GVSports Monthly Magazine by Grand Valley State Lakers

WHERE ARE THEY NOW - THE GVSU FOOTBALL COACHING TREE

August 2011

IN THIS ISSUE

Volume 3, Issue 2

Football Season Preview By: Tim Nott editor in chief

Soccer

Cross Country

Vo lleyball

Defending the Title, Part 2

Men’s and Women’s Season Previews

Scanlon Leads Young, Talented Team in 2011

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News in Brief Coaching Tree

The Green Zone

Player Proﬁles

Fall Promotions

The Grid

Sandra’s Snapshot Tim Nott Doug Lipinski Doug Witte Courtney Zudweg DJ Foster, Amanda Murphy Kyle Schwerin PRINTER Jenison Printing CONTRIBUTORS Janine Freeman, Sandra Jennings, Sharon Kowalczyk, GVSU Sports Information

Matt Mitchell begins his second year at the helm of the program.

with GVSU Sports Properties

EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR ADVERTISING DIRECTOR STAFF WRITERS

Football

Q&A

GV Sports Monthly Magazine is a magazine that focuses on athletics at Grand Valley State University. Copies of the magazine are free to the community and located on news stands in the greater Grand Rapids area. Copies of the magazine are also distributed in Allendale by the Advance Newspaper.

GV Sports Monthly Magazine GVSU, Fieldhouse

QUESTION & ANSWER with GVSU Sports Properties -QTell us what you do for GVSU Sports Properties?

-QWhat is the biggest challenge of your job?

-Doug Lipinski- I oversee the direction of GVSU Sports Properties.

-DL- There are two challenges. The first, is managing multiple events and deadlines through-out the year. The second is creating a balance personal life. This job is 8-5 plus your events, during the fall 60 hour weeks are normal.

-Doug Witte- I am the Athletic Web and Graphic Designer. I oversee the athletics website and work with both the marketing department and sports information departments for content on the web. I design most of the print and web materials, including this magazine, to promote GVSU’s varsity sports. I am also the photographer for the athletic department. -Charlie Read- In a nutshell I am in charge of selling our fans tickets to our athletic events and merchandise to wear while they are at the games. My official duties are overseeing the operation of the athletic ticket office and our merchandise operation, Louie’s Locker Room. -Courtney Zudweg- My job is to manage and fulfill all corporate sponsorships as well as handling in-game and event promotions from creation to implementation. I also serve as the liaison to athletic spirit groups. -QDescribe the journey that brought you to your current position? -DW- After I finished college, I worked in the sports information office and volunteered with the football team doing video. I eventually learned more about design and photography and became a GA in the sports information office. After I finished my masters here at GVSU, I was hired full-time. -CR- My journey began my third year of college when I took CAP 305 – Sports Promotion. I had an excellent teacher for that class in Doug Lipinski. I always loved sports and wanted to work in sports, but had no idea of the potential opportunities that existed in administration and the business sides of sports. So I emailed him about doing an internship the following year and the rest is history. -CZ- I began as an intern with GVSU in the marketing department the same year as Charlie. Doug asked me to continue working in the athletic department after my internship concluded and I accepted. I worked my way up the ladder and this is my fifth year at GVSU.

-DW- We have 20 varsity sports, so it’s a challenge to cover everything good that is happening with them. It’s probably less of a challenge and more an impossible task. There are so many different things that could be done; it’s difficult to come up with a plan for what is possible. At the Division II level, we don’t have a massive athletic budget or department, so a lot of times it comes down to just doing as much as you can. In dealing with the website and social media, there’s always something more than can be done to get news out, or to improve the pages we have. Sometimes I look at schools like Oklahoma and I want to do as much as they do, but I also have to realize they have three or four people doing my job (and that doesn’t even count how many people they have in marketing or sports information). -CZ- It can definitely by a challenge to stay on top of everything going on and to manage projects and deadlines. There is always something more that could be done and multiple items going on at once. It is difficult to maintain balance personally with a job that is very demanding. -QOf all the tasks you have had for your job, what has been the most interesting? -DW- It’s always fun to drive by a billboard and think, “I made that.” It might not seem like much, but it amuses me. -CZ- I would have to say the 131 Showdown was the most interesting. We took our men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader against Ferris downtown to the Van Andel Arena last year and it was such a great event. The crowd was electric and the event itself was unforgettable. It was also memorable for me because I got to sit at the scorer’s table directing the event next to Mason, the Pistons PA announcer who we had brought in to announce the event. -CR- Honestly, every day is interesting because I am doing something new and differ-

(L-R) Doug Witte, Courtney Zudweg, Charlie Read, Doug Lipinski

ent every day. If I had to choose what would be the most interesting it would be launching Louie’s Locker Room. The creation and launch of Louie’s Locker Room was really no different than starting my own clothing business and being there from the start was an awesome learning experience. -QWhat does a typical football game day look like for you? -DL- Busy. I arrive on campus at about 10:00am for a regular season home game (7:00pm kickoff). We try to have our event set up done by 4:00pm. During the game I just try not to get run over on the sideline. -DW- I usually get into the office around 11 am to make sure everything on the website is ready on the backend, like the online audio and video links for the game. After that, I go out to the press box with Tim Nott, the sports information director, and set up the stat computers while he gets the press box ready for the night. There’s usually a little down time before the game, which is intentional, just in case something goes wrong (usually computer problems). Since I am the photographer, I take photos during the game. After the game, I edit and upload photos to get them on the website

