The athletes of Hanover are not the only ones to be recognized in the Athletic Department. Two of Hanover’s staff members have recently received prestigious recognition for their significance in the line of work. Wendy Wadsworth was inducted into the VCU Hall of Fame. Spanish teacher and volleyball coach Wadsworth put a staple in the athletic timeline at Virginia Commonwealth University. Wadsworth played field hockey, tennis, and volleyball for the Rams from 1975 to 1979 and followed up her playing spell by coaching the girls volleyball team from 1981 to 1990. Out of all the sports that she excelled at as a Ram, she claims volleyball was her true calling.
“I was better at field hockey in high school, but in college, volleyball just became my thing,” she proclaimed.
During her stint as coach, she led the lady Rams to some rather impressive seasons including in 1985 when they went 43 and 3, and she was named Sun Belt Conference coach of the year.
There had not been an induction into the VCU athletic hall of fame since 2005, prior to the most recent induction. Wadsworth’s fellow inductee was Terry Sisisky, the voice of Ram basketball since 1980 who called 840 games and made a name for himself around campus. Wadsworth was the 44th inductee into the hall. She claimed that coaching in college is totally different than in high school; however, she said it was hard to compare because she has coached the two levels in different eras.
“There was no labero when I coached college,” she said. “It’s kind of like the 3-point line in basketball. It hasn’t really changed the whole flow of the game, but it changes up your strategy and your personnel. Also, when I was coaching college kids, it was much more about the quality of kids I could recruit. Players at the high school require more instruction and get much more out of me.”
Though she will claim that college volleyball is more strenuous than that in high school, the relationship between the players is far different.
“All my players in college were recruited to play volleyball for me and that was our relationship. However, I have several of my volleyball players now in Spanish class and during the season I can spend up to five hours a day with them. You get to know these kids on a much more personal level, and I like that.”
Today, Wadsworth admits to playing more tennis than volleyball in her free time.
“It’s a lot easier to get a pick-up game of tennis going,” she stated, even though she occasionally will attend RVC and play in adult leagues.
Wadsworth had some good grace to share about another Hanover award winning athletic leader: Athletic Director Bob Stratton.
“I’ve worked in six different schools and there is not an AD that is more helpful and available to work with than Stratton. He is unconditionally supportive no matter how the team finishes.”
Stratton, as well, will be receiving an award as the AAA Athletic Director of the Year in the state. Formerly, Stratton has received awards as the Athletic Director of the Year in the capital district and the central region. He has earned these honors by showing excellent leadership as well as responsibility skills in the work place,
“Bob can be described as the ‘Guru of AD’s,” School Officer Tommy Eaves commented.
Prior to the years of being an Athletic Director at Hanover High school, Stratton worked as a baseball coach at Atlee and Godwin High school for 21 years. Once deciding to become an Athletic Director, Stratton started going back to college at George Washington University and received his Master’s.
As an Athletic Director at Hanover, Stratton enjoys the interaction with the teachers, coaches, and students as well as watching the home baseball games to cheer on the Hawks.
With enjoyment comes responsibility in his job as well. Stratton not only attends and handles who will work at all home events, but oversees athletic transportation for away games. Additionally, Stratton manages all Hanover facilities and custodians.
“It’s a monstrosity of a job, but the hours are required in order to do it right,” Stratton said about his 70 hour work weeks.
As one would think such a time-consuming job would take away from home and family life, Stratton is still able to see his daughter Karlee, who adds to the Hanover Athletics as a gymnast, competition cheerleader, and JV softball player.
As Stratton described the responsibilities of his job and how it helped to fill the criteria for an award, it was evident he felt no reservations about what this meant to him.
“This award is a direct reflection of the coaches and student-athletes that I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with,” Stratton said