WEBVTT 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:21.000 Randi Lydum: Well, at Western, I was able to balance being a student and an athlete, and be successful at both. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:24.000 I got a teaching degree in the education program, 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:30.000 and participated in cross-country, indoor and outdoor track; and really made the most of my experience. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.000 I think the thing that sticks out most in my mind about being a student athlete at WOU 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:37.000 were are coaches and my teammates. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:45.000 We had a very close knit team, and I had never really experienced that on any other team I was on. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:48.000 Our coaches did such a wonderful job of 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.000 helping us be ready to compete, but also really teaching us 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:59.000 how to be good people; and so many of my teammates I'm still in contact with today. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:00:67.000 It's really great to be back here at Western. After being away for over 20 years it feels like coming home. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:12.000 there are so many things on campus that have actually improved and gotten better 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:18.000 but at the same time it still feels like the same environment. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:22.000 It's so important for alumni to give back to their university. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:25.000 Whether its athletically or on the academic side 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:29.000 it means so much for our student athletes and coaches to have support 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:36.000 whether its people coming to the games, coming to alumni events, or donating money. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:40.000 Whatever anyone can do definitely will help. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:49.000 Jack Frauendiener: Being able to participate in athletics here 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:54.000 coming from a small high school, and playing for Coach Bill McArthur 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:59.000 was a real thrill, because coach McArthur I think is probably one of the finest 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:06.000 most quality type coaches that this university could ever have; up until the present time. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:09.000 We played the game of football, for example, 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:16.000 because we loved the game of football. We didn't have any scholarships. Of course, in being NAIA we didn't have any scholarships. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:21.000 And I think that that was the one quality factor that we all shared 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:24.000 Was that we all loved the game of football, and that we played hard. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:30.000 Today, when these young men on the football team as me what it was like 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:33.000 playing football here in 1960,1961; 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:38.000 and I tell them that at that time a lot of our players 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:44.000 had to go both ways, there were a lot of 60 minute people on the football team. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:51.000 with the demands that there are today with guys being so much larger, faster, and stronger; its very very difficult. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:55.000 My wife and I both feel that it is important to help 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:58.000 these young men and women as much as we can with 00:02:58.000 --> 00:02:64.000 dollars and scholarships, because when I was a freshman and sophomore here 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:07.000 tuition, for example, was $78 a term. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:12.000 And if we can help them in any small way to keep that 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:16.000 figure down where they can go to their jobs '" 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:22.000 contracts that they have signed and be contributing people to our society rather than 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:27.000 being strapped under a mountain of debt that they have to work for years to fulfill. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:36.000 Marwan Sarhan: Being a student-athlete here at WOU helps me to get 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:42.000 my education done and play at the same time, and competing at a high level. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:48.000 my scholarship played a big roll for me being here at WOU because 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:54.000 it makes me focus on playing and studying. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:59.000 and just helps me a lot '" don't worry about getting a full time job 00:03:59.000 --> 00:03:62.000 and just focusing on studying and playing hard. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:08.000 I really have a good relationship here between my coaches, my teammates 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:14.000 and I have a mentor which I really appreciate. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:19.000 The pride that I feel when I put my WOU jersey on 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:25.000 I feel that I represent every single person in this community, in this school. 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:32.000 Tomorrow I'm going back to Egypt. So, I have the opportunity to play with the national team 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:37.000 and I might represent them in the World Cup in Spain '" 2014 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:41.000 Which I believe it would be a really good experience for me. 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:48.000 and I will not going to be only representing my national team or my country, but I will also be representing WOU, nationally. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:54.000 and competing at a high level. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:58.000 Hannah Deede: One of the great things about being a student-athlete at Western than any other university 00:04:58.000 --> 00:04:63.000 is they really value a well developed person; not only in the gym, but also in the classroom 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:07.000 and that their athlete are positive community members. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:12.000 My scholarship is one of the main reasons that I have been able to be a part of this team 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:16.000 and allowed me to create the relationships I have with my teammates and my coaches. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:19.000 and also the resources and opportunities that I have had. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:24.000 To play for the collegiate national team in Minneapolis is surreal 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:28.000 and it's an experience I know I'm never going to forget 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:33.000 and it's directly related to the resources and support that Western Oregon has given me. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:39.000 When I put on my uniform there is a sense of pride, because I am a part of this larger community that is supportive. 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:45.000 It's a celebration I think for my teammates and I to go out and represent this amazing institution we play for, 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:48.000 and thats a great sense of pride for all of us. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:51.000 One of my favorite things about being an athlete at Western Oregon University is that 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:55.000 I'm able to compete at a high level and also have the educational experience that I want 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:59.000 So, being an athlete at Western Oregon University, its not one or the other. 00:05:59.000 --> 00:05:66.000 Randie Lydum: My name is Randi Lydum and I'm Director of Athletic Compliance at Western Oregon University, and I'm proud to be a Wolf. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:11.000 Jack Frauendiener: I'm Jack Frauendienr, class of 1968, and I'm proud to be a wolf. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:15.000 Marwan Sarhan: I'm Marwan Sarhan, Western Oregon University student-athlete, and I'm proud to be a wolf. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:20.000 Hannah Deede: I'm Hannah Deede. I'm a student-athlete at Western Oregon University, and I'm proud to be a wolf.