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along with the recap of the game. Last year we did more with video, so I would also edit some short clips from the post game press conference. Once I get the photos and video loaded onto the website, I would add the links to the release. Then I’m usually out of the office around 12:30 am. -CR- This upcoming year, a typical football game day will be very untypical for me. With the addition of the ticket office to my responsibilities and the expansion of Louie’s Locker Room, I’m sure I’ll be a busy guy on game days, but that is what makes this job so much fun. The day will start with setup of our retail locations in and outside the stadium and prepping the staff for the day. Once tailgating starts I’ll be meeting with groups/partners, and ensuring that the ticket operation and Louie’s Locker Room are operating smoothly up until the end of the game (and hopefully a Laker victory). -QWhy did you change the name from GVSU Sports Marketing to GVSU Sports Properties? -DL- We changed our name to better reflect the scope of our work and integrate that bet-

ter in our name. We handle marketing for all 20 varsity sports but we also handle other elements in our department. GVSU Sports Properties is responsible for marketing, promotions, corporate sponsorship sales, and hospitality opportunities, GVSN broadcasts, multimedia, ticketing, licensing and branding. -CR- That’s a good question. I think that “GVSU Sports Marketing” doesn’t accurately reflect what we do. We do more than simply marketing our teams, events, and department. We sell tickets, we sell merchandise, we coordinate special events, etc. The title GVSU Sports Properties doesn’t limit us to selling sponsorships and gives us a more broad definition in what we do.

on our website and we oversee the “look” of the site. -CR- This question goes right back to the greatest challenge in my position. My position requires that I work with all kinds of different departments on campus: facilities, institutional marketing, IT, UBS, accounting, etc. In order to work with these departments, I almost have to become a member of that department. If I have an intimate understanding of the department I’m working with and how it operates, then our relationship will work efficiently. -DW- My job is split between marketing and sports information, so I am work with both departments on a regular basis.

the year because there is so much going on. There are often numerous sports overlapping because so many GVSU teams make it to the postseason. -QWhat is the busiest time of the year for you? -DL- It is probably easier to answer that question by telling you the times of the year that are more flexible for us. The months of December and June allow us the most “free” time. We are pretty busy doing something all year long.

-QWith so many different things going on, how do you work with other departments?

-QWhat are some of the challenges of marketing in an athletic departments with 20 sports?

-DL- First, hire a great staff. Second, we have to work with other departments and offices to get things done. We rely on many other departments to collaborate with us to accomplish our goals. We work very closely with our Sports Information office. Our Associate Director of Athletics for Media Relations, Tim Nott, does a wonderful job in creating an environment of inclusion. His staff handles the content

-CR- The challenge is that we have 20 different sports to market and promote. Each sport has its own unique audience and its own story to tell. Unlike a pro team, which has one team and one sport to focus on, we have to adapt our messages to fit the different markets 20 times.

-DW- The summer and fall stay pretty busy. The summer is slower in the sense that everything doesn’t need to be done right away, but there’s more to do in the summer to get ready for the fall. In terms of workload, the summer is the busiest time of the year. The fall is the busiest in terms of hours worked because there are always events on weekends and some nights. From September through November, it’s pretty rare to get a weekend off. Sometimes that’s a good sign though, because if you’re working weekends in November it means our teams are still in the playoffs.

-CZ- It’s difficult to keep all the events, games and deadlines straight throughout

-CZ- The fall is the busiest time of year; we have football, soccer and volleyball in

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the heat of their competition season as well as basketball beginning. Usually all three fall sports are still in session when the winter sports begin which makes it a very busy time of year. We typically have things going on year round though. -QOutside of Laker Athletics, what could we find you doing? -DL- You will find me with my family, my beautiful wife Carrie and two sons Adam (3) and Lukas (1). -DW- I’ve been known to dabble with some team trivia on Wednesday nights with a few other people from the department. -CR- You can find me with my wife, Sarah, or playing basketball. My wife and I are expecting our first child at the end of August so I am looking forward to being a father. -CZ- I am very close to my family so I’m typically with them, especially my husband of three months, Brian.

NEWS IN BRIEF GVSU Hires Becker Tim Selgo, the Director of Athletics at Grand Valley State, announced the hiring of Keri Becker as Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator. Becker will officially begin her duties at Grand Valley State on August 8, 2011. VALLEY STATE GRAND

LAKER ATHLETICS

THE GVSU FOOTBALL COACHING TREE Miami (OH) is known as the Cradle of Coaches for producing successful football coaches. GVSU’s tradition has been building its own legacy and here are some current big-name coaches with roots that extend back to Allendale.

BRIAN KELLY Now: Head Coach at Notre Dame

BRADY HOKE

From 1992-03: Head Coach at GVSU

Now: Head Coach at Michigan

2011 Hall of Fame Class Announced Grand Valley State will induct six new members into the Athletic Hall of Fame this year. The Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony will take place during Homecoming weekend on Oct. 28. Reservations for the dinner can be made by calling (616) 331-3200. The newest members of the GVSU Athletics Hall of Fame are:

