2013/14 MEN’S BASKETBALL
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2013 Roster Season Preview The Coast Guard Academy Coast Guard Superintendent Director of Athletics Athletics Facilities Strength & Conditioning Staff Directory
1 2 3 4-5 6 7 8-9 10 11
Coast Guard Soccer Coaching Staff Player Bios Recordbook History 2013/14 Schedule
12-13 14-19 20 21 Inside Back Cover
The 2013 Men’s Basketball Media Guide is a publication of the Coast Guard Academy’s Athletic Media Relations Office.
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www.CGASports.com
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INTRODUCTION
CREDITS
/CoastGuard AcademyAthletics
2013 CAPTAIN’S PHOTO
@CoastGuardBears
CGASPORTS.COM
2013-14 COAST GUARD BASKETBALL CAPTAINS Kevin Sowers, John Benedict, and Devonte Weems
2013-14 NUMERICAL ROSTER No. 3 4 5 10 11 12 15 20 22 25 32 33 44
Name Cl. Kevin Alvarez So. Adrian Chuquillangui Fr. John Benedict Sr. Avierre Conner So. Eli Sponseller Jr. Mark Krebs So. Devonte Weems Sr. Ryan McNeil So. David Anderson Jr. Jordan Lachowsky Fr. Devon Zych Fr. Kevin Sowers Sr. Ricky Rodriguez So.
Pos. G G F G G F G F F G F G G/F
Ht. 6-1 5-11 6-4 5-10 6-1 6-6 5-11 6-4 6-6 6-2 6-7 6-1 6-2
Hometown Key Biscayne, Fla. Manassas, Va. Cumming, Ga. Avon Park, Fla. North Pole, Ak. Ballwin, Md. Chesapeake Beach, Md. Plymouth, Ind. Goose Creek, S.C. Cedar Park, Texas Oswego, Ill. Monrovia, Md. Caracas, VENEZUELA
ROSTER
Staff Head Coach Kevin Jaskiewicz (5th Season) Associate Head Coach Bob Bono Assistant Coaches Sam Cheung, Chris Vincent Captains
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2013/14 ONLINE GUIDE
2013 SEASON PREVIEW The Coast Guard men’s basketball team will kick off the 2013/14 season on Friday at the Herb Kenny Tip-Off hosted by Wesleyan University. It will mark the 90th season of Coast Guard basketball. Kevin Jaskiewicz will be charged with leading the Bears again this season, his fifth season at the helm. He will be assisted by long-time associate head coach Bob Bono who is in his 27th season at the Academy. Rounding out the staff will be fourth-year assistant Sam Cheung and Chris Vincent in his first season. The Bears will be looking to bounce back from a tough 2012/13 season that saw them finish up with a 2-21 record (1-13 NEWMAC). Despite last season’s results there is plenty of optimism surrounding this year’s club. The aim once again this year will be to qualify for the NEWMAC Tournament (top five teams qualify) and coach Jaskiewicz says, “That’s our goal every year, and beyond that we’ve seen improvement hope to see that continue throughout the course of the year.” Coast Guard graduated just three players from last year’s team; however, one of them was 1,000-point scorer Greg Marshall. Coast Guard also had a pair of starters in Jimmy Knudsen (9.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Ed Gailor (3.8 ppg, 2.0 apg) graduate. Prior to the opener, Coach Jaskiewicz does not yet have a completed starting line-up, but he’s named seniors John Benedict and Devonte Weems as well as juniors Eli Sponseller and David Anderson as the most likely candidates to fill four of the starting roles. The fifth and final starting spot is still up for grabs and could go to any number of players.
Weems made 18 starts a season ago and ranked third on the team while averaging 6.6 points per game while Benedict was limited to playing in just a pair of games due to injuries. Weems will be expected to handle point guard duties this season after recording a team-best 68 assists a and placing second on the club with 22 steals a season ago while Benedict will likely see time at both forward positions after posting 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in his first two seasons. Also back for Coast Guard will be Sponseller (3.4 ppg) and Anderson (6.0 ppg, 5.00 rpg) as well as
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The Bears will also welcome three freshmen into the fold this season. They are Devon Zych (6-7, F, Oswego, Ill.), Adrian Chuquillangui (5-11, G, Manassas, Va.), and Jordan Lachowsky (6-2, G, Cedar Park, Texas). All three newcomers will be expected to contribute immediate and coach Jaskiewicz says, “Our younger guys will all contribute and compete for minutes and we’ll rely on our experienced players to provide leadership.” Coast Guard will be using a new offensive set this season which favors the collective balance of the team and should lead to an increase in scoring. Coast Guard averaged just 55.7 points per game a season ago and allowed 73.6 per game to opponents. Once again Coast Guard will be playing a top-notch schedule featuring 14 NEWMAC games, including home and away dates against each of the other seven conference members. The Bears will take part in a pair of in-season tournaments, opening at the Herb Kenny Tip-Off on Friday, November 15th against the host Cardinals. The other teams in the tournament will be MCLA and Dickinson. They will also take part in Camel/Cadet Classic, opening with St. Joseph’s (L.I.) on Saturday, December 7th before hosting the finals round on Sunday, December 8th. The other teams in the tournament will be Connecticut College and Maine-Presque Isle. The Bears will play their home opener on Wednesday, November 20 when they host cross-town foe Mitchell College at 7:00 pm.
