Warner University Sports Hall of Fame
Linda Rigel could be considered the first fan of Warner University athletics. She got a front row seat as her husband, Dr. Bill Rigel, began the athletics program in the early 1970s. Dr. Rigel coached everything from soccer to baseball to basketball while also serving as the school’s first athletic director in 1973. Linda’s love and interest in the young athletics program was evident in her faithfulness of attendance and support in the early years.
In 1975, Linda established the first women’s program in school history with the formation of the cheerleading team. As the athletics program was growing, Linda volunteered her time to coach the cheerleading squad to join her in supporting the teams. With little money for uniforms, Linda recruited her mother, Lillian McCarty, to help make uniforms for the cheerleaders.
Linda was always gracious to open her home to host/feed all the sports teams and could always be found cheering them on from the sidelines. She served as a great mentor and life-time friend for many of the young women on the first cheerleading teams. Her enthusiastic support, unwavering loyalty and pioneering spirit is what led to future women’s programs being formed on campus.
Currently today, Warner University competes in 10 women’s intercollegiate sports including: basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, sand volleyball, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and indoor volleyball.
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