Southern Illinoise University Athletics
SIU Athletics Dedicates Charlotte West Stadium-Rochman Field Saturday
03/01/2003 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 1, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Nearly 500 Saluki fans, supporters and softball alumni were on hand to witness the public dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Charlotte West Stadium - Rochman Field at the Student Rec Center Alumni Lounge on Saturday, March 1.
Southern Illinois University and the Saluki Athletic Department held the ceremony honoring Dr. Charlotte West and Barrett Rochman, whom the stadium and field are named after, as well as Dr. Kay Brechtelsbauer and Mitch Parkinson, who will have plaques honoring them in the clubhouse and pressbox respectively.
SIU Chancellor Dr. Walter Wendler and Athletics Director Paul Kowalczyk were the first to address the crowd Saturday.
"Today is a big day at SIU. All the individuals honored here today are part of the SIU family. This stadium gives our women a better place to compete and we're very proud of the new stadium. We've come a long way with women's athletics and no one knows that better than Dr. Charlotte West. We appreciate her leadership in women's athletics. Barrett Rochman has a been a tremendous friend to Saluki Athletics and we appreciate him very much," said Wendler.
"I think it's a testament not just to the athletic department and the softball program, but to the University. This stadium says we are on the move, that we're moving forward and we have a lot of good things going on at SIU. This facility will serve our student-athletes well for many, many years to come and I'm very proud of Charlotte West Stadium-Rochman Field," added Kowalczyk.
West, who retired as SIU's associate athletics director in 1998, served the University for 42 years as a faculty member, coach and administrator. She began her faculty career at the University in 1957 as an instructor in the department of physical education. She became a full professor in 1973 and developed SIU's graduate program in sports management, which she directed until June 1991.
From 1960 until 1986, West was director of intercollegiate athletics for women. She helped transform the department from its meager beginnings into a nationally recognized program with a budget of more than $1 million for 11 sports. After the 1986 merger of the men's and women's athletics departments, West served as associate athletics director for one year, interim director for a year and associate athletics director for 10 years.
"This is an exciting day. I want to express my sincere appreciation for this very meaningful and welcomed honor. I can't express the excitement in seeing my name over the entrance. I felt like a Broadway star. I've never set a goal such as this and this honor was never in my realm of expectations. What's so special is sharing this honor with three special people in Barrett (Rochman), Mitch (Parkinson) and Kay (Bretchelsbauer). Absolutely no SIU losses will be allowed in the Charlotte West Stadium," West said.
Rochman is the president of Rochman Investment Group and has several other business ventures dealing with real estate and rental properties. A recreational softball coach the past 32 years, Rochman also has been coaching competitive women's softball since the late 1970s. He has been a loyal supporter of SIU softball for years, assisting in the team's fund-raising efforts and financially supporting the softball program for many years.
"This is the fulfillment of the dreams and energy of many others. I'm here because I'm a fan. This recognition is not mine, but the SIU softball program's. I look to one person for the development of this program, Kay Bretchelsbauer. This is a fulfillment of what she accomplished. I'm honored by the opportunity to play a part in this stadium. We've always had the University's support and now I can be there for the University and it's an honor. I appreciate this. Thank you very much," stated Rochman.
Dr. Bretchelsbauer is an SIU Hall of Fame inductee (1994) as a coach and the winningest coach in school history in softball (633 wins). She will have the clubhouse named in her honor.
"Many people have played a part in this dream coming true. You've all been very kind and I appreciate this honor. I also thank all the alums for their support. We've come a long way from the open grass field with no backstops or fences to this state-of-the-art facility. What a great day for the history of Saluki softball," Brechtelsbauer added.
Parkinson was the women's sports information director for 18 years and had the pressbox named in his honor posthumously. His wife, Linda and daughter, Stephanie attended the ceremony.
"Stephanie and I are just very grateful and honored that Mitchell (Parkinson) was honored in this way. We're just very pleased and thrilled for him and our family. He would love this new stadium and he would be singing out with his southern drawl, keeping stats and calling the plays. This was a real surprise and a great thrill, I never thought I'd be hear to see him honored," Linda Parkinson stated.
Current SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock was the final speaker at the ceremony, praising Dr. West and the other honorees as well as the stadium.
"I and my players are so grateful. My players do not take that stadium for granted. My team didn't want to leave after seeing the lockerroom. I'm so proud to have the stadium named after Dr. West. Dr. West and coach Brechtelsbauer both hired me to work here and I thank them for the opportunity. Everyday when the players come in they will see a plaque for Coach Brechtelsbauer in the clubhouse. Barrett Rochman has been a great supporter to our program. We hope to win our first game at Charlotte West Stadium," said Blaylock.
Today's dignitaries also included Doug Elgin, Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner, who praised the naming of the stadium after Dr. West.
"I think it's a terrific day for SIU and the Missouri Valley Conference. Dr. West is very deserving of this honor. She is a pioneer and has fought her entire life for the betterment of women's athletics. Dr. West was a major reason the MVC stayed together in the early 1990s. She's a stateswoman and a friend and I wouldn't miss this for anything. The love in this room today that people showed for her and the others that were honored was very touching and very moving."
SIU's next scheduled games are at the Tallahassee Democrat Invitational in Tallahassee, Florida at Florida State University. The Salukis open the Tallahassee Democrat Invitational against #3 Nebraska on March 7 at 11:00 a.m.
Additional comments from dignitaries:
SIU Chancellor Dr. Walter Wendler
" I think the facility across the street shows what can happen when you approach an idea with a campus wide cooperation, a sense of purpose and a willingness to step out. We appreciate Paul Kowalczyk's leadership in athletics and this project."
Dr. Charlotte West
"Thanks to Paul Kowalczyk and the committee of Julie Beck, Tommy Bell, Diane Daugherty, Kathy Jones and Kerri Blaylock for making this facility a reality."
Dr. Kay Brecthelsbauer
"I want to congratulate Charlotte (West) for all her contributions. I think this is a tremendous honor which is so richly deserved for her. She's done so much for women's athletics across the county and at SIU."
SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock
"Thanks to Dr. Wendler for the administration supporting us. Paul Kowalczyk and Jason King (Assistant AD for Facilities) have worked with me to make this happen."