SEASON PREVIEW
The Bears return nine letterwinners from last year’s club, led by Weems and Benedict, both of whom will serve as captains along with classmate Kevin Sowers.
sophomores Ryan McNeil (3.2 ppg), and Mark Krebs (1.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Anderson led the team last season in blocks, totaling 17. The Bears also return sophomore reserves Kevin Alvarez and Avierre Conner in addition to welcoming back sophomore Ricky Rodriguez. Rodriguez did not play a season ago but in the 2011/12 season he scored 3.3 points per game and totaled 19 steals.
Rounding out the schedule will be non-conference road match-ups with Roger Williams (Nov. 23), Army (Dec. 30), and Connecticut College (Jan. 4) and home dates with Salve Regina (Nov. 26), Merchant Marine (Dec. 10), and Sarah Lawrence (Jan. 22). All in all it should be a season of growth and opportunity for the Bears. After being picked to finish in a tie for sixth place with Wheaton in the inaugural NEWMAC pre-season poll, the Bears will have a chance to surprise and gain their first appearance in the conference tournament since the 2009/10 season.
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COAST GUARD ACADEMY One of the smallest of the five U.S. Military Academies Four-Year Bachelor’s of Science degree program Founded in 1876 aboard the schooner Dobbin Highly selective admissions standards No tuition, traditional application process No congressional nomination necessary Education includes academics, physical fitness, character and leadership development 85 percent of graduates choose to serve beyond their five-year commitment Two graduates have been NASA Astronauts 80 percent of graduates go to graduate school (most paid for by Coast Guard
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COAST GUARD QUICK FACTS The Coast Guard Academy has 23 Intercollegiate sports (11 men’s, 9 women’s, 3 co-ed) The Bears have been members of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) in 15 sports since 1999 Coast Guard has won NEWMAC championships in Volleyball, Men’s Swimming, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Crew and Softball Teams have competed in the ECAC Championship tournament in men’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and softball in the past five years The Bears have advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite 8 in both Volleyball (2006) and Men’s Basketball (2007-08) COAST GUARD ACADEMY CORPS OF CADETS DEMOGRAPHICS - about 1,000 cadets enrolled - 48 states and 11 foreign nations represented - 100% of students housed on campus - 20 NCAA Division III athletic teams - 31% of cadets are women - 22% of cadets are minorities - 1 faculty member for every 8 students - 19 Cadets in an average class
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REAR ADMIRAL SANDRA L. STOSZ ACADEMY SUPERINTENDENT THIRD YEAR Rear Admiral Sandra L. Stosz assumed the duties of the 40th Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, June 3, 2011. She reported to the Academy after serving as the Director of Reserve and Leadership at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. There she was responsible for developing policies to recruit, train and support approximately 8,100 Coast Guard Reservists.
COAST GUARD ACADEMY SUPERINTENDENT
Rear Admiral Stosz is a surface operations officer with 12 years at sea, including command of two cutters – an icebreaking tug on the Great Lakes and a medium endurance cutter that patrolled North Atlantic and Caribbean waters. She and her crews executed many of the Coast Guard’s 11 missions such as drug and alien migrant interdiction, fisheries enforcement, search and rescue, polar and domestic icebreaking and ports and waterways security. Between sea duty tours Rear Admiral Stosz specialized in personnel and resource management and program review. She served tours of duty as Chief of Officer Assignments and as Program Reviewer and Acquisition Funds Coordinator for Coast Guard major systems acquisitions, including the 225-foot buoy tenders and 87-foot coastal patrol boats. She broadened her experience as the Secretary of Transportation’s military assistant and years later as the Commandant’s executive assistant. She has served as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard’s recruit training center in Cape May, New Jersey and as Director of Coast Guard Enterprise Strategic Management and Doctrine where she was responsible for aligning enterprise level strategic and management functions with the Commandant’s strategic intent. Rear Admiral Stosz graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in Government. She was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1994. In 2000 she completed an executive fellowship in national security through the MIT Seminar XXI program, and she earned a Master of National Security Strategy from the National War College in 2004. In 2009 she attended the Navy’s Executive Business Course at University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler business school. Rear Admiral Stosz’s personal awards include three Legion of Merit Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals and two Coast Guard Achievement Medals.
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TIM FITZPATRICK DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS THIRD YEAR Tim Fitzpatrick just completed his second academic year as Director of Athletics at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and on his watch the USCGA’s athletic program has seen growth in several key areas. In addition to securing a comprehensive, five-year shoe and apparel agreement with adidas America for the academy’s 21 NCAA sports, has overseen a rebranding initiative that has resulted in new logos and marks and created an athletic booster organization (the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Bear Club). Under Fitzpatrick’s guidance, the department produced its first-ever women’s professional development seminar (the Women’s LeadHERship Symposium) for female USCGA athletic staff members as well as attendees from colleges and universities throughout New England, and has launched an external program for sale of corporate sponsorships and partnerships. Fitzpatrick was the Director of Athletics at Texas A&MCorpus Christi for two years prior to his arrival at USCGA, after spending the previous four years as the Deputy Athletic Director at Indiana University. At Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, Fitzpatrick secured major gifts for construction of a new outdoor tennis center, as well as renovation of the university’s baseball and softball stadiums. He additionally served on the NCAA’s Division I Women’s Basketball Issues Committee while in south Texas, and executed a strategic plan which increased the department’s corporate sponsorship revenue by nearly 40%.
