Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 Media Guide
Senior Christine Molina Senior Melissa Cecil
Senior Hannah Dake
2012-13 SCHEDULE Day Fri.-Sun. Sat.-Sun. Sat.-Sun. Fri.-Sun. Wed.-Sun. Fri.-Sun.
Date Sept. 14-16 Sept. 22-23 Sept. 29-30 Oct. 5-7 Oct. 10-14 Nov. 2-4
Opponent Minnesota Invitational USAFA Dual Meets All-America Qualifying USAFA Invitational ITA Mountain Regionals Fla. International
Site Minneapolis, MN USAFA Los Angeles, CA USAFA Las Vegas, NV Miami, FL
Time TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Sat. Sun. Sat. Sun. Sat. Sun. Fri. Sat.
Jan. 26 Jan. 27 Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Feb. 16 Feb. 17 Feb. 22 Feb. 23
Fri. Fri. Sat. Sun. Tues. Sat. Fri. Sat. Fri. Sun. Sat. Sun. Thurs.-Sun.
Mar. 1 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 Mar. 10 Mar. 12 Mar. 16 Apr. 5 Apr. 6 Apr. 12 Apr. 14 Apr. 20 Apr. 21 Apr. 25-28
Louisiana-Lafayette Colorado Gonzaga Oregon SMU UT-Arlington CSU-Pueblo Northern Arizona Metro State Houston Montana State Colorado State* Northern Colorado Rhode Island Wyoming* Fresno State* Nevada* New Mexico* Boise State* San Diego State* UNLV* MW Championships
USAFA USAFA Eugene, OR Eugene, OR Dallas, TX Arlington, TX USAFA USAFA USAFA USAFA USAFA Ft. Collins, CO USAFA USAFA Laramie, WY Fresno, CA Fresno, CA USAFA USAFA Ft. Collins, CO Ft. Collins, CO USAFA
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 5 p.m. 9 a.m. 1 p.m. 11 a.m. 9 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 10 a.m. 5 p.m. 4 p.m. 3 p.m. 2 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 9 a.m. 2 p.m. 12 p.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. TBA
Home Matches in Bold Caps *Mountain West Opponent All times local to site and subject to change
TABLE OF CONTENTS / FALCON FACTS What’s Inside 1 ..................................................................................... Falcon Facts 2 ................................................................ Head Coach Kim Gidley 3 .......................................................... Assistant Coach Cari Groce 4 .................................................................................... Support Staff 5 ......................................................................... Mid-Season Report 6 .................................................................... Where Are They Now
Falcon Facts School Information Location ........................................................USAFA, Colo. 80840 Founded ..................................................................................... 1954 Enrollment ............................................................................... 4,000 Nickname ............................................................................. Falcons Colors ....................................................................... Blue and Silver Affiliation ............................................................................NCAA I Conference .............................................................Mountain West Home Courts ........................AFA Intercollegiate Tennis Courts Superintendent ...................................Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould Athletic Director ...................................................Dr. Hans Mueh Associate AD/Intercollegiate Programs..................Marti Gasser
7 .................................................................................2012-13 Roster 8-23.......................................................................Meet The Falcons 24 ........................................................................Division II History 25 ......................................................................... Division I History 26 ..............................................Year-by-Year / Coaching Records 27 ........................................... Academic / Sportsmanship Awards 28 ............................Sports Medicine / Human Performance Lab 29 ........................................................ Mountain West Conference 30 ....................................................................................The USAFA
Coaching Staff Head Coach ................................................................... Kim Gidley Alma Mater ............................................... Southern Illinois, 1989 Office Phone ...........................................................(719) 333-2489 E-Mail ........................................................ Kim.Gidley@usafa.edu School Record ...................................................182-195 (14 years) Career Record .......................................................................... Same Assistant Coach: ............................................................ Cari Groce
Team Information 2011-12 Record..........................................................................17-8 Postseason ............................................0-1 @ MWC Tournament Letterwinners Ret./Lost ..............................................................7/1 Newcomers.......................................................................................1
31 ...........................................................USAFA Senior Leadership 32 ..................................................................... Director of Athletics 33 ...........................................................................USAFA Athletics
Credits
Athletic Communications Associate AD/Communications ...........................Troy Garnhart Women’s Tennis SID ...................................................Jerry Cross Office Phone ...........................................................(719) 333-3950 Office Fax ................................................................(719) 333-3798 E-Mail ......................................................... Jerry.Cross@usafa.edu Website ..............................................www.goairforcefalcons.com
The 2012-13 women’s tennis media guide is a product of the Air Force Academy’s athletic communications office. The guide was written and designed by assistant communications director Jerry Cross using Adobe InDesign desktop publishing software. Thanks to Madeline McGuire for the cover designs and the athletic communications office for editing assistance. Individual and action photos courtesy of DenMar Services.
Mountain West Commissioner..................................................... Craig Thompson Associate Commissioner/Communications....... Javan Hedlund Tennis Contact .......................................................... Dan Johnson Office Phone ...........................................................(719) 488-4046 Office Fax ................................................................(719) 487-7241 E-Mail ...................................................... djohnson@themwc.com Mailing Address ......................... 15455 Gleneagle Dr., Suite 200 ...........................................................Colorado Springs, CO 80921 Website ..............................................................www.themwc.com
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 1
HEAD COACH KIM GIDLEY Kim Gidley is in her 15th season as head coach of the women’s tennis team at the Air Force Academy. The first civilian head coach in the 31-year history of the program, Gidley became the winningest coach in the history of the program in 2003 with her 76th victory. She recorded her 100th career victory during the 2005-06 season against South Dakota State. She enters the ‘12-13 campaign with a 182-195 career record. Gidley led the Falcons to a 17-8 record last season, the most wins in one season since 1999. The Falcons have won 49 matches the past three seasons, the most in that length of time since winning 50 between 1995-97. In addition, Air Force posted a 3-4 record in the Mountain West and finished fifth in the conference. That is the most league wins and best conference finish since the program moved to Division I in 1996. Even though she is a civilian coach, Gidley is familiar with military life. She grew up in a military family as her father, Jim, was a Lt. Col. in the Air Force and retired in 1977 after 22 years of service. Prior to joining the Academy’s staff, Gidley was an assistant coach at the University of Idaho in 1997-98. Gidley is a 1989 graduate of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. At SIUE, Gidley helped the Cougars to the 1989 NCAA Division II national championship while earning All-American honors for the second consecutive year. She was ranked nationally as high as No. 3 in singles and No. 5 in doubles during the year.
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The Abilene, Texas, native was also a standout in the classroom. She earned GTE Academic All-American honors and was SIUE’s top scholar-athlete. She was also awarded an ITCA academic postgraduate scholarship. In 2008, Gidley was inducted into SIUE’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1988 and ‘89 championship teams. Prior to attending SIUE, Gidley attended Abilene Christian University. She lettered in tennis and won her first AllAmerican honor while leading the Wildcats to an NCAA Division II national runnerup finish. She was ranked No. 5 nationally in singles and No. 6 in doubles. Gidley was also invited to the 1984 Olympic Trials for tennis. Following graduation, Gidley began her coaching career as the assistant women’s coach at West Virginia University . While at WVU, she earned her master’s degree in gifted education in 1991. She then returned to her hometown to coach at her high school alma mater, Abilene High School. She was an assistant from 1990-93 and head coach from ‘93-97. Gidley’s coaching experience and success is not limited to the high school and collegiate ranks. She has held several assistant and head professional positions at various country clubs and municipal tennis centers, while coaching some of the best junior players in the country. Gidley worked with the No. 1 ranked male and female players from Kentucky, Texas and West Virginia. In addition, she has coached over 300 USTA sectionally ranked players and many nationally ranked juniors, including one former player with a world ranking and two former AllAmericans. Additionally, she twice served as a clinician at the Youth through Education and Sports program (Y.E.S.) held at the NCAA Tournament, coached the USTA Intermountain Boys & Girls 16s National Zonal Team from 2001-03 and coached the USTA Intermountain Girls 18s Federation Cup Team from 2002-07. Gidley also served on the NCAA Division I Central Region ranking committee. She currently sits on the Regional Advisory Committee for Division I women’s tennis and the ITA Operating Committee. Gidley belongs to several professional tennis organizations, including the United States Professional Tennis Association. She has been honored twice by the USPTA as the Intermountain College Coach of the Year, most recently in March of 2008.
THE GIDLEY FILE Hometown Abilene, Texas Education Southern Illinois Univ.-Edwardsville Edwardsville, Ind. B.S., Education, 1989 West Virginia Univ. Morgantown, W.V. M.A, Gifted Education, 1991 Playing Experience SIU-Edwardsville 1985-89 Four-year letterwinner All-American, 1987-89 Ranked No. 3 in singles nationally Ranked No. 5 in doubles nationally GTE Academic All-American Coaching Experience Air Force, Head Coach 1998-present
Univ. of Idaho, Assistant Coach 1997-98
Abilene High School, Head Coach 1993-97
Abilene High School, Assistant Coach 1990-93
West Virginia U., Grad. Assistant Coach 1989-90
Among her other awards, she received the USTA/ITA National Community Outreach Award for 2009 as well as USAFA’s Instructor of the Semester for lifetime sports.
