By: Director of Athletic Communications and Public Relations Kevin Ruple
BEREA, Ohio -- Is Brock Riemenschneider '18 the last of the legendary Riemenschneider Family at Baldwin Wallace University? The answer is probably a resounding NO! But for right now, the answer is YES!
"I am the last Remo [the family nickname] coming to BW," said Brock prior to playing his final home game on the turf at The George Finnie Stadium when the Yellow Jackets host Ohio Athletic Conference rival the University of Mount Union on Wednesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.
To be more precise, Brock is the final Riemenschneider in this generation of Riemenschneider's who will attend BW.
The Beginning for Brock
When he stepped onto the turf at The George Finnie Stadium for lacrosse practice. He understands the magnitude of his responsibility of being a Riemenschneider at BW. He is a leader and exceptional attack player on the lacrosse team, and focused on one goal and only one goal – to help the Yellow Jackets win the 2018 OAC title and earn their first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament berth.
"In terms of athletics, I never really felt any pressure coming to BW as a Riemenschneider because I mainly focused on hockey and lacrosse in high school and played football," said Brock, who received the BW Academic Excellence Award for Sportsmanship this spring at the Annual BW Student-Athlete Awards Ceremony on April 15. "All of the other Riemenschneider's were standouts either in football or music. I didn't feel the pressure because I felt I was paving my own way through lacrosse."
The Goal
"I'd be lying to you if I said that I didn't have an unbelievable fire inside of me right now," said the second of two sons of former BW All-America offensive tackle Dirk Riemenschneider '88 to attend BW and play lacrosse. "This is my last shot and I want to make the most of it. Just the thought of winning another regular season title was nice. We were hoping to win the regular season title this season, and winning the OAC Tournament would be even nicer. But, I want the icing on the cake. I want a playoff berth.
Coming into the Mount Union game, BW stands 9-4 overall and 5-2 in the OAC and must beat the Purple Raiders to clinch a spot in the upcoming OAC Tournament, which starts on May 2 and the championship game on May 5. The Yellow Jackets are one game behind league-leaders Ohio Northern University, John Carroll University and Otterbein University, all at 5-1 in the league. The winner of the 2018 OAC Tournament receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Div. III National Tournament.
The History
Winning is synonymous with the Riemenschneider's and BW.
The Riemenschneider family dates back the early 1900s at BW when Albert Riemenschneider was a junior at German Wallace College. He was named as the head of the music department until 1947.
More recently, Brock's uncle, Christian '86, was a Division III football All-American defensive end and his father, Dirk '88, was an All-American offensive tackle. And, when Brock was a freshman and sophomore, his older brother, Luke '16, was an All-OAC football defensive end and lacrosse student-athlete.
"I am blessed to have great genes," said Riemenschneider with a shrug and a laugh. "My Mom and Dad were both were athletic, and more importantly have always been extremely supportive. My uncle, Dad and brother were all exceptional athletes, and my sister plays Division I hockey at The Ohio State University."
Brock's Glad He Came to Baldwin Wallace
With more than 50 members of the Riemenschneider Family listed in the BW Alumni Directory, it almost seems like a given that Brock would come to BW and follow in the footsteps of so many others. Wait. Not so fast!
"My four years as a part of this program have been special," said Brock, who earned All-OAC honors a year ago when BW had a 12-3 overall record and tied for the OAC regular season title. "While individual accomplishments are something special, this is a team sport and we have accomplished a great deal the last four years.
From leading the nation in Division III in defense the past two years, to an OAC regular season title, to having the OAC's first lacrosse All-American (Josiah Grieve '17) and breaking the record for wins in a season," said Brock. "But in the end, we have not won an OAC Tournament title and gotten that NCAA Division III Tournament bid. This is my last chance!"
Brock's Special Moments
Up until two weeks ago, my favorite memory was a game-tying goal versus John Carroll my freshman year when my brother Luke assisted me on a fast break," said Brock. "That was the one and only time that we connected for a goal, and I will never forget that moment.
"Then, two weeks ago, we had a great comeback victory at John Carroll (12-11 in double overtime)," said Brock. "We were down 11-7 and fought back like a team. That was the best game that I have been associated with at BW.
"And, hopefully the best memories of all are yet to come!"
In His Final Weeks at BW
"My goal after graduation is to get a job in sales," said Brock, a business and finance double major.
"I definitely want to thank my family for providing me the opportunity to come and play lacrosse at BW and for supporting me throughout my career," said Brock. "I also want to thank Coach Tarnow [former Head Coach Jason Tarnow] for recruiting me, and Coach Keeley [current Head Coach Trey Keeley] for helping me to grow as a player and team leader throughout this season."
