1
Introduction Table of Contents
1
Quick Facts
2
2011 Schedule
3
Meet the Team Head Coach Marci Jenkins
4-5
Assistant Coach Chris Hertel
6
Support Staff
6
Dig Pink Night
7
2011 Roster
8
Returning Player Profiles
10-20
Newcomer Player Profiles
21-24
This is RU The Big South Conference
25
President Penelope Kyle
26
Athletics Director Robert Lineburg
27
This is Radford University
28-29
The New River Valley
30-31
Campus Life
32
Student-Athlete Support Services
33
Strength and Conditioning Dedmon Center Facilities
34 35-36
Credits The 2011 Radford University Volleyball Guide was written and edited by Brian Stanley 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 by The Big South Conference, Kelly Shuman and Gene Hyde, archivist at Radford University’s McConnell Library. Photography: Lora Gordon, Michael Colligon, Kelly Shuman, Athletic Communications and Brian Stanley.
2011 VOLLEYBALL Table of Contents
RADFORD
University Facts Location Founded Enrollment Nickname Colors Affiliation Conference President Director of Athletics Website
VOLLEYBALL History
Radford, Va. 1910 9,230 Highlanders Red and White NCAA Division I Big South Penelope W. Kyle (Guilford College) Robert Lineburg (Roanoke, 1991) www.RadfordAthletics.com
First Year All-Time Record Big South Record Big South Tournament Championships NCAA Appearances Facility / Capacity
Coaching Staff Head Coach Alma Mater, Year Record at Radford (Years) Career Record (Years) Assistant Coach Alma Mater, Year Volleyball Office Phone
2011 Team Facts
Starters Returning/Lost Letterwinners Returning/Lost Newcomers 2010 Overall Record 2010 Conference Record (Finish)
2011 VOLLEYBALL Quick Facts
1972 620-585 (.514) 129-153 (.457) 4 (1998, 2002, 2000) 2 (1985, 1998, 2002, 2000) Dedmon Center / 3,205 Marci Jenkins (Fourth Year) Virginia Union ‘95 32-61 (3) 62-87 (5) Chris Hertel New Mexico State ‘11 (540) 831-5879 4/3 9/7 10 11-21 5-11 (8th)
Mission Statement
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.
2
VOLLEYBALL
RADFORD
DATE OPPONENT
Asics Invitational Fri, Aug. 26 vs. Manhattan Sat, Aug. 27 at Hofstra vs. Norfolk State Tue, Aug. 30 at Elon Radford Fall Tournament Invitational Fri, Sep. 2 Chicago State vs. UMKC USC UPSTATE Sat, Sep. 3 USC Upstate vs. UMKC CHICAGO STATE Chicago State vs. USC Upstate UMKC Miami/Best Western Invitational Fri, Sep. 9 vs. Alabama A&M Sat. Sep. 10 at Miami (Ohio) vs. Florida Gulf Coast Spartan Spiketacular Fri., Sep. 16 vs. Howard Sat, Sep. 17 vs. Memphis at UNCG Fri, Sep. 23 LIBERTY * Tue, Sep. 27 at North Carolina Central Fri, Sep. 30 GARDNER-WEBB * Sat, Oct. 1 UNC ASHEVILLE * Tue, Oct. 4 NORTH CAROLINA A&T Fri, Oct. 7 at Campbell * Sat, Oct. 8 at High Point * Tue, Oct. 11 JAMES MADISON Fri, Oct. 14 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN * Sat, Oct. 15 COASTAL CAROLINA * Fri, Oct. 21 at Presbyterian * Sat, Oct. 22 at Winthrop * Tue, Oct. 25 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL Fri, Oct. 28 at Liberty * Fri, Nov. 4 HIGH POINT * Sat, Nov. 5 CAMPBELL * Fri, Nov. 11 at UNC Asheville * Sat, Nov. 12 at Gardner-Webb *
Nov. 17-20 Nov. 18 Nov. 20
LOCATION TIME Hempstead, N.Y. Hempstead, N.Y. Hemptstead, N.Y. Elon, N.C.
