Ram Report

Cornell asks to join Midwest Conference

After nearly 15 years competing in the Iowa Conference, Cornell is hoping to go back home, so to speak, to the Midwest Conference it helped found in 1921. The college has submitted a letter of inquiry to the Midwest Conference seeking to become its newest member.

“We already have longstanding academic relationships with the majority of schools in the Midwest Conference, so the ability to expand on those relationships and increase our visibility in areas where we have large and active groups of alumni provides a great opportunity for our program,” said John Cochrane, athletic director for the college.

Cornell is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, which includes seven schools in the Midwest Conference. The Midwest Conference provides NCAA Division III intercollegiate championship competition for 10 liberal arts schools located in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Member schools are Beloit, Carroll, Grinnell, Illinois College, Knox, Lake Forest, Lawrence, Monmouth, Ripon, and St. Norbert.

In addition to the academic links to the other schools, Cornell has large numbers of alumni in places where the Midwest Conference competes, and draws many prospective students from those areas as well.

If admitted, Cornell would become a member of the Midwest Conference during the 2012-13 school year. Whatever happens, Cornell has no plans to stop playing against Iowa schools, Cochrane said, including continuing its rivalry with Coe College, which started back in 1891.

Sports Center fire

The Meyer Strength Training Room re-opened in early November with all new equipment after an August fire caused considerable smoke damage to the lower level of the Small Multi-Sport Center. The building was closed to the public for more than two weeks, and the weights, wrestling mats, and track equipment all were replaced. The fire, which started in the strength training room, was accidental, and the flames themselves didn’t cause much damage, but smoke filled the building. Nearly the entire lower level, including both locker rooms and the arena, had to be cleaned and repainted.

Volleyball coach breaks 200 wins

Not only did Jeff Meeker hit 200 wins near the beginning of the season, he also led the volleyball squad to its fourth consecutive appearance in the Iowa Conference Tournament and was named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year. His team finished 6-2 in league play, a school best, and 17–17 overall.

Meeker’s record stands at 211–216 in 13 years as a head coach. His record at Cornell is 150–148.

The volleyball team lost in the semifinals of the Iowa Conference Tournament to Loras, but came within a couple of points of earning its first championship berth since 2005. This is the fourth time in the last five seasons the team has finished with a record of .500 or better.