2018-19 Gonzaga Athletics Annual Report

Page 1

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT Gonzaga University Athletic Department

SOPHIE WHITTLE ITA National Champion Nation’s #1 for 2 Weeks


Photos courtesy of: Aric Becker, Zack Berla/Gonzaga University, Š2017BlakewayWorldwidePanoramas_www.panoramas.com, Dorian Studio Photography, Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images, Steven Glickman, Eric Miller, Emma Moon, Hunter Lee, NCAA, Sinaed Nelson, Picasa, Harry Pollard, Kyle Scholzen, Jennifer Smelko, Kaitlyn Streltzoff, Stan Szeto, Damon Tarver, Kyle Terada, Derrick Tuskan, Torrey Vail, Ben VanHouten/Seattle Mariners and 2018 West Coast Conference and Mike Wootton.


CONTENTS 02 06 SPORTS 2

AD Reflections

3

Academic Progress Rate

4

Student-Athlete Health and Wellness

Men’s Basketball

6

10

Women’s Basketball

12

Women’s Tennis

14

Track & Field

16

Women’s Rowing

18

Men’s Cross Country Women’s Cross Country

19

Men’s Golf Women’s Golf

20

Women’s Soccer Men’s Soccer

21

Men’s Rowing Baseball

22 Men’s Tennis Volleyball

23 Y EAR IN REVIEW

23

Athletic Director of the Year

24

Academic Excellence

26

Graduation Success

28

Life Skills

34

Fan Engagement

36

Financial Breakdown

39 Compliance

40

Zags Athletic Giving

42

Facility Enhancement

44

44 Vision Statement


GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

The 2018-19 academic year was one full of great accomplishments and an insatiable desire to get better. That’s the Zag way. It’s amazing to look back on the year that featured so many successes and to realize that it was the product of so many great people, from our student-athletes to our coaches, staff and faculty to our amazing benefactors. We are grateful for the contributions of each and every person that helped make it another memorable year. And while we achieved so much, there’s more work to be done and even higher bars to set. We invite you to take this opportunity to read the pages of this annual report and celebrate with us the achievements of our studentathletes and coaches.

2

We proudly celebrate these accomplishments together and hope you’ll enjoy reading about top performances by teams and individuals, a continued focus on academic achievement, and the emphasis on the development of our students as they carry out the mission of the University through community outreach and service programming. We set another record with more than 4,500 community outreach hours and capped the spring semester off with a record 166 student-athletes receiving University President’s List or Dean’s List honors. We are so proud of those community outreach and academic numbers and know that that’s what truly makes great people who are ready for the world beyond their time at GU. In the classroom, GU was once again one of the nation’s standard bearers with the NCAA’s second-best Graduation Success Rate at 99 percent and Annual Progress Rate at 997 out of 1,000. To go along with the record

number of University honorees, GU’s 300-plus student-athletes combined to post an astounding 3.40 grade point average in the spring semester. Athletically, women’s tennis player Sophie Whittle put together one of the most decorated careers in Gonzaga history, winning the ITA National Championship in the fall, achieving the nation’s No. 1 singles ranking and being named an ITA All-American in the spring. Our basketball teams won both the men’s and women’s WCC regular season championship, while the men earned a trip to their fifth straight Sweet 16 and third Elite Eight in five years. The GU women’s basketball team earned the program’s highest-ever ranking at No. 12 while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The women’s rowing team continued their dominance with a fifth consecutive WCC championship and NCAA appearance, and the men’s tennis team finished with a program-record win total, second-place finish in the league, and numerous other firsts. More great accomplishments by programs like women’s soccer and track and field, among others, are woven throughout this book. We hope you enjoyed this past year as much as we did, and we thank you for all you did to be a part of it. Without all of you, our benefactors, none of this would be possible. We look forward to our continued partnership with you and many more milestones to come. Go Zags,

Michael L. Roth Director of Athletics


VO LLE YB AL MU L LTI WC -YEA CA R VE RA GE

N’S WO

ME

N’S ME WO

WO

ME

N’S

SO

TEN

CC

NIS

ER

NG WI RO N’S ME WO

N’S ME WO

ME

N’S

XC

GO

LF

SK WO

WO

ME

N’S

TEN

BA

NIS

ER ME

N’S

CC SO N’S ME

N’S ME

ME

N’S

XC

GO

LF

SK BA N’S ME

GONZAGA

986 1000 1000 1000 1000 990 1000 1000 1000 990 997 1000 994 997**

BYU

959 974 1000 956 DNP* 957 983 997 992 DNP* 981 961 990 977

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 965 961 995 1000 984 970 986 990 DNP* 990 987 968 995 979 PACIFIC

961 952 DNP* 986 991 966 987 985 DNP* DNP* 985 992 1000 981

PEPPERDINE

971 969 1000 993 DNP* 995 986 1000 1000 DNP* 994 992 1000 988

PORTLAND

983 975 990 DNP* 978 1000 985 985 DNP* 986 997 983 995 987

SAINT MARY’S

973 984 981 958 989 940 981 1000 DNP* 992 985 975 962 977

SAN DIEGO

940 985 968 977 980 1000 992 1000 DNP* 990 1000 976 1000 984 DNP* 937 974 993 1000 965 987 1000 1000 DNP* 994 972 988 984

SANTA CLARA

979 966 993 1000 979 994 985 1000 1000 986 994 1000 994 989

WCC AVERAGE

968 970 989 985 988 974 987 996 998 986 991 982 992 985

NCAA AVERAGE

976 967 981 985 979 983 982 989 991 989 989 990 987 983

NCAA’s Public Recognition Award. Gonzaga once again had an incredible 10 of 15 sports earn the recognition, including: women’s golf, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s golf, men’s soccer, women’s tennis, men’s track, and women’s track. When compared to West Coast Conference institutions, Gonzaga led the league with its departmental APR score of 997, besting second place Santa Clara by an impressive eight points and outperforming the conference average by an even more impressive 12 points.

HIGHEST DEPARTMENTAL MULTI-YEAR APRS 2017-18 998 997

997

997 996

996

996

996

NOTRE DAME

HOLY CROSS

APR

GONZAGA

900

COLGATE

991

DARTMOUTH

992

NORTHWESTERN

993

LEHIGH

994

BROWN

995

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

996

995

995

995

995

995

YALE

997

XAVIER

997

997

WILLIAM AND MARY

998

VANDERBILT

998

998

BELMONT

999

COLUMBIA

Instituted in 2004, the APR is a 1,000-point scale representing an institution’s retention and maintenance of its scholarship student-athletes’ academic eligibility and citizenship. APR is calculated every semester and is attached not only to institutions, but also to individual head coaches. The NCAA currently uses an APR score of 930 as its cut-off for acceptable retention and graduation of student-athletes; schools falling under that standard may be subject to NCAA penalties ranging from scholarship limits and/or reductions to potential elimination of postseason play opportunities.

Seven Gonzaga programs have posted at least four straight years of perfect 1,000 scores, led by 14 straight – each year of the APR program – from women’s golf. Women’s cross country and track has posted eight straight 1,000s, women’s tennis and men’s cross country track have had six each, while men’s golf and women’s basketball have had five in a row. GU’s men’s basketball team now has four straight years of perfect 1,000s, becoming one of only 17 schools nationally to have a perfect multi-year rate in the sport, respectively. Beyond institutional honors and implications, individual teams can also receive elite recognition based on their APR score. Those scoring within the top 10th percentile are recognized with the

VILLANOVA

After years of elite distinction in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Program, 2018-19 continued Gonzaga’s trend as one of the national leaders in Academic Progress Rate (APR). This year, GU had the second- highest overall institutional APR score in the country at 997. The Zags were behind only the 998 score of Columbia, Villanova and Bradley among the ranks of all NCAA Division I institutions. This institutional milestone is the result of the sustained efforts of our bright and talented student-athletes, world-class coaches, devoted support staff, and the caring and committed faculty throughout our campus who join together in an unparalleled commitment to academic success.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

SAN FRANCISCO

BRADLEY

ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATES (APR)

BA

SE

BA

LL

ETB

AL

ETB

L

AL

L

ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE

3


GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

“We are very passionate about Gonzaga, and who it is. We really want the program to be as successful as possible at the student level. We believe this program affects, directly, each and every student-athlete.”— CATHLEEN REISENAUER (’84)

4

Much more goes into being a successful student-athlete than the basics like practices, film sessions and games. Factors like nutrition, sleep, mental health and physical health have as big of an impact on the outcome as anything, and that’s exactly what Gonzaga alums Dave (’83) and Cathleen (’84) are aiming to provide programmatically through the Gonzaga Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Endowment. They saw an opportunity to grow a program that was

just starting at GU Athletics and put it on a sustainable path into the future.

athletically, but mentally and spiritually as well.”

“To be able to create an initiative that develops the nutritional side, the physical side and the spiritual side only adds to what is already in place with the academic and athletic success,” Cathleen said. “If you are going to do well in classes or do well in your sport, you have to have programming that supports the whole person and keeps them fit not only

“I have known Dave and Cathleen for nearly 40 years, and they are great people who have a passion for Gonzaga University,” Director of Athletics Mike Roth said. “We are so appreciative of the initiative they started and what they are doing to set our student-athletes up for success in all areas of their lives. They care deeply for the health and


“It is about creating a program that also allows others to build on and provide care for our students. By giving in this way, we are trying to have a long-lasting effect by enabling these students to perform better, understand more holistically their well-being and ultimately give to others.” — DAVE REISENAUER (‘83) wellness of our student-athletes and it shows in how they are inspiring others through this initiative. We couldn’t be more grateful for the dedication and support they’ve shown us.” From their own experience with different nutritional and health challenges within their family, combined with their Gonzaga education, this initiative is the makings of a deep-rooted passion for developing young people holistically. “You often see folks get excited about facilities and other amenities, and those are all needed, but for us if you think about the Jesuit tradition, it’s about making sure that you are giving back in a way that can affect the whole person,” Dave said. Not only did the Reisenauers begin this initiative with an amazing level of benefaction, they set up a dollar-fordollar match of up to $50,000 per year for the first five years. Their hope is to inspire and educate others on the importance of the health and wellness side to life and athletics. “We have watched the program that [Athletic Director] Mike Roth has developed and are in awe,” Cathleen said. “He has developed an athletic department that is second-to-none, and it delivers the same message that Dave and I have tried to bestow upon on our family. It’s that we not only need to serve others, but that we also need to make sure that everybody is developed as a whole person.” Rooted in the Jesuit tradition of Cura Personalis, the Student-Athlete

Health and Wellness Endowment is an investment of unprecedented support that will annually impact over 300 Gonzaga student-athletes. Funds will be directed to each of the four focus areas that the Reisenauers believe whole-heartedly are the best way to provide sustainable resources and comprehensively support the individual needs of each studentathlete during their career to prepare them for life after college athletics. “I can’t say enough about the message that we get from Mike [Roth], and we are being stewards of that message,” Cathleen said. “It tugs at my heartstrings: ‘how can we help these athletes; how can we make sure that they are taken care of?’.” The four focus areas of the initiative are nutrition, mental health, physical health, and performance and sleep. While being designed to not only help students in need, the goal is also to provide all student-athletes with the tools to be successful before those needs arise as often as possible. “The need is there, and the more people that we touch through our commitment, the more that it can grow,” Dave said. “Our commitment doesn’t just stop with us, we are saying that with each person who helps support this initiative, we are still there supporting it along the way.” “The program is set up in a way that can help the student-athletes now in terms of their well-being as students and as young people, but also sets

Nutrition Education for lifelong health and wellness.

