2009 Men's Soccer Media Guide

Thomas KNERR

SOCCER

2009 MERCER BEARS Chrispine ONG’ANGO

Geoffrey OLIVERIA

Arkenson NECKLES

2009 MERCER MEN’S SOCCER MEDIA GUIDE

2009 Mercer Men’s Soccer 18

12

Jon Adams 14

Will Betts

Arkenson Neckles 2

Charles Peterson 8

Philip Thoren 24

Stefan Wingo

Matt Brazer

Will Grey 13

Joey Heavner 7

10

19

15

Richie Edmondson 6

25

Bryson Jones 21

00

Elias Hall 11

26

Jack O’Malley 20

Brett Petricek 22

Andrew Todd

Ian Hanlon 23

Thomas Knerr

Geoffrey Oliveria 1

Ian Cameron

Shawn Meek 16

Chrispine Ong’Ango 3

Zachary Rall 0

Sharp Sablon 9

Dan Van Vulkinburgh

Richard Wimsatt

Head Coach Brad Ruzzo

Asst Coach Mike Haynes

5

Ryan Young

2009

mercer SOCCER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2009 QUICK FACTS

SPORTS INFORMATION For the Media............................................................................2

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION Location.............................................................................................Macon, Ga. Enrollment................................................................................7,050 Founded................................................................................1833 Nickname.............................................................................Bears Colors.......................................................................................Orange and Black Affiliation...................................................................................NCAA Division I Conference..........................................................................Atlantic Sun (A-Sun) Field (Capacity)..........................................................................Bear Field (500) President.........................................................................William D. Underwood

Alma Mater.................................................Oklahoma Baptist (1982) Athletics Director..............................................................................Bobby Pope

Alma Mater....................................................Georgia College (1970) Senior Associate A.D./SWA.............................................................Sybil Blalock Athletics Phone............................................................................(478) 301-2994 Athletics Fax.................................................................................(478) 301-2061

A LOOK AHEAD Season Preview..........................................................................4 Opponents..................................................................6 STAFF AND ROSTER Head Coach Brad Ruzzo.............................................................11 Assistant Coach Mike Haynes....................................................12 Strength Coach Paul Bohr.........................................................12 Trainer Ken Takenaka................................................................12 Returners...................................................................14 Newcomers...............................................................20 Roster Breakdown....................................................................22 A LOOK BACK 2008 Breakdown......................................................................24 Career Records..........................................................................26 Single-Season Records..............................................................26 Single Game Records................................................................26 Honors and Awards................................................................27 Mercer All-Time vs Opponents.................................................28 Year-by-Year Records................................................................28 Coaching Records.....................................................................28 INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION Mercer University.....................................................................30 Facilities....................................................................31 Atlantic Sun Conference..........................................................33 Athletics Staff...........................................................................34

CREDITS The 2009 Mercer men’s soccer media guide is a publication of the Mercer University Sports Information department. The guide was written by Robbie Burns. The guide was edited and designed

by Meredith Noonan. Editorial assistance provided by Graduate Assistant Jason Farhadi.Cover design and layout by Meredith Noonan.

Photography courtesy of Mercer University media relations, Bob Snow, Rob Murphy and A-Sun Photos. Special thanks to the members of the Mercer University sports information and men’s soccer offices. On the front cover are (On top): Thomas Knerr (On bottom going from left to right): Chrispine Ong’Ango, Geoffrey Oliveria, and Arkenson Neckles.

COACHING STAFF Head Coach.........................................................................................Brad Ruzzo

Alma Mater...............................................................Cincinnati (1999) Career Record............................................................................................2-11-5 Record at Mercer........................................................................................2-11-5 Email....................................................................ruzzo_bm@mercer.edu Assistant Coach...............................................................................Mike Haynes

Alma Mater...................................................................Bradley (2007) Email......................................................................haynes_md@mercer.edu Best time to reach..............................................................................Contact SID Men’s Soccer Phone.....................................................................(478) 301-4011 Men’s Soccer Fax........................................................................(478) 301-5223 HISTORY First year of competition.............................................................................1970 All-time record..................................................................................233-359-45 Conference Regular Season Titles......................................................................3 Conference Tournament Titles.............................................................................2 Tournament Record......................................................................................10-8 Last appearance...........................................................................................2006 NCAA Tournament appearances..........................................................................1 Last appearance.................................................................2001, L, Kentucky, 1-0 2008 RESULTS Overall Record...........................................................................................2-11-5 A-SunRecord/Finish................................................................1-5-3/6th Home/Road/Neutral..............................................................1-2-3/1-8-2/0-1-0 Starters returning/lost....................................................................................8/2 Letterwinners returning/lost........................................................................11/8

introduction 1

2009

MERCER soccer SPORTS INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA The 2009 Mercer University Men’s Soccer Media Guide is intended to provide you with general information about the Mercer men’s soccer team. This information should assist you in your coverage of the team throughout the season. Should you need additional information or assistance, please contact Sports Information Director Robbie Burns at (478) 301-2735. He can also be reached via email at burns_rd@mercer.edu or via fax at (478) 301-5350.

CREDENTIAL REQUESTS The Sports Information Office will issue credentials to working press only. All credential requests should be made in writing at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled game.

PRACTICES As a general rule, all practices are open to the media and the public. There may be instances, however, when all or part of a practice session is closed. Please contact the Sports Information Office in advance if you plan on attending a practice session so an escort can be made available.

INTERVIEW POLICY Media interviews of players and coaches are encouraged, and every effort will be made to accommodate media requests. In-person interviews are preferred, but telephone interviews can be arranged through the Mercer Sports Information Office. Under no circumstances will student-athletes’ residence numbers be supplied to the media. All interviews with Mercer student-athletes should be coordinated through the Sports Information Office. Players are generally available for interviews up to 30 minutes prior to the start of practice and directly afterward. Head Coach Brad Ruzzo is generally available in the afternoon.

POST GAME INTERVIEWS Following a 10-minute “cooling off” period, coaches and players from both teams will be made available to media members outside each team’s respective locker room. The Sports Information Office will poll the media prior to the end of the game to determine any player requests.

FAX AND EMAIL SERVICES Media outlets may request to be included on the broadcast fax and e-mail lists to receive updates regarding Mercer men’s soccer. The Mercer Sports Information Office fax number is (478) 301-5350. To be added, submit a request to burns_rd@mercer.edu.

SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE The Mercer Sports Information Office is located in Suite 135 on the first floor of the University Center.

ON THE INTERNET Additional information on the Mercer Athletics program can be found online. News releases, player and coach biographies, historical data, live audio streaming, results and statistics on all 14 athletic programs can be found online at www.mercerbears.com.

2 sports information

sports information STAFF

Robbie Burns Director Men’s Baksetball, Tennis, Cross Country, Women’s Soccer (478) 301-2735 burns_rd@mercer.edu

Andy Stabell Assistant Director Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Golf, Rifle (478) 301-5219 stabell_al@mercer.edu

Jason Farhadi Graduate Assistant Men’s Soccer, Baseball (478) 301-5218 farhadi_jb@mercer.edu

SEASON PREVIEW AND OPPONENTS

MERCER soccer

2009

2009 SEASON PREVIEW The 2008 campaign did not get off to a very smooth start for new head coach Brad Ruzzo, and that was before the season even began.

“Last year was difficult in the sense of just coming in here nine days before preseason,” he said, “and trying to get everything sorted out as far as equipment, training sessions, weight room and classes.”

He ironed out the wrinkles while handling all the coaching duties by himself. Ruzzo came to a program that had missed the Atlantic Sun tournament for the first time in ten years. In the 2008 season pre-season poll, the Bears were picked to finish last in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Ruzzo’s outlook was much brighter than what the prognosticators were predicting.

“I truly expect this team to compete in the conference and make the conference tournament,” Ruzzo said last year.

That’s exactly what they did. Despite a 2-11-5 record in his first campaign, Ruzzo’s squad were in virtually every contest. Of their 11 loses, six came by one goal and two more by a two goal margin. They finished sixth in the A-Sun and made the conference tournament. “The guys worked hard,” he said. “Every game, except for two or three, we were in. I felt like the guys gave a 100 percent effort every time out, and they tried to do the things I asked them to do.”

There was one glaring improvement Ruzzo saw last season that he hopes will carry over into his second year with Mercer. “The number one thing in my mind was just competitiveness,” Ruzzo said. “It was their willingness to compete no matter what the score was or how they were feeling physically or mentally. I had other coach’s comment that your team is so competitive, and I’ve never seen that before.’ These are coaches that have seen this team play in the past. I wanted us to go above and beyond the natural competitive spirit.”

What he saw at the end of the season transferred to the spring. “Organizationally within our team, on the field, both attack and defending was better in the sense of how we are trying to do things,” Ruzzo said. “Hopefully, we built some building blocks, and I think the spring season proved it. We went 2-0-2, so the guys experienced winning again. I think that’s always important when you are trying to build a new culture.”

Ruzzo, along with new assistant coach Mike Haynes, are ready to cultivate this fresh attitude even more. “I’m real excited about this season,” he said. “I’ve been chomping at the bit every day that it comes closer and I’m sure the guys have to. With 12 returning players and 14 newcomers, we have a good mixture of upperclassmen and freshmen. The key is going to be how soon they mold and gel together which I think can take place quickly. There is going to be a lot of teaching in the preseason, and I feel like a lot of the newcomers can help us out with the returning guys.”

Forwards The Bears will have to replace their leading offensive threat from last season, Bolade Ogunmade. The Scottish scorer accounted for seven of Mercer’s 17 goals last year and became the first Bear to make the Atlantic Sun All-Conference First Team since 2005. Filling those shoes will be a combination of experience and youth led by senior, Arkenson Neckles. A native of Grenada, Neckles was the team’s second leading goal scorer in 2008 with four tallies. Also in the mix will be Jamaican Youth National Team member Richard Edmondson, as well as local products John Adams and Bryson Jones, from First Presbyterian Day School and McIntosh High School, respectively.

2009 A-Sun Preseason Coaches Poll

# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

School (1st Place Votes) Jacksonville (6) Campbell (2) Lipscomb (1) Stetson Belmont FGCU

ETSU

UNF Mercer USC Upstate

Points 92 85 78 72 60 55 36 33 22 17

Tournament Champion: Jacksonville

Midfielders Mercer returns a solid core of experienced players to this position that includes seniors Thomas Knerr and Chrispine Ong’Ango, junior Ian Cameron and sophomores Philip Thoren and Richard Wimsatt. Cameron, an Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman team selection in 2007, led the squad in assists with five while scoring twice. He is tied with Neckles for the leading returner in points, with nine.

“Ian made tremendous strides in trying to become a more dangerous midfielder while also being responsible on defending the ball,” Ruzzo said. “Everyone on our team is a two-way player. No one is a luxury.”

Knerr handed out three assists, Ong’Ango, who is coming off knee surgery this past spring, had two helpers and Thoren totaled five points on two goals and one assist. Wimsatt saw action in 15 games last season, accounting for one assist. “Knerr will be a senior and made great strides last year with understanding the role he’s playing,” Ruzzo said, “and he’s doing it perfectly. We’re not asking him to do a lot of things, but we are asking him to do two or three things and do them very good. He understands that.

“Wimsatt went away for the summer to California to play in the PDL (Premier Development League) for the Orange County Blue

4 season preview

2009

mercer SOCCER

Stars. PDL is the top amateur league in America. We are intrigued to see what he can do when he gets back. We’ve got some depth at the wide position with three or four guys coming in who can play those spots.” Freshman Sharpe Sablon, Stafan Wingo and Matt Brazer are also looking to get into the mix in their first year in the Orange and Black.