Additionally, he negotiated a 6-year, $21,000,000 shoe and apparel agreement with adidas America and administered the Hoosiers’ multi-media partnerships with Learfield Sports and the Big Ten Network. During his tenure, Indiana realized a ticket sales revenue increase of 15-percent over annual budgeted projections. Fitzpatrick came to IU after spending the previous five years as COO and associate athletics director for external operations at the U.S. Military Academy. Fitzpatrick directed a fundraising effort that saw Army’s “A Club” donor base grow from 750 to 6,700 and annual giving grow from $500,000
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He arrived at West Point from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, where he served as the associate athletics director for external affairs and executive director of the athletic foundation. Fitzpatrick’s work at Charlotte resulted in a 26-percent increase in annual gifts and a 39-percent increase in planned gifts. Prior to Army and Charlotte, Fitzpatrick served in a similar role at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to serving as the men’s basketball sport administrator, he directed a staff that generated a school record $1.4 million in sponsorship revenue and a $125,000 increase in annual giving. Fitzpatrick was a senior associate athletics director at the University of North Texas from May 1994 to June 1996. He was instrumental in UNT’s transition from NCAA Division I-AA football to the Big West Conference, and during the 1994 football season, North Texas was one of three programs nationally to have every football game televised in its home market. This local television package generated more than $700,000 in corporate sponsorship revenue. He gained considerable experience as Assistant Commissioner of the Southwest Conference from 199294. Fitzpatrick negotiated a $2.25 million, three-year men’s basketball tournament title sponsorship with the Dr. Pepper Company, and he also oversaw the league’s national and local television syndication efforts. Fitzpatrick began his athletic administration career as the assistant marketing director at Army before moving on to Virginia Commonwealth as the director of marketing and Ticket Sales (1984-87) and Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Public Relations from 1987-92. A 1981 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College with a bachelor’s degree in English, Fitzpatrick earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University in 1982. Tim is married to Kerry Marks, and they have a son, James.
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DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
While at Indiana, he was responsible for internal administration of the department, oversaw capital construction and facilities management, and had oversight of the football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball programs. Additionally, Fitzpatrick managed IU’s external units, including marketing, ticket operations, licensing, merchandising, website, and publications.
to $1.8 million. He also cultivated the Army Sports Network from two radio stations to 18, including 50,000-watt ESPN 1050 in New York City. During his tenure at West Point, corporate sponsorship revenue jumped from $250,000 to $920,000 annually.
COAST GUARD ACADEMY NITCHMAN TRACK & FIELD COMPLEX The Track & Field Complex was constructed in the summer of 2007 first used for the men’s and women’s soccer games that Fall. The FieldTurf surface lies on the banks of the beautiful Thames River and is also home to the men’s and women’s track & field program.
COMMANDER JOHN MERRIMAN GYM Merriman Gymnasium is home to the women’s volleyball program and the men’s and women’s basketball programs. The gym holds three basketball courts used for varsity practices and games, as well as intramural competition. The 1200-seat facility has been home to numerous league and regional championships.
ROLAND POOL Roland Pool is home to our men’s and women’s swimming and diving program. The eight-lane, 50-yard pool is also used daily for athletic training programs for our cadet-athletes, physical education courses, as well as military training programs necessary to carry out the missions of the Coast Guard for all cadets.
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NITCHMAN BASEBALL FIELD Nelson Nitchman Field is home of the Coast Guard Academy baseball team. The picturesque view from the field overlooks the Thames River.
NITCHMAN SOFTBALL FIELD Nelson Nitchman Field is home of the softball team. The Bears have enjoyed tremendous success winning three of the last four NEWMAC tournament championships and going to the NCAA tournament four straight seasons (20092012).
CADET MEMORIAL FIELD Cadet Memorial Field was made into a FieldTurf surface in 2004 as a gift from the Class of 1952. The facility features a twostory press box that includes two coaches rooms, a room for radio broadcasting and video recording, space for media personnel, and two lounge lounge areas for additional seating. The 1500seat stadium overlooks the Thames River and the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.
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Coast Guard Athletics has two weight rooms, each featuring state-of-theart equipment for our cadets and cadet-athletes to use to improve their overall health and fitness. The facility in Roland Hall is dedicated to freeweight exercising while our Billard Hall facility holds our nautilus, cardio, and other guided machine equipment.
Joe Crozier
Strength and Conditioning Coach
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Joe Crozier is in his second year as the head of the Strength and Conditioning Program with the Coast Guard Athletic Department. Crozier came to the Academy from California State University-Chico where he earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and his masters degree in kinesiology. Joe is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with distinction through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and Certified Personal Trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine. Joe designs and implements workout regimens for all of our varsity sport programs. Working with teams both in-season and out-of-season, Joe’s focus is to better prepare athletes for competition by concentrating on sport-specific programs designed to achieve the ultimate level of success. Coast Guard’s strength and conditioning program is dedicated to ensure each cadet-athlete is equipped with the correct instruction, knowledge and guidance to reach their peak performance level and to decrease the potential for injuries. Our program also preaches the importance of a proper, nutritionally balanced diet as well as appropriate pre-game and post-game routines to ensure safe preparation, performance, and recuperation for each contest.
