Springfield, Ohio – After a tremendous 2014-15 season that included 24 wins, a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament title, and a run to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament, Wittenberg University’s women’s basketball team was recognized with a special proclamation at a Springfield City Commissioner meeting on Tuesday, April 28.
The proclamation outlines the team’s various achievements from the recently completed season and concludes by declaring Wednesday, April 29, as Wittenberg “Tigers” Women’s Basketball Team Day in Springfield, Ohio. Most of the team members and coaches were on hand to receive the proclamation at the meeting and afterward posed for pictures with Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland, who serves as a professor of religion and director of urban studies at Wittenberg.
“We are proud to represent not only Wittenberg University, but also the city in which Wittenberg resides, Springfield, Ohio, as a group of women who stand for sportsmanship, competitiveness and hard work while doing so with integrity and class,” said Wittenberg Women’s Basketball Head Coach Sarah Jurewicz, class of 1998, who has guided her alma mater’s program to a record of 125-89 in eight seasons. “I believe the success these women have achieved in victories is further heightened by the way that they serve as positive role models to young girls in our community. This recognition by Mayor Copeland and the Springfield Commission is a true honor.”
Wittenberg posted records of 24-7 overall and 12-4 in the NCAC after a preseason poll of league coaches predicted a fifth-place finish for the Tigers. The Tigers placed second in the final regular season standings, and then Wittenberg embarked on a Cinderella two-week run in the postseason, starting with three wins in the NCAC Tournament to claim the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The Tigers continued the ride in their first national tourney appearance in more than a decade, upsetting 20th-ranked Transylvania 80-73 in the first round. Wittenberg saw its season come to a close with an 80-58 loss to eighth-ranked Washington University in the second round on the Bears’ home court.
Written By: Ryan Maurer