From The Desk: November 12, 2024

Hilltopper Nation,

It is Homecoming Week on The Hill! This is always an exciting time to be a Hilltopper as we join alumni to celebrate the past while also looking optimistically to all that lays ahead.

WKU Football is 7-2 overall and 5-0 in Conference USA play with an important game this Saturday at 11 a.m. on CBS Sports Network against Louisiana Tech. Each win brings us closer to reaching the CUSA Championship Game, which will be hosted by the regular-season champion on Friday, Dec. 6. Our football program is now bowl eligible for the 13th time in the last 14 seasons. Five different head coaches have led WKU to bowl eligibility during this stretch, a remarkable period of sustained success.

WKU Volleyball is 23-6 overall and winners of 19 straight this season and an amazing 90 straight Conference USA regular season matches. The Hilltoppers clinched the No. 1 seed on Saturday at Sam Houston and can clinch the outright regular-season crown on Thursday night vs. Liberty at home. Then, on Friday, we will be celebrating our seniors and giving away 1,500 Travis Hudson bobbleheads to commemorate his 30th season as our head coach.

Speaking of Coach Hudson, we are pleased to induct him, Beth Lane (women's basketball), Mel Mitchell (football) and our 1974 National Runner-Up Cross Country team as the 33rd Hall of Fame Class at this weekend's induction ceremonies.

Soccer goalkeeper Maddie Davis was named the CUSA Keeper of the Year after she allowed only four total goals in our last seven matches combined. Cross Country recently wrapped up the CUSA Championships and congratulations go to Mary Dye and Kinley Kunkel on earning All-Conference honors. Women's golf, men's golf and tennis also had strong fall seasons and are positioned well for success heading into their spring championship schedules.

Both basketball teams got underway over the last week. Coach Collins and the women are off to a 2-0 start and take on Mercer this evening on the road. Coach Plona and the men have had two hard-fought losses to begin the season, but have important home games this week, starting tonight against Campbellsville (7 p.m.) and then on Sunday vs. Lipscomb (2 p.m.). Like always, we need your support and energy in Diddle Arena.

I also want to provide an update on the settlement in the much-reported NCAA vs. House case. At WKU, we are actively monitoring the changing landscape and discussing several pathways forward with our senior leadership team, head coaches, and University leadership. We are committed to continuing to provide robust NIL support for our student-athletes and working alongside the Red Towel Trust to support this initiative.

Now, more than ever, we need your support. Our success, now and in the future, is not possible without you. A key way to move the needle is through corporate support in our Bowling Green and Warren County communities. There are a lot of opportunities for us to grow together, and we look forward to continuing discussions with those in our community. With the rapidly evolving collegiate landscape, the reality is the most successful programs in the very near future will be the ones who receive the most corporate and community support.

You make a difference in the success of our athletic department every day. Thank you for showing up, bringing energy and supporting our programs. You truly impact the lives of our student-athletes.

I look forward to seeing you this weekend.

Go Tops!
Todd Stewart

Director of Athletics

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