Our Rich History: How softball joined the ranks of elite sports at Thomas More — Bors and Wegman stand out
By Michael Pagano
Thomas More University
The Saints softball program is one of the most successful on the Thomas More University campus.
Bors delivers a pitch against Trine University. (Photo by Richard Fields.)
Eight conference tournament championships and 10 NCAA tournament appearances since 2005 will put any program on the map not only regionally but nationally.
That said, it was a rocky road for...
Our Rich History: Olivia Huber Bryant, a standout Thomas More performer in soccer and basketball
By Raymond Hebert
Thomas More University
Sources for this article include: Statistics provided by Michael Pagano Co-Director of Sports Information, TMU Athletics, and print media as noted.
In the spring 2016 issue of Moreover, the Thomas More alumni magazine, Judy Crist described Olivia Huber’s athletic successes as a “sports career for the ages,” adding that “Olivia Huber’s college athletic...
Our Rich History: Thomas More’s first national champion ever, Lynn Thompson/NCAA women’s golf
By Raymond G. Hebert, Ph.D.
Thomas More University
Sources for this article include: Statistics provided by Michael Pagano Co-Director of Sports Information, TMU Athletics, and print media as noted.
“Championships are championships, no matter the makeup of the field.”
Those words symbolize Lynn Thompson’s march to Thomas More College’s first national championship ever (2002). It was in NCAA...
Our Rich History: TMU’s Women’s basketball meteoric 3-year rise to national championship level
By Raymond G. Hebert, Ph.D.
Thomas More University
Sources for this article include: Statistics provided by Michael Pagano Co-Director of Sports Information, TMU Athletics, and print media as noted.
Four years in the NAIA, playing in the Mid-South Conference (MSC)—which was one of the toughest in the nation—resulted in three National Championship games for Thomas More, a truly remarkable feat...
Our Rich History: Brian O’Conner and Thomas More’s men’s basketball under legendary ‘Gentleman Jim’ Connor
By Raymond G. Hebert, Ph.D.
Thomas More University
Sources for this article include: Statistics provided by Michael Pagano Co-Director of Sports Information, TMU Athletics, and print media as noted.
The Men’s Basketball Program at Villa Madonna/Thomas More College during the early years went through phases linked to special coaches. The Charlie Wolf era, led by talented players like Larry Staverman,...
Our Rich History: Thomas More College football’s dynamic Duo 2010-12 — Hayden and Autenreib
By Raymond G. Hebert, Ph.D.
Thomas More University
Sources for this article include: Statistics provided by Michael Pagano Co-Director of Sports Information, TMU Athletics, and print media as noted.
After the magical year of 1991, with its undefeated season, there was still a great deal of success for Thomas More College football through the 1990s and early 2000s. It is probably best symbolized by...
Our Rich History: Thomas More College football’s early years; an unlikely undefeated season in Year II
By Raymond G. Hebert, Ph.D.
Thomas More University
(Sources of information for this article include: Thomas More Archives, Thomas More University Athletics Media Guide, and Michael Pagano, Co-Director, Thomas More University Sports Information)
It was in 1990, against all odds and with much trepidation, that the Thomas More College community, headed by the Board of Trustees, took a major leap to “approve...
Our Rich History: TMU’s Women’s volleyball rise to prominence, 1920-2021; links to Cinci’s Seton H.S.
By Michael Pagano
Thomas More University
Part of an occasional series on sports history at Thomas More University (Villa Madonna and Thomas More College)
Quite surprisingly, as we look for reasons why the Thomas More Volleyball program became one of the university’s premier programs, we found a little-known link to Cincinnati’s Seton High School. The school was home to two of the greatest players...
Our Rich History: Rotary Grove Memorial in Devou grew from few trees to beautiful gathering place
By Arnold Taylor and Florence Tandy
Covington Rotary Club
As Covington celebrates the 100th year of operation of the Devou Golf Course, it seems appropriate to look at other iconic parts of Devou Park.
Covington Rotary and Covington Fire Color Guard participate in annual Memorial Service at Rotary Grove.
Rotary Grove has become a community gathering place for many in Northern Kentucky, all because...
Our Rich History: Sydney Moss and development of TM national championship women’s basketball
By Raymond G. Hebert, PhD
Thomas More University
The first of two parts. This is part of an occasional series on successful athletes who played at Thomas More.
The Thomas More College Women’s Basketball program had been steadily improving over the years with competitive teams in the late 1980s and the 1990s coached by Sharri Brumfield. Local talent, like Nancy West, Jamie Boehl, Kim Byron, Chris...
Our Rich History: David Justice went from Thomas More College to Major League Baseball
By Raymond G. Hebert, Ph.D.
Thomas More University
(This is part of an irregular series on the sports athletes who went on to careers in their chosen sports fields.)
David Justice, after a brief baseball career at Thomas More College under legendary coach Jim Connor (1984 and 1985), went on to have a solid major league baseball career from 1989–2003 with the Atlanta Braves (through 1997) and then...
Our Rich History: Region has always been a drag — Female impersonation in 19th, early 20th Centuries
By Jacob Hogue
Special to NKyTribune
The debates currently being waged over drag performances have reached legislatures in every corner of the country. The belief that undergirds the proposed legislation against drag performers — and what has served as an impetus to the increasing number of armed right-wing protests and threats against events featuring them — is that we have gone too far too quickly...
Our Rich History: Enhancing men’s basketball coach Charles Wolf’s legacy — Staverman, Tieman, Weyer
By Raymond Hebert
Thomas More University
This is one of an occasional series on the sports figures who distinguished themselves at VMC/TMC/TMU.
In Sr. Irmina Saelinger’s early history of Villa Madonna College/Thomas More College from 1921–1971 (Retrospect and Vista), she stated that in 1945–1946, “the ratio of men to women was 1 to 4 but this changed rapidly within the next several years,”...
Our Rich History: VMC/TMC/TMU athletes who made a difference, 1921-2021 — Rick Hughes
(This is part of an occasional series on athletes who made a difference at Villa Madonna Academy/Thomas More College/Thomas More University.)
By Raymond G. Hebert, PhD
Special to NKyTribune
Rick Hughes was a talented athlete who played Thomas More College basketball during a difficult decade, the 1990’s, when winning records were harder to come by. For context, by the 1990s, the legendary coach...
Our Rich History: Centennial period athletes/teams from VMC/TMC/TMU who made a difference
By Raymond G. Hebert, PhD
Special to NKyTribune
For several years, beginning on June 14, 2021 and ending on February 6, 2023, the “Our Rich History” focus was the Centennial History Series for Villa Madonna College/Thomas More College/Thomas More University. I had the pleasure and honor of writing many of the 90+ articles produced during those weeks and months.
The result, in March 2023, was a...