Mental Health Compassionate care for all studentathletes facing life’s challenges.

OPTIMAL STUDENT-ATHLETE HEALTH AND WELLNESS Physical Health Coordination of services and communication among all support staff areas to maximize team and student-athlete health.

Performance & Sleep Teach and build lifetime performance strategies and sleep habits that increase overall health and wellbeing.

them up with an understanding of what well-being means and how to influence so many other young people going forward in their lives,” Cathleen said. “It will enable them to not only get that education and that teaching now as students and athletes, but take those tools and influence others in the future.” Not only has the gift from the Reisenauers had a major effect on programming, the matching aspect of the endowment provides another layer of opportunity for amazing growth and shows the strength in which they believe in this initiative. It provides a remarkable level of inspiration to others who are looking for ways to support the holistic development of Gonzaga student-athletes. “We are hoping to inspire others who want to see enhancements in the way in which a program is run and the way in which the school fulfills its mission,” Dave said. “This is a team effort, and we wanted a lifelong effort,” Cathleen said.” We don’t want it to be just one special project that is a onetime initiative. We wanted to set it up to support student-athletes and the athletic department for a long time.” In addition to the Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Endowment, the Reisenauers also support two other endowments at Gonzaga, including one they named in honor of their daughter Cayla which supports disabled students.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

To learn more about the Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Initiative or to make a donation, visit www.gozags.com/wellness

5


HE

A D C OAC H :

M

A RK

FE W

Gonzaga fans entered the 2018-19 season with a level of excitement almost unparalleled to any before. The Zags returned a talented core from a 32-win Sweet 16 finish in 2017-18, along with some new faces that made the hype credible.

6

After getting back to its winning ways with four straight wins to close nonconference play and a strong start to the West Coast Conference schedule, Gonzaga won its 17th straight game over Pepperdine in Spokane, 92-64. On a night when Josh Perkins became the career assist leader at Gonzaga, the Bulldogs clinched a seventh consecutive West Coast Conference regular season title. Perkins scored

Two days later in the McCarthey Athletic Center on Senior Night, the Zags closed an unbeaten season at home with a 102-68 win over BYU. The blowout win returned GU to No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Gonzaga outscored its conference opposition by 27 points per game to set a WCC record, winning each game by double-digits. Gonzaga entered the West Coast Conference Tournament with a 29-2 record, but Saint Mary’s upset top-seeded and top-ranked GU in the championship. Despite the loss, the Zags earned the top-seed in the West Region for the third time in program history when the NCAA Tournament field was released. It marked Gonzaga’s 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and 22nd overall. In Salt Lake City, the Bulldogs rolled to an 87-49 win over Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round and then beat ninth-seeded Baylor in the second round, 83-71. Gonzaga led

Re tu

rne

dt oN

o.

1r

an

kin gt Ma wi rk ce F NC ew thi ss AA ’s c ea ’s w ar so e inn er n w ing i n Co e n st ns act ing p wi ecut ive erc ns co ent , 2 ive s ach ag 0 s ea e, s tra igh ons w tw ith ith at Po int 20 sp -pl least us er ga wi 25 me ns ,a n Str ew ai pro lon ght w gra ge i m n s st rec act at h ord ive om e str , Str ea the ai k in th act ght W the irdive CC co str un ea road tr y k in wi n the s, Co co the ns un ec tr y longe uti st ve se l lou Str ts aig in h ho the t W me lon CC ga ge c h me st s su ampi ch on sh str i ea Co k in p app ns ec na eara uti tio nc ve n es WC , Cr eg Go ula nz rs na aga ea tio so n t is the nt or itle o n ea l s y ch On pro t ly G he gra las hav U, t fi m in e a Du ve t Eig ppe ke a Sw he hts are nd e et K d in 16 the in th entu s Blo c r l k e a y ck st e five Elit pro ed s gra hot yea e s, m rs rec a n ord ew

After easily handling their first three games of the season at home, GU headed to the prestigious Maui Invitational in Hawaii. Touted as the most talented field ever formed in the tournament’s 35-year history, the Zags gave their fans an unforgettable three-day stretch. In the tournament championship game, the No. 3 Zags faced off with top-ranked Duke. In a game dominated by GU, the Bulldogs led by as many as 16 points in the second half and trailed for only 12 seconds early in the contest. Gonzaga made over 50 percent of its shots from the field and blocked the Blue Devils’ vaunted offense 10 times. After a late rally by Duke, the Zags held on for an 89-

The Bulldogs returned home as the nation’s No. 1 team after winning the Maui Invitational title. Hachimura gave fans a thrilling end to an 81-79 victory over Washington in Spokane. The junior hit the game-winning jumper in the closing seconds to give the Zags their fifth straight win over the Huskies, and 12th out of the last 13 matchups. Gonzaga then clashed with a pair of Top-15 ranked teams away from Spokane, both televised by ESPN, versus No. 7 Tennessee in Phoenix, Ariz., and at No. 12 North Carolina. The Bulldogs battled, but suffered their first setbacks of the season.

10 points and dished out nine assists, giving him 670 assists in his career. That beat the record of 668 assists set by Matt Santangelo, the point guard on Gonzaga’s Elite Eight team that captured the attention of the nation in 1999.

1 .82 3 12 87.6 22 32 255 22 7 16’ s 8’s 204

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

The Bulldogs opened the year with the program’s all-time best preseason ranking at No. 3 in the Associated Press Top-25 poll. The Zags were then tabbed first in the West Coast Conference preseason poll for the 17th time in the last 18 years.

87 win, courtesy of a few tremendous stops late in the game. Following an outstanding week, Rui Hachimura was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.


WINS IN A SEASON

33

30 wins in a season for the fifth time in program history, and fourth time in last five seasons. GU was the first team in the nation to reach the 30win plateau in each of the last three seasons.

Gonzaga became the only program in the nation to appear in each of the last five Sweet 16s, matching up with fourth-seeded Florida State in Anaheim, Calif. The Zags avenged the 2017-18 seasonending defeat to FSU with a 72-58 victory this year. In Gonzaga’s third appearance in the Elite Eight in the last five years, third-seeded Texas

Tech pulled away late in a backand-forth game, 75-69. The Bulldogs’ statistics and accolades were astounding in 201819. GU led the nation in field goal percentage (52.6), scoring margin (22.8), and scoring offense (87.6). Brandon Clarke topped the country in field goal percentage (68.7) and blocked shots (117). Clarke missed 117 shots from the field this season, and blocked 117 shots. Following the season, Hachimura was named the nation’s best small forward, receiving the

Julius Erving Award at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show in Los Angeles. He was tabbed Second Team All-American by the Associated Press, while Clarke was third team. Hachimura was selected as the West Coast Conference Player of the Year. Clarke was the WCC Newcomer and Defender of the Year, and Mark Few was dubbed the league’s Coach of the Year for the 13th time. Perkins and Zach Norvell Jr. were named First Team All-WCC, along with Hachimura and Clarke. Filip Petrusev was on the conference’s All- Freshman Team.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

by as many as 19 points and shot 54 percent from the field, while Brandon Clarke made 15 of his 18 shots from the field and finished with an NCAA Tournament program record 36 points.

7


HACHIMURA

Rui Hachimura had plenty of eyes on him since arriving on the Gonzaga campus three years ago. Fans flocked to “Rui-Mania� not just in the Pacific Northwest, but around the country and across the Pacific Ocean in Japan. Hachimura, a 6-8, 230-pound native of Toyama, Japan, brought exposure to Gonzaga University from places across the globe. He grew up idolizing Japanese baseball standout Ichiro Suzuki, and now Hachimura commands nearly the same media attention. He is set to become the first Japanese first-round pick in NBA

history, and captured the excitement of not only Zag Nation, but fans across Japan as well. Hachmiura routinely had several Japanese media members at his locker postgame and requests for interviews during the week. The junior handled the tremendous amount of attention well and was an outstanding ambassador for the University. Hachimura backed up the attention with amazing play on the court, filling up his trophy case in 2018-19. He was named the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year, the West Coast Conference Player of the Year and the

USBWA District IX Player of the Year. He was named first team All-American by the NABC and the USBWA, and a Wooden All-American. Hachimura averaged 19.7 points per game this season, shooting 59.1 percent from the field. The junior added 6.5 rebounds per game and finished with 27 blocks this season, while making 63.5 percent of his shots from the field in conference play, which ranked fourth in the league. For his career, Hachimura scored 1,230 points in 102 appearances in a Zag uniform and made 57.9 shots from the field over the past three seasons, which ranks seventh in program history. During his three years at Gonzaga, Hachimura was a part of three trips to the Sweet 16, two Elite Eights, and an appearance in the national championship game. The Zags also won a nation-leading 102 games over the past three seasons, going 50-2 in West Coast Conference play with three league regular season titles. Hachimura will also continue to play for his native Japan in international competition. He helped lead his home country to a second-place finish in its group in FIBA World Cup qualifying last summer by averaging 21 points per game. With Japan hosting the 2020 Tokyo Games, Hachimura is going to attract even more attention for years to come.

88

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS


PERKINS

Josh Perkins finished his illustrious career second in NCAA Div. I history with 134 wins, with only 19 losses. He played more games (153) than any other active player in the nation this season and was one of only 15 players in NCAA Div. I history to play 150 games in a career. Perkins became Gonzaga’s all-time assist leader with 712 in his five-year stint, fifth in West Coast Conference history. The redshirt senior’s 234 assists in 2018-19 are the most in a single season in program history, while his 54 steals rank eighth. He is second all-time at GU with 178 steals in his career, fifth with 251 made three-pointers and 12th with 1,562 points. This season, Perkins was seventh in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.12), eighth with 234 assists and 16th averaging 6.3 assists per game. He led the WCC this season in total steals and assist-to- turnover ratio. Perkins was a Bob Cousy Award Finalist for the top point guard in the country. He was also tabbed All- West Coast Conference First Team for the second time and was named WCC Player of the Week twice this season.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

MEN’S BASKETBALL

9


HE

A D C OAC H :

LI

S

A

FO R TIE

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

R

10

Defensive Prowess

Gonzaga was a perfect 100th 18-0 when holding its opponents to 59 points Career Win Following the 2018or fewer. The Zags This season, Fortier NCAA Team 19 season, the Zags held four opponents became the fastest lead the nation in (Rutgers, Colorado coach in GU history of the Week percent capacity as State, San Diego and to reach 100 career Gonzaga earned they fill McCarthey San Francisco) to wins, accomplishing National NCAA.com Athletic Center to fewer than 50 points, the feat in 135 games. Team of the Week 93.74 percent on including a 39-point Fortier’s 100th win honors on December average. That’s an defensive effort came on Nov. 11 3 after defeating average of 5,625 against Colorado with a 63-51 win at then-No. 8/7 Stanford fans every game. State on Nov. 28. Eastern Washington. 79-73 at home.

Nation’s Best Fans


16 Weeks and Counting

The Bulldogs were The 2018-19 season is ranked inside one of the best to date the Top 25 for 16 in program history. straight weeks, the The Zags’ 29 wins longest streak in ties for second-most program history. in program history.

