Tag: athletics



Washington University in St. Louis senior catcher Kyle Kozak was named to the 2016 American Baseball Coaches’ Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Gold Glove Team, as announced Thursday as part of the opening ceremonies of the 2016 NCAA Division III College World Series in Appleton, Wis. Kozak graduated this month with a BSBA from Olin where he was a finance major.

KozakGoldGolveKozak is the first Bear to be named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III Gold Glove team, which was first recognized in 2007.

“Kyle had an outstanding season behind the plate for us this year. Every baseball person knows that you must be strong at the catching position if you want to have a quality ball club, and Kyle performed at a high level defensively from the beginning to the end,” said first-year head coach Pat Bloom. “He handled all of our pitchers and their variety of repertoires, he blocked everything in front of him, and he was outstanding at controlling the running game. Most importantly, he exhibited the competitive toughness and consistency of focus that the position requires day in and day out.”

Kozak started 46 of 50 games played behind the plate for the Bears, recording a .993 fielding percentage.He committed just two errors and two passed balls in 298 chances. Kozak added 47 assists and seven pickoffs, and threw out 23 of 49 (46.9 percent) runners trying to steal. At the plate, he hit .290 with seven doubles and 21 RBIs.

WashU finished the 2016 season with a 33-18 overall record, one-win shy of the single-season school record, and won the 2016 University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship. The Bears also made their second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and won two postseason games for the first time in school history.

From Bearsports




Art McWilliams, a 1996 inductee into the Washington University in St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and founding member of the W Club, the fundraising organization supporting WashU Athletics, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 23, at the age of 86.

Art, along with his wife Marge, have shared an abiding commitment to Washington University and its students. The McWilliams have been enthusiastic fans of the Bears’ athletics teams and attend many sporting events on campus.

“We will always be grateful to Art for sharing in the vision for the athletic program here at Washington University,” said Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. “He and Marge have played a critical role in the ascent of Bears Athletics and the quality experience enjoyed by our student-athletes. WashU student-athletes, past, present, and future, are indebted to Art McWilliams.”

As generous supporters of athletics and fitness, the McWilliams have provided resources for the McWilliams Fitness Center at the Athletics Complex and were the proud sponsors of the annual McWilliams Women’s Basketball Classic. Art served on the W Club Executive Committee and was also a member of the Sports Hall of Fame Committee from its inception.

In addition, Art and Marge made a leadership gift toward the Sumers Recreation Center that furthers their support of women’s athletics. They also provide six WashU students with academic scholarships through an endowed program in the Olin Business School. To date the McWilliams have supported 44 students with Olin scholarships.

“We are all saddened by the death of Art McWilliams. We lost a wonderful friend and valued member of the Washington University community,” said John Schael, WashU Director of Athletics from 1978-2014. “Art McWilliams was at the forefront of the resurgence of WU athletics. His leadership was instrumental in bringing about positive change for the benefit of students. Art’s generosity and encouragement provided students and student-athletes alike, with opportunities for achievement, fellowship and spirited competition. He was always there…always lending a helping hand.  I will miss him greatly.”

McWilliams received his BSBA degree from the Olin School of Business in 1949.

A public memorial service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, at Graham Chapel. The service will begin at 1 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a reception in Umrath Lounge.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Olin Business School Scholarship Fund (Attn: Sandy Jurgenson, Washington University, Campus Box 1202, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

This obituary was written and posted by the Athletic Department.