NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick spoke to the Monarch wrestling team Thursday afternoon, imparting wisdom on the nation’s No. 16 ranked squad that extends far beyond the mats.
“We are truly gracious and honored to have President Broderick speak with our team,” associate head coach Mike Dixon remarked. “We hope his words will make an impact with our team as they work to achieve their goals of graduating from Old Dominion University with a world-class degree, strive to win an NCAA Championship and become part of a larger community while giving back to all those who have helped them along the way. President Broderick has shown outstanding support to the wrestling team, and we hope that we can be a model reflection of what ODU has to offer to the world.”
After taking the time to personally meet each individual team member, President Broderick highlighted the indispensability of forming connections with other peers and faculty members for the future, urging the student-athletes to introduce themselves to others whenever possible. He also reminded them that people tend to judge the whole by the part they know, so representing themselves, their teammates and their institution to the best of their ability at all times is essential.
President Broderick’s unwavering support of the program has been noted by more than just the coaching staff, as his words especially resonated with returning All-American Jack Dechow.
“We were extremely fortunate to have President Broderick come speak to us,” the redshirt junior from Richmond, Illinois commented. “He displays what hard work and being a great person really is. As wrestlers, we are trying to become better men in life, in the classroom and on the mat. So to have someone of his level of character speak to us is empowering and inspiring.”
Off the mat, the ODU wrestling team has garnered a plethora of academic accolades in recent years, as many of the concepts President Broderick discussed have become core principles of the team’s culture.
Last season, the squad finished with the 14th highest team grade point average and had four individuals named to the NWCA All-Academic Team. In 2014, they were second in the country behind only Harvard.