4:30 2:30 5:00 7:00
RADFORD RADFORD RADFORD RADFORD RADFORD RADFORD
4:00 6:00 10:30 am 3:00 5:00 7:00
Oxford, Ohio Oxford, Ohio Oxford, Ohio
5:00 10:00 am 5:00
Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. RADFORD Durham, N.C. RADFORD RADFORD RADFORD Buies Creek, N.C. High Point, N.C. RADFORD RADFORD RADFORD Clinton, S.C. Rock Hill, S.C. RADFORD Lynchburg, Va. RADFORD RADFORD Asheville, N.C. Boiling Springs, N.C.
4:00 10:30 am 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 4:00 6:00 7:00 4:00 6:00 7:00 4:00 7:00 4:00 6:00 7:00 7:00 4:00 7:00 5:00
2011 VOLLEYBALL Schedule
VOLLEYBALL
2011 Big South VOLLEYBALL Tournament Big South First Round Big South Semifinals Big South Championship
Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.
3
RADFORD
Marci JENKINS Fourth-Year Head Coach
Marci Jenkins enters her fourth season as Radford Volleyball’s head coach.
Coaching Staff
Last season, the Highlanders claimed the DePaul tournament title which included a thrilling 3-2 win over the host Blue Demons in the championship match. Emily Carlin was named MVP with Megan McWhorter and Desiree Aramburu garnering all-tournament honors. The conference season was highlighted by a 3-2 victory over Winthrop, the first against the Eagles since the 2001 campaign. In her second season at Radford, Jenkins’ 2009 squad jumped out to an impressive start during early season tournament play. Coming off a 2-2 showing at the season-opening Duquesne / Robert Morris Tournament, the Highlanders had a thrilling three-game sweep in the Radford University Volleyball Tournament over, Coppin State, S.C. State, and Bradley. Freshman, Desiree Aramburu earned MVP of the inaugural tournament, while Laura Waddell was named AllTournament.
Jenkins’ squad tallied the longest winning streak after the RU Tournament since the 2001 campaign. After being hired in February of 2008, Jenkins’ debut season on the Highlander bench started in impressive fashion as her club won the 2008 “Battle at the Beach” Championship, hosted by UNC Wilmington. Highlighting Radford’s 3-0 start to Jenkins’ first season at the helm was Laura Waddell earning Tournament MVP and Megan McWhorter and Kiley Kent grabbing spots on the all-tournament squad. No stranger to rebuilding programs, Jenkins led Radford to its highest overall and conference wins total in seven years last season.
VOLLEYBALL
To go along with the strong foundation that Jenkins has assembled to return Radford to the success it experienced almost 10 years ago, two of her student-athletes earned Big South weekly honors in 2008, while Megan McWhorter was named to the league’s all-freshman squad and Melinda Clelland earned all-academic recognition for the third straight year. Off the court, Jenkins’ 2008 squad exemplified the true meaning of “student-athlete”, compiling a team GPA that ranked tops among Radford’s 19 athletic programs.
4
RADFORD
5
Jenkins’ drive towards success is also evident through her work on the recruiting trail as this year’s incoming group features a very talented and deep class, which should pave the way for a very bright future.
In the summer of 2010, Jenkins had the opportunity to serve as a coach the USA Regional High Performance Camp in Richmond, Va.
Prior to becoming the 10th head coach in Highlander volleyball history, Jenkins came to Radford with a 30-26 overall record as a college coach after turning around the Chowan program. She also has a 121-49 mark in 10 years at the High School level.
In her two years at Chowan, Jenkins oversaw a rapid turnaround taking a team that posted a 4-17 record her first season to a 26-11 mark in 2007. The Hawks led Division II in aces per game in 2007 under Jenkins.
Her first coaching job came at Hermitage High School, where she served as the head coach for eight years. She never had a losing season at Hermitage, posting an 84-36 overall record. For three straight years, Jenkins’ teams were ranked fifth or better in the region. Jenkins’ leadership and coaching skills were recognized by the VHSL in 2003 and 2005 when she was selected as the Head Coach of the Girl’s Volleyball East team. In addition to her extensive coaching experience on the high school and college level, Jenkins has spent a significant amount of time as a club level coach. Her 2003-04 team qualified for the junior Olympics in Houston, Texas, posting a 54-21 record. She led her 2004-05 team into a 23rdplace finish in the Junior Olympics, held in Salt Lake City with a 58-17 overall record. Jenkins has also extended her experience at numerous college and high school camps and her involvement led to invitations to prestigious coaching clinics. This includes the USA Volleyball Coaches Clinic at the Colorado Springs, Colo. Olympic Training Center.
