MEN’S
AND
WOMEN’S GOLF 2014-15
1
GROVE CITY COLLEGE
QUICK FACTS
QUICK FACTS
Institution _________ Grove City College Location _______________ Grove City, Pa. Founded _________________________ 1876 Enrollment _______________________ 2,500 Colors _____________ Crimson and White Nickname _________________ Wolverines Affiliation ___________ NCAA Division III Conference _______ Presidents’ Athletic Home Course __________ Grove City C.C. President __________ Paul McNulty, J.D. Alma Mater __________ Grove City, 1980 Athletic Director _________ Dr. Don Lyle Alma Mater ________ Muskingum, 1971 Asst. Athletic Director ___ Todd Gibson Alma Mater __________ Grove City, 2002 Compliance Coordinator _ Mike Dreves Alma Mater __________ Grove City, 1997 Head Coach ___________ Melissa Lamie Alma Mater _______________ Calvin, 1992 At Grove City ___________ Ninth Season Assistant Coach _____________ Brad Isles First Year of Men’s Program _____ 1935 First Year of Women’s Program __ 1996 Head Trainer ______ Kay Mitchell Emigh Assistant Trainer __________ Rick Hawke Athletic Office Mgr ___________ Kim Iliff Equipment Mgr ________ Larry Freeman Equipment Mgr _______ Jim Richardson
CONTACT INFORMATION Head Coach Melissa Lamie Office Telephone _______ 724-455-2128 Best Time to Call ____________ Mornings E-mail _____________ mdlamie@gcc.edu •••
Sports Info. Director Ryan Briggs Office Telephone _______ 724-458-3365 Office Fax _______________ 724-458-3855 Home Telephone _______ 724-748-3718 E-mail ______________ rabriggs@gcc.edu
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Head Coach Melissa Lamie Assistant Coach Brad Isles 2014-15 Season Preview Returning Women’s Letterwinners Returning Men’s Letterwinners About The Presidents’ Athletic Conference Grove City College Sports About Grove City College 2014-15 Schedule
MEN’S ROSTER
Name Yr. Jorden Alfery Fr. Austin Eckhardt So. Brian Giesler Sr. Connor Grieb Fr. Nick Guiler Sr. Christian Locher Sr. Anthony Smaldino Fr. Connor Tipping Fr. Joshua Van Eerden So. Austin Wenger Sr. Head Coach: Melissa Lamie
3 3 4 5 6 7 8-9 10-11 12
Hometown (High School) Cheswick, Pa. (Fox Chapel) Strasburg, Ohio (Strasburg) Harrisville, Pa. (Slippery Rock) Wexford, Pa. (Homeschooled) Mercer, Pa. (Mercer) Mars, Pa. (Mars) Butler, Pa. (Vincentian Academy) Harleysville, Pa. (Christopher Dock) Greensboro, N.C. (Adler Prep) Lititz, Pa. (Lititz Christian) Assistant Coach: Brad Isles
WOMEN’S ROSTER Name Yr. Megan Baak So. Esther Durling Sr. Carolyn Jack Fr. Meghan Love Sr. Rebecca Shakely Jr. Leah Wilson So. Head Coach: Melissa Lamie
Hometown (High School) Landisville, Pa. (Lancaster Mennonite) Perry, Mich. (Perry) Wexford, Pa. (North Allegheny) Hollidaysburg, Pa. (Hollidaysburg) Butler, Pa. (Butler) Solon, Ohio (Solon) Assistant Coach: Brad Isles
•••
Grove City Athletic Department Dept. Telephone ________ 724-458-2900 Dept. Fax ________________ 724-458-3855 Web Site _______ www2.gcc.edu/sports
CREDITS Editor ________________ Ryan Briggs, SID Editorial assistance by Robert Audia and Marie Carroll. Action shots by Dave Miller/ADM Photography, Darlington, Pa. Cover photos by Robert Audia. Printing by SCP Group, Sharon, Pa.
In May 2014, the Grove City women’s golf team made its first appearance in the NCAA Division III Championships. Grove City became the first Presidents’ Athletic Conference program to earn a trip to the national championships by virtue of winning the conference title. The Wolverines placed 19th at the NCAA Championships, held at El Campeon Golf Course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
2
MEN’S
AND
WOMEN’S GOLF 2014-15
HEAD COACH MELISSA LAMIE
ASSISTANT COACH BRAD ISLES Brad Isles is in his eighth season as a volunteer assistant golf coach at Grove City College. Durling that time, Isles has helped both the men’s and women’s programs move into the upper echelon of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. A native of Grove City, Isles works in the College’s office of Marketing and Communications as web content and social media manager. He came to Grove City College in 2005 after spending nearly 10 years in the newspaper field. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Isles lives in Harmony, Pa., with his wife, Melissa, and has two daughters, Makenna and Maryn.
