UNA Alumni dinner brings in good crowd

By Staff
Melissa Cason
There was excitement in the air at the A.W. Todd Centre Monday night as Coach Terry Bowden again made an appearance in Franklin County.
Mayor Troy Oliver welcomed everyone to the event. Oliver graduated from UNA in 1965 and his wife graduated in 1968.
"All of those things I learned at UNA helped me in life," Oliver said. "I appreciate all of the things the college has done for me and my family."
Approximately 200 were in attendance at the event with a good mixture of new graduates and seasoned professionals.
President William Cale talked about the recent achievements of the university, and the projects underway on campus.
"We are in the middle of several large construction projects, but you can rest assure that all of our improvements are not taking away from the academics."
One of the newly completed projects is the writing center, which has become a popular place for students on campus.
Bowden talked about the importance of academics during his speech, but he also talked about the upcoming football season.
"I should have the right to say it's a rebuilding year," Bowden said. "But, I got a vision for this football program. Saying it's a rebuilding year doesn't capture the enthusiasm of the moment."
Bowden talked about the importance of acting like a champion long before the championship game is ever played.
"If you want to be a champion the day after the championship game is played, you have to act like a champion every day," Bowden said.
One hundred bracelets with WWCD on them were distributed. WWCD stands for What would a champion do?
"I encourage everyone here to take the bracelet home with you and let it remind you of how to be a champion in your own life," Bowden said.