THE MARCI JENKINS FILE PERSONAL
Hometown Date of Birth High School College Playing Experience
Chicago, Ill. 9/8/73 Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School Virginia Union ‘96 Virginia Union
BY THE NUMBERS Career Record (Years) Record at Radford (Years)
COACHING CAREER
62-87 (5) 32-61 (3)
VOLLEYBALL
A 1996 graduate of Virginia State, Jenkins graduated with honors earning a Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education with a concentration in mathematics. A four-year starter for the Trojans, Jenkins also served as the volleyball team captain her junior and senior years
2008-Pr. 2006-08 2005-06 1996-2005 2005-08 2004
Head Coach, Radford Head Coach, Chowan Mills Godwin High School Hermitage High School Head Coach, 16-U National Team Assistant Coach, 15-U National Team
Coaching Staff
Jenkins took over at Chowan after two successful years at Mills Godwin High School in Richmond, Va. Jenkins’ first team at Godwin posted a 26-3 record, claiming a district title and a district tournament championship. The Eagles won the Regional Championship and finished third in the Virginia High School League State Playoffs. The following year, Jenkins guided her team to another winning record and a fourth place regional finish.
RADFORD
Chris HERTEL Assistant Coach
Chris Hertel enters his first season with Radford Volleyball after being hired in June 2011 as an assistant coach. Hertel joins the Highlander staff after spending the last six seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at New Mexico State and the past 20 years working in the Diamondback (N.M.) and Empire Club (Calif.) programs.
Coaching Staff
Hertel worked under the direction of NMSU head coach Michael Jordan since 2005. During his six-year tenure, he was involved in all aspects of the Aggies program, including practice and scouting opponents. Hertel, a 2011 graduate of NMSU, also played an essential part in Jordan’s volleyball camps since 2002. Along with his collegiate coaching experience, Hertel was an integral part of the club systems in New Mexico and California An assistant director and coach in both programs, he oversaw training multiple teams, assisted with recruiting and coordinated team travel. His most recent involvement was with the Diamondback Volleyball Club (2004-2011) out of Las Cruces, N.M. Prior to Diamondback, Hertel got his start at Empire Volleyball Club (19912003) in Santa Rosa, Calif. learning the trade from Ed “Bear’ Grassl.
Volleyball Support Staff
VOLLEYBALL
Thomas Smalls Manager
6
Randy Aldret Athletic Trainer
Randy Butt Sport Administrator
Michael Shumaker Strength and Conditioning Coach
Brett Smith Facilities Game Operations
Brian Stanley Athletic Communications
RADFORD
2011 VOLLEYBALL
Seniors
NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
NAME POS. Leigh Myers S/L Katelyn Meeks DS Emma Deininger MB Savannah Cantrell MB Carson Widener DS Christine Beckham S Jena Braden S Rachel Wiechecki OH Carly Fleming MB Rachel Brummitt L Rachel Fertitta MB Emily Hayes OPP Bailey Banks S Taylor Pahno OH Megan McWhorter OH Yacine Meyer OH Emily Carlin OH Jesse Miedema OH/OPP Shannon Phillips DS
HT. 5-7 5-6 6-1 5-11 5-6 6-0 5-8 5-10 6-0 5-6 6-2 6-1 5-9 6-0 5-11 5-8 6-0 5-11 5-6
CL. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. R-Jr. Jr. R-So. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Fr.
