Jan. 18, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - One month after winning its first NCAA Division I-AA national championship, the Western Kentucky University football team had a chance to be recognized in a ceremony held Saturday at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Following a highlight video after the team's entrance onto the floor, Western President Dr. Gary Ransdell welcomed the team and the crowd of more than 2,000 fans and supporters. "No matter where you were on Dec. 20, whether it was Chattanooga or in front of your television, I hope you shared in our pride as the Hilltoppers put the finishing touches on McNeese State," he said. "This celebration today is proof that Western Kentucky University can be both nationally ambitious and successful."
City Commissioner Alan Palmer presented head coach Jack Harbaugh with a sign proclaiming Bowling Green home of the NCAA I-AA National Champions and a key to the city. District 2 County Magistrate Cedric Burnham followed by proclaiming "Hilltopper Football Day" in the city and Warren County.
A video clip was then shown from C-SPAN with state representative Ron Lewis congratulating and recognizing the Toppers in the United State House of Representatives, and was followed by Debbie McKinney - the state director for U.S. Senator Jim Bunning - presenting Ransdell, Harbaugh and WKU Athletics Director Dr. Wood Selig with plaques.
Selig addressed the crowd. "When we decided that today would be the day that we would bring closure to our national championship season, I went to the files to look at what was done before," he said. "But I couldn't find anything because this is the first time we have had this opportunity. Now, we look to add to this championship in the years to come."
A video from former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler congratulated the squad, while letters were read from Joe Gottfried, University of South Alabama Director of Athletics and a cousin of Harbaugh, as well as Gateway Football Conference Commissioner Patty Viverito.
Seniors Jason Michael and Patrick Reynolds then were presented their degrees by Western Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Barbara Burch and NCAA Faculty Representative Jim Brown in a graduation ceremony. The two missed WKU's graduation ceremony on Dec. 14 while the Hilltoppers defeated Georgia Southern in the semfinals of the playoffs.
The highlight video the Hilltoppers watched prior to the championship game was shown next before the squad was introduced. The captains - Sherrod Coates, Peter Martinez, Michael and Chris Price - and Harbaugh were presented with trophies from the Gateway Conference, National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame, American Football Coaches Association and the NCAA.
The four captains each took a turn at the microphone, then legendary Hilltopper head coach and former athletic director Jimmy Feix introduced Harbaugh to the audience.
"It is a great honor to be a part of this team, the football program, the athletic department and Western Kentucky University," said Harbaugh. "One-hundred and twenty four teams began the season with a chance to win it all, but only one can say they're 2002 national champions - these guys! In 41 years of coaching, I have never had a group, a family, like this where there was a tremendous amount of support for our football team.
"When we were 2-3 and going to Northern Iowa, I felt it was a critical game in the season," he continued. "They were picked to win the league championship, and it's a tough place to play. If we could win that game, we could make a run at the conference championship. Jason made an inspirational speech at halftime, and I believe that gave us a chance to be here today."
The 14th-year head coach then turned to the team. "When your back is against the wall and you think there is no where else to go, you turn to your teammate, the people who love you. You guys have made this the greatest accomplishment I've ever been associated with. You are national champions."
- WKU -
