by Kristiana Hunt
With the addition of sports at WVU Parkersburg, Tom Yencha took this college to a whole new level of "community college." It offers not only education, but an opportunity to participate and support numerous athletic teams.
Prior to this fall, volleyball, men's soccer, men's basketball and golf were already being offered. Tom Yencha, the director of Student Union and Activities, added to the variety of things to do. This fall, students have the opportunity to join a co-ed table tennis team, and female athletes now have the chance to play basketball. A wrestling team and men's volleyball team are also being talked about.
The idea for a women's basketball team was to even up the teams a little better. Yencha wanted to add another female sport, and basketball seemed to be the most popular choice. Ten games are scheduled for the '11-'12 season so far. Due to the lack of junior varsity teams at other schools and their varsity schedules already being full, scheduling was difficult, but Yencha is aiming for at least twelve total games this season.
The formation of a table tennis team was an easy decision for Yencha. "We had students bringing the tables out in the lounge and in the hallways. People love it," he said. Psychology professor and former W.Va. state table tennis champion, Phil McClung, also has the connections. Having played in several national tournaments, McClung knows who to contact. This makes scheduling a much easier process and gives the team a foot in the door for tournaments.
Not only are students participating in the athletic events, but they're succeeding. The men's basketball team took home first place in the '10-'11 Border Battles tournament last winter.
The golf team recently placed seventh out of fifteen teams in a golf tournament held at Ohio Valley University. The team beat Division II schools such as West Virginia State, Wheeling Jesuit, Glenville and OVU. "And we were missing two of our best players," Yencha said, "With them, I think we might have won the whole thing."
"I want to encourage students to participate," Yencha said, "and even if they don't want to participate, just come out and watch. See what it's like."
Students can also show their support for the sports' teams by purchasing Riverhawks apparel from Yencha's office. All proceeds go directly to the teams.
With the addition of sports at WVU Parkersburg, Tom Yencha took this college to a whole new level of "community college." It offers not only education, but an opportunity to participate and support numerous athletic teams.
Prior to this fall, volleyball, men's soccer, men's basketball and golf were already being offered. Tom Yencha, the director of Student Union and Activities, added to the variety of things to do. This fall, students have the opportunity to join a co-ed table tennis team, and female athletes now have the chance to play basketball. A wrestling team and men's volleyball team are also being talked about.
The idea for a women's basketball team was to even up the teams a little better. Yencha wanted to add another female sport, and basketball seemed to be the most popular choice. Ten games are scheduled for the '11-'12 season so far. Due to the lack of junior varsity teams at other schools and their varsity schedules already being full, scheduling was difficult, but Yencha is aiming for at least twelve total games this season.
The formation of a table tennis team was an easy decision for Yencha. "We had students bringing the tables out in the lounge and in the hallways. People love it," he said. Psychology professor and former W.Va. state table tennis champion, Phil McClung, also has the connections. Having played in several national tournaments, McClung knows who to contact. This makes scheduling a much easier process and gives the team a foot in the door for tournaments.
Not only are students participating in the athletic events, but they're succeeding. The men's basketball team took home first place in the '10-'11 Border Battles tournament last winter.
The golf team recently placed seventh out of fifteen teams in a golf tournament held at Ohio Valley University. The team beat Division II schools such as West Virginia State, Wheeling Jesuit, Glenville and OVU. "And we were missing two of our best players," Yencha said, "With them, I think we might have won the whole thing."
"I want to encourage students to participate," Yencha said, "and even if they don't want to participate, just come out and watch. See what it's like."
Students can also show their support for the sports' teams by purchasing Riverhawks apparel from Yencha's office. All proceeds go directly to the teams.