2 STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE
Dear Cougar Nation, it’s an exciting time at Averett! Dear Cougar Nation, This was a great year for Averett athletics. We won regular season championships in men’s basketball and softball. Other programs including baseball, and volleyball had milestone wins. Our nationally ranked softball team made us all proud with a victory in the NCAA tournament. While we celebrate those achievements, this new “Blue and Gold” newsletter is not just about wins and losses. This newsletter is about people. It’s about young people who study and practice hard, often for little recognition. It’s about student athletes who tutor at elementary schools, encourage athletes at the Special Olympics and who clean and paint and lend the strength of their youth to nonprofits who need help. It’s about all of those things, and it’s about you. You are the part of our team that helps make all of this possible.
[2014-2015 FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS]
Lights and synthetic turn on Daly Field
Frank Fulton Sr. Indoor Batting Facility
I hope you enjoy this first issue. I hope you will connect with us on social media, consider joining the Cougar Club and, most importantly, I hope you will wear your Cougar Nation Blue and Gold with pride. This newsletter is for you. Let our Sports Information Director Drew Wilson (cawilson@ averett.edu) know what you would like to read about in future issues. I look forward to seeing you on campus. Never forget that you are an important part of the Averett team. Go Cougars! Meg Stevens Director of Athletics P.S. If you are an alumnus, please keep your contact information up to date at www.averettcougars.com/ alumni.
[UPCOMING DATES TO CIRCLE] Sept. 1 Men’s soccer opens season at home versus Guilford Sept. 5-6 Volleyball’s 21st annual Cougar Classic Sept. 9 Women’s soccer plays Bridgewater in its first home game Sept. 12 Football hosts Randolph-Macon in first home game of the season Oct. 2-4 Averett’s Homecoming Weekend
Averett to break ground on stadium in November Averett University will break ground on its $3.5 million stadium complex on Nov. 2, following the conclusion of the 2015 football and soccer seasons. The ground breaking date was released April 23 as Averett announced the success of its first comprehensive capital campaign during a press conference on the Student Center plaza. Averett completed the first phase of its stadium complex last summer with the installation of lights and synthetic field turf on Daly Field. The newest phase will include the J.T. Emerson Press Box, entry gate and plaza for the Frank R. Campbell Stadium. “I’m very excited, but mostly I’m real-
ly thankful to Averett President Dr. Tiffany Franks, our administration, our generous donors and everyone else who made this possible,” Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens said. “We look forward to this exciting state-of-the-art addition to our campus. This stadium not only impacts Averett athletics, it changes Averett and it changes Danville. It will provide our fans with an even more memorable game day experience.” Averett’s capital campaign began on July 1, 2010 and will officially end on June 30, 2015. The University’s goal was to raise $25 million. It has exceeded that, raising a total of $28,217,627 as of March 31.
3 STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE
FMS testing gives AU student-athletes world-class advantage Averett Athletics participated in the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) system during the 2014-15 seasons in hopes of reducing the number of injuries and enhancing the conditioning programs — the same screening process used by many professional sports teams. For the first time in department history, all 13 intercollegiate teams at Averett took part in the FMS screening. According to FMS co-founder Dr. Lee Burton, who is the former Director of Averett’s Athletic Training Education Program and still serves as a consultant with Averett Athletics, the main benefit the screening process provides is helping student-athletes pinpoint weaknesses in their movement that could cause injury. “The data that is produced from the FMS can assist in pointing out certain weaknesses in how a person moves,” Burton said. “This can be very useful information as a person progresses in their athletic careers. The longer you play and participate in athletics, the more the body breaks down, so athletes need as much information as possible to create durability and hopefully lengthen their careers.”
