The Muskingum University Athletic Department honored three Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Champion teams at the M Club Breakfast during Reunion Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Muskingum recognized the 1979 wrestling team, the 1989 womens basketball team, and the 1999 volleyball team.
The Muskingum Athletic Department honors OAC Champion teams during Homecoming. The Wrestling team were OAC Regular Season and Tournament champions in 1979.
The 1979 wrestling team finished with an 11-1 overall record and went 9-0 in the OAC. They went on to claim the OAC Regular Season title and win the OAC Tournament championships. The Muskies had seven wrestlers finish in the top three of their weight classes at the OAC Tournament. Don Mason and Dean Turner won OAC championships in their respective weight classes. Mason was named the Phil Shipe Award winner in the OAC for having the most pins and finished seventh at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Tournament. He became the first All-American in program history. Head Coach Reverend Clifford Cain was named OAC Coach of the Year.
The 1989 Women’s Basketball team is the first men’s or women’s basketball team to go unbeaten in the regular season and win the OAC Tournament. Dee Ann Mell, right, finished her career with 1,321 career points.
The 1989 Muskingum Womens Basketball team was the OAC Regular Season and OAC Tournament champions and won the Atlantic Region in the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Muskies ended the year 29-2 overall with a 16-0 record in the OAC. The Lady Muskies were the first basketball team in the history of the OAC, men or women, to go unbeaten in 16 regular-season games and win the OAC Tournament in the same season. Head Coach Donna Newberry was named OAC Coach of the Year. Muskingum’s 29 victories rank as the most wins in program history. Kathy Lee (1,560 points) and Dee Ann Mell (1,321 points) finished their careers as 1,000-point scorers.
The 1999 Volleyball team’s 40 wins places them second all-time in program history. The Lady Muskies finished third in the NCAA Tournament in 1989.
The 1999 Muskingum Volleyball team ended the season 40-4 overall and went undefeated, 8-0, in the OAC. The Lady Muskies won the OAC Regular Season and OAC Tournament championships and were victorious in the NCAA Regional championship. Muskingum finished third in the NCAA Tournament. The team’s 40 wins place them in second in program history. Head Coach Elizabeth Zicha was OAC and Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year. Annie Rome finished as OAC Player of the Year and was a Second Team All-American.
The teams were also recognized during halftime during Saturday’s Muskingum Football game vs. Baldwin Wallace.