Defenders Ruzzo, a star defender during his collegiate days at the University of Cincinnati, feels Mercer “will be very solid” on the defensive side of the ball. The group will be led by senior Geoffrey Oliveria who played in all 18 games last season. He will be joined by sophomores Charles Peterson, Zachary Rall and Ryan Young. Combined, the trio played in 39 games over their freshman season.

Newcomers to the backfield include freshmen Will Betts, Will Grey, Jack O’Malley, Joey Heavner and Shawn Meek “We’ve got anywhere from seven to eight guys that are competing for four spots back there,” Ruzzo said. “We will be solid as a collective group. We’re going to have to be pretty tight back there to protect our goalkeeper, whoever it may be.”

Goalkeeper Gone between the pipes is veteran David Bird who logged over 1,700 minutes last year. Bird posted 95 saves in 18 games, a 5.27 average per contest. The battle for the 2009 net-minder will be a tough one.

“It’s completely wide open,” Ruzzo said. “We have no idea who is going to start or play the most minutes. Basically, we have four freshmen goalkeepers on our team, but we feel very comfortable in the group that we have. It’s certainly a big position that we wanted to target in the recruiting process.”

Vying for the position will be sophomore Daniel VanValkinburgh, who red-shirted last year, along with freshmen Ian Hanlon, Brett Petricek, and Andrew Todd. “Whoever starts there is going to have their first NCAA Division-I minutes, that’s for sure,” Ruzzo said.

Schedule Following two exhibition matches against Clayton State and Middle Georgia College, the Bears opener their 2009 season with three extremely difficult opponents in Alabama A&M, Eastern Illinois and Bradley. Each squad was ranked in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) Top 100 last year.

“The first three games are going to test us quite a bit,” Ruzzo said. “Our opening game is at home against Alabama A&M who beat us 5-0 last year. They are going to be good and it’s going to be a great task for us.”

Following that, Mercer travels to Bradley University to play in their annual tournament. Two years ago, Bradley made the NCAA Elite Eight and is a consistent contender for the Missouri Valley title. Ruzzo is familiar with the caliber of play having coached at Bradley for eight years.

“We are going to play in one of the finest facilities in the country,” he said. “The first game against Eastern Illinois will be tough and then we play Bradley. There will be 1,000 to 2,000 people in the stands. We are kind of throwing the guys to the wolves a little bit to see how they can handle it. We’re going to deal with adverse situations throughout the season so why not get them into those situations right away.”

The rest of the non-conference schedule will feature tough matches against the likes of Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb. Wedged in the middle of conference play is a tilt against Conference USA foe, Central Florida.

According to Ruzzo, “all the conference games are a dogfight.” In 2008, four of the Bears six conference losses (including the A-Sun tournament) were by one goal. Three other contests ended in double-overtime ties.

“You can’t take anything away from Campbell or Jacksonville,” he said. “I would say they are the guys looking ahead and everyone else is trying to catch them. Still, I think this is a conference where you could go either worst to first or first to worst.”

Entering his second season, Ruzzo will again challenge his charges and keep his goals high. “Obviously, we want to get in the conference tournament and compete for the tournament championship,” he said. “You can see, we can be young and we can be old in places or it can be a mixture. I do expect our newcomers to come in and compete right away. We are going to throw our guys to the wolves early. We might get wounded, but we’re going to be much better, thicker, and tougher, mentally and physically down the road.”

season preview 5

2009

MERCER soccer OPPONENTS

Location Enrollment Colors Conference Interim President Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Interim Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Alabama A&M

Sept. 1, 5 p.m. at Macon, Ga.

Huntsville, Ala. 6,000 Maroon and White Independent Dr. Beverly Edmund Betty K. Austin

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Alabama A&M (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 Independent Record (Finish) Web site

Eastern Illinois

Sept. 4, 7 p.m. at Peoria, Ill.

Charleston, Ill. 11,157 Blue and Gray Missouri Valley Dr. William Perry Barbara Burke

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Clayton State (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 MVC Record (Finish) Web site

Bradley Braves

Sept. 6, 8 p.m. at Peoria, Ill.

Salah Yousif 282-116-24 (25) 234-109-23 (20) 9-5-3 N/A www.AAMUSports.com

Adam Howarth 69-84-16 (10) Same 5-11-3 0-5 (6th) http://eiupanthers.com

Peoria, Ill. 5,873 Red and White Missouri Valley Joanne K. Glasser Virnette House-Browning

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Clayton State (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 MVC Record (Finish) Web site

Georgia State Panthers

Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at Atlanta, Ga.

Atlanta, Ga. 28,000 Blue and White Colonial Athletic Association Dr. Carl V. Patton Mary McElroy

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Georgia State (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 CAA Record (Finish) Web site

Wofford Terriers

Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. at Greenville, S.C.

Spartanburg, S.C. 1,400 Old Gold and Black Southern (SoCon) Dr. Benjamin B. Dunlap Richard A. Johnson

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Wofford (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 SoCon Record (Finish) Web site

6 opponents

Jim DeRose 189-97-27 (13) Same 6-12-2 1-4-0 (5th) www.bradleybraves.com

Kerem Daser 63-89-9 (8) Same 6-8-4 2-6-3 (11th) www.GeorgiaStateSports.com

Ralph Polson 202-116-26 (18) 6-13 (1) 6-13-0 2-5 (7th) http://athletics.wofford.edu

2009

mercer SOCCER

Gardner-Webb

Sept. 18, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Boiling Springs, N.C. 3,900 Red and Black Big South Dr. A. Frank Bonner Chuck Burch

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Gardner-Webb (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 Big South Record (Finish) Web site

Georgia Southern Eagles

Sept. 20, 5 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Statesboro, Ga. 16,841 Blue and White Southern (SoCon) Dr. Bruce Grube Sam Baker

Head Coach Kevin Kennedy Overall Record (Years) 24-26-4 (3) Record at Georgia Southern (Years) Same 2008 Overall Record 8-8-1 2008 SoCon Record (Finish) 4-3-0 (T-2nd) Web site www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com

Location Enrollment Colors Conference Chancellor Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Tony Setzer 141-229-24 (19) Same 6-12-0 5-3-0 (3rd) www.gwusports.com

Appalachian State

Sept. 25, 4 p.m. at Boone, N.C.

Boone, N.C. 16,600 Black and Gold Southern (SoCon) Dr. Kenneth E. Peacock Charlie Cobb

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at ASU (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 SoCon Record (Finish) Web site

Belmont Bruins

Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. at Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville, Tenn.

5,017 Navy, Red and White Atlantic Sun Dr. Robert C. Fisher Mike Strickland

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Belmont (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) Web site

Lipscomb Bisons

Oct. 3, 7 p.m. at Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville, Tenn.

3,054 Purple and Gold Atlantic Sun Dr. Randolph Lowry III Philip Hutcheson

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Lipscomb (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) Web site

Shaun Pendleton 330-61-12 (20) 10-8-0 (1) Same 4-3-0 (T-2nd) www.goasu.com

Earle Davidson 69-132-13 (13) Same 11-8-2 4-3-2 (5th) www.BelmontBruins.com

Charles Morrow 26-42-9 (4) Same 10-8-3 5-3-1 (3rd) www.LipscombSports.com

opponents 7

2009

MERCER soccer

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

ETSU Buccaneers

Oct. 8, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Johnson City, Tenn.

13,389 Navy Blue and Old Gold Atlantic Sun Dr. Paul E. Stanton, Jr. Dave Mullins

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at ETSU (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) Web site

USC Upstate Spartans

Oct. 10, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Spartanburg, S.C. 5,000 Dark Green, White and Black Atlantic Sun John C. Stockwell, Ph.D. Mike Hall

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at USC Upstate (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) Web site

Central Florida

Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. at Orlando, Fla.

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Orlando, Fla. 50,254 Black and Gold Conference USA Dr. John C. Hitt Keith R. Tribble

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Central Florida (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 Conf. USA record (Finish) Web site

Campbell Fighting Camels

Oct. 17, 4 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Buies Creek, N.C. 6,834 Orange and Black Atlantic Sun Dr. Jerry M. Wallace Stan Williamson

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Campbell (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) Web site

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles

Oct. 22, 7 p.m. at Fort Myers, Fla.

Fort Myers, Fla. 11,200 Cobalt Blue and Emerald Green Atlantic Sun Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw Ken Kavanagh

Head Coach Bob Butehorn Overall Record (Years) 48-52-7 (6) Record at Florida Gulf Coast (Years) 14-20-3 (2) 2008 Overall Record 6-10-2 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 3-5-1 (N/A) Web site www.FGCUAthletics.com

Location Enrollment Colors Conference Chancellor Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors

Conference President Athletics Director

8 opponents

Scott Calabrese 6-10-1 (2) Same 6-10-1 1-7-1 (T-7th) www.ETSUBucs.com

Greg Hooks 278-102-24 (21) 188-72-18 (14) 2-15-1 1-7-1 (T-7th) www.UpstateSpartans.com

Bryan Cunningham 11-23-3 (2) Same 7-11-1 3-4-1 (T-5th) http://ucfathletics.cstv.com

Doug Hess 66-60-8 (7) Same 14-6-0 9-0-0 (1st, Tournament Runner-up) www.GoCamels.com

2009

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

Location Enrollment Colors Conference President Athletics Director

mercer SOCCER

Stetson Hatters

Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at DeLand, Fla.

DeLand, Fla. 2,492 Hunter Green and White Atlantic Sun Dr. H. Douglas Lee Jeff Altier

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Stetson (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) Web site

Jacksonville Dolphins

Oct. 29, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Jacksonville, Fla. 3,436 Green and Gold Atlantic Sun Dr. Kerry Romesburg Alan Verlander

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at Jacksonville (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) Web site

North Florida Ospreys

Oct. 31, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Jacksonville, Fla. 17,000 Navy Blue and Gray Atlantic Sun John Delaney Dr. Richard Gropper

Head Coach Overall Record (Years) Record at UNF (Years) 2008 Overall Record 2008 A-Sun Record (Finish) Web site

T. Logan Fleck 68-36-10 (8) 19-12-4 (2) 8-7-2 5-3-1 (4th) www.GoHatters.com

Mike Johnson 125-92-11 (9) 50-51-13 (6) 12-9-1 7-2 (2nd) www.JUDolphins.com

Ray Bunch 149-138-21 (19) Same 9-10-0 4-5-0 (N/A) www.UNFOspreys.com

2009 SCHEDULE August 20 24

#Clayton State Macon, Ga. #Middle Georgia Macon, Ga.

September 1 Alabama A&M 4 Eastern Illinois 6 %Bradley 11 Georgia State 13 Wofford 18 Gardner-Webb 20 Georgia Southern 25 Appalachian State All Games are Eastern Time

Macon, Ga. Peoria, Ill. Peoria, Ill. Atlanta, Ga. Greenville, S.C. Macon, Ga. Macon, Ga. Boone, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8 :00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

Home Matches in bold played at Bear Field

October 1 3 8 10 13 17 22 24 29 31

* Belmont * Lipscomb * ETSU * USC Upstate Central Florida * Campbell * FGCU * Stetson * Jacksonville * North Florida

Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville, Tenn.

