The Spy has intercepted an email from WC’s sports information director Phil Ticknor to the Washington College community a few days ago on a remarkable moment for division III athletics when the Washington College Mens basketball team was playing at Gettysburg College last weekend. We thought we’d share with the greater Chestertown community this fine example of good sportsmanship.
“I wanted to share with you a story of true sportsmanship displayed by our men’s basketball team that happened during our game at Gettysburg Saturday. I am hoping you will pass this story along to your colleagues.
Cory Weissmann is a senior at Gettysburg College. He was a member of the basketball team as a freshman before suffering a stroke. He returned to the court for the first time Saturday on Gettysburg’s Senior Day, started the game, and then came out at the first stoppage
in play.
With 52 seconds left in the game and Gettysburg leading by a comfortable margin, Gettysburg Coach George Petrie put Weissman back in the game. Following a Shoremen basket with 19 seconds left, Washington College Coach Nugent called a timeout for us. It was to draw up a magical play – not to win the game, but to do something more important than that.
The Shoremen were instructed to foul Weissman when he received the ball on the ensuing inbounds, thus sending him to the free throw line and giving him a chance to score. Freshman Sean Flanigan fouled Weissman with 16 seconds left and Weissman made one of his two free throws to do something no one thought possible three years ago – score a point on his Senior Day.
This was an outstanding display of sportsmanship and a great lesson taught through athletics and I wanted to make sure others were aware of it.”
In fact, the Director of Athletics of Gettysburg, David Wright, was so moved by the jesture, he send the following letter to WC’s president Mitchell Riess.
“On behalf of the Gettysburg College community I want to write and thank you for creating an atmosphere of outstanding sportsmanship at Washington College.
On Saturday, your men’s basketball coach, Rob Nugent, along with his coaching staff and student-athletes displayed a measure of compassion that I have never witnessed in over 30 years of involvement in intercollegiate athletics.
Corey Weissman, a senior player at Gettysburg suffered a life-threatening stroke while weight training during the off-season of his freshman year. Corey worked daily to rejoin the basketball team after the stroke left him paralyzed on one side of his body. He hadn’t played a minute since the stroke as he still struggles to run.
Because we were celebrating senior day on Saturday, our coaches arranged to have Corey start, and after the tip he would resume his spot on the bench. Rob gladly agreed to this request and the game proceeded as planned. The most exceptional point in this story came in the closing minute of play. The outcome of the game was determined, so our coach reinserted Corey into the game. Upon noticing this, Rob called a timeout. He must have instructed his players to let Corey get the ball and then intentionally foul him so he might have a chance to score a point.
According to our coach this was not scripted, but instead Rob’s idea. The gymnasium was packed with Gettysburg fans as we were also celebrating the 2011 women’s lacrosse team winning the national title with a ring and banner ceremony at the conclusion of the basketball game. Corey went to the line and proceeded to miss the first free throw. Amazingly he made the second and will graduate in May having scored a single point in his collegiate basketball career – thanks to Coach Nugent and the WC basketball program. The crowd erupted and there was not a dry eye in the place.
I cannot tell you the number of people that have told me how impressed they were with how Coach Nugent and the WC team handled themselves. I might also mention that during the senior recognition at the beginning of the game, the entire WC contingent gave Corey a standing ovation and during player introductions, Coach Nugent gave him a hug. I have never been more proud to be associated with the Centennial Conference and Division III of the NCAA.
I apologize for the length of this email, but I am still in awe of what I witnessed on Saturday and wanted you to know the details. You have an incredible man in Rob Nugent, an outstanding AD in Bryan Matthews, and I acknowledge your outstanding leadership at Washington College.
Beth Armstrong says
Such a great story…..so glad that there are things like this that still happen in sports…especially at the college level….well done coach!
Jane E. Hukill says
I must admit that I finished the article with tears coming to my eyes. WC is a great institution, but it went up to the outstanding level with this performance. Congratulations to the entire team, coaches and the AD.
Edward Maxcy says
This event makes me extremely proud of the institution at which I worked for some twenty-seven years, the best of the people, exemplified by Coach Nugent, who currently work there, and, of course, its fine scholar/athletes.
Connie Godwin says
Let’s hope the wire services and the nation’s sports publications pick this story up. Or in today’s cyberspeak, let’s hope it goes viral.
Coach Nugent, his staff and his team have shown us what sportsmanship really means. Thanks guys..
.(Now, I’ll join Jane Hukill and wipe the tears from my eyes.)
Ford says
Thank you Rob Nugent for displaying such true grace and sportsmanship. That was a great highlight in WC athletic history.
Joe Lill says
For those of us that believe in “The better angels of our nature”, you can’t find a better story. A powerful lesson in humanity was taught on the basketball court during that game.
Wendy Moore says
We were in Gettysburg to meet up with friends and to cheer on the Gettysburg women’s lacrosse team as they received their national championship rings. We were fortunate to see the entire mens basketball game – the courage and determination of Cory Weissman and the incredible sportsmanship of the Washington College team. And yes there were grown men ( and women) crying. Just about all of them! A wonderful day for Gettysburg, Washington College , the Centennial Conference and Division III sports!
Joe Lill says
This story was picked up by Kevin Cowherd of the Baltimore Sun and appeared in both the on-line and hard copy versions of the Sun today. ESPN will be doing a story on it also. The Pittsburgh Gazette also picked up on it.
Jody McWilliams says
As a Character Counts coach at Kent County. High School, I am always looking for stories that reflect the 6 pillars of our program: Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Fairness, Citizenship, and Caring. This week I shared this story……and they listened.
tim barrow says
It’s not whether you win or lose – it’s how you play the game