The Gonzaga women’s basketball team reached new heights during the 2018-19 season on the way to its 15th West Coast Conference regular-season title and 11th NCAA Tournament appearance. The Zags’ record-setting season was highlighted by their highest national ranking ever, landing at No. 12 in the Associated Press Poll and No. 11 in the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll. Gonzaga finished the season with an incredible 29-5 overall record; that mark ranks tied for the second- most wins in history. GU’s 29 wins mark the 12th time in the last 13 seasons that the Bulldogs have registered at least 20 wins and the 11th time in the last 12 seasons with at least 25 wins. This season, GU also secured its second-ever at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to postseason play for the 15th time in the last 16 years. Head coach Lisa Fortier continued to break her own records, posting her winningest season in her five years at the helm. She was named WCC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in her first five seasons – the only WCC coach to do so in conference history. She also became the only coach in program history to take her team to the NCAA Tournament four times in her first five seasons. The Bulldogs were nearly unstoppable in the nonconference, finishing with an 11-1 mark. Gonzaga’s nonconference slate was highlighted by a 79-73 win over then No. 8/7 Stanford on Dec. 2; it marked the highest-ranked opponent the Zags have defeated to date. Chandler Smith led the Bulldogs with 20 points, scoring eight of her 20 in the final 3:56 of the fourth to secure the win. Smith picked up WCC Player of the Week honors for her effort, and GU’s victory catapulted the Zags into the AP Top 25 for the first time since

Balance

Gonzaga was the only team in the West Coast Conference to have six players average at least 8.0 points per game.

2016, debuting at No. 24. Gonzaga extended its record-breaking start to 16-1 after opening WCC play with five-straight wins. Zykera Rice earned back-to-back WCC Player of the Week honors during that streak as she led the Zags with 20.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Gonzaga’s three seniors Rice, Smith and Laura Stockton, were all named First Team All-WCC while Jill Townsend picked up All-WCC Honorable Mention. The Zags entered the WCC Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed for the 13th time in history and faced No. 4 Saint Mary’s in the semifinals. Despite season-ending injuries to both Stockton and Townsend late in the game, the Bulldogs prevailed 7877 in double-overtime after Rice hit a buzzer-beating layin. The Zags faced BYU in the finals a day later, falling 8268 to the Cougars. Rice, who averaged 23.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game shooting 46 percent from the floor, picked up WCC All-Tournament honors for the second-straight season. GU earned its second-ever at-large bid to the NCAAs and drew a No. 5 seed, the highest seed in program history. The Zags faced No. 12 UALR in the First Round at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore. Gonzaga raced out to a 21-2 first quarter lead and never looked back, riding Rice’s 18 points to its first NCAA win since 2015. GU then faced No. 4 Oregon State two days later in a backand-forth battle with 10 ties and nine lead changes, but the Beavers proved too much for the Zags down the stretch as they claimed the 76-70 win. Smith, Rice, Townsend, Katie Campbell and Jenn Wirth were all named WCC All-Academic, with Smith earning her second-straight DI-AAA ScholarAthlete award as well.

NCAA TOURNAMENT Gonzaga earned its second-ever at-large bid to the 2019 NCAA Tournament and were selected as the No. 5 seed, the highest seed in program history. Against No. 12 UALR in the First Round in Corvallis, Ore., the Bulldogs’ Zykera Rice led the way with 18 points and six boards, while Katie Campbell set a new record for Gonzaga for threes made in an NCAA game, draining five treys in the first round matchup. The Zags rolled to the 68-51 win, the largest margin of victory for GU in an NCAA game, and picked up its first NCAA victory since 2015.Playing without both Laura Stockton and Jill Townsend who were sidelined during the WCC Tournament, the Bulldogs challenged No. 4 Oregon State in the second round. That game featured 10 ties and nine lead changes, and with two minutes remaining the Zags trailed by just a point. Oregon State went on to outscore the Zags 14-11 in the final minutes to deliver Gonzaga just its fifth loss of the season, 76-70.

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS

Gonzaga finished the season 13-3 against non-conference opponents, tying for the best non-conference winning percentage in program history at .813. During the nonconference schedule, the Bulldogs defeated Washington State for the third straight year, picked up their fifth ever win over a top 10 opponent with their 79-73 victory over No. 8/7 Stanford and earned their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2015, 11th overall. The Zags finished the nonconference slate with five players averaging at least 8.5 points per game while five players grabbed at least 4.5 rebounds per game. Zykera Rice led the Zags in both categories, scoring 14.0 points per game while hauling in 6.9 rebounds per contest. 2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

Elite Company

11


HE

A D C OAC H :

DJ

GU RU LE

Gonzaga women’s tennis put together one of the best seasons in program history, led by its most decorated senior class ever. The season included an ITA National Championship, program-record in- season and season-ending rankings, a trip to the West Coast Conference Final, a berth in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships and a host of programchanging awards.

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Outgoing senior Sophie Whittle completed the finest career in Gonzaga women’s tennis history, earning awards on and off the court that are near the highest available in her sport. In the fall, Whittle claimed an ITA National Championship by winning the ITA/ Riviera All-American Tournament against the nation’s top singles players and was subsequently ranked No. 1 in the nation. Then in the spring, she not only earned GU’s first-ever berth to the NCAA Individual Championships, but she was the national recipient of the ITA Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership Award.

12

Whittle helped lead the Zags to a 13-10 overall record and 6-3 mark in WCC play during the dual-match season. GU reached as high as No. 38 in the ITA rankings during the season and ended the year at No. 51, both are program records. GU also set program marks for both singles and doubles rankings. Whittle, who reached as high as No. 1 earned a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Singles Championships and finished the year with a school record 29 wins and a No. 9 singles ranking. In doubles, Whittle and playing partner Graciela Rosas were ranked as high as No. 15 during the year and ended the season at No. 17 with a 22-4 overall record.

GU advanced all the way to the WCC championship match before falling to top-seeded and sixth-ranked Pepperdine. The Zags defeated BYU and No. 37 San Diego in the first two rounds of the league tournament prior to facing the Waves. The year included non-conference wins over Nebraska and then- No. 15 Washington State, GU’s highest-ranked win ever. After the conclusion of the dualmatch season, Whittle and Rosas then competed in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships in Orlando, Fla., at the USTA National Campus. Whittle, seeded eighth overall, lost a heartbreaker in the first round. Despite dropping the first set, Whittle battled to the end eventually falling in a secondset tiebreaker 12-10. In doubles, Whittle and Rosas showed their grit, going toeto-toe with some of the nation’s best teams. In the first round, the GU pair came back from down a set against Kentucky’s top pair, winning 4-6, 6-4, (12-10). Then in the second round, Whittle and Rosas faced the overall No. 1 seed in the tournament from USC and fell 6-1, 6-4. During the fall season, freshman Vlada Medvedcova picked up a singles title at the Gonzaga Invitational. Then in the Bulldog Invitational, Dominique Garley won both a singles and doubles title, pairing up with Katie Day to win the Bulldog Doubles Draw. In addition to the awards mentioned, Whittle also took home the WCC Player of the Year award, as well as All-WCC honors in both singles and doubles. Rosas was named All-WCC in Doubles as well. Rosas, Whittle and Sara Komer each earned All-WCC Academic Team honors, while Kate Ketels was named All-Academic Honorable Mention.


Highest ranked win ever vs. #15 WSU

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

Highest ranking ever at #38

13


HE

A D C OAC H :

HE

PA

A D C OAC H :

JA

N

E WA

SO

ST

TY

KE

T

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

RT

14

Six NCAA West Preliminary Round Qualifiers


James Mwaura nearly advanced to the national championships in the 10,000 meters. In his first collegiate season, Mwaura turned heads at the prelims finishing 13th with a new school record time of 29:10.39 and was the top freshman finisher. During his first year at GU, Mwaura broke the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter program records. Yacine Guermali completed his memorable redshirt freshman season in the national quarterfinals of the 5,000 meters, where he finished 16th. In his first track season as a collegian, Guermali ran the fourthfastest 5,000-meter and eighth-fastest 1,500-meter times in program history. During the indoor season at the UW Invitational, he ran the second-fastest 3,000-meter time ever by a Zag. Andrew Gardner also competed for the Bulldogs in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA West Preliminary Round. The All-American graduate transfer from Wash. spent only one season wearing a GU uniform, but it was memorable one. During his redshirt senior campaign, Gardner ran the second-fastest steeplechase and 5,000-meter times in program history.

Kellen Manley and Scott Kopczynski both ended their Zag careers at the West Regionals as well. Manley, ranked No. 3 all-time at GU in the steeplechase, appeared at the NCAA West Preliminary for the third time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Kopczynski made his second straight appearance at the NCAA West Prelims in the 1,500 meters. Kopczynski leaves the program with the fifth-fastest 1,500-meter and seventh-best 5,000-meter times ever at Gonzaga. In the first indoor meet of the season at the UW Preview, freshman Morgan Greene set a school record in the women’s 600 meters with a time of 1:38.90, placing first in the event, and at the next meet, Jake Perrin broke the 5,000-meter program record with a finish of 14:15.36. Multiple Top-10 program marks were set at the D1 Invitational Team Challenge hosted by the University of Idaho. On the women’s side, Jordan McPhee ran the third-fastest 800-meter time in program history at 2:18.73. At the Bronco Challenge in Nampa, Idaho, McPhee ran Gonzaga’s fifthfastest mile time at 5:06.82. Ally Legard climbed to seventh in program history with a time of 5:07.78, and Greene ran the fastest 400-meter time in program history at 1:01.08. Gonzaga opened its outdoor schedule at the Buc Scoring Invite in Spokane. McPhee won the 800 meters with a time of 2:18.58, and the Zags swept the top four spots in the women’s 1,500 meters with Legard taking the top spot at a time of 4:42.86. In the 5,000 meters, Jenna Rogers took first with a time of 17:56.56.

At the Sam Adams Classic, GU took the top three spots in the 5,000-meters. Lauren Haas claimed first place with a time of 18:39.00. At the San Francisco State Distance Carnival, Peter Hogan’s 29:37.53 finish in the 10,000 meters was a program record at the time. Monica Ripple moved to fifth in GU women’s history in the 10,000 meters with a time of 36:34.73. The following day across the bay at the Stanford Invitational, Stefan Bradley ran the fourth-fastest 10K in men’s program history at 29:49.61. At the Oregon State High Performance meet, in the 1,500-meters, McPhee placed second at 4:35.61, third all-time at GU in the event. In the final weekend of the season, Aimee Piercy ran the second-fastest women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase time in program history at the Oxy Invite in Los Angeles. She placed second at 10:30.62, besting her previous personal record of 10:44.39. Claire Manley moved up to fifth all- time at GU in the women’s 5,000 meters, crossing the line at 16:31.06 to place eighth in the event. Brianna Vasquez ran the third-fastest women’s 400-meter time in program history at the West Coast Invitational in Salem, Ore., to place fourth at 1:00.37. In the women’s 800 meters, Legard crossed the line in second at 2:15.31, which ranks fourth all-time at GU. Following the season, McPhee was tabbed First Team Academic All-District by CoSIDA. McPhee, a Masters of Business Administration student, boasted a 4.0 grade-point average and was one of three student-athletes on the first team with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

The Gonzaga men capped off another fantastic year at the NCAA West Preliminary Round. Six Zags represented GU in Sacramento, Calif., where Brandon Pollard became the first Bulldog to ever advance to the national quarterfinals in the 1,500 meters. The redshirt senior finished a phenomenal career ranked second in program history in the indoor 800 meters and indoor mile, along with second in the 1,500 meters outdoors. He owns the Gonzaga outdoor 800meter record at 1:49.88.