Amber Castonguay

In 1983: Defensive Line Coach at GVSU

Photo courtesy U-M Photo Services

JEFF QUINN

DALE CARLSON

TODD MONKEN

Now: Head Coach at Buffalo

Now: Head Coach at Valparaiso

Now: Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma State

From 1989-03: Assistant Coach at GVSU

From 1985-86: Defensive Line Coach at GVSU

From 1989-90: Assistant Coach at GVSU

Matt Thornton

CHUCK MARTIN

JOE WOODS

Baseball

Now: Defensive Backs Coach at Notre Dame

Now: Defensive Backs Coach for the Minnesota Vikings

From 2004-2009: Head Coach at GVSU

From 1994-96: Defensive Backs Coach at GVSU

JOHN JANCEK

WILLIE MARTINEZ

Now: Co-Defensive Coordinator at Cincinnati

Now: Defensive Backs Coach at Oklahoma

From 1999-02: Defensive Line Coach at GVSU

From 1992-94: Defensive Backs Coach at GVSU

RON BURTON

MIKE DENBROCK

Now: Defensive Line Coach at Air Force

Now: Tight Ends Coach at Notre Dame

In 2002: Defensive Line Coach at GVSU

From 1992-98: Defensive Backs Coach at GVSU

Softball

Eric Cowles Men’s Golf

Reggie Spearmon Football

Mirela Tutundzic Women’s Soccer

Jason VanElst Track & Field The Laker Walk The football team will continue the new game day tradition that began last season with the Laker Walk. Before each game the team will walk from the Fieldhouse through Lot C to Lubbers Stadium. Fans are encouraged to greet the team and cheer them on as they prepare for the game. See the map below for the route.

BRIAN VANGORDER Now: Defensive Coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons From 1989-91: Assistant Coach at GVSU

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2011 FALL PREVIEW EDITION - SOCCER

GVSU Soccer Set to Defend the National Championship for the Second Year

2010 Recap Record: 21-1-2 Won National Championship Fun Fact: GVSU did not allow a goal at home in 15 games last season.

by Amanda Murphy staff writer

wo-time defending NCAA champion Grand Valley State welcomes the 2011 season with high hopes of a repeat visit to the Women’s Soccer Championship held at the Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex in Pensacola, Fla., this season. Under the direction of the 2010 NSCAA National Coach of the Year, head coach David DiIanni and the Lakers look to become the first team to win three straight national crowns since Franklin Pierce won its fourth in a row in 1997. Grand Valley State, who will be bidding for its sixth straight GLIAC title and third tournament championship, returns 22 players including eight starters from a squad that matched the school record with 22 wins. The group has plenty of potential to make another deep journey through the postseason as the Lakers compiled a 22-1-2 record en route to becoming the first Division II women’s soccer program to repeat as champions in nine years. The 2010 squad set a school and NCAA Division II record for shutouts in a season with 21 and held opponents to a microscopic five goals on the year. The tough GVSU backline also played the entire home schedule without giving up a goal and did not allow a goal in all seven postseason contests. The team recorded a goal in 24 of its 25 matches and had 16 student-athletes notch at least one goal. The Lakers outscored opponents by a 92-5 margin and set an NCAA tournament record with 17 goals scored. GVSU extended its unbeaten streak to 65 regular season games last season before having the streak snapped in September by GLIAC foe Northern Michigan. The Lakers now open the fall with an 18-game unbeaten streak and 17game winning streak. Trying to make up for the loss of five seniors, the Lakers welcome freshman Jamie Mastromatteo, Juane Odendaal, Kelsey Rothermel, Jenny Shaba, Charlie Socia, Alyssa Wesley and Cassandra Wiltshire for the 2011 campaign. The class, which consists of five from Michigan and two Canada residents, adds all around depth to the roster. "This class is an example of how hard our coaching staff works to bring in quality people who will be successful

student-athletes at Grand Valley State University," stated DiIanni. "In addition to two recruits from Ontario, Canada, our 2011 class is comprised of players from high schools or clubs that we have recruited from in our past classes and we have seen that pay off." The Lakers return four seniors this year, Megan Brown, Kayla Klosterman, Erin Mruz and Jessica Trost, whose championship experience and leadership will be called upon for the team’s continued success. OFFENSE A season in which it set a school record with 92 goals scored, GVSU welcomes back 83 percent of its scoring including the team’s point leaders All-Americans Mruz and junior Kayla Addison. Opposing defenses can expect to see a force coming from the feet of Addison, Mruz and junior Ashley Botts as the trio combined for 47 of the Lakers’ goals and tallied 30 helpers. Botts was named the NCAA Tournament Offensive MVP after recording 12 points (4 G, 4 A) in five postseason games. Addison (76), Mruz (72) and Botts (71) round out the eight through 10 spots, respectively, in the GVSU record book for career points.

“The play of our offense in the past couple of years has been outstanding,” said the ninth-year head coach DiIanni. “Kayla, Erin and Ashley will be relied on heavily to find the back of the net. Erin will also be utilized to motivate the midfield and get the ball to the opposite side of the field.” Corralling the Grand Valley State attack was no easy feat last season as GVSU outscored its opponents by 3.68 goals per game, but the Lakers will have to make up the goals scored by graduated All-American Honorable Mention Jaleen Dingledine and her classmates Kristen Eible and Erika Pitroff. Dingledine finished her career ranked seventh in points with 82 (30 G, 22 A). “The team will have to pick up goals lost by Jaleen, but we have so many talented players who are extremely talented getting past defenses and making plays.” DEFENSE What was even more difficult was cracking the GVSU back line - owners of 21 shutouts -with NSCAA Player of the Year and two-time NCAA Defensive MVP Jenna Wenglinski anchoring

Junior Chelsea Parise will anchor the Laker defense as she enters her third season as the starting keeper.

