SPARTAN REPORT News from Aurora University Athletics | Fall 2017
Spartan Athletic Park gives AU the home-field advantage AU student-athletes will be stepping onto Spartan Athletic Park for the first time later this month, beginning an exciting new era of Spartan wins and championships. The park, an 80-acre site located less than a mile from the main campus, features a new soccer and lacrosse stadium with seating for 1,000+ fans, plus a new softball field, ample parking and an entry gatehouse. Construction will continue throughout the fall to complete infrastructure needs and to begin work on a new baseball field.
Spartan Softball Stadium includes premium synthetic turf; recommended NCAA mix of clay, sand and silt; two 800-square-foot dugouts; bullpens with professionalquality mounds and light towers to illuminate the stadium.
The park, which includes six 70-foot Musco lights, allows increased practice and competitive time for several of the university’s 24 sports. Following completion of the baseball stadium, the university will address the needs of AU’s tennis and track and field teams. With space to grow, Spartan Athletic Park will provide first-rate facilities for student-athletes to excel in competition, just as they excel in the classroom and in the community. And with home-field advantage, Spartan athletes will continue to remain a dominant force in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). For more information and construction updates, visit spartans.aurora.edu.
Spartan Stadium, home of soccer and lacrosse, includes seating for 1,000 fans; 112,000-square-foot field and terraces for fan gatherings and celebrations.
Ensuring the strength and wellness of every Spartan “We are one AU.” For alumni Chad Trudo, head strength and conditioning coach, and Nicki Pieart, associate athletic director for student-athlete well-being, this theme rings especially true. Trudo and Pieart view wellness as a comprehensive term that encompasses physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual health. They work with colleagues across the campus to develop and support the entire student-athlete, helping them succeed in athletics, academics and social well-being. “We really are one AU,” said Pieart. “Athletics staff give students the tools to learn and apply healthy habits. We hope in return the student-athletes go about creating that culture on their teams. This is essential not only for wellness, but also for a positive experience on the field and in the classroom. Instilling overall wellness is essential because students will not be athletes forever. We have to teach them how to maintain this lifestyle approach long after they finish their athletic careers.” Nicki Pieart, associate athletic director for student-athlete well-being
Spartan Spotlights
Koziol named USILA Honorable Mention All-American
Men’s lacrosse player Jason Koziol was named United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Honorable Mention All-American. In his final season as a Spartan, he was named the Midwest Lacrosse Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and was a First-Team All-Conference selection for the third straight season. He led the Spartans in 2017 with 58 goals.
Njegovan becomes two-time NCAA Division III national champion
Ryan Njegovan is the NCAA Division IIl champion in the men’s discus, a title he earned during the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Njegovan’s winning mark was 51.56 meters. This accomplishment earned him his second NCAA title as he won the shot put at the Indoor Track and Field Championships earlier this year.
Fitness just footsteps away Students will have convenient workout options this year with the addition of fitness centers in each of the residence halls. After asking students what would enhance their experiences on campus, AU officials purchased new stationary bikes, treadmills and elliptical machines for use in more locations. In addition to workout areas in the residence halls, students can use Spartan Weight Room in Alumni Hall as well as the large fitness center in Jenks Hall. Spartan Weight Room received upgrades this year including a new functional trainer, FitLight trainer, speed ladders, weightlifting platforms, and strength, Olympic and safety squat bars. Centennial Hall is one of the new locations for fitness centers throughout the campus.
Ramirez selected for USA-3 basketball team
Adriana Ramirez was selected to represent the United States in July as part of the USA D–3 Women’s Basketball Team – Brazil Tour 2017. The teams are made up of invited NCAA Division III basketball players who have been recognized at national, regional and conference levels. Ramirez started 24 games for the Spartans averaging 12.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
Lawson, Craig participate in NCAA Career in Sports forum
Aurora University football players Will Craig (offensive lineman) and Kendall Lawson (wide receiver) participated in the 2017 NCAA Career in Sports Forum earlier this summer. The Career in Sports Forum, an annual educational forum hosted by the NCAA, brings together 200 selected student-athletes to learn and explore potential careers in sports, with the primary focus on intercollegiate athletics.
#WEA R EO N EAU
Congratulations, Spartan Athletes of the Year The 2016–2017 Aurora University Male Athlete of the Year is junior men’s track and field studentathlete Ryan Njegovan. He highlighted his season during the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field campaign — and made AU history — when he won the NCAA Championship in the indoor shot put and the outdoor discus. The 2016–2017 Aurora University Female Athlete of the Year goes to senior women’s track and field student-athlete Lisa Rodriguez. She was a three-time NCAA All-American in the Outdoor Track and Field Championships as she competed in the 200-meter (finished third), the 100-meter (finished seventh) and the 4x100 meter relay (national runners-up).
Visit Spartan Athletics for the latest scores, student-athlete news, team schedules and construction updates athletics.aurora.edu
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News from Aurora University Athletics | Fall 2017