15


HE

A D C OAC H :

M

A RI

SA WO R T M A N

The Gonzaga women’s rowing team added another West Coast Conference Championship to its long list of accomplishments over the past twoplus decades. The Bulldogs dominated the WCC, earning their fifth-straight title and 18th overall since the conference adopted the sport in 1997. The Zags earned their fifth-straight NCAA automatic qualification and sixth trip to the national championships in the last seven years. GU finished 20th overall with a win in the D Final of the varsity eight race at the NCAA Championships, held at the Indianapolis Rowing Center at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, Ind. Gonzaga opened the fall season against Washington State in the Head of the Spokane. The race was highlighted by the C pairs win over Washington State, finishing the 5,000-meter course in 20:12. The Zags closed the fall season against both Oregon State and WSU, placing third in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight races. The Bulldogs opened the spring season

16

against OSU, WSU, Loyola Marymount and Seattle Pacific on the Snake River near Pullman, Washington. Gonzaga swept the Lions in each race on the day and picked up a win over Washington State in the second varsity eight. Two weeks later, the Zags followed up with a second-place finish in the varsity eight Jessop-Whittier Cup Invitational Petite Final at the San Diego Crew Classic, finishing just two seconds behind No. 3 Stanford. Gonzaga continued the spring season a week later at the Lake Natoma Invitational where the Zags’ varsity eight and second varsity eight each claimed victories over Miami on the first day. The Bulldogs returned back to the Pacific Northwest for its final regatta in April, taking on Washington State in the Fawley Cup on the Snake River. GU took second in each race but posted some of its fastest times of the season, including a then seasonbest time of 6:38.26 by the varsity eight. The Zags’ varsity eight boat was rewarded for its growth, earning WCC Crew of the Month honors for the

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Coach of the Year fivestraight seasons and 14 times in program history

month of April. The Bulldogs returned to Lake Natoma in mid-May for the WCC Championships, and once again the Zags were favored to win. After finishing third in the varsity four and fourth in the second varsity four, the Bulldogs surged ahead with first-place finishes in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight races. Gonzaga finished with 40 total points to clinch its sixth-ever trip to the NCAAs. Senior Lauren English was named WCC Rower of the Year and All-WCC, and for the third-straight year Alexa Jadallah was selected as the WCC Coxswain on the Year. Freshman Grace Cahalane was named WCC Newcomer of the Year, and head coach Marisa Wortman was named Coach of the Year, marking the fifth-straight year a Gonzaga head coach has been selected. Lindey English, Zoe Calambokidis and Lauren McCallum joined Lauren English on the All-WCC team, the second-straight honor for Lindey English and the first for both Calambokidis and McCallum.


Coxswain of the Year five-straight seasons and 13 times in program history

WC CD

OM INA N

CE

Newcomer Rower of of the Year the Year in five-straight two-straight seasons and seasons and six of the eight seasons six of the eight seasons awarded awarded

Gonzaga finished 20th overall this season, it has twice finished 19th (in 2013 and 2017), placed 18th in 2018, 17th in 2015 and 16th in 2016.

N

The Bulldogs have finished in the top 20 in each of their six appearances, posting a programbest 16th- place finish as a squad in 2016. That season, both the varsity eight and second varsity eight boats advanced to the C

Final; the V8+ took second in the C Final to finish 14th overall, while the 2V8+ came in fourth in the C Final for a 16th-place finish. 2016 marked the only time in history that both the varsity eight and second varsity eight boats advanced to the C Final.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

A NC TIO A A NA AP L PE PR AR AN OM CE INE SA ND NCE TO P2 0F

INI

SH

ES

After securing the West Coast Conference inaugural NCAA automatic qualifying bid in 2013, the Bulldogs have returned to the NCAA Championships fivestraight seasons for a total of six appearances in program history.

17


HE

A D C OAC H :

PA T

TY SO N

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

The Gonzaga men’s cross country team had one of the best seasons in the program’s history in 2018. Out of the eight meets that the Zags competed in, they finished in firstplace five times; Clash of the Inland Northwest, Cougar Classic, Montana Invitational, Inland Empire Classic and Sasquatch Invitational.

ahead of Ciaran O’Leary, who was second overall.

a time of 24:23.7 and earned Second Team All-WCC honors.

On Oct. 16, the Zags earned their firstever national ranking coming in at No. 26 in the USTFCCCA national poll. The ranking came off of a ninth-place finish at the prestigious NCAA Pre-Nationals in Madison, Wis.

Gonzaga opened the season at the Clash of the Inland Northwest, placing eight runners in the Top-10. In his collegiate debut, freshman James Mwaura led the way for the Bulldogs with a first-place finish at 17:04.8.

Gonzaga placed third at the West Coast Conference Championship, led by Mwaura, who finished in ninthplace individually at the East Bay Golf Course in Oakland, Calif. With the top-10 finish, Mwaura earned a spot on the All-West Coast Conference team and additionally became the first WCC Freshman of the Year in program history. Peter Hogan placed 13th with

Mwaura had the best finish for GU at the NCAA West Regionals, where he broke the program’s 10,000-meter course record with a time of 29:48.9 and finished in 10th place. His finish landed him another postseason honor, First Team All-Region, becoming only the second GU runner to receive the recognition.

At the Montana Invitational, Kyle Thompson led the Zags to another firstplace finish. He was the top overall finisher with a time of 25:11.7, just

HE

A D C OAC H :

Phillip Fishburn, Bennett Gagnon and Andrew Clusserath earned honorable mention Academic All-Conference Academic honors. The program was also tabbed an All-Academic team by the USTFCCCA with a cumulative GPA of 3.40.

JA KE

ST

E WA RT

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Under first year head coach Jake Stewart, the Gonzaga women’s cross country team opened the 2018 season with a third-place finish in the Clash of the Inland Northwest. Aimee Piercy led the Zags with a sixth-place finish with a time of 14:29.1 on the 4K course, the seventh-fastest in program history The first team win of the season came at the Sasquatch Invite, where Piercy led the Bulldogs with a second-place finish at 18:57.8 over the 6,000-meter 18

course. Claire Gillett, Caroline McCarthy, Katherine Gustafson, Lauren Bourgeois, Monica Ripple, Molly Foster, Lauren Haas and Amanda Kiefer rounded out GU’s top-10 finishers. At the West Coast Conference Championship, the Zags placed ninth with a total score of 206. Piercy was the top finisher for the Zags with a time of 22:33 for a 24th place finish on the 6K course.

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Gonzaga closed the season at the NCAA West Regionals in Sacramento, Calif., where Piercy finished in 83rd, crossing the line at 21:24.6. Two Zags were selected Academic AllConference Honorable Mention with Kelly Gilbert and Piercy receiving the honor for the second straight season. The program was once again named an All-Academic team by the USTFCCCA with a cumulative GPA of 3.57.


The 2018-19 Gonzaga men’s golf team finished with the second-lowest scoring average in program history at 294.26, just one year after setting the program record last season at 291.70.

In the final round of the Seattle U Redhawk Invitational, Tyler Munetake climbed up the leaderboard after a final round 66 (-5) to finish tied for seventhplace with a total of 206 (-7).

Gonzaga closed the fall schedule at the Ka’anapali Collegiate Classic in Hawaii, where Charlie Magruder carded a 66 (-5) in the final round to match the third-lowest round in program history. He finished four-under (209) in the tournament, while Matthew Ruel led the Bulldogs at five-under (208). The team finished tied for 13th at three-over (855).

Munetake’s round of 66 matched the third-lowest round in program history. Chris Mogg shined at the West Coast Conference Championships in Stockton, Calif. His four- under (212) finish was the lowest total at the event in program history and his third-place finish matched the second-best finish by a Zag ever. Munetake, Magruder and Nick Nolan finished tied for 31st at eight-over. Following his finish at the conference championship, Mogg was named honorable mention All-WCC.

The Bulldogs placed eighth at the Loyola Intercollegiate with Magruder finishing tied for 17th at one-over (217).

HE

A D C OAC H :

Munetake ended his Gonzaga career with a scoring average of 75.71, which ranks eighth in program history. Magruder finished 2018-19 with a 73.43 scoring average, which is the sixth- lowest season scoring average in GU history. Munetake was named to the AllAcademic team for the second straight season, after being tabbed honorable mention his sophomore year. The lone senior on this season’s roster, Munetake had a 3.43 grade point average as a Business Administration major. Holden Backes, Magruder, Mogg and Ruel were all selected All-WCC honorable mention.

RO

BE

A D C OAC H :

G R AY

HE

RT

MEN’S GOLF BR

AD KE L

Gonzaga women’s golf had a season of continuous improvement, featuring steady play by upperclassmen and breakout seasons by a pair of freshmen.

made an impact. In her first tournament, Torre finished 21st and helped Gonzaga to a fourth-place finish as a team at the Battle at the Rock.

During the fall season, GU freshman Quynn Duong showed she was ready for college golf, placing in the top 20 in each of her four tournaments with two runner-ups and a third-place finish. As a team, the Zags were sixth at the Battle at Old Works and the FIU Pat Bradley Invitational. Duong led the squad with a 72.33 stroke average during the fall season.

Meanwhile, Duong continued to put up strong rounds, adding another runner-up finish to her year at the Red Rocks Invite with a tournament score of four-under. GU finished third at the Red Rocks, getting a top-20 finish from junior Jessica Mangrobang and 21st -place finish from Torre.

In the spring, GU added another freshman in decorated Italian Federica Torre to the mix, and she immediately

Mangrobang also turned in her firstcareer top-10 finish at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational on Oahu, while Duong was 18th overall.

GU roared into the West Coast Conference Championships, taking the tournament lead after the first day of the three-day league tournament. Duong fired an even-par 71 to lead the individual race. GU fell to third, just two shots back after Day 2, and then finished fourth overall. Duong was sixth individually, while Mangrobang played her way to 10th overall. Duong was named the WCC Freshman of the Year, GU’s third in the last seven seasons, and to the All-WCC Team. Overall, she placed in the top 10 a teambest five times in nine tournaments and set a new team-scoring record with a 72.85 stroke average.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

RIC

WOMEN’S GOLF

19


HE

A D C OAC H :

CH

RI

S TK IN S WA

WOMEN’S SOCCER

For the second straight year, the Gonzaga women’s soccer team had a 10-win season, finishing 10-4-4 and going unbeaten at home for the first time in program history. In two years, under head coach Chris Watkins, the Bulldogs have amassed a record of 20-8-5. The Bulldogs played nine out of their first 11 games on the road, putting together a record of 6- 3-2. The Zags had seven shutouts this season including one against No. 25 Pepperdine at home on Oct. 26 with the game being broadcasted on ESPNU. Isabel Jones had five saves during the match, including a clutch

save in the first minutes of first overtime to keep the game alive. Ariana Pumpelly earned the final WCC Player of the Week honors on Nov. 5. In the final game, Pumpelly defended the seventh shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over the Portland Pilots. The win was the first in program history over the Pilots. Following the season, India Jencks and Pumpelly were named Second Team All-West Coast Conference, McKenna Ferrera was tabbed honorable mention, and Haley Archuleta was named to the WCC All-Freshman Team. It was the first time since 2005 that multiple

Senior goalkeeper Ben Willis and redshirt junior defender Garrett Wilson each earned a spot on the honorable mention, while leading scorer and freshman forward Demitrius Kigeya was 20

Willis started 17 games in net for Gonzaga and led the WCC with 77 saves, ranking second in the league with 4.53 saves per game. The Federal Way, Washington, native posted a pair of shutouts this season to give him nine for his career and rank fifth all-time at Gonzaga. Wilson also earned his second career honor from the WCC after being named to the All-Freshman Team in 2015. The Eagle, Colorado, native was instrumental on the backline for Gonzaga’s defense, helping them to a pair of shutouts on the season. He was fifth on the team in minutes played this

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

PA

E HAN

Despite the down season, Gonzaga men’s soccer had two players earn All-West Coast Conference honorable mention honors and one named to the WCC All-Freshman Team.

named to the All- Freshman Team.

