Can't
get to the game? Don't worry, we've got ya covered.
Bickley honored for milestone
2/11/2008
By CONOR NICHOLL
Hays Daily News
The Fort Hays State University wrestling team, administration, boosters, former coaches and more than a hundred fans paid tribute to Tiger wrestling coach Cody Bickley for setting the school record for wins on Saturday night at Victor E. Lounge.
Bickley won his school record 55th dual at Newman University in Wichita late last month and broke Dave Winter's mark of 54 set from 1963-70.
He earned his 57th victory Saturday night against Grand Canyon (Ariz.) University before the ceremony. Several people, including Tiger athletic director Curtis Hammeke and booster Stan Jackson, spoke in front of a packed Victor E. Lounge.
A video tribute was also shown that included several players discussing Bickley's coaching style and affinity for Subway.
"He has been an ultimate professional for a number of years now, started obviously as an athlete here and has moved into the coaching ranks," Hammeke said. "This is obviously a testimony to Cody and the type of person that he is to have the amount of people that are here tonight to celebrate with him."
Jackson, a booster who has been associated with the program for more than 20 years, agreed with Hammeke.
"You do a tremendous job of recruiting quality people and quality athletes and you can be very proud of the way you run your organization," Jackson said.
Under Bickley, the Tigers have qualified 35 individuals to the national tournament in the past seven seasons.
No fewer than three have qualified each year of Bickley's tenure.
Bickley has coached 30 NCAA Division II All-Academic team members, 12 NCAA Division II All-Americans, including a pair of NCAA national runner-up finishers.
Last season, he led Fort Hays to its best finish in school history at the West Regional Championships with a second place showing. Seven Tigers qualified for the national tournament and Fort Hays finished No. 10 in the country.
This season, Fort Hays will likely send several more wrestlers to nationals. They are currently in fourth place in the 10-team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at 4-3 and 6-5 overall in duals.
"It really does come back to the guys that we have and what we are trying to do," Bickley said. "In my eyes, we have a long way to go and we are going to get there, we are going to get there. I will say that right now, we will get there.
"We have a good group of guys and we just need to keep doing things the right way and plug along and we are going to bring some national champions to Fort Hays and some national championships. We are looking forward to it," Bickley added.
Bickley thanked Hammeke, President Edward Hammond and associate athletic director Mark Pahls for their efforts.
"I enjoy being around those guys and they are so good for us," Bickley said. "I can't say thank you enough for guys like that. It means a lot."
Bickley's wrestlers have paid tribute to their coach -- and offered insight. Sophomore 157-pounder Danny Grater, one of the team's top wrestlers, said Bickley has changed this season.
"Seems like this last year, since he has gotten to know everyone a lot longer, he has gotten a little more emotional towards us and expects a lot more out of us as we get older," Grater said. "It is all helping us to become what we want to be."
Bickley, though, hasn't changed in his love for Subway, a place that his players eat at a lot on road trips.
"I think people here know him by name," Grater said to laughter from the crowd. "About every road trip we take and in Christmas break, it is always Subway. We never get to go to a fast food place like McDonald's."
The diet, though, like winning and building a consistent prograam, is another trademark of Bickley -- a man greatly respected for his terrific resume with Tiger wrestling.
Sports reporter Conor Nicholl can be reached at (785) 628-1081 Ext. 127, or at
cnicholl@dailynews.net.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| BB | 5/11 | Central Missouri | L 4-2 |
| BB | 5/10 | Missouri Western | W 4-3 |
| BB | 5/09 | Emporia State | L 6-5 |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | W 17-5 |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | L 4-3 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 15-7 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 5-4 |
| SB | 5/02 | Central Missouri | L 3-1 |
| SB | 5/02 | Missouri Western | W 3-2 |
| SB | 5/01 | Pittsburg State | W 6-0 |