Roster
HOMETOWN / HIGH SCHOOL (PREVIOUS) Baton Rouge, La. / The Dunham School Richmond, Va. / Mills Godwin Wallingford, Pa. / Strath Haven Jacksonville, Fla. / Neese Bristol, Tenn. / Bristol Ashburn, Va. / Stone Bridge New Knoxville, Ohio / New Knoxville Wilmington, Del. / Ursuline Academy Manassas, Va. / Osbourn Park Plano, Texas / Plano West Roanoke, Va. / Northside (Emory & Henry) Bartlett, Ill. / Bartlett Fairfax, Va. / James W. Robinson Virginia Beach, Va. / First Colonial Newport News, Va. / Peninsula Catholic Makawao, Hawai’i / Seabury Hall (El Camino JC) Downington, Pa. / Bishop Shanahan Huron, Ohio / Huron King of Prussia, Pa. / Upper Merion
Head Coach: Marci Jenkins (Virginia Union ‘96 / Fourth Season) Assistant Coach: Chris Hertel (New Mexico State ‘11 / First Season)
Freshmen
Sophomores
VOLLEYBALL
Juniors
7
RADFORD
DIG PINK AT THE DEDMON CENTER OCT. 15 VS. COASTAL CAROLINA We are excited to be a part of the Side-Out Foundation and Dig Pink campaign. Education is key to increasing awareness and knowledge about the disease. The student-athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers, spectators and survivors will be in for a special evening. Please join us if possible, and if you decide to attend, please wear something pink. Help us and the Side-Out Foundation raise funds and awareness in our fight against Breast Cancer!
DONATION INFORMATION Please send your check or money order to: The Side-Out Foundation PO Box 223325 Chantilly, VA 20153-3325
VOLLEYBALL
Make checks payable to The Side-Out Foundation. If you are supporting a team in one of our events, please reference the team name on the memo/for line of the check or in a note with the check.
8
RADFORD MEET YOUR HIGHLANDERS
VOLLEYBALL
9
RADFORD
Carly FLEMING Senior • Middle Blocker
2010 Highlights
Led the team in total blocks with 85 and third on the squad in kills with 188... Recorded double-figure kills on nine separate occasions... Posted a career-high eight blocks with 11 kills in a thrilling five-set victory over Winthrop (10/22)... Tallied at least four blocks on seven different outings... Hit the floor with a career-high 13 kills, along with three blocks against UNC Asheville (10/30)... Charted a career-high .625 hitting percentage with 10 kills on 16 attempts against Liberty (11/9).
Returning Player Profiles
2009 Highlights
Led the team in total blocks (85) and set a school record with 25 solo blocks... Third on the squad in points (232)... Tallied a total of 177 kills and recorded at least seven kills on 11 separate occasions... Charted a season-high of 11 kills and three blocks against JMU (9/8) and recorded .467 attack percentage (nine kills) against High Point (9/29).
2008 Highlights
Appeared in 17 matches... Recorded four or more kills in a match on four separate occasions... Hit the floor with a seasonhigh six kills on 12 attempts (.500) in Radford’s 3-2 win over Hampton (9/6)... Tallied five kills against conference-newcomer Presbyterian (10/11) and four against both Charleston Southern (9/27) and High Point (10/28).
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB HEIGHT 6-0 HOMETOWN Manassas, Va. HIGH SCHOOL Osbourn Park MAJOR Communications
#9
10
A three-year letterwinner... Named first team all-district, first team all-area and all-region while serving as a senior captain at Osbourn Park High School... Along with being selected to the Showcase all-tournament team, grabbed all-district, all-area and all-region honors following her junior campaign.
PERSONAL
Carly Marie Fleming was born on October 6, 1989... Carly and older brother Christopher are the children of Steve and Trudy Fleming... Christopher played basketball at George Mason... Has assisted with the Special Olympics.
Career Statistics
Year G-MP 2008 32-17 2009 124-33 2010 101-29 Total 257-79
K 33 177 188 398
E TA 22 130 81 485 77 480 180 1095
Pct. .085 .198 .231 .199
A SA SE 0 0 2 7 0 0 12 9 32 19 9 34
RE DIG BS BA TB 2 14 0 6 6 0 27 25 60 85 1 72 19 66 85 3 113 44 132 176
VOLLEYBALL
RADFORD
2010 Highlights
Led team in kills with 246 and kills per set (2.80)... Named to the 2010 DePaul Invitational All-Tournament team... Registered a then season-high 16 kills with a .325 hitting percentage to help Radford clinch the tournament title... Tallied a career-high 17 kills against Coastal Carolina on Nov. 12... Recorded eight doubledoubles in kills and digs... Charted 20 digs on two separate occasions... Delivered 10 kills, 16 digs and a season-high five service aces against Coastal Carolina on Oct. 16.
