2008-09 Arkansas State Tennis Guide by Arkansas State Athletics

Table of Contents INTRODUCTION Quick Facts...................................................1 This is Red Wolves Tennis ..........................2 Tennis Facilities ..........................................4 2009 Outlook...............................................5 Head Coach Marcia Williams......................6 Assistant Coach Marina Engelbrecht ..........7 2009 Roster.................................................8 2009 Schedule.............................................8 Player Bios ...................................................9 Paula Chelminska ....................................9 Roné van Wyk ........................................10 Jenny Herring.........................................11 Menna Kamal .........................................12 Emily Laing ............................................13 Tina Ojdanic ...........................................14 Leydi Zora...............................................15 Elné Barnard ..........................................16 All-Time Letterwinners..............................17 Year-by-Year Results .................................17 2008 Results..............................................18 2008 Statistics ...........................................19 Welcome to ASU .......................................20 Student Life at ASU ...................................27 Athletics at ASU ........................................28 Athletic Facilities.......................................30 Academics at ASU .....................................32 ASU Administration..................................33 ASU Chancellor Dr. Robert L. Potts .........34 ASU Dir. of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee...........35 Athletic Staff ..............................................36 Jonesboro ..................................................38 Sun Belt Conference..................................40

CREDITS The 2009 Arkansas State women’s tennis media guide has been compiled for use by the media, prospective students and fans. It is a publication of the ASU Sports Information Office.

PHOTOGRAPHY Nelson Chenault, Terry Bill, Richard Bishop (Bishop Photography), Hannah Dolle, David Stout, Rodney Freeman, David Minton, Jonesboro Sun, Tom Moore, Van Provence, Ernie Rice, Sun Belt Conference.

GENERAL

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Location ......Jonesboro, Arkansas (60,489) Nickname ..................................Red Wolves Enrollment.........................................11,490 Colors ...................................Scarlet & Black Founded ...............................................1909 Home Courts ....ASU Tennis Center (2010), ASU Tennis Courts, Ridgepoint Country Club, Three Oaks Raquet Club, Jonesboro Country Club, Allen Park Affiliation............................NCAA Divsion I Conference......................................Sun Belt President ................................Dr. Les Wyatt Chancellor ..........................Dr. Robert Potts Director of Athletics................Dr. Dean Lee Athletic Dept. Phone ............870-972-3880 Athletic Web Site........astateredwolves.com

ASU Dept. of Athletics . . . . . 870-972-3880 ASU Tennis Office. . . . . . . . . 870-972-2795 ASU Sports Information. . . . 870-972-2541 Sun Belt Conference . . . . . . . 501-299-9066 Sun Belt Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501-299-9068

HISTORY First year of tennis................................1976 All-Time Record ..........................324-241-2 Winning Seasons ......................................21

2009 TEAM INFORMATION 2008 Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-10 SBC Tournament Seed/Record . . No. 7/1-1 Letterwinner Returning/Lost . . . . . . . . 6/2 Newcomers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

COVER DESIGN ASU Creative Services Department. FRONT: Senior Paula Chelminska, junior Rone’ van Wyk, sophomore Jenny Herring.

PRINTING Arkansas State University Press.

COACHING STAFF

SPORTS INFORMATION SID Main Phone Number......870-972-2541 Fax .........................................870-972-3367 Asst. AD / Sports Info. Dir. . . . . Jerry Scott Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870-972-3405 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870-243-6021 E-mail Address . . . . . . jscott@astate.edu Tennis SID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katey Buckley Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870-972-2541 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870-838-5967 E-mail: . . kathryn.buckley@smail.astate.edu Assistant SID . . . . . . . . . . . . . Van Provence Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870-972-2707 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870-897-5010 E-mail Address . . vprovence@astate.edu Assistant SID . . . . . . . . . Anthony Reynolds Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870-972-3547 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870-530-4454 E-mail Address . . areynolds@astate.edu Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1000, State University, AR 72467 Overnight Address: 217 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72401

Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . Marcia Williams Alma Mater. . . . . . . . . . . Arkansas State ‘80 Record at ASU . . . . . . . . 308-214 (28 years) Career Record. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Same Asst. Coach. . Marina Engelbrecht (3 years) Alma Mater. . . . . . . . . . . Arkansas State ‘06

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This is Red Wolves Tennis

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

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This is Red Wolves Tennis

Life with Arkansas State tennis is fun, exciting and character building. Friendships are built and cultures shared among the Red Wolves tennis team. And, when it’s time to hit the court, it’s all about serious competition and good sportsmanship.

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Tennis Facilities The Arkansas State womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis team will have a new home for the 2010 season as construction on a new tennis facility is underway. The facility will include six courts and is located off Caraway Road just behind the ASU Track and Field Complex. In addition to serving as a new home for the Red Wolves tennis team, it will also be utilized by Arkansas State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health, Physical Education and Sports Sciences (HPESS) Department for classes. The city of Jonesboro has the new Allen Park Courts, currently utilized by the Red Wolves for its home matches when weather permits. In inclement weather, the Jonesboro Country Club, Three Oaks Racquet Club and RidgePointe Country Club graciously offer their indoor facilities for play.

ASU Tennis Team at future site of ASU Tennis Center.

Allen Park Tennis Courts

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2009 Outlook In her 29th year as the ASU women’s tennis head coach, Marcia Williams is pushing her 2009 team to be the best yet. With six returning players and only one returning senior, the Red Wolves will take on the challenges of a new team and a tough schedule.

No. 5 and No. 6. Zora chalked up a 15-10 singles record at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 as well. She also finished with 11 doubles victories with three different partners. Ojdanic did not compete last season. NEWCOMERS ASU added two players to its roster after the departure of seniors Renee Branker and Maria Oprea. Jenny Herring joins the Red Wolves team as a sophomore from Copenhagen, Denmark. She was ranked No. 13 nationally during her senior year of high school. Elne’ Barnard also signed on with the Arkansas State team as a freshman from Port-Elizabeth, South Africa. Barnard won the doubles cup at the 2007 Amanda Coetzer High School South African Tournament.

“We are looking forward to the season, but we need to be ready from the start," said Williams. "It is not going to be easy, but we planned a hard schedule to get ready for our conference tournament." The Red Wolves finished 13-10 overall in 2008 for their third consecutive winning season and 20th winning record under Williams. The team finished .500 at home and posted a winning-record on the road (7-5). Arkansas State will be looking to this new team to build on the success of last season.

SCHEDULE The Red Wolves will face two preseason nationally ranked opponents, one preseason nationally ranked doubles team and a preseason ranked individual player in 2009. Coach Williams said she wants her team to play a tough schedule in order to be prepared to take on tough competitors in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

RETURNING PLAYERS Three-year letterwinner, Paula Chelminska is returning as the only ASU senior for the 2009 season. She finished 15-7 at No. 2 in singles play during 2008 and 15-4 at No. 2 in doubles play with former ASU player Maria Oprea.

Arkansas State has match-ups planned with six SBC teams and 14 non-conference schools. The team will spend most of the start of their season on the road and finish with eight of their last nine matches in Jonesboro before traveling to Denton, Texas for the SBC Tournament in April.

Rone van Wyk, two-time letterwinner, is returning as the only junior in the Red Wolves lineup. She finished the 2008 season 2013 overall in singles competition and posted an 8-3 mark at the No. 3 position with teammate Leydi Zora. Arkansas State will have four players returning as sophomores including Menna Kamal, Emily Laing, Tina Ojdanic and Leydi Zora. Kamal finished the past season with a 6-10 overall record, competing mainly at No. 4 and No. 6. Laing finished 5-11 overall in singles, playing at No. 4, 2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

Paula Chelminsaka, Sr. 5

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Head Coach Marcia Williams Marcia Williams, now in her 29th year as Arkansas State’s head women’s tennis coach, surpassed 300 career victories last year and has led the Red Wolves to 20 winning seasons since 1981. Williams was a decorated member of the ASU women’s tennis team and one of the top players in the state from 1976 to 1980, but she now spends her time teaching others how to play the game. And, they play the game well. Williams has used her knowledge and expertise for the game of tennis and continually breathes new life into the Red Wolves’ program each year. The 2009 squad should be no exception. A native of Jonesboro, Williams enters the 2009 season with a career record of 308214 for a .590 winning percentage. She also has Marina Engelbrect, one of ASU’s most decorated tennis players, on as assistant for the third consecutive season. A 1980 graduate of Arkansas State, Williams took over the women’s tennis program that same year and coached her team to a second-place finish in the Arkansas Women’s Intercollegiate Sports Association (AWISA) with an 8-5 record. The following season, her team won the AWISA championship with a 12-3 mark.