A D C OAC H :

ME

Gonzaga’s young squad gained valuable experience during the 2018 season, battling through a tough conference stretch. GU men’s soccer finished the year 2-14-2, getting wins over Cal State Bakersfield with a shutout on the road and Sacramento State at home.

Nine Zags were tabbed academic honorable mention by the WCC; Sophia Viviano, Madeline Gotta, Callie Best, Maddie Cooley, Jencks, Jodi Ulkekul, Pumpelly, Ferrera and Samantha Heilman. It was the third straight year that Ulkekul received honor. Gotta, Jencks and Viviano received the honor for the second straight season. UL

MEN’S SOCCER

HE

Zags were named either first or second team by the conference. In addition to Pumpelly’s All-WCC selection, she was named third-team All-West Region by the United Soccer Coaches Association, the first Zag to receive the honor since Sheridan Jones in 2010.

year and started 16 of the 17 games he played in. Kigeya, a freshman from Madison, Wisconsin, led the Zags in scoring on the year with eight total points on four goals, including one in his first-career game at Bradley to open the season. His nod on the rookie team marked the 15th -straight year Gonzaga has had a player named to the WCC All-Freshman Team. GU’s Austin Giftopoulos and Jake Kempf were each named to the WCC AllAcademic Team, while Quinn Liebmann, Ben Willis, Brady Henderson, Nathaniel Tolton and Garrett Wilson each were named WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention.


The Gonzaga men’s rowing team put together another strong season in 2018-19, highlighted by a sweep over Washington State in the Fawley Cup along with some strong finishes at the UCSD Invitational. The Zags opened the fall season with back-to-back regattas against Washington State, sweeping the varsity eight and second varsity eight races. The Bulldogs continued their dominance against the Cougars in the spring at the 30th annual Fawley Cup on the Snake River in Pullman, Wash., with sweeps in the varsity eight,

second varsity eight, third varsity eight and novice eight races. The Bulldogs then shined in the UCSD Invitational, collecting a first-place finish against both UCSD and USD, while the second varsity eight finished in a dead heat with Stanford in addition to a first-place finish against UCSD.

Gonzaga looks to continue building on the foundation next season as it returns eight members of its seasonfinishing varsity eight lineup with a solid group returning in the sub-varsity boats as well. HE

A D C OAC H :

DA N

Later in the spring, the varsity eight claimed bronze in the Grand Finale of the WIRA Championships on Lake Natoma, finishing less than two seconds out of first place. GU’s second varsity eight also advanced to the finals, finishing in fifth place overall.

The Zags’ season came to a close in mid-May at the Western Sprints Championships as they failed to finish inside the top two in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight races. GU’s third varsity eight secured a second-place finish, defeating Santa Clara by more than two seconds.

A D C OAC H :

M

HN

HE

GE

MEN’S ROWING

A RK

While the Zags came up short of an NCAA bid with two losses sandwiched around a win in the WCC Tournament, the season featured a number of highlights. Early in the year, GU grabbed multiple wins over Top-25 opponents in tough road environments. First, it was a trip to traditional baseball power and 23rd-ranked Southern Miss, and the Zags came home with a two-game series sweep. Just

In league play, GU took the WCC-opening road series at eventual league regular season champion BYU. The Zags swept Portland (road) and San Francisco, while also winning series over San Diego, Pacific, Santa Clara (road) and LMU (road). The Zags locked up their sixth WCC Tournament berth in the seven seasons of the four-team format, the most in the league in that span.

Zags’ outfielder Troy Johnston and pitcher Alek Jacob each put together fantastic seasons and were rewarded with being named First Team All-WCC. Johnston hit .330 with a record-tying 27 doubles, while Jacob was 7-3 with 12 saves for the pitching staff. Nick Nyquist and Ernie Yake were named to the All- WCC Second Team, while Mac Lardner and Brett Harris earned honorable mention, and Mason Wells was named to the All-Freshman Team. Daniel Fredrickson and Michael Spellacy were named to the All- Academic Team, while Austin Pinorini, Trent Schulte and Justin Blatner earned All-Academic honorable mention.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

one week later, GU entered Texas A&M and took a series-opening win over the 20th -ranked Aggies. The Zags also grabbed one of the biggest wins in program history, taking down the third-ranked Oregon State Beavers on the road, 6-3.

C HTO L F

Gonzaga baseball completed another 30-win season, its fourth in a row and seventh in the last nine seasons, and finished second in the West Coast Conference regular season with an overall record of 31- 24 and league mark of 18-9.

MA

BASEBALL

21


HE

A D C OAC H :

JO NA

SP

IIBOR

Gonzaga men’s tennis put together the best season in program history under first-year head coach Jonas Piibor, ending the year with a No. 75 ranking and a 16-8 overall record. The season-ending ranking was the firstever for the program, and the 16 wins were three more than any season in the last 20 years. The Zags also put together a 7-2 mark in West Coast Conference action to finish a program-record second in the league. The previous top mark in WCC for the program was 3-6, leaving this year four wins better than ever before. During the year, GU accomplished many other program-bests, earning the school’s first-ever wins over both

MEN’S TENNIS

Pepperdine and Portland, and taking its first-ever road win in the WCC. Along with those victories, GU also earned its highest-ranked win in program history, beating then-No. 31 BYU inside the Stevens Center. The Zags had two separate four-match win streaks during the dual-match season, and also won seven of its last nine matches during the regular season. Gonzaga earned one of the two byes in the WCC Tournament and concluded the season with the firstever appearance in the semifinals. Gonzaga had three players honored on the All-WCC Teams, with Sam Feit on the First Team in both singles and doubles with playing partner Ruadhan O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan and Vincent Rettke were each named Honorable Mention in Singles as well. The Zags also excelled in the classroom with five players selected by the league for their academic success alongside their athletic success. Kyle Everly and Simon Homedes Dualde were each named to the WCC All-Academic Team, while Feit, Rettke and Hunter Egger each earned All-Academic Honorable Mention. The future looks even brighter for Piibor’s squad as he and assistant coach Cesar Vargas have inked the nation’s No. 24 recruiting class, which is set to join the squad in the Fall 2019.

HE

A D C OAC H :

22

The program also had some major individual milestones and broken records. Senior Tiyana Hallums became Gonzaga’s all-time digs leader with 1,369, breaking Linda Bushinski’s 30year- old record of 1,303 digs set back in 1988. Senior Faith Smith also passed a major milestone, recording her 2,000th career assist at San Diego on Sept. 29 and finishing her career with 2,337 assists to rank eighth all-time in program history and fourth all-time

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

during the rally-scoring era. She also finished with 1,004 digs, making her just the third Zag in history with at least 2,000 assists and 1,000 digs. Junior Jenna Kuehn also made her mark in the record book, finishing the season with 1,333 career assists to rank 10th all-time. The Zags also had four players recognized for their performances on the court and in the classroom. Chapin Gray, Kuehn, Penner and Smith were all named All-Academic Honorable Mention. It marks the fifth-straight season that at least four Zags have received the honor.

L SON

Sophomore Sarah Penner led the Bulldogs in kills, attacks and points for

the second-straight season on her way to her second-straight All-WCC honor as she was named All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention.

NE

The Gonzaga volleyball team put together a quality season in 2018, highlighted by a five-set victory over Pac-12 foe California en route to winning the Les Schwab West Coast Challenge early in the non-conference slate. The Zags finished 11-18 overall and 8-10 in the WCC, including wins in five of the last seven matches to finish seventh in the conference. Gonzaga was especially good in fiveset matches, going 5-2 with victories over California, LMU, Portland and Santa Clara (2).

A

NE

VOLLEYBALL

DI


Gonzaga Director of Athletics Mike Roth was selected as a recipient of the NACDA Under Armour AD of the Year Award, given by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. The award spans seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges). Winners received their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, June 11 at NACDA’s 54th Annual Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida. The ADOY Award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities. “The athletics directors who have been recognized as part of the Athletics

Roth, in his 22nd year as AD at Gonzaga, also won the award in 2008-09. He’s one of just seven repeat recipients this season among the four ADs selected in each of the seven divisions recognized by NACDA. Alongside Roth in Division I-AAA, Creighton’s Bruce Rasmussen, Cal State Fullerton’s Jim Donovan and Florida Gulf Coast’s Ken Kavanagh were also honored. Roth’s service to Gonzaga University is centered on success in three areas: (1) in competition, (2) in the classroom, and (3) in the community. The Gonzaga basketball teams continue to be the gold standard in the West Coast Conference, each winning the regular season titles this season. Mike has continued to make improvements in those programs that allow them to not only maintain their place among the nation’s best, but to flourish. The addition of the Volkar Center for Athletic Achievement in late

2017 took GU Basketball and Gonzaga Athletics to a new level, providing a practice court space, strength and conditioning center and film room for hoops. It also features a Hall of Honor, a banquet space for hosting gatherings and training table, and a studentathlete academic lab, all among the 51,240-square foot building. Academically, Gonzaga Athletics Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate numbers currently rank at an elite level, breaking numerous historical records at GU. In the most recent NCAA APR release, GU posted a 997 multi-year average, which ranked second in the nation. That was prefaced this Fall by a second straight year with a 99 percent GSR that ranked No. 1 in the nation 2017 and No. 2 in the nation in 2018. In addition to the athletic and academic success under Mike’s leadership, Gonzaga Athletics has put a significant focus on community service. During the 2017-18 academic year, GU studentathletes served over 4,500 hours at 30 agencies during the 2018-19 academic year, an athletic department record.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

Director of the Year Program continue to raise the bar as thought leaders and decision makers in college athletics,” said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Chief Executive Officer.

23


The Zags continued their tradition of academic excellence throughout the 2018-2019 academic year with a record 205 student-athletes earning University honors (President’s List 3.85+, Dean’s List 3.5- 3.84) during the Fall and Spring semesters. This impressive number represents nearly 70 percent of our student-athlete population who received individual recognition for their achievements in the classroom. Specifically, this

Spring, a record 72 student-athletes earned President’s List honors. This record bests our previous high of 63, set in the Fall of this academic year, and collectively represents the highest numbers achieved since the University raised the threshold for the President’s List in the Fall of 2016. From a team standpoint, volleyball reigned atop the team GPA list both semesters, posting an amazing 3.63 as

a squad for the entire academic year. Last but certainly not least, the baseball program broke their all-time record of Dean’s and President’s List honorees in a semester with 20 student-athletes earning honors in the Spring 2019 semester, a feat made even more impressive when you consider that these honors were earned during their competitive season. These incredible efforts helped the baseball team tie their all-time GPA record at 3.32.

