Tech Powerlifting - 2008 National Champs

[LTUIronDawg]

I think this may have been mentioned before but the Tech Men's Powerlifting Team won the National Championship this year. That's their 16th or 17th title. The women placed second. Congratulations to them!

It's amazing that they've remained competitive in the last few years despite lack of support from the University. The support they've gotten in the past is getting less and less since Billy Jack Talton retired. The Chair of the College of HES, Laney Dornier, is in the process of euthanasing the program by removing support from the college. I digress....

[FishingBack]

Congrats to these young men and women, we should market this more.

[DFWDawg]

Tech has always had a storng Powerlifting team since I remember. I went to high school with one of them that comepted at Tech duringt the 80s. This is one bright spot for our current sports situation. Congratulations to the Powerlifting teams and Coaches. Now if we can get the other sports to catch up we will be in good shape. These Powerlifting teams need to be front and center on the next media guide/Tech Report they send out.

[DAWG DUDE]

Who all were we ahead of?
Did we beat LSU, Michigan, Texas, ect.?

[rtr002]

Yes the men were ahead of those schools and more that qualified. LSU got 1st in the womens, but it seemed real close across the board. He are the results that I got from the USPLA website: http://www.usaplnationals.com/2008collegiates/
MEN
Team Points Louisiana Tech 58 University of Louisiana at Lafayette 57 Army 50 LSU 37 Texas A&M 33 Penn State 30 University of Texas 27 UT at San Antonio 22 Florida Gulf Coast University 19 Navy 19 USAFA 17 Sam Houston State University 16

WOMEN
LSU 61 Louisiana Tech 52 Texas A&M 43 USAFA 38 University of Texas 36 Navy 36 Sam Houston State University 31 University of Louisiana at Lafayette 29 Army 28 UT at San Antonio 13 Florida Gulf Coast University 7 Penn State 2

[rtr002]

I really believe that the university should do something to honor the powerlifting team for accomplishing so much.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

I really believe that the university should do something to honor the powerlifting team for accomplishing so much.

Ditto! What can we do to help?

[rtr002]

Maybe post a banner or a bilboard or something to commemorate all of the titles like the flags in the TAC for basketball.

[HogDawg]

Former Louisiana Tech Power Lifting Coach (and previous Cedar Creek HS Head Football coach) Dr. Billy Jack Talton started this trend in the late 70's. I still remember Tech and Texas A&M being the best at this.

Thank you Billy Jack!

HD

[LTUIronDawg]

Former Louisiana Tech Power Lifting Coach (and previous Cedar Creek HS Head Football coach) Dr. Billy Jack Talton started this trend in the late 70's. I still remember Tech and Texas A&M being the best at this.

Thank you Billy Jack!

HD

This is a little off the subject, but I remember Coach Talton had a rule that you could not come in the gym if you were wearing a shirt from any university other than Tech or Northwestern(He went to Northwestern). Back in the 90's the three teams to beat were Tech, A&M, and Navy. If it had not been for an injured lifter last year, the men's team would have won in 2007.

This is a club sport at Tech. It has always been a club sport but has been treated as if it were a varsity sport. The University's view of the program has been changing since Dr. Talton left. Dr. Talton was the chair of the college when he was at Tech. After he left, his replacements have not expressed much interest in the program. The current Chair isn't supporting this team at all. To her this team is no different than a frisbee golf club at Tech. The best thing any of us can do at this point is express our support of the team to the higher-ups at the University and help give them a voice.

[hookdown]

This is a little off the subject, but I remember Coach Talton had a rule that you could not come in the gym if you were wearing a shirt from any university other than Tech or Northwestern(He went to Northwestern). Back in the 90's the three teams to beat were Tech, A&M, and Navy. If it had not been for an injured lifter last year, the men's team would have won in 2007.

This is a club sport at Tech. It has always been a club sport but has been treated as if it were a varsity sport. The University's view of the program has been changing since Dr. Talton left. Dr. Talton was the chair of the college when he was at Tech. After he left, his replacements have not expressed much interest in the program. The current Chair isn't supporting this team at all. To her this team is no different than a frisbee golf club at Tech. The best thing any of us can do at this point is express our support of the team to the higher-ups at the University and help give them a voice.

Would/could we get Dooley involved (or would he even be interested)? Are there any football players involved with the powerlifting team?

[DAWG DUDE]

Would/could we get Dooley involved (or would he even be interested)? Are there any football players involved with the powerlifting team?

We should get some powerlifters involved with the football team!

Just imagine a 5'9 230lb power lifter at LB! haha

[Goose]

No there are no football players on the powerlifting team.

I do like the idea of getting Dooley involved though. If he says they need support then they'll get it.

[LTUIronDawg]

I sent an e-mail to Dr. Reneau regarding my concerns. To my surprise, I got a response. He forwarded the e-mail to the Dean of the College of Education and requested for the two of us to meet and discuss my concerns and hear recommendations. Why the Dean of the College of Education? Powerlifting is a club sport and is also a PE class which is in HES. The current Coach is Josh Chovanec who works in financial aid. His priority is in Keeny Hall not Memorial Gym. The past coaches after Dr. Talton were GA's from HES and basically were full-time coaches working for nothing other than love of the sport. If enough people convey to the administration that this team, regardless of being a club sport, is good ambassador for the University and provides a great opportunity for students they may take steps to keep it going.

[Goose]

I kind of wish there were some shirts with all the years of the 16 or 17 titles listed. That would be pretty sweet.