William’s Year-by-Year Record at Arkansas State 2008: 2007: 2006: 2005: 2004: 2003: 2002: 2001: 2000: 1999: 1998: 1997: 1996: 1995: 1994: 1993: 1992: 1991: 1990: 1989: 1988: 1987: 1986: 1985: 1984: 1983: 1982: 1981:

13-10 (7th in Sun Belt Conference) 9-8 (7th in Sun Belt Conference) 12-9 (8th in Sun Belt Conference) 6-11 (10th in Sun Belt Conference) 6-8 (9th in Sun Belt Conference) 11-11 (8th in Sun Belt Conference) 16-8 (4th in Sun Belt Conference) 7-15 (8th in Sun Belt Conference) 17-4 (3rd in Sun Belt Conference) 13-8 (3rd in Sun Belt Conference) 13-7 (3rd in Sun Belt Conference) 12-5 (2nd in Sun Belt Conference) 16-6 (2nd in Sun Belt Conference) 16-1 (3rd in Sun Belt Conference) 11-7 (4th in Sun Belt Conference) 19-7 (4th in Sun Belt Conference) 17-9 (5th in Sun Belt Conference) 11-3 (2nd in American South Conf.) 9-5 (3rd in American South Conf.) 5-12 (5th in American South Conf.) 8-14 (T3rd in American South Conf.) 10-8 (4th in Southland Conference) 11-7 (5th in Southland Conference) 11-6 (3rd in Southland Conference) 6-10 (6th in Southland Conference) 3-7 (4th in Southland Conference) 12-3 (AWISA Champions) 8-5 (2nd in AWISA)

Her commitment to good work in the classroom also pays dividends as the Red Wolves team has been selected as an ITA All-Academic Team each year since 1999. In fact, in 2005, her entire squad received individual ITA academic honors. In addition, the women’s team is almost always at 100 percent for the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Marcia is married to Bob Williams, a former ASU men’s tennis coach and assistant track and field coach who was an outstanding decathlete. Bob was inducted into ASU’s Hall of Honor in 1987 and Marcia joined him as a 1993 inductee. She earned degrees in both elementary education and business administration while at ASU. They have two children—son Matt (21) and daughter, Kara (16).

Totals: 308-214 (.590 winning percentage)

The Williams Family: Bob, Marcia, Matt and Kara. 2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

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Assistant Coach Marina Engelbrecht Marina Engelbrecht is in her third season as an assistant coach with the women's tennis program. She was one of the most decorated and successful players at No. 1 singles for Arkansas State for three seasons after playing No. 2 her freshman year. At No. 1, Engelbrecht posted an overall mark of 37-9. A two-time AllSun Belt Conference performer, she was also successful as one-half of ASU's No. 1 doubles pair throughout her career. Engelbrecht graduated from ASU in 2006 with a degree in exercise science. While a student, she was a member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll every semester and was also a four-time member of the ITA All-Academic team and Scholar-Athlete list. During the spring of 2006, Engelbrecht received the prestigious Terry Gwin Award, the highest award an ASU student-athlete may receive. Engelbrecht received her masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in exercise science last August and is also the director of ASU Student Union Fitness Center. The daughter of Callie and Johanna Engelbrecht, Marina was born July 27, 1984 in Bloemfontein, South Africa, where she was a standout tennis player at Eunice High School.

Engelbrecht as a player at ASU.

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

Head coach Marcia Williams and assistant coach Marina Engelbrecht with senior Paula Chelminska. 7

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Roster and Schedule

2009 ARKANSAS STATE ROSTER Name Ht. Elné Barnard 5-5 Paula Chelminska 5-10 Jenny Herring 5-9 Menna Kamal 5-8 Emily Laing 5-11 Tina Ojdanic 5-9 Roné van Wyk 5-7 Leydi Zora 5-2

Year Exp. Fr. HS Sr. 3L So. TR So. 1L So. 1L So. HS Jr. 2L So. 1L

Hometown (Previous School) Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Hoërskool Stellenbosch) Poznan, Poland (Jan Kanty Third) Copenhagen, Denmark (Falkoner Gaarder Gymnasium) Cairo, Egypt (American Manor House) Christchurch, New Zealand (Rangi Ruru Girls School) Jonkoping, Sweden (Katedralskolan) Ventersburg, South Africa (C&N Sekondere Meisieskool Oranje) Barraucabermeja, Colombia (Luis Lopez de Mesa)

Head Coach: Marcia Williams (29th season) Assistant Coach: Marina Engelbrecht (3rd season)

2009 ARKANSAS STATE SCHEDULE Date Opponent Site Time Sept. 5-7 . . . . . . . . . .at St. Louis Billiken Classic . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Louis, Mo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .All Day Sept. 26-28 . . . . . . . .at Kansas Jayhawk Invitational . . . . . . . . .Lawrence, Kan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .All Day Oct. 10-12 . . . . . . . . .at Ole Miss Invitational . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oxford, Miss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .All Day Oct. 31-Nov. 1 . . . . . .at ULM Invitational . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monroe, La. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .All Day Fri., Jan. 23 . . . . .UT Arlington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Sat., Feb. 7 . . . . . . . .at Tulsa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tulsa, Okla. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8:30 a.m. Sun., Feb. 8 . . . . . . . .at Oral Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tulsa, Okla. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Noon Sat., Feb. 14 . . . . . . . .at Middle Tennessee* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Murfreesboro, Tenn. . . . . . . . . . . . . .11:00 a.m. Sun., Feb. 15 . . . . . . .at Tennessee Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cookeville, Tenn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:00 a.m. Sun., Feb. 22 . . . . . . .at Southern Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carbondale, Ill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:30 a.m. Wed., Feb. 25 . . . . . .at Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oxford, Miss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 7 . . . . . . . .at New Orleans* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New Orleans, La. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11:00 a.m. Sun., Mar. 8 . . . . . . .at Louisiana-Lafayette* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lafayette, La. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:00 a.m. Mon., Mar. 9 . . . . . . .at McNeese State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lake Charles, La. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:00 a.m. Fri., Mar. 13 . . . . .Louisiana-Monroe* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Fri., Mar. 13 . . . . .Louisiana Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . . .2:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 14 . . . . .Southeast Missouri State . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . . .2:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 15 . . . .UTEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Fri., Mar. 20 . . . . .UAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . . .11:00 a.m. Sat., Mar. 21 . . . . .UALR* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . . .1:00 p.m. Sun., Apr. 5 . . . . .Troy* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . .10:00 a.m. Tue., Apr. 9 . . . . . . . .at Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Memphis, Tenn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00 p.m. Fri., Apr. 10 . . . . .St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonesboro, Ark. . . . . . . . . . . . .3:30 p.m. Apr. 17-19 . . . . . . . . .at Sun Belt Conference Tournament . . . . .Denton, Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .All Day All Times Central *Sun Belt Conference Match

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Player Profiles

Paula Chelminska 5-10 Senior 3L Poznan, Poland (Jan Kanty Third) 2008: Played at No. 2 and chalked up a record of 15-7 at that spot . . . Played doubles with Maria Oprea at No. 2 . . . Finished with a 19-13 overall record in singles play . . . 19 victories were the fourth most on the team . . . Finished doubles with a record of 15-4 at the No. 2 position and 19-9 overall. 2007: Played primarily at No. 4 singles . . . Finished with a 5-2 record at that spot . . . Also played once at No. 1, twice at No. 2 and five times at No. 3 . . . Finished with a 3-2 record at No. 3 and 9-6 overall in singles play . . . Played with Zeljka Minic at No. 1 doubles with a 1-4 mark. 2006: Played primarily at No. 2 singles, but also played eight matches at No. 4 singles . . . Posted a record of 2-8 at No. 2 and finished 4-4 at No. 4 . . . Played at No. 1 doubles with partner Marina Engelbrecht . . . The two chalked up a record of 115. HIGH SCHOOL: Third in Poland in the Polish Championship for Under-18. PERSONAL: Born Nov. 18, 1986 in Poznan . . . Enjoys traveling , photography, music and reading . . . Parents are Daniela and Andrzej Chelminscy . . . Name is pronounced hell-MEN-Skuh.

CHELMINSKAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RECORD

2008 2007 2006 Career

SINGLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 15-7 0-1 1-1 3-2 5-2 2-8 4-4 0-1 18-16 3-2 9-6 -

Totals 15-7 9-6 6-12 30-25

2008 2007 2006 Career

DOUBLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 15-4 1-4 11-5 12-9 15-4 -

Totals 15-4 1-4 11-5 27-13

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Player Profiles

Roné van Wyk 5-7

Junior

Ventersburg, South Africa (C&N Sekondere Meisieskool Oranje) 2008: Played 22 times at No. 3 and finished 12-10 at that spot . . . Competed in doubles play with Renee Branker at No. 1 and Leydi Zora at No. 3 . . . Completed the season with an overall record of 20-13 . . . 20 victories tied the second most on the team . . . Finished 8-3 at No. 3, 3-7 at N0. 1 and 15-16 overall . . . Won the White Draw consolation singles bracket at the Ole Miss Invitational . . . Claimed third place in the Chipotle Singles Flight at the Rice Classic. 2007: Played mostly at No. 3 singles, finishing with 6-4 record . . . Also had 3-0 mark at No. 4 and 1-1 record at No. 2 . . . Excelled with former teammate Ashlesha Lokhande at No. 3 doubles with 11-4 record. High School: Ranked eighth in South Africa in Girls’ 18’s at C&N Sekondere Meisieskool Oranje . . . Played tennis for five years and was the Southern Free State No. 1 player during that span . . . Was also the Free State No. 1 player in 2001 . . . A member of the Nike Junior Tour Sun City in 2001, van Wyk was ranked eighth in the 5A rankings in 2001, 10th in 2002, sixth in 2003, and 10th in 2004 . . . Her most recent ranking in 5A is eighth and is a silver medal winner for the 2005 5A games . . . Won a gold medal for 5A under 14 and under 18 . . . Served as her team’s captain in 2005 . . . Also played hockey and netball in high school. Personal: Born Jan. 4, 1987 in Kroonstad, South Africa . . . Majoring in exercise science . . . Won silver medal for academics in high school . . . Also recruited by North Texas . . . Daughter of Herman and Sandra Van Wyk . . . Pronounced Roo-nay Fun-Vake.

VAN WYK’S RECORD

2008 2007 Career

SINGLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 12-10 1-1 6-4 3-0 1-1 18-14 3-0 -

Totals 12-10 10-5 22-15

2008 2007 Career

DOUBLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 3-7 8-3 11-4 3-7 19-7

Totals 11-10 11-4 22-14

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Player Profiles

Jenny Herring 5-9

Sophomore

Copenhagen, Denmark (Martin Methodist College) MARTIN METHODIST COLLEGE: Named Martin Methodist College Player of the Year . . . Named 2007-08 TranSouth Athletic Conference Player of the Year . . . 2007-08 All-TranSouth Athletic Conference selection . . . Finished the 2008 season with an overall record of 18-2 with the RedHawks . . . 2007 singles champion at the University of North Alabama Clay Court Invitational.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked No. 4 in Under-16 competition in Denmark . . . Ranked No. 13 in seniorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition in Denmark as well. PERSONAL: Born March 10, 1988 . . . Daughter of Hanne and Gustavo Herring.

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Player Profiles

Menna Kamal 5-8 Sophomore 1L Cairo, Egypt (American Manor House) 2008: Played primarily at No. 4 singles with a 2-5 record in that spot . . . Also played at No. 6, recording a 2-2 record while chalking up a 6-10 overall mark in singles play . . . Played at No. 3 doubles with Leydi Zora . . . Also competed with Paula Chelminska in tournament play . . . Finished doubles with a 1-8 record. High School: Ranked second in women's tennis in Egypt . . . Number two in Girls 18s . . . Won numerous tournaments in Egypt. Personal: Born Jan. 14, 1990 in Cairo . . . Given name is Mennatallah Hamed Kamal . . . Majoring in international business . . . Academic honors each year in high school . . . Enjoys playing piano and meeting new people . . . Daughter of Nadia Hamed Mostafa Kamal.

KAMALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RECORD

2008 Career

SINGLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 Totals 2-5 2-2 4-7 2-5 2-2 4-7

2008 Career

DOUBLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 0-5 0-5

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Totals 0-5 0-5 astateredwolves.com

Player Profiles

Emily Laing 5-11

Sophomore

Christchurch, New Zealand (Rangi Ruru Girls School) 2008: Played four times at No. 4, once at No. 5 and 11 times at No. 6 . . . Finished with a 5-6 record at No. 6 and 6-10 overall in singles play . . . Competed in doubles play with Leydi Zora at No. 3 and No. 1 with Renee Branker . . . Along with Zora, posted a a 6-7 record at the No. 1 position . . . Finished 7-11 overall in doubles play. University of Canterbury: Did not play. High School: Winner of Nelson Open . . . Also won Canterbury Championships for 18 and under girls double . . . Received music and mathematics scholarships . . . Also winner of Academic Pocket Award and Performing Arts Colors Award . . . Received Sports Colors Award . . . Also competed in volleyball, cricket and gymnastics (trampoline). Personal: Born April 14, 1989 in Christchurch . . . Majoring in business at ASU . . . Enjoys shopping and music . . . Parents are Sharyn and Steuart Laing.

LAINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RECORD

2008 Career

SINGLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 Totals 1-3 0-1 5-6 6-10 1-3 0-1 5-6 6-10

2008 Career

DOUBLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 6-7 1-4 6-7 1-4

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Totals 7-11 7-11 13

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Player Profiles

Tina Ojdanic 5-9 Sophomore HS Jonkoping, Sweden (Katedralskolan) 2008: Did not compete in any matches. High School: Standout at Katedralskolan school where finished number one in her district for five consecutive years . . . Ranked No. 13 in Sweden among 20-year-old players and No. 16 in her country among 18-year-old girls. Personal: Born April 19, 1987 in Banja Luka, Bosnia . . . Studying international business at Arkansas State . . . Enjoys music, running, hanging out with friends, reading a good book and shopping . . . Parents are Vela and Zeljko Ojdanic.

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Player Profiles

Leydi Zora 5-2 Sophomore 1L Barraucabermeja, Colombia (Luis Lopez de Mesa) 2008: Played eight times at No. 4 and and five times at No. 6 finishing with a combined 6-7 record in those spots . . . Played twice at No. 5 with a 1-1 record . . . Finished the season with a 1510 overall record, including an 8-2 mark in tournament competition . . . Won the singles championship for the Silver Draw at the Ole Miss Invitational . . . Claimed third place in the Swirll Singles Flight of the Rice Classic . . . Played doubles with Menna Kamal, Emily Laing and Rone van Wyk . . . Played at No. 3 with all three partners . . . Finished 11-16 overall in doubles play . . . Best record with van Wyk as the duo combined for an 8-3 record at No. 3 spot and 10-7 overall. High School: Standout at Luis Lopez de Mesa High School in Colombia . . . Ranked No. 8 in Girls 18-under in Colombia . . . Named outstanding female athlete in high school for 2006. Personal: Born Sept. 25, 1990 in Barrancabermeja . . . Given name is Leydi Tatiana Zora Vesga . . . Majoring in electrical engineering . . . Named Most Outstanding Student in high school as a senior . . . Owned the best ICFES score in her 2006 class . . . Received Academic Excellence Award . . . Parents are Omar Zora and Maria Consuelo Vesga . . . Zora has one sister, Diana Zora . . . Name is pronounced “Lady”.

ZORA’S RECORD

2008 Career

SINGLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 Totals 4-4 1-1 2-3 7-8 4-4 1-1 2-3 7-8

2008 Career

DOUBLES No. 1 No. 2 No.3 9-12 9-12

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

Totals 9-12 9-12 15

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Player Profiles

Elné Barnard 5-5

Freshman

Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Hoërskool Stellenbosch) HIGH SCHOOL: Won the Dubbles Cup at the prestigious Amanda Coetzer High School Tournament in South Africa . . . No. 1 player on 2006 team that was ranked No. 3 in South Africa . . . Represented the Boland Province. PERSONAL: Born Jan. 1, 1989 at Bloemfontein, South Africa . . . Daughter of Ansa Pieter . . . Has two sisters, Anine and Judy, living in London . . . Brother, Dieteruys, lives in South Africa . . . Enjoys waterskiing, camping computers and traveling.