11
Megan McWHORTER Senior • Outside Hitter
2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Recorded at least eight kills on nine separate occasions... Charted a then-career-high of 16 kills, .393 hitting percentage and seven digs against Coastal Carolina (10/2)... Tallied 13 kills in a 3-1 victory over High Point (10/28).
2008 Big South All-Freshman Team... Two-Time Big South Freshman of the Week (9/2 & 10/27)... Grabbed a spot on UNC Wilmington’s “Battle at the Beach” All-Tournament team... Finished second on the club in kills (185) and kills per game (2.13)... Charted 10 or more digs on four separate occasions... Had a season-high 15 kills and 11 digs in Radford’s 3-1 victory over UNC Asheville (10/10)... Finished with 14 kills, seven digs and 2.5 blocks against Charleston Southern (10/24)... Led Radford to a 3-2 come-from-behind win at Gardner-Webb (10/31) with 13 kills, seven digs and six assists.
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB
Named to all-tournament teams at St. John’s Fragile X Tournament and the PCHS Lady Knights Invitational All -Tournament Team, where she was named MVP... Team MVP and earned VISAA All-State and Division I Player of the Year as a senior... Voted all-conference, all-tournament and Player of the Year by the Tidewater Conference Independent Schools.
PERSONAL
Megan Elena McWhorter was born on May 1, 1990... Megan and her two older brothers, Matt and James, are the children of Tom and Gail McWhorter... Member of Radford’s Honors College.... Cousin Kaitlin McWhorter is a track and field athlete at College of Charleston... Assisted with the Special Olympics.
Career Statistics Year G-MP 2008 87-28 2009 83-32 2010 88-31 Total 258-91
K 185 146 246 577
E TA 107 512 97 448 136 768 340 1728
Pct. .152 .109 .143 .137
A SA SE 40 2 21 12 7 13 26 17 23 78 26 57
RE DIG BS 30 134 3 12 76 3 18 200 1 60 410 7
BA 23 8 21 52
TB 26 11 22 59
HEIGHT 5-11 HOMETOWN Newport News, Va. HIGH SCHOOL Peninsula Catholic MAJOR Exercise, sport and health education
#15
VOLLEYBALL
‘10 DePaul Inv. All-Tournament ‘08 Big South All-Freshman Team ‘08 UNCW All-tournament
Returning Player Profiles
2008 HIGHLIGHTS
RADFORD
Katelyn MEEKS Senior • Defensive Specialist
2010 Highlights
Appeared in 25 matches... Led the squad in digs with 358 and digs per set at 4.07... Surpassed 1,000 career digs with a team-high 25 against High Point (11/2)... Tallied seven 20-dig efforts, including at least 30 digs on two occasions... Recorded a season-high 35 digs against UNC Asheville (10/30)... 2011 Big South All-Academic team... Earned her second career Big South Libero of the Week honor on Nov. 8... Put down a season-high six service aces at Presbyterian (11/ 6).
Returning Player Profiles
2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Appeared in 33 matches... Led the team in digs (495) and digs per game (3.81)... Third on the squad in aces with 32... Tallied 25 10-dig efforts... Recorded a season-high 29 digs against High Point (10/28).
2008 HIGHLIGHTS
Named Big South Libero of the Week (11/10)... Tied for first on the team with 31 service aces... Second on the squad in digs (252) and digs per game (2.52)... Recorded double-digit digs 11 times... Compiled a career-high and team-best 37 digs and four services aces at Presbyterian (11/7)... Finished with 23 digs in Radford’s thrilling five-game victory at Gardner-Webb (10/31)... Charted 19 digs at UNC Asheville (11/8).
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB HEIGHT 5-6 HOMETOWN Richmond, Va. HIGH SCHOOL Mills Godwin MAJOR Communications
#2
Named Co-Regional Player of the Year, while leading her squad to the semifinals of the VHSL State Championship... As a senior was named the District Player of the Year and to the Ukrops Showcase All-Tournament Team... Earned first team all-district and second team all-region honors as a junior... In 2007, her club team finished third in the Junior Olympics.
PERSONAL
Born July 10, 1990... Daughter of Mike and Tawana Colligon... Has four siblings, Megan, Hayley, Thad and Savannah... Assisted with the Special Olympics.