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the back line during 2010. The graduated senior led a defensive unit that only allowed five goals on the season. “Our defense last season was fantastic. They were the reason we were so successful and led us to the National Championship,” said DiIanni. “Tayler and Megan will definitely be utilized to beef up the backfield.” The Lakers will have to replace Wenglinski, but thanks to the return of Klosterman, 2009 GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year Brown and 2010 GLIAC Freshman of the Year Tayler Ward, the GVSU back line retains both knowledge and skill. “It is hard to replace an AllAmerican defender like Jenna. She was an impact player in the backfield, but our seniors and underclassmen have the ability to step up and make the line as hard to break as possible,” said DiIanni. “Our defense is the best bet to win the GLIAC and back to the title game. If the other team can’t score it pushes your offense to make plays to win the game.” GOALKEEPER After two seasons between the pipes, All-American junior keeper Chelsea Parise will continue to hold her spot in the net. Parise, whose minuscule 0.21 goals against average and 17 solo shutouts set school records, relied on help from sophomore Erin Rappleye and freshmen Michelle Marcus and Abbey Miller to hold onto shutouts. “In just two years, Chelsea has become a star in the net,” said DiIanni. “She is definitely aided by the defense, but she commands the ball like a pro. Erin, Michelle and Abbey have also been fantastic in goal, keeping shutouts intact. Even though her save count is low, Chelsea makes the saves she is supposed to and needs to make.” GET READY TO WATCH A change for the Lakers is that they will play 11 games away from the friendly confines of the GVSU Soccer Field compared to eight last season. GVSU begins with a trip to Minnesota against Winona State (Sept. 2) and Minnesota-Mankato (Sept. 4). GVSU opens its home schedule with three straight GLIAC games beginning with in-state foe Saginaw Valley State on Sunday, Sept. 11 at noon.

2011 FALL PREVIEW EDITION - FOOTBALL

Laker Football Looks for Redemption in 2011

2010 Recap Record: 11-2 Advanced to: Second Round NCAA Playoffs Fun Fact: GVSU has won six straight GLIAC Championships

by Tim Nott editor in chief

t no point since 2000 has an upcoming football season been so anticipated by those surrounding the Laker football program. Fresh in the mind of all associated with GVSU football is the final result of the 2010 campaign. A season-ending loss at Augustana in the second round of the NCAA DII playoffs did not sit well with the coaching staff and players. An energetic spring practice served as therapeutic resolve, but did not erase the memory of the long walk to the locker room in Sioux Falls, S.D.. Second-year head coach Matt Mitchell welcomes back 48 letterwinners and 23 players that have started games the last three years at Grand Valley State. Another key in looking forward to the 2011 season is that Mitchell was able to keep his entire coaching staff together. “We accomplished a great deal during our 15 spring practices and I felt our upper classmen showed a lot of leadership during our summer workouts. When you look back at the 2010 season as a whole we did some really good things, however, the sting of that last game lingers and I know the 2011 Laker football team is chomping at the bit to get back on the field,” said Mitchell. The first order of business during spring practice was to find a quarterback and it did not take long for sophomore Heath Parling (6-2, 210) to solidify his spot at the top of the list. Parling was impressive in all facets of the position during the 15 spring practices. Parling completed 20-of-30 passes for 251 yards and two TDs, while running for 69 yards and three TDs on 10 carries in limited time under center as a redshirt freshman. Redshirt freshmen Taylor Copacia (6-4, 195), Brandon Beitzel (6-3, 223) and Isiah Grimes (6-6, 223) battled it out for the number two spot and each showed flashes of being able to handle the starting job. GVSU will have its pick of running backs in 2011, along with the opportunity to put different combinations on the field. Junior Norman Shuford (5-

9, 196) rushed for 661 yards and five TDs on just 93 carries (7.1 ypc), while sophomore Hersey Jackson toted the ball 34 times for 140 yards. Fellow sophomore Michael Ratay (5-10, 198), who is returning from off season ankle surgery, rushed 18 times for 143 yards (7.9 ypc). Jake Aberg (5-11, 205), a junior transfer from Minnesota State, was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2009, while sophomores redshirt freshmen Chris Robinson (6-1, 212) was the co-offensive scout team player of the year in 2010 for the Lakers.

(6-0, 177), Keontre Miskel (6-1, 183) and Darryl Pitts (6-2, 185) made a number of plays versus the Lakers’ starting defense. Senior tight ends Tony Carreri (6-3, 245) and Andrew Lorman (6-2, 225) caught a combined 23 passes for 344 yards and four TDs last season. Senior Blair Hollis (6-1, 235) will see action as an H-Back (fullback/tight end). “We do not have a shortage of skill players,” said Mitchell. “Like the running backs, our core group of wide receivers have a great deal of versatility and allows us the opportunity to play a number of combinations At no point since 2000 has an that will not change our offense.” upcoming football season been Three starters and seven letterso anticipated by those winners will join a talented group surrounding the Laker football of redshirt freshmen and sophomores on the offensive front. Junprogram. ior Tim Lelito (6-4, 315) and “We obviously feel really good seniors James Hardy (6-5, 290) and Ian about our stable of running backs head- Evans (6-3, 285) have logged the most ing into the 2011 season. Our running amount of time in the trenches. Seniors backs give us the ability to have multiple Alex Ahee (6-5, 310) and Mark Morrison combinations within our offense. The en- (6-5, 315), along with juniors Dominic tire group is interchangeable and affords us to run our entire offense with any of them in the game,” added Mitchell. The Lakers will have no shortage of options at wide receiver. Versatile senior Greg Gay (6-1, 205) led the GVSU in receptions (50) and receiving yards (769) a year ago. Fellow senior Jovonne Augustus (6-6, 230) hauled in 28 catches for 590 yards and a team-high nine TDs. Junior Israel Woolfork (6-4, 210) and sophomore Brandan Green (59, 175) are expected to make significant contributions. The Lakers will also have the services of four receivers who redshirted in 2010. Junior transfer Charles Johnson (6-3, 205) from Eastern Kentucky turned heads during spring practice, while freshmen Jordan Beachnau Sophomore Heath Parling (12) earned some experience last year, but enters his first season as the starter.