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All-Time Letterwinners A Alred, Natalie ‘84 Anderson, Beth ‘89 ‘90 Axelsson, Eva-Lena ‘99 Axelsson, Pernilla ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 B Bishop, Sharon ‘88 Botha, Cornelia ‘95 ‘96 Brohman, Mary Anne ‘84 Bullington, J.J. ‘78 ‘79 ‘80 ‘81 Branker, Renée ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 Byrne, Siobhan ‘00 ‘01 C Caldwell, Angela ‘86 ‘87 ‘89 Chelminska, Paula ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 Cibils, Magui ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 Clark, Jo ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 Crooks, Bettina ‘97 ‘98 Cross, Kerrin ‘92 ‘93 Crumpton, Karen ‘80 ‘81 ‘82 ‘83 D de Villiers, Wanda ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 E Engelbrecht, Marina ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 Enriquez, Giuliana ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 Eyeington, Tina ‘83 F Fourie, Katrien ‘92 ‘93 G Geme, Gija ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 Geme, Liga ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 Gibson, Marcia ‘77 ‘768 ‘79 ‘80 Giesen, Vicki ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 Grimes, Heidi ‘83 Guthrie, Belinda ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 H Halko, Paula ‘81 Harrison, Cynthia ‘89 Hilburne, Janet ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 Huchingson, Kimberly ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 Hurzeler, Cyndi ‘90 I Iddles, Jo ‘990 ‘91 ‘92 J Jackard, Jane ‘82 ‘83 K Kamal, Menna ‘08 Kemsley, Kylie ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 Kostner, Manuela ‘97 Koster, Mary ‘87 ‘88 Kottke, Heather ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 L Laing, Emily ‘08 Lewis, Jill ‘82 ‘83 ‘84

Lockhande, Ashlesha ‘05 ‘06 Loots, Wilmarie ‘95 ‘96 M Meichsner, Kendra ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 Minic, Zeljka ‘06 Mc McCoy, Megan ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 McFadden, Maureen ‘82 ‘83 ‘84 McLin, Monica ‘92 N Nelson, Jennifer ‘02 O Oprea, Maria ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 Osborn, Sandra ‘81 ‘82 P Penon, Monica ‘05 Pogacnik, Marusa ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 Posada, Bianca ‘99 Pridgen, Vanessa ‘81 R Rana, Saumya ‘00 ‘01 Reilly, Leanne ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 Richardson, Cindy ‘80 ‘81 Roberts, Vanessa ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 Robertson, Eileen ‘990 ‘91 Robison, Claire ‘82 ‘83 Robison, Kit ‘82 ‘83 S Saravia, Karen ‘05 Scarbrough, Scottie Schladweiler, Melissa ‘89 Searle, Julia ‘02 Silva, Melissa ‘05 Smith, Allison ‘90 Snapp, Marianne ‘81 Stephens, Kim ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 Stone, Jennie ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 Szafranski, Caroline ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 Szepeshazi, Agi ‘99 T Tate, Melanie ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 Tiernan, Nicole ‘88 Townsley, Rene ‘82 Turner, Kelley ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 V Van Den Berg, Leanne ‘93 ‘94 van Wyk, Rone’ ‘08 Vorwald, Catherine ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87

Arkansas State Year-by-Year Results 2008: 2007: 2006: 2005: 2004: 2003: 2002: 2001: 2000: 1999: 1998: 1997: 1996: 1995: 1994: 1993: 1992: 1991: 1990: 1989: 1988: 1987: 1986: 1985: 1984: 1983: 1982: 1981: 1979: 1978: 1977: 1976:

Totals: 324-241-2 (.573 winning percentage)

W Wilkinson, Dyphany ‘89 Wiskotoni, Becky ‘80 ‘81 ‘82 Z Zora, Leydi ‘08

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2008 Results Record: All Matches Conference Non-Conference Date

Overall 13-10 2-6 10-3

Opponent

Team Results Home 3-3 0-2 3-1

Away 7-5 2-3 5-2

Site

Sept. 14-16 Sept. 21-23 Oct. 26-28 Jan. 25 Jan. 26 Jan. 27 Feb. 3 Feb. 9 Feb. 15 Feb. 16 Feb. 17 Feb. 24 Feb. 29 Mar. 1 Mar. 7 Mar. 8 Mar. 8 Mar. 11 Apr. 1 Apr. 3 Apr. 6 Apr. 10 Apr. 11 Apr. 12

at Ole Miss Invitational Oxford, Miss. at Rice Invitational Houston, Texas at Southern Miss Invitational Hattiesburg, Miss. vs. Sam Houston State El Paso, Texas vs. Montana El Paso, Texas at UTEP El Paso, Texas Northwestern State Jonesboro, Ark. Louisiana-Lafayette* Jonesboro, Ark. at Northern Colorado Greeley, Colo. at Denver* Denver, Colo. at Air Force Colorado Springs, Colo. Middle Tennessee* Jonesboro, Ark. at Louisiana-Monroe* Monroe, La. at Louisiana Tech Ruston, La. at South Alabama* Mobile, Ala. vs. Troy* Montgomery, Ala. at UAB Birmingham, Ala. Southern Illinois Jonesboro, Ark. Memphis Jonesboro, Ark. at UALR* Little Rock, Ark. Tennessee Tech Jonesboro, Ark. at SMU Dallas, Texas at UT Arlington Arlington, Texas at North Texas* Denton, Texas Sun Belt Conference Tournament Apr. 18 vs. Louisiana-Monroe Monroe, La. Apr. 19 vs. South Alabama Monroe, La. * Sun Belt Conference matches

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Neutral 3-2 0-1 2-0 Result

Record

NO TEAM SCORING NO TEAM SCORING NO TEAM SCORING W, 5-2 1-0 W, 6-1 2-0 L, 2-5 2-1 L, 3-4 2-2 L, 3-4 2-3 W, 5-2 3-3 L, 1-6 3-4 W, 4-3 4-4 L, 3-4 4-5 W, 4-2 5-5 W, 7-0 6-5 L, 2-5 6-6 L, 0-7 6-7 W, 4-3 7-7 W, 5-2 8-7 W, 5-2 9-7 W, 4-3 10-7 W, 7-0 11-7 L, 3-4 11-8 W, 5-2 12-8 L, 2-5 12-9 W, 4-1 L, 1-4

13-9 13-10

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2008 Statistics SINGLES OVERALL TOURN. Maria Oprea 23-10 9-2 Paula Chelminska 19-13 4-6 Rone van Wyk 20-13 8-3 Reneé Branker 20-11 6-4 Leydi Zora 15-10 8-2 Emily Laing 5-11 0-0 Menna Kamal 6-10 2-3 TOTALS 108-78 37-20

DOUBLES Branker/Laing van Wyk/Branker Oprea/Chelminska van Wyk/Zora Zora/Kamal Laing/Zora Oprea/Branker Chelminska/Kamal TOTALS

Maria Oprea won a team-high 23 matches last season.

OVERALL 6-7 5-9 18-6 10-7 0-5 1-4 4-4 1-3 45-45

1 14-8 14-8

2 15-7 15-7

TOURN. 0-0 2-2 4-1 2-4 0-0 0-0 4-4 1-3 13-14

3 12-10 12-10

5 14-4 1-1 0-1 15-6

6 2-3 5-6 2-2 9-11

1 6-7 3-7 -

2 15-4 -

3 8-3 0-5 1-4

9-14

15-14

9-12

Roné van Wyk was one of three ASU players to win 20 matches in 2008.

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4 0-3 4-4 1-3 2-5 7-15

Renee Branker finished her career at ASU with 20 victories as a senior. astateredwolves.com

Welcome to Arkansas State University Those who have not visited the campus of Arkansas State University in the last five or 10 years would be shocked at the school’s appearance today. So much on campus is tied to athletics. There is so much construction and new projects on campus. The school looks . . . and is . . . a modern educational institution that has kept up with technology and student needs as much, if not more, than most schools in the nation. A student center addition anchors the campus and a new student recreation and wellness center is on the way. New campus housing has recently been completed, including a “Collegiate Park” apartment complex, coastal-type soft-colored housing throughout campus, and a new dorm. There is a new Alumni Center and construction of a new overpass connecting the campus to local businesses is about to become a reality. It’s a new-look campus that is growing and improving each day. Arkansas State University is an extremely valuable part of Northeast Arkansas and surrounding areas. On the following pages are portraits of the campus, of the people and areas which strengthen the university and those who are involved with its growth. Welcome to Arkansas State!

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Welcome to Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University continues to thrive and expand. The University is constantly undergoing changes in its look, its increased enrollment and its expanding academic programs. The last few years have seen extensive physical changes, including more housing, a parking garage, a new and refurbished student center, and there are more changes on the books for the near future. ASU is emerging as one of the leading universities in the South when it comes to preparing its graduates for the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenges.

Beautiful apartment housing constructed in the coastal style of the Gulf Coast or tropical islands cover the east side of campus.

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Welcome to Arkansas State University Located next to the pond that lies close to the Pavilion, and just southwest of ASU Stadium, ASU’s new alumni center recently opened. It’s presence adds another dimension to football game day. Arkansas State’s alums will be able to incorporate game-day activities in a centralized area. A new section of student housing was recently completed as well, another sign of ASU’s growth.

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Welcome to Arkansas State University

Since its opening in January 2001, the Fowler Center has quickly become the region’s home for performance and visual arts presentations of the highest caliber, as well as for special civic and community events. Its location is just south of the Convocation Center.