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ADMINISTRATION Name Tim Fitzpatrick Dan Rose Tim Opstrup Chris Parsons Jason Southard Bill Mullins Art Lamoureux Andrea Stewart Katherine Bossardet Vi Oliver Joe Crozier Bruce Cobb Marc Grindstaff
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Title Director of Athletics Associate AD/Director of Physical Education Assistant AD/Business Manager Assistant AD/Compliance Director of Media Relations Media Relations Assistant Director of Athletic Operations Senior Women’s Administrator Associate Office Manager Administrative Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Head Equipment Manager Assistant Equipment Manager
Phone 860-444-8600 860-701-6798
860-444-8601 860-701-6799 860-444-8600 860-444-8580 860-444-8409 860-444-8608 860-444-8606
Title Head Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer
Phone 860-444-8619 860-701-6618 860-701-6415 860-701-6416 860-701-6617
860-444-8602 860-701-6197 860-701-6800
ATHLETIC TRAINING Name Ken Niedzwiecki Kevin Colasurdo Marina Dubrovsky Jake Ibey Shannon Nickels
BASEBALL Name C.C. Grant Kevin Jaskiewicz
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach
Phone 860-444-8581 860-701-6132
Title Head Coach Co-Defensive Coordinator/ Recruiting Coordinator Co-Defensive Coordinator Offensive Coordinator Defensive Line Tight Ends/Quality Control Defensive Assistant Running Backs
Phone 860-444-8584 860-444-8605
Title Head Coach Associate Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
Phone 860-701-6132 860-444-8588
FOOTBALL Name Bill George Dana Fleischmann C.C. Grant Ray LaForte Jay Driscoll Pat Knowles CDR Darell Singleterry Don Miller
860-444-8581 860-701-6805
Phone 860-444-8254
Title Director of Sailing Head Offshore Coach Head Intercollegiate Coach
Phone 860-444-8577 860-701-6291 860-444-8325
Title Head Coach Associate Head Coach Assistant Coach Pitching Coach
Phone 860-444-8604
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Faculty Representative
Phone 860-701-6594 860-701-6960
SAILING Name Doug Clark Jack Neades Brian Swingly
SOFTBALL Name Donna Koczajowski Amanda Illinger Dana Fleischmann Bill Mullins
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Name Alex Ivansheck Keyokah Mars-Garrick Catherine Lewis LCDR LuAnn Kehlenbach
860-444-8415
Name Jen Meuse Jodi Hope LT Vicky Futch
Title Phone Rowing Coordinator/Head Coach 860-444-8679 Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
WRESTLING Title Head Coach Assistant Coach
Phone 860-444-8587 860-701-6595
Name Susan Grant Amanda Illinger LCDR Jess Rozzi-Ochs Anthony Occhialini
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Goalkeeper Coach
Phone 860-444-8582
Phone 860-444-8679
Name John Westkott Mary Westkott Ryan Cutler
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach Diving Coach
Phone 860-444-8586 860-701-6374
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
Phone 860-444-8589
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Title Head Coach Assistant Coach Goalkeeper Coach
Phone 860-701-6197
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach Diving Coach
Phone 860-444-8586 860-701-6374
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach
Phone 860-464-6286
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Name Aylene Ilkson Aaron Parker Peter Kazlas Christine Rostowfske Corinne Plummer
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Name Ethan Brown Greg Ahnrud Mariette Ogg
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
Phone 860-444-8590
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STAFF DIRECTORY
Title Head Coach Interim Men’s Head Coach
MEN’S TENNIS Name Jim Hazlin Mike Turdo
Title Head Coach
WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING
MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING Name John Westkott Mary Westkott Ryan Cutler
Name Bryan Pape
WOMEN’S SOCCER
MEN’S SOCCER Name Chris Parsons Patrick McCarney Anthony Occhialini
Phone 860-444-8590
RIFLE
Name Steve Eldridge Rob McKnabb
MEN’S CREW Name Colin Regan Mike Shugrue
Title Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
WOMEN’S CREW
MEN’S BASKETBALL Name Kevin Jaskiewicz Bob Bono Sam Cheung Chris Vincent
Name Ethan Brown Greg Ahnrud Mariette Ogg
KEVIN JASKIEWICZ HEAD COACH FIFTH SEASON
KEVIN.W.JASKIEWICZ@USCGA.EDU
Coach Jaskiewicz begins his fifth year as head coach at the Coast Guard Academy after serving as an assistant coach for three years with the Bears. Kevin brings a wealth of experience to the position. He has coached at every level of college basketball, from junior college to Division I, and has been an integral part of some remarkable rebuilding programs. While an assistant at Connecticut College, he helped to recruit and to develop players who went on to earn All New England and All-American honors. In addition, he helped turn the program into a perennial winner. In fact, in his last four years as an assistant, the program was 85-20 and made consecutive trips to the Sweet 16 and an appearance at the Final Four in 1999. In the 1998-99 campaign, the team completed a perfect regular season (24-0) and was ranked number 1 in the nation. In 1999, Coach Jaskiewicz moved to Brown University, and helped coordinate a national recruiting effort that resulted in the greatest four-year period in Brown University Men’s basketball history. The program posted a 63-45 overall record from 20002004, and also produced an Ivy League record of 39-17 in that same time frame, while also producing All Ivy and academic All Ivy players. The 2002-2003 squad finished 12-2 which is the best Ivy league record in Brown history and made an appearance in the NIT. As an assistant at Coast Guard, he was part of the Coast Guard coaching staff for three seasons before becoming head coach. Coast Guard won back-to-back NEWMAC Tournament championships in 2006-’07 and 2007-’08, and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament in both those seasons. The Bears won a school-record 24 games, and advanced to the Elite 8 in 2007’08. As head coach, Jaskiewicz has continued his track record of solid recruiting and player development. In the 2010-11 season, Kevin Sowers was voted as NEWMAC Rookie of the Year and in the 2011-12 season, Greg Marshall was named to the All-NEWMAC team. His teams are recognized for their tenacity and their preparation. Coach Jaskiewicz earned his B.A. in history from Eastern Connecticut State University and earned his M.S. in curriculum and instruction.