Life skills program prepares student-athletes for careers More than 150 Averett University student-athletes networked with more than 30 Averett alumni and local business people as part of Averett Athletics’ Going for Gold life skills program titled “The Athletics Advantage: Scoring Big in Your Career” held April 8 at the Grant Center. Student-athletes rotated by table among the 31 professionals, many of whom were also student-athletes at Averett. The alumni and local business people had the opportunity to share their experiences and how they began their careers, while the student-athletes were able to ask questions and network as they look ahead toward their own future career paths. The event was partnered with Averett’s Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC). “I’m so proud and thankful that a number of our alumni were able to join us,” Averett Direc-
tor of Athletics Meg Stevens said. “I’m also very thankful for the CCECC and the local employers who also made this event possible. It was a great opportunity for our student-athletes to dress and interact in a professional environment. Winning an athletics competition is important, but it’s never as important as winning and succeeding in life. No one delivers that message better than alumni — they have experienced success both on the field of play and in life. I’m very appreciative that all of our guests could take time out of their busy schedules to share their wisdom with our student-athletes. Their presence at our ‘Scoring Big in Your Career’ event made a difference in our students’ lives.” Averett’s student-athletes also had time to mingle outside of the round table setting and had the opportunity to take a professional headshot for their professional portfolio.
SAAC wins USA South Pennies for a Purpose
[COUGARS IN THE COMMUNITY]
Raising a school-record amount of more than $1,800, Averett University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was crowned the winner of the USA South Conference’s 2015 Pennies for a Purpose competition. Averett SAAC collected $1,805 for Pennies for a Purpose, which will be donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The Cougars’ total is the fourth-highest single-year total collected in the contest’s eight-year history. “Our committee worked extremely hard all semester to make this possible, and we are very excited and proud to have been a part of this,” said Nicole Barringer, Averett SAAC president. “The university came together for such a good cause, which allowed us to place first in the competition for the first time.” Inspired by Dr. Carrie Hendrick, the director of Averett’s Athletic Training Education Program and former head athletic trainer who is battling ovarian cancer, Averett SAAC chose The V Foundation as its Pennies for a Purpose beneficiary because it is a non-profit organization, and the money goes directly to cancer research.
4 Championships and major awards
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5 Championships and major awards
Averett softball 2015 Season by the numbers
35
Overall wins by Averett softball in 2015, a new program record
22
USA South Conferences wins by Averett softball in 2015, a new program record
13
Highest ranking in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll by Averett softball during the 2015 season
6
USA South All-Conference performers, including Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year
4
National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region selections
2
National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America selections and Capital One Academic All-America selections
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Batting average by Averett shortstop Taylor Dix, who set the a new USA South Conference single-season record
USA South title, national ranking, NCAAs highlight softball season Under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Bren Taylor, who was named the USA South Coach of the Year, the Cougars set numerous program records during the 2015 season that helped them win USA South Conference regular season. The team garnered its first national ranking in program history, peaking at No. 13 in the country. The talented team received an at-large bid to the NCAA Regionals, earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament win in the process. The team finished 35-51 (22-1 USA South) to set single-season program records for overall and conference victories. Shortstop Taylor Dix took home the USA South Player of the Year award
while Mary Beth Smith was selected as the USA South Pitcher of the Year as six Cougars earned all-conference honors. Dix and Smith, along with Samantha Hall and Jessica Long, each earned all-region recognition, with Dix and Hall being named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Second Team. Dix and Hall also received accolades for their work off the field when they were named to the Capital One Academic All-America Team presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). They are the first Averett student-athletes to earn both Academic All-America and All-America honors in the same season.
6 2014-2015 AVERETT ATHLETICS IN REVIEW
VOLLEYBALL
Head coach Danny Miller earned his 500th career win, and his squad finished second in the USA South Conference North Division with a 15-4 regular-season conference record. Freshman Hannah Shields received Rookie of the Year awards from the USA South Conference and the Virginia Sports Information Directors. Shields and senior setter Nicole Barringer each earned a spot on the AVCA All-South Region Team and the AVCA All-American Honorable Mention Team.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
As one of the youngest teams in the conference, the women’s soccer squad continuously improved in its 2014 season. The team, led by veteran head coach Carly Pearce, went on a four-game winning streak near the end of regular season play to seal a slot in the USA South Conference Tournament. Senior defender Cathrine Onarheim was voted to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-American Division III First Team.