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Cundari (6-2, 290), Andrew Biedenbender (6-5, 305) and Tyler Moran (6-6, 270) have game experience. Redshirt freshmen Austin Green (6-3, 285) and Eric LaBuhn (6-5, 315) are coming off solid springs. Junior preseason AllAmerican candidate Matt Armstrong (63, 290) will redshirt after having off season knee surgery. “We have some talented offensive linemen that we will build around, but it is time for some of our younger players to step up and get in the mix,” said Mitchell. The 2011 defensive line will have a vastly different look than the 2010 edition. A quick glance at the depth chart shows 10 letterwinners, eight starters and 13 players that will be relied on for the 2011 season. Senior All-American Danny Richard (6-4, 265) looks to return after suffering two ACL injuries. Richard ranks among the all-time leaders in DII career tackles for loss (52.0/224 yards) and QB sacks (30.0/176). Juniors Ryan Pettis (6-2, 225), Ricky Thomas (6-1,

2011 FALL PREVIEW EDITION - FOOTBALL 285), Denzel Rogers (6-4, 255), Brandon Allen (6-5, 240) and sophomores Hunter Charneski (6-2, 245) and Lucas Kozuch (6-3, 245) all started games or played a significant amount of time in 2010. As a group they combined for 93 total tackles and 19 tackles for loss. Seniors Andre Thomas (6-3, 255) and Ryan Wheat (65, 310) return after sitting out the 2010 season. Thomas recorded 47 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss (-69) and 7.5 QB sacks (-54) in 2009. GVSU will also get three redshirt freshmen in the rotation with the likes of Matt Judon (6-3, 255), Craig Wilson (6-2, 280) and Isiah Dunning (6-2. 240) joining the Lakers up front. “We lacked depth and experience a year ago on the defensive line and it really showed at certain times of the season. However, those players gained a great deal of experience and we will get two potential All-Americans candidates back Danny Richard and Andre Thomas,” said Mitchell. Sophomore Luther Ware (6-0, 220) tallied 77 total tackles and led the team in tackles for loss (13.5) and QB sacks (8.0) in 2010 en route to earning All-GLIAC honors. Senior Brad Howard (6-2, 235) has had maybe his best offseason and is ready for a big senior year.

Senior Danny Richard (23) has been named a 2011 Preseason All-American by The Sporting News.

Sophomores Zach Galloway (6-3, 215) and Jordan Kaufman (6-3, 217) saw a great deal of playing time in 2010, while redshirt freshmen Adam Koning (6-1, 215) and Antonio Hutchins (6-0, 210) will push for playing time. Western Illinois transfer Sam Power (6-3, 235) will also be in the mix for playing time. “We like linebackers that are physical and can run and we really feel like that is what we have in this group,” said Mitchell. GVSU has a group of 10 players that will be in the hunt for playing time in the defensive secondary, including six that have started games for the Lakers. Seniors Zach Breen (5-10, 200) and Chris Huley (6-0, 205) have over four years of combined starting experience, while sophomore Michael Hatcher (5-10, 173) was a regular in the starting rotation at cornerback in 2010. Breen, a two-time First-Team All-GLIAC honoree, tallied 101 tackles, while Huley added 59 and Hatcher 41. Junior Kenny Veal (6-0, 195) started at cornerback as a true freshman

at the University of Toledo and will start opposite Hatcher at corner. Junior Jarrod Cox (6-1, 205) tallied 45 tackles, while sophomore Erik Thompson (6-1, 200) notched 53 tackles and picked off two passes despite dealing with a shoulder injury midway through the season. Sophomore Charles Hill (6-1, 200) was an outstanding special teams player and will push for more playing time at safety. Juniors Chad O’Shell (5-10, 205) returns and West Virginia transfer Derek Knight (5-11, 203) is expected to make an immediate push for playing time. “We have some great leadership in our secondary and I really like the playmakers that will take the field,” said Mitchell. “I also like the fact that we

have a number of positions on our roster, this group has a lot of versatility.” Sophomore Ryan Stokes and redshirt freshman Chris Picano will battle for the punting duties, while Stokes and redshirt freshman Marco Iaderosa will handle place kicking duties. The Lakers open a six-game home slate with a Black Out non-conference game at home versus Western Washington, followed by tough road games at Hillsdale and Indianapolis. Three home games in October are highlighted by Ferris State (10/22) and a homecoming tilt versus Michigan Tech (10/29).