ASSISTANT COACH CARI GROCE Cari Groce, who has experience leading four NCAA Division I programs, is in her first season as the assistant women’s tennis coach at the Air Force Academy. Groce was the head coach at Washington State for 12 years, Texas Tech for five years and most recently at Cal State-Los Angeles for the 2009-10 season. She comes to the Academy after spending the last two years as the Women’s Tennis Coordinator at the Lakewood Country Club in Dallas, Texas.
THE GROCE FILE Hometown Stillwater, Okla.
Education Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Okla.
We are really excited to have someone like Cari join our program with her wealth of success and experience,” said Air Force head coach Kim Gidley. “She will be a huge asset for Playing Experience University of Nebraska our program as we continue to strive to achieve new levels.” Groce, who began her college coaching career at Tulsa and has a career record of 216195 over 19 seasons, led her squads at Washington State and Texas Tech to impressive turnarounds. At WSU, she helped the Cougars improve from 6-12 the year before she arrived to 14-9 in her first season. At Texas Tech, the Red Raiders were 3-17 before she arrived and 11-10 in her first season. Groce compiled a 140-125 record in 12 seasons at Washington State and was named Pacific-10 Coach of the Year and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northwest Region Coach of the Year in 2002. She was also named the Pac-10 North Division Coach of the Year three other times in 1994, 1995 and 1996. She kept the Cougars nationallyranked from 1994 until she left following the 2003 season. Her teams were also outstanding academically and were awarded the Washington State Athletic Award for highest grade point average seven times with eight individual Academic All-Americans and three team Academic All-America awards. She led Texas Tech to a 58-54 overall record in five seasons. Her best season at Texas Tech came in 2006 when she led her squad to a 14-8 overall record and a 7-4 mark in the Big 12 Conference. She was named the 2006 Professional Tennis Registry Coach of the Year. In 2005, she led Texas Tech to its first national ranking (No. 61) since 1995 and her teams were ranked as high as 38th in the nation in 2006 and 56th in the country in 2008. In her final year at Texas Tech, she led the Red Raiders to a 12-12 overall record. Four of her five teams at Texas Tech finished the season with .500 records or better.
Lincoln, Neb. All-American, 1986 Team Captain
Collegiate Coaching Experience Air Force, Assistant Coach 2008Cal State-Los Angeles, Head Coach 2009-10 Texas Tech, Head Coach 2002-08 Washington State, Head Coach 1991-03 Tulsa, Head Coach 1990-91 Texas Tech, Assistant Coach 1989-90 Oklahoma State, Assistant Coach 1987-89 Other Coaching Experience Stillwater High School, Boys & Girls Coach 1989
In 2007, she was honored by the USTA/ITA with the Community Service Award-Texas Section and she received the 2006 Campus Recreation Award for her outstanding dedication of promoting tennis within the Lubbock community. In 2005, she was named to the ITA Board of Directors. As a player, Groce was the captain at Nebraska and was the school’s first women’s tennis All-American in 1986. She was a four-year letterwinner for the Huskers and led them as a team captain. She played professionally briefly in Europe and then got her coaching career started at Oklahoma State, where she was an assistant coach while she completed her bachelor’s degree.
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 3
SUPPORT STAFF / CAMPUS KIDS DAY LT. COL. CHRISTOPHER SOLO OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE Lt. Col. Christopher Solo is in his third season as an Officer Representative and tutor for the women’s tennis program. Solo currently teaches operations research and probability and statistics courses as an assistant professor in the department of mathematical sciences. He earned a B.S. in mathematics from Penn State University in 1994, a master’s degree in operations research from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2004, and a Ph.D. in industrial engineering and operations research from Penn State University in 2009. He has previously served as an intelligence officer in the Republic of Korea and the Washington, D.C. area, as an acquisitions program manager at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and as an operations research analyst at Peterson AFB, Colorado. In addition, Solo has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the basic parachutist badge. Solo, his wife, Susie, and their two children, Michael and Molly live in Colorado Springs.
MAJOR DANIEL LEE OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE Major Daniel B. Lee is in his first season as an Officer Representative and tutor for the women’s tennis program. Lee currently teaches Space Systems Engineering and Introduction to Astronautics courses as an instructor in the Department of Astronautics. He earned a B.S. in General Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1998 and a master’s degree in Astronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2010. He has previously served as a Flight Test Engineer for F-16s weapons testing at Eglin AFB, Florida and Satellite Engineer at Schriever AFB, Colorado. In addition, Lee has been awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and Air Force Achievement Medal. Lee, his wife, Lindsay, and their three children, Loren, Lily and Lyla live in Colorado Springs.
USTA Campus Kids Day 2012 4 -- GoAirForceFalcons.com
2012-13 MID-SEASON REPORT The Air Force women’s tennis team has enjoyed plenty of success the last three years, and last fall was no exception. Following the 2012 fall season, every player on the team owns a winning singles record and all four doubles teams are above .500. The fall campaign began with a bang as seniors Melissa Cecil and Hannah Dake won the top doubles flight at the Gopher Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota. The duo won four straight matches, including an 8-3 victory over Klara Supejova and Marija Toncheva of Eastern Michigan, 8-3, in the final. In singles play, sophomore Tran finished third in the top flight after beating Morven McColloch of Iowa, 6-2, 6-1. The Falcons then won a pair of dual matches at home, defeating Montana State-Billings and Texas- Permian Basin each by a resounding 7-0 score. Following those matches, Cecil and Dake traveled to Los Angeles, Calif., to compete in the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships. The duo improved to 7-0 with a convincing 8-1 victory over Caroline Wegner and Kelly Gray of Memphis in prequalifying round of 32. Unfortunately, their tournament ended in the next round when they fell to Elisha Gabb and Cierra Gaytan-Lewis of Missouri, 8-2. The first weekend in October, Air Force hosted its own USAFA Invitational with 13 teams traveling to the Academy for the three-day tournament. Despite playing much of the first two days of the tournament indoors due to inclement weather, the tournament completed on schedule. Junior Tasha Hueffner won her singles flight with three straight victories, including wins over Tiffany Filipovich of South Dakota State, 6-3, 6-1 in the semis and Matti Sperry of Colorado, 6-1, 6-1, in the title match. In doubles, Tran and freshman Mary Meyers won their flight with a perfect 3-0 record. They defeated Charlotte Koning and Lize Leenknecht of Washington State, 8-5, in the semis, then downed Carla Manzi and Erin Sanders of Colorado by the same score in the finals.
2012-13 SCHEDULE
Senior Christine Molina
In addition, Cecil and Dake finished second in the top doubles flight. They took an 8-3 decision from Julyette Steur and Mazy Watrous of Colorado in the semis, but fell in the finals to Nikki Sanders and Elizabeth Ullathorne of Texas Tech, 8-3. Later that month, the Falcons competed at the ITA Mountain Region Championships in Las Vegas. Cecil and Dake fell in the second round of the doubles draw, as did senior Christine Molina and sophomore Natasha Rizvi. The fall season concluded at the Panther Invitational, hosted by Florida International University, in Miami, Fla. Cecil and Dake captured their second doubles title of the fall season by defeating teammates Christine Molina and Natasha Rizvi, 8-3, in the finals of the top doubles flight. Cecil and Dake advanced to the finals with an exciting 9-8 victory over Margarita Sadovnikova and Marta Burek of Youngstown State Saturday morning in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Molina and Rizvi won their semifinal match, 8-3, over Paola Rodriguez and Courtney Ernest of Ball State. In singles play, Rizvi captured the #3 draw title with a come from behind 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Akemi Maehama of Barry University, while Meyers downed teammate Marcelli Magday to win the #4 draw.
Date Sept. 14-16
Opponent Minnesota Invitational
Time
Sept. 22
Montana State-Billings W, 7-0 Texas-Permian Basin W, 7-0
Sept. 29-30
All-American Pre-Qualifying
Oct. 5-7
USAFA Invitational
Oct. 10-14
ITA Mountain Regionals
Nov. 2-4
Florida International Invite
Jan. 26
Louisiana-Lafayette
3 p.m.
Jan. 27
Colorado
3 p.m.
Feb. 2
Gonzaga
5 p.m.
Feb. 3
Oregon
9 a.m.
Feb. 16
SMU
1 p.m.
Feb. 17
UT-Arlington
Feb. 22
CSU-Pueblo
Feb. 23
Northern Arizona Metro State
Mar. 1
Houston
Mar. 8
Montana State
10 a.m.
Mar. 9
Colorado State*
5 p.m.
Mar. 10
Northern Colorado
4 p.m.
Mar. 12
Rhode Island
3 p.m.
Mar. 16
Wyoming*
2 p.m.
Apr. 5
Fresno State*
Apr. 6
Nevada*
9 a.m.
Apr. 12
New Mexico*
2 p.m.
Apr. 14
Boise State*
12 p.m.
Apr. 20
San Diego State*
10 a.m.
Apr. 21
UNLV*
10 a.m.