Career Statistics
Year G-MP K E TA Pct. A SA SE RE DIG BS 2008 100-28 12 20 78 -.103 13 31 40 26 252 1 2009 130-33 4 5 31 -.032 53 32 36 41 495 0 2010 88-25 12 8 57 .070 29 17 29 24 358 0 Total 318-86 28 33 166 -.030 95 80 105 91 1105 1
VOLLEYBALL
BA TB 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
‘10 Big south all-academic team
12
RADFORD
2010 Highlights
Appeared in 20 matches... Battled through an injury throughout the season... Recorded a career-high 12 kills, 21 digs and three service aces to lead Radford in a four-set victory over GardnerWebb (10/9)... Tallied five kills on a .455 hitting percentage and 11 digs at Gardner-Webb (11/5).
13
Yacine MEYER Senior • Outside Hitter
2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Earned Second-Team South Coast Conference honors... Also earned all-conference honors on the basketball court.
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB
PERSONAL
Yacine Meyer was born on Oct. 21, 1989... Yacine and her older sister Nicole are the daughters of Linda and Chad Meyer... Involved with beach cleanup, Big Brothers Big Sisters program, fed the homeless, and a member of El Segundo Baptist Church of Children.
HEIGHT 5-8
Career Statistics Year G-MP
K
E TA Pct. A SA SE RE DIG BS BA TB
2010 41-20 42 35 162 .043 4 5 11 8
80
1
0
1
Total 41-20 42 35 162 .043 4 5 11 8
80
1
0
1
HOMETOWN Makawao, Hawai’i HIGH SCHOOL Seabury Hall (El Camino JC) MAJOR Sports Management & Media studies; Physical Education (minor)
#16
VOLLEYBALL
Returning Player Profiles
Named the Maui Interscholastic League Player of the Year following her senior campaign... Voted Seabury’s Female Athlete of the Year... A four-time all-league and two-time all-state performer... A four-year selection to the first-team All-Star... Also lettered in basketball where she was a two-time all-state performer and league player of the year.
RADFORD
Leigh MYERS Senior • Setter/Libero
2010 Highlights
Appeared in 16 matches... Posted double-figure digs on three occasions... Recorded 10 digs and two service aces against College of Charleston... Posted double-figure digs (11) in a win against Georgia State... Tallied 11 digs, two service aces and four assists at Coastal Carolina (10/16).
2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Started three out of 28 matches... Recorded four aces against JMU (9/8)... Charted her first double figure dig match against Bradley in Radford’s inaugural home tournament (9/5)... Tallied a total of 127 digs.
Returning Player Profiles
2008 HIGHLIGHTS
Appeared in 17 matches... Recorded a career-high 50 assists at USC Upstate (9/6)... Charted first double-double of the season with 22 assists and 10 digs in Radford’s 3-2 win over Hampton (9/6)... Hit the 15-assist plateau against Maryland-Eastern Shore (9/20) and at Charleston Southern (9/27).
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB
HEIGHT 5-7 HOMETOWN Baton Rouge, La. HIGH SCHOOL The Dunham School MAJOR Recreation, parks & tourism Spanish (minor)
#1
14
A three-time all-district performer and named to the Baton Rouge All-Metro squad as a junior and senior... Recorded 450 assists, 104 kills, 178 digs and 65 aces as a senior for coach Donna Pixley... Along with being named to the 2A All-State Volleyball Team, was selected to play in the 2007 Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) All-Star Game... Starter on Dunham’s firstever state championship squad as a sophomore... Also lettered in basketball, track & field and tennis... Finalist for the Baton Rouge Area Female Athlete of the Year.
PERSONAL / COMMUNITY SERVICE
Christine Leigh Myers was born March 14, 1990... Involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes...Leigh is the fifth of Christie and Bill Myers’ six children... Member of the National Honors Society... Recipient of the Sandi McPherson Scholarship... Assisted with the Special Olympics... Brother-in-law Kyle Williams is a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills.