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2011 FALL PREVIEW EDITION - CROSS COUNTRY

Women’s Cross Country Readies for Title Defense by Kyle Schwerin Staff Writer

or the first time in school history, the GVSU women’s cross country team will be looking to defend their Division II National Championship this fall. The 2010 squad kicked off an unprecedented run for the women’s running programs at GVSU in the 2010-11 school year, winning the first of three national championships that the squad claimed during the year. The women’s track and field teams went on to win both the indoor and outdoor national titles, giving the Lakers the first ever sweep of running national titles by a female squad in NCAA history in one year.

competed at the championship meet. Senior Rebecca Winchester finished 22nd (21:50.9) while senior Julia Nowak was 27th (22:01.0). The other two returners this season placed 30th and 32nd in the title race as junior Monica Kinney finished in a time of 22:03.6 and senior Jessie Vickers crossed the line in 22:09.0. “Coming off the championship season we need to stay grounded and focused on doing what we did to get here,” said head coach Jerry Baltes about the upcoming season. “We feel if we keep progressing and keep getting a little bit better every step of the way we should have another great “Coming off the championship season year.” we need to stay grounded and focused In addition to the reon doing what we did to get here.” turners from the national -Jerry Baltes championship meet, the Lakers will welcome back senior Returning from the national Shaylee Vanderbaan who was 11th at champion cross country team last sea- the GLIAC Championships and junior son are four of the seven runners who Karie McDonald who finished 13th. In

the 2010 GLIAC Championship meet, the Lakers dominated en route to placing nine runners in the top 13 of the event. After the season, Baltes was named the National Women’s Coach of the Year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association while Kinney was named the 2010-11 GLIAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. Baltes knows that just standing pat after a championship season won’t be enough to repeat. “We must understand that we will need to work hard everyday and get better just as we have in the past,” Baltes commented. “Nothing will be handed to us and we will need to stay focused on the day-to-day

process.” The cross country season starts on September 10 for GVSU as they head to Big Rapids, Mich. to compete in the Bulldog Invitational. The Lakers will compete in three Division-I hosted events when they run in the Spartan Invitational (9/16), Notre Dame Invitational (9/30) and Penn State National Invitational (10/15). The Michigan Intercollegiate Championships will take place in Hillsdale on October 7. The 2011 GLIAC Championships will be in Ashland, Ohio on October 22 before the Lakers get in to the NCAA Midwest Regional (11/5) in Big Rapids and the Division II Nationals (11/19) in Spokane, Wash.

Men’s Cross Country Sets the Bar High by Kyle Schwerin Staff Writer

he 2011 men’s cross country team has some high expectations going into the new school year after collecting a program-best thirdplace finish at last fall’s NCAA Division II National Championship in Louisville, Ky. All seven runners who competed in that event will return for head coach Jerry Baltes and the Lakers. The top returner will be senior Tyler Emmorey, who was named the Midwest Region Men’s Athlete of the Year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association in 2010. Emmorey was the top Division II runner at the Michigan State Invitational, finishing fourth with a time of 24:44. He set the fastest time in GVSU history at the Greater Louisville Classic with a time of 24:10 and finished second at the GLIAC Championships with a time of 24:51.3. Emmorey claimed the Midwest Regional individual trophy with a time of 30:58.72 before finishing 17th at the Division II National Championship in a time of 31:13.9. Senior Anthony Witt was the highest finishing Laker at nationals last fall, placing 15th with a time of 31:13.0.

Witt also claimed the GLIAC Championship individual trophy by recording a time of 24:47.4. The other five members who competed for GVSU at the national championships in 2010 are returning as seniors; Paul Zielinski (29th; 31:29.9), Ryan Toth (39th; 31:38.0) and Jeff Nordquist (61st; 31:59.0) all come back. Junior Stephen Fuelling (41st; 31:39.9) and sophomore Larry Julson (76th; 32:16.0) will also be returning for the Lakers.

It has been nine years since any school other than GVSU has won either a men’s or women’s GLIAC Championship in cross country.

Aaron Denner, who placed 13th. “One thing we need to be able to do is close the gap between our GVSU Returns all seven front guys in Witt and Emmorey runners that competed to a back to the rest of our pack,” said third place finish at the Baltes about one of the things the NCAA Championships last Lakers need to improve upon to take the next step. “One of our strengths year. should be our leadership. We have a group of fifth-year seniors who have Witt, Emmorey, Toth, Zielinski been through a lot in the last few years. and Julson took the top five spots at the They have trained hard, learned from GLIAC Championships in Hillsdale, mistakes and had many great results Mich. in November while Fuelling was along the way. We will need their leadseventh and Nordquist was ninth. Also ership to help lead us throughout the enreturning for the Lakers will be junior tire season.” Jake Isaacson, who finished 11th at the The cross country campaign GLIAC Championships, and senior starts on September 10 for GVSU as

• 10

they head to Big Rapids, Mich. to compete in the Bulldog Invitational. The Lakers will compete in three Division-I hosted events when they run in the Spartan Invitational (9/16), Notre Dame Invitational (9/30) and Penn State National Invitational (10/15). The Michigan Intercollegiate Championships will take place in Hillsdale on October 7th. The 2011 GLIAC Championships will be in Ashland, Ohio on October 22nd before the Lakers get in to the NCAA Midwest Regional (11/5) in Big Rapids and the Division II Nationals (11/19) in Spokane, Wash.

2011 FALL PREVIEW EDITION - VOLLEYBALL

Deanne Scanlon Leads a Young, Talented Team into a New Season

2010 Recap Record: 26-7 Advanced to: NCAA Elite Eight Fun Fact: GVSU has advanced to the Elite Eight eight times since 2000.

by DJ Foster staff writer

efense is the name of the game. The Grand Valley State volleyball program is consistently one of the top defensive teams in the conference, region, and the country. In fact, the 2010 Lakers finished the year as the top blocking team in all of Division II, leading the nation in both blocks per set (2.78) and block assists (488). Some of the characters on this year’s team may be different, but the script stays the same.

