DATE
OPPONENT
SITE
TIME
Thurs., Aug. 25
vs. Goshen
Grand Rapids, Mich.
4 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 31
vs. St. Xavier
Grand Rapids, Mich.
4 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 3
vs. Huntington
Fort Wayne, Ind.
1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 4
@ St. Francis (IN)
Fort Wayne, Ind.
1 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 9
@ Walsh
Canton, Ohio
6 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 10
@ Malone
Canton, Ohio
3 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 14
vs. Lawrence Tech
Grand Rapids, Mich.
4 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 18
vs. Cardinal Stritch
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Noon
Wed., Sept. 21
@ St. Joseph of Calumet
Whiting, Ind.
5:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 24
vs. Concordia (Homecoming)
Grand Rapids, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 1
@ Rochester
Rochester, Mich.
TBA
Wed., Oct. 5
vs. Marygrove
Grand Rapids, Mich.
4 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 8
@ Concordia*
Ann Arbor, Mich.
3 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 12
@. Cornerstone*
Grand Rapids, Mich.
4 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 15
vs. Siena Heights*
Grand Rapids, Mich.
3 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 22
@ Madonna*
Livonia, Mich.
3 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 25
vs. Indiana Tech*
Grand Rapids, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 29
vs. Davenport *
Grand Rapids, Mich.
3 p.m.
* denotes WHAC league game
AFFILIATION: NAIA Division II CONFERENCE: Wolverine-Hoosier (WHAC) 2010 RECORD: 15-5 2010 WHAC RECORD: 5-1 2010 WHAC FINISH: First
AQUINAS COLLEGE GENERAL INFORMATION LOCATION: Grand Rapids, Michigan FOUNDED: 1886 NICKNAME: Saints COLORS: Maroon/Grey PRESIDENT: Dr. Juan Olivarez ENROLLMENT: 2,518 students STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 15:1
SPORTS INFORMATION AND ATHLETICS
SAINTS SOCCER HEAD COACH: Joe Veal (7th year) ALMA MATER: Bethel University ASSISTANT COACHES: Brian McKeough (2nd year) Chad DuRussel (1st year)
SPORTS INFO DIRECTOR: Mike Wojciakowski SID PHONE: 616-632-2482 WEB-SITES: www.aquinas.edu, www.whac.net MEDIA GUIDE: Linda Nash VARSITY SPORTS: 18 ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Terry Bocian ATHLETIC PHONE: 616-632-2474 FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE: Duane Ambrose :
2011 Soccer Schedule
Inside Cover
Table of Contents/Quick Facts
1
Aquinas College
2
Grand Rapids, MI
3
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC)
4-5
Aquinas College 125th Anniversary
6
Roster
7
Season Preview
8
Head Coach Joe Veal
9
Assistant Coaches
10
Meet the Team
11-13
Career Records/Team and Individual
14-18
1
Aquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good. Aquinas College is rooted in the Dominican traditions of prayer, study, community and service, combined with a deep respect for truth, honesty and integrity. In this spirit, we strive to create an environment in which integrity is prized and practiced. We expect all community members to uphold these values through honesty, fairness, and respect for others.
2
Located on the eastern edge of Grand Rapids, Aquinas’ location allows students to reap the benefits of living in Michigan’s second largest city. With over one million people in the greater metropolitan area, Grand Rapids plays host to numerous festivals, concerts and cultural events each year. Aquinas’ campus creates a peaceful environment that is just moments away from the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Residing on 104 wooded acres, the Aquinas College campus blends early twentiethcentury architecture with modern-day structures. The campus is home to over 107 species of trees and shrubs, winding woodland paths and inviting creeks and ponds. Only 30 miles from beautiful Lake Michigan for a relaxing afternoon.