Apr. 25-28
MW Championships
11 a.m. 9 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
TBA
Home Matches in Bold * Mountain West Match # USAFA, Colo. Times are local to site
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 5
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
Marybeth (Peterson) Ulrich Class of 1984 Marybeth (Peterson) Ulrich reengaged the Air Force women’s tennis program through Coach Gidley’s summer tennis camps. Ulrich’s three children Erin (16), Ben (14), and Meg (10) have attended the Academy camps for three summers. Ulrich, a Distinguished Graduate from the class of 1984, played in the early years of the program with Air Force’s first stand-out singles player, Gail Cooper (’82) and classmate Ruth (Deniston) Hessert who, coincidentally, is a pro in Central PA, where Ulrich currently resides. This past summer Ulrich presented Coach Gidley with a missing team photo from the 1980 team to display in the team photo gallery in the indoor courts. Ulrich never made it out of the doubles on the Air Force ladder, but continued playing after graduation mixing local league play with developing her kids’ tennis. In the last few years she founded a community Junior Team Tennis program in Carlisle, PA. In just 2 years the program grew from 3 teams with 18 players to 6 teams with over 45 players. The Carlisle teams have become a Central PA powerhouse for Junior Team Tennis with all of them qualifying for the USTA District competition in 2012 and one 12U team advancing to the USTA Sectional where the Carlisle team swept the sportsmanship awards. For her efforts promoting youth tennis Ulrich was named the USTA Middle States Central PA Division Junior Team Tennis Coach of the Year in 2012. Following graduation, Ulrich completed Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) at Mather AFB, CA and flew KC-135Q refueling planes from Beale AFB, CA. In 1989 she was selected for USAFA faculty duty in the Department of Political Science, which sponsored her to earn a Master’s degree and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Illinois. Ulrich completed 15 years of active duty in 1999, which included 6 years teaching Political Science at the Academy. Since then she has been teaching at the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Ulrich was the first woman hired in a full time civilian position at the war college and the first woman and youngest faculty member to achieve the rank of full professor which she achieved in 2005. Ulrich continues to serve in the USAF reserve where she holds the rank of Colonel and serves as the reserve attaché to the Russian Federation. The Ulrich family looks forward to its annual trek to Coach Gidley’s high altitude tennis camp where the Ulrich kids fine tune their games and visit mom’s alma mater. Go Falcons!
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2012-13 ROSTER 2012-13 Roster Name Melissa Cecil
Hgt. 5-6
Yr. Sr.
Hometown / Previous School Huntington Beach, CA (Ocean View HS)
Hannah Dake
5-5
Sr.
Excelsior, MN (Southwest Christian HS)
Anastasia Hueffner
5-7
Jr.
Portland, OR (Lincoln HS)
Charli Kemp
5-2
Fr.
Peachtree, GA (McIntosh HS)
Marcelli Magday
5-2
So.
Arlington, TX (Nolan Catholic HS)
Mary Meyers
5-2
Fr.
Shreveport, LA (Caddo Magnet HS)
Christine Molina
5-4
Sr.
Dallas, TX (Ursuline Academy of Dallas)
Natasha Rizvi
5-6
So.
Frisco, TX (St. Stephen’s School)
Tiffany Tran
5-6
So.
Laguna Niguel, CA (Penn Foster HS)
Head Coach: Kim Gidley Assistant Coach: Cari Groce Team Managers: Katie Brock, Ali Preiss, Monica Kestermann
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 7
MEET THE FALCONS
MELISSA CECIL Class | Senior Height | 5-6 Hometown | Huntington Beach, CA Previous School | Ocean View HS Major | Legal Studies
2011-12 (Junior) Played each of her 22 singles matches at the No. 1 position … posted a 10-12 record … captured one conference victory, defeating Tori Arneson of Colorado State … also won eight matches in the fall for 18 overall singles wins … went 23-13 overall in doubles with Tahlia Smoke … they went 13-9 at the No. 1 position and won three conference matches … won the doubles title at the Duck Invitational, hosted by the University of Oregon … the duo became the first Air Force doubles team to advance to the semifinals of the ITA Mountain Region tournament and was invited to play in the ITA/Riviera All-America Tournament. 2010-11 (Sophomore) Led the team with 25 overall doubles wins ... went 24-16 overall and 16-10 in dual matches with Tahlia Smoke ... the duo played all of their dual matches at the No. 1 spot ... most wins at No. 1 doubles since Kat Bushey and Christine Abayan had 18 in 2006 ... they won two MWC matches at the top spot, defeating Colorado State and New Mexico ... posted a 15-12 overall and 14-12 dual match record in singles ... went 13-6 at the No. 2 spot, including two conference wins. 2009-10 (Freshman) Led the team with 28 singles wins, the most by a Falcon in the Division I era (1996) and since Laura Simmons won 31 matches during the 1993-94 season ... finished with a 28-12 overall record ... named the MWC Player of the Week and the USAFA Athlete of the Week in January ... team-high 19 dual match wins (19-6 record) ... won 17 of 19 matches at one point ... played from No. 2 to No. 6 position, had winning record at all five spots, including 4-1 mark at No. 2 ... posted a 4-4 record against MWC opponents, the best record since Laura Nigro went 4-3 in 2004 ... finished third in the No. 2 flight at the USAFA Invitational ... won 16 doubles matches and went 13-13 in dual matches ... paired with fellow freshman Hannah Dake to go 10-4 at the No. 1 spot. Before Air Force Three-year letterwinner in tennis ... two-time league champion in doubles (2007 & 2008) ... won singles league championship in 2005 ... led team to two league championships ... ranked No. 52 in Southern California Section and No. 182 nationally for 18-and-under ... high school tennis coach was David Deaton. Personal Parents are Jeff and Anh Cecil ... has one sister ... completed a cultural immersion program in Spain this past summer ... she studied Spanish for three weeks at a language school … also worked Basic Cadet Training ... also recruited by UC Riverside and Denver ... active in her squadron as an assistant standardization and evaluation officer ... hobbies include reading and taking naps ... favorite food is chicken curry ... reality show she would choose to be on is Dancing With The Stars ... favorite movie is The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King ... favorite book is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ... person in history she would most like to meet is Abraham Lincoln ... greatest moment in sports was advancing to the regional semifinals in doubles last season … credits her family with the biggest influence on his sports career ... favorite professional tennis player is Roger Federer … member of cadet squadron 21.
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Cecil’s Career Stats Year 2010 2011 2012 Totals
Dual 19-6 14-10 10-12 43-28
Singles Open 9-6 1-2 8-6 18-14
Overall 28-12 15-12 18-18 61-42
Dual 13-13 17-10 13-9 43-32
Doubles Open 3-5 8-6 10-4 21-15
Overall 16-18 25-16 23-13 64-47
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 9
MEET THE FALCONS
HANNAH DAKE Class | Senior Height | 5-5 Hometown | Excelsior, MN Previous School | Southwest Christian HS Major | Humanities
2011-12 (Junior) Won 19 singles and 23 doubles matches … posted a 15-8 dual match singles record, including an 11-7 mark at the No. 5 position … won three Mountain West matches … went 14-4 in doubles with Natasha Rizvi, including a 13-4 mark at the No. 2 spot … the duo was 6-1 against conference opponents at No. 2, the only loss was in a tiebreaker to UNLV … they were 9-1 in their last 10 matches … advanced to the doubles finals of the Duck Invitational, hosted by the University of Oregon, with Anastasia Hueffner. 2010-11 (Sophomore) Posted a 9-7 singles record in the spring ... did not play during the fall tournament season ... went 6-2 at the No. 4 spot and 3-3 at No. 5 ... had a 16-6 overall doubles record, including a 15-6 mark with Sarah Cassman ... the duo won a team-high three MWC matches and went 12-5 at the No. 3 spot. 2009-10 (Freshman) Finished fourth on the team with 22 singles victories ... posted a 15-11 mark in dual matches, including a 10-10 record at the No. 3 spot ... also went 3-1 at No. 2 and 2-0 at No. 4 ... finished third in the No. 6 flight at the USAFA Invitational ... went 14-14 overall in doubles and 13-12 at the No. 1 position ... had a 10-4 mark with Melissa Cecil at the top spot. Before Air Force Ranked in the top two for her age group in the USTA Northern Section since she was 12 ... ranked in the top 80 nationally in 16-and-under age group and around 100 nationally as an 18-and-under player ... high school did not have tennis. Personal Parents are Scott and Joanne Dake ... has one older sister, Alanna, who played tennis at Dordt College … her father played tennis at Trinity University in Chicago … worked the USAFA Sports Camps this past summer ... also worked Basic Cadet Training as an assistant flight commander ... active in her squadron as a personal ethics and education representative (PEER) ...member of commandant’s list in the fall of 2009 … also recruited by Army and Northern Illinois ... hobbies include ping-pong and bowling ... favorite food is pizza ... reality show she would choose to be on is Extreme Makeover ... favorite movie is Miracle ... favorite book is Mere Christianity ... person in history she would most like to meet is C.S. Lewis ... greatest moment in sports was defeating TCU in doubles with Natasha Rizvi last year ... credits her family and personal coach, Felicia Tebon, with the biggest influence on his sports career ... favorite professional tennis player is Roger Federer … member of cadet squadron 32.