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

KYLE THOMPSON

DANIEL FREDRICKSON

MICHAEL SPELLACY

TYLER MUNETAKE

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

GOOGLE CLOUD ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT

KYLE EVERLY

SIMÓN HOMEDES-DUALDE

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

COREY KISPERT

JOSH PERKINS

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

24

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM SENIOR CLASS ALL-AMERICAN SECOND TEAM DI-AAA ADA MEN’S SCHOLAR ATHLETE TEAM MIKE GILLERAN ATHLETICS SCHOLAR GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENTWCC OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM WCC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

AUSTIN GIFTOPOULOS

JAKE KEMPF

CHANDLER SMITH WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM DI-AAA ADA WOMEN’S SCHOLAR ATHLETE TEAM


WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

LAUREN ENGLISH

OLIVIA LADA

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

BASEBALL

3.32

12

8

MEN’S BASKETBALL

3.09

3

2

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

3.32

4

1

MEN’S XC/TRACK

3.40

11

6

WOMEN’S XC/TRACK

3.60

9

15

MEN’S GOLF

3.56

6

1

WOMEN’S GOLF

3.42

3

-

MEN’S ROWING

3.20

9

3

WOMEN’S ROWING

3.37

9

10

MEN’S SOCCER

3.35

5

7

WOMEN’S SOCCER

3.53

11

9

MEN’S TENNIS

3.37

1

2

WOMEN’S TENNIS

3.61

6

1

VOLLEYBALL

3.63

5

7

DEPARTMENT

3.40

94

72

EVENING OF EXCELLENCE Gonzaga Athletics continued its annual tradition of honoring its outgoing seniors and all student- athletes at the Evening of Excellence. This year, GU inducted a school-record 40 graduating seniors into the Gonzaga Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. Among another record 79 outgoing seniors, Sophie Whittle of the women’s tennis team was named the Female Senior Athlete of the Year, while Josh Perkins of the men’s basketball team was named the Male Senior Athlete of the Year. Women’s cross country runner Kelly Gilbert and men’s soccer player Jake Kempf were named the ScholarAthletes of the Year, and Faith Smith from the volleyball team earned the Leadership Award.

MAREN JOHNSON

SCHUYLER PETERS

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

SARAH KOMER

GRACIELA ROSAS

SOPHIE WHITTLE TOTAL WCC ALL-ACADEMIC

60

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

ZOE CALAMBOKIDIS

PR E LIS SIDE N T

T’S

JORDAN MCPHEE

DE A LIS N’S T

SP R GP ING A WCC ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM GOOGLE CLOUD ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT

25


26

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS


99

%

GONZAGA GRADUATION RATE

With Harvard posting a 100 percent mark, GU’s 99 percent tied Columbia, Dartmouth, Loyola Chicago, Evansville and Yale with the next highest scores. It marks the second straight year that Gonzaga has been at 99 percent as a collective. For comparison, the NCAA average is 85 percent and the WCC average is 90 percent. Ten Gonzaga squads achieved perfect 100-percent GSR scores, including women’s basketball for the third straight year and men’s basketball for the second straight year. GU’s women’s cross country and track and field and women’s golf had a perfect 100-percent GSR for the 14th straight year each, while men’s cross country and track and field (11 straight), men’s tennis (10 straight), men’s soccer (nine straight), women’s soccer (eight straight, 10th time overall),

and men’s golf (seventh straight) all extended their impressive streaks of 100-percent GSR scores. Women’s rowing had a perfect 100-percent GSR for the seventh time in program history. Bulldog men’s soccer was one of only 39 programs in the country to have a 100-percent GSR, and women’s rowing was also one of only 39 programs. Men’s cross country and track and field (one of 56 programs) and men’s basketball (one of 74 programs) were also among an elite small number. Eleven of GU’s 13 countable programs finished above the national average in their respective sports. Seven of those teams finished at least 10 percentage points better than the national average for their sport. Men’s basketball achieved a 100 percent GSR score, 19 percentage points higher than the national average of 81 percent for the sport, baseball and men’s cross country and track were each 18 percentage points higher in their sports, men’s soccer was 15 points higher, and women’s basketball and women’s cross country and track were each 10 points higher.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

Gonzaga student-athletes are graduating at a rate of 99 percent according to the latest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) numbers released by the NCAA in the Fall of 2018, which is tied for the second highest percentage in the nation.

27


LIFE 27 SKILLS 12 DR BE IVES CANEFI T CHTHOL ING AR IC ITI ES

AGENCIES SERVED

HO

UR

S

4,5 51

LOCAL SCHOOLS

TA L

6th Annual Warm Clothing Drive

TO

2,405

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

28

9

1,4

RIN SP

60

8 01

3,0

L2

235

ZAGS VOLUNTEERED AT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

91

G2

20

TR OU MM

1,856 ROLLS

CO

Toilet Paper Drive

UN

BABY WIPES

FA L

4,060

$3,468

IN CASH DONATIONS

ITY

11,950

EA

CH

6th Annual Diaper Drive

DIAPERS

01

18

-19

ITEMS

223

ZAGS VOLUNTEERED AT TRUNK OR TREAT TO BENEFIT CATHOLIC CHARITIES


STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY OUTREACH HOURS 4,551

4500 4,002

4000 3500 2,707

POUNDS OF FOOD FOR THE 10TH ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE TO BENEFIT CATHOLIC CHARITIES

3,033

2,287

2012-13

1,208

2,831

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

PRIDE

ZAG FAMILY

PRIDE is a friendly competition meant to promote mutual support and fellowship amongst the athletic teams that make up the Zag family. PRIDE recognizes student-athletes’ commitment to Gonzaga’s mission of creating a “mature concern for others” through community outreach and service. In the fall, each team collectively decided what they would like to accomplish and set their PRIDE goal for the year, raising their goals from the previous year. Additionally, the overall departmental goal was raised to challenge all current Zags to do more and serve more, than any class prior. Not only did the student-athletes meet the department goal, but the baseball team secured the new PRIDE record with over 2,500 points for the year!

The athletic department was able to facilitate the 2nd annual “family dinner” including all freshmen student-athletes and department staff. Students were introduced to the personnel behind department functions and staff were able to hear from each new student-athlete, learning about their hometowns, sports and intended majors. The event was created to cultivate relationships between students and support staff, assisting in the transition for freshmen and enhancing the family culture within athletics.

260

ZAGS HELPED RAKE LEAVES TO BENEFIT CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Bring It Home:

4,500

HOTEL TOILETRY ITEMS FROM TRAVELING

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

2500

HOURS SPENT BUILDING HOMES FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

3,276

3000

800

29


CAREER DEVELOPMENT

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Life Skills Program strives to educate student- athletes on areas essential for their athletic, academic, and personal success. Student-athlete wellness and development were supported in 2018-19 through the following programs:

FINANCIAL LITERACY

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

ONE LOVE

30

The One Love Foundation was created following the death of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia women’s lacrosse student-athlete who died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. In collaboration with Gonzaga’s Office of Health Promotion, Gonzaga student-athletes attended a One Love Escalation Workshop, which focused on understanding the differences between unhealthy and healthy relationships. Student-athletes learned warning signs of relationship abuse and prevention methods.

In collaboration with Dr. Eddy Birrer and Dr. J.D. Morscheck from Gonzaga’s School of Business, the 4th Annual Financial Literacy Workshop was provided. Student-athletes attended to gain a better understanding of many different financial topics, asked questions and discussed various scenarios that they might encounter post-graduation, walking away with essential information on dealing with finances.

6 FAMILIES

93%

The Life Skills Program prepares studentathletes for their futures following graduation and life after sport through a variety of career development programs and individual career counseling. Close relationships and collaboration with GU’s Career and Professional Development department and the Gonzaga Alumni Mentoring Program (GAMP) further support student- athletes with their career planning.

of Zags volunteered in the community in 2018-19

Zags adopted over Christmas to provide gifts to

1,000

hours baseball served, averaging 28.5 hours per student-athlete

The eighth Senior Student-Athlete Resume Book was published this year. The book features portfolios of the graduating class of 2019. Each of their resumes displays the unique achievements and accolades they earned as a Zag. The goal of the Resume Book is to assist studentathletes in networking with GU alumni, supporters, and constituents as they pursue their future careers. The seventh annual Senior Networking Social was held in the fall. The purpose of this event was to help prepare our senior student-athletes for life after graduation. They had the opportunity to practice networking and self-promotion skills with athletic department constituents and invited guests.

1,800

hours spent serving Catholic Charities of Spokane


STUDENT-ATHLETE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Holden Backes (Sophomore, Men’s Golf) Isaac Barrera (Sophomore, Baseball) Gillian Barfield (Sophomore, Women’s Basketball) Riley Beeler (Junior, Men’s Rowing) Maggie Conners (Sophomore, Women’s Soccer) Katie Day (Junior, Women’s Tennis) Claire Gillett (Sophomore, Women’s Cross Country) Chapin Gray (Sophomore, Volleyball) Yacine Guermali (Sophomore, Men’s Cross Country) Alek Jacob (Sophomore, Baseball) Isabel Jones (Redshirt Sophomore, Women’s Soccer) Corey Kispert (Sophomore, Men’s Basketball) Ally Legard (Sophomore, Women’s Cross Country) Lauren McCallum (Sophomore, Women’s Rowing) Sam McCloughlan (Sophomore, Men’s Cross Country) Ian Melder (Junior, Men’s Rowing) Matt Perkins (Sophomore, Men’s Tennis) Alex Walde (Sophomore, Men’s Cross Country)

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT The Student-Athlete Leadership Institute, in its ninth year, is designed to further develop student-athletes’ leadership skills as students, athletes, and leaders on campus and in the community. Members were selected to participate in the developmental program to further improve themselves as mentors and leaders on their respective teams and on the StudentAthlete Advisory Committee. The 2018-19 Leadership Institute met regularly throughout the year and participated in team building exercises, behavior and leadership style assessments, and group discussion sessions. The focus of this year’s Institute was the different aspects of leadership, particularly with regard to Servant Leadership. This year’s class also spent time outlining an initiative to increase the community and unification of student-athletes.

ZAGOLYMPICS Each year, the Student-Athlete Leadership Institute is tasked with providing insight into how Gonzaga might better the student-athlete experience. The 2015-16 group of leaders focused in on areas that would contribute to the Gonzaga Athletics family, and community. With a collaborative goal from S.A.A.C. of encouraging even more departmental team cohesion, the Leadership Institute came up with ZagOlympics. Aimed at freshmen, it was meant to include competition, fun and an environment to foster relationships with studentathletes outside of each of their respective athletic teams.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

PARTICIPANTS

31


STUDENT-ATHLETE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

S.A.A.C. is comprised of representatives from each Gonzaga athletic team whose main purpose is to serve as a student-athlete voice regarding student-athlete welfare within Gonzaga’s Athletic Department, the WCC, and the NCAA. As role models, S.A.A.C. also strives to develop leaders through Gonzaga’s long standing Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic traditions by being firmly committed to service, opportunity and social justice.