3
Aquinas College
Cornerstone University
1607 Robinson Rd. Grand Rapids, MI 49506
1001 E. Beltline Rd. Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Founded: 1886 President: Dr. Juan Olivarez Nickname: Saints Colors: Maroon & White Enrollment: 2500 School Web Site: http://www.aquinas.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.aquinas.edu/athletics/
Founded: 1941 President: Dr. Joseph Stowell Nickname: Golden Eagles Colors: Navy & Gold Enrollment: 1850 School Web Site: http://www.cornerstone.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.cugoldeneagles.com
Concordia University
Davenport University
4090 Geddes Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105
6191 Kraft Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Founded: 1963 President: Charles Winterstein Nickname: Cardinals Colors: Red, White & Black Enrollment: 600 School Web Site: http://www.cuaa.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.concordiacardinals.com/index.php
Founded: 1866 President: Richard Pappas Nickname: Panthers Colors: Red, Black & White Enrollment: 2600 School Web Site: http://www.davenport.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.dupanthers.com
4
Indiana Tech
Lourdes College
1600 E. Washington Blvd.. Fort Wayne, IN 46803
6832 Convent Blvd. Sylvania, OH 43560
Founded: 1930 President: Dr. Arthur Snyder Nickname: Warriors Colors: Orange & Black Enrollment: 1471 School Web Site: http://www.indianatech.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.indianatech.edu/athletics
Founded: 1958 President: Dr. Robert C. Helmer Nickname: Gray Wolves Colors: Orange & Gray Enrollment: 2616 School Web Site: http://www.lourdes.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.lourdes.edu/StudentLife/ Athletics.aspx
Madonna University
Siena Heights University
36600 Schoolcraft Rd. Livonia, MI 48150
1247 E. Siena Heights Drive Adrian, MI 49221
Founded: 1937 President: Sister Rose Marie Kujawa Nickname: Crusaders Colors: Royal Blue, Gold & White Enrollment: 4000 School Web Site: http://www.madonna.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.madonnacrusaders.com
Founded: 1919 President: Sister Peg Albert, OP, PHD Nickname: Saints Colors: Navy Blue & Gold Enrollment: 1200 School Web Site: http://www.sienaheights.edu/ Athletic Web Site: http://www.shusaints.com
University of Michigan—Dearborn
University of Northwestern Ohio
4901 Evergreen Dearborn, MI 48128
1441 N. Cable Road Lima, OH 45805
Founded: 1959 President: Daniel Little Nickname: Wolves Colors: Maize & Blue Enrollment: 8500 School Web Site: http://www.umd.umich.edu/ Athletic Web Site: http://gowolves.net
Founded: 1920 President: Dr. Jeffrey Jarvis Nickname: Racers Colors: Red, Black Enrollment: 4000 School Web Site: http://www.unoh.edu/ Athletic Web Site: http://www.unohracers.com/
5
Aquinas College had its origins in the Novitiate Normal School begun by the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids in 1886 in Traverse City. The Novitiate Normal School was transferred to Grand Rapids in 1911, and in 1922 it evolved into Sacred Heart (later Marywood) College. In 1931, the College was renamed Catholic Junior College. In 1940 the two-year program at CJC was expanded into a four-year bachelor's degree program and the name of the College was changed to Aquinas College. Aquinas College was originally located in downtown Grand Rapids. In 1945, the college bought the former Lowe Estate on East Fulton Street where it has remained until this day. In August 2011, Aquinas College will kick off a year's worth of festivities celebrating its 125 years of Catholic Dominican post-secondary education in Michigan. The celebration of the College's quasquicentennial (125th anniversary) will be highlighted by four signature events that will shine a spotlight on the values that have guided the College throughout its history: prayer, study, service, and community.
6
No. Name
Pos.
Yr.
Height Hometown
0 Craig Demshuk
GK
Jr.
6-3
Novi
Novi
1 Jesse Guevara-Lehker
GK
Sr.
6-2
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Christian
2 Jeff Reame
D
Jr.
5-7
Grand Haven
Grand Haven
3 Joey VanGessel
M
Sr.
5-10
Grandville
Grandville/GRCC
4 Kale Howell
D
So.
5-6
Milford
Milford
5 Billy Cremeans
D
Jr.
Portage
Portage Northern
6 Mitch Torres
M
So.
5-10
Grand Rapids
South Christian
7 Sven Welz
D
Sr.
6-1
Middleville
Thornapple Kellogg
8 Tyler Fischer
D
So.
