Hundreds of Wittenberg University community members came together to celebrate Saturday as the arena in the campus's Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center (HPERC) was officially dedicated to the memory of Pam Evans Smith, class of 1982.
Smith, the coach with the most wins and highest winning percentage in North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) women's basketball history, passed away in June 2007 following a long battle with cancer. During its October 2007 meeting, the Wittenberg University Board of Directors unanimously resolved to name the site of so many of the beloved coach's wins Pam Evans Smith Arena.
The dedication event included comments from Director of Athletics and Recreation Garnett Purnell, University President Mark H. Erickson, Assistant Director of Athletics/Head Softball Coach Becky Hall, Chair of the Department of Health, Fitness and Sport/Head Men's Soccer Coach Steve Dawson, Women's Basketball Head Coach Sarah Jurewicz and Smith's husband, Roger.
Roger and Smith's parents, Richard and Roslyn Evans, then unveiled a commemorative wall display that now hangs next to the arena doors in Legends Lobby. After a reception in the historic HPER Center gymnasium, much of the crowd returned to the newly named Pam Evans Smith Arena to cheer the Tigers on to a 67-35 win over conference rival Wooster at 2 p.m.
Story By: Ryan Maurer
Photos By: Robert Gantt
Video By: Bob Rafferty