3
COACHING STAFF
Melissa Lamie is in her ninth season as Grove City College’s head men’s and women’s golf coach. Last season, she guided Grove City’s women’s team to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title, the program’s third crown in four years. Esther Durling earned conference Player of the Year honors for the third straight season and the Wolverines qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time in program history. Lamie earned the conference’s Coach of the Year award for the second straight season. She also earned that award in 2011 after directing the Grove City women’s team to the conference title. Grove City produced the conference’s Player of the Year in Arielle Goyzueta. In 2012, she guided a very young Grove City women’s team to a third-place finish at the rain-shortened conference championships. Durling earned PAC Player of the Year honors. In 2007, her first season as head coach, she led the men to a second-place finish and the women to a third-place finish in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships. Grove City’s men’s team has won seven invitational titles and recorded seven other runner-up finishes her first eight seasons as head coach. Last year, the men won the Grove City Fall Invitational and the La Roche Invitational. The women’s program has captured eight crowns and seven second-place finishes over the past six seasons. Grove City’s golf teams have also excelled in the classroom as 16 players have earned spots on the conference’s Academic Honor Roll over the past five seasons. Lamie is certainly no stranger to success as a head coach. She recently completed her 22nd season as Grove City’s head women’s soccer coach. She has led the Wolverines to 238 victories. Grove City has won five Presidents’ Athletic Conference titles under her guidance and made nine total postseason appearances. Over the past 15 years, Lamie has guided the women’s soccer team to 181 victories. She is the conference’s alltime leader in women’s soccer coaching wins. Lamie also spent 13 seasons as Grove City’s head women’s basketball coach. She directed Grove City to eight winning seasons over her final 10 years as head coach. Grove City posted a 153-129 mark over her final 11 years as head coach, including five postseason berths. She graduated from Calvin College in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. In 1993, Lamie earned a master’s degree in physical education from Northern Colorado University. Lamie lives in Pine Township with husband Steve, the College’s head men’s basketball coach, their 14-year-old daughter Melia, and three-year old twins Caleb and Rayna.
GROVE CITY COLLEGE
2014-15 SEASON PREVIEW
SEASON PREVIEW
Grove City Men, Women Aim For Conference Supremacy This Spring The Grove City College women's and men's golf teams both have high expectations for the 2014-15 season. The women's program looks to repeat as Presidents' Athletic Conference champion and earn the team's second straight automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championships. Meanwhile, the men's team expects to challenge for the conference title and the program's first trip to the NCAA Championships. The women's team returns four letterwinners from last year, including seniors Esther Durling and Meghan Love. Durling has assembled one of the finest careers in Grove City history, having earned conference MVP honors in each of her first three seasons. She has also captured medalist at the PAC Fall Championships in all three seasons, along with numerous other individual crowns. Love has been a stalwart in Grove City's lineup throughout her career and is a three-year letterwinner. Senior Brian Giesler is a three-year letterman and returning All-PAC performer for Grove City.
She will provide a veteran presence once again this season. Junior Rebecca Shakely and sophomore Leah Wilson are also back after seeing extensive action during the 2013-14 season. Both veterans are expected to be integral parts of the lineup this year. Newcomers Megan Baak and Carolyn Jack will also look to earn full-time lineup spots this year. On the men's side, Grove City returns a number of talented veterans this season, including a quartet of seniors. Senior Brian Giesler earned First Team All-PAC recognition last year and is a three-year letterman. Meanwhile, classmate Christian Locher won four events during his junior season and will join Giesler at the top of the Wolverine lineup. Seniors Nick Guiler and Austin Wenger are also back to solidify the Grove City lineup this season. Guiler has lettered in each of the last two seasons while Wenger owns three collegiate letters. Sophomore Austin Eckhardt played extensively as a rookie during the 2013-14 season and fellow second-year player Joshua Van Eerden will aim for a regular lineup spot after playing primarily as an individual last year. Freshmen Jordan Alfery, Connor Grieb, Anthony Smaldino and Connor Tipping will all look to make notable contributions this season as well.