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Dake’s Career Stats Year 2010 2011 2012 Totals
Dual 15-11 9-7 15-8 39-26
Singles Open 7-7 0-0 4-7 11-14
Overall 22-18 9-7 19-15 50-40
Dual 15-14 16-6 17-6 48-26
Doubles Open 3-8 0-0 6-5 9-13
Overall 18-22 16-6 23-11 57-39
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 11
MEET THE FALCONS
CHRISTINE MOLINA Class | Senior Height | 5-4 Hometown | Dallas, TX Previous School | Ursuline Academy of Dallas Major | Foreign Area Studies
2011-12 (Junior) Named to the all-Mountain West team for singles … led team with 24 overall and tied for lead with 17 dual match singles wins … 17-8 record in dual matches, including a 14-7 mark at the No. 2 position … won three conference matches at the No. 2 spot … led the team with two wins over regionally-ranked opponents … captured the “B1” singles flight at the season-opening College of Charleston Invitational … won 24 overall doubles matches, including a 22-9 record with Tiffany Tran … the duo went 18-7 in dual matches and 15-7 at the No. 3 spot … they were 4-3 against Mountain West opponents … won the Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship in the Mountain Region … named AFA’s Outstanding Portuguese Student of the Year. 2010-11 (Sophomore) Did not play. 2009-10 (Freshman) Finished second on the team with 27 overall singles wins ... posted a 27-15 record, including an 18-9 mark in dual matches ... her 18 dual match wins tied for second on the squad ... played all six positions during the season ... had a winning record at Nos. 2-6 and was 1-2 at the No. 1 spot ... played majority of her matches a the No. 4 spot, where she went 8-6 ... finished second on the team with three conference wins ... won at No. 4 against New Mexico, Utah and San Diego State ... won a team-high 23 overall and 18 dual doubles matches ... went 13-4 with Christen Monreal, including 11-3 at the No. 3 spot ... first Falcon to post 50 overall victories in one season since Kat Bushey in 2006. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis ... two-time TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) state singles champion ... won titles as a junior and senior ... also won the TAPPS state doubles title as a sophomore ... helped team to state championship as a freshman ... ranked No. 11 in the state of Texas ... member of National Honor Society ... high school tennis coach was Meme Ostrom. Personal Parents are Joey and Julie Molina ... has two brothers ... would like to become a doctor in the future ... completed a cultural immersion program to Portugal this past summer ... she stayed with a Portuguese family and studied the language and culture for three weeks … also worked Basic Cadet Training ... active in her squadron as an academic officer ... member of dean’s list every semester at the Academy …. also recruited by St. Louis University ... hobbies include horseback riding and reading ... favorite food is Mexican food ... reality show she would choose to be on is Extreme Makeover ... favorite movie is The Lion King ... favorite book is Harry Potter ... person in history she would most like to meet is Jesus ... greatest moment in sports was winning a bronze ball with her father at the USTA Father-Daughter championships in Chicago ... credits her father with the biggest influence on his sports career ... favorite professional tennis player is Rafael Nadal … member of cadet squadron 21.
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MEET THE FALCONS
Molina’s Career Stats Year 2010 2011 2012 Totals
Dual 18-9 DNP 17-8 35-17
Singles Open 9-6 7-2 16-8
Overall 27-15
Dual 18-7
24-10 51-25
18-7 36-14
Doubles Open 5-6 2-1 7-8
Overall 23-13 20-8 43-21
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 13
MEET THE FALCONS
ANASTASIA HUEFFNER Class | Junior Height | 5-7 Hometown | Portland, OR Previous School | Lincoln HS Major | Behavioral Science
2011-12 (Sophomore) Played 15 singles and 18 doubles matches … advanced to the doubles finals of the Duck Invitational, hosted by the University of Oregon, with Hannah Dake in the fall … was a perfect 4-0 in dual singles matches, including a 3-0 mark at the No. 6 position. 2010-11 (Freshman) One of two Falcons to win at least 20 singles and doubles matches ... went 20-22 overall in singles, including a 14-12 mark in dual matches ... finished second on the team with 20 singles wins ... played the majority of her matches at the No. 5 spot where she went 11-8 ... also won 20 doubles matches, 16 of them with Christen Monreal. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis ... led her high school team to the state championship as a senior ... three-time district doubles champion ... two-time state runner-up in doubles ... finished second in district for singles as a freshman ... ranked No. 2 in Oregon and No. 3 in the Pacific Northwest Section ... ranked 13th in the country in doubles in the girls’ 14 and under age group ... placed second twice in national doubles tournaments ... high school tennis coach was Sue Basham. Personal Parents are Bill and Marina Hueffner ... has two twin sisters ... nickname is “Tasha” ... completed Operation Air Force at McGuire AFB, N.J., this past summer ... also worked the USAFA Sports Camps ... active in her squadron as PEER (Personal Education and Ethics Representative) and C Flight NCO (non-commissioned officer) ... member of dean’s list three semesters at the Academy … also recruited by Army, Navy, Iowa State and Drake ... hobbies include golfing and hanging out with her friends ... favorite food is fruit and trail mix ... reality show she would choose to be on is The Bachelorette ... favorite movie is Mean Girls ... favorite book is Something Borrowed ... person in history she would most like to meet is Michael Jackson ... greatest moment in sports was defeating current pro Sloane Stephens when she was 12 ... credits her father with the biggest influence on his sports career ... favorite professional tennis player is Roger Federer … member of cadet squadron 19.
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Hueffner’s Career Stats Year 2011 2012 Totals
Dual 14-12 4-0 18-12
Singles Open 6-10 3-8 9-18
Overall 20-22 7-8 27-30
Dual 14-13 5-2 19-15
Doubles Open 6-9 6-5 12-14
Overall 20-22 11-7 31-29
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 15
MEET THE FALCONS
MARCELLI MAGDAY Class | Sophomore Height | 5-2 Hometown | Arlington, TX Previous School | Nolan Catholic HS Major | Undecided 2011-12 (Freshman) Posted an 8-3 overall singles record, including a perfect 5-0 mark in dual matches … went 4-0 at the No. 5 position … won four doubles matches, including three with Natasha Rizvi. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis ... three-time team MVP selection ... placed second at the state tournament each of her four years ... ranked 37th in the state of Texas ... advanced to the quarterfinals of the Texas Summer Grand Slam in 2009 ... earned the TAPPS all-state academic award twice ... two-time winner of Arlington Super Championship Major Zone Sportsmanship Award ... member of National Honor Society ... high school tennis coach was Gaye Houk. Personal Parents are Raidell and Ophelia Magday ... has two sisters … completed the Expeditionary Skills and Evasion Training (ESET) this past summer ... also completed the jump program … would like to attend pilot training following her time at the Academy ... active in her squadron as the public affairs / cadet service learning clerk … member of superintendent’s list in the fall of 2011 … hobbies include drawing and singing ... also recruited by Murray State ... favorite food is pan fried noodles ... favorite movie is Spirited Away ... favorite book is the Eragon series ... person in history she would most like to meet is Mother Teresa ... credits her mother with the biggest influence on her sports career ... favorite professional tennis player is Justine Henin … member of cadet squadron 25.
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MEET THE FALCONS
Magday’s Career Stats Year 2012
Dual 5-0
Singles Open 3-3
Overall 8-3
Dual 3-0
Doubles Open 1-5
Overall 4-5
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 17
MEET THE FALCONS
NATASHA RIZVI Class | Sophomore Height | 5-6 Hometown | Frisco, TX Previous School | St. Stephen’s School Major | Undecided 2011-12 (Freshman) Finished second on the team with 23 overall singles wins … posted a 23-9 overall and 17-5 dual match record … went 12-5 at the No. 6 position and tied for a team-best 5-2 record against Mountain West opponents … also went 4-0 at the No. 4 spot … went 14-4 in doubles with Hannah Dake, including a 13-4 mark at the No. 2 spot … the duo was 6-1 against conference opponents at No. 2, the only loss was in a tiebreaker to UNLV … they were 9-1 in their last 10 matches. Before Air Force Three-year letterwinner in tennis ... also lettered once in basketball, track and volleyball ... high school tennis coach was Carlos DiLaura. Personal Parents are Raza and Lubna Rizvi ... has one brother, Ali, who is a junior and plays on the men’s tennis team at the Academy ... completed the Expeditionary Skills and Evasion Training (ESET) this past summer … active in her squadron as a safety / security clerk … member of the commandant’s and dean’s list fall of 2011 … hobby is playing the piano ... also recruited by SMU, Emory, Baylor and John’s Hopkins ... favorite food is sushi ... favorite movie is She’s The Man ... reality show she would choose to be on is The Bachelorette ... favorite book is Shutter Island ... greatest moment in sports was winning the USTA Girls’ 16 and under Texas Excellence tournament … person in history she would most like to meet is Teddy Roosevelt ... credits her father with the biggest influence on her sports career ... favorite professional tennis player is Roger Federer … member of cadet squadron 15.
