The Versailles Republican Sports

November 5, 2009

Coach Travis Wrightsman is inducted into the Blackburn College Athletic Hall of Fame

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Proudly, South Ripley Raider boys head basketball Coach Travis Wrightsman traveled back to his college campus roots in Carlinville, Illinois, where he was the selected as the 37th individual in the school's history to be inducted into the Blackburn Athletics Hall of Fame.
In opening the 2009 Blackburn Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Angie Watson, as the selection committee speaker stated, "Wrightsman is a product of New Castle, who began his attendance on the Blackburn College Campus in 1993." She continued, "Upon arrival he immediately stepped into a starring role on the men's basketball team."
During her hall of fame presentation she described Wrightsman as a versatile, athletic player with exceptional outside shooting skills, who also possessed great leadership capabilities that only grew with his considerable skills. By his sophomore year as a Blackburn Beaver, he had earned honorable mention on the All-St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team and improved to second-team All-SLIAC status as a junior.
Saving his best to last, Wrightsman as a senior in 1996-97 was not only honored as a first team All-SLIAC selection, but named SLIAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year. His contributions as a senior helped Blackburn to the regular season SLIAC title. He was the second of a league-high six individuals to earn conference player of the year honor in men's basketball.
Continuing, Watson added, "Wrightsman is a shining example of the success that comes from hard work and he certainly possessed an outstanding work ethic." During the summer prior to his junior year, he shot so many free throw shots while practicing in the Beaverdome that he actually wore out the floor of the gym. None of us can ever remember something like that and it speaks to Travis' dedication and character.
Wrightsman is the tenth leading scorer in Blackburn basketball scoring history with 1389 points. The Blackburn baseball team enjoyed many athletic contributions by Wrightsman as well, where he was a top player, earning a first team All-SLIAC selection as a sophomore. His outstanding dual-duty performances rank him among only a handful of student-athletes in the school's history to accomplish first-team All-SLIAC honors in more than one sport.
Following graduation, Wrightsman exacted his expertise and positive influence as a successful high school basketball coach and teacher in Salem, Missouri, before returning to his youthful Hoosier heritage in Indiana, where he currently leads the South Ripley Raider basketball program.
Congratulations Coach Wrightsman!

Coach Travis Wrightsman