What the team may lack in experience and leadership (it is her first team in recent memory that does not have a returning captain), it more than makes up for in depth and talent. Back to the incredible blocking numbers the Laker frontline put up last season. Rapin (140 total blocks) and Kornack (83) are graduated, but Scanlon still has Whiddon (77) and junior Eno Umoh. A 5-11 blocking machine, Umoh tallied 135 total blocks in 2010, The 2010 Lakers finished the which led the team and was year as the top blocking team in third-best in the GLIAC, while her 116 block assists were the all of Division II, leading the most in the entire league. She nation in both blocks per set has led Grand Valley State each and block assists. of the past two years in block assists. Whiddon and Umoh Last season, head coach Deanne team up regularly along the net (WhidScanlon led GVSU to its eighth Elite don recorded 76 block assists), but Eight berth since 2000 and finished the Umoh can certainly put down a solo year with a 26-7 record. As is the norm block, as demonstrated by her 19 solo refor Scanlon-coached squads, she did so jections last season. with a stellar senior class. The Lakers If the ball gets past Whiddon and will have to rebound from the loss of Umoh, a pair of sophomores will probamiddle blocker Rebeccah Rapin, one of bly be ready to dig it and get the Lakers the top players in school history. A 2010 in their offense. Libero Sacha Gill was AVCA First Team All-American, Rapin seventh in the GLIAC last year with 439 finished her career with the most total digs, which is tied for 10th-most in blocks (525) and block assists (437) in school history. Gill was also the team’s the history of Laker volleyball. top server, finishing with 23 aces, and Paired in the middle with Rapin one of just two players to tally more was First Team All-GLIAC performer Krysta Kornack and Honorable Mention setter Meghan Scanlon. Along with outside hitter Leslie Curtis, the foursome ended their careers with a 108-28 overall record and three Elite Eight appearances. This year, however, GVSU’s senior class is limited to middle blocker Nicole Whiddon and outside hitter Courtney McCotter. Add in just three juniors and those five upperclassmen are vastly outnumbered by the 14 combined freshmen and sophomores, one of Scanlon’s youngest teams during her tenure. The owner of the 10th-best winning percentage in Division II among active coaches, Scanlon doesn’t see this as a problem; just the opposite, actually.

service aces than errors. As good of a year as Gill had, classmate Stacey Catalano emerged as perhaps the best overall player on the team. An All-GLIAC Second Team honoree and a Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team member, Catalano tallied the most attacks (994) of any GVSU player in 2010 and finished with the second-most kills (323). The outside hitter was also second in aces (22), third in digs (336), fourth in hitting percentage (.188), and fifth in blocks (61). Expect to see plenty of the same contributions from Gill and Catalano in 2011. Joining Umoh, Whiddon, Gill, and Catalano as the five returning Lakers who played in all 33 matches last season is junior Olivia Kohler. The 5-5 setter was one of just three players (along with Catalano and Meghan Scanlon) to play in all 116 sets. She ended the season second on the team in assists (521) and aces (22) and fifth in digs (193). Kohler’s experience in running GVSU’s 6-2 offense (six hitters, two rotating setters) will be a big help, as she ran the offense during each of her first two seasons. Scanlon will again utilize this formation, pairing Kohler with Clair Ruhenkamp, a 5-11 freshman. Rapin and Kornack were each First Team All-GLIAC selections last

Eno Umoh (20) is a key to the Lakers defensive success.

• 11

year and replacing their production will be tough, but Scanlon looks to a few players to attempt to fill the void left behind. Sophomore middle blocker Abby Ebels appears to have the upper hand in taking over the middle of the court and played well in limited duty in 2010, including a key solo block late in the Midwest Regional championship victory over Indianapolis. Sophomore Sam Phillips also is looking to crack the lineup in 2011 and may see more time after a solid spring camp. Loyal followers of the Laker volleyball team may see more production from the outside hitters this year than perhaps any season dating all the way back to the Carly Miller era, circa the early 2000’s. Along with Catalano’s strong efforts last year, Scanlon brought in a pair of 6-1 sophomore transfers that should contribute immediately. Outside hitter Lyndsey Holt comes to GVSU from Division I Samford, while right side Megan Schroeder joins the Laker program after a year at Kishwaukee Junior College. Both newcomers appear to be six-rotation players and should step on the floor right away and contribute. Along with Ruhenkamp, two other freshmen look to work their way into Scanlon’s rotation. 5-11 outside hitter Abby Aiken could see time on the left side, while 6-0 middle blocker Ally Simmons is expected to make a smooth transition after playing competitive club volleyball in Chicago. As long as the 14 freshmen and sophomores can get through the opening part of the schedule, Grand Valley State should enjoy a nice stretch in Fieldhouse Arena in September. The Lakers open up with four winnable matches in Florida against Shippensburg, Saint Leo, Rollins, and Florida Southern and play three road conference matches before returning to Allendale in the middle of the month. Seven straight home GLIAC matches follow the seven consecutive road contests to get the Lakers prepared for the rest of the year. If Scanlon can mix the talented youngsters with a good group of upperclassmen, Grand Valley State could again be playing important postseason matches deep into November.