Career Statistics
Year G-MP 2008 31-17 2009 105-28 2010 40-16 Total 176-61
K E TA Pct. A SA SE 7 4 22 .136 137 4 4 1 8 21 -.333 19 15 27 1 2 7 -.143 11 5 7 9 14 50 -.100 167 24 38
RE DIG BS 4 28 0 22 127 0 5 63 0 31 218 0
VOLLEYBALL
BA TB 4 4 0 0 0 0 4 4
RADFORD
2010 HIGHLIGHTS
Red-shirted after transferring from Emory and Henry.
2009 HIGHLIGHTS (Emory & Henry)
Voted to the First-Team All-ODAC squad... First E&H athlete to receive the SportsImports/AVCA Division III National Player of the Week Honor (Sept. 15)... Named ODAC Player of the Week two weeks in a row... Voted best offensive player by her squad... Awarded E&M Tournament MVP after helping the Wasps to an undefeated record... Led the squad in kills (425), kills per game (4.38) and total blocks (120).
15
Rachel FERTITTA R-Junior • Middle Blocker
2008 HIGHLIGHTS (Emory & Henry)
HIGH SCHOOL
Played all four years with the Northside Vikings... Selected first team... Also lettered in softball, basketball and tennis... 2008 VHSL state-runner up in tennis doubles.
PERSONAL
Rachel Fertitta was born July 9, 1989... Rachel is the youngest of Susan and David Fertitta’s four children... Her sister, Corrie, was a standout basketball player at Radford (2004-08).
Career Statistics Year G-MP
K
E TA Pct. A SA SE RE DIG BS BA TB
2008 98-27 371 86 821 .347 2 12 4
0
53 65 43 108
2009 97-27 425 90 908 .369 5 20 7
0
58 64 56 120
Total 195-54 796 176 1729 .358 7 32 11 0 111 129 99 228
HEIGHT 6-2 HOMETOWN Roanoke, Va. HIGH SCHOOL Northside (Emory & Henry) MAJOR Nursing
#11
VOLLEYBALL
Returning Player Profiles
Selected ODAC Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-ODAC... Voted Best Offensive Player by her squad... Earned All-State Second Team honors... Led the conference in kills (371), hitting percentage (.347) and total blocks (108)... Hammered out double-figure kills in 23-of-27 matches with a season-high of 23 in season-opener against Milligan.
RADFORD
Emily HAYES
Junior • Opposite Side Hitter
2010 HIGHLIGHTS
Appeared in 21 matches... Recorded at least five kills on 10 separate occasions... Posted a .316 hitting percentage... Tallied seven kills and zero errors (.583) and three total blocks against Canisius (9/4).
2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Returning Player Profiles
Ranked third on the squad in kills (209), kills per game (1.79) and blocks (40.0)... Recorded double figure kills on eight separate occasions... Delivered a career-high of 14 kills (.357) including four in the final game against NCCU (10/13) leading Radford to a 3-2 victory... Helped Radford record a 3-1 victory over Howard (8/28) with 12 kills.
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB
Recorded 185 kills, 26 services aces, 22 blocks and 136 digs as a senior... Two-time all-conference and all-area team performer... Named team MVP following her junior campaign... Led Bartlett High School to an overall record of 21-12 in 2008... To go along with her performance on the court, earned academic all-conference honors in her final two seasons... Played for the Sports Performance Volleyball club... Helped guide her U18 club team to a third place finish at the JVDA Nationals last summer, earning all-tournament honors.
HEIGHT 6-1 HOMETOWN Bartlett, Ill. HIGH SCHOOL Bartlett MAJOR Elementary education
#12
16
PERSONAL
Emily Joy Hayes was born on Feb. 26, 1991... Emily is the youngest of Denise and Perry Hayes’ three children... Brother Collin played four years of soccer in the NAIA at Clarke College.
Career Statistics Year G-MP
K
E TA Pct. A SA SE RE DIG BS BA TB
2009 117-31 209 87 662 .184 10 0
0
0
28
1 39 40
2010 63-21 90 37 309 .172 3 1
0
0
16
0 20 20
Total 180-52 299 124 971 .180 13 1
0
0
44
1 59 60
VOLLEYBALL
RADFORD
17
Bailey Banks
2010 HIGHLIGHTS Listed as a redshirt.
2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Appeared in five games as a freshman... Recorded a perfect service percentage (4/4)... Tallied her first kill against Coppin State in the Radford University Tournament (9/4).