BOB BONO ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH 27TH SEASON Bob enters his 27th season at the Academy. He is the leader of the Bears nationwide recruiting efforts and through his direct efforts, the Bears have consistently brought in outstanding freshmen classes. Bono was an assistant coach at St. Bernard’s High for 10 years prior to coaching at the Academy, as the Saints won a pair of state titles. Bob has been a three-time selection to coach the Southeastern Connecticut entry in the Nutmeg games. His 1990 team won the gold medal.
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Bono and his wife of 28 years, Doreen, have four children; Mike (26), Rob (24) and twin daughters Jaclyn and Lisa (23).
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SAM CHEUNG ASSISTANT COACH THIRD SEASON Sam is entering his third full season of coaching for the Men’s Basketball program. From 2006-2008, Sam was part of the Academy’s back to back Conference Championships and NCAA tournament teams which includes the program’s first ever Elite 8 appearance. As a player for the Academy, he scored over 1000 points and is currently 2nd all time in assists. Sam was a 1st team All Conference player and was recently inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in June of 2013. Sam Cheung graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2002 with a B.S. in Operations Research and a M.S. in Manufacturing Systems Engineering in 2009 from the University of Rhode Island. He also holds professional certifications in Acquisition Program Management and Contracting Officer’s Representative. Currently, Sam works at the Coast Guard Research and Development Center in New London, CT.
CHRIS VINCENT ASSISTANT COACH FIRST SEASON Chris comes to the Coast Guard Academy from the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA where he served as an assistant to the coaching staff and video coordinator. Vincent is a 2013 graduate of Springfield College, holding a degree in Sports Management. Chris was a student-assistant coach at American International College for two seasons responsible for on-court coaching and basketball office duties. Worked extensively with defensive tendencies and individualized workouts with guards. Vincent also served as Head J.V. Coach at Southwick-Tolland High School (Mass.), assistant coach for the Connecticut Force U-17 club, and has worked numerous basketball camps as an instructor.
STAFF
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JOHN BENEDICT
#5
SENIOR - FORWARD CUMMING, GA. John will be looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2012/13 campaign in which he was limited to playing just two games. He is the son of Dennis and Anne Benedict and is majoring in management. BEFORE CGA Benedict was a three-year captain of the West Forsyth High School basketball team ... his older sister, Liz, played basketball at Army. GETTING TO KNOW JOHN John’s favorite actor is Tom Hanks and his favorite movie is The Dark Knight. He’s a Michigan fan and given the opportunity to visit any sporting venue he would go to “The Big House” (U. of Michigan Football). If he could meet anyone, living or deceased, it would be King David. CAREER STATS Year 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Total
GP 25 21 2 48
FG/FGA 44 - 108 39 - 90 1-5 84 - 203
FT/FTA 30 - 43 26 - 36 0-0 56 - 79
REB 73 82 3 158
RPG 2.9 3.9 1.5 3.3
ASST 14 14 2 30
STL 13 12 0 25
PTS 120 105 2 227
KEVIN SOWERS
PPG 4.8 5.0 1.0 4.7
#33
SENIOR - GUARD MONROVIA, MD.
PLAYER BIOS
Kevin suffered through an injury-plagued season a year ago and the hope is he will be healthy this season. A tremendous player early in his career, he will be expected to serve as a mentor to the underclassmen this season and anything he can give the Bears on the court will be an added bonus. He is the son of Dave and Joanne Sowers and is majoring in Operations Research and Computer Analysis. BEFORE CGA Sowers played basketball and attended Urbana High School … his older brother, Al, played for the Academy and was apart of the winningest 4-year strech in Coast Guard basketball history. CAREER STATS Year 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Total
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GP 23 20 8 51
FG/FGA 86 - 222 74 - 181 19 - 55 179 - 458
FT/FTA 120 - 160 65 - 89 11 - 21 196 - 270
REB 90 59 21 170
RPG 3.9 3.0 2.6 3.3
ASST 74 79 16 169
STL 40 41 5 86
PTS 308 226 51 585
PPG 13.4 11.3 6.4 11.5
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DEVONTE WEEMS
#15
SENIOR - GUARD CHESAPEAKE, MD. Devonte is the top returning scorer for the 2013/14 Coast Guard team and was a consistent performer for the Bears a season ago, starting 18 of his 20 games to lead the team in assists and finish third in scoring. He is the son of Lashawn Jones and Damian Weems and is majoring in management. BEFORE CGA Weems was an honor roll student and basketball captain at Huntingtown High School ... was also a member of the school’s track and field team, placing sixth in the 4x100 relay at the State Championships ... two-time All-SMAC selection (2nd team as a junior, first team as a senior) ... has two brothers (TreQuan Fields, 20; Ryan Weems, 20) and a younger sister Amirah Weems (11). GETTING TO KNOW DEVONTE Devonte is a big Dallas Cowboys fan and he’d really like to go to Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas. His favorite snack food is oreos while his favorite actor is Denzel Washington. If he could meet anyone, living or deceased, it would be Michael Jordan. CAREER STATS Year 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Total
GP 25 22 20 67
FG/FGA 71 - 181 63 - 140 54 - 138 188 - 459
FT/FTA 49 - 71 31 - 50 22 - 35 102 - 156
REB 115 80 62 257
RPG 4.6 3.6 3.1 3.8
ASST 52 70 68 190
STL 11 38 22 71
PTS 196 159 132 487
DAVID ANDERSON
PPG 7.8 7.2 6.6 7.3
#22
JUNIOR - FORWARD GOOSE CREEK, S.C. David will be expected to step into a full-time starting role this season after coming second in rebounding on last year’s squad. He started 14 of the 22 games he played a season ago while averaging 6.0 points a contest. He is the son of Nick and Bettie Anderson who’s majoring in management and is on the Regimental Commander’s List.
