Christendom College Dedicates Basketball Court to Hero: Mr. Thomas Vander Woude

October 13, 2009 - 12:47 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

Front Royal, VA (October 13, 2009) - On October 11, Christendom College named and dedicated the Crusader Gymnasium Basketball Court, the "Thomas S. Vander Woude Memorial Basketball Court," in honor of former Athletic Director Mr. Thomas Vander Woude who died in 2008 while saving the life of his youngest son.

The ceremony began with Mass offered for the repose of the soul of Mr. Vander Woude in Christ the King Chapel, con-celebrated by College Chaplain Fr. Daniel Gee and alumnus Fr. Tom Vander Woude, the eldest son of Mr. Thomas Vander Woude.

At the dedication that followed Mass, College President Dr. Timothy O'Donnell welcomed all and invited Philosophy Professor and long-time friend of the Vander Woude family, Dr. John Cuddeback, to say a few words.

"We are reminded today of all the good that Tom Vander Woude did in his life," Dr. Cuddeback said. "On his farm, at Seton High School, and at Christendom - specifically on this court."

Cuddeback also noted that Vander Woude's greatest legacy were his seven sons--five of whom attended Christendom--and their families.

Following Cuddeback's remarks, Fr. Gee blessed the court as well as a framed image of Vander Woude. The image, which included a dedication, was then hung near the entry of the court by Vander Woude's wife, Mary Ellen, and his son Chris, Christendom's current Athletic Director.

"The dedication of the basketball court to my father is a great thing," Chris Vander Woude said. "He so enjoyed his time here and touched so many lives while at Christendom by his work and sincere Christian charity for others. He taught and instructed so many in the gym and on the court, and hopefully this memorial will enable many more to learn from his life and be inspired by his death."

Vander Woude, 66, died on September 8, 2008, in a tragic accident at his house in Nokesville, Virginia, while trying to save his 20-year-old son, Joseph, from drowning after he had fallen into the family's septic tank. He gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life so that his youngest son might live and in doing so crowned a life of service to his family and those around him which can only be summed up by the words of Christ Himself, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

As Athletic Director from 2002-2007, Vander Woude also coached the men's basketball and soccer teams. He touched many students' lives in his time at Christendom, whether it was his textbook smile that he wore at all times or his genuine friendly demeanor that showed an interest in each and every person and their pursuits. Vander Woude was always more concerned with the type of man or woman a person was becoming than the type of athlete they were, to the extent that he would remind his basketball team to go to confession before each road trip just in case something might happen. In addition, Vander Woude always went out of his way to know and care about others' personal situations and concerns.

He was a daily communicant and dedicated to the daily Rosary. It is no coincidence that he died on September 8th, the birthday of Our Lady, and that his funeral Mass was celebrated on September 15th, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

As well as serving as Christendom's Athletic Director, Vander Woude was the College's Career Development Director from 2002-05.

Contact

Christendom College
http://www.christendom.edu
VA, 22630 US
Niall O'Donnell - Asst. Director of Public Relations, 540 636.2900

Keywords

Christendom College Dedicates Basketball Court to Hero: Mr. Thomas Vander Woude

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

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