Macon, Ga. Macon, Ga. Orlando, Fla. Macon, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. DeLand, Fla. Macon, Ga. Macon, Ga.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament: November 6 * A-Sun Conference Match

#Exhibition Match

%Busey Bank Kickoff Festival

opponents 9

MEET THE BEARS

opponents

2009

mercer SOCCER

HEAD COACH

t h e R U Z Z O f i l e

ruzzo’s EDUCATION University of Cincinnati, 1999 Bachelor of Arts in Economics coaching EXPERIENCE 1996-97 Wyoming (Ohio) H.S.

Assistant Coach 1997-99 Lakota Premier

U-16 Boys

Head Coach 1999-00 Club Ohio/Dynamo

U-17 & U-18 Boys

Head Coach 1999-00 Xavier University

Assistant Coach 2000-02 Bradley University

Assistant Coach 2003-07 Central Illinois Soccer Academy

U-17, U-18, U-19 & U-23 Coach 2003-07 Bradley University

Associate Head Coach 2008- Mercer University

Head Coach playing EXPERIENCE 1995-1998 University of Cincinnati playing HONORS 2nd Team All-Conference USA, ‘98 1998 NCAA Tourney Appearance

Brad Ruzzo Head Coach Second Year Cincinnati, 1999

Brad Ruzzo enters his second season as the head coach of the Mercer men’s soccer program.

Despite a 2-11-5 record in his first campaign, Ruzzo’s charges were in virtually every contest. Of their 11 loses, six came by one goal and two more by a two goal margin. In the preseason, the Bears’ were picked to finish last, but their sixth place finish in the Atlantic Sun earned them a spot in the conference tournament.

Ruzzo came to Mercer from one of the Missouri Valley Conference’s elite programs, Bradley University. He spent the past eight seasons as the Braves’ top assistant and the last five as their associate head coach.

While at Bradley, Ruzzo and the Braves went to the NCAA Tournament four times, captured three Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championships and won the State Farm MVC Tournament title in 2007 while compiling a 101-54-25 (.631) record. The 2007 squad enjoyed the best postseason run in the program’s history, bowing out in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. In 2003, Ruzzo claimed the title as one of the nation’s top assistant coaches

by College Soccer News.

Ruzzo’s tenure at Bradley saw many student-athletes earn positive recognition. The Braves produced eight All-Americans, six Major League Soccer SuperDraft selections, 37 All-MVC selections, two MVC Defensive Players of the Year, two MVC Freshmen of the Year and one MVC Player of the Year. During the same period, Ruzzo saw Bradley develop eight ESPN the Magazine/ CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and NSCAA Scholar All-Americans, 11 CoSIDA District V and NSCAA Region Scholar-Athletes and 25 Valley Scholar Athletes.

Ruzzo also held the position of co-director for the Central Illinois Soccer Academy, which works with more than 1,200 youth players throughout the year. In addition to his responsibilities as co-director, Ruzzo also served as the event coordinator for the program’s annual Chicagoland Golf Outing and a coach for CISA’s U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-23 club teams since 2003.

Prior to joining the staff at Bradley, Ruzzo starred at the University of Cincinnati, where he was a four-year letter-winner as a defenseman for the Bearcats. He started 77 games from 1995 to 1998 and earned a second-team All-Conference USA selection in 1998. As a senior, he served as the team captain, was chosen team MVP and led Cincinnati to the NCAA Tournament. In 1998, he helped the Bearcat defense pitch six shutouts and held opponents to a 0.89 goals-against average.

Ruzzo and his wife, Tandis, have a son, Kellen, who is 18 months old.

RUZZO AT MERCER Year 2008

Record 2-11-5 (.111)

A-Sun 1-5-3 (.111)

head coach brad ruzzo 11

Finish 6th

2009

MERCER soccer ASSISTANT COACH & SUPPORT STAFF

Mike Haynes Assistant Coach First Year Bradley, 2007

Mike Haynes joins the Mercer men’s soccer program as the first assistant coach in the Brad Ruzzo era. Haynes comes to Mercer following a stellar collegiate career with the Bradley University Braves.

A two-time Missouri Valley All-Conference selection in 2006 (honorable mention) and 2007 (second team) at goalkeeper, Haynes helped lead the Braves to a pair of conference championships, a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight and number eight ranking in America in 2007.

Haynes is Bradley’s all-time leader in goals against average at 1.00. He also ranks in the top five in five other categories (shutouts-14.5, minutes played-4,323, victories-24, winning percentage-.609 and save percentage-.796). The four-year letter-winner was chosen as the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week in 2007 and received the Bradley Coaches Award twice.

The Illinois native played PDL soccer for the Ogden Outlaw and Sioux Falls Spitfire. Haynes also served as head of goalkeeper training for the Central Illinois Soccer Academy from 2004-2007. He majored in Risk Management and Insurance at Bradley.

Ken Takenaka Athletic Trainer Second Year Central Florida, 2008

Ken Takenaka begins his third year with the Mercer Athletics Department as an athletic training graduate assistant. Takenaka will work with the men’s soccer, cheer and dance teams while pursuing a master’s degree in education at Mercer’s Tift College of Education.

As an undergraduate, Takenaka completed his studies at the University of Central Florida in 2008, graduating with honors. He received his Bachelor of Science from Central Florida in health sciences with a concentration in athletic training and a minor in health sciences.

While at Central Florida, Takenaka worked with several Knights athletic squads, including men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s track and football. When he wasn’t working with collegiate athletes, Takenaka also put in time at a local high school in addition to Amanda Cromwell’s Central Florida Soccer Academy.

12 staff

Paul Bohr Strength Coach Third Year Central Florida, 1989

Paul Bohr enters his third season as the first full-time strength and conditioning coach at Mercer. Bohr’s dedication and attention to detail have immediately paid dividends to the Bears’ athletic programs. Bohr came to Mercer after spending two years as an assistant strength coach at the College of Charleston. While at College of Charleston, Bohr designed and implemented strength and conditioning, along with speed programs for numerous Cougar athletic teams.

The Winter Park, Fla., native began his collegiate career as an assistant strength coach at UC Riverside in August 2004 prior to joining the UCLA athletics program in January 2005. While at UCLA, Bohr worked with the Bruins’ football program assisting with speed development while also teaching and monitoring exercise techniques and developing weight management and nutrition training for student-athletes.

Bohr is a certified fitness trainer, sports performance nutritionist and specialist in sports conditioning along with being a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Paul has been coaching and working with athletes since 2000, designing fitness and speed development programs.

A 1989 graduate from UCF with a bachelor’s of business administration, Bohr later received his master’s degree in physical education from Cal State-Dominguez Hills.

2009 No. 00 0 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Player Ian Hanlon Daniel VanValkinburg Brett Petricek Charles Peterson Sharpe Sablon Ryan Young Joey Heavner Arkenson Neckles Philip Thoren Richard Wimsatt Ian Cameron Thomas Knerr Will Betts Bryson Jones Richie Edmondson Will Grey Chrispine Ong’Ango Jon Adams Elias Hall Zachary Rall Geoffrey Oliveria Andrew Todd Shawn Meek Stefan Wingo Matt Brazer Jack O’Malley

mercer SOCCER

Pos. GK GK GK D MF MF D F/MF F/MF F MF F MF/D F F D F MF/F F F/D M GK D MF/D MF MF

Ht. 6-5 5-11 6-1 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-0 5-6 5-11 5-9 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 5-10 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-2

ROSTER BREAKDOWN NUMERICAL ROSTER Yr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.

Hometown/Previous School Prairieville, La./Dutchtown HS Pronunciation Guide Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor School 6 Phillip Calderon Woodridge, Ill./Downer Grove HS 11 Thomas Knerr Newnan, Ga./Newnan HS Rome, Ga./Darlington HS

21 Geoffrey Oliveria Conyers, Ga./Rockdale County HS Landisville, Penn./Hempfield HS 8 Philip Thoren St. George’s, Grenada/Grenada Boys Secondary 10 Chrispine Ong’Ango Vaxholm, Sweden/Danderyds HS 1 Brett Petricek Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County HS Glasgow, Scotland/Nyndland Secondary 3 Sharpe Sablon Augusta, Ga./Augusta Prep Day School Brenham, Texas/Brenham HS Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh HS Kent, Conn./Kent Prep HS Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian HS Nairobi, Kenya/St. Mary’s HS Macon, Ga./First Presbyterian Day School Perry, Ga./Perry HS Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista Lutz, Fla./Tampa Catholic Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay HS Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS Champaign, Ill./Centennial HS Lawrenceville, Ga./Peachtree Ridge HS Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro HS

ALPHABETICAL ROSTER No. 18 12 25 10 14 15 19 00 6 13 11 23 7 21 26 16 2 1 20 3 4 8 22 0 9 24 5

Player Jon Adams Will Betts Matt Brazer Ian Cameron Richie Edmondson Will Grey Elias Hall Ian Hanlon Joey Heavner Bryson Jones Thomas Knerr Shawn Meek Arkenson Neckles Geoffrey Oliveria Jack O’Malley Chrispine Ong’Ango Charles Peterson Brett Petricek Zachary Rall Sharpe Sablon Dominic Stockdale Philip Thoren Andrew Todd Daniel VanValkinburg Richard Wimsatt Stefan Wingo Ryan Young

Pos. MF/F MF/D MF MF F D F GK D F F D F/MF M MF F D GK F/D MF D F/MF GK GK F MF/D MF

Ht. 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-1 6-2 5-9 6-1 6-4 5-11 6-2 5-10 5-8 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-2 5-11 5-6 5-10 6-2

Yr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. So. Fr. So. So. Fr. So. So. Fr. So.

Hometown/Previous School Macon, Ga./First Presbyterian Day School Brenham, Texas/Brenham HS Warner Robins, Ga./Peachtree Ridge HS Glasgow, Scotland/Nyndland Secondary Kent, Conn./Kent Prep HS Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian HS Perry, Ga./Perry HS Prairieville, La./Dutchtown HS Landisville, Penn./Hempfield HS Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh HS Augusta, Ga./Augusta Prep Day School Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS St. George’s, Grenada/Grenada Boys Secondary Lutz, Fla./Tampa Catholic Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro HS Nairobi, Kenya/St. Mary’s HS Newnan, Ga./Newnan HS Woodridge, Ill./Downer Grove HS Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista Rome, Ga./Darlington HS

Manchester, England/Card. Langley R.C. HC Vaxholm, Sweden/Danderyds HS Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay HS Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor School Lawrenceville, Ga./Houston County HS Champaign, Ill./Centennial HS Conyers, Ga./Rockdale County HS

roster 13

Call-der-own K-ner Ah-liv-era Thor-ein Ong-nge-oh pa-tree-sec sah-Blaw(n)

2009

MERCER soccer SENIORS

Thomas Knerr

Arkenson Neckles

Forward 5’9 160 lbs Senior

Forward/Mid 6’4 165 lbs Senior

Augusta, Ga. Augusta Day Prep School

St. George’s, Grenada Grenada Boys Secondary

11

2008 Started in 17 out of a possible 18 games ... finished third on the team with three assists and tied for fifth on the team with three points … one of only five Bears to tally double figure shot attempts, with 11 ... four of his shots were on goal, giving him a .364 shots on goal percentage ... handed out the Bears’ first assist of the season in a 1-1 season opening tie at NC State (Aug. 31) … assisted on the eventual game-winning goal in Mercer’s 4-1 victory over FGCU (Oct. 2) … tallied his third helper of the season in a 4-3 loss to A-Sun foe Lipscomb (Oct.18).