Senior Esther Durling has earned Presidents’ Athletic Conference Most Valuable Performer honors in each of her first three seasons at Grove City.
4
MEN’S
AND
WOMEN’S GOLF 2014-15
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS ESTHER DURLING
REBECCA SHAKELY
SENIOR PERRY, MICH. PERRY
JUNIOR BUTLER, PA. BUTLER
Two-year letterwinner for Grove City ... Will challenge for full-time spot in Wolverine lineup this season. AS A SOPHOMORE: Earned second letter ... Placed 18th at 2013 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Fall Championships ... Helped Grove City to conference title and berth in 2014 NCAA Championships. AS A FRESHMAN: Earned first letter ... Placed fourth overall at Grove City Invitational April 20, 2013 ... Member of Presidents’ Athletic Conference title team. NOTABLE: Music education major ... Younger sister of former Grove City men’s golfer Andrew Shakely (2008-12)
LEAH WILSON
MEGHAN LOVE
SOPHOMORE SOLON, OHIO SOLON
SENIOR HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA. HOLLIDAYSBURG
Second-year performer who will compete for full-time spot in Wolverine lineup this season ... Returning letterwinner. AS A FRESHMAN: Earned first letter ... Played in 10 rounds during the season. NOTABLE: Mechanical engineering major.
Three-year letterwinner ... Will likely be key member of Grove City lineup again in 2014-15 season. AS A JUNIOR: Earned third letter ... Captured 18th at 2014 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships ... Placed eighth at 2013 PAC Fall Invitational ... Helped Grove City to conference title and program’s first NCAA Championships invitation. AS A SOPHOMORE: Earned second letter ... Took 13th at 2013 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships, helping Grove City to team crown. AS A FRESHMAN: Earned first letter ... Placed 11th at 2011 PAC Fall Championships. NOTABLE: Elementary/ special education major.
2014-15 NEWCOMERS
Megan Baak Landisville, Pa.
5
Carolyn Jack Wexford, Pa.
THE 2014-15 WOLVERINES
Three-year letterwinner who is one of top returning players in region ... Will hold down top spot in Grove City lineup. AS A JUNIOR: Earned third letter ... 2014 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Year ... Helped Wolverines earn first-ever NCAA Championships invitation ... Three-time PAC Golfer of the Week ... Medalist at 2013 PAC Fall Championships ... Won six total events during 2013-14 season. AS A SOPHOMORE: Earned second letter ... 2013 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Year ... Helped Wolverines to conference title ... Medalist at 2012 PAC Fall Championships ... Team co-captain for 2012-13. AS A FRESHMAN: Earned first letter ... 2012 conference Player of the Year ... Medalist at 2011 PAC Fall Championships. NOTABLE: Business management major.
GROVE CITY COLLEGE
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS AUSTIN ECKHARDT
CHRISTIAN LOCHER
SOPHOMORE STRASBURG, OHIO STRASBURG
SENIOR MARS, PA. MARS
THE 2014-15 WOLVERINES
Returning letterwinner who will look to earn full-time place in lineup this season. AS A FRESHMAN: Earned first letter ... Made collegiate debut with 78 at Grove City Fall Invitational September 7, 2013 ... Took 25th at 2014 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships. NOTABLE: Mechanical engineering major.
Two-year letterman ... Team co-captain. AS A JUNIOR: Earned second letter ... Medalist at four events ... Placed 12th at 2014 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships. AS A SOPHOMORE: Earned first letter ... Earned medalist honors at McBride-Behringer-Allen “MBA” Invitational April 29, 2013, helping Grove City to title ... 5th at 2012 PAC Fall Championships. NOTABLE: Exercise science major ... Dean’s List ... PAC Academic Honor Roll.
BRIAN GIESLER
AUSTIN WENGER
SENIOR HARRISVILLE, PA. SLIPPERY ROCK
SENIOR LITITZ, PA. LITITZ CHRISTIAN
Three-year letterwinner ... Will likely again solidify top of Grove City lineup this season ... Team co-captain. AS A JUNIOR: Earned third letter ... Co-medalist at 2013 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Fall Championships ... Earned First Team All-PAC after taking third at 2014 PAC championships ... PAC Golfer of the Week September 30, 2013. AS A SOPHOMORE: Earned second letter ... Earned medalist at Thiel Invitational April 20, 2013, helping Grove City to team title ... Named PAC Golfer of the Week three times. AS A FRESHMAN: Earned first letter ... Placed 27th at conference’s 2011 Fall Championships. NOTABLE: Three-year letterwinner for Grove City men’s basketball team ... Entrepreneurship major.