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MEET THE FALCONS
Rizvi’s Career Stats Year 2012
Dual 17-5
Singles Open 6-4
Overall 23-9
Dual 16-4
Doubles Open 2-6
Overall 18-10
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 19
MEET THE FALCONS
TIFFANY TRAN Class | Sophomore Height | 5-6 Hometown | Laguna Niguel, CA Previous School | Penn Foster HS Major | Undecided 2011-12 (Freshman) One of three players with at least 20 overall singles and doubles victories … 20-11 overall in singles and 15-7 in dual matches … played majority of season at the No. 3 spot with a 7-6 record … perfect 5-0 at No. 4 and tied for the team’s best record against Mountain West opponents at 5-2 … one of only three Falcons to post a win against a regionally-ranked opponent … won 24 overall doubles matches, including a 22-9 record with Christine Molina … the duo went 18-7 in dual matches and 15-7 at the No. 3 spot … they were 4-3 against Mountain West opponents. Before Air Force Won the US Clay Court Championship for Girls 16-and-under ... also won the 2006 Southern Open ... ranked the top 10 nationally for Girls 14-and under, top 30 for Girls 16-and under and top 100 for Girls 18-and under. Personal Parents are Bac and Tuyet-Nga Tran ... completed the Expeditionary Skills and Evasion Training (ESET) this past summer … also flew an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) … active in her squadron as an element NCO (non-commissioned officer) … hobby is singing ... also recruited by Princeton, Pepperdine, Harvard and Navy ... favorite food is apple pie ... favorite movie is The Tourist reality show she would choose to be on is Dancing With The Stars ... favorite book is the Twilight Series ... person in history she would most like to meet is Arthur Ashe ... greatest moment in sports was coming from behind to win her singles match vs. UTEP and clinch the team match last season … credits her parents with the biggest influence on her sports career ... favorite professional tennis player is Roger Federer … member of cadet squadron 33.
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MEET THE TEAM MANAGERS
Tran’s Career Stats Year 2012
Dual 15-7
Singles Open 5-4
Overall 20-11
Dual 18-7
Doubles Open 6-3
Overall 24-10
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 21
MEET THE FALCONS
CHARLI KEMP Class | Freshman Hometown | Peachtree, GA Previous School | McIntosh HS Major | Undecided
Before Air Force Three-year letterwinner in tennis led team to state quarterfinals as a freshman and Sweet 16 as a junior and senior ... ranked in the top 100 in girls’ 16 and under … class president for two years … president of National English Honor Society … high school tennis coach was Ben Maes. Personal Parents are Randy and Pam Kemp ... planning to major in astronautical engineering … would like to attend pilot training and become an astronaut following graduation ... hobbies include rock climbing, sailing and traveling ... favorite food is her dad’s homemade mac & cheese ... reality show she would choose to be on is America’s Next Top Model ... favorite movie is Pride & Prejudice ... favorite book is The Great Gatsby ... person in history she would most like to meet is Neil Armstrong ... credits her father with the biggest influence on his sports career ... favorite professional tennis players are Roger Federer and Justine Henin … member of cadet squadron 37.
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MEET THE FALCONS
MARY MEYERS Class | Freshman Hometown | Shreveport, LA Previous School | Caddo Magnet HS Major | Undecided
Before Air Force Three-year letterwinner in tennis … also lettered in cross country ... won two singles state championships (junior and senior) and finished runner-up as a sophomore) … ranked 61st in the country in the 18-and-under division earlier this spring … finished in the top 10 in eight cross country meets … member of National Honor Society … high school tennis coach was Laura Addington. Personal Parents are Jay and Barbara Meyers ... has one brother … planning to major in behavioral science … would like to attend pilot training and become an fighter pilot following graduation ... hobbies include fishing and hanging out with friends ... also recruited by Santa Clara, St. Mary’s, Penn State and Boise State … favorite meal a cheeseburger, French fries and a coke ... favorite movie is Breakfast at Tiffany’s ... listens to Rage Against the Machine before matches ... started playing tennis at age 3 ... favorite professional tennis player is Serena Williams … member of cadet squadron 32.
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 23
DIVISION II HISTORY
National Champions 1989 Layla DeStaffany and Susan Wheeler (Doubles)
1991 Laura Simmons (Singles)
Laura Simmons with head coach Bob Swanson after the 1991 NCAA Tournament
DeStaffany (left) and Wheeler after winning the 1989 NCAA Division II Doubles Championship
All-Conference
All-Americans Layla DeStaffany
Susan Wheeler
1988 Doubles 1989 Doubles
1988 Singles and Doubles 1989 Singles and Doubles
Monica Davis
Laura Simmons
1989 Singles
1991 Singles 1992 Singles 1993 Singles and Doubles 1994 Singles and Doubles
Amanda Krantz
Christine Rilovick
1993 Doubles
1994 Doubles
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Colorado Athletic Conference 1991 Laura Simmons Jessica Talberg D’Ron Longino Kim Schroeder Gwen Summers
1993 Laura Simmons Kim Schroeder Christine Rilovick
DIVISION I HISTORY All-Conference
Division I Highlights 1998-99 - Junior NADINE LYNN defeats No. 72 Nadine Kenzlemen of Colorado, the first Top 75 win for a USAFA singles player. 1999-2000 - A 5-2 victory over No. 83 Utah at the MWC Tournament is the team’s first Division I Conference win. 2000-01 - Senior KRISTEL CHUNTRARUK splits sets with the 1999 NCAA Div. I Singles Champion and No. 1 player in the nation, Zuzeana Lesenarova of the University of San Diego. - Junior BROOKE PARSONS defeats No. 73 Anneliese Rose (Florida Int’l) and No. 106 Sanja Hanson (Colorado State). 2001-02 - Senior BROOKE PARSONS defeats No. 41 Paulina Janus (UNLV), No. 46 Irina Tereschenko (Texas Tech), No. 58 Becky Varnum (Notre Dame), No. 76 Yanick Dullens (Denver), No. 96 Lindsey Hedberg (San Diego State) and No. 106 Kristen Stubbs (Virginia Tech). - PARSONS posts the best record in the Mountain West Conference at No. 1 singles (6-1). - PARSONS becomes first USAFA player to participate in the Riviera All - American, also invited in doubles with partner LAURA NIGRO. - Doubles team of PARSONS & NIGRO defeats the No. 1 doubles team from No. 13 Notre Dame, No. 15 UNLV, No. 22 San Diego State, No. 38 BYU, No. 44 Southern Methodist, No. 64 Richmond and No. 75 Virginia Tech. - USAFA posts its first wins over nationally ranked teams - No. 44 Southern Methodist and No. 57 Texas Tech. - First time in USAFA history that a singles player (PARSONS #11), a doubles team (PARSONS/NIGRO #13) and the team (#13) receive a Central Regional Ranking. 2002-03 - Junior LAURA NIGRO defeats No. 46 Irina Tereshenko (Texas Tech), No. 50 Renate Stoop (Boise State), No. 82 Sandy Lukowski (New Mexico) and No. 138 Annette Bryntesson (Oklahoma State). - Senior HEATHER SHELBY defeats No. 72 Gyorgyi Zsiros (UNLV) and No. 76 Yanick Dullens (Denver). - USAFA defeats nationally ranked Texas Tech (No. 61). 2003-04 - Senior LAURA NIGRO defeats No. 72 Gyorgyi Zsiros (UNLV) and No. 81 Dita Haverlandova (San Diego State). - NIGRO is invited to play in the Riviera All- American, along with doubles partner, GINA BLACK. - NIGRO & BLACK defeat the NCAA doubles semi-finalists of 2003 (Missouri) and 2004 (New Mexico). 2004-05 - Junior KAT BUSHEY wins the MWC Sportsmanship Award. 2005-06 - Senior KAT BUSHEY and freshman CHRISTINE ABAYAN upset the No. 1 doubles
seed and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Central Region Tourney - Beat two nationally ranked teams from BYU and set a new school record with 29 wins. 2006-07 - Senior KELLY MORGAN wins 24 overall singles matches, the most by a Falcon since Gina Black won 26 during the 2002-03 campaign. 2007-08 - Freshmen CHRISTEN MONREAL (21) and SARAH CASSMAN (20) became the first pair of freshmen to win 20 overall singles matches in the same season since Air Force moved to Division I. 2008-09 - Air Force won the doubles point vs. nationally ranked #21 TCU and # 57 Texas Tech. 2009-10 - Air Force finished the 2009-10 season with a 16-12 record, the best since Coach Gidley’s initial season in 1998-99 when they went 20-10. Gidley also led Air Force to two MWC wins, the most in a season since 2003 - Freshman MELISSA CECIL posted 28 overall singles wins, the most by a Falcon in the Division I era and the most since Laura Simmons won 31 during the 1994-95 season. - Five Falcons won at least 20 overall singles matches in one season for the first time in program history. - Junior SARAH CASSMAN became the first Falcon to win at least 20 overall singles matches in three straight season since moving to Division I. - Sophomore TAHLIA SMOKE became USAFA’s first female tennis player to acheive a Division I national Ranking at #102. - USAFA posted its first-ever shutout over a Mountain West opponent, defeating New Mexico, 7-0. 2010-11 - Air Force posted its second conseutive 16-win season, producing the best two-year period for wins (32) since the 1999 and 2000 seasons (34). - Senior CHRISTEN MONREAL became the team’s first two-time MVP since Kat Bushey in 2006. - USAFA posted a 12-match winning streak, the longest since moving to Division I in ‘96. - For the first time in program history, the Falcons won three Mountain Region awards. Assistant coach NICK DARGENE was named the Assistant Coach of the Year, CHRISTEN MONREAL won the Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award and SARAH CASSMAN won the Arthur Ashe leadership Award. 2011-12 - Air Force posted the most wins in one season (17) since 1999. - AFA’s three conference wins are the most since moving to Division I in 1996 - Three Falcons earned all-conference honors, another Division I milestone. - CHRISTINE MOLINA won the Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region.
