for more information on a virtual recognition of the 2020 inductees on
Friday, October 16, 2020.  

Ways to Stay Connected

Jacket Career Captains 

Join us on Monday, October 5 for our new virtual Jacket Career Captains event through BW's new Yellow Jackets Career Connections Network. This meet-up is designed to give students a chance to meet Yellow Jacket athlete alumni and learn how to leverage the experience and skills developed on the field/court in conversations with professionals. This hour-long event will feature four Yellow Jackets for Life as panelists.  If you’re interested in serving as a panelist for this or future meet-ups, please contact Danielle Rueger '13 at drueger@bw.edu. 

ICYMI: Athletics Facilities Virtual Tour

In case you missed it, check out the Athletics Facilities virtual tour created and produced by Ethan Miller '21.

• Missed a previous newsletter? Check out the archive here. 
• Update your contact information or share your latest news and achievements.
• Reach out to a coach or administrator with contact information from the BW directory.

Send words of encouragement to our student-athletes

Our student-athletes have faced much adversity this year with the abrupt end to spring athletics and the postponement of fall competition. We ask alumni to help provide support to our Yellow Jackets by sending words of encouragement by email to bwalumni@bw.edu using the subject line: Yellow Jackets Words of Encouragement.

Reverse Raffle Update

Due to Ohio regulations limiting our ability to gather and the continued concerns over COVID-19, BW has canceled all events on campus through the end of the year. This affects plans for a re-scheduled Reverse Raffle event, originally planned for April 4, 2020. Read more here including options for those who had purchased a table, dinner and/or raffle ticket. 

Call for Nominations

Yellow Jackets, are you looking for a way to give back to BW! The Brown & Gold Club is currently accepting nominations for board leadership positions. Board members help build relationships with BW Athletics, establish communication with BW coaches, help fundraise for the club, as well as educate graduating seniors about the Brown & Gold Club and more. Please complete the Brown & Gold Club Board Leadership nomination form if you are interested in serving on the board. You can also nominate a fellow Yellow Jacket.