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS

PM LO DE VE FIC

E

HIP

OF EN T PM

EA

SO D

EX O

EV TD EN UD ST

PA YN

EC

EN TER

ELO

FO

RL

PR LTH EA FH EO FIC

OF

DE

OT OM

EN IM MN GO

NZ AG

AA

LU

RV ICE S SE ES T GU

RS

ION

RO RP TO

AD AC EN T TU D

RS FO CE NT ER

EN

MP ) AM GR

SU C IC EM

IS AL ON ER S AP

RC UR FO TER CE N

(GA

S CE S

T (C EM AG

NIT YE NG MU

CE NT ER

FO

RC

OM

ES OF PR ER &

EN

PM EN T EV ELO LD

SIO

LA B OL RE CA

US C CA

32

NA

OR AT ION S

CE )

In conjunction with the NCAA and the National S.A.A.C., Gonzaga studentathletes took part in a social media campaign, supporting diversity and inclusion within the student-athlete population. The Zags were encouraged to celebrate their differences and identities as a way of fostering an inclusive environment for all.

MP

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WEEK

T

The S.A.A.C. Student-Athlete Health & Wellness Co-Chairs, Emma Morris (WXC) and Bennett Gagnon (MXC), dedicated their tenure toward bettering the experience and the resources available for student-athletes in the way of mental health and well-being. Knowing the many resources in the department and across campus for crisis management, these Zags wished to provide more toward day-to-day self-care maintenance. They believed that if students were equipped with the tools necessary to maintain healthy mental and personal well-being every day, there was the potential to decrease incidents of crisis. Morris and Gagnon created an initiative to promote a weekly educational piece for studentathletes to take advantage of. On each Wednesday, they provided a different article, video or link to varying topics from mental health coping strategies to mindfulness, meditation, the impact of sleep and performing under pressure.


As the fall wound down and the snow fell in Spokane, S.A.A.C. organized a Winter Formal. Paired with Catholic Charities and the adoption of six families for Christmas, students purchased over one hundred and fifty gifts to donate. Nearly all Zags came to enjoy an evening of dancing, food and a photo booth.

S.A.A.C.’s marquee spring event consists of what might be the largest bean-bag-toss tournament around. For the 2019 S.A.A.C.Tailgater, 160 studentathletes competed in this doubleelimination bracket tournament. Following the championship, studentathletes cheered on the baseball team as they began a WCC series versus Saint Mary’s.

S.A.A.C. OFFICERS PRESIDENT Faith Smith

(Senior, Volleyball)

VICE PRESIDENT Jack Krauel (Senior, Baseball) SECRETARY Katelyn Oppio

(Redshirt Sophomore, Volleyball)

STUDENT-ATHLETE WELLNESS CHAIR Bennett Gagnon (Redshirt Junior, Men’s Cross Country) and

Emma Morris

(Senior, Women’s Cross Country)

MEDIA & PROMOTIONS CHAIR Simón Homedes-Dualde (Junior, Men’s Tennis)

VOLUNTEER CHAIR Garrett Wilson (Redshirt Junior, Men’s Soccer) EVENT PLANNING CHAIR Maddie Cooley (Junior, Women’s Soccer)

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

S.A.A.C. prides itself in bringing together all Zags, making them feel part of the family by providing three community building events. To begin the fall, over 200 student-athletes participated in a mixed athletic team kickball tournament, with the team of volleyball and baseball taking home the title for the second year in a row.

33


ts ke

LL

T ic

BA

on

ET

as

SK

Se

nc

93.74%

en

da

ME

N’S

ea

nd

BA

NATION’S #1 PERCENTAGE CAPACITY FOR ATTENDANCE

At t

WO

#1

WBB SEASON TICKETS SOLD 4,500

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

DID YOU KNOW?

34

Gonzaga University royalties have grown 62 percent since 2015-16.

LOOK FOR THE LABEL.

With the increasing ease to create non-compliant online marketplaces, Gonzaga is seeing more unlicensed products promoted for sale. Gonzaga’s Director of Trademark & Licensing works diligently in conjunction with IMG College Licensing and GU Athletics compliance department to identify and remove these websites, flag and remove posts on social media promoting unlicensed sales and inform involved companies. Over the course of the past year, the Gonzaga Trademark and Licensing area flagged more than 200 noncompliant websites, social media posts or other infringements.

TOKYODACHI PROMOTION

With the introduction of Spike-Kun from the TokyoDachi line and the receipt of Japanese Registrations, Gonzaga promoted the line to increase visibility to the Japan market. During one men’s and women’s basketball game this season Spike-Kun stickers and face tattoos were given to fans, animations were played on the video boards for fan entertainment, large cutouts were given away, and flags were provided to the student section. These activations continued in a variety of ways throughout the season. Additionally, social media graphics featuring Spike-Kun were created to promote games and other special events during the year. SpikeKun is now found on various products from over 20 vendors, and Gonzaga is working with Zephyr Headwear to copyright the mark.

4,400 4,300

4,392

4,414

2015-16

2016-17

4,464

4,468

2017-18

2018-19


Gonzaga Sport Properties oversees the production and distribution of all Gonzaga radio broadcasts including

basketball and baseball live games and basketball coaches shows. In addition, the Gonzaga Sports Properties staff seeks out corporate partnerships and other support for Gonzaga Athletics. They assist corporate partners in finding the right marketing mix from advertising during in-game broadcasts and signage in athletic venues, to digital and print marketing. In

partnership

with

79 70

Total number of in-venue athletic productions • 18 Men’s Basketball

• 16 Women’s Basketball • 9 Men’s Soccer

• 7 Women’s Soccer • 9 Volleyball • 19 Baseball

Learfield/IMG

Total number of streams produced

College and Gonzaga Sport Properties, Gonzaga Athletics worked to redesign its app and website GoZags.com hosted by SIDEARM Sports this year. The redesigned website is fullyresponsive with a layout optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop devices. The new app features a social stream, on demand video, scores and stats, in-venue concessions ordering and custom alert notifications to keep fans up-to-date.

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

Gonzaga Sport Properties, a Learfield/ IMG College property, manages the multi-media rights for the Gonzaga Athletic Department. Learfield/IMG College is the nation’s leading collegiate sports marketing company, offering national, regional, and local multiplatform marketing opportunities.

35


One annual goal of the Athletic Department is to develop and effectively manage a balanced operational budget, while at the same time grow current revenue streams and identify new revenue sources for Gonzaga Athletics. Although operating costs continue to rise, the Athletic Department has once again operated within a balanced budget and continued to reduce debt. The ability to generate excess net revenue dollars to fund enhancements, while still making both scheduled and additional payments towards its debt obligations, is a prime example of the Department’s commitment to operating in a fiscally responsible and disciplined manner. Athletic Department growth has been consistent with that of the overall University, with enhancements coming through self-generated funds in the form of excess net revenues and philanthropic giving. Recent changes in NCAA governance and the pressures to support student-athletes in a more direct manner have resulted in the need for additional funding to support these initiatives. In 2018-2019, the portion of the Athletics budget funded by the University represented 5.1% of the University’s overall operating budget (net of scholarships).

ATHLETICS REVENUE Institutional Scholarship Support

$5,336,010

Athletic Giving**

$7,308,115

Direct Institutional Support

$8,834,364

Ticket Sales

$2,360,678

Sponsorship and Media Royalties

$1,500,000

Merchandise Sales, Concessions and Catering

$240,535

Endowment Distribution

$536,788

Facility Rental

$53,276

Golf Tournament/Events

$78,359 $198,000

Athletic Guarantees

$1,005,877

Miscellaneous Revenue

TOTAL REVENUE*

27,452,002

$

*Excluding Capital Projects ** Figure does not include Endowments.

26.62%

32.18%

19.44% 8.60% 5.46% 0.88% 1.96% 0.19% 0.29%

3.66% 0.72% 36

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

The included numbers are based on current estimates. Final fiscal year records may vary.


ATHLETICS EXPENSES

36.31% 20.37%

13.71%

2.64%

Personnel

$9,966,744

Scholarships

$5,592,220

Team/Administrative Travel

$3,764,704

Recruiting

$1,090,469

Uniforms and Equipment

$700,807

Game Guarantees

$766,700

Nutrition Program

$553,232

Athletic Officials

$207,406

General and Administrative

$2,267,907

Facility Operations

$1,305,615

Debt Service

$511,332

Debt Reduction and Reserves

$724,866

1.86%

27,452,002

$

4.76% 3.97%

8.26%

TOTAL EXPENSES*

*Excluding Capital Projects

2.55%

0.76% 2.02%

2.79%

WHY IS BENEFACTOR SUPPORT SO CRITICAL? Gifts are instrumental in providing critical funding to our talented student-athletes for the opportunity of a world class experience— academically, athletically and socially.

NON-SCHOLARSHIP EXPENDITURES Funded by Athletic Revenues

$8,834,364

59.59%

40.41%

$13,025,418 2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

Funded by Institutional Support

TOTAL EXPENDITURES*

21,859,782

$ *Excluding Scholarships

The included numbers are based on current estimates. Final fiscal year records may vary.

37


SCHOLARSHIP

ATHLETICALLY-RELATED STUDENT AID* 9,000,000 8,500,000 8,000,000 7,500,000 7,000,000 6,500,000 6,000,000 5,500,000 5,000,000 4,500,000

$9,357,856 LMU

$8,607,942 PACIFIC

$8,566,184 PEP

$7,751,442 USD

$7,332,414 USF

$6,851,339 PORT

$6,840,853 SCU

$6,461,116 SMC

$6,078,287 BYU

$5,179,478 GONZAGA

4,000,000

The Cost of Attendance at Gonzaga was valued at $59,434 for the 201819 school year, leading to a total scholarship expense of nearly $5.6 million. This is an ongoing expense that Gonzaga Athletics must fund from its annual budget. Nonetheless, Gonzaga still lags behind the other nine member schools of the West Coast Conference in total athletically-related student aid and aid per participant. Gonzaga budgeted 119.6 scholarships towards the NCAA maximum of 149.2 scholarships allowed for sports in which Gonzaga competes, which leaves us 29.6 scholarships short of being a fully-funded program.

AID PER PARTICIPANT* 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000

$25,928 PACIFIC

$29,847 PEP

$33,790 USF

399 LMU

441 USD

580 BYU

$25,189 PORT

$23,453 LMU

$22,591 SMC

$17,861 SCU

$17,577 USD

$14,151 GONZAGA

$10,480 BYU

TOTAL PARTICIPANTS* 600 500 400 300 200

383 SCU

366 GONZAGA

332 PACIFIC

287 PEP

286 SMC

272 PORT

100

217 USF

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

5,000

* Based on 2017-18 EADA Report

38

2018–19 cost of attendance at Gonzaga was valued at

59,434

$


It is the shared responsibility of all those associated with Gonzaga Athletics—employees, student-athletes, individuals (“boosters”) and organizations promoting Bulldog athletics interests—to be in full compliance with NCAA, West Coast Conference and institutional rules.