2007 Appeared in 16 games, starting 14…recorded an assist versus Alabama A&M on Sept. 14…attempted a shot and assisted on the Bears’ only goal in a 3-1 loss at Evansville on Sept. 21 2006 Saw action in seven games…fired a shot against Furman on Sept. 23

2008 Saw significant playing time as a freshman starting in nine of 15 games played…scored second most goals on the team with four…tied for second with 23 shots and nine points…had nine shots on goal… accounted for one assist…scored first collegiate goal on Sept. 14 in a 2-1 loss to Georgia State…found the back of the net against Lipscomb (Oct. 18, Nov. 12), and a game-winner against Georgia Southern (Oct. 28)…lone assist came in a 2-2 tie versus ETSU (Oct. 23).

High School Named MVP and Player of the Year in 2005 for Grenada Boys Secondary School…scored 21 goals and distributed 12 assists in 2005.

Personal Son of Carl Chase and Sandra Neckles…born on 3/15/85 in Grenada… majoring in marketing.

High School Named all-state twice as a member of the Augustana Prep Day School squad…three times earned a position on the all-region team.

Personal Son of James and Alama Knerr…majoring in industrial engineering CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 18/7 11 0 3 3 2007 16/14 5 0 2 2 2006 7/0 1 0 0 0 TOTAL 41/11 17

0

14 players

5

5

7

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 15/9 23 4 1 9 TOTAL 15/9

23

4

1

9

2009

mercer SOCCER

Geoffrey Oliveria

Chrispine Ong’Ango

Midfielder 5’11 150 lbs Senior

Forward 5’10 160 lbs Senior

Lutz, Fla. Tampa Catholic High School

Nairobi, Kenya St. Mary’s High School

21

2008 Appeared in all 18 games as a junior, earning a starting nod in 16 contests.

2007 Saw action in two games as a sophomore…earned a spot on the ASun All-Academic team.

2005 Sat out as a redshirt.

High School Four-time letterwinner in soccer, track, swimming, and cross country…received all-county honors in each of the four sports in which he participated…earned all-state honors in soccer…led the team in goals as a senior…played AAU soccer for HCU and Blackwatch.

Personal Son of David and Denise Oliveria…born on 3/23/87 in Honolulu, Hawaii…has one sister, Laura…member of the honor roll and the Spanish Honor Society in high school…a mechanical engineering major.

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 18/16 0 0 0 0 2007 2/0 0 0 0 0 2006 6/0 0 0 0 0 0

2008 Appeared in all 18 games, making 10 starts … tallied two points on the strength of two assists … finished with nine shots, including two on goal for a .222 shots on goal percentage ... assisted on the Bears only goal in a 1-1 tie against A-Sun rival Belmont (Oct. 16) … tallied two shots and assisted on Arkenson Neckles’ game-winning goal in a 1-0 triumph over in-state rival Georgia Southern (Oct. 28).

2007 Started 11 games and appeared in 15…registered an assist and attempted two shots at Memphis on Sept. 23…attempted two shots on two more occasions, against UNF on Oct. 4 and Gardner-Webb on Oct. 20…named to the A-Sun All-Academic Team.

2006 Appeared in six of Mercer’s 18 games.

TOTAL 26/16 0

16

0

0

2006 Appeared in 10 games and started five…registered a season-high two shots on three occasions, including matches at FAU (Sept. 8), against Berry (Sept. 20) and at Lipscomb (Oct. 6)…notched at least one shot in all 10 appearances…earned a place on the A-Sun All-Academic squad.

High School Attended St. Mary’s High School Personal Son of Reuben and Sylvia Oduor…born 8/15/86 in Nairobi, Kenya… has one brother, Erick Oduor…majoring in accounting and finance.

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots 2008 18/10 9 2007 15/11 9 2006 10/5 13

Goals 0 0 0

Assists 2 1 0

Points 2 1 0

TOTAL 42/26 31

0

3

3

players 15

2009

MERCER soccer RETURNERS

Ian Cameron

Elias Hall

Midfielder 5’11 170 lbs Junior

Forward 6’1 180 lbs Redshirt Freshman

Glasgow, Scotland Nyndland Secondary

Perry, Ga. Perry High School

10

2008 Appeared in 15 games, making 14 starts … tied for second on the team with nine points on the strength of two goals and a team-high five assists … finished fourth on the team with 19 shots, including 10 on goal for a team-high .528 shots on goal percentage … registered his first multi-goal performance of his career when he tallied two goals, one of which was a converted penalty kick, in a 4-1 rout of FGCU (Oct. 2) … recorded back-to-back two assist games in a loss against Lipscomb (Oct. 18) and a 2-2 draw against ETSU (Oct. 23).

2007 Started all 19 games for the Bears in 2007…landed a spot on the A-Sun All-Freshman team…tiedforsecondontheteamwitheight points…third on the team with three goals…tied for second with two assists…attempted a career-high five shots against UNF on Oct. 4…first career goals was a game-winner at Alabama A&M on Sept.

14…16 of 20 shots were on-goal.

2008 Redshirted.

High School Two-time (2007-2008) all-region selection…member of the AllMiddle Georgia team from 2006-2008…scored 55 career goals at Perry High School…posted 16 scores as a junior and 18 as a senior…threetime varsity soccer letter-winner…helped lead Perry HS to a 16-2 record in 2008 and a Sweet 16 spot in 2007…member of National Honor Society, school honor roll and AP Scholar Award winner.

Personal Son of Susann and David Hall…born 5/6/90…has eight siblings, including six sisters and two brothers…father was a member of the Cal-Poly University varsity cycling team…majoring in engineering.

High School Attended Nyndland Secondary HS Personal Son of Ian and Wendy Cameron…born 5/23/88…has one sister, Kayleigh…represented Scotland National Team at U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels.

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 15/14 19 2 5 9 2007 19/19 20 3 2 8 TOTAL 34/33 39

5

16 players

7

17

19

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 Redshirted

2009

mercer SOCCER

Charles Peterson

Zachary Rall

Defender 5’8 150 lbs Sophomore

Forward/Def. 5’10 147 lbs Sophomore

Newnan, Ga. Newnan High School

Pheonix, AZ Desert Vista

2

2008 Started 17 of 18 games in his first full season of action with the Bears…scored one goal from his defender position, accounting for two points…one goal came in a 1-1 tie against Howard University at Bear Field (Sept. 13)…took four total shots in 2008, one on goal.

2007 Sat out the season with a redshirt.

High School Lettered four years in soccer…awarded Woodsman of the Year… named Senior Varsity MVP as a senior.

Personal Son of Robert and Laura Peterson…born in Denver, Colo…has one brother, Cory…majoring in English. .

20

2008 Saw action in 12 games…accounted for one shot on the year.

High School First team All-Central Region…First team East Valley Tribune…

Second team All-State and All-Southeastern Valley…Earned two varsity soccer letters at Desert Vista…member of the National Honor Society.

Personal Son of Jack and Sandra Rall…born 12/19/89…has one sister, Samantha…majoring in business

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 18/17 4 1 0 2

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 12/8 1 0 0 0

TOTAL 18/17 4

TOTAL 12/8

1

0

2

1

0

0

0

players 17

2009

MERCER soccer

Philip Thoren

Dan Van Valkinburgh

Forward/Mid 6’0 160 lbs Sophomore

Goalkeeper 5’11 170 lbs Sophomore

Vaxholm, Swedan Danderyds High School

Chattanooga, Tenn.

Baylor School

8

2008 Started 14 of 18 games as a true freshman…recorded two goals in initial collegiate season…tied for first on team with shots on goal (11) and second with most shots (23)…delivered one assist… accounted for five total points…first career goal came in 1-1 tie versus Stetson (Oct. 4)…scored late goal against ETSU (Oct. 23) to ensure a 2-2 tie.

0

2008 Redshirted.

High School Played AAU Soccer for the Vallentuna BK and coach Christer Mattiasson…voted Talent of the Year in the Soccer Association in 2004.

High School Four-year letter-winner in soccer and three-year letter-winner in football…member of the TWSA All-State team in 2007 and 2008… named to the TSSAA Coaches All-State team in 2007…helped Baylor to a state title in 2007…played AAU soccer for Chattanooga Futbol Club…a 2008 Scholar Athlete…placed on the 2007 Army Preseason All-Academic squad in 2007.

Personal Son of Lars and Nomica Thoren…born 5/14/87 in Vallentuna, Sweden…has one sister, Madeleine…majoring in business.

Personal Son of Pete and Patty VanValkinburgh…born 9/12/89 in Mission Viejo, Calif…has one sister, Katie…a Pre-Med major.

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 18/14 23 2 1 5 TOTAL 18/14 23

2

18 players

1

5

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 Redshirted

2009

mercer SOCCER

Richard Wimsatt

Ryan Young

Forward/Mid 5’6 150 lbs Sophomore

Midfielder 6’2 160 lbs Sophomore

Warner Robins, Ga. Houston County High School

Conyers, Ga. Rockdale County High School

9

2008 In initial collegiate season, Wimsatt played in 15 games, starting eight…recorded one assist coming in 2-1 loss against Lipscomb in the A-Sun Tournament…posted nine shots with three on goal.

High School Lettered and started all four years in soccer and lettered twice in cross country…awarded team MVP as a senior…landed spots as a first team member of the all-county, all-region and All-Middle Georgia squads…earned a first team all-state selection…owns the Houston County HS career record for assists (64)…played club soccer for Atlanta Fire United and AAU ball for ODP State.

Personal Son of Ricky and Freclia Wimsatt…born 1/26/90…has two sisters, Amber and Ashley…majoring in business.

2008 Played in nine games and started eight…three of eight total shots were on goal.

High School Three-year letterwinner in soccer, football, and swimming…played for coach Brian Travis...named the team’s Attacker of the Year…landed a spots on the all-area and all-region teams…team’s leading goal-scorer and winner of the Don Jenkings Award…tallied 48 goals and 33 assists throughout career.

Personal Son of Rudy and Trish Young…born 10/20/89…has two siblings, Paul and Nicole…chemistry major.

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 15/8 9 0 1 1

CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 9/8 8 0 0 0

TOTAL 15/8

TOTAL 9/8

9

0

1

1

5

8

0

0

0

players 19

2009

MERCER soccer NEWCOMERS

Jon Adams

Will Betts

Midfielder/Fwd 5’10 105 lbs Freshman

Midfielder/Def 6’1 155 lbs Freshman

Macon, Ga. First Presbyterian Day School

Brenham, Texas Brenham High School

18

High School: Three-time GISA All-State and All-Region selection…set GISA scoring record with 109 career goals…posted 34 goals as a senior and 31 as a junior…33 career assists including 18 his final two seasons…lettered five years for the Vikings…2008 team captain…helped lead FPD to a 20-4-0 mark in 2008, region championship and number 12 ranking nationally.

Personal: Son of Wade and Joan Adams…born 2/11/91…major-undecided.

12

High School: NSCAA/Adidas All-American and Scholar All-American as a senior... twice named ESPN “Rise Magazine Greater Houston Prime Time Player”...first-team allstate, all-region, and District 19-4A MVP...Helped lead Brenham H.S. to the 4A state runner-up spot...2nd all-time BHS single season steal record (249 steals)...BHS MVP... four-time letterman...three-time BHS team captain...scored over 20 goals during final two years of high school...played with Texans 91 USA Soccer Club...member of National Honor Society, National Honor Roll, and Who’s Who. Personal: Son of William and Paula Betts...born 12/21/90.