Arkansas State University was established April 1, 1909, as a “public school of agriculture” by Act 100 of the Arkansas General Assembly. It was located at Jonesboro because citizens of the city bid $40,000 to the state and pledged 200 acres of land as a site. After 99 years of growth, ASU-Jonesboro now has an annual budget of some $122.6 million, owns more than 3,000 acres of land in five different counties, has a physical plant valued at almost $200 million, and has an alumni roll exceeding 53,000. ASU’s rapid development over the years has been typical of other major universities in an emerging modern South. From an agricultural high school in 1909, to a junior college in 1918, to a four-year degree-granting institution in 1930, to a university in 1967, ASU has become regionally respected and nationally recognized for its qualities of teaching, research and service. The ASU system includes campuses at Beebe (White County), Mountain Home (Baxter County),

and Newport (Jackson County) where associate degree programs are offered, and at Marked Tree, Searcy and Heber Springs. A new campus is being built for ASU-Heber Springs. An instructional site is located at Paragould. The Jonesboro campus, which occupies 942 acres amid the gentle slopes of Crowley’s Ridge in east Jonesboro, is located between the vast and fertile Mississippi River Valley and the cultural and scenic richness of the Ozark Mountains. More than 10,000 students annually work toward degrees in 141 areas of specialization at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Fifteen undergraduate degrees are offered through the Colleges of Agriculture, Business, Communications, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Nursing and Health Professions, Sciences and Mathematics, and the University College. The Honors College was instituted July 1, 2004, evolving from the Honors Program.

The Arkansas Biosciences Institute opened in 2004. The $20 million facility is dedicated to multi-disciplinary research to fulfill purposes outlined in the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement.

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Welcome to Arkansas State University Fifteen master’s and two specialist degrees are offered, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, environmental sciences, and heritage studies. Pre-professional programs are offered in nine areas. The bachelor’s degree programs with the most graduates are early childhood education, business administration, management information systems, accounting, nursing, agricultural business, and finance. The top graduate programs, based on number of degrees awarded, are business administration, education administration-elementary principalship, reading education, educational administration-secondary principalship, communication disorders, nursing and physical therapy. New academic programs are introduced as needed to respond to the rapid changes in our society. For instance, the athletic training program is the only such accredited program in the state. Academic strength has been enhanced with the Distance Learning Program which extends ASU’s educational influence across the nation. Also, ASU offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and upper level courses at ASU-Beebe, ASUMountain Home, and ASU degree centers in three Arkansas cities—Blytheville, Forrest City, and West Memphis—where partnership agreements have been established in cooperation with the community colleges in those cities.

CAMPUS LANDMARKS (Above) The eight-story bell tower of the Dean B. Ellis Library, dedicated in 1995, is the focal point of the Arkansas State University campus.

(Right) ASU’s Pavilion is the site of many student activities. A new Alumni Center was recently constructed across the pond from the Pavilion. The two sites form with ASU Stadium and the Convocation Center to create an exciting atmosphere on game days and nights.

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Welcome to Arkansas State University ASU offers challenging, fully-accredited programs and a prestigious 600-member faculty with a vast number holding doctorates from other major institutions. Some faculty are nationally known for teaching, research and service in the sciences, humanities and professional fields. Arkansas State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to excellence in higher education is demonstrated by its accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, as well as 18 specialized accrediting organizations. ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation toward excellence has been established in part by student performance in national competition, such as a nationally ranked debate team, and by the success of its graduates. The underlying principle of learning at Arkansas State University is its tradition of changing to meet the needs of its students and the society in which they live and work. Arkansas State University continues to grow and prosper because the university plans ahead for the needs of students. A recent example is the Horizon Institute of Technology, created in the College of Business with a major gift from alumna Dr. Kathy Brittain White. The institute will provide opportunities for students, faculty, community and business leaders to expand their capabilities for providing solutions and increasing productivity with technology.

Arkansas Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new student union is identified by a new fountain. The fountain was provided by Chi Omega Sorority and serves as a beautiful landmark to enter the building.

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Welcome to Arkansas State University Following the success of Collegiate Park, a 336-bed luxury apartment complex on the north side of campus, ASU also erected The Village Apartments, which accommodates up to 100 families. The new $29 million Student Union has taken prominent place in the center of campus, with the first portions opening in the spring of 2004. The second phase of the project was complete renovation of the existing Reng Center. Students and visitors enjoy a new dining hall, meeting facilities, student leadership offices, bookstore, computer labs, a food court and many other features. A new track and field complex has been completed on the south side of the campus. The $2.7 million facility features a 400-meter track facility, including venues for NCAA track and field events. The academic enterprise at ASU was enhanced with the addition of the $20 million Biosciences/Biotechnology Building. This facility was dedicated to multi-disciplinary research to fulfill purposes outlined in the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement. Several other projects which involve new construction or improved facilities are in various stages of planning and development, including a liberal arts classroom building in the heart of the campus and the recently completed Cooper Alumni Center. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new student recreation and wellness center was also held this past spring.

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

The $29 million Student Union (left) and complete renovation of the existing Reng Center (left) houses a new dining hall, meeting facilities, bookstore, computer labs, a food court and other features. The Village Apartments (above) accommodates up to 100 families. Collegiate Park (at top) serves 336 students.

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Student Life at Arkansas State

Life at Arkansas State University is exciting, youthful and vibrant. There is something always happeningâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with the students' best interests at heart. Not only do all kinds of student events center around football and other sports, but nearly every academic discipline on campus offers societies or organizations to help spark interest. More than 160 different organizations, including social and religious organizations, are available to promote personal growth of the individual. On-campus concerts are regular events, as are cultural exhibits, plays, specialty shows and seminars. Competition is available through a challenging intramural program, and club sports are available. Academically, there are plenty of quiet nooks all around campus for studying. At the same time, opportunities abound for recreation and relaxation. Campus life has it all at Arkansas State University.

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A groundbreaking ceremony for the $18 million ASU Student Recreation and Wellness Center (above) was held April 4, 2008. The facility is designed as a 74,000square-foot structure that will house multiple amenities for students. This new recreation facility will have two levels and will be equipped to outfit an aquatics center in the future. The lower level will house approximately 17,000 square feet of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, three basketball/volleyball courts, one multipurpose activity court, office space, locker rooms, and wellness assessment rooms. The upper level will house a three-lane walking/running track, as well as meeting rooms and exercise classroom space. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will be able to increase the number of fitness classes currently offered, as well as adding additional wellness and nutritional programming options.

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Athletics at Arkansas State

ASU: WHERE CHAM Arkansas State University has a longstanding saying: “Big enough to play your game, small enough to know your name.” The names of student-athletes are known all over the country for their contributions to their sport. Champions are made at ASU. Opportunities are provided for all 16 of ASU’s NCAA Division I sports. Just look at the names and numbers—12 Olympians, over 100 National Football League contracts, All-Americans, AllConference, All-Academic. You name it . . . you can be it at Arkansas State. The people on these two pages prove it. They have excelled individually as well as with their teams. They not only represent themselves as champions but their school, community, friends, and family as well.

Candice James was named an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America selection in 2008.

Shawn Morgan finished his junior season ranked among the top-10 players in the Sun Belt Conference in steals, rebounds and field goal percentage.

Renee Branker was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI selection last season.

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B.J. Parish closed out his career at ASU last season with a 15th place finish in the decathlon at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Shay Scott was named to the Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament team after helping lead ASU to the tournament semifinals as a freshman last season.

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Athletics at Arkansas State

MPIONS ARE MADE

Junior Marissa Martinek was named second team All-America by the National Tenpin Coaches Association at the conclusion of last season.

Junior defensive end Alex Carrington was named the 2008 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Sophomore Anna Steckel received the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newcomer of theYear and MVP Award Sophomore Lloyd DuPreez last year. was named the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year after posting five top-10 finishes last year. Cayla Fielder was named the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008.

ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three Olympic medal winners and former track and field coach Guy Kochel. (From left) Bronze medal winner Dr. Tom Hill, Kochel, Gold Medal winner Al Joyner and Bronze Medal winner Earl Bell.

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Cassie Huffer recorded a top-10 finish in three tournaments last season as a sophomore. Brandon Eller was named Third Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America as a junior in 2008.

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Athletics Facilities Arkansas State University’s athletic programs compete in top-of-the line facilities. ASU Stadium, which opened in 1974, has evolved into a beautiful stadium which seats 30,406 fans. That includes a cluster of exclusive suites in the south end zone atop the football office complex. A million dollar video/scoreboard is the focal point in the stadium. Coaches and student-athletes moved into a new $2.7 million track and field complex in spring 2004. It contains an eight-lane 400-meter track and can be set up for two NCAA venues. Three local country clubs graciously allow ASU’s men’s and women’s golf programs to utilize their facilities for practice and play. J.A. “Ike” Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field serves as home to Red Wolves baseball. Built in 1993, the stadium received complete lighting in 1996 and, most recently, 206 field level seats were added for the 2008 season. ASU’s newest women’s program, bowling, competes in the Jonesboro Bowling Center, a 40lane state-of-the-art facility.

