Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Photo by Emily Walls

The sign that says it all

By Emily Walls

Anyone who has driven along Virginia Beach Blvd. recently may have found themselves shocked by what they’ve seen. What at first glance appears to be a sign outside a Norfolk Paint Shop quickly transforms into a testament of Virginia Wesleyan College. This time, the sign is congratulating the VWC Men’s Basketball team on winning the NCAA Division III championships, but the sign has recognized numerous other VWC and surrounding community accomplishments over the past five years. For a college that is seldom recognized by people in the area, students and faculty of VWC may find it shocking to see the school’s name displayed for all to see along one of the busiest streets in Hampton Roads. Who’s responsible for this? There is just one man to thank.

This dedicated man goes by the name of Mark Hotaling. For those of you who think that his unique last name sounds surprisingly familiar, you may not be surprised to hear that he is the husband of Mrs. Diane Hotaling, the director of VWC’s own community service department. Although he is now the manager of the Norfolk Paint Shop off Va. Beach Blvd., Mr. Hotaling used to be a member of the VWC staff. Hotaling was the assistant coach of the women’s basketball team a few years ago. In addition, he also spent a brief period of time doing field maintenance for the college.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hotaling have been fans of VWC sports for over 20 years now. While basketball and softball have been their favorites, these people are not small minded. Mr. Hotaling admitted that they are trying to break into the sport of lacrosse.

The Hotalings have really made VWC sports a part of their family’s lives. Mr. Hotaling recalled that his son Matthew, who now attends JMU, went to all the games as a child just like Hotaling’s four-year-old daughter is doing now.

In addition to sharing his love for VWC with his children, Mr. Hotaling does all that he can to make the surrounding community aware of what a great school VWC is.

Hotaling said, “Bigger schools get a lot of attention, but VWC does a lot of quality stuff that I think the community should know about.”

He continued, “I put things about VWC on the sign to get the community’s attention. We are a busy store, we get people coming in all the time asking what VWC is, and I am glad to tell them.”

Most recently Hotaling has been putting up signs following the progress of the men’s basketball team. There was a sign for ODAC’s, the final four, and once they won the NCAA title. However, Hotaling has also posted signs about many programs with outstanding accomplishments in past years.

“Most companies use signs like ours to post sales,” said Hotaling. “You don’t need 365 days worth of sales.”

Even though he is no longer a staff member at VWC, Hotaling has still managed to be involved. For the past 20 years, Hotaling has volunteered his time to the men’s basketball team by keeping scores, working the clock, and doing whatever it takes to make the games run smoothly.

“I do it to support the school,” said Hotaling, “and because that front table is the best place to watch the game.”

Over the years Hotaling recalls many memorable moments in sports history at VWC. However, two that stick out in his mind the most are the debut of the new gym, and most recently, at the Lincoln game when Ton Ton Balenga hit a three-pointer with only 3 seconds left to win the game.

Hotaling said, “There were a lot of fans there that day because it was a home game, and it was such a great moment.”

Staying true to his modest nature, Hotaling insists that there are many others like him who are truly dedicated to VWC. People such as Professor Hultgren in the Philosophy Department has done “the book” or the “home book” for the men’s basketball team for 30 plus years. Bill Jospeh, a business administrator also volunteered for many years.

Hotaling said, “Quite a few people are needed to make the game run smoothly.”

While it indeed does take quite a few people to keep a basketball game running smoothly, it only takes a few remarkable individuals, such as the Hotalings, to assure people that VWC school spirit is alive and well.