Matt Brazer

Richie Edmondson

Midfielder 5’10 185 lbs Freshman

Forward 6’3 185 lbs Freshman

Lawrenceville, Ga. Peachtree Ridge High School

25

Kent, Conn.

Kent Prep High School

14

High School Earned four letters in varsity soccer at Peachtree Ridge HS…three-year starter and helped guide Peachtree Ridge to the second round of the state playoffs as a junior and senior…played club soccer for Atlanta Fire United…graduated with honors.

High School: 2008 and 2009 All-State selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Adidas…scored 19 goals each of his final two seasons with 14 total assists...helped lead Kent to a 14-4-0 mark as a senior and 11-3-2 as a junior…2009 team captain.

Personal Son of Becky and Mitch Brazer…born 7/26/90…has one sister, Megan

Personal: Son of Gathor and Pauline Edmondson…born 4/28/89.

Will Grey

Ian Hanlon

Defender 6’2 105 lbs Sophomore

Goalkeeper 6’5 182 lbs Freshman

Charlotte, NC Charlotte Christian High School

15

High School: Named CISAA All-Conference three times…chosen team Co-MVP as a junior…helped lead the Knights to a 3A NCISAA state-runner-up and CISAA Conference championship in 2006…scored 10 goals over final two years of high school…winner of Mighty in Spirit Award as a sophomore…played for Charlotte Soccer Club 90 Blue…member of the 2007 US Club Region E champions.

Personal: Son of Bill and Tricia Grey…born 8/08/90…National Merit Finalist… majoring in industrial engineering

20 players

Prairieville, La. Dutchtown High School

00

High School: Two-time First team Class 5A All-State, All-District, and All-Metro selection…2008-2009 District MVP…helped lead Duchtown to the Class 5A quarterfinal, District 6-5A championship and a 23-6-1 record…posted 18 shutouts as a senior and nine as a junior…member of the Baton Rouge Soccer Club.

Personal: Son of Brian and Marsha Hanlon…born 1/14/91…has one brother, Sean…Dutchtown HS Salutatorian…majoring in international business.

2009

mercer SOCCER

Joey Heavner

Bryson Jones

Defender 6’1 155 lbs Freshman

Forward 6’2 175 lbs Freshman

Landisville, Pa. Hempfield High School

6

Peachtree City, Ga. McIntosh High School

13

High School: Team captain and MVP and first team league all-star in 2008…helped lead the Knights to the district quarterfinals in 2007 and district first round in 2008… accounted for six goals and five assists in final two years of high school…played for PA Classics...member of the 2008 Disney Showcase championship team.

High School Helped lead McIntosh HS to the 2007 state championship (21-0-2) and a spot in the 2009 state finals…three year varsity soccer letter-winner…recipient of the 2009 Coaches Award and chosen Most Improved in 2008..played club soccer for AFC Lightning 91 Permier…member of school honor roll.

Personal: Son of Frank and Nancy Heavner…born on 5-30-91…National Honor Society member…majoring in business.

Personal Son of Delphina and Thyran Jones…born 10/13/90…has two sisters, Brittney and Breana…mother, Delphina, was a Division II track and field All-American at California State University…sister, Brittney, played soccer at Birmingham Southern…majoring in journalism.

Shawn Meek

Jack O’Malley

Defender 6’1 160 lbs Freshman

Midfielder 6-2 170 lbs Freshman

Lakeland, Fla. George Jenkins High School

23

High School: Chosen as the Eagles’ team MVP in 2008 and 2009…posted eight goals and 10 assists in senior season…scored three goals and delivered 11 assists as a junior…helped lead the Eagles to a combined record of 39-5-5 during his final two seasons…chosen as first team all-county in 2008 and 2009…member of the 2009 State Senior All-Star team…played club soccer for Oldsmar SC and LA Select…

Discovery Cup and USA League champions.

Lakeland, Fla. George Jenkins High School

26

High School: Accounted for nearly 10 goals and 20 assist his final two years at Statesboro High School...played club soccer with the Coastal Georgia Soccer Assiocation...chosen as junior varsity most improved in 2006...member of the Statesboro High School honor roll.

Personal: Son of Christian and John O’Malley...born 4/4/91.

Personal: Son of Richard and Nellann Meek…born 3/24/91…majoring in business.

Brett Petricek

Sharp Sablon

Goalkeeper 6’1 170 lbs Freshman

Midfielder 6’0 140 lbs Freshman

Woodridge, Ill. Downers Grove High School

Rome, Ga. Darlington High School

1

High School: 2008 First-team All-State selection by Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times…two-time All-Conference pick…owns career shutout record (31)…2007 and 2008 IHSSCA All-Sectional choice…member of 2007 Great Midwest Classic All-Tournament Team…helped lead Mustangs to two conference titles, three regional championships and a spot in the 2008 sectional finals…member of 2007 and 2008 ODP national champions…selected as 2007 ODP Nationals “Golden Glove” winner

3

High School: Played for the Darlington School Soccer Academy…team captain junior and senior seasons…member of championship team at the CASL Showcase, Dallas Showcase, and Southeastern ODP. Personal: Son of Raymond and Karen Sablon…born 6/14/91…member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Rick and Kathi Petricek…born on 6/27/91…member of the 2008 Academic All-Conference team…majoring in business management

players 21

2009

MERCER soccer

Andrew Todd

Stefan Wingo

Goalkeeper 6’2 170 lbs Freshman

Midfielder/Def. 5’10 160 lbs Freshman

Half Moon Bay, Calif.

Half Moon Bay High School

Charlotte, NC Charlotte Christian High School

22

High School: Co-Goalkeeper of the Year in the Ocean Division…first team All-League selection as a senior…team MVP junior and senior seasons…recorded 21 shutouts in final two years of high school…goals against average was .55 as a senior and .8 as a junior…played for Central Valley United and San Juan Lightning club teams.

Personal: Son of Mark Todd…born 12/23/90…nominated for membership in the The National Society of High School Scholars…majoring in mechanical engineering.

24

High School: First team Big 12 Conference pick in 2006, 2007, 2008…first team All-Sectional in 2007…All-Area choice in 2007 and 2008…helped lead the Chargers to three regional and conference titles and sectional and super-sectional crowns in 2007…accounted for 12 goals and 9 assists as a junior and senior… played for the Illinois ODP team in 2005, 2008.

Personal: Son of Michael and Joan Wingo…born 3/28/91…member of the National Honors Society… recipient of the Big 12 Conference Scholar-Athlete Award four times (2005-2008).

Compliance Corner

The Extra Player Whether cheering from the stands or supporting the Bears in other ways, Mercer fans act as an “extra player” off the field, contributing to the success of Mercer Athletics. As you support Mercer, the Department of Athletics requests your assistance in complying with the following NCAA regulations governing fans/boosters during the 2007-08 academic year. Thank you for your support.

Prospects (Recruits): Boosters are not permitted to write, page, text message, instant message or make phone calls to prospects or their relatives for recruiting purposes. If at any time prospects question boosters about the Mercer athletics program, they must be directed to a member of the coaching staff. Boosters may attend a prospect’s contest on their own initiative, but they may not have any contact with the prospect, his/her coach, principal, or counselor to evaluate the prospect and may not visit a prospect’s educational institution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect. Boosters may not contact a prospect to congratulate him/her on signing a National Letter of Intent to attend Mercer. Boosters may not bring prospects to BearBacker functions, including chapter meetings. Boosters may not have contact at any time with a prospect or his/her parents when the prospect is on the Mercer campus for an official or an unofficial visit, be it in the locker room after a game, at a tailgate party, or at an off-campus location.

Boosters may not provide prospects with any goods or services, including any type of special discount or payment arrangement.

Student-Athletes: Boosters cannot provide student-athletes with any sort of extra benefit, which refers to any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or his/her family with a benefit unavailable to the general student population. This includes, but is not limited to, any special discounts, payment arrangements (e.g., cosigning a loan), and the provision of tickets to sporting events or other functions on or off the Mercer campus.. Boosters can employ Mercer student-athletes during both the academic year and summer, provided they receive prior permission from the Compliance Office. The student-athletes must be paid for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locale.

Boosters may not invite student-athletes to tailgate parties or cookouts before or after games. This would be considered an impermissible extra benefit. Gambling poses a serious threat to studentathletes. Student-athletes found to be involved in gambling are at risk of losing their collegiate eligibility. Please help protect Mercer’s student-athletes from the perils of gambling by creating an environment free of wagering, sports pools, fantasy leagues, Internet gambling, etc.

Please contact the Compliance Office at (478) 301-2729 if you have any questions regarding these regulations. The Mercer University Department of Athletics appreciates your efforts to comply with NCAA rules.

22 roster breakdown

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

By State/Country Arizona California Connecticut England Florida Georgia Grenada Illinois Kenya Louisiana North Carolina Pennsylvania Scotland Sweden

1 1 1 1 2 10 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

Tennessee Texas

1 1

By Position* Midfielder Forward Defender Goalkeeper

10 10 8 4

*Two players are F/MF, two are MF/D, and one is MF/F and F/D

By Class Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

15 7 1 4

SEASON REVIEW & HISTORICAL STATISTICS

2009

MERCER soccer 2008 SEASON RECAP Despite a 2-11-5 record in his first campaign, Mercer head coach Brad Ruzzo put his stamp on the program. Picked to finish last in the Atlantic Sun preseason poll, the Bears finished sixth and earned a spot in the conference tournament. In 2007, Mercer had missed the Atlatnic Sun postseason event for the first time in 10 years.

Ruzzo’s goal was for opposing teams to know four things about the Bears: they have a strong work ethic, they are organized, they are very role-defined, and they are a committed team. His charges were in virtually every contest. Of their 11 losses, six came by one goal and two more by a two goal margin.

The Bears started on the road against Atlantic Coast Conference foe N.C. State, earning a 1-1 tie. They next traveled to high scoring Alabama A&M and endured a 5-0 loss. Two days later, Mercer lost a heartbreaker in overtime, 1-0 against C-USA foe UAB. Their home opener ended in a tie with Howard, 1-1, and that was followed by another one-goal loss, this time to Georgia State. Mercer started conference play at home by defeating FGCU, 4-1, for their first win of the year.

The month of October proved to be an agonizing one as Mercer went 1-4-3. In that span, the Bears endured three one-goal losses and earned three ties. Their lone victory was at 1-0 triumph against in-state rival Georgia Southern in Statesboro, 1-0, improving their record to 2-9-5. In the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament, Mercer faced a Lipscomb squad who had narrowly defeated them 4-3 on October 18. In familiar fashion, the Bears fell just short as freshman Arkenson Neckles scored Mercer’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat.

Senior Bolade Ogunmade concluded his final season by leading the team in scoring with seven goals and one assist. He became the first Bear selected to an Atlatnic Sun All-Conference First Team since Vicente Arze in 2005. Ruzzo played nine freshmen in 2008 with Neckles leading the way. The Grenada native was the second leading scorer on the team with four including the game winner against Georgia Southern. Sophomore Ian Cameron distributed five assists and also accounted for a pair of goals.

2008 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS ## Name 4 OGUNMADE, Bolade 7 NECKLES, Arkenson 10 CAMERON, Ian 8 THOREN, Philip 24 STOCKDALE, Dominic 11 KNERR, Thomas 2 PETERSON, Charles 16 ONG’ANGO, Chrispine 19 RUTH, Fernando 9 WIMSATT, Richard 27 YOUNG, Ryan 6 CALDERON, Phillip 3 TRICE, Wynn 14 PRIOR, Jason 12 DANKEL, Nick 20 RALL, Zachary 13 KITE, John 25 ROBERTSON, Luke 23 KLINGLER,James 21 OLIVERIA, Geoffrey 1 BIRD, David 00 CRANFORD, Matt

Total...............