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PLAYER PROFILES I really liked the coaching staff Why did you choose to Because Lakers are the best! and it felt like a home away become a Laker? from home. My parents. They have been Who has had the My family has always supported me and encouraged me to biggest impact on your 110% supportive my whole life, always supportive of my descipursue throwing. sports career? sions. What has been your Winning the outdoor national championship in most memorable the shot put this past spring. moment at GVSU so far?

DANIEL

VANEK year

JUNIOR

Winter

Which do you prefer, Fall fall or winter semester?

No idea Who is going to win the San Francisco Giants World Series? I’ll be done with school here Hopefully done with grad and hopefully I’ll be competing What will you be doing school with a good job. Married, in the Olymics. in 5 years? and at least one kid.

major Steak and Sushi

Food

Dolna Streda, Slovakia

Don’t have one

Movie

sport

Don’t have one

Song

TRACK & FIELD

GVSU Lakers

Sports Team

NICOLE

WHIDDON year

SENIOR major

FAVORITE...

International Relations hometown

Beating Concordia in 2010. They had won the national championship three years in a row and we ended their winning streak.

Biomedical Science Ribs

hometown

Love Actually

Saline, Mich.

“Just a Kiss” Lady Antebellum

sport

Chicago Cubs

VOLLEYBALL

MAJORS IN FINANCIAL FREEDOM PNC VIRTUAL WALLET® STUDENT is an online money management tool that can help make campus life at GVSU a little easier. It has a feature that lets you send e-mail notifications to anyone who owes you cash, so you can get paid back faster. And the option to set up Parent Alerts that tell Mom and Dad when you’re running low. It even has a PNC Virtual Wallet iPhone® app, so you can access your account from anywhere. Take control of your money at pncvirtualwallet.com/student, call 1-877-PNC-1000 or stop by the PNC branch at 5111 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale, MI 49401.

• 13

2011 GAME DAY PROMOTIONS FOOTBALL Sept. 1 vs. Western Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BLACK OUT Game day sponsor Meadows Crossing First 2,500 GVSU students receive a black t-shirt courtesy of Meadows Crossing

Sept. 24 vs. Findlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KIDS FREE DAY Game day sponsor PNC Bank First 1,000 fans receive bam-bam sticks courtesy of PNC Bank First 1,000 GVSU students receive a GV hat courtesy of Campus West

Oct. 1 vs. Tifﬁn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FAMILY DAY Game day sponsor Lake Michigan Credit Union

SOCCER

First 1,000 fans receive a GVSU flag courtesy of Lake Michigan Credit Union

Oct. 22 vs. Ferris State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LAKER BLUE NIGHT

Sept. 11 vs. Saginaw Valley State. . . BACK TO BACK CELEBRATION

Game day sponsor Louie’s Locker Room

Sept. 16 vs. Michigan Tech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YOUTH NIGHT

First 1,500 GVSU students receive Laker blue t-shirts courtesy of GVSU

Sept. 28 vs. Ferris State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAMPER REUNION NIGHT

Housing and Residence Life

Oct. 21 vs. Tifﬁn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LAKER BLUE NIGHT

Oct. 29 vs. Michigan Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOMECOMING Game day sponsor Chemical Bank

Nov. 12 vs. Saginaw Valley State . . . . . . . BATTLE OF THE VALLEYS

VOLLEYBALL Sept. 17 vs. Northwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOME OPENER BASH

Game day sponsor Pure Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sept. 25 vs. Hillsdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAMPER REUNION NIGHT

First 1,000 fans receive a GVSU blanket courtesy of Option 1 Credit Union

Oct. 2 vs. Ferris State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TEAM NIGHT

First 1,000 GVSU students receive bam-bam sticks courtesy of Brian’s Books.

Oct. 21 vs. Michigan Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LAKER BLUE NIGHT

• 14

st u g u A

Megan Brown

Israel Woolfork

Olivia Kohler

Anthony Witt

Soccer Jenison, Mich.

Football Livonia, Mich.

Volleyball North Branch, Mich.

Cross Country Jasonville, Ind.

What are you doing to prepare for the season?

Drinking lots of water, running every day, and trying to get back into a routine

Weightlifting and running with my teammates

Workouts during the week and getting to know my new teammates

Eating as much as possible and giving my legs a break by doing very little running

I know summer is over because ...

All the girls on the team are moving back to Allendale and the season is about to begin

I’m entering football camp

I’m trying to cram everything I wanted to do into a week

The sickle cell tests are due

What is your favorite part about tailgating?

Our season is in the fall, so Just being around Seeing so many people I don’t normally see tailgating at football games is family, friends, and other fans having fun because I’m so busy still a mystery to me

Favorite movie of the summer? How do you think the Lions will do this year?

Fast Five They will pick up where they left oﬀ for another entertaining season

Running through them during a recovery run

Winnie the Pooh

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2!!!

Thor

10-6

Hopefully they will keep improving and reach .500 this year. Gotta be optimistic

Not nearly as good as the Colts!

• 15

SANDRA’S SNAPSHOT

(Left) GVSU Hall of Famer Danny Poole displaying a shoe given to him by Shaquille O’Neal. (Right) Tim Selgo demonstrates the size of the shoe by stepping into it. Sandra Jennings is an Administrative Assistant in the athletic department.

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2011 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12

Western Oregon at Hillsdale at Indianapolis Findlay Tiffin at Northern Michigan at Lake Erie Ferris State Michigan Tech at Northwood Saginaw Valley State

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