GETTING TO KNOW DEVONTE David’s favorite food is seafood alfredo and enjoys the television show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His most-used smart-phone app is Twitter while his favorite book is Lone Survivor. If he could meet anyone, living or deceased, it would be Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or President John F. Kennedy. CAREER STATS Year 2011/12 2012/13 Total
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GP 22 22 44
FG/FGA 90 - 183 52 - 139 142 - 322
FT/FTA 60 - 72 29 - 56 89 - 128
REB 122 111 233
RPG 5.5 5.0 5.3
ASST 9 13 22
STL 2 5 7
PTS 240 133 373
PPG 10.9 6.0 8.5
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PLAYER BIOS
BEFORE CGA Anderson was an honor roll student and two-time basketball captain at Stratford High School ... was named to the AllRegion Team for Region 7-AAAA and was a South Carolina Coaches Association Top 100 player ... has two brothers, Nichols (29) and Austin (18).
ELI SPONSELLER
#11
JUNIOR - GUARD NORTH POLE, AK.
PLAYER BIOS
Eli appeared in 21 of 23 games a season ago making seven starts after coming off the bench the previous season. He is the son of Tim and Luisa Sponseller and is majoring in Civil Engineering. BEFORE CGA Sponseller attended North Pole High School where he was an all-conference performer in baseball and basketball ... was named All-State in both as a senior while serving as a captain of both sports as a junior and senior ... has a younger sister, Hannah (18). GETTING TO KNOW ELI Eli’s favorite food is Filipinno food made by his mom and his favorite professional sports team is the Detroit Tigers. He would like to visit “The Big House” (Michigan Football) and thinks Mike Krzyzewski is the greatest coach of all time. If he could meet anyone, living or deceased, it would be Peyton Manning. CAREER STATS Year 2011/12 2012/13 Total
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GP 16 21 37
FG/FGA 3 - 15 27 - 67 30 - 82
FT/FTA 5-6 12 - 19 17 - 25
REB 12 39 51
RPG 0.8 1.9 1.4
ASST 9 23 32
STL 7 11 18
PTS 11 71 82
PPG 0.7 3.4 2.2
2013/14 ONLINE GUIDE
KEVIN ALVAREZ
#3
SOPHOMORE - GUARD KEY BISCAYNE, FLA. Kevin appeared in ten games while scoring eight points and pulling down five rebounds a season ago and figures to once again see reserve minutes for the Bears. He is the son of Miguel and Gilda Alvarez and majoring in management. BEFORE CGA Alvarez attended and played basketball at MAST Academy ... he was named offensive player of the year while serving as a team captain as a senior ... has a sister, Erica. GETTING TO KNOW RYAN Kevin’s favorite TV show is Suits and is a University of Miami fan. Dwayne Wade is his favorite athlete while his favorite place to visit is Argentina. If he could meet anyone, living or deceased, it would be John Wooden. CAREER STATS Year 2012/13 Total
GP 10 10
FG/FGA 3-8 3-8
FT/FTA 1-2 1-2
REB 5 5
RPG 0.5 0.5
ASST 0 0
STL 2 2
PTS 8 8
AVIERRE CONNER
PPG 0.8 0.8
#10
SOPHOMORE - GUARD AVON PARK, FLA. Avierre appeared in seven games a season ago off the bench . He will be expected to provide backcourt depth and likely see an increase in playing time this season. He is the son of Alvin and Willette Conner and is majoring in government. BEFORE CGA Conner attended and played basketball at Avon Park High School where he was a two-time captain ... was named to the AllConference team while leading the club to the Florida State Final Four ... has two sisters, Shantavia and Jacoby.
CAREER STATS Year 2012/13 Total
MEN’S BASKETBALL
GP 7 7
FG/FGA 3-7 3-7
FT/FTA 2-3 2-3
REB 6 6
RPG 0.9 0.9
ASST 3 3
STL 1 1
PTS 8 8
PPG 1.1 1.1
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PLAYER BIOS
GETTING TO KNOW AVIERRE Avierre’s favorite place to visit it Daytona Beach and is he could visit any sports stadium or arena he would choose Madison Square Garden. His favorite musical artist is Lil Wayne wihle he says that Phil Jackson is the greatest coach to ever live. If he could meet anyone, living or deceased, it would be President Barack Obama.