Opponents...........

GP-GS 18-18 15-9 15-14 18-14 17-16 18-17 18-17 18-10 13-0 15-8 9-8 17-9 16-4 16-3 7-5 12-8 12-4 2-0 7-0 18-16 18-18 2-0 18 18

Min 1512 895 999 1028 1426 1296 1290 1035 333 857 607 851 636 502 412 650 355 49 103 1413 16-14 21 17884 -

G 7 4 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 37

A 1 1 5 1 1 3 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 30

Pts 15 9 9 5 3 3 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 51 104

Sh 24 23 19 23 6 11 4 9 6 9 8 4 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 155 304

Shot% .292 .174 .105 .087 .167 .000 .250 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .110 .122

SOG 11 9 10 11 2 4 1 2 4 3 3 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 65 136

SOG% .458 .391 .526 .478 .333 .364 .250 .222 .667 .333 .375 .500 .000 .500 .500 1.000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .419 .447

GW 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 11

## 00 1

GP-GS 2-0 18-18 18 18

Minutes 19:50 1705:05 1724:55 1724:55

GA 0 37 37 17

Avg 0.00 1.95 1.93 0.89

Saves 0 95 99 48

Pct .000 .720 .728 .738

W 0 2 2 10

L 0 11 11 2

T 0 5 5 5

Sho 0 1 1 7

Name CRANFORD, Matt BIRD, David Total...............

Opponents...........

24 2008 season recap

PK-ATT 1-1 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-2 1-1

2009 Atlantic Sun Standings

mercer SOCCER

CONFERENCE

W-L-T Pts Campbell 9-0-0 27 Jacksonville 7-2-0 21 Lipscomb 5-3-1 16 Stetson 5-3-1 16 Belmont 4-3-2 14 UNF 4-5-0 12 FGCU 3-5-1 10 Mercer 1-5-3 6 ETSU 1-7-1 4 USC Upstate 1-7-1 4

Pct. 1.000 .778 .611 .611 .556 .444 .389 .278 .167 .167

OVERALL W-L-T 14-6-0 12-9-1 10-8-3 8-7-2 11-8-2 9-10-0 6-10-2 2-11-5 6-10-1 2-15-1

Pts Pct. 42 .700 37 .568 33 .548 26 .529 35 .571 27 .474 20 .389 11 .250 19 .382 7 .139

2008 Results Date

Opponent

August 2008 20 #Emory 23 #Oglethorpe 30 N.C. State

Location Macon, Ga. Macon, Ga. Raleigh, N.C.

Result L, 0-1 W, 1-0 Tie, 1-1

September 2008 5 Alabama A&M Huntsville, Ala. 7 UAB Birmingham, Ala. 13 % Howard Macon, Ga. 14 % Georgia State Macon, Ga. 19 & Temple Philadelphia, Pa. 21 & Penn Philadelphia, Pa.

L, 0-5 L, 0-1 T, 1-1 L, 1-2 L, 0-2 L, 0-6

October 2008 2 * Florida Gulf Coast Macon, Ga. 4 * Stetson Macon, Ga. 9 * Jacksonville Jacksonville, Fla. 11 * UNF Jacksonville, Fla. 16 * Belmont Macon, Ga. 18 * Lipscomb Macon, Ga. 23 * ETSU Johnson City, Tenn.

25 * USC Upstate Spartanburg, S.C. 28 Georgia Southern Statesboro, Ga.

W, 4-1 T, 1-1 L, 0-1 L, 0-1 T, 1-1 L, 3-4 T, 1-1 L, 1-3 W, 1-0

November 2008 1 * Campbell 12 *Lipscomb

L, 0-3 L, 1-2

Buies Creek, N.C. Buies Creek, N.C.

& Penn Soccer Classic %Wingate by Wyndham Classic

# Exhibition Match *Atlantic Sun Contest

SHOT STATISTICS Goals-Shot attempts Goals scored per game Shot pct.

Shots on goal-Attempts SOG pct.

Shots/Game Assists CORNER KICKS PENALTY KICKS PENALTIES Yellow cards Red cards ATTENDANCE Total Dates/Avg Per Date Neutral Site #/Avg

MER

OPP

17-155 0.94 .110 65-155 .419 8.6 17 82 2-2

37-304 2.06 .122 136-304 .447 16.9 30 97 1-1

22 0

22 0

709 6/118 1/200

2559 11/233

O V E R A L L

GOALS BY PERIOD Mercer Opponents

1st 6 14

2nd 11 22

OT 0 1

OT2 0 0

Total 17 37

SHOTS BY PERIOD Mercer Opponents

SAVES BY PERIOD Mercer Opponents

1st 63 139

2nd 86 145

OT 2 14

OT2 4 6

Total 155 304

1st 39 15

2nd 49 31

OT 9 1

OT2 2 1

Total 99 48

SHOT STATISTICS Goals-Shot attempts Goals scored per game Shot pct.

Shots on goal-Attempts SOG pct.

Shots/Game Assists CORNER KICKS PENALTY KICKS PENALTIES Yellow cards Red cards ATTENDANCE

Total Dates/Avg Per Date Neutral Site #/Avg

GOALS BY PERIOD 1st Mercer 5 Opponents 7

MER

OPP

12-95 1.33 .126 37-95 .389 10.6 12 47 2-2

17-148 1.89 .115 61-148 .412 16.4 13 47 1-1

10 0

8 0

472 4/118 0/0

1311 5/262

2nd 7 10

OT 0 0

OT2 0 0

Total 12 17

C O N F E R E N C E

SHOTS BY PERIOD Mercer Opponents

1st 35 68

2nd 55 72

OT 1 4

OT2 4 4

Total 95 148

SAVES BY PERIOD Mercer Opponents

1st 16 4

2nd 24 20

OT 2 0

OT2 2 1

Total 44 25

2008 season recap 25

2009

MERCER soccer HISTORICAL STATISTICS CAREER

Single Season

Goals 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

T9.

T9.

Stacy Noske Neil Zarac Del Olaoye Ramiro Canovas Vince Dattilo Dean Blain Vicente Arze Buster Franklin Hunter Goff Patrick Horacius

48 44 31 27 26 23 22 20 17 17

1982-85 1998-01 2002-05 2000-03 1991-92 1995-98 2004-07 1989-92 1992-95 1995-98

Assists 1.

2.

3.

T4.

T4.

T6.

T6.

8.

9.

T10.

T10.

Maxwell Rooke Vicente Arze Vince Dattilo Patrick Horacius David Henager Dean Blain Neil Zarac Dave Dresbach Ramiro Canovas Payman Roshan Hunter Goff

22 19 17 16 16 15 15 14 13 12 12

1998-01 2004-07 1991-92 1995-98 1998-01 1995-98 1998-01 1983-85 2000-03 1985-88 1992-95

Points 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Stacy Noske Neil Zarac Del Olaoye Vince Dattilo Ramiro Canovas Vicente Arze Dean Blain Patrick Horacius Maxwell Rooke Hunter Goff

105 103 73 69 67 63 61 50 48 45

1982-85 1998-02 2002-05 1991-92 2000-03 2004-07 1995-98 1995-98 1998-01 1992-95

Goals Against Average 1.

Lucio Filho 2.

Andr. Castrichini 3.

David Jetton 4.

Mike Potier 5.

Jonathan Riley

1.22 1.49 1.68 1.73 1.79

2000-01 1998-02 1996-99 1989-92 2001-03

Saves 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Mike Potier Ron Keller David Jetton Todd Bramble David Bird

Shutouts 1.

Ron Keller 2.

David Jetton

442 427 317 299 187

1989-92 1981-84 1996-99 1985-88 2005-08

14.5 12

1981-84 1996-

Goals 1.

T2.

T2.

T4.

T4.

T6.

T6.

T8.

T8.

T8.

T8.

Stacy Noske Neil Zarac Vince Dattilo Neil Zarac Oral Campbell Neil Zarac Stacy Noske Del Olaoye Vince Dattilo Buster Franklin Stacy Noske

16 15 15 13 13 12 12 11 11 11 11

1982 1999 1992 2000 1983 2001 1984 2002 1991 1989 1985

Assists 1.

2.

T3.

T3.

T3.

T7.

T6.

T6.

T6.

T6.

T6.

T6.

T6.

T6.

T6.

Vince Dattilo Max Rooke Dave Dresbach Jeb Smith Marshall Eckford Vicente Arze Vicente Arze Neil Zarac David Henager Patrick Horacius Patrick Horacius Jeff Marshall Vince Dattilo Dave Dresbach Stacy Noske

11 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

1992 1999 1985 1985 1981 2007 2004 2001 1999 1996 1995 1992 1991 1985 1984

Points 1.

2.

3.

T4.

T4.

T4.

7.

T8.

T8.

T10.

T10.

Vince Dattilo Stacy Noske Neil Zarac Neil Zarac Neil Zarac Stacy Noske Oral Campbell Vince Dattilo Dave Dresbach Ramiro Canovas Del Olaoye

41 33 32 31 31 31 30 28 28 24 24

1992 1982 1999 2001 2000 1984 1983 1991 1985 2002 2002

1.12 1.15 1.19 1.30 1.35 1.36 1.38

2004 2006 1999 2004 2001 2000 2007

Goals Against Average 1.

Kerr McGowan 2.

Rob Cronenbold 3.

David Jetton 4.

Martin Walker 5.

Andr. Castrichini 6.

Lucio Filho 7.

David Bird

26 career, individual, team statistics

Saves 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Ron Keller Mike Potier Todd Bramble Mike Potier David Jetton

168 36 122 112 111

1984 1990 1988 1989 1997

Shutouts 1.

T2.

T2.

4.

T5.

T5.

T7.

T7.

T7.

David Jetton Ron Keller Aldo Balsano Ron Keller Lucio Fiho Lucio Filho Andr. Castrichini Jonathan Riley Rob. Cronenbold

6 5 5 4 3.5 3.5 3 3 3

1999 1984 2005 1982 2000 2001 2001 2003 2006

Single Game

Individual Shots 13

Jon L. Morrison vs. Valdosta State, 1981 Goals 6(Twice)

Leo Assimacopoules vs. Emory, 1970

Manas Pantilides vs. Emory, 1970 Assists 4

Marshall Eckford vs. Georgia Southwestern, 1981 Points 14

Leo Assimacopoules vs. Emory, 1970 Saves 24

Ron Keller vs. Georgia State, 1981 Team Goals Assists Points Saves

17 9 40 24

vs. Emory, 1970 vs. Columbus State, 1981 vs. Emory, 1970 vs. Georgia State, 1981

Mercer great Max Rooke

2009

mercer SOCCER

HONORS AND AWARDS Player of the Year 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Dattilo 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ramiro Canovas Freshman of the Year 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ramiro Canovas 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye 2004 Vicente Arze First Team All-Conference 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . Roland Schraft 1981 . . . . . . . . . . .

Jon L. Morrison

Ron Keller 1982 . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Benedetti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dave Dresbach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Grogan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Keller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacy Noske 1983 . . . . . . . . . . . . Oral Campbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dave Dresbach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Weber 1984 . . . . . . . . . . .