MEN’S SOCCER
The squad posted an overall record of 6-111 along with a 4-5-1 USA South Conference regular-season record under first-year head coach Philip Wilson. The team received two All-Conference selections, and freshman defender Tobias Andreasson was voted to the 2014 Virginia Sports Information Directors AllState Team.
MEN’S & WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
The men’s team finished fifth at the USA South Conference Championship while the women finished seventh under head coach Jonathan Thompson. Senior Mary-Kate Cobb placed 18th to earn a spot on the USA South All-Conference Third Team. The team hosted its first ever home meet on Oct. 17 with both squads defeating William Peace University.
7 2014-2015 AVERETT ATHLETICS IN REVIEW [2014 HALL OF FAME CLASS]
Averett University inducted four new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame during the 2014-15 academic year as part of Homecoming. The 2014 Hall of Fame class included former student-athletes Kelvin Hutcheson (football), Judi Overbey (women’s basketball, women’s soccer, softball and volleyball) and Gene Yost (baseball), as well as former coach Barbara Kushubar (women’s basketball, field hockey, women’s tennis, volleyball). Hutcheson, Overbey, Yost and Kushubar joined the 18 previously inducted members of the Averett Athletics Hall of Fame, which began in 1998.
FOOTBALL
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The football team finished 2-9 under the guidance of first-year head coach Cleive Adams. With a confidence boost after winning the first game of the season, the team battled in close contests and developed skills that will prepare the players for a successful future. The team had two USA South All-Conference selections along with several weekly conference honors and one Capital One Division III Academic All-District selection. Junior cornerback Dontae Gilbert was named to the Roanoke Times All-State Team.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The women’s basketball team had its most successful season since head coach Liz Hickey took over the program in 2011. The squad, comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores, finished fifth in the USA South Conference North Division to qualify for a spot in the USA South Conference Tournament. Freshman guard Samm Chandler was named the Virginia Sports Information Directors Rookie of the Year.
MEN’S & WOMEN’S TENNIS
The men’s tennis team finished 6-9 as the women’s team finished 5-12 overall with head coach Felix Mann steering the ship. The two squads improved throughout the season with a few newcomers and underclassmen stepping up to perform well in both singles and
doubles play. Two players from the men’s side were selected to the USA South All-Conference Team.
MEN’S GOLF
The golf team finished seventh in the USA South Championship under first-year head coach Keith Goodaker. Senior Andy Thorne finished in the top-15. With four of the six golfers being underclassmen, the Cougars played competitively during the season and will have key returners next season.
BASEBALL
Head coach Ed Fulton led the 2015 baseball team to 25-13 record, marking the 11th season his teams have won 20-plus games. The team finished third in the conference and defeated nationally ranked Methodist University. With a host of seniors, five players were voted the USA South All-Conference Team.
WHAT IS THE COUGAR CLUB? Created in 1989, the Cougar Club is a non-profit organization whose primary objective is to raise money to provide a positive experience for Averett student-athletes and fans. The activities of the Cougar Club are varied, but are all designed with the student-athlete in mind. Each year, hundreds of Cougar supporters pledge their support of Averett University student-athletes by joining the Cougar Club. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF JOINING THE COUGAR CLUB? Averett is committed to success, and has a long tradition of excellence. The Cougar Club is committed to providing Averett student-athletes with the opportunity to succeed academically, as well as in their respective sport. At Averett, we recruit good students who happen to be talented athletes. Private support of academic and athletic programs is crucial to our student-athletes in the increasingly competitive landscape of intercollegiate athletics. HOW DO I JOIN THE COUGAR CLUB? If you are interested in becoming a member of the Averett Cougar Club, visit AverettCougars.com/CougarClub for more information.
RECONNECT WITH AVERETT ATHLETICS Dear Alumni, Please take a moment to get in touch with your former program by filling out our online questionnaire at www.averettcougars.com/alumni. This will allow us to update our Averett Athletics alumni network so we can inform you of future news and alumni events, as well as reach out to you for professional development opportunities for our current student-athletes.
www.averettcougars.com/alumni
BLUE & GOLD NEWSLETTER Athletics Department 707 Mount Cross Rd. Danville, VA 24540