MARK KREBS
#12
SOPHOMORE - FORWARD BALLWIN, MD. Mark figures to see an increase in playing time after leading all freshmen in rebounding a season ago. He is the son of John and Susan Krebs and is majoring in Marine & Environmental Science. BEFORE CGA Krebs attender Parkway West High School where he was a three-sport captain playing basketball, soccer, and volleyball ... he was named All-Conference twice each in volleyball and soccer while receiving honorable mention status in basketball as a senior ... has an older sister, Cathy (22). GETTING TO KNOW MARK Mark’s a St. Louis Cardinals fan whose favorite movie is The Patriot. His favorite restaurant is Outback Steakhouse and the most-used app on his phone is ESPN Score Center. If he could meet anyone, living or deceased, it would be Ronald Reagan. CAREER STATS Year 2012/13 Total
GP 21 21
FG/FGA 8 - 27 8 - 27
FT/FTA 17 - 27 17 - 27
REB 53 53
RPG 2.5 2.5
ASST 6 6
STL 5 5
PTS 33 33
RYAN MCNEIL
PPG 1.6 1.6
#20
SOPHOMORE - FORWARD PLYMOUTH, IND
PLAYER BIOS
Ryan is primed to see an increased role this season after a solid freshman campaign which saw him lead all rookies in scoring. He is the son of John and Linda and is majoring in management. BEFORE CGA Was the team captain of his basketball team at Plymouth High School as a senior and an honor roll student ... was named to both an All-Conference selection and Academic All-State honorable mention ... was also a member of the school’s tennis team where we was an All-Conference pick and won a pair of sectional championships ... has two brothers (John, 35; Scott, 32) and two sisters (Lauren, 33; Erin, 22). GETTING TO KNOW RYAN Ryan’s favorite athlete player is Ray Allen and his favorite team is the Chicago Bulls. He enjoys fruit snacks and playing Ha lo 3 in his spare time while he believes John Wooden is the greatest coach to ever live. CAREER STATS Year 2012/13 Total
18
GP 23 23
FG/FGA 25 - 70 25 - 70
FT/FTA 12 - 17 12 - 17
REB 32 32
RPG 1.4 1.4
ASST 4 4
STL 7 7
PTS 74 74
PPG 3.2 3.2
2013/14 ONLINE GUIDE
RICKY RODRIGUEZ
#44
SOPHOMORE - GUARD CARACAS, VENEZUELA Ricky returns to the program after a year off. Following a solid freshman campaign in 2011/12 he looks to provide backcourt depth to this year’s club where his all-around game will be counted on. He is the son of Wilfredo Rodriguez and Maria Acuna de Rodriguez and is majoring in management. BEFORE CGA Rodriguez attended Cypress Bay high school where he was a two-year captain of the basketball team ... has two brothers, Luis (23) and Carlos (18). GETTING TO KNOW RICKY Ricky is a fan of the TV show Breaking Bad and his favorite restaurant is Chipotle. His favorite singer is Drake and he enjoys visiting Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. If he could meet anyone, living or deceased, it would be LeBron James. CAREER STATS Year 2011/12 2012/13 Total
GP FG/FGA 22 23 - 81 DID NOT PLAY 22 23 - 81
FT/FTA 10 - 21
REB 34
RPG 1.5
ASST 13
STL 19
PTS 72
PPG 3.3
10 - 21
34
1.5
13
19
72
3.3
KEVIN COLASURDO ATHLETIC TRAINER SECOND SEASON Kevin is currently in his second year as an assistant athletic trainer at Coast Guard Academy. Colasurdo comes to the Coast Guard Academy after spending three years at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital serving as an athletic trainer for local high schools and working in the area of therapeutic fitness for the New London Fire Department and L&M Outpatient Care. Prior to L&M, Kevin spent two years as an assistant athletic trainer at Southern New Hampshire University, working primarily with the Men’s soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams.
Colasurdo is a licensed athletic trainer in Connecticut while holding his BOC certificate. He also holds certification as a National Academy of Sports Medicine Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM-PES) and Functional Movement Screening (FMS).
MEN’S BASKETBALL
19
PLAYER BIOS
In 2007, Colasurdo graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Athletic Training from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. Kevin also earned a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration in Global Studies from Southern New Hampshire University in 2009.
1,000 POINT SCORERS 1 2 3 4 5 t-6 t-6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Craig Johnson (‘09) Jeff Prebeck (‘08) Al Sowers (‘08) Mark Harris (‘96) Dave DuBois (‘69) Bob Mobley (‘79) Larry Zacher (‘89) Jed Boba (‘96) John Gallagher (‘85) Grant Johnson (‘08) Greg Marshall (‘13) Scott Budkw (‘88) Sam Cheung (‘02) Laurie Somers (‘63) Kerry McKeever (‘99) Pat Shuck (‘73) Jon Murphy (‘00) Bob Leggett (‘63) Mike Michelson (‘91)
RECORDS
1,715 1,614 1,518 1,402 1,361 1,325 1,325 1,229 1.212 1,137 1,066 1,054 1,049 1,032 1,020 1,017 1,011 1,010 1,000
