Three Former Golden Rams Honored as Distinguished Alumni

WEST CHESTER, PA - Three former student-athletes were honored by the WCU Alumni Association Thursday evening when the 2020 and 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients were announced during a virtual ceremony. Ed Rush ('64), Eileen Glenn ('69) and Joe Walsh ('72) were among eight alumni who were bestowed the honor.

Ed Rush was a member of the Golden Rams football squad during his time at West Chester University, but carved out one of the most successful careers as an official in the NBA for 32 years and later was responsible for recruiting and developing officials for the NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League. Eileen Glenn participated in field hockey, basketball and track & field during her college days and holds both her undergrad as well as master's degree from West Chester University. Joe Walsh was a member of two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship football teams at West Chester University. 

Below are their bios from the awards program, which took place Thursday evening.

 

2020 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Eileen R. Glenn '69, M'99
Eileen R. Glenn is the retired athletic director for Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pa., and current member of the school's Board of Trustees and Finance Committee. Previously, she taught elementary physical education in Massachusetts.

As an undergraduate student-athlete at West Chester University, Glenn competed in field hockey, basketball, and track; participated in student government; and served as an RA. She graduated first in 1969 with a bachelor of science degree in health education, then in 1999 with a master's degree in sports and athletic administration.

Helping others is what has given Glenn the most satisfaction in her life, including supporting veterans during their re-entry into society; her husband, Terry, served in the U.S. Army Reserves before his passing in 2007. Her legacy at the University includes a generous gift to the Greg and Sandra Weisenstein Veterans' Center from her family's Terry and Eileen Glenn Foundation, and the establishment of the Eileen Glenn Veterans' Support Fund in 2000 to endow the employment of a licensed professional counselor at the Center. She is an honorary graduate of the College of William & Mary, where she supports student veterans and has established a scholarship named in memory of her late husband.

While she lived in many places, Glenn has called Bryn Athyn home for almost 25 years. Her daughter, Erin Busby, is a professor at University of Texas Law School and her daughter, Brooke Mullin, is a coach at Shady Side Academy, as well as a real estate developer.

 

2021 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Ed T. Rush '64
Ed T. Rush, began his career as an NBA official when he was hired in 1966 at 24 years of age. He was the youngest official to work in the NBA at age 24. Rush was responsible for the ongoing recruitment, training and career development of the officiating staff of the NBA, WNBA and NBA-D League.

Prior to joining the NBA league office as Direc- tor of Officiating in June of 1998, Rush spent 32 seasons on the court, officiating over 2000 regular season, 247 playoff and 32 NBA Finals games from 1966-67 through 1996-97. He also officiated the 1971, 1980, 1985, 1991 and 1996 NBA All-Star Games, the 1987 McDonald's Championship in Milwaukee, the 1991 McDon-ald's Championship in Paris, France, as well as the 1996 Japan Opening Games in Tokyo.

Rush joined the NBA Basketball Operations department as the NBA/WNBA Di- rector of Officiating on June 1, 1998. After his first eight seasons officiating in the NBA, Rush officiated three seasons in the ABA before returning to the NBA. Prior to becoming an official, he worked as a teacher and football coach at Mar- ple-Newtown High School in suburban Philadelphia from 1964-67, and coached former Sacramento Kings General Manager Geoff Petrie as a quarterback at Springfield High School in 1964.

A 1964 graduate of West Chester University, Rush played varsity football and was awarded the Milt Blitz Award for contributions to the WCU men's basketball program. He and his wife Trudy have funded an endowment for the Edward T. Rush Scholarship to provide need-based grants for West Chester's basketball program. Born in Philadelphia, Rush currently resides in Doylestown, Pa., with his wife, Trudy. They have three children – sons Ed Jr., Michael, and daughter Ashley and eight grandchildren. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Valley of the Sun YMCA, West Chester University's Rams Athletics Association, and the National Association of Sports Officials. He also works with college juniors and seniors in the area of career counseling.

In 2009, Rush was named by Referee Magazine as one of the 50 most influential people in sports officiating history. Rush authored the book, "And One", and founded Court Club, which is an ongoing online educational tool for basketball officials.

Ed and Trudy fund the Edward T. Rush scholarship at West Chester University as well as Faith and Football scholarship at Bloomsburg University.

2021 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Joseph R. Walsh '72
Joe is a 1968 graduate of Woodrow Wilson H.S. in Levittown, Pa., where he lettered in football, wrestling and track. He earned a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from West Chester University in 1972. While there, Joe played offensive line on two PSAC championship teams.

He began his teaching and coaching career at West Chester Henderson H.S. where he taught Health and Physical Education from 1972-2008. He was assistant football coach from 1972-1987 and also coached wherever he was needed – wrestling, boys and girls lacrosse, and tennis. From 1988- 1991 Joe was head football coach at Sun Valley H. S., won the Del-Val league in 1990 and was named Del-Val coach of the year. Joe was head football coach at Henderson from 1992-2011. He coached the Warriors to three Ches-Mont league titles, several playoff wins, and was District I runner-up in 2007. He amassed an overall record of 148-117 as head coach. He was named Ches-Mont Coach of the Year in 2003, 2007, 2011 and Chester County Coach of the Year in 1992, 2003, 2007, 2011 and was inducted into the Ches-Mont League Hall of Fame in 2018. A PSFCA member from 1992-2011, Joe was an assistant coach for the East/West All Star game in 2009. He coached the Valor Bowl for 13 years and was head coach five times

He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014. Joe was also inducted into the Killinger Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2001, presently serves on the board of directors and is a past president of the foundation. Joe was the defensive line coach at WCU from 2013-2020.

Joe and his wife Pam live in West Chester, Pa., and have three children; Joe and wife Nicci, Kelly and husband Bob, Jennifer and husband Todd, seven grandchildren; Emily, Seamus, Carter, Callie, Campbell, Robby and Rosie. Joe is thankful for the support of his wife, family and friends and for the many coaches he has worked with throughout his career.