Jon L. Morrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Keller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacy Noske . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Grogan 1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Dresbach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Grogan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vince Benedetti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Rodgers 1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeb Smith 1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Rodgers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Payman Rashan 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scan Putegnat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Todd Bramble 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . Buster Franklin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reece Payton 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Potier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reece Payton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Rogers 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Dattilo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Rogers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Hale 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Dattilo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunter Goff 1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunter Goff 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Blain 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Blain 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Gibbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucio Filho 2001 . . . . . . . .

Coleman Duckworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

David Henager

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac 2002 . . . . . . . . . . .

Ramiro Canovas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze 2008 Bolade Ogunmade Second Team All-Conference 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Potier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Coffey 1992 . . . . . . . . . .

Hobby Barndollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chad Leeper 1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Hale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chad Leeper 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Blain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Patrick Horacius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pascal Occean 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . David Henager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Jetton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . David Henager . . . . . . . . . . . .

Coleman Duckworth 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oskar Modin . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stephen Tuckwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Gussio 2003 . . . . . . . . .

Stephen Tuckwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ramiro Canovas 2004 . . . . . . . . .

Stephen Tuckwood 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Ragan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clif Wilson 2006 Omar Liendo 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze All-Freshman Team 2001 . . . . . . . . .

Stephen Tuckwood 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kahlil Mathura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mark Donnelly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jason Erickson 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wynn Trice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aldo Balsano 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Gordon 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ian Cameron

1999 Atlantic Sun Men’s Soccer Champions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac 2000 . . . . . . . .

Coleman Duckworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac 2001 . . . . . . . . . . .

Ramiro Canovas . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Andrew Castrichini . . . . . . . . . . . .

Coleman Duckworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

David Henager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oskar Modin 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Gussio . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stephen Tuckwood 2004 . . . . . . . . .

Stephen Tuckwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Ragan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Omar Liendo 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP 1999, 2001................... Neil Zarac Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year 1982, 1992....................Dana Robinson 1999, 2002....................Tom Melville

All-Tournament Team 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sal Chillemi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Robert Gibbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Jetton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stephen Wennstrom

honors and awards 27

2009

MERCER soccer ALL TIME RECORDS AND RESULTS ALL TIME RECORDS School ABAC Alabama A&M UAB UAH Andrew J.C. Appalachian State Armstrong Atllantic State Auburn-Montgomery Augusta Belmont Berry Birmingham Southern Bradley Cal Poly UCF UC Riverside Campbell Centenary Central Florida Charleston Southern The Citadel Clark-Atlanta Clemson Coastal Carolina College of Charleston Columbus St Creighton Davidson YEAR BY YEAR RESULTS Year Overall 1970 2-2 1971 5-4-2 1972 4-1-1 1973 4-4-2 1974 7-6 1975 3-9-1 1976 2-6-2 1977 1-11-1 1978 0-5-2 1979 3-10 1980 2-14 1981 7-12 1982 7-10-2 1983 10-8-1 1984 8-10-1 1985 10-9-1 1986 3-16-1 1987 6-11-1 1988 3-15 1989 3-13 1990 4-13-1 1991 9-8-2 1992 9-6-2 1993 9-7-1 1994 3-12 1995 8-9-1 1996 8-10-1 1997 3-15 1998 7-11 1999 *12-7-2

Record 0-1 4-13 0-10-2 1-1 1-0 1-2 2-0 0-1 5-3 5-6-1 11-10-2 1-0 0-0 0-1 4-7-2 1-0 6-17-2 11-8 0-0 8-7-3 2-2-1 1-0 0-8 0-7 6-8 5-0 0-1 0-1

Conference - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0-6 1-4-1 4-2-2 5-0 4-3 1-7 3-4-1

3-5 1-7 2-5 4-2

Dekalb South Detroit-Mercy Drake Duke Eastern Illinois Eckerd Elon Emory Erskine ETSU Evansville Fairleigh Dickinson Flagler Florida Florida Atlantic Florida Gulf Coast Florida International Florida Southern Florida State Florida Tech Furman Gardner-Webb Georgia College Georgia Southern Georgia SW Georgia State Georgia Tech Hardin-Simmons Hartford Hartwick Conf. Finish Coach - Jerry Stone - Jerry Stone - David Sonsonby - Brady Siegler - Barry Myers - Barry Myers - Barry Myers - Tur-Rojas - Tom Sakaratana - Tom Sakaratana - Dana Robinson - Dana Robinson - Dana Robinson - Dana Robinson 3rd/East Dana Robinson 3rd/East Dana Robinson 4th/East Dana Robinson 4th/East Dana Robinson 4th/East Dana Robinson 4th/East Dana Robinson 4th/East Dana Robinson 2nd/East Dana Robinson 1st Dana Robinson 4th Dana Robinson 5th/West Dana Robinson 3rd/West Tom Melville 4th/West Tom Melville 5th/West Tom Melville 6th Tom Melville 2nd Tom Melville

28 records and results

0-2 1-0 0-1 0-4 0-0 0-3 0-2 6-14 0-9 0-0-1 0-2 0-1 0-2 0-1 10-6-2 1-1 1-5-1 0-0-1 0-0-1 1-0 3-1 6-2 7-15-2 19-23 5-0 13-32-3 2-0-1 0-2 1-0 0-1

High Point Houston Baptist Howard Huntingdon Jacksonville Kennesaw St. Kentucky LaGrange Life University Lipscomb Louisiana-Monroe Longwood Maryville UMass Memphis Mercer-Atlanta Middle Georgia Navy North Carolina N.C. State UNC-Asheville UNC-Greensboro UNC-Wilmington North Georgia North Florida New Orleans Oneonta State Oglethorpe Oral Roberts Penn

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

9-8-2 *13-8 10-7-1 8-9-2 11-9-1 9-9-2 3-12-3 6-12-1 2-11-5

3-1 0-2 0-0-1 3-2 5-12-3 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-2 5-3-1 0-3 1-0-1 0-1 0-1 0-2 5-4-3 1-1 0-1 0-1 0-6-1 4-0 0-3 1-2 2-5-1 2-1-1 0-1 0-1 3-7-1 2-0 0-1

3-1-2 5-2 6-1-1 5-3-1 7-4-1 4-2-2 1-4-2 2-6-1 1-5-3

* - Won A-Sun Tournament # - A-Sun “Coach of the Year�

Coaching Records

Coach Years Jerry Stone 1970-71 David Ponsonby 1972 Brady Siegler 1973 Barry Myers 1974-76 Tur-Rojas 1977 Tom Sakaratana 1978-79 Dana Robinson 1980-94 Tom Melville 1995-2007 Brad Ruzzo 2008- Totals

Overall 7-6-2 4-1-1 4-4-2 12-21-3 1-11-1 3-15-2 93-164-13 107-126-16 2-11-5 233-359-45

Ruzzo enters his second season, looking to finish with a winning season in 2009.

Presbyterian Radford Rhode Island Rollins Saint Leo Samford South Alabama South Carolina USC-Aiken USC Upstate South Florida SMU Southern Tech.

Stetson Tampa Tenn.-Temple Temple Thomas Toccoa Falls Towson State Vanderbilt Valdosta State Virginia Virginia Tech Western Kentucky Winthrop Wofford **2009 opponents in bold

1st 1st 1st 4th 3rd 3rd 6th 10th 6th

Tom Melville Tom Melville Tom Melville Tom Melville Tom Melville Tom Melville Tom Melville Tom Melville Brad Ruzzo

1-0 0-2 0-2 0-1 6-0 3-0 2-3-1 0-6 2-0 1-1 0-3 0-2 1-0-1 10-17-2 0-1 1-0 0-1 1-0 3-3-1 0-1 2-4-1 2-2 0-2 0-1 0-1 1-2 1-2

MERCER UNIVERSITY & THE ATLANTIC SUN

2009

MERCER soccer THE UNIVERSITY What distinguishes a good university from a great university extends far beyond the boundaries of its curriculum and its campus. The competence and character of an institution’s graduates are, more often than not, the hallmarks by which its reputation is both earned and measured. As a private, co-educational institution, Mercer University has emerged as one of the premier universities in the Southeast and the nation.

Mercer is truly a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education.

Mercer’s outstanding faculty take students beyond the rigors of academic programs to explore the challenges of reason, responsibility, compassion and character. Through learning, living and leading, Mercer students are prepared not only to confront, but also to embrace the challenges of their future.

Under the leadership of prominent Georgia Baptist leader Jesse Mercer, Mercer University was founded in Penfield, Ga., in 1833 and later moved to Macon in 1871. From its humble beginnings as a small liberal arts college, Mercer now offers programs in 11 schools and colleges. Conveniently located in the middle of the state, Macon serves as the educational, medical, cultural and commercial hub of central Georgia. Located just one hour from Atlanta - one of the nation’s most popular international cities - and two hours from the Atlantic coast, Macon is easily accessible from two interstate highways - I-75 and I-16.

Consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review among the nation’s leading universities, Mercer considers one of its strengths to be its superior faculty, who “teach from the heart.” At Mercer, students benefit from learning experiences guided by caring faculty, not teaching assistants found at many universities as is the case at many universities. The Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA recently named Mercer as a “highly selective” university, and The Princeton Review has placed Mercer among the Best 351 Colleges in North America.

The University is comprised of the College of Liberal Arts, the Walter F. George School of Law, the School of Pharmacy and Health Services, the School of Medicine, the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics, the School of Engineering, the James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology, the Tift College of Education, the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, and the Townsend School of Music. The University also operates the Mercer University Press in Macon and the Mercer Engineering Research Center in Warner Robins.

Mercer’s enrollment is nearly 7,400 students. While many students come from the Southeast, more than 38 states and 30 countries are represented among the student body. The average class size at Mercer is 21, with a student/faculty ratio of 13:1 - unusually low for a major university.

Undergraduate Degrees African American Studies Art Biology Business (M.A.P.S. program) Chemistry Christianity Communication and Theatre Arts Computer Science Economics Education Engineering English Environmental Science French German History Information Science and Technology Journalism Latin Mathematics Media Studies Music

Music Education Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Sociology Spanish Theater Women’s and Gender Studies Graduate Degrees Business Administration (MBA) Community Counseling Engineering Education Family Service Family Therapy Nursing Public Health Professional Degrees Law Medical

30 mercer university

Campus Life Even with its picturesque setting, the spirit of Mercer is not in the grandeur of its buildings, but in the graciousness of its people - a friendly, family-like community of faculty, staff and students who strive for excellence in all that they do.

The University offers a wealth of fascinating experiences and activities both in and outside the classroom. From academic clubs and honor societies, to performing arts and special interest groups, to 16 national fraternities and sororities on campus, students can choose from more than 80 on-campus organizations to discover new talents and interests and to gain important leadership skills they will need for life after college.

Residence Life The benefits of campus living are numerous - the development of life-long friendships, a sense of community, enhancing campus involvement and higher academic performance. For many new students, this is the first time they have lived away from home, and the community that develops on campus and in residence halls becomes a second family.

All freshman and sophomores (first-year and/or transfer students) are required to live on campus, with the exception of married students, students above the age of 21, students with children and/ or students who live at home with a parent or guardian within reasonable commuting distance.

In each of Mercer’s residence halls, safety comes first and foremost. The exterior doors are locked at all times, and students use their identification cards to gain access into their residence hall.

2009

mercer SOCCER

FACILITIES

Heritage Hall When walking into the U.C. for the first time, you get a look at Mercer’s historic past with a glimpse of the future.

