What is the connection between lacrosse sticks and bicycle trips? For a hearty group of Wittenberg alumni, that unlikely pairing created the perfect opportunity for a walk down memory lane 鈥� even while creating new memories.
Former Tiger men鈥檚 lacrosse players Jim Parks 鈥�70, Bob Young 鈥�74, Steve Ritzenthaler 鈥�73, and Rick McClain 鈥�74 were joined by friend Ben Davies 鈥�73 on a 155-mile journey along the Great Allegheny Passage bicycle trail from Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Also along for the ride, which included an 18-mile climb to the continental divide, were former men鈥檚 lacrosse coaches Rob Umble and Dick Fahrney, who is 81 years old.
The four-day trip completed in early August was filled with laughter and tall tales. Most of all, the journey affirmed the Tiger ties that bind.
鈥淲e rode to keep old friendships fresh,鈥� said Ritzenthaler, a standout in both football and men鈥檚 lacrosse during his undergraduate days on campus. 鈥淓very evening after riding we ate and drank and told old stories. We were a group of lifelong friends who were still ready to Tiger Up!鈥�
While it was important for Ritzenthaler, who coached Tiger men鈥檚 lacrosse from 1984-93, and others to re-connect, it was just as important to share the experience with Fahrney, the program鈥檚 first coach. He was a head coach or assistant coach for three different sports at Wittenberg between 1967 and 1976 鈥� football, men鈥檚 lacrosse, and baseball 鈥� and he built lasting relationships with his student-athletes that he has maintained despite time and distance (he has lived in Colorado since his retirement).
Fahrney, who was inducted into the 麻豆传媒团队 Athletics Hall of Honor in 2011, maintains a passion for Wittenberg. Current Head Coach Jay Owen further honored him by establishing a men鈥檚 lacrosse alumni recognition award that is presented annually in his honor.
鈥淭he student-athletes that come through the 麻豆传媒团队 men鈥檚 lacrosse program never cease to amaze me with their passion and their support of the program,鈥� Owen said. 鈥淭his passion is shown by the first coaches getting together with former players for a bike trip, but also by alumni of all ages finding different ways to keep in close contact.鈥�
Owen, who has led the program since 2014, continues to cultivate that network by keeping in close contact with alumni team members and inviting them back to campus as often as possible. The program鈥檚 annual alumni game is a popular event with close to 20 alumni returning to play during Homecoming 2021.
鈥淲e have a network of current and former student-athletes and coaches who have built a tremendous connection with one another,鈥� Owen said.