Three-year letterwinner who will compete for regular spot in lineup. AS A JUNIOR: Earned third letter after competing in 11 rounds during 2013-14 season. AS A SOPHOMORE: Earned second letter ... Took 19th at Grove City Fall Invitational September 10, 2012. AS A FRESHMAN: Earned first letter ... Played primarily as an individual. NOTABLE: Political science/history major. THE 2014-15 WOLVERINES
NICK GUILER SENIOR MERCER, PA. MERCER
Jordan Alfery Cheswick, Pa.
Two-year letterman who brings veteran presence to lineup. AS A JUNIOR: Earned second letter ... Placed 17th at 2013 PAC Fall Championships ... Took 20th at 2014 conference championships. AS A SOPHOMORE: Earned first letter ... Closed season by taking 7th at Grove City’s McBride-Behringer-Allen “MBA” Invitational April 29, 2013. NOTABLE: Political science major.
Anthony Smaldino Butler, Pa.
6
Connor Grieb Wexford, Pa.
Connor Tipping Harleysville, Pa.
Joshua Van Eerden Greensboro, N.C.
MEN’S
AND
WOMEN’S GOLF 2014-15
ABOUT THE PAC
2013-14 PAC Women’s Golfers of the Week
2013-14 PAC Men’s Golfers of the Week Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 March 31 April 8 April 14 April 21
Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 April 8 April 14 April 21
Christian Locher, Grove City Colin Izzo, Washington & Jefferson Brian Giesler, Grove City Evan Lestini, Washington & Jefferson Derek Lingafelt, Saint Vincent Michael Marcagi, Thomas More Christian Locher, Grove City Hunter Bagiatis, Washington & Jefferson
Sarah Rebitch, Saint Vincent Sarah Rebitch, Saint Vincent Esther Durling, Grove City Esther Durling, Grove City Sarah Rebitch, Saint Vincent Esther Durling, Grove City
2014 PRESIDENTS’ ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Cedarbrook Golf Club - Belle Vernon, Pa. - April 25-26
MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS Fall Spring Total 1. Saint Vincent 588 623 1,211 2. Wash. & Jeff. 604 624 1,228 3. Grove City 608 639 1,247 4. Thomas More 628 638 1,266 5. Thiel 631 646 1,277 6. Westminster 648 687 1,335 7. Waynesburg 750 668 1,418 8. Bethany 722 817 1,539 PAC INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD 1. Mike Marcagi, Thomas More 77-73-150 2. Hunter Bagiaitis, Wash. & Jeff. 73-78-151 3. Brian Giesler, Grove City 74-79-153 3. Bryan Smith, Thiel 79-74-153 5. M. Markantone, Saint Vincent 77-77-154 5. Tim Barto, Saint Vincent 78-76-154 7. Tim Novic, Wash. & Jeff. 77-78-155 8. Derek Lingafelt, Saint Vincent 77-79-156 9. Matt Fiore, Thiel 79-78-157 9. D. Hampton, Thomas More 76-81-157
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS Fall Spring Total 1. Grove City 721 748 1,469 2. Saint Vincent 750 750 1,500 3. Westminster 747 776 1,523 4. Wash. & Jeff. 754 770 1,524 5. Thiel 814 836 1,650 6. Waynesburg 947 887 1,834 7. Thomas More 1,097 959 2,056 PAC INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD 1. Esther Durling, Grove City 84-81-165 2. Sarah Rebitch, Saint Vincent 82-85-167 3. Jennifer Suder, Wash. & Jeff. 90-89-179 4. Morgan Pierce, Westminster 92-90-182 4. S. Firestone, Saint Vincent 92-90-182 4. Kayla Finney, Grove City 93-89-182 7. Madison Presto, Waynesburg 92-92-184 8. Katelyn Vannoy, Wash. & Jeff. 94-91-185 8. Amanda Halula, Wash. & Jeff. 89-96-185 10. Alyssa Mondl, Thiel 95-95-190
7
THE PRESIDENTS’ ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
In 2014, Carnegie Mellon University and Case Western Reserve University will compete for the conference’s championship in football as affiliate members. The PAC annually crowns champions in 19 sports. All-Conference status is awarded in all 19 sports. Head coaches select all-league squads for all team sports, while in individual sports such as cross country and tennis, all-PAC accolades are based upon performances at the conference championships. The PAC annually awards its men’s and women’s All-Sports Trophies to the schools which perform best across the board in conference competition. Grove City won the Women’s All-Sports Trophy for the 2013-14 academic year while Washington & Jefferson earned the Men’s All-Sports Trophy. In 2013-14, the league named a conference-record 903 student-athletes to the PAC Academic Honor Roll, which recognizes all participating student-athletes who attain a term grade-point average of 3.60 or above during their semester of competition.
