Bill Wadley’s presentation to the Athletics Department on Wednesday was, as he said, “just one man’s opinion.” But considering the man it was coming from, his words came from volumes of experience from in and around collegiate sports.
Wadley is in his 25th season at the helm of The Ohio State University’s men’s swim team with a record of 213-19. His career record, which includes three years at Michigan State University, is 237-49 over 27 years in the Big Ten Conference. He was named the 2010 Big Ten Coach of the Year, served on USA National Teams and coached swimmers who competed in the Olympics.
He spent the morning of Aug. 27 in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center conducting an in-service presentation to most members of the Athletics Department. His presentation included issues that are unique to student-athletes and ways to help mentor them so they can make good choices, as well as help their teammates also make them.
“We need to help and encourage others, share our experiences and be there in support of others,” Wadley says. “Whether you’re D1, D2 or D3, every program has the exciting, fun stuff and the hard work stuff.”
His discussions supported what he believes are the cornerstones of every successful athletic program: excellent teaching and technique, discipline and teamwork.
Following Wadley’s presentation, he opened the room up for questions.
Marietta College Athletics Director Larry Hiser says the idea of having Wadley lead the seminar stemmed from a visit he made to campus earlier in the year. Dr. Bill Bauer, McCoy Associate Professor of Education, helped to bring him into Associate Professor Debbie Lazorik’s Sports Management class in the 2014 spring semester.
“Coach Wadley has been a lifelong friend of mine,” Bauer says. “He is a coach’s coach, mentor’s mentor, and a leadership expert in athletics across the nation and world. Marietta College is very lucky to have someone of his expertise and caliber come to share his knowledge and skills with our coaching team.”
Hiser says the Sports Management class responded positively to Wadley’s visit and strongly encouraged the College to bring him back to campus.
Coaches Brian Brewer and Jeanne Arbuckle helped to coordinate the schedule of the seminar; Hiser met with Wadley in July to finalize the content of the presentation.
“It’s good professional development for Athletics; sort of a grounding, touching home plate at the beginning of the year,” Hiser says. “A lot of what we’re doing (in Marietta College Athletics) is being confirmed by what he’s saying, so I believe we’re on the right track. But also, he provided new ideas and new lenses to look at things through.”
GI SMITH