Heritage Hall is home to memorabilia from Mercer’s historic athletic achievements as well as the Athlete Hall of Fame.

Weight Room Another state-of-the-art addition to Mercer, the weight room is home to three power lifiting stations, abundant free weights and state-of-the art cardio equipment.

Indoor Pool The indoor pool at the University Center is a collegiate size lap pool that is utilized for aqua-therapy for rehabilitation of student-athletes.

Sports Medicine A comprehensive therapeutic setting provides medical coverage for all student-athletes. It is staffed by two full-time employees and five graduate assistants who are licensed and certified to practice.

facilities 31

MERCER soccer

The new home (Bear Field) of the Mercer men’s and women’s soccer teams just underwent a $250,000 renovation over the summer of 2009. The facility was resurfaced in order to level the field and install new grass to improve the quality of play. With a capacity for just over 500 fans, Bear Field has hosted four Atlantic Sun Championships and an NCAA Tournament game back in 1999. Additionally, each of Mercer’s team sports has a state-of-the-art locker room located in the University Center. Attached to each locker room is a luxurious player lounge, complete with a big-screen TV, a surround sound stereo system, spacious shower rooms and comfortable seating.

32 new facilities

2009

2009

mercer SOCCER

ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE ACADEMIC SUCCESS

THIS IS THE ATLANTIC SUN For more than 30 years the Atlantic Sun Conference has stood for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas with a focus on the balance between the two for its student athletes. The A-Sun boasts a blend of the most dynamic and prestigious private and public institutions in the region, with all committed to the conference goal of Building Winners for Life The experience for a student-athlete in the A-Sun is supported by the entire university community, from coaches to faculty, and from the CEO’s to the athletic and academic support staff. Atlantic Sun student-athletes compete in outstanding facilities throughout the conference and in some of top markets in the Southeast. Eight A-Sun schools compete in the top 10 media markets within the conference’s five-state footprint. With All-America selections, National AllAcademic honorees, teams and individuals qualifying for and advancing in NCAA Championship play, Atlantic Sun studentathletes achieve at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.

Continuing a tradition of academic achievement, more than 57 percent of all student-athletes earned All-Academic status during the 2008-09 academic year. Fifteen student-athletes earned places on the 2008-09 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Teams. Belmont led the impressive institutional totals in the race for the All-Academic Trophy for the seventh time in eight years with 66.5 percent of its student-athletes achieving All-Academic status with grade point averages of a 3.00, or better.

Belmont senior Andy Wicke, Jacksonville senior Jeremy Gillan, Lipscomb junior Kellie Sirus and Campbell senior Karlie Love earned spots on CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America teams. Lipscomb’s men and women track and field teams and the women’s cross country team ranked among the top 10 GPAs in NCAA Division I, in being recognized as All-Academic Scholar Teams from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Belmont men’s cross country team posted the fifth-highest GPA, according to the USTFCCCA. Wicke, one of the Bruins’ most celebrated student-athletes, shared the conference’s male Scholar Athlete of the Year award and earned the conference’s Postgraduate Scholarship. Mercer’s Chereese Rowe earned the conference’s second Postgraduate Scholarship. Wicke earned national acclaim as he became one of just two men’s basketball players to receive an educational grant through the NCAA postgraduate scholarship program. For his dedicated academic success and community service, Wicke landed on the Lowe’s All-Senior All-America Second Team and was one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award.

ATHLETIC SUCCESS For the second straight season, the A-Sun made early headlines on the hardwood as Mercer, under new head coach Bob Hoffman, went on the road and defeated Alabama and Auburn within a four-day span, shooting the Bears up to the top spot in the RPI. At the General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Championship, ETSU ended Belmont’s three-year reign, winning its first A-Sun Tournament title and making the NCAA field for the eighth time. During the Championship, Courtney Pigram became just the second player in league history to reach the 2000-point plateau. Two players could reach that mark this season in Mercer’s James Florence and Campbell’s Jonathan Rodriguez. Florence and Campbell begin the season as the second- and thirdhighest active scorers in the nation.

During the baseball season, three A-Sun hurlers, Lipscomb’s Rex Brothers and Kennesaw State’s duo of Chad Jenkins and Kyle Heckathorn moved up the draft boards of Major League teams with every dominating performance. Brothers turned in one of the league’s top single-season strikeout performances; Jenkins posted a 41-inning scoreless streak and Heckathorn capped his season with a dominating 15-strikeout performance against UNF, earning National Player of the Week honors. On draft night, Jenkins became just the seventh A-Sun player to be a first-round selection, going to the Blue Jays. In the supplemental phase of the first round, the Rockies picked Rex Brothers and the Brewers tabbed Heckathorn.

In softball, the conference turned in one of its finest seasons in history, especially during the non-conference season. Against out-of-conference opposition, A-Sun schools posted a .602 win percentage, the fifth-highest in the nation, trailing only the SEC, Pac-10, ACC and Big 12. Five schools finished with win percentages better than .600 and FGCU and Mercer reached the 40-win mark. The Eagles established a league record for win percentage at .839 in posting a 47-9 record. For the second-consecutive May, Campbell emerged victorious at the A-Sun Championship, led by the dominating performance of MVP Brittany Stanley. She pitched all 31 innings, recorded two shutouts and struck out 26 against only two walks.

One of the most dominating athletes in Atlantic Sun history in Jacksonville’s Natasha Harvey closed out her career. She led the Dolphins team titles in both Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field for a fourth-straight year and won the inaugural MVP honors at both meets as well as the Most Outstanding Field Performer award. During her four years, she won a combined 18 individual events, five Most Outstanding Performer awards, both Most Outstanding Freshman performers in addition to the two MVP honors. Off the track, she won the A-Sun’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award, was the A-Sun’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award and appeared on the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team for a fourth-straight year.

The 2009-10 athletic year promises to be an exciting one for the Atlantic Sun as UNF and Kennesaw State earned full Division-I status and will be eligible for all postseason tournaments. FGCU’s champion volleyball and baseball programs and USC Upstate’s soccer and softball programs have also gained access to A-Sun and NCAA postseason play. For the first time in league history, Mercer and its University Center will play host to the General Shale Brick Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. The Baseball Championship leaves Florida for the first time in 16 years for Nashville, Tenn. and Lipscomb’s Dugan Field. FGCU landed its first championship, and will host volleyball in November. These new additions and venues make the upcoming year a hotly anticipated season for the Atlantic Sun.

atlantic sun conference 33

2009

MERCER soccer STAFF PRESIDENT WILLIAM D. UNDERWOOD

William D. Underwood was selected to serve as the 18th president of Mercer University beginning July 1, 2006. Prior to joining Mercer, Underwood served at Baylor University as interim president and held the prestigious Leon Jaworski Chair at the Baylor School of Law, having joined the law faculty in 1990 after practicing law with a large firm in Dallas. He also took a leave of absence from the Law School from 1997-98 to serve as Baylor’s general counsel.

Underwood is an accomplished educator and scholar. He was designated a Master Teacher at Baylor in recognition of extraordinary classroom teaching and was named an Outstanding University Professor in 2005. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute and the American Bar Foundation.

He has published extensively on a range of topics and has presented a number of papers on how faith relates to higher education, especially at universities that share the historical and theological commitment of Baptists to intellectual and religious freedom and respect for religious diversity.

Sybil Blalock Sr. Assoc. A.D./ Senior Women Admin.

Jim Cole Sr. Assoc. A.D./ External Affairs

Jennifer Greer Assistant A.D./Internal Affairs and Compliance

Rob Murphy Assistant A.D. Sports Medicine

Myra Cameron Athletic Coordinator

Erica Sullivan Staff Assistant

Jim Tessmer Operations Manager

Ryan Bailey Head Coach Cross Country

Craig Gibson Head Coach Baseball

Gary Guyer Head Coach Women’s Golf

Bob Hoffman Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Janell Jones Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Mickey Pearce Head Coach Rifle

Make Raynor Head Coach Softball

Noelle Rooke Head Coach Volleyball

Grant Serafy Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Nick Stutsman Head Coach Tennis

Andrew Tredway Head Coach Men’s Golf

Underwood is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, which awarded him the juris doctor degree. He graduated as class salutatorian and was an editor of the University of Illinois Law Review. Following graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Sam D. Johnson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, where he met his wife Lesli. They have two teenage children, Jessica and William.

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR BOBBY POPE

The dean of Atlantic Sun Conference athletics directors, Bobby Pope is in his 21st year at the helm of Mercer athletics. During his tenure, he has seen the growth of the program to 14 sports, as well as the addition of the first full-time coaches for men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis and cross country.

Facility upgrades have been a priority since he became athletics director, as evidenced by the state-of-the-art University Center, home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as volleyball. The $40-million facility opened in January 2004. The building houses offices for all coaches as well as locker rooms for all teams.

Claude Smith Field, the home field for baseball, received a facelift in the fall of 2003. In addition, Sikes Field, the home field for softball was completely renovated in the summer of 2006. A practice facility for the golf teams is also on the drawing board.

Pope is also very active in the Atlantic Sun, having served two years as president in the late 1990s. He is currently a member of the tournament committee. Additionally, Pope serves as the athletics director liaison for the basketball coach’s advisory committee. He is also very active in the community, serving as treasurer of the Macon Touchdown Club as well as serving on the Mayor’s Recreation Master Plan Committee and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority.

Pope’s involvement with Mercer athletics began in 1970 when he was the “Voice of the Bears.” In recognition of his contributions to sports in Middle Georgia, Pope was inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame on April 18, 2006.

A native of Thomaston, Ga., Pope graduated from Georgia College in 1970. He and his wife Carol have two children, Andy, a 1998 graduate of Georgia and Kristen, a 2001 Mercer graduate.

34 staff

MEET THE BEARS

BACK ROW: Assistant Coach Michael Haynes, Richie Edmondson, Elias Hall, Bryson Jones, Ryan Young, Andrew Todd, Will Grey, Will Betts, Jack O’Malley, Head Coach Brad Ruzzo.

MIDDLE ROW: Dan VanVulkinburgh, Joey Heavner, Philip Thoren, Sharp Sablon, Jon Adams, Arkenson Neckles, Shawn Meek, Brett Petricek, Trainer Ken Takenaka.

FRONT ROW: Stefan Wingo, Ian Cameron, Zachary Rall, Geoffrey Oliveria, Thomas Knerr, Matt Brazer, Chrispine Ong’Ango, Richard Wimsatt.

2009

2009 Schedule

August 20 #Clayton State 24 #Middle Georgia

Macon, Ga. Macon, Ga.

7:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

September 1 Alabama A&M 4 Eastern Illinois 6 %Bradley 11 Georgia State 13 Wofford 18 Gardner-Webb 20 Georgia Southern 25 Applachian State

Macon, Ga. Peoria, Ill. Peoria, Ill. Atlanta, Ga. Greenville, S.C. Macon, Ga. Macon, Ga. Boone, N.C.

5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

October 1 * Belmont 3 * Lipscomb 8 * ETSU 10 * USC Upstate 13 Central Florida 17 * Campbell 22 * FGCU 24 * Stetson 29 * Jacksonville 31 * North Florida

Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville, Tenn.

Macon, Ga. Macon, Ga. Orlando, Fla. Macon, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. DeLand, Fla. Macon, Ga. Macon, Ga.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

November 6 Atlantic Sun Tournament TBA

TBA

All Times Eastern * Atlantic Sun Conference Match Home Matches in Bold

# Exhibition Match %Busey Bank Kickoff Festival