R-Sophomore • Setter
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB
Four-time recipient of the Student-Athlete Award at Robinson... Named honorable mention all-district following her senior season... Also received the Athletic Booster Award in 2008... Member of the NVVA and Metra American club teams.
Bailey Elizabeth Banks was born on April 12, 1991 in Gainesville, Fla... Youngest of Claudia and Al Banks’s three children... Member of the National Honor Society and DECA at Robinson.
Career Statistics Year G-MP
K
E TA Pct. A SA SE RE DIG BS BA TB
2009
2
1
5-4
3 .333 0 0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2010 -- Total
5-4
2
1
3 .333 0 0
0
0
1
0
0
0
HEIGHT 5-9 HOMETOWN Fairfax, Va. HIGH SCHOOL Robinson MAJOR Sports medicine Spanish (minor)
#13
VOLLEYBALL
Returning Player Profiles
PERSONAL
RADFORD
Emily CARLIN Sophomore • Outside Hitter
2010 HIGHLIGHTS
Appeared in 17 matches... Named to the 2010 Radford University and DePaul Invitational (MVP) All-Tournament teams... Earned Big South Freshman of the Week honors for the week of Sept. 13... Tallied at least 10 kills or digs in 13 of her 17 outings... Charted four double-doubles in kills and digs... Recorded a season-high 18 kills on a .255 hitting percentage, 15 digs and two total blocks against Lehigh (8/28)... Posted an impressive 15 kills, 14 digs and two service aces in a thrilling five-game victory over DePaul to clinch the DePaul Invitational title.
Returning Player Profiles
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB
Named to the 2009 PrepVolleyball.com High School All-America Team... Led Bishop Shanahan to the 2009 Pennsylvania State Championship and their sixth straight conference title... Named MVP of the 2009 PVCA State Championship All-Tournament Team... 2009 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year nominee... Voted MVP of the Senior Showcase... Three-time allconference selection... Selected to the PVCA all-state team following her junior campaign... Served as team captain in 2009... Member of the Synergy Volleyball Club team since 2005... Also lettered in basketball and track & field.
PERSONAL
Emily Carlin was born on Oct. 13, 1991... Emily and younger brother Gus are the children of Valerie and Martin Carlin.
HEIGHT 6-0 HOMETOWN Downington, Pa. HIGH SCHOOL Bishop Shanahan MAJOR Business
Year G-MP
K
E TA Pct. A SA SE RE DIG BS BA TB
2010 58-17 147 94 469 .113 16 11 6 22 155 1 21 22 Total 58-17 147 94 469 .113 16 11 6 22 155 1 21 22
‘10 DePaul InvITATIONAL MVP ‘10 Radford Inv. All-tournament
VOLLEYBALL
#17 18
Career Statistics
RADFORD
2010 HIGHLIGHTS
Appeared in 24 matches, averaging 2.06 kills per set... Ranked third on the squad in hitting percentage with .202... Tallied double-figure kills on four occasions... Recorded a season-high 13 kills with a .571 hitting percentage against Winthrop (9/25)... Help lead Radford to a four-set victory over Gardner-Webb with 11 kills and just two errors (.346) on (10/9)... Charted 10 kills with a .286 hitting percentage and eight blocks in Radford’s upset over Winthrop on (10/22).
19
Jesse MIEDEMA
Sophomore • Outside Hitter/Opposite
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB
PERSONAL
Jesse Miedema was born on Oct. 25, 1991... Jesse is the middle child of Delma and Steve Miedema’s three children... Awarded the Dean’s Scholarship at Radford... Member of Huron’s National Honor Society and Teen Leadership Corps.
HEIGHT 5-11
Career Statistics Year G-MP
K
E TA Pct. A SA SE RE DIG BS BA TB
2010 66-24 136 61 371 .202 2 0
0
0
13
3 30 33
Total 66-24 136 61 371 .202 2 0
0
0
13
3 30 33
HOMETOWN Huron, Ohio HIGH SCHOOL Huron MAJOR Undecided
VOLLEYBALL
#18
Returning Player Profiles
Named Lorain Morning Journal and District Six Player of the Year following her senior campaign... Led Huron High School to the 2009 Ohio State Championship and named match MVP... Selected to play in the 2009 District Six All-Star match... Helped Huron to three straight SