RADFORD
Introduction
2011-12 WOMEN’S TENNIS
Table of Contents
1
Quick Facts
2
2011-12 Schedule
3
Table of Contents
Meet the Team 2011-12 Roster
4
Player Profiles
5-10
Head Coach Bruce Harrison
11
Assistant Coach Katia Sabate
12
Support Staff
12
2011-12 Opponents
13
This is RU President Penelope Kyle
14
Athletics Director Robert Lineburg
15
This is Radford University
16-17
The New River Valley
18-19
Campus Life
20-21
Student-Athlete Support Services Strength and Conditioning
21 22-23
RU Women’s Tennis Facilities
24
Credits The 2012 Radford University Women’s Tennis Guide was written and edited by Niamh Connolly and designed by the Radford University Office of Athletic Communications. The Publication was designed using InDesign and Photoshop CS4. Additional editing and historical research provided
WOMEN’S TENNIS by The Big South Conference, Kelly Shuman and Gene Hyde, archivist at Radford University’s McConnell Library.
Photography: Tim Cowie, DigItUpSports, Lora Gordon, Athletic Communications, Joey Beeler, Kate Elmer and Niamh Connolly.
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RADFORD
University Facts Location
2011-12 WOMEN’S TENNIS Radford, Va.
Founded 1910
Enrollment 9,230 Nickname Highlanders Colors
Red and White
Affiliation
NCAA Division I
Conference President Director of Athletics
Quick Facts
BIg South Penelope W. Kyle (Guilford College) Robert Lineburg (Roanoke, 1991)
Website www.RadfordAthletics.com
Women’s Tennis History First Year
1974 (Joined Division I in 1984)
Coaching Staff Head Coach Alma Mater, Year Record at Radford (Years) Career Record (Years) Assistant Coach Alma Mater, Year
Bruce Harrision, 11th year Emory & Henry, 1985 71-121 (10) 148-170 (24) Katia Sabate, Second Year Fresno Pacific, 2010
Mission Statement
2012 Team Facts Players Returning/Lost Newcomers
2
3/3 4
2011 Overall Record
6-15
2011 Conference Record
2-5
The mission of the Radford University Intercollegiate Athletic Program is to provide an environment in which student-athletes may build character and strive for the highest ideals in life through education and participation in intercollegiate athletics. Central to this mission are the following core principles: Intercollegiate athletic participation is an integral part of the educational mission of the University and athletic competition is offered to enhance the total development of the student. Through the Intercollegiate Athletic Program, the University endeavors to provide student-athletes with proper direction and motivation to help them grow academically, athletically, morally and socially. Radford University’s Intercollegiate Athletic Program supports equitable opportunities for all student-athletes and staff, including women and minorities, and is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that values cultural diversity. The University strives for excellence in all athletic programs within the boundaries of integrity and honesty, and adheres to the principles of fair play and amateur athletic competition as defined by the NCAA. The Intercollegiate Athletic Program at Radford University endeavors to maintain a strong and competitive NCAA Division I Program in all sponsored sports. Intercollegiate athletic competition aims not only to enhance the total development of the student-athlete, but also to benefit and enhance spirit and school pride among the entire student body, the University, the surrounding community, and the Commonwealth. Radford University’s Intercollegiate Athletic Program embraces the NCAA’s principle of sportsmanship and ethical conduct through promoting the characteristics of courtesy, fairness, and respect.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
2012 WOMEN’S TENNIS
Date 01/22/2012 01/27/2012 01/28/2012
Opponent at Milligan vs. Elon vs. East Tennessee State
02/05/2012 02/15/2012 02/18/2012 02/25/2012 02/26/2012
vs. UMBC at Washington Lee vs. Appalachian State at Presbyterian * at Gardern-Webb *
Baltimore, Md. 9:00 am Lexington, Va. 4:00 Blacksburg, Va. 1:30 Clinton, S.C. 2:00 Boiling Springs, N.C. 1:00
03/02/2012 03/03/2012 03/06/2012 03/08/2012 03/09/2012 03/10/2012 03/16/2012 03/22/2012 03/24/2012 03/27//2012 03/29/2012 03/31/2012
at Coastal Carolina * at Charleston Southern * vs. Nova Southeastern vs. Evansville vs. South Dakota vs. North Dakota at James Madison ROANOKE COLLEGE at George Mason LIBERTY * at Longwood CAMPBELL*
Conway, S.C. 2:00 Charleston, S.C. 11:00 am Orlando, Fla. 11:30 am Orlando, Fla. 2:30 pm Orlando, Fla. 11:30 am Orlando, Fla. 9:00 am Harrisonburg, Va. 3:00 RADFORD 4:00 Fairfax, Va. 11:00 am RADFORD 2:00 Farmville, Va. 2:30 RADFORD 11:00 am
04/01/2012 04/06/2012 04/07/2012
WINTHROP * at North Carolina Central UNC ASHEVILLE *
RADFORD Durham, N.C. RADFORD
4/19-21/2012 TBA
Location Time Milligan College, Tenn .9:30 am Blacksburg, Va. 6:30 Brstol, Tenn. 3:30
2012 Big South Tournament Asheville, N.C.
Schedule
1:00 3:30 10:00 am TBA
ALL CAPS Denotes home match
* Denotes a Big South match
WOMEN’S TENNIS
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RADFORD
2012 WOMEN’S TENNIS Roster
NAME HT. CL. HOMETOWN / HIGH SCHOOL Hannah Crawford 5-7 Fr. Winchester, Hampshire UK/ Kings School Petra Dajevic 5-3 Sr. Zagreb, Croatia / Sportska Gimnazija Mia Drobnjak 5-9 Sr. Zagreb, Croatia / Sporska Gimnazija Meg Napolitano 5-9 Fr. Charolottesville, Va. / Albermarle Taylor Newman 5-7 Fr. Bethesda, Md. / Chevy Chase Sara Tegner 5-7 Sr. Amal, Sweden / Karlsbergs Gymnasium Gemma Valls 5-5 Fr. Barcelona, Spain / Escola IPSE Head Coach: B ruce Harrison (Emory & Henry ‘85 / 11th Season) Assistant Coach: Katia Sabate (Fresno Pacific ‘10 / Second Season)
HIGHLANDERS BY CLASS Seniors-3 Petra Dajevic Mia Drobnjak Sara Tegner
Freshman- 4 Hannah Crawford Meg Napolitano Sara Tegner Gemma Valls
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BY COUNTRY
Croatia- 2 (Dajevic, Drobnjak) Sweden- 1 (Tegner) Spain- 1 (Valls)
United Kingdom- 1 (Crawford) United States -2 (Napolitano, Newman)
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD MEET THE HIGHLANDERS
WOMEN’S TENNIS
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RADFORD
Petra DAJEVIC Senior
2010-11 Highlights
Played the entire spring at the No. 1 singles and doubles position… Ranked second on the club in singles victories and first in doubles wins… Captured a team point in each of Radford’s dual triumphs… Recorded eight of her nine singles victories in straight sets… Teamed with Mia Drobnjak to go 8-5 in doubles play.
2009-10 Highlights
Posted a 13-5 overall record and 4-3 in the Big South at the No. 3 spot... Mainly partnered with Emerald Lauzon in doubles at the third position... the pair went 8-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference... Recorded an impressive win over North Dakota on March 13 over Hallie Welk, 6-2, 6-0, to help the Highlanders to a 7-0 victory... Went through the month of March with only one singles loss.
Player Profiles
2008-09 Highlights
Named to the Big South All-Conference team...Recorded a 14-6 overall record at the No.1 spot...Posted a 10-3 record at No. 1 doubles with partner Ivana Tomaic...Placed seventh at the Hokie Fall Invitational ... Won the singles flight at Hofstra Invitational with a 3-0 record ... Finished second at the ETSU Fall Class in the Gold Division.
JUNIORS
HEIGHT 5-3 HOMETOWN Zagreb, Croatia HIGH SCHOOL Sportska Gimnazija MAJOR Psychology (Spanish minor)
Croatian No.1 at U12, U14 and U16… Ranked 446 by the International Tennis Federation…Ranked 90th by Tennis Europe… Two-time national champion in singles and a double champion… Three-time national semi-finalist…Winner of an invitational “Masters” tournament at U15… Croatian national team member three times… Played club for HATK Mladost.
PERSONAL
Petra Dajevic born on February 18, 1990 in Zagreb, Croatia... Daughter of Gordana and Dubravko Dajevic… Has an older sister Jagoda.
Career Statistics Singles
Year Overall Conference 2008-09 15-8 3-4 2009-10 13-10 4-3 2010-11 10-13 2-5 Total 38-31 9-12
Doubles
Year Overall Conference 2008-09 14-12 3-4 2009-10 9-12 2-4 2010-11 9-14 3-4 Total 32-38 8-12
WOMEN’S TENNIS ‘09 All-Conference Singles
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RADFORD
2010-11 Highlights
Started 19 of the Highlanders’ 21 spring matches… Competed at the No. 2 singles position and top doubles spot… Four singles wins came during the Highlanders’ Spring Break trip… Captured a team point in all but one of Radford’s dual triumphs… Teamed with Petra Dajevic to lead the squad in doubles victories.
2009-10 HIGHLIGHTS
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Mia DROBNJAK Senior
Named to the 2010 Big South All-Conference Singles squad for the second consecutive season... Finished with an overall record of 12-5 as she led the team at the No. 1 position... In doubles, led the squad in wins with an overall record of 11-5, pairing with Sara Tegner at the No. 2 spot... Earned her first Big South Player of the Week honor on March 16... Won eight consecutive singles and doubles matches in March.
2008-09 HIGHLIGHTS
JUNIORS
Ranked second at U18 and ranked sixth at U16… Currently ranked fourth on the senior list in Croatia… Played in the semifinals of the National Championship for seniors… Played in the semifinals of the National Championship for U18… Two-time national champion in doubles… Played in the semifinals of Masters tournament.
PERSONAL / ACADEMICS
Mia Drobnjak was born on Sept. 26, 1989 in Zagreb, Croatia... Daughter of Snjezana and Marijan Drobnjak…. Has two younger siblings: Filip and Nika.
Career Statistics Singles
Year Overall Conference 2008-09 17-7 4-3 2009-10 12-13 3-4 2010-11 8-18 2-5 Total 37-38 9-12
Doubles
Year Overall Conference 2008-09 12-13 2-5 2009-10 12-9 3-4 2010-11 12-11 3-4 Total 36-33 8-13
HEIGHT 5-9 HOMETOWN Zagreb, Croatia HIGH SCHOOL Sporska Gimnazija MAJOR Psychology
WOMEN’S TENNIS ‘09 and ‘10 All-Conference Singles
Player Profiles
16-5 overall, while mainly playing at No.2 singles...Teamed with Ally Spector at No.2 doubles to finish with an 11-7 overall record...Named to the 2009 Big South All-Conference team...Won singles flight with a 3-0 record at the Hofstra Invitational ... Finished third at the ETSU Fall Classic in the Gold Division
RADFORD
Sara TEGNER Senior
2010-11 Highlights
Played in 20 of the Highlanders’ 21 spring matches… Competed primarily at the No. 5 singles position… Recorded a straight-set victory over No. 10 Washington Lee (DIII).
2009-10 HIGHLIGHTS
Posted an overall record of 10-9 and went 2-5 in the conference at the No. 5 spot... In doubles, partnered with Mia Drobnjak recorded an overall record of 11-5 at the second position... Only dropped two losses in the month of March... On April 1 defeated Liberty’s Fabiana Gouveia in a straight-set win, 6-0, 6-1.
2008-09 HIGHLIGHTS
While at Ashland University, she finished with a 24-4 overall record, while mainly playing at the No. 4 position... Posted a 20-6 overall record in doubles play at the third spot.
Player Profiles
JUNIORS
Was the best player in her region for several years... Ranked 32nd as a junior in Sweden.
PERSONAL / ACADEMICS
Sara Tegner was born on July 3, 1988 in Amal, Sweden... Daughter of Tina and Gunnar Tegner... Has an older sister, Gabriella.
HEIGHT 5-7 HOMETOWN Amal, Sweden HIGH SCHOOL Karlsbergs Gymnasium
Career Statistics Singles
Year Overall Conference 2009-10 14-12 2-5 20010-11 3-20 2-5 Total 17-32 4-10
Doubles
Year Overall Conference 2009-10 14-9 3-4 2010-11 8-15 1-6 Total 22-24 4-10
MAJOR Fitness, strength and conditioning
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WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
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Hannah CRAWFORD
Freshman • 5-7 Winchester, Hampshire UK / Kings School
Meg NAPOLITANO
Freshman • 5-9 Charlottesville, Va. / Albermarle PREP/PERSONAL Ranked No. 4 in the state of Virginia for the class of 2011... Four-time team MVP of her high school squad… Two-time Central Virginia’s Player of the Year… Captured the regional title in singles and doubles her junior campaign… Also lettered in volleyball… Led the Patriots to a state volleyball title in 2008, while earning first-team all-district her junior and senior year… Daughter of Mike and Maureen Napolitano… Born June 26, 1993… Has one sister, Molly (15)… Undecided on her academic major.
Newcomer Profiles
PREP/PERSONAL Ranked No. 15 in the UK U18… 2010 U18 Singles and Doubles Champion… 2010 Ladies Singles and Doubles Slazenger Open Champion… Bournemouth Ladies Open Doubles Runner Up… Torbay Open U21 Semifinalist… Bristol Open U18 Singles Champion in 2010… Placed fifth in the National College Finals… Five-time Winchester Club Closed Ladies Singles Champion… Three-time Winchester Club Closed Ladies Doubles Champion… Four-time Winchester Club Closed Mixed Doubles Champion with her brother, James… Daughter of Richard and Kathy Crawford… Born June 19, 1993… Plans to major in psychology.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD Taylor NEWMAN
Freshman • 5-7 Bethesda, Md. / Chevy Chase
Newcomer Profiles
PREP/PERSONAL Regional Champion and state runner-up as a senior… Finished with a perfect 16-0 mark at the No. 2 singles position as a junior… Daughter of Paul and Debbie Newman… Born March 23, 1993… Has one sibling, Willlow (15)… Plans to major in journalism/broadcasting at Radford.
Gemma VALLS
Freshman • 5-5 Barcelona, Spain / Escola IPSE PREP/PERSONAL: Attended high school at Escola IPSE in Barcelona, Spain... Eldest child of Naty Lope and Joaquim Valls... Has one sister Julia (12)... Parents and sister each play tennis... Born on Decemeber 17, 1993 in Barcelona, Spain... Majoring in Journalism.
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WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
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Bruce Harrison 11th-Year Head Coach
Bruce Harrison is entering 11th season as the head women’s tennis coach at Radford University. The 2012 team is a mixture of both experience and youth. The team is nearly split evenly with three returning seniors and four freshmen. With their returning experience and a talented group of newcomers the Higlanders should be competitive in a strong Big South Conference this season. Under Harrison, the Highlanders finished 2011 with an overall record of 6-15 and 2-5 in the Big South. Ivana Tomale was the only Higlander of the season to recieve player of the week honors. Also in 2011, five higlanders were named to the Women’s Tennis Presidential Honor Roll for their academic achievement.
In 2009, the Highlanders recorded a 12-10 overall record and 2-5 in the Big South. They had a stretch in the month of March where they won seven straight matches. They defeated in-state foe George Mason and Big East opponents Connecticut and Seton Hall. The 2008 season saw the Highlanders finish with a 9-11 overall record and 1-5 mark in the Big South. They had impressive wins over in-state rival James Madison and on the road against Lehigh. Harrison is no stranger to Radford University and its tennis program, as he is in his second tenure as a head coach at Radford. He was at the helm of the men’s tennis program from 1990-96 before taking the head job at the Virginia Military Institute, where he coached for five years. During his time at VMI, he earned the Athletic Director Coaching Award for his outstanding recruiting at VMI in 2000. In 1998, he was the tournament director of the Division III Women’s National Tournament. In his first go-around at Radford, he took a men’s team that won just one match in 1990 and turned them around completely. He compiled a 77-59 record in six years at the helm. His 1991 team finished 18-10 and fifth in the Big South. Just a year later, he was named 1992 Big South Co-Coach of the Year. The 1993 season saw his team post what was the most wins in school history when the Highlanders finished 19-7. He was also responsible for recruiting Radford’s first nationally ranked Division I tennis player and the No. 1 ranked junior players from Morocco and Bangladesh. In 1995, he was the director of the Big South Tournament.
WOMEN’S TENNIS Before his collegiate coaching career, Harrison spent time as head tennis professional at the Sports Racket in Lynchburg, Va. from 1986-89. Prior to that, he was the assistant professional at Hidden Valley Country Club in Roanoke in 1985-86. He has also worked as a visiting pro with Van De Meer Tennis Center’s World Class Program and the Moroccan Tennis Federation in Casablanca. During that time, he worked with many nationally and world ranked players.
Harrison graduated from Emory and Henry University in 1985 with a degree in business management and economics. Harrison only lost two matches in his first two years of college play. He graduated from Emory and Henry as the top seeded player with a career record of 68-15. He currently resides in Radford.
Coaching Staff
In 2010, the Highlanders were 13-7 overall and 3-4 in the Big South. This marks the first season over 12 victories since 1995 (14-6). Radford went on a nine-match winning streak, including going undefeated in March. Radford had impressive wins over Appalachian State (7-0), Longwood (6-1) and George Mason (5-2).
RADFORD
Katia SABATE Assistant Coach
Former Fresno Pacific standout Katia Sabate returns to the sidelines for her second season as the program’s assistant coach. While at Fresno Pacific, Sabate was a member of the 2010 NAIA National Champion squad where she was named Senior of the Year, Most Valuable Player and to the NAIA All-America squad. During the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Sabate was ranked the No. 1 singles player at the NAIA level and was a member of the top doubles team.
Coaching Staff
Prior to transferring to Fresno Pacific she played for Pepperdine, which is a mainstay in the ITA team rankings. Sabate has more than five years of experience as a manager/assistant tennis coach in California and Spain. At Fresno Pacific she also assisted head coach Neil Castro with his camps and clinics. A native of Barcelona, Spain, Sabate completed her undergraduate work in May 2010 with a BA in management at Fresno Pacific University with a 3.2 cumulative GPA.
Women’s Tennis Support Staff
WOMEN’S TENNIS Aya ieki Athletic Trainer
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Joey Beeler
Sport Adminstrator & Athletic Communications
Brigid Hamill
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Neal Leahy
Facilities Game Management
RADFORD
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2012 OPPONENTS
1/22/2012 • 9:30
1/27/2012 • 6:30
2/25/2012 • 2:00
2/26/2012 • 1:00
vs. Miligan
at Presbyterian
3/9/2012 • TBA
vs. South Dakota
vs. Elon
at Gardner Webb
3/10/2012 • TBA vs. North Dakota
1/28/2012 • 3:30
at East Tennesse State
3/2/2012 • 2:00
2/5/2012 • TBA UMBC
3/3/2012 • 11:00
at Coastal Carolina
at Charleston Southern
3/16/2012 • 3:00
3/22/2012 • 4:00 ROANOKE COLLEGE
at James Madison
2/15/2012 • 4:00
at Washington and Lee
2/18/2012 • TBA
vs. Appalachian State
3/6/2012 • TBA vs. Nova Southeastern
3/8/2012 • TBA
3/24/2012 • 11:00
3/27/2012 • 2:30
at George Mason
vs. Evansville
LIBERTY
WOMEN’S TENNIS 3/29/2012 • 2:30 at Longwood
3/31/2012 • 11:00 CAMPELL
4/1/2012 • 1:00 WINTHROP
4/6/2012 • 3:30
at North Carolina Central
4/7/2012 • 10:00 UNC ASHEVILLE
4/19-21/2012 • TBA
Big South Tournament Ashville, N.C.
RADFORD Radford University President Penelope Kyle
Penelope Ward Kyle became Radford University’s sixth, and first female, president when she took office on June 1, 2005. She came to RU with more than 30 years of experience in state government, the corporate and legal worlds, and higher education. Upon assuming the presidency, President Kyle immediately focused on leading the university’s initiative to become one of the top 50 masters universities in the nation. The Radford University strategic plan “7-17”, completed in 2007 at her direction, identifies four strategic directives -- the investment in people, programs, global and local society and the future of Radford University. Under President Kyle’s leadership, the university also added its first doctoral program with an emphasis in rural mental health and launched an initiative to grow graduate college student enrollment by offering additional doctoral and masters level programs. She hired the university’s first provost and created two new vice presidential areas of responsibility, Information Technology and University Relations. The Radford University Board of Visitors, at President Kyle’s request, has increased its membership by four positions to provide an opportunity for more diversity and leadership innovation within the governing body. A native of southwest Virginia, President Kyle is a product of the Galax public schools system. She graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina and did her postgraduate studies in English at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University
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of Virginia School of Law and later earned her MBA from the College of William and Mary. President Kyle served as Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery for 11 years, under three successive governors. First appointed by Governor George Allen in 1994, she was reappointed by Governor James Gilmore, and then reappointed once again by Governor Mark Warner. Previously, Ms. Kyle was employed by CSX Corporation, an international transportation company, where she became the company’s first female officer. Before joining CSX Corporation, she was an attorney with McGuire, Woods, LLP in Richmond. She also taught English for six years at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia. President Kyle serves in leadership positions on numerous educational, civic, cultural, professional, financial and volunteer organizations. She served on the Board of Visitors at James Madison University from 1984 until 1992 and on the JMU Foundation Board 1992 until 1994. She also served on the Virginia Commonwealth University Foundation Board from 1994 until 2000 and on the Board of Governors of Saint Christopher’s School from 1999 until 2005. President Kyle is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors of PRA, Inc., a publicly traded company. Ms. Kyle is married to Charles L. Menges, an attorney and partner with McGuire, Woods, LLC. They are the parents of three children, son, Kyle Ward Menges, and two daughters, Penelope Whitley Menges, and Patricia Lee Menges.
RADFORD Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg
Since being introduced as Radford University’s Director of Athletics in the fall of 2007, Radford native Robert Lineburg has helped usher in a new era of Highlander athletics, marked by unprecedented on-and off-field improvements and successes. In his short time with the department, Lineburg has been the catalyst for a number of changes, particularly in areas such as facilities, personnel and strategic planning. His most visible influences to date have been on the Dedmon Center and Radford University’s new 700-seat baseball stadium. Beginning in the spring of 2008, the Dedmon Center, the centerpiece of Highlander athletics, underwent transformations to the arena, including a new steel-supported roof, a new basketball floor, renovated athletic offices, a newlook natatorium, and improved athletic locker, training, and medical facilities. Along with the initial upgrades to the Dedmon Center, an improved state-of-the-art strength and conditioning room, new ticket office and Learning Enhancement Center (LEC), which houses student-athlete academic support, were completed/added in 2009. In 2010, facility upgrades included a new high-tech videoboard / sound system to the Dedmon Center as well as a new playing surface / irrigation system and dugouts to the Radford University Baseball Field. This past spring, Radford transformed its baseball program in April of 2011 by opening a brand-new stadium and making the first significant adjustment to its home park since opening in 1986. For the first time ever, the Highlanders have the capability to host night games. The stadium features lighting standards that meet the requirements of NCAA Regional Tournament host sites. In June, Robert Lineburg introduced Mike Jones as Radford University’s 7th head men’s basketball coach. Lineburg has also overseen the hires of six new head coaches as well as seven new athletic administrators. His other hires include women’s basketball head coach Taj Njongba, head volleyball coach Marci Jenkins, women’s head golf coach Jeff Beeler, head men’s soccer coach Marc Reeves and the promotion of track and field interim director Brent Chumbley to head coaches’ status. Among the administrators added in Lineburg’s tenure are executive associate A.D. Randy Butt, head athletic trainer Chad Hyatt, assistant A.D. for communications Joey Beeler, director of student-athlete support services/senior women’s administrator Stephanie Ballein and Director of Facilities Brad Epperley. As a result of the changes, Radford achieved a banner year in 2008-09: women’s soccer, men’s basketball, men’s tennis and softball claimed Big South conference crowns and advanced to NCAA Tournament play. Women’s soccer advanced to its fourth tournament, men’s basketball won the Big South regular-season and tournament title to advance to the NCAAs for the first time since 1998, men’s tennis made its thirdstraight appearance, and softball appeared for the first time and won Radford’s firstever NCAA tournament game in any sport. Lineburg and the Highlanders backed their success in 2008-09 with a men’s tennis and softball Big South regular season title in 2009-10. Mickey Dean’s softball team went on to win their second straight conference tournament crown before advancing to the Athens, Georgia Regional final with two more NCAA Tournament victories. The successes on the field continued in 2010-11 as Radford captured three more Big South titles. Women’s soccer and softball claimed regular season crowns, while men’s tennis advanced to the NCAA Tournament with their fourth league tournament championship in five years.
Along with their competitive success, the Highlanders have defined the true meaning of “student-athlete” during Lineburg’s tenure. For the second consecutive year, Raford led all Big South institutions by placing 58.3 percent of its student-athletes on the conference’s Presidential Honor Roll. In 2008-09, the Highlanders had 57.9 percent of their students on the list. He and his staff have also been responsible for creating a five-year strategic plan for the Radford athletic department and building an athletics facilities master plan. Additional achievements include ushering in a new athletics Internet site (RadfordAthletics. com), and helping implement a new ticket system (Ticket Return). Lineburg and his staff have also hosted top-level competition, with five Big South championships taking place on the Radford campus from 2008-11 (men’s basketball, track & field, softball, men’s tennis and volleyball). In addition to making an impact on Radford athletics, Lineburg is also involved in a number of different organizations and committees. He is the chairman of the Big South Conference Subcommittee on Basketball Improvement, a member of the Big South ad-hoc Committee on Basketball Issues, a member of the selection committee to select Radford University’s Vice President for Advancement, and most recently, was selected to serve on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Issues Committee Prior to becoming Radford’s third Director of Athletics, Lineburg’s corporate knowledge was groomed as a marketing associate with Peloton Real Estate Partners in Dallas, Texas. Along with his business experience, Lineburg spent 15 seasons as a college basketball coach, including time as Southern Methodist’s (Dallas, Texas) interim head coach. Prior to serving as the Mustangs interim head coach, Lineburg spent eight years as an assistant coach at SMU. Following his interim tenure, he served two more seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Methodist. Lineburg’s coaching resume also includes assistant coaching positions with the men’s basketball programs at James Madison University and Emory & Henry College, as well as with the Dallas Mavericks summer league team. His coaching experience also took him through the Big South, as he spent time on the sideline at UNC Greensboro. A 1991 graduate of Roanoke College, Lineburg started his collegiate basketball career as a Radford Highlander, where he was a two-year letterman before transferring to nearby Roanoke College to play his final two years. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in political science with a minor in history. In 1995, he received a Master’s Degree in education from Virginia Tech, where he was also a graduate assistant on the men’s basketball staff. “In addition to being a good candidate, Robert is a Radford native, something that will serve him well in his new role,” Kyle said at the time of his hire. “He has great family ties in the area and we’re excited he’s decided to come home to work with us.” Lineburg is the son of retired Radford High School football coach and athletic director Norman Lineburg and the brother of Dr. Mark Lineburg, the Superintendent of Bristol City Schools, Paul Lineburg, the Assistant Principal at William Byrd H.S. and Wayne Lineburg, who is the interim head football coach at the University of Richmond. He is married to the former Mary Parish, also a native of Radford.
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RADFORD This is Radford University
Radford University blends the rich, diverse curriculum of a major university with a small-town atmosphere conducive to learning and personal enrichment. By emphasizing student learning as the core of its mission, Radford challenges students and helps them develop academically, socially, physically, culturally and morally. The university recognizes that in our rapidly changing global society today’s technology is tomorrow’s history and what endures is the ability to learn, think logically and communicate clearly. Radford is a successful, popular university that has quickly grown in stature as an innovator in higher education. Its growth in reputation has been paralleled by a growth in numbers and diversity. The school enrolls some 9,230 students from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, from 45 other states and from 47 foreign countries. A state-supported institution founded in 1910, Radford offers more than 140 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in seven colleges. The institution offers Bachelor of Arts, Science, Fine Arts, Business Administration, Music Therapy, Master of Science, Arts and Educational Specialists degrees. Army ROTC is available. Radford is, and will continue to be, a community in which all members participate actively and communicate openly. It is a community that values diversity and is responsive to change and new ideas. Most importantly, it is a community that is committed to the teaching and learning process and maintains service to students as its highest priority and most enduring value.
Fast Facts
- Located in the in the New River Valley of Southwest Virginia - 177-acre main campus; 78-acre RU West campus - 9,230 Students (60% female, 40% male) - Students originate from 45 states and Washington D.C.; 47 countries - Student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1 - 83% of faculty hold doctorate or terminal degrees in their fields - 93% of RU students obtain employment or continue education within 3-8 months of graduation
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UNIVERSITY
NEW RIVER The NRV is home to one of the oldest rivers in the world the New River. It’s also one of the few rivers in the world that flows south to north. The NRV hosts the largest research park in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The NRV is comprised of the following counties- Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd, Giles and the Independent City of Radford. The NRV is home to approximately 165,145 residents. The NRV hosts Radford University, Virginia Tech, and New River Community College.
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THE NEW RIVER
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DOWNTOWN RADFORD
CASCADE FALLS
Bisset PARK
VALLEY
CAMPUS LIFE Want to get involved? You can start with more than 200 clubs and organizations, including academic clubs, outdoor clubs, national honor fraternities and Greek associations. Join a team -- RU has club and intramural sports and NCAA Division I athletics, which includes eight men’s and 11 women’s sports. If that’s not enough, there’s campus lectures, movies, performances, festivals (pictured below) and concerts from big names like Third Eye Blind (pictured below) Outkast, Matchbox 20 and Fuel.
third eye blind
highlander festival
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Student-Athlete Support Services The mission of the Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) office for Radford University Athletics is to promote, assist, and provide counsel to all student-athletes. Its primary, constant goal is to develop graduates and outstanding citizens who have contributed in the areas of athletic competition during their tenures of education. Located in the Dedmon Athletic Center, the newly established Learning Enhancement Center is equipped with computers, tutorial rooms, and a study lounge. The Learning Enhancement Center provides direction for student-athletes via academic counseling in conjunction with advisors from the respective colleges at Radford University. Academic support services such as tutoring and supervised study hall are provided, as well as career planning, monitoring of eligibility status, and a host of other guidance and advisory services.
2010-11 Athletic Academic Accomplishments 1 Scholar-Athletes of the Year 4 Most Outstanding Students 43 All-Academic Selections 6 All-State Academic Selections
ACADEMICS 1 Big South Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year 122 Presidential Honor Roll Selections 1 Academic All-District Selections
STRENGTH Strength & Conditioning A component that is vital to the Radford athletic program is the strength and conditioning program directed by Strength and Conditioning Coach Michael Shumaker. Highlander Athletics have long been recognized as one of the leaders among Mid- Atlantic schools in its conditioning and strength training. It has been an instrumental part in the success of Radford University sports through the years. Under the direction of Shumaker and assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Brigid Hamill, the program is designed to help each student-athlete reach his or her full potential in their respective sport. Each Radford University student-athlete has strength and conditioning programs unique to their goals as a player. This program, developed by Shumaker, helps prepare RADFORD student-athletes for the long and rigorous in-season schedule. The Strength and Conditioning staff at Radford University is committed to excellence in competition and in life.
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CONDITIONING
TENNIS RU TENNIS COURTS Often considered one of the top outdoor facilities in the region, The Radford University Tennis complex features, 12 regulation courts, six of which are lighted. The complex has hosted several championship events, including the VHSL Championships, and the 2010 Big South Men’s and Women’s Championships.
FACILITY
There are four sets of three courts each, divided by a versatile pavilion that can be arranged to accommodate spectators, hospitality areas and scoring venues. The complex features a natatorium and outside facilities which include a baseball field, field hockey field, a softball field, intramural fields and an outdoor jogging track.
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