Founded in 1955, the Presidents’ Athletic Conference continues its mission of promoting intercollegiate athletics and the pursuit of academic excellence. Comprised of 10 select private colleges - Bethany College, Chatham University, Geneva College, Grove City College, Saint Vincent College, Thiel College, Thomas More College, Washington & Jefferson College, Waynesburg University and Westminster College - the PAC remains a unique organization in this day of highpressure intercollegiate athletics. With academics at the center of each member’s philosophy, the PAC is built on the principle that an athletic program is a part of college life, but not an entity in itself. During the 2005-06 academic year, Chatham, Geneva and Saint Vincent all joined the PAC. Chatham competed for PAC championships for the first time during the 2007-08 academic year. Saint Vincent first competed for conference titles in 2010-11. Geneva became eligible for conference titles in 2011-12.
GROVE CITY COLLEGE SPORTS
GROVE CITY COLLEGE
8
MEN’S
AND
WOMEN’S GOLF 2014-15
GROVE CITY COLLEGE SPORTS
9
GROVE CITY COLLEGE
ABOUT GROVE CITY COLLEGE
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
The beautifully landscaped campus of Grove City College stretches over 150 acres and includes 28 neoGothic buildings. It is considered one of the loveliest in the nation. While the College has changed to meet the needs of the society it serves, its basic philosophy has remained unchanged since its founding in 1876. It is a Christian, liberal arts institution, dedicated to the principle of providing the highest quality education at the lowest possible cost. Wishing to remain truly independent and to retain its distinctive qualities as a private school governed by private citizens (trustees), it is one of few colleges in the country that does not accept federal funds. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), but not narrowly denominational, the College believes that to be well-educated a student should be exposed to the central ideas of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Grove City College offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, and music and is distinguished as a national leader in education. Grove City’s programs in electrical and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission Board of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The “big business school curriculum” prepares students for today’s global business reality. An extensive variety of internship opportunities are provided across the curriculum. Grove City College wants its students to be prepared in this age of mobile information technology. Each entering freshman receives a tablet computer which is his or hers to keep upon graduation with a four-year degree. This is part of the Information Technology Initiative, a total program integrating technology across the curriculum.
PROGRAMS AND MAJORS
Grove City College’s Breen Student Union
The College believes that its student body has a unique mix of talents and abilities. Its Career Services program helps students identify those key assets during the first year and then builds a four-year strategy to help them pursue a satisfying career. Personal counseling, professional speakers, databases, alumni contacts, summer internships, corporate visits, employer presentations and more are incorporated into the career preparation experience. Grove City follows the semester calendar plan, in addition to offering two-week sessions in January and May. Most of the 2,500 students live in separate men’s and women’s dormitories. The rest are local commuters or married students. A full program of cultural, professional, athletic and social activities is offered, including 19 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams. Grove City, a town of 8,100 people, is located 60 miles north of Pittsburgh. It is located near Interstates 79 and 80 and has a municipal airport.