RidgePointe Country Club hosts the annual ASU Red Wolves Golf Classic

The ASU Soccer Park opened in 2001, one year after the program was installed. It is located at the north end of ASU Stadium and accommodates seating for 500. The complex also is the office headquarters for the program. The Convocation Center seats 10,038 for basketball and is the home of ASU’s men’s and women’s teams. It also is the site for women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s indoor track and field. ASU’s cross country teams run on a wellplanned course which originates and has its finish line at the Garry Meadows Arena at the Equine Center.

Convocation Center—Pride of ASU men’s and women’s basketball and indoor track and field

ASU Baseball plays at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field

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Athletics Facilities

ASU Soccer Park opened in 2001

Sage Meadows Golf Club has been the site of two Sun Belt Conference golf championships

Track & Field moved into a new facility in spring 2004

In addition to playing at Allen Park (above), RidgePointe Tennis Center, Three Oaks Racquet Club, and the Jonesboro Country Club provide their facilities in inclement weather.

ASU Stadiumâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Home of ASU Football

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Academics The Arkansas State University Athletic Department announced the largest single donation in its history, a $400,000 gift from Charles Luter that will be used to enhance the athletic academic facility, at a press conference held at the newly named Charles F. Luter Family Academic Success Center in September of 2008. “We are proud to announce the largest gift in the history of ASU Athletics of $400,000, and we are also proud to announce the renaming of this facility to the Charles F. Luter Family Academic Success Center,” said ASU Director of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee at the press conference. “We have the great opportunity to announce the completion of what we call the third phase of our performance enhancement complex. We previously had the Boe and Myrna Adams Strength and Conditioning Center, the Tim and Terri Langford Sports Medicine Center and now a vital and very important part of what we call the Academic Success Center. “That is a very appropriate name for what we do here, because we have had a tremendous amount of academic success,” Lee added. “We work extremely hard to build a culture where our student-athletes want to succeed not only in competition, but in the classroom, and they have done that.” The long list of ASU’s most recent academic achievements includes the latest statistics showing a 64.1 percent graduation rate of its student-athletes, the highest percentage in school history. Additionally, the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll had a total of more than 300 representatives during the 2007 academic year. Arkansas State won four Sun Belt Conference academic championships over the past year, representing the highest grade-point average in the league for a given sport. Among ASU’s winning teams was the football program, which won the Sun Belt’s academic title for the fourth time in the last five years. Also over the past year, 100 ASU student-athletes were placed on the 2007-08 SBC Commissioner’s List and Academic Honor Roll. In perhaps the truest measure of academic success, 44 student-athletes received their degrees from Arkansas State University over the last year as well. “I was very enthusiastic about making this contribution to ASU with the academic success that it has had,” said Luter. “I hope this contribution will add to the continued academic success and build on that academic success. I hope when we enhance this facility, it’s going to add to the entire University and the sports complex out here. Ultimately, what we have to think about is the student body as a whole and the student-athletes and how hard they work to be successful.” The 3,000 square-foot Charles F. Luter Family Academic Success Center serves as a foundation for structure, discipline and organization for the education of all ASU student-athletes. The facility, coupled with innovative programs and equipment, currently houses the academic support staff, tutors, computer labs, a resource room, study areas, tutorial rooms, small group study centers, a large conference room, the compliance office and spring sports coaching offices. The renovation project will include a new foyer that will serve as a reception area for guests and recruits as they enter the facility, a new front that will create a stronger image, new computers, new tutorial rooms and restructuring of the computer lab. Some additions will assist in strengthening a culture of academic success through a stronger presence and recognition of Red Wolves student-athletes. A special wall and display area will be added for those student-athletes that make the honor roll. Also, those student-athletes that graduate will have their pictures displayed throughout the year until the next group of graduating seniors come in. Another phase of the renovation is a “Wall of Honor” that will recognize special student-athletes that have come to Arkansas State and excelled in their business, in their profession or in their community. The new facility will display a special plaque in honor of Charles and Kay Luter as well.

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

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ASU Administration

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

UNIVERSITY VICE CHANCELLORS

Michael Medlock Jonesboro

Dr. G. Dan Howard Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs and Research

Dr. Rick Stripling Vice Chancellor Student Affairs

Mr. Ed Kremers Vice Chancellor Finance & Administration

Mr. Cristian Murdock Vice Chancellor University Advancement

(Chair) Florine Tousant Milligan

Dr. Leslie Wyatt University System President

Forrest City (Vice Chair)

Howard Slinkard Rogers (Secretary)

Mike Gibson Osceola

Ron Rhodes Cherokee Village

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS COMMITTEE

ASU President Dr. Les Wyatt announced the formation of the new Intercollegiate Athletics Committee in the spring of 1997. The Intercollegiate Athletics Committee reviews and makes recommendations on issues involving the welfare of student-athletes, the role of athletics in campus life, and the athletics programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compliance with the University, conference, and Nonie Wiggins NCAA regulations; serves as a search advisory committee for key athletics program personnel; reviews the role of existing and potential sports programs; and reviews the athletics budget. The committee reports to the Chancellor. Membership consists of four students appointed annually by the Student Government Association (one should be a student-athlete); four faculty appointed by the Faculty Senate (staggered two-year terms); one Faculty Athletic Representative appointed by the Chancellor (two-year term); one executive staff member appointed by the Chancellor (two-year term); the Dean of University College; two staff members appointed by the staff Senate (staggered two-year terms); Student Government Association and Student Activities Board Presidents; and representatives from the following external organizations: Alumni Association, Red Wolf Club, Lettermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce ASU Committee. The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Senior Woman Athletic Administrator serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members. The Chancellor appoints a chair at the beginning of each academic year.

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

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Dr. Robert Potts, University Campus Chancellor Dr. Robert L. Potts, a veteran administrator in higher education, was selected after a national search on Oct. 6, 2006, to serve as the first chancellor of the Jonesboro campus of Arkansas State University. In that capacity, among his other duties he now provides oversight for ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s athletic program. After studying at Newbold College in England then completing his bachelor's degree at Southern Adventist University in Tennessee, Potts earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Alabama. He later earned a master of laws degree from Harvard University. Potts has had a distinguished career in higher education. Prior to joining ASU, he served as chancellor of the North Dakota University System. Previously, he served as president of the University of North Alabama in Florence, Ala., for more than 14 years, and prior to that was General Counsel of the University of Alabama System. During his first months at ASU-Jonesboro, Potts worked closely with the Faculty Senate in resolving issues of concern to the faculty, and planned for a major capital campaign and the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upcoming centennial celebration in 2009-2010. During the 2007-08 academic year, in addition to overseeing the process that led to the selection of Red Wolves as the new ASU mascot, he appointed seven task forces of faculty, staff, and students who have studied and made recommendations on major issues of importance to the future of the University. Many of those recommendations are now being implemented. The University is currently focused on increasing its enrollment through expansion of distance learning offerings and building a more robust international program, in addition to improving its facilities across the campus to make the campus more convenient and attractive to students. In addition, under Potts leadership, the University is taking steps to modernize and expand its curriculum and also to increase its research and sponsored program activities. As President of the University of North Alabama, his accomplishments included streamlining the administrative structure, implementing a shared governance decision making structure, raising admission standards, and establishing a development and advancement office. He and his administration also led the university's first capital campaign, established a Child Development Center, expanded the international students program, completed a campus master plan, and implemented several construction projects, including academic buildings, student recreation center, four residence halls, and others. While at UNA, Potts served a term as President of the Gulf South Athletic Conference, and University athletic teams won five Division II national championships. While with the North Dakota University System, Potts was chief executive officer for a statewide system that included 42,000 students on six four-year campuses and five twoyear campuses. Among the highlights of his work there, he provided leadership in creating a statewide collaboration plan for increasing the number of international students, in implementing a new higher education administrative software system, in continuing the highly acclaimed Higher Education Roundtable process that successfully aligned the higher education system with the needs of the state, and in implementing the first stage of a $50 million Economic Centers of Excellence program for system campuses. His list of professional activities is long, including membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges, on the board of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, on the U.S. Department of Education's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, and on several accreditation teams. He also chaired the Secretary of the Army's ROTC Program Sub-Committee, which focused on improving the Army ROTC and Junior ROTC programs throughout the United States. He has also served terms on the boards of trustees of Alabama State University and Oakwood College. In addition to his administrative experience, he has taught at Boston University, University of Alabama, and University of North Alabama. Potts met his wife Irene, a native of Sweden, while they were participating in an international education program in England. They are the parents of two adult children. Julie Anna Potts and her husband, Parks Shackelford, live in the Washington, D.C. area where Julie Anna is general counsel for the American Farm Bureau Federation and Parks works for Florida Crystals, a sugar cane company. They have three children, Ella, Olivia, and Duke. Les Potts and his wife Holly also have two children, Claire and Anna Leslie. They live in Starkville, Miss., where he is employed at Mississippi State University and she is an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations.

