and worthy of most across the county. It has two teams - track and tennis - that will represent the 1,009 student college in na– tional competition this year. 5 In addition to their expanding men's athletic program, Cedarville became actively involved in women's athletics, with basketball, field hockey, and tennis leading the way. In 1972 the Cedarville women's basketball team, under the direction of Maryalice Jeremiah, won the state title. In 1973 they again reached the finals before losing to Ohio State University 60-56. During those years the women typically defeated much larger schools and gained an excellent reputation in women's athletics throughout the state. One of the Oberlin College athletes who visited the Cedarville campus for the women's state basketball tournament described it as "a mind-blowing experience, to say the very least." She went on to describe what she had encountered: Twenty-four basketball teams converged on this small coed (it was suggested that the reason it was coed was because "they" were meant to marry each other) Baptist school in southern Ohio. The Oberlin team was making its debut in the sta te tournament and was totally unpre– pared (except for warnings that no smoking or drinking was allowed in the dorms) for what Cedarville had in store. I used to think that Oberlin was a fairly ho– mogeneous place, but I have new insights now. Imagine being in a place where everyone is nice 24 hours a day, ... where cross-country is run for Christ, where prayers and Bible sayings are plastered on the walls ... We walked around, jaws hanging to the side– walk, eyes and ears open to every word and nuance, our minds trying to incorporate what was in front of us. We were afraid to speak – the Oberlin vernacular would not have been appreciated. In short, culture shock had set in. O This response was not atypical. Many teams that competed against the "Yellow Jackets" made fun of their Christian commitment but were forced to give grudging respect to their athletic prowess. As athletic excellence accompanied Christian testimony, and community commitment demonstrated social concern, Greene County and the State of Ohio began to recognize the unique institution in their midst. The uniqueness of the Cedarville student was never more graphically illustrated than in the early days of April 1974. The stillness of the Wednesday, April 4 afternoon was shattered as a devastating tornado swept through Xenia, Ohio, and made its way to Cedarville. The college "was providentially spared from the major damage that was felt in Xenia, with 32 fatalities and 1,000 homes destroyed."7 At the college Patterson Hall had its roof and second story torn off by the storm, but the rest of the campus was spared major damage. Immediately the student body, faculty, and staff were mobilized to help the people of Xenia: Hundreds of Cedarville students have been involved in helping those who were not so for– tunate in Xenia. The Alpha Chi-Red Cross Di– saster Team immediately went into action. Searching for missing persons, applying first– aid to the injured, and supplying food to disas– ter victims have occupied the Distaster Team around the clock since the tornado struck. Many other students along with faculty and staff have helped with the slow discouraging job of cleaning up destroyed property and help– ing victims to "start all over again." Along with the opportunity to help in the physical, material realm has come the opportu– nity to share in the spiritual realm as well. The good news of Jesus Christ has been communi– cated to many disaster victims at a time when they are looking for something upon which to rebuild their lives. 8 Through the impact of the Cedarville College family, the greater Dayton area began to realize the value of the college's Christian influence. Editorials commending the school for its growth, development, and concern appeared on a regular basis. Letters to the edi tor told stories of how the college community made an impact on the neighborhood. Even some who wanted to mock were forced to admit that Cedarville College had something special. The editor of the Yellow Springs News, though openly espousing liberal values, expressed a growing concern that perhaps the liberal way was not the best way. He pointed out the fact that life had become unsafe in the Yellow Springs community. He referred to the "rapes and armed robberies" which were plaguing the small village. People, especially women, were afraid to go out at night. The editor pointed out that it was popular in Yellow Springs to say that these problems were the result of outsiders, but he reminded his readers that eight miles to the east there was a small community which was free of these kinds of difficulties. He noted, in that community "people are concerned about one another's welfare. They treat one another with consideration and respect."9 He attributed this atmosphere to the presence of Cedarville College. His concluding comments reveal the conflict in the mind of at least one liberal as he observed the "Christians" at Cedarville. Of course we liberated intellectuals of Yellow Chapter XVII/141