Student Government Names Jon Conover First ‘Remarkable Raider’

Biggers Sports Center Maintenance Manager Jon Conover, second from left, is joined
by LWC Athletic Director Willis Pooler, left, and LWC Student Government Association
officers Khyati Patel of Fulton, Ky., and Jake Zimmerman of Philpot, Ky., before
the LWC-Shawnee State (Ohio) University men's basketball game.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Jon Conover has never played a game for Lindsey Wilson College in Biggers Sports Center, but he still considers it to be part of his home court.

Since 1992, Conover, who works in LWC's Physical Plant, has taken care of Biggers Sports Center. During that period, he reckons he's seen "at least 500 games, if not more."

And on Thursday, Feb. 18, the Lindsey Wilson College Student Government Association honored Conover, as he was named SGA's first "Remarkable Raider." In addition to a plaque, Conover also received a special tribute -- SGA sold special t-shirts with Conover's picture and the words "Remarkable Raider: Johnny C!"

SGA plans to give the annual award to a member of the LWC community who "exudes the Lindsey Wilson spirit," according to LWC SGA President Khyati Patel of Fulton, Ky.

An Adair County native, Conover joined the LWC Physical Plant staff in 1987. For the first five years, he helped take care of several LWC buildings, before being named the chief maintenance person in charge of Biggers Sports Center.

"I take a lot of pride in this place as being my place," he said.

During basketball games, Conover is responsible for keeping the playing floor dry, which usually calls for him to mop up perspiration several times each game.

In addition to basketball games, Conover prepares Biggers Sports Center for home LWC volleyball matches, two commencement ceremonies each school year, honors convocation and other special events.

"There's always something different here -- meeting new players, the coaches and working with the students," Conover said.

When asked, Conover couldn't decide which basketball games and volleyball matches were the most memorable ones he had seen.

"I can't really say I have any favorite games," he said. "I always like it when the Blue Raiders win."