Mountain West Conference 2001 Brooke Parsons (Singles) 2002 Brooke Parsons (S/D) Laura Nigro (Doubles) 2003 Laura Nigro (S/D) Gina Black (Doubles) 2004 Laura Nigro (S/D) Gina Black (Doubles) 2006 Kat Bushey (Singles) 2011 Christen Monreal (Singles) 2012 Christine Molina (Singles) Tahlia Smoke (Doubles) Melissa Cecil (Doubles)
Most Valuable Players Year ............................................................ Name 1980 ................................................. Gail Cooper 1981 ................................................. Gail Cooper 1982 .................................................. Chris Duffy 1983 ................................................ Emily Reghy 1984 ...................................................... Rita Lane 1985 ........................................... Tamaron Sharp 1986 ................................................ Tricia Heller 1987 ................................................ Tricia Heller 1988 .............................................Susan Wheeler 1989 ......................................... Layla DeStaffany 1990 .............................................. Leslie Skinner 1991 ........................................... Laura Simmons 1992 ........................................... Laura Simmons 1993 ........................................... Laura Simmons 1994 ........................................... Laura Simmons 1995 ...........................................Amanda Krantz 1996 ............................................... Misty Holder 1997 ............................................... Misty Holder 1998 ................................................Nadine Lynn 1999 .............................................. Kacy Mitchell 2000 ........................................... Brooke Parsons 2001 ........................................... Brooke Parsons 2002 ........................................... Brooke Parsons 2003 ................................................. Laura Nigro 2004 ................................................. Laura Nigro 2005 ...................................................Kat Bushey 2006 ...................................................Kat Bushey 2007 ...............................................Kelly Morgan 2008 .............................................Lauren Wilson 2009 ........................................Christine Abayan 2010 ........................................Christen Monreal 2011 ........................................Christen Monreal 2012 ...............................................Tahlia Smoke
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 25
YEAR-BY-YEAR / COACHING RECORDS Year 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total:
W 4 8 8 4 12 21 16 17 15 11 12 16 21 15 22 17 12 15 15 20 15 12 20 14 13 15 15 13 8 9 10 6 10 16 16 17 455
L 9 4 3 3 11 9 13 11 9 10 5 8 9 12 6 5 16 11 6 8 10 15 10 9 16 12 13 14 18 18 16 21 17 12 10 8 341
Pct. .310 .667 .730 .570 .520 .700 .550 .610 .630 .520 .710 .670 .700 .556 .786 .773 .429 .577 .714 .714 .600 .444 .667 .560 .448 .556 .536 .481 .308 .333 .385 .222 .370 .571 .615 .680 .571
Coach Capt. Jack Davis (4-9, .310) Capt. Charles Patton (8-4, .667) Capt. George Fritts (8-3, .730) Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan (53-36, .596) Capt. Bill Allen Capt. Bill Allen (32-20, .615) Capt. Luvon Fowler Capt. Luvon Fowler Capt. Luvon Fowler Maj. Luvon Fowler Maj. Luvon Fowler (75-44, .630) Capt. Bob Swanson Capt. Bob Swanson Maj. Bob Swanson Maj. Bob Swanson (66-38, .635) Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green (62-39, .614) Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley (182-195, .481)
Best Career Winning Pct.
Career Coaching Records -Name Kim Gidley Kim Green Bob Swanson Luvon Fowler Bill Allen Mike McClellan George Fritts Charles Patton Jack Davis
Years 1998-present (14) 1995-98 (4) 1991-94 (4) 1986-90 (5) 1984-85 (2) 1980-83 (4) 1979 (1) 1978 (1) 1977 (1)
Captain(s) Lisa Brightbill Lisa Brightbill Donna Lundquist Julie Grimmig Gail Cooper Gail Cooper Emily Reghy Ruth Denison, Rita Lane Tamaron Sharp Sara Beth Riddlehoover Tricia Heller Teri Cave Tatiana Stead, Layla DeStaffany Leslie Skinner D’Ron Longino, Jessica Talberg D’Ron Longino Laurel Scherer, Kim Schroeder Laura Simmons, Christine Rilovick Amanda Krantz Misty Holder Misty Holder Christel Helquist Julie Weiss Julie Weiss Kristel Chuntraruk, Brooke Parsons Brooke Parsons Heather Shelby Laura Nigro, Gina Black Katie Tomkie, Kat Bushey Kat Bushey Kelly Morgan Lauren Wilson, Erika Shortridge Christine Abayan Erlyn Rudico Christen Monreal, Sarah Cassman Tahlia Smoke
Wins 182 62 66 75 32 53 8 8 4
Losses 195 39 38 44 20 36 3 4 9
Pct. .481 .614 .635 .630 .615 .596 .730 .667 .310
# 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Name (Yrs) Bob Swanson (4) Luvon Fowler (5) Bill Allen (2) Kim Green (4) Mike McClellan (4) Kim Gidley (14)
Pct. .635 .630 .615 .614 .596 .481
Must have coached at least two seasons.
Most Career Wins
Jack Davis
Charles Patton
George Fritts
Mike McClellan
Bill Allen
Luvon Fowler
Bob Swanson
Kim Green
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# 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Name (Yrs) Kim Gidley (13) Luvon Fowler (5) Bob Swanson (4) Kim Green (4) Mike McClellan (4) Bill Allen (2) George Fritts (1) Charles Patton (1) 9. Jack Davis (1)
Wins 182 75 66 62 53 32 8 8 4
ACADEMIC / SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS Academic All-Conference Mountain West Conference (Div. I) 2012 Christine Molina Natasha Rixvi 2011
Sarah Cassman Megumi Voight
2010
Sarah Cassman Christine Molina
2009
Erlyn Rudico Sarah Cassman Shannon Young
2008
Erlyn Rudico Sarah Cassman
2007
Erlyn Rudico Karissa Walker
2006
Kat Bushey
2005
Kat Bushey Karissa Walker
2004
Kat Bushey Liza Vaccaro Karissa Walker
2003
Kat Bushey Kelli O’Bryant Heather Shelby
2002
Kelli O’Bryant Brooke Parsons Heather Shelby
2001
Kelli O’Bryant Heather Shelby
2000
Mae Li-Amick Susan Doyle Kelli O’Bryant
Cassman
Brooke Parsons won the 2002 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Young Laura Nigro was the recipient of the 2003 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Walters
Bushey
Parsons
Doyle
Amick
Mitchell
Kat Bushey won the 2006 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Sarah Cassman was the recipient of the 2010 and 2011 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Western Athletic Conference (Div. I) 1999 Kacy Mitchell
Academic All-American Christen Monreal won the 2011 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
GTE Academic All-America Team 1991 D’Ron Longino (Third Team) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete 2009 Shannon Young 2007 Karissa Walker and Jennifer Walters 2004 Karissa Walker 2003 Kelli O’Bryant
O’Bryant
Walker
Rudico
Christine Molina won the 2012 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Air Force Women’s Tennis 2012-13 -- 27
SPORTS MEDICINE / HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB The Sports Medicine Division is one of the newest and most important divisions in the athletic department. Headed up by Lt. Col. Gerald McGinty, the division is split into three major areas. They are the human performance lab, strength and conditioning and the athletic training rooms. The human performance lab develops team and individual performance improvement. Educational workshops to coaches and athletes which results in consistent high performances and outstanding performances for all the athletic programs at the Academy. The sports vision branch attempts to improve a player’s focus and concentration. Al Wile heads the branch which helps players work on certain visual aspects of the game. Although critics argue that you can’t improve a player’s sight, these skills improve a player’s ability to focus on the task at hand. The Academy’s women’s tennis team has benefited greatly from this specialized training. Buck Blackwood, the head strength and conditioning coach, has been at the Academy since 2003. He replaced Allen Hedrick, who was at the Academy for 13 seasons. Blackwood, along with assistant strength and conditioning coach Lt. Julie Rubino, and the staff make up computerized programs for athletes which tell them how much weight to lift, how many repetitions and when to increase in weight. Each sport at the Academy has its own lifting program. The athletic training department, under the direction of head athletic trainer Tony Peck, focuses on injury prevention, rehabilitation and on- and off-season workouts. The athletic trainers assist athletes with prevention by taping, bracing and completing thorough screening processes to help discover past injuries. The staff also assists with the on- and off-season workouts. Athletes have the luxury of having a fully-equipped athletic training room in both the Cadet Field House and the Cadet Gym. The athletic training room staff consists of 13 certified athletic trainers.
HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB Athletes are taught at a very young age to take care of their body. Lift weights, run, eat healthy and the list goes on and on and on. But two very important pieces of the athletic puzzle are often left out. The mind and the eyes. Not at the Air Force Academy. Not at an institution where athletes compete at a very high level and rarely have the size and speed of athletes at other universities. This is where the Academy’s human performance lab can give athletes an advantage. The human performance lab in the athletic department falls under the direction of Lt. Col. Gerald McGinty and is headed by Lt. Col. Mike Zupan. Zupan, along with human performance coach Al Wile, operate one of the most sophisticated labs in the country and offer all its services to intercollegiate athletic programs. The lab conducts over 3,000 individual performance assessments annually and provides sports vision training to 17 major varsity sports. The lab’s database contains assessments of over 1,500 athletes, with the capabilities of providing coaches the chronological tracking progress annually of each one of his/her athletes. Body composition assessment using the “gold standard” hydrostatic testing (submerging underwater) method continues to be one of the most popular condition factors
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most coaches are utilizing. Many coaches utilize upper and lower Wingate testing to determine anaerobic power thresholds, a simple 30-second test of pedaling an ergometer on a predetermined load based on 50% of body weight for arms and 80% body weight for legs. Aerobic testing is accomplished utilizing a SensorMedics cardiopulmonary VO2 max assessment system with treadmill. The lab has recently purchased a Peak Performance biomechanics assessment system with infrared cameras to conduct body motion analysis. Other lab assessments include blood lactate testing, strength assessments and flexibility assessments. The lab has become the pioneer program in the country in the area of sports vision. This program is directed by sports vision coach Al Wile, who has been working with athletes at the Academy since 1980. The women’s tennis team has greatly benefited from the program. Other teams highly involved with the sports vision training include football, baseball, water polo, gymnastics, diving, hockey, lacrosse, fencing and soccer. Wile and his staff believe that vision training is where weight training was 15 years ago, as evidenced by the interest in the Academy program from world-class athletes, Olympic athletes, professional athletes and other intercollegiate programs throughout the country.
THE MOUNTAIN WEST From its inception in 1999, the Mountain West Conference has been committed to excellence in intercollegiate athletics, while promoting the academic missions of its member institutions. Progressive in its approach, the MWC continues to cultivate opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level, while fostering academic achievement and sportsmanship. Now in its ninth year, the MWC has been assertive in its involvement with the NCAA governance structure and has taken a leadership role in the overall administration of intercollegiate athletics. The Mountain West Conference is noted for its geographic diversity. Some of the most beautiful terrain and landscapes in the nation can be found within Mountain West Conference boundaries, including the majestic Rocky Mountain range, which borders four MWC schools (Utah, BYU, Air Force and Colorado State). The high plains of Wyoming (elevation 7,220 feet - the highest Division I campus in the nation) contrast with the desert city of Las Vegas (the fastest growing metropolitan area in the West) and the Pacific Ocean locale of San Diego State. The southwestern flavor of New Mexico complements the western heritage and culture of Fort Worth, Texas, home of the MWC’s newest member, TCU.
HISTORY The Mountain West Conference was conceived on May 26, 1998, when the presidents of eight institutions -- Air Force, BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah and Wyoming -- decided to form a new NCAA Division I-A intercollegiate athletic conference. The split from the former 16-team conference re-established continuity and stability among the membership within the new league and signaled the continuation of its tradition-rich, long-standing athletic rivalries. Five of the MWC’s eight original members have been conference rivals since the 1960s (BYU, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado State), while San Diego State (1978) and Air Force (1980) were longtime members as well. UNLV entered the fold in 1996 and TCU began its first year of competition in 2005-06, completing the membership in the MWC as it stands today. When the MWC officially began operations on July 1, 1999, the new league had in place a seven-year contract with ESPN, giving the broadcaster exclusive national television rights to MWC football and men’s basketball, and three-year agreements to send the league’s football champion to the Liberty Bowl and a second team to the Las Vegas Bowl. Commissioner Craig Thompson also arranged a third bowl tie-in each of the first three years (1999 Motor City, 2000 Silicon Valley, 2001 New Orleans) before securing a four-year deal with the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco in 2002. An innovator in the postseason bowl structure, the MWC engineered many “firsts,” as league teams have participated in five inaugural bowl games (2000 Silicon Valley, 2001 New Orleans, 2002 San Francisco (Emerald), 2005 Poinsettia, 2006 New Mexico), as well as placing the first non-automatic-qualifying BCS team into a BCS bowl game with Utah’s appearance in the 2005 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
EXPOSURE On Aug. 26, 2004, College Sports Television (CSTV) and the Mountain West Conference announced a visionary partnership that revolutionized the college sports landscape. The landmark agreement was the first NCAA Division I football and men’s basketball conference-wide deal for CSTV. The advent of the new television model gives the fastest-growing independent cable network exclusive rights to all Conference events, including cable and satellite television coverage, national over-the-air and satellite radio, video-ondemand and online broadcast rights. The CSTV/ MWC partnership has guaranteed greater levels of television exposure for all MWC sports and has resoundingly met the fundamental goals of more exposure, preferred start times and competition on select days of the week. A succession of events since the fall of 2004 have improved the new television model, including the CBS purchase of CSTV, and the merger with Comcast to create The Mtn. - MountainWest Sports Network. The relationship with Comcast also delivered a new national broadcast partner in VERSUS. The MWC was the first exclusive college programming provider for the Comcast-owned entity, with football and both men’s and women’s basketball games. In the summer of 2006, the centerpiece of this historic relationship was realized with the launch of The Mtn. - the first sports network dedicated to serving a single collegiate athletic conference 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Mtn. provides sports fans blanket coverage of MWC athletics across multiple sports, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s Olympic sports. The Mtn. features more than just live games and has added its own original programming. Fans get a comprehensive array of news, features and analysis about their favorite MWC teams and players. In 2006-07, more than 250 MWC events were shown live on The Mtn., CSTV and VERSUS. CSTV is currently available in over 65 million homes, while VERSUS is in more than 72 million households. With a “fans first” focus, each television partner ensures MWC constituents see more MWC sports at more convenient times and in more media platforms than ever before. The MWC has remained steadfast in its mission to promote the league’s athletic events to national and regional television audiences and will continue to grow its new TV model. Previously, ESPN served as the league’s inaugural official television partner, while in-house productions guaranteed coverage for several MWC Olympic sports. Through the league’s first eight years, excluding institutional local packages, 982 football, volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball events have aired on television, with 159 football games and over 132 men’s basketball contests broadcast nationally. The MWC is the only conference to have televised all contests from its volleyball and women’s basketball championships six of the past seven years, while baseball, softball and women’s soccer have had selected games from their respective championships televised in that span.
2011-12 MWC Women’s Tennis Review Final Standings Team (Overall) TCU (18-6) UNLV (16-9) San Diego St. (12-13) Wyoming (14-9) Air Force (17-8) Boise State (8-12) New Mexico (8-13) Colorado St. (4-16)
Conference W L Pct. 7 0 1.000 5 2 .714 5 2 .714 5 2 .714 3 4 .429 2 5 .286 1 6 .143 0 7 .000
2012 MWC Championships @ San Diego, Calif.
Thursday, April 26 #2 UNLV 4, #7 Colorado State 0 #3 San Diego State 4, #6 New Mexico 0 #4 Wyoming 4, #5 Air Force 0
Saturday, April 28 #1 TCU 4, #4 Wyoming 0 #3 San Diego State 4, #2 UNLV 1
Sunday, April 29 #1 TCU 4, #3 San Diego State 2
The Air Force Academy will host the 2013 Mountain West Tennis Championships on April 25-28. The Academy hosted the tournament for the first time ever in 2007.
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THE USAFA The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year program of instruction and experience designed to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Each cadet graduates with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. COURSE OF STUDY Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that provides the knowledge, skills and responsibilities essential to a career Air Force officer. The entire USAFA experience is integrated and mapped to achieve a set of desired outcomes in every graduate. The core academic curriculum includes courses in basic sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Cadets take additional elective courses to complete requirements for one of 32 major areas of study. About 50 percent of the cadets complete majors in science and engineering; the remainder graduate in the social sciences and humanities. Some of the most popular majors include management, aeronautical engineering, foreign area studies, history, behavioral science, civil engineering, astronautical engineering, electrical engineering and engineering mechanics. FACULTY COMPOSITION The majority of the Academy’s faculty members, more than 500 total, are Air Force officers. They are selected primarily from career-officer volunteers who have established outstanding records of performance and dedication. Each has at least a master’s degree and more than 55 percent have doctorates or other terminal degrees in their field of study. About 30 percent of the faculty are civilians who bring great depth of disciplinary and educational expertise and provide academic stability and continuity. Faculty members are intensely focused on cadet learning as an integral part of their officer development. The Air Force Academy has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the most accessible and involved faculty for four years in a row. To provide greater contributions by a diverse faculty, the Academy has several distinguished visiting professors and endowed professors who serve one or more years. Officers from other services, as well as officers from allied countries are also members of the faculty. Distinguished civilian and military lecturers also share their expertise with the cadets during the academic year. ATHLETIC PROGRAM The Academy’s athletic program is designed to improve physical fitness, teach athletic skills and develop leadership qualities. To achieve its goals, the Academy offers some of the most extensive physical education, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletic programs in the nation. Cadets take at least three different physical education courses each year.