5-11
Jenison
Jenison
9 Ian Sliger
M
Sr.
6-2
Elk Rapids
Elk Rapids
10 Cody Taplin
M
Sr.
5-8
Grand Rapids
Forest Hills Central
11 Michael Gagnon
M
So.
5-8
Grand Haven
Spring Lake
12 Casey Higgason
F
Jr.
5-11
Portage
Portage Northern
13 Kyle Haverkate
D
So.
5-10
Grand Rapids
Forest Hills Eastern
14 Troy VanderMeer
M
Fr.
5-11
Jenison
Jenison
15 Kyle Dyke
D
Jr.
5-9
Grand Rapids
Forest Hills Central
16 Jon Malecke
D
Fr.
5-9
South Lyon
Detroit Catholic Central
17 Heath Somers
M
Jr.
6-2
Portage
Portage Northern
18 Logan Wagner
M
Jr.
6-0
Jackson
Jackson/Jackson CC
19 Patrick Drabik
F
Fr.
5-9
Portage
Portage Central
20 Michael Ferguson
M
So.
5-11
Whitehall
Whitehall/Hope
21 Tucker Hogarth
M
So.
6-0
Elk Rapids
Elk Rapids
22 Jonathan Spencer
M
So.
5-9
Traverse City
Traverse City West
23 Matt Buslepp
M
So.
6-4
Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe South
24 J.C. Smith
F
So.
5-9
Kentwood
East Kentwood
26 Nick Ruiz
M
Fr.
5-5
Holland
Holland
6-1
7
High School/Prev. College
The 2011 Saints are looking forward to the challenge. The challenge of winning the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference for the fourth year in a row. The challenge of replacing four All-Conference players, including the 2010 WHAC Offensive Player of the year, Jeo Pantoja. The challenge of winning the WHAC tournament and qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament. Head Coach Joe Veal explained, “For four years, Jeo, Ruben (Ornelas-Luna), Vaughan (Michael), and Chad (DuRussel) have anchored this team. In that time they won more games than any other group of seniors in Aquinas Soccer history. That’s not easy to replace. However, the returners worked very hard in the off season to improve their strength, skills, and knowledge of the game.” The team returns 7 starters and several other players who earned valuable playing time in 2010. 7 new players will help round out the squad. ”We will primarily be depending on returning players to help us win.” explained Veal.
The midfield will be strong with senior Cody Taplin, (Forest Hills Central/Flying Kick) as well as junior Heath Somers, (Portage Northern/TKO), sophomore Mitch Torres, (South Christian/Georgetown Rangers), sophomore Michael Gagnon, (Spring Lake/ West Michigan Fire), sophomore Jon Spencer, (Traverse City West/Northstorm), senior Ian Sliger, (Elk Rapids), and transfer junior Billy Cremeans, (Portage Northern/Adrian/TKO). “Our ability to keep possession is a key to our past success. This group is very capable of continuing that expectation.” said Coach Veal.
The defense is well grounded with everyone returning except for Chad DuRussel. Senior Sven Welz, (Thornapple-Kellogg/West Michigan Fire), returns to lead a defense that had 7 shut outs last year. Moving from outside defender to center back is sophomore Kyle Haverkate, (Forest Hills Eastern/ Grand Rapids Crew). At the outside defender will be junior Kyle Dyke, (Forest Hills Central/Grand Rapids Crew) and sophomore Kale Howell, (Milford/ Michigan Wolves).
The biggest challenge for the team will be replacing the players responsible for 30 of the team’s 43 goals in 2010. Up front junior Casey Higgason, (Portage Northern/TKO), and sophomore J. C. Smith, (East Kentwood/Grand Rapids Crew), as well as junior Tyler Fischer, (Jenison/Vardar West), will be challenging for time at forward.