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

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Dr. Dean Lee, Director of Athletics

The Lee Family (from left) Anna Pearl, Reba, Dean and Diamond

When the Arkansas State University athletics program reaches its 100th birthday in two years, Dean Lee's name will figure prominently in the celebration. ASU athletics is entering its 99th year and Lee still has a little more time to continue restoring the old and building new tradition for Arkansas State. Under Lee’s direction, the ASU athletic department enjoyed another significant year in 2007-08. Not only did ASU enjoy some of the most exciting moments ever on the fields, courts, and tracks, but also in the arenas of academics, donor and alumni involvement, community service and achievement. Lee was named the AAFF’s Outstanding Athletic Director in 2008 and serves on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Issues Committee, the BCS Athletic Directors Advisory Committee and the Division 1A Athletic Directors Association Board of Trustees. He has guided the athletic department to annual success academically and competitively, but last year ASU athletics once again enjoyed growth through a number of unique accomplishments and projects as well. For instance, 206 field-level seats and new party boxes available for corporate events were added to Tomlinson Stadium, the Convocation Center weight room underwent major renovations that included new weights and cardio equipment, festivities such as Jazz in Jonesboro continued to grow and improve, the women’s bowling team was the NCAA National Runner-up and Lee was instrumental in the recruitment and hiring of John Brady, who is just two years removed from an NCAA Final Four appearance, as the Red Wolves new men’s basketball coach. Those are just a few of the many ways the ASU athletic department continued to develop under Lee, who is always looking for new and creative ways to take the Red Wolves athletic program to the next level while maintaining its main focus on academics, competitive performance and a well-rounded environment for student-athletes. Entering his seventh year as Director of Athletics, Lee is even hungrier for ASU to have continued success in all areas. He has already made great strides in enabling Arkansas State's Department of Athletics to become one of the most respected programs around. Dr. Lee became ASU's 10th Director of Athletics July 9, 2002. It wasn't long before the department began to experience important and progressive changes which were capped by an unprecedented “State of A-State” address in the spring of 2004. When he concluded the address to a packed house, there was no mistaking that he is committed to building a successful program at ASU. In a very short time, he has orchestrated sellout and capacity crowds, overseen the expansion and growth of ASU's athletic facilities, and provided sound leadership to both the athletic staff and population of student-athletes. Lee came to ASU from Oklahoma State University, where he was the executive director of the OSU Athletic Associates and assistant vice president of the OSU Foundation. His administrative experience at two NCAA Division I-A universities, OSU and the University of Arkansas, and his achievements in mobilizing financial support make him well-suited for Arkansas State University and Northeast Arkansas. In addition, Dr. Lee's experience as athletic director at Arkansas Tech University and his familiarity with ASU and the state of Arkansas help him feel right at home. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1979 and master's in education at Henderson State University, then completed his doctor of education degree at the University of Arkansas in 1989. Although born in Tulsa, Okla., Lee competed in high school sports in Berryville, Arkansas, and was selected to play in the all-Star basketball and football games in 1975. He also played basketball, baseball and tennis at Henderson State, where he later served as an assistant coach. He was head basketball coach at Malvern High School early in his career. Dean and wife Reba are the parents of two daughters, Diamond Olivia (13) and Anna Pearl (11).

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

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Athletics Staff

DR. DEAN LEE Director of Athletics

DOUG ABEL Senior Associate Director of Athletics

JERRY SCOTT Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Information

DARLENE ETTER Administrative Assistant to Director of Athletics

VAN PROVENCE Assistant Director of Sports Information

BILL TEMPLETON Director of Major Gifts

NIKKI LEE RANDY KNOWLES Assistant Director of Assistant Director of Athletics for Facilities Athletics for Ethics & Governance & Event Management

Associate Director of Athletics for Student Services/SWA

DOUG DOGGETT Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations & Director of the Red Wolf Club

GLEEN HART Assistant Director of Athletics for Marketing & Promotions

BRAD PIETZ Assistant Director of Athletics for Development

JOHN ARCE Director of Strength & Conditioning

BRAD BOBO Director of Corporate Sales

BOBBY BURTON Athletics Facilities Supervisor for Grounds & Landscape

RON CARROLL Head Certified Trainer

RYAN DICKSON Equipment Supervisor

TABITHA FOREMAN Athletics Secretary

MEREDITH GREEN A-Team Adviser

BRAD HERMAN Academic Adviser

LEELA KELLER Men’s Basketball Secretary

MARTHA McFERRON Cheerleader Adviser

ROSS MILLER Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning

ANDREA SCOTT Director of Marketing

SANDRA SMYTHE Compliance Secretary

CHAD STURKIE Assistant Certified Trainer

KANGIT TATE Football Secretary

LON BADEAUX Track & Field, Cross Country Head Coach

BRIAN BOYER Women’s Basketball Head Coach

JOHN BRADY Men’s Basketball Head Coach

CRAIG CUMMINGS Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

JULIE LESSITER

ANTHONY REYNOLDS KAREN RINEHART Assistant Director of Administrative Secretary Sports Information to Head Football Coach

NATALIE TROTTER Assistant Certified Trainer

CAROLINE WILLIAMS Athletics Secretary

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

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Athletics Staff

CHRIS JAMES Women’s Bowling Head Coach

STEVE JOHNSON Men’s Golf Head Coach

GINGER BROWN LEMM Women’s Golf Head Coach

DEREK PITTMAN Women’s Soccer Head Coach

TOMMY RAFFO Baseball Head Coach

STEVE ROBERTS Football Head Coach

MARCIA WILLIAMS Women’s Tennis Head Coach

JULIE ALLEN Women’s Volleyball Assistant Coach

LISA BERG Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach

JASON BROOKS Track & Field, Cross Country Assistant Coach

JEFF CLAPACS Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach

CHRIS COOK Baseball Assistant Coach

KEVIN CORLESS Football Assistant Coach

JACK CURTIS Football Assistant Coach

ELIZABETH DAVENPORT Track & Field, Cross Country Assistant Coach

CHAD DOLLAR Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach

MATT KRAFT Track & Field Assistant Coach

ELWYN McROY Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach

TYLER SISKEY Football Assistant Coach

SEAN WEIBLING Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach

MARINA ENGELBRECHT TONY GILBERT Women’s Tennis Football Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

JUSTIN MECCAGE Baseball Assistant Coach

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

KEVIN PEOPLES Football Assistant Coach

DAVID GUNN Football Assistant Coach

REBECCA PEOPLES Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach

MAURICE HARRIS Football Assistant Coach

DARREN HILLER Football Assistant Coach

TANYA RAY Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach

DOUG RUSE Football Assistant Coach

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Jonesboro

gional center for cultural, educational, industrial, commercial, agricultural, communication, transportation, recreational and medical interests. It contains almost every convenience of a big city and every comfort of a small town.

Jonesboro, home of Arkansas State University, weighs in as the largest city in Northeast Arkansas. As a matter of fact, if you form a triangle by connecting Little Rock, St. Louis and Memphis, Jonesboro stands out as the largest metropolitan city in what amounts to a 17,000 square mile triangular area.

The community is alive with cultural events such as the art exhibitions, theatrical and musical productions, not only on campus but in the city itself through the Jonesboro Fine Arts Council, NEA Foundation of Arts, the Forum and the Northeast Arkansas Symphony. One highlight is the annual Hispanic celebration when downtown Main Street is transformed into a festive explosion of Hispanic music, food and cultural activity.

Jonesboro is a great city of 60,000, and is always ready to welcome incoming ASU students from the moment they arrive in town. The booming community has matured over the past half century into a re-

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

Jonesboro is also the medical hub of northeast Arkansas and southeast Mis38

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Jonesboro . . . More About Jonesboro • Regionally located with numerous services for Northeast Arkansas, portions of Tennessee & Missouri. • More than 100 industries are located in Jonesboro. • Cited as Volunteer and Arkansas Community of Year. • Ideal climate and temperature provide a variety of recreational activities including hunting, fishing, golf, park activities, tennis, boating, swimming, camping and picnicking. • Downtown Jonesboro is revitalized into area including loft housing, restaurants, specialty shops, weekly and weekend concerts featuring everything from gospel to rap. • Site of new Mall at Turtle Creek which houses over 100 new stores. Construction of the mall, which opened in March 2006, exceeded $100 million. Jonesboro is living up to its slogan of “People, Pride, and Progress” Memphis is less than an hour away from the ASU campus.

souri, with two major hospitals and countless medical professionals. The city is also a shopping mecca, offering a modern business district as well as quaint downtown antique shops and restaurants. The $100 million Mall at Turtle Creek recently opened with more than 100 stores.