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MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING An air, space and cyberspace-oriented military education, training and leadership program begins with basic cadet training and continues throughout the four years. Seniors are responsible for the organizational leadership of the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomores seek to develop team and interpersonal leadership and instructional skills. Cadets are projected into as many active leadership roles as possible to prepare them to be effective Air Force officers. Fundamental concepts of military organization -- drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage and physical training -- are emphasized the first summer during basic cadet training. Freshmen then study the military role in United States society as well as the mission and organization of the Air Force. Sophomores receive instruction in communication skills and juniors study the combat and operational aspects of the Air Force. The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation, soaring and parachuting, building from basic skills to instructor duties. Some cadets may fly light aircraft with the Cadet Flying Team. Summer training for cadets is divided into three, three-week training periods. There are a variety of programs available and each cadet is required to complete two training periods each summer with leave during the other period. All new cadets take six weeks of basic cadet training in their first summer. Combat survival training is a required threeweek program during cadets’ second summer. For other second-summer training periods, cadets have options such as working with Airmen in an operational unit at an Air Force installation, airborne parachute training, soaring or basic free-fall parachute training. During their last two summers, all cadets are offered leadership training as supervisors or instructors in the summer programs listed above. Extracurricular activities also are an integral part of the education program. The cadet ski club, drum and bugle corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a few of the programs available. NOMINATIONS Nominations to the Academy may be obtained through a congressional sponsor or by meeting eligibility criteria in other categories of competition established by law. For information on admission procedures, write to HQ USAFA/RRS; 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200; USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025.
www.usafa.af.mil
HISTORY OF THE ACADEMY In 1948, a board of leading civilian and military educators was appointed to plan the curriculum for an academy that would meet the needs of the newly established Air Force. The board determined that Air Force requirements could not be met by expanding the other service academies and recommended an Air Force Academy be established without delay. In 1949, then Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington appointed a commission to assist in selecting a site and on April 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized creation of the United States Air Force Academy. After considering 580 sites in 45 states, the commission narrowed the choice to three locations. The summer of 1954, Secretary of the Air Force Harold Talbott selected a site near Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado contributed $1 million toward purchase of the property. In July 1955, the first Academy class entered interim facilities at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, while construction began. It was sufficiently completed for occupancy by the cadet wing in late August 1958. Initial construction cost was $142 million. Women entered the Academy on June 28, 1976, as members of the class of 1980.
USAFA SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould is Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He directs a four-year academic, military training, athletic and character development program leading to a bachelor’s degree and commission as an Air Force officer. The general is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 1976. His career encompasses a wide range of assignments, ranging from head football coach of the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, to serving as Air Force aide to the President of the United States. He has held numerous command positions at the group, wing and numbered air force level, and was commander of Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center during 9/11. Prior to his return to the Academy, he was Director of Operations and Plans, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. General Gould is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the T-38, T-41, KC-10, C-5, C-17, C-21, C-141 and KC-135R. The general’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Vice Superintendent Colonel Tamra Rank
Commandant of Cadets Brig. General Gregory J. Lengyel
Dean of Faculty Brig. General Dana H. Born
Commander, 10th Air Base Wing Col. Thomas Gibson
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DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Dr. Hans J. Mueh Mueh has been just as successful behind the scenes with the administration of the department. Mueh restructured the department with an internal/external model that has streamlined resources and made the department more effective from top to bottom. In addition, he has the department on course to become a federally chartered non-profit organization which will lead to more fund-raising opportunities.
Dr. Hans J. Mueh is in his ninth year as the director of athletics at the Air Force Academy. A retired Air Force brigadier general, Mueh was vice dean of faculty for two years prior to his retirement from active duty in the summer of 2004. Mueh was heavily involved in Academy athletics before becoming director of athletics. He was the Academy’s faculty athletics representative from 1996-2004 and was a long-time member of the board of directors for the Air Force Academy Athletics Association. Since becoming the director of athletics, Mueh has led the Academy to some remarkable feats. In 2007, the Academy was one of only three schools (Michigan State and Boston College) to reach post-season play in football (2007), men’s basketball and ice hockey (2006-07). It marked the first time a service academy has ever had a team compete in the post-season in all three sports. In addition, under Mueh’s watch the men’s basketball team has played in an NCAA tournament and the National Invitational Tournament’s Final Four. Mueh hired current head coach Jeff Reynolds and helped him continue Air Force’s winning tradition last season. The ice hockey team has won three straight conference championships and made three straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. Mueh was on the selection committee that hired current head coach Frank Serratore and led the Academy’s move into the Athletic Hockey Association. The women’s basketball program has shown steady improvement and tied a school record with four league wins in 2006-07. The football program, the Academy’s flagship sport, went through a major overhaul. Mueh led the transition from the retirement of the legendary Fisher DeBerry after 23 years at the helm to hiring current head coach Troy Calhoun, a 1989 Academy graduate. Calhoun’s impact was immediate, leading the Falcons to a 9-4 overall mark and a second-place finish in the Mountain West Conference in 2007. The Falcons qualified for their first bowl game in five years, playing in the Armed Forces Bowl in 2007 and 2008.
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Mueh has also been active within the conference and the NCAA. He was recently selected to be part of the NCAA Division I Amateurism Cabinet and has been active on the NCAA’s academics/eligibility compliance cabinet, the men’s golf committee and the region 7 postgraduate scholarship committee. Mueh has been equally active within the conference on various leadership committees. He is currently on the awards and recognition committee and has previously served on the joint council executive committee, and committees on championships, television and sportsmanship. Before assuming his duties as vice dean at the Academy, Mueh was permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry at the Academy, a position he held since October 1987 where he oversaw the annual design and instruction of 25 undergraduate courses for 1,500 cadets annually. Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1951. He entered the Air Force in 1962 as a member of the Academy’s eighth graduating class, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 1966. While at the Academy, Mueh was a two-year letterwinner in soccer as a goalie. He still holds the Academy record for saves in a game with 30, accomplishing it twice in 1965 against North Carolina and Benedictine. In his junior and senior years, Mueh helped the Falcons to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League championship and quarterfinal berths in the NCAA tournament.
Following graduation, Mueh completed two assignments in intelligence before attending the University of Wisconsin where he earned his master’s degree in chemistry in 1970. He later earned a doctorate degree in chemistry from Wisconsin in 1976 as a distinguished graduate. He has also completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. Between earning the two degrees, Mueh returned to the Academy as an instructor in the department of chemistry from 1970-72. He also served as assistant soccer coach and played semi-pro soccer with the Aurora Internationals in Denver during those two years, leading the Internationals to the Colorado state title in 1971. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as an intelligence officer in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam and at Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and 1973. After earning his doctorate degree, Mueh returned to the Academy in 1976 as an associate professor of chemistry. He remained at the Academy except for a stint in 1985-86 as the special assistant for technical matters at the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon. In 1986, he assumed the position of acting head, department of chemistry, before being selected for his position of permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry in 1987. As faculty athletics representative, he was active in both the Western Athletic Conference and Mountain West Conference, and was the Academy’s representative on the transition team to form the new MWC, the only faculty athletics representative on the team. He competes in golf, racquetball, handball and tennis, and has promoted Air Force Academy intercollegiate sports throughout his tenure, beginning with work as chairman of the hockey eligibility committee, officer representative to the men’s golf team and five years as the officer representative to the football team. Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children, Kristine, Kurt and Deborah.
Director of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh is in his ninth season as the Director of Athletics. In 2006-07, Air Force was one of just three Division I schools to reach post-season play in football, men’s basketball and ice hockey and the first service academy to accomplish the remarkable feat.
USAFA ATHLETICS Few schools in the country have an athletic program as extensive as the Air Force Academy’s. The goals of the athletic program are to enhance the physical conditioning of all cadets, to develop the physical skills necessary for officership, to teach leadership in a competitive environment and to build character. There are three subdivisions of the athletic program: intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and physical education. The intercollegiate program has 17 men’s and 10 women’s NCAA-sanctioned teams, facing some of the top competition in the nation. Men’s teams are football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country, fencing, golf, gymnastics, indoor and outdoor track, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, water polo and wrestling. The Academy fields women’s teams in basketball, cross-country, fencing, gymnastics, rifle, indoor and outdoor track, swimming and diving, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In addition, the Academy sponsors two non-NCAA programs; boxing and cheerleading. The majority of the Academy’s men’s and women’s programs compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons compete in this conference against teams from Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, TCU, UNLV and Wyoming. All sports also compete against nonconference opponents, including many nationally-ranked teams. The football team competes annually for the Commander-inChief’s Trophy, which is emblematic of service academy football supremacy. The Falcons have won the trophy 18 times, which is more than any other academy. The winner of the annual rivalry visits the White House to have the trophy presented by the President of the United States. The USAFA Cadet Field House is one of the most impressive buildings in the country. It’s a modern, versatile structure with seemingly endless uses. The $5.6 million building is five stories high and 396 feet by 426 feet, the size of three football fields laid side by side. The structure is divided into three areas--basketball arena, ice hockey arena and multipurpose area. The three sections have a combined seating capacity of more than 9,000. Clune Arena seats 5,858. The Cadet Ice Rink has a seating capacity of 2,470, while the multi-purpose area seats 1,000 fans for track and field competitions. The department’s newest facility, the Holaday Athletic Center (below), was completed in July 2011.
Vice Director of Athletics Col. Bart Weiss
Deputy Director of Athletics Col. Billy Walker
Senior Associate AD External Affairs Jim Trego
Associate AD Recruiting Support William Carpenter
Associate AD Finance John Coulahan
Associate AD/SWA Intercollegiate Programs Marti Gasser
Associate AD Communications Troy Garnhart
Associate AD Support Wayne Kellenbence
Associate AD Development / Gov’t Derm Coll
Associate AD Athletic Programs Geroge Nelson
Associate AD Human Resources Karen Warner
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