National Champion Ladyjacks Receive Hero's Welcome in Nacogdoches
4/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Bowling
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – After an incredible run to a national championship Saturday evening, Stephen F. Austin’s bowling team received a heroes welcome back in Nacogdoches Sunday afternoon. But less than 24 hours after clinching SFA’s first Division I national title, it still felt like a dream in many regards.
“I don’t think the magnitude of what we just did has hit me yet,” said head coach Amber Lemke. “To be able to accomplish what we did on national TV, and to know that we’ll go down in history as SFA’s first Division I national champion, I don’t think this team realizes how special this is yet.”
After clinching the title Saturday night in North Brunswick, New Jersey, the Ladyjacks arrived back in Nacogdoches at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, ushered back to campus by a well-earned police escort. As the team disembarked the bus, championship trophy firmly in senior Danielle Lynn’s grasp, the videoboard at Homer Bryce Stadium was showing the conclusion of the ESPN broadcast, letting the team see just how fans watched in Nacogdoches had watch them clinch the title the night before.
Also waiting for the Ladyjacks was a crowd ready to celebrate the victory. It included their peers – student-athletes from every sport at SFA – as well as SFA administrators and coaches, university officials and fans from throughout Nacogdoches. Even university president Dr. Baker Pattillo couldn’t miss the opportunity to welcome home the newly crowned champions.
“I know championships don’t come easy, especially national championships,” Pattillo told the team and the standing room only crowd in the SFA Champions Room. “In 1986, when the women’s softball team won the national championship, they gave me a ring. From that point on, I told our athletic director I would not take another ring unless it was a national championship ring. I’ve shown that ring for 30 years and have great pride in it. I’m excited to now get a new ring to show off because of the hard work and pride you’ve brought to this university.”
Following the remarks, the Ladyjacks posed for pictures with any and all who wanted to get a shot with the newest NCAA champion. Media interviews, well wishes and hugs occupied the team’s time until one final surprise awaited as the Ladyjacks were then ushered into the football team meeting room where they were met with a standing ovation from the Lumberjack football team.
“I wanted to bring these young women in here to show you what national champions look like. This is what national champions look like,” said head football coach Clint Conque. “The hard work they’ve put in, the hours, the practices – this is the fruit of their labors. It’s got to be an amazing feeling to be able to hold that trophy.”
As the Ladyjacks made their way back to the bus, they paused one last time to lean on the railing outside the Fieldhouse, rewatching the ESPN clip of themselves from the night before. And while it still may not have completely sunken in, the simple fact remains – the Ladyjacks are the national champions.
Yet for as thrilling and exciting as Saturday night was, there are more strikes to bowl. 15 hours after arriving back in Nacogdoches, the Ladyjacks are back on the road again, traveling to Wichita, Kansas, for the 2016 USBC Team Intercollegiate Championships. Singles competition gets underway Tuesday in Wichita, leading into the team competition Thursday through Saturday as coach Lemke’s squad hopes to bring yet another national championship trophy to Nacogdoches.
-SFA-
