VIKING ADDITIONS MILESTONES

DANIYAL ROBINSON SETS FIRST-YEAR COACHING RECORD

In his first season at Cleveland State, Daniyal Robinson guided the men’s basketball team to a 21-14 campaign, setting a program record for wins by a first year head coach. During Robinson’s inaugural season the Vikings advanced to the championship game of the Horizon League Tournament and earned a postseason bid to the CBI, helping Robinson earn nominations for the Joe B. Hall award and Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year award. Robinson’s first head coaching victory of his career came on November 16, 2022, when the Vikings earned a 58-57 overtime win at Canisius.

SINISA UBIPARIPOVIC NAMED #HLMSOC COACH OF THE YEAR

After guiding the men’s soccer team to a Regular Season Championship and Tournament Title during the 2022 campaign, Sinisa Ubiparipovic was named the Horizon League Coach of the Year. Ubiparipovic, who finished his fourth season with the Vikings last fall, helped Cleveland State earn its 10th trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Ubiparipovic is the third Viking to earn #HLMSOC Coach of the Year honors, and the first since 2012.

Andy German Leads Lacrosse To First Asun Win

On March 18, 2023 Andy German led the Cleveland State lacrosse team to its first-ever ASUN victory, as the Vikings picked up a 14-12 win against Lindenwood. In just its sixth year as a program at Cleveland State, 2023 marked the second year of ASUN competition for the Vikings.

2022-23 NEW HIRES

Domenic Abounader ................................................................. Assistant Coach, Wrestling

Kristina Artino Assistant AD, Academic Services

Toni DeSanto......................................................... Assistant Coach, Men’s & Women’s Golf

Don Gromala .................................................................................. Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Curt Johnsen..................................................... Director of Basketball Sports Performance

Kwanza Johnson ............................................................... Assistant Coach, Men’s Basketball

Matt Kearney .......................................................................... Assistant AD, Communications

Chalmers McGillivray .........................Assistant Coach, Men’s & Women’s Swim & Dive

Sydney Wysmierski ........................................................................ Assistant Athletic Trainer

Hanna Zerr.............................. Special Assistant to the Head Coach, Women’s Basketball

Chris Kielsmeier Records 500th Career Victory

On January 26, 2023 women’s basketball head coach Chris Kielsmeier recorded the 500th victory of his coaching career, helping the Vikings post a 107-65 victory at Detroit Mercy. Kielsmeier finished the 2022-23 campaign with 512 career wins over his 23-year coaching tenure, including 96 victories during five years at Cleveland State.

In addition, Kielsmeier also earned 179 wins during eight seasons at Howard Payne University and 237 wins during 10 years at Wayne State College. Following the 2022-23 campaign, Kielsmeier received a contract extension, keeping him with the Vikings through the 2027-28 season.

BRIAN ETZKIN REACHES 300 CAREER MEN’S WINS

On February 24, 2023 men’s tennis head coach Brian Etzkin recorded his 300th victory with the men’s team, earning the milestone win in a 4-2 decision over Eastern Kentucky. Etzkin finished the 2022-23 season with 309 total wins with the men’s team over a 21-year stretch.

In addition, Etzkin also combined for 211 wins with the Cleveland State women’s tennis team (2002-18), giving him over 500 total victories during his time as a Viking.