Grove City College 2014-2015 Tuition $7,775 per semester Room and Board $4,236 per semester
10
ACCOUNTING Acounting (B.S.) BIBLICAL AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES Biblical and Religious Studies (B.A.) BIOLOGY Biology (B.S.) BUSINESS Business Management (B.S.) Finance (B.S.) Industrial Management (B.S.) International Business (B.S.) Marketing Management (B.S.) CHEMISTRY Biochemistry (B.S.) Chemistry (B.S.) COMMUNICATION STUDIES Communication Studies (B.A.) COMPUTER SCIENCE Computer Science (B.S.) Computer Information Systems (B.S.) ECONOMICS Economics (B.A.) Business/Economics (B.S.) EDUCATION Pre K-4 Elementary Education (B.S.) Pre K-8 Special Education and Pre K-4 Elementary Education (B.S.) Middle Level Math/English/Science Education (B.S.) K-12 Biology/General Science Education (B.S.) K-12 French Education (B.A.) K-12 Music Education (B.M.) K-12 Spanish Education (B.A.) 7-12 Biology/General Science Education (B.S.) 7-12 Chemistry Education (B.S.) 7-12 Chemistry/General Science Education (B.S.) 7-12 English Education (B.A.) 7-12 English/Communication Education (B.A.) 7-12 Mathematics Education (B.S.) 7-12 Physics Education (B.S.) 7-12 Physics/General Science Education (B.S.) 7-12 Social Studies Education (B.A.) ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER ENGINEERING Electrical/Computer Engineering (B.S.E.E.) ENGLISH English (B.A.) ENTREPRENEURSHIP Entrepreneurship (B.S.) HISTORY History (B.A.) MATHEMATICS Mathematics (B.S.) MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) MODERN LANGUAGES French (B.A.) Spanish (B.A.) MUSIC & FINE ARTS Music (B.M.) Music/Business (B.M.) Music/Performing Arts (B.M.) Music/Religion (B.M.) PHILOSOPHY Philosophy (B.A.) PHYSICAL EDUCATION Exercise Science (B.S.) PHYSICS Physics (B.S.) Physics/Computer Hardware (B.S.) Physics/Computer Software (B.S.) POLITICAL SCIENCE Political Science (B.A.) PSYCHOLOGY Psychology (B.A. or B.S.) SOCIOLOGY Sociology (B.A.) PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS Pre-Dental Pre-Health Pre-Law Pre-Medical Pre-Theology Pre-Veterinary
MEN’S
AND
WOMEN’S GOLF 2014-15
ATHLETIC FACILITIES
All 19 of Grove City College’s intercollegiate varsity athletic teams utilize the College’s superior facilities for competition, practices and off-season training and conditioning. Grove City’s athletic facilities have undergone numerous renovations and improvements in recent years, with more upgrades scheduled in the immediate future. On lower campus, Robert E. Thorn Field is home to the College’s football and track and field teams. The College installed CSTurf at Robert E. Thorn Field. CSTurf is a synthetic playing surface that features polyethylene LSR grass fibers and a rubber infill system. The College also installed lights and resurfaced the 8-lane track around the field. Grove City also reconfigured its setup for track meets during these renovations. In 2011, the College installed a new state-ofthe-art scoreboard and new bleachers on the visitors’ side at Thorn Field. These upgrades benefit the entire campus community as the complex is used by both the College’s club sports teams and its intramural program, along with the varsity teams. The track is also available for use by recreational walkers and joggers. The complex also features 10 all-weather tennis courts next to the stadium. Phillips Field House, located at the north end of the complex, features several locker rooms, an athletic training room, meeting rooms and coaches’ offices. It is used by the football, track and tennis programs throughout the academic year. The Physical Learning Center (PLC) houses the Grove City College Arena, home to the College’s basketball and volleyball programs. In summer 2012, the College renovated the Arena by installing new lighting and a new playing floor. In recent years, the Arena has also received new scoreboards and scorers’ tables.
The home of Grove City’s football and track and field teams, Robert E. Thorn Field has received numerous renovations in recent years.
The James E. Longnecker Pool is one of the nation’s premier small-college venues for both swimming and diving and water polo.
11
ATHLETIC FACILITIES
In addition, the PLC features the James E. Longnecker Pool, one of the premier aquatic facilities in the region. Each year, Grove City hosts the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships at the state-of-the-art facility. In 2012, the College also hosted the Collegiate Water Polo Association Division III Championships at the James E. Longnecker Pool. The PLC also features a second pool, the Recreational Pool, which is used by members of the College community year-round. A fitness room featuring aerobic and Cybex equipment and a separate weight room with free and mechanized weights are also keystone areas of the facility. The PLC also features six racquetball/handball courts as well as two adjacent intramural rooms. The intramural rooms feature four basketball courts, four indoor tennis courts, four volleyball courts, an indoor track and two indoor jumping pits. The College installed new synthetic flooring and several new electronic scoreboards throughout the intramural rooms. The Physical Learning Center houses the athletic training room, locker rooms and offices for coaches and physical education faculty. The College recently constructed a new office suite for coaches and athletic administration, while also incorporating its Athletic Hall of Fame area. Grove City’s outdoor athletic facilities have also received numerous upgrades in recent years. The varsity soccer field, College Field, was expanded and re-sodded during the summer of 2005. College Field also received a new press box during the summer of 2007. Meanwhile, Grove City’s baseball and softball facilities recently received major facelifts as new dugouts, new fencing and electronic scoreboards were installed on both fields.
GROVE CITY COLLEGE
12