Wright State University Athletics

Gordie Wise played an integral role in the creation of Wright State Athletics and for its first half-century.  He was a member of the original committee which studied the feasibility of starting an athletic program at WSU.  He wrote the original Constitution for the Athletic Council created to ensure faculty control of athletics.  He was the first Chair of the Athletic Council and served on that Council for 21 years. As WSU became a member of the NCAA, he was appointed Faculty Athletics Representative, a post he held for 19 years.  When men’s basketball began, he was the original Public Address announcer, a position he held for 49 years until his retirement this season.  He is best known for his coined phrase, “Welcome to the campus of Wright State University, and another exciting night of ‘Raider Roundball’.  He lives in Piqua, Ohio, with his wife, Susie.