“capital” of the northeast quadrant of the state. Northeast Arkansas is a recreation haven for the person who enjoys water sports, fishing, hunting, and boating as well as the joys of unspoiled nature. Jonesboro and the surrounding area have an abundance of lakes, rivers, ponds, streams and forests to serve as nature’s playgrounds for the avid outdoors person.

One of the five largest cities in Arkansas, Jonesboro is located between the vast and fertile Mississippi River and the cultural and scenic richness of the Ozark Mountains. It is nestled about 70 miles west of Memphis, Tennessee, on the gentle slopes of Crowley’s Ridge.

And, Jonesboro, ranked by Forbes.com as the 27th “best small place to live” is a nice place to call home.

Jonesboro is a comfortable one hour drive from Memphis, two hours from Little Rock and four hours from St. Louis.The city and University have meshed resources in recent years and have truly become the 2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

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Sun Belt Conference While there are 31 NCAA conferences that sponsor multiple sports, the Sun Belt is one of only eleven to participate in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and Football Bowl Subdivision. The Sun Belt was formed in 1976 with six members competing in four men’s sports, and today comprises 13 institutions of higher learning while sponsoring 19 championship sports for men and women. The Sun Belt Conference enters its 33rd season in 2008-2009 with a proud history of athletic and academic success. The conference sponsors 10 women’s sports basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball; and nine men’s sports – baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field. Each of the 19 sports has seen numerous team and individual accomplishments, and 12 Sun Belt Conference schools are currently graduating its student athletes at a rate higher than their school’s student body. All Sun Belt schools are committed to excellence in the 21st century, and facility upgrades and expansion are occurring on virtually every campus. During the 2007-08 academic year alone the Sun Belt Conference accomplished numerous feats. In the fall of 2007 Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky University both represented the league in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament – the first time the Sun Belt has sent multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament in volleyball. Middle Tennessee did not disappoint, as the Blue Raiders advanced to the “Sweet 16” – marking the first time a Sun Belt school has made the round of 16 in volleyball. The Sun Belt momentum continued in the sport of football as Florida Atlantic defeated Memphis in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The win marked the second consecutive season that a Sun Belt team has defeated its Conference USA opponent as Troy defeated Rice in 2006. In men’s basketball, Western Kentucky University and South Alabama both received bids to the 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – the first the league has sent two teams to the “Big Dance’” since 1994. WKU’s 101-99 win over 14th ranked Drake followed by a 72-63 win over San Diego made the Hilltoppers the first Sun Belt team to reach the tournament’s “Sweet 16” since 1993. Despite losing more than half of the league’s All-Conference members from 2006-07, Sun Belt women’s basketball ranked in the top half (14th of 31) of the final league RPI rankings for the 10th consecutive year. In six of those ten years, Sun Belt women’s basketball has placed in the national top 10 for RPI. There was no shortage of success in the Sun Belt’s spring sports in 2008 as well. In tennis, Florida International and Denver represented the Sun Belt in the NCAA Women’s Tennis Tournament – with the Pioneers advancing to the second round. In men’s tennis, South Alabama and Denver represented the league in the NCAA Tournament with USA advancing to the second round. Sun Belt golf was also well represented in postseason play as Middle Tennessee’s men’s team and Denver’s women’s team both reached the NCAA National Championship. Both the Blue Raiders and Pioneers

Wright Waters Commissioner

2009 ARKANSAS STATE TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE

finished in the top ten of their regionals to advance to the final stage of the NCAAs. The 2008 Sun Belt softball season saw Louisiana-Lafayette reach the Women’s College World Series after defeating Houston in three games in the Super Regionals and winning the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional by defeating East Carolina and in-state rival LSU twice. In baseball, the Sun Belt Conference has sent multiple teams to the NCAA tournament each year since 1988. The 20-year streak of having two or more teams reach NCAA play is matched by only four other conferences (ACC, Big West, SEC, Pac-10). Because of its status as a member of the Division 1-A football coalition, the Sun Belt Conference has a permanent seat on the NCAA’s 17member Board of Directors. As a result, the conference has a crucial voice on some of the most pressing issues in college athletics and will always have a role in the implementation of any future NCAA legislation and guidelines. The conference continues to utilize television to grow and promote the league. Adding volleyball, baseball and softball to the conference’s television package has resulted in more national and regional television exposure for the league than at any time in its history. The conference’s regional television package enables live telecasts of Sun Belt events to reach over 20 million households. Additionally, ESPN televised the conference’s men’s basketball championship game for the 28th straight season in 2008, marking its longest affiliation with any conference in the country. The Sun Belt Conference has partnered with JumpTV Sports, Inc. to deliver a full-service, customized, public and premium web site to provide fans with a broad range of real-time information and content about the conference’s athletic teams. The Sun Belt is one of the few conferences in the nation to provide video highlights and features on its website from each of the league’s respective championships. This technology serves as a great recruiting tool for schools by enabling anyone in the world with internet access to view the conference’s championship events, and fans in five different countries viewed the conference’s most recent soccer championship. Prominent Sun Belt alumni include United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (Denver), NFL Hall of Fame football player “Mean” Joe Greene (North Texas), Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star baseball player Luis Gonzalez (South Alabama), former member of the United States Senate and House of Representatives John Breaux (LouisianaLafayette), country music superstar Tim McGraw (Louisiana-Monroe), and actor Andy Garcia (Florida International). The conference’s first 32 years have also produced numerous individual national champions along with Olympic track medalists including Earl Bell, Tom Hill and Al Joyner (Arkansas State), Hollis Conway (Louisiana-Lafayette), and Tayna Lawrence (Florida International). Old Dominion’s Anne Donovan received the Naismith Trophy recognizing the nation’s top women’s basketball player in 1983, helped the United States win the Olympic gold medal in 1984, and helped the Lady Monarchs capture the national championship in 1985 (one of eight women’s Final 4 appearances by Sun Belt schools: Old Dominion - 1983, 1985; WKU – 1985, 1986, 1992; Louisiana Tech – 1994, 1998, 1999). Sun Belt teams have also participated in the men’s NCAA Final 4 (UNC-Charlotte in 1977), the College World Series (Louisiana-Lafayette in 2000), the women’s College World Series (Louisiana-Lafayette in 1993, 1995, 1996, 2003), and had 10 players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. The Sun Belt Conference is led by Commissioner Wright Waters, who is in his ninth full year as commissioner. He was named the conference’s fourth commissioner in February of 1999 following the tenures of Vic Bubas (1976-1990), Jim Lessig (1990-1991), and Craig Thompson (1991-1998). The league’s annual all sports champion is awarded the Vic Bubas Cup, named after the conference’s first commissioner. The conference office has been headquartered in downtown New Orleans since 2000 after moving from suburban Metairie, La., where it had been based since 1991. Prior to moving to the “Big Easy,” the league was based in Tampa, Fla., from 1977-1991. The original conference office was located in Charlotte, N.C., from 1976-77.

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Sept. 5-7 26-28 Oct. 10-12 Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Jan. 23 Feb. 7 8 14 15 22 Mar. 7 8 9 13 13 14 15 20 21 Apr. 5 9 10 17-19

St. Louis Billiken Classic Kansas Jayhawk Invitational Ole Miss Invitational ULM Invitational UT Arlington Tulsa Oral Roberts Middle Tennessee* Tennessee Tech Southern Illinois New Orleans* Louisiana-Lafayette* McNeese State Louisiana-Monroe* Louisiana Tech Southeast Missouri State UTEP UAB UALR* Troy* Memphis St. Louis Sun Belt Conference Tournament

All Times Central *Sun Belt Conference Match

@ St. Louis, Mo. @ Lawrence, Ks. @ Oxford, Ms. @ Monroe, La. Jonesboro, AR @ Tulsa, Ok. @ Tulsa, Ok. @ Murfreesboro, Tn. @ Cookeville, Tn. @ Carbondale, Il. @ New Orleans, La. @ Lafayette, La. @ Lake Charles, La. Jonesboro, Ar. Jonesboro, Ar. Jonesboro, Ar. Jonesboro, Ar. Jonesboro, Ar. Jonesboro, Ar. Jonesboro, Ar. @ Memphis, Tn. Jonesboro, Ar. @ Denton, Tx.

All Day All Day All Day All Day 9:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Noon 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. All Day