CAREER REBOUNDS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Mark Harris (‘96) 1,134 Jeff Prebeck (‘08) 1,114 Craig Johnson (‘09) 898 Bob Mobley (‘79) 801 Ken Bicknell (‘71) 749 Dan Sheppard (‘06) 747 Pat Shuck (‘73) 700 Jevon James (‘11) 678 Dave Willhite (‘75) 673 Scott Budka (‘88) 649 John Gallasher (85) 646 Kerry McKeever (‘99) 641 Mike Cyre (‘72) 640 Art Ray (‘98) 615 CAREER GAMES PLAYED
RECORDS
t-1 t-1 t-1 t-4 t-4 6 t-7 t-7 9 10 11 12 t-13 t-13 t-13 16
20
Jeff Prebeck (‘08) Al Sowers (‘08) Grant Johnson (‘08) Eric Hudson (‘10) Stefan Lewis (‘10) Craig Johnson (‘09) Peter Keel (‘97) Joe Morgan (‘96) Mark Harris (‘96) Michael Keane (‘98) Jevon James (‘11) Pat Shaw (‘94) Dan Sheppard (‘06) Jed Boba (‘96) Jon Murphy (‘00) Sam Cheung (‘02)
109 109 109 107 107 103 102 102 101 100 99 98 97 97 97 96
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 t-10 t-10 12 13 14 t-15 t-15
CAREER ASSISTS Al Sowers (‘08) Sam Cheung (‘02) Grant Johnson (‘08) Mark True (‘86) Jed Boba (‘96) Shad Thomas (‘98) Corey Morrison (‘97) Alex Simonka (‘79) Mark Harris (‘96) Pat Shaw (‘94) Jim Estramonte (‘93) Creig Johnson (‘09) Eric Hudson (‘10) Stefan Lewis (‘10) Kevin Oditt (‘92) Dan Sheppard (‘06)
400 321 307 277 253 250 241 240 230 220 220 215 207 188 175 175
CAREER THREE-POINTERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Al Sowers (‘08) Grant Johnson (‘08) Jon Murphy (‘00) Jed Boba (‘96) Sam Cheung (‘02) Jim Hiltz (‘03) Mike Michelson (‘91) Stefan Lewis (‘10) Greg Marshall (‘13) Pat Shaw (‘94) Shad Thomas (‘98) Art Ray (‘98) Joe Morgan (‘96) Jim Estramonte (‘93)
266 244 235 212 171 142 124 122 114 104 101 91 89 83
#14
100 CAREER BLOCKED SHOTS 1 2 3 4
Jevon James (‘11) Kerry McKeever (‘99) Dan Sheppard (‘06) Mark Harris (‘96)
148 131 122 103
TEAM RECORDS Most Wins, Season - 24 (2007/08) Most Points, Game - 113 v. Mitchell (Feb. 19, 2008) Longest Win Streak - 16 (Feb. 23, 1977 - Feb. 10, 1978) INDIVIDUAL RECORDS Points, Game - 39, Peter Keel vs. Wesleyan (1996/97) 39, John Gallagher vs. Trinity (1985/86) Points, Season - 518, Craig Johnson (2008/09) Rebounds, Game - 22, Mark Harris vs. Norwich (1-22-96) Rebounds, Season - 344, Jeff Prebeck (2006/07) Assists, Game - 14, Randy Brock vs. W. Conn. St. (1975/76) Assists, Season - 122, Al Sowers (2005/06) 3-Pointers, Game - 9, Grant Johnson vs. Babson (2-21-07) 3-Pointers, Season - 83, Grant Johnson (2006/07)
2013/14 ONLINE GUIDE
2012-13 RESULTS --- 2-23 (1-11 NEWMAC) Date Nov. 16 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 30 Dec. 1 Dec. 5 Dec. 11 Dec. 16 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 10 Jan. 12 Jan. 16 Jan. 21 Jan. 23 Jan. 26 Jan. 30 Feb. 2 Feb. 6 Feb. 10 Feb. 12 Feb. 16
Opponent vs. Salem State @ Williams vs. Southern Vermont @ Williams at Mitchell WHEELOCK at Conn. College at Merchant Marine ROGER WILLIAMS at Marymount (Va.) at Salve Regina at Springfield* WPI* at MIT* CLARK* BABSON* CONN. COLLEGE at Wheaton (Mass.)* MIT* SPRINGFIELD* at WPI* at Clark* WHEATON (MASS.)* ALBERTUS MAGNUS at Babson*
Result L, 60-87 W, 68-57 L, 71-88 L, 68-71 L, 33-68 L, 44-72 L, 46-49 L, 55-72 L, 50-72 L, 50-62 L, 49-83 L, 45-83 L, 64-85 L, 55-61 L, 55-62 L, 66-77 L, 66-92 L, 45-58 L, 53-89 L, 47-89 W, 64-58 L, 82-87 L, 45-72
MEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY NCAA TOURNAMENT 2007/08
ELITE EIGHT
2006/07
FIRST ROUND
ECAC TOURNAMENT QUARTER-FINALS
1994/95
SEMI-FINALS
1993/94
QUARTER-FINALS
NEWMAC TOURNAMENT Champions 2006/07 Semi-Finals 2005/06 Appearances 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2008/09 2009/10
MEN’S BASKETBALL
REVIEW & HISTORY
2005/06
2007/08 2010/11
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2013 SCHEDULE November 15-16 November 15 November 16 NOVEMBER 20 November 23 NOVEMBER 26 December 7-8 December 7 DECEMBER 8 DECEMBER 10 December 30 January 4 January 8 January 11 January 15 JANUARY 18 JANUARY 19 JANUARY 22 January 25 JANUARY 29 FEBRUARY 2 February 5 FEBRUARY 8 FEBRUARY 12 February 15 FEBRUARY 19 February 26 February 26 - March 2 February 26 March 1 March 2 *Conference Game Home games in ALL CAPS
at Herb Kenny Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Wesleyan at Wesleyan (Conn.) 6 p.m. TBA MCLA / Dickinson TBA MITCHELL 7 P.M. at Roger Williams 4 p.m. SALVE REGINA 5:30 P.M. Conn. College/CGA Tournament vs St. Joseph’s (L.I.)% 8 p.m. TBA (Maine-Presque Isle/Conn. College)% TBA MERCHANT MARINE 6 P.M. at Army TBA p.m. at Conn. College 7 p.m. at Wheaton (Mass.)* 7 p.m. at Emerson* 1 p.m. at MIT* 6 p.m. CLARK (MASS.)* 1 P.M. SARAH LAWRENCE 4 P.M. SPRINGFIELD* 7 P.M. at Babson* 1 p.m. WPI* 5:30 P.M. WHEATON (MASS.)* 1 P.M. at Clark (Mass.)* 5 p.m. MIT* 1 P.M. EMERSON* 5:30 P.M. at WPI* 1 p.m. BABSON* 7 P.M. at Springfield* TBA at NEWMAC Tournament First Round Semifinals Championship Game