SPARTAN REPORT News from Aurora University Athletics | December 2016
Well-rounded approach to coaching pays winning dividends It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game, right? Well, not entirely. For the Spartans, losing is not really an option, according to AU Athletic Director Jim Hamad. “Trust me, no one wants to win more than AU,” he said, “but we make sure that we do it right.” And part of “doing it right,” he explained, is hiring coaches who embody and promote the university’s twin virtues of scholarship and character while pursuing AU’s overall goal of educating body, mind and spirit. “We often talk about hard work and strong character as being the two essential qualities we look for in a student-athlete,” he said. “Those are the same qualities that we want in AU coaches and staff. If we focus on these qualities, the wins will follow.” And they usually do. During 2015–2016, for example, Spartan teams won six conference championships in men’s cross country, women’s golf, women’s indoor track and field, softball, men’s lacrosse, and women’s outdoor track and field.
What’s more, for the same period, 44 percent of Spartan student-athletes were recognized as scholar-athletes, earning GPAs of at least 3.25. Some 1,500 student-athletes have been named Academic All-Conference during the last 10 years. Hiring coaches here at AU can be a long process, but it’s designed to winnow out all but the very best candidates. “We know the coaches who make it to the final interview stage are committed to providing a positive student-athlete experience and have a track record of success,” Hamad said. In the final analysis, AU coaches are measured by their performance in four major categories: » Coaches have to meet their recruitment goals and bring in the type of students that will excel in all areas at AU. » Coaches must ensure that academics, career planning and service-learning projects are of primary importance. » Coaches must create an enjoyable environment for their athletes. » And finally, coaches must win championships. It’s a tall order, concedes Hamad, but if AU’s athletics history is any indication, AU coaches have consistently risen to the challenge.
More sports, more reasons to cheer
Two coaches are in the midst of team building this year — quite literally. Grant Kimball and Robert Wolter have joined the Aurora University athletic department and will lead the new AU women’s hockey program and men’s volleyball team, respectively. Both coaches are actively recruiting studentathletes so the teams will be ready for the 2017–2018 school year. Kimball comes to AU after spending seven seasons as the associate head women’s ice hockey coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Vermont. Wolter comes to AU after spending five seasons as a head coach at Vassar College. Both have great reasons for wanting to join the AU family. “I have always evaluated potential head coaching jobs on three criteria,” said Kimball. “I ask myself, ‘What does the potential student-athlete experience look like?’ ‘How is the administration going to support the program?’ and ‘What is the geographic recruiting footprint and local interest of hockey like in general?’ I found that Aurora nailed all three.”
Wolter had a similar experience during his initial meetings on campus. “AU was the total package for me,” he said. “It provided an opportunity to work with and be surrounded by great administrative and coaching staff. After speaking with members of the interview committee, I wanted to be part of their vision for the athletic department. Also, to be in a position to start a program from the ground up in an area that many consider the ‘hot bed’ of men’s volleyball was really appealing.” Both coaches are busy recruiting for next year. With that comes the opportunity to share the vision for the new teams with current and prospective students. “For me, it’s all about articulating what our program can become and relaying to the recruits and current students how they can help us achieve that vision,” said Kimball. Response for both teams has been positive. “I think there’s an appreciation out there for taking an active role in ‘growing the game’ on a national level,” said Wolter.
“Recruits from around the country are interested in the opportunity to continue playing a game they love at the collegiate level.” Kimball is pleased to gain international interest, too. “We’re hearing from and talking to players from Illinois, but also across the U.S., Canada, Europe, even Japan and New Zealand,” he said. “The interesting thing in our sport right now is there are more talented players than there are spots on NCAA teams. When I talk with current students, their eyes light up when I explain that AU will have a women’s hockey team next fall. With 24 sports on the roster for next year, it promises to be an exciting time for Spartan Athletics. “I’m really looking forward to the group of students that I recruited, getting in the gym and starting to train,” said Wolter. “We’re recruiting very talented studentathletes who will be energetic and fun to watch.”
The AU community is getting excited as plans for Spartan Athletic Park are being finalized. The multisport complex will house championship-quality venues for softball, baseball, track and field, lacrosse, soccer and other sports. Watch for more information in upcoming issues of Spartan Report.
Football, family and the future
Senior offensive lineman Jawad Aburmishan can still relate to why he chose to attend Aurora University four years ago. “What appealed to me during my visits to campus was how supportive everyone was here,” he said. “That holds true today. I love that we are a close-knit community, especially in athletics.” So close is Aburmishan with his teammates that he often refers to them as brothers. After all, they do look out for one another like family. When freshmen join the team, Aburmishan stresses to them the importance of managing time by balancing studies with involvement on campus and in the community — and seeking help with homework when needed. He’s done that throughout his four years at AU, including volunteering with a Head Start preschool in Aurora.
Compliments to the coach Friends and members of the Spartan athletic community celebrated the coaching career of James Lancaster during a special dinner program on campus in November. Lancaster retired from coaching earlier this year to focus on his new role as assistant vice president for enrollment. He amassed 30 seasons of dedication to the men’s and women’s AU basketball programs. His legacy includes 404 wins as men’s head coach (1994–2016), 58 wins as women’s head coach (1990–1994), 10 NCAA appearances, 12 conference titles and 11 Coach of the Year honors. In recognition of his commitment to Aurora University Athletics, Lancaster was inducted into the Spartan Hall of Fame during the ceremony. The presentation also included the announcement of “Lancaster Court,” the name that will permanently
appear on the Thornton Gymnasium floor. A plaque signifying the name of the court will be displayed in Alumni Hall. Lancaster also was presented with a framed poster featuring athletic awards and figures relating to his legacy. The event, which brought together many basketball alumni, featured six speakers: Carol Dunn, Vice President Emeritus; Mark Walsh, ’76, ’86, Associate Professor of Physical Education; Keith Bunkenburg, Associate Director of Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Benedictine University; Jason Buckley ’98, ’01, Athletic Director at West Aurora High School; Baylee Lancaster ’17; and Rebecca Sherrick, President.
“This experience truly shaped me into a more caring and responsible person,” he said. Aburmishan also pursued learning opportunities outside of the classroom. In 2015, he joined three other students and a faculty member on an AU-sponsored trip to the U.S.-Mexico border to explore issues involving immigration. Such experiences are preparing Aburmishan, a criminal justice major, for law school. “AU has been tremendous in helping me shape my future,” he said. “Whether it’s meeting with professors and coaches for advice or working with university staff, I feel like I’m on a team geared for success.”
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The Aurora University women’s golf team ran away in the third round of the 2016 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Championship to win AU’s third consecutive NACC Championship by 43 strokes.
The Aurora University football team captured the program’s sixth conference championship and first since 2008, when the program became part of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.
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The Aurora University women’s volleyball team concludes the 2016 season with a 27–9 overall record and were 10–1 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.
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The Spartan women’s cross country team won the 2016 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Championship, the fourth win in five seasons. The Aurora University men’s cross country team finished its season as the 2016 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference champions, including its best finish ever in an NCAA Regional meet.
News from Aurora University Athletics | December 2016