Cardinal 'M' Club unites past and present

By Eric Lear & Candice Norrell
Sports Editors

Saint Mary’s University celebrated its fifth annual Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend Sept.15-16. Along with the Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, the Outstanding Male and Female Athletes and Outstanding Scholar Athletes were honored on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007.
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Cardinal “M” Club Director Bob Biebel said one of many “M” Club goals is to make the experience of participating in SMU athletics as meaningful as possible. Biebel spoke of the importance of bringing together SMU’s former and current athletes in hopes that current athletes will see “there are people out there who support them.”

This year was former volleyball player Kaylene Mrozinski’s (’06) first time to the weekend as a graduate. “It was great to come back,” Mrozinski said.

“[The weekend] is also a good way to honor our student-athletes,” Biebel said, referring to the Saturday night honor banquet.

Four Cardinal alumni were given the top honor of being elected into the Saint Mary’s University Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Class of 2007 inducted at the ceremony included Vicki (Wilson) Greene (’96; basketball, volleyball), Kevin Henthorne (’93; baseball), Mike Horvath (’82; basketball), and Julie (Giebe) Houchin (’97; soccer).

Outstanding Male and Female Athlete Awards were also given out at the banquet. Amanda Weinman (’07) received both the Outstanding Female Scholar Athlete Award and the Outstanding Female Athlete Award.

Weinmann said she was very grateful for each award in a different way.

Nick Winecke (’07) received the Outstanding Male Athlete Award for his role on the Cardinals baseball team.

“I had no idea that I was even up for the [Outstanding Male Athlete] Award, let alone even win it,” Winecke said. “Everything was just a shock to me when they called my name.

Senior soccer player Joey Manley received the Outstanding Male Scholar Athlete Award.

“Receiving the award is a great honor as a student-athlete,” Manley said. “I may be an ‘Art Major,’ but I work just as hard to keep my grades up as other people.”

According to Athletic Director Nikki Fennern, “We wish to honor and recognize the commitment and accomplishments of our students.

“These students represent our department and the university on a local, conference, regional, and national level.  We wish to thank them and celebrate their successes.”

Biebel hopes that the Cardinal “M” Club weekend will continue to bring together the past and the present of SMU athletics for years to come.