Editor’s Note: In light of his mother’s passing (see left), Walt Studinger asked if we could reprint the following article about her from Nov. 1, 2006. We’re happy to oblige. We’d also like to express our deepest condolences to Walt and his entire family. Nan was a great lady.
Attend an Oxford freshman girls basketball game sometime and chances are you’ll see a little white-haired lady sitting in the stands, cheering on the Wildcats.
She’s no ordinary fan. She’s a proud parent. You see, her child is 57 years old and the coach.
Roseann ‘Nan? Studinger never misses an opportunity to see her son Walt Studinger and his team work their magic on the court. ‘I like to watch them play,? she said.
In celebration of her 94th birthday last week, Roseann was honored following the Linden game with a big cake and card signed by the entire girls team.
The game program even featured her photo and name along with the title ‘Coach Emeritus.?
‘She talks about this basketball team all the time,? said Georgie Hicks, who helps care for Roseann and is the grandmother of player Liz Sefcheck. ‘She can’t wait for a game. She’s got her own schedule.?
For Roseann, the best birthday gift of all was watching Oxford beat Linden 41-31.
The team is now 13-3 this season.
‘I like when they win,? she said.
Roseann’s attended ‘nearly all? of her son’s basketball games since 1960 when he was in the fifth grade.
When Walt later played college basketball for Wayne State University, Roseann and her husband would drive anywhere in the state and all over the Midwest to watch him.
Filled with a mother’s love and support, she’s attended almost all of her son’s games throughout his 26-year coaching career and continues to do so.
Walt’s been teaching and coaching in Oxford since 1975. Besides freshman girls, he also coaches junior varsity boys basketball.
Walt said he’s ‘blessed? to be one of the ‘fortunate ones? who has the ‘complete support? of his parents.
As a coach, Roseann said, ‘I think he does pretty good.?
Thanks, Mom.