BACK TO THE BASICS NCAA definitions you need to know:

PROSPECT, RECRUIT, PROSPECTIVE STUDENTATHLETE: Is in the ninth through twelfth grades of high school; as not yet started the ninth H grade, but has received financial assistance or other benefits from Gonzaga; Is enrolled at a two-year college; or Is a student-athlete from a fouryear college for whom Gonzaga has received permission to contact or notification of transfer.

YOU ARE A REPRESENTATIVE OF GONZAGA’S ATHLETICS INTEREST (BOOSTER) IF YOU HAVE EVER: 1. Been a member of any organization

STUDENT-ATHLETE: A prospective student-athlete becomes a Gonzaga studentathlete once her or she:

promoting Gonzaga’s athletic program (i.e. Zags Athletic Giving).

2. Made financial contributions to the Gonzaga University Athletic Department.

3. Been a season ticket holder in any sport.

4. Helped to arrange employment of or provided any benefits to prospective or enrolled student-athletes.

5. Promoted the athletic programs at Gonzaga University.

Enrolls in and begins attending Gonzaga classes during the summer before initial fall enrollment; Participates in practice or competition for Gonzaga that occurs before the beginning of any academic term; Enrolls full-time and begins attending fall or spring classes at Gonzaga; or ttends regular student orientation A within 14 days of the first day of the normal academic term

ONCE A BOOSTER, ALWAYS A BOOSTER. Hi I am Fran, Please learn about my mission to be the #1 Zags fan here:

An extra benefit is any good, service, or discount that is not available to the general public. When a Gonzaga studentathlete or their family receives an extra benefit, no matter how small, he or she becomes immediately ineligible.

A Gonzaga booster may not contact a prospective student-athlete to encourage him/ her to attend Gonzaga or provide any benefit to a prospective student-athlete or their family. This includes contact via social media. Please leave the recruiting to our coaches!

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

WWW.GOZAGS.COM/ COMPLIANCE

For questions, please contact the compliance office at compliance@gonzaga.edu. 39


ZAGS ATHLETIC GIVING (ZAG)

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Zags Athletic Giving is the fundraising vehicle for Gonzaga Athletics that facilitates annual contributions to support and enhance our 18 varsity programs. With a mission to connect donors with their passion in order to provide the resources necessary for our student-athletes to compete at the highest level, annual donations made by ZAG members provide programmatic enhancements in impact areas such as academic support services, athletic training, strength and conditioning and scholarships.

40

ZAGS GOLF CLASSIC This year marked the 34th annual Zags Golf Classic at Manito Golf and Country Club. The event brought together over 320 student-athletes from all 18 varsity sports and our amazing benefactors who enable our overall success as a department. Annually, we recognize a member of our community who has served the tournament well, supported our Athletic Department in admirable ways, or achieved distinction following their time with us at GU. We were honored to recognize Dr. Arnie Peterson, an orthopedic surgeon who served Gonzaga student-athletes for over 25 years as a team doctor.

MAKE AN

IMPACT

COMPETITION. CLASSROOM. COMMUNITY.

AN EVENING WITH GONZAGA BASKETBALL In early October, An Evening with Gonzaga Basketball, hosted by Anthony’s at Spokane Falls, signals the start of basketball season for both the men’s and women’s teams. Throughout the event’s history, funds have been raised for the Anthony’s StudentAthlete Scholarship Endowment, which has provided numerous studentathletes the opportunity to achieve academic success through summer school. Since its inception in 2005, over $390,000 has been raised to provide funds for future student-athletes to receive this support in perpetuity.


MATT PERKINS Men’s Tennis

“The generosity of Gonzaga’s donors makes it possible for us as student-athletes to compete day-in and day-out with all of the tools that are required to perform at the highest level. Without this, many of our goals could not be reached.”

GILLIAN BARFIELD Women’s Basketball

“Gonzaga has given me and my teammates the best facilities and environments to grow in all facets of our lives. I am extremely grateful for the athlete, student, and leader I have become, because of Gonzaga’s amazing resources. Thank you donors for making the Gonzaga student-athlete experience so amazing.”

CHRIS MOGG Men’s Golf

“Gonzaga is one of the top schools and athletic programs in the country. Without our generous donors, we would not be able to succeed at the level that we do. The opportunities for growth not just on the course, but in all areas of life are a defining characteristic of the Zag experience. None of this is possible without our donors.”

KATIE DAY Women’s Tennis

“Gonzaga Athletics continues to grow and excel each and every year, and this would not be possible without the help of our generous donors. I love being a part of this community, and I am grateful for all of the resources that have been provided to all of our student-athletes.”

Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field “All of our accomplishments on and off the track would not be possible if it wasn’t for our generous donors. Gonzaga really is a community that fosters the growth of a person as a whole, and we are so lucky to have the resources that we do to better ourselves each and every day.”

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

ALLY LEGARD

41


MARTIN CENTRE BRANDING

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

The Martin Centre gym is the home of Gonzaga Volleyball, and the 54-year old facility is in the midst of renovations that will greatly enhance the experience of our volleyball student-athletes and their fans. After completing the renovation and expansion of the locker room and clubhouse in 2017, the proposed upgrade

42

of volleyball’s competition space is the next step in providing the capital resources necessary to compete at the highest level. Along with a new state-ofthe-art videoboard, a total rebranding of the space will include logos and graphics that will leave no doubt that this is the Home of the Zags!

Home to the Gonzaga men’s and women’s soccer programs, Luger Field boasts one of the finest natural grass playing surfaces in the region. Stadium lights were added in 2016 allowing for night contests and an enhanced playing environment. The project’s next phase is a renovation of the bleacher seating on the east side of the field, including the addition of concession stands and restrooms. In addition to these amenities, improved seating, sightlines, and accessibility will greatly impact the fan experience as the soccer programs look to ascend to the top of the WCC.

“It’s been remarkable to watch the Martin Centre transform into one of the top volleyball facilities in our conference, with an emphasis on providing our student-athletes the best atmosphere to perform. These improvements bolster our recruiting efforts of top level athletes, while creating spaces that allow them to thrive. The facility upgrades in the gym, locker room, and team room have fostered an environment of excellence, which parallels the mission we are on in the classroom, in the community, and on the court. - Volleyball Head Coach Diane Nelson

LUGER FIELD FACILITY ENHANCEMENT

“I’m proud of how much we’ve grown in the last couple years, and the development of our soccer complex will augment our drive for being one of the premier soccer programs in the country. Creating a facility that will enhance the fan experience will also provide a championship atmosphere for every match, which I believe will bring the best out of our players.”

“Women’s Soccer in the WCC is BIG TIME, and we are on our way to the top! The pieces are coming together, with the perfect location, great lights and flawless playing surface. The next step will be amazing, transformational in every way and allow us to compete with the very best!”

- Men’s Soccer Head Coach Paul Meehan

– Women’s Soccer Head Coach Chris Watkins


DIEDRICK & DELONG DEDICATION In January, the training room inside the Martin Centre was officially dedicated as the Diedrick & DeLong Sports Medicine Center, honoring two of Gonzaga’s most influential trainers. Bill Diedrick Sr., who died in 2005, was Gonzaga’s athletic trainer from 1972-

“The Baseball Performance Center will be a total gamechanger for our program. It will allow us to recruit the finest players in the country and develop them at the highest level. This center is an essential component to the development of our players and our program as a whole.” – Baseball Head Coach Mark Machtolf

78, followed by Steve DeLong from 1979-2017. Family, friends, colleagues, and numerous Gonzaga alumni were in attendance demonstrating the tremendous impact both men had in their 45 years of service to Gonzaga student-athletes.

BASEBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER Coming off its fourth straight 30-win season, Gonzaga Baseball is one of the few “cold weather” teams competing annually for a postseason berth. To take the next step in excellence is to provide a dedicated space for our student-athletes to develop and train during the winter months. Practices and preparedness can no longer be defined by the weather. The proposed Baseball Performance Center will be located along the right

GONZAGA BOATHOUSE

field line adjacent to the baseball clubhouse, seamlessly connecting to Patterson Baseball Complex and Coach Steve Hertz Field. The facility will feature space to conduct full infield training and drop-down batting cages, providing the tools for the coaching staff to develop the student-athletes’ offensive and defensive skills throughout the year and continue to bring home championships.

“The new boathouse is going to transform our program. For the first time, we will have a permanent home on Silver Lake; the place where we have trained and competed for many years.”

Progress continues on the Gonzaga Boathouse located on Silver Lake, which will provide a permanent home for the men’s and women’s rowing programs. The new facility will include three boat storage bays, state of the art boat racks,

“What an awesome gift our donors have given us! This will have such a positive impact on our program in so many ways. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of locker room areas for both men’s and women’s teams, an indoor stretching everyone involved in this project!” area, coaches’ rooms, and bathrooms. The project is expected to be completed later this year and will be fully functional for the 2019-20 season.

– Men’s Rowing Head Coach Dan Gehn

2018–19 ANNUAL REPORT

-Women’s Rowing Head Coach Marisa Wortman

43


DIVERSIFIED GREATNESS PASSION FOR SUCCESS STUDENT-CENTERED PHILOSOPHY These are the driving forces behind the pursuit to distinguish ourselves at the highest level of intercollegiate competition.

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

DIVERSIFIED GREATNESS

44

As a department, we have a responsibility to be equitable in the opportunities we provide our studentathletes and coaches because we expect greatness on multiple layers— individually, throughout each team, and throughout the department entirely. Isolated successes are not enough. In the absence of greatness at one or more of these layers, we fail in our pursuit. Society embraces a winner, and we believe achievement breeds inspiration—of the self, of peers, and of the community. Our studentathletes— our leaders—must inspire. And so they all must achieve. Without achievement, our student- athletes have less of an opportunity to impact our institution’s mission and have less of an opportunity to extend greatness beyond their sport. Finally, without greatness throughout our department, there is no distinction between “us” and “them.”

PASSION FOR SUCCESS Success

must

not

be

defined

simply by winning or losing games, matches, races, or contests. Instead, we believe there are many components that must coexist for success to truly be achieved. Strong academics, social consciousness, accountability, leadership, commitment to community, and diversified greatness for all eighteen (18) of our sports comprise the foundation. It is the courage to take risks, to refuse to see limitations, and to sustainably prevail across all programs that define our success. It is the contribution of many individuals to create a deep and varied culture combined for a common goal—a broad-based, nationally-renowned athletic program.

STUDENT-CENTERED PHILOSOPHY

The student-athlete is central to our department. Through athletic scholarship, we are affording the opportunity to a uniquely-talented student to be part of a caring, supportive, disciplined environment

where they will be formed into a better individual, a better leader, who in turn impacts his or her team, our institution, and the greater community during and after their educational careers. We are educators of young people, and the teachable moments often happen in ways unrelated to the outcome of the game. It is in the process of winning or losing that our studentathletes learn discipline, work ethic, social responsibility, character, and what it means to be a teammate, a citizen, and a role model. It is through these educational experiences that we work to develop the mind, body, and spirit of each student-athlete so they can learn from failures and capitalize on successes. As coaches, as staff, and as a university community, we encourage and expect our student-athletes to reach beyond what seems possible. It is our responsibility to ensure that each student-athlete has the resources and support to rise to that challenge.


2016–17 ANNUAL REPORT

45


Department of Intercollegiate Athletics 502 E. Boone Ave. Spokane, WA 99258–0066 www.gozags.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.