Senior Jesse Guevara-Lehker (Grand Rapids Christian/Grand Rapids Crew) returns as the starting goalkeeper after posting a 1.16 Goals Against Average in 2010. Backing him up will be junior Craig Demshuk, (Novi/Michigan Wolves). “Jesse has improved every year.” shared Veal. “He really helps us his leadership and ability in goal.” By the time the team starts Conference play in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, they should be ready for the challenge. 8
degree in Biblical Literature and Youth Ministry. He later returned to complete the requirements to be a Health and Physical Education teacher. After graduating from Bethel College, he spent three additional years at Bethel in the capacity of athletic director and teaching and coaching soccer. After years at Bethel, Veal was ready for a new challenge and he was selected as the head coach at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis for two seasons. He was named district coach of the year one of those years. The next 7 years, Veal moved to Grand Rapids, MI where he was an Assistant Professor and head soccer coach at WHAC rival Cornerstone University. The Golden Eagles won a conference championship under Veal's leadership in 1993.
Head Coach Joe Veal, 7th season
In 1996 Veal joined the Aquinas College Saints program in a Co-Coaching position with Coach Pat Hoatlin. The Saints won the WHAC tournament that season. Veal, who is currently a Health Education teacher in the Rockford Public School system, then coached the varsity boy's soccer team at Rockford for 9 seasons.
Head Coach Joe Veal begins his 7th year leading the men's soccer program at Aquinas College. During his tenure at the helm of the program, there has been steady improvement, topped off by three consecutive Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) regular season championships over the past three seasons. This is no small feat as the WHAC has continued to grow and become one of the premier conferences in the nation.
When the men's soccer coaching vacancy became open in 2005, Veal realized he was ready for a new challenge and was optimistic about the Aquinas College program. The rest is history and Veal has continued to produce teams that are disciplined and hard working on the field. He believes in taking talent and adapting the system to get the most out of his players. Veal has a strong conviction regarding developing a servant leader mentality in his players. Joe Veal is married to Sylvia and they have four children, two sons and two daughters.
The soft-spoken, yet firm Veal, has built the program based on recruiting solid student-athletes that possess strong character traits to compliment their outstanding soccer skills. Veal comments, "There are so many aspects to look at in conducting a successful program. I focus on recruiting quality student-athletes that have good skills, ball control and touch. I also look for players that have a strong understanding of game tactics. As I enter my 6th year, I am pleased with direction of the program. After playing high school football, Veal took up the game of soccer. From that point on, he has never looked back and soccer has been a big part of his life. Upon graduation, Veal continued his education and playing career at Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN. He was a four year varsity player on the men's soccer team and was voted team captain his junior and senior seasons. He also garnered All-District recognition his junior year. Veal's completed his education at Bethel College and graduated with a
9
Brian McKeough Assistant Coach Assistant coach Brian McKeogh begins his second year on staff, after a successful career playing on the men’s soccer team at Aquinas College. Brian McKeough will be focusing his energies on the sideline assisting Coach Veal. As a player, McKeough was a hard nosed competitor that had a strong work ethic and was a natural leader on the squad. Soccer has played such a huge part of McKeough’s life, so this transition to coaching will keep him involved in the game.
Chad DuRussel Assistant Coach Chad DuRussel joins Coach Veal's staff after completing his college soccer career last year. Chad was a four year starter for the Saints and never missed a game during his tenure. DuRussel captained the team during his junior and senior seasons and was a two-time All-WHAC selection. Chad is finishing his academics and will graduate with a Sports Management degree and also sport minors in Coaching and Journalism. DuRussel is also a coach for the Kentwood Falcons Soccer Club.
10
#0 Craig Demshuk
#3 Joey VanGessel
#1 Jesse Guevara-Lehker
#2 Jeff Reame
#4 Kale Howell
#5 Billy Cremeans
#8 Tyler Fischer #6 Mitch Torres
#7 Sven Welz 11
#9 Ian Sliger
#12 Casey Higgason
#15 Kyle Dyke
#10 Cody Taplin
#11 Michael Gagnon
#13 Kyle Haverkate
#14 Troy VanderMeer
#16 Jon Malecke
12
#17 Heath Somers
#18 Logan Wagner
#19 Patrick Drabik
#21 Tucker Hogarth
#22 Jonathan Spencer
#23 Matt Buslepp
#24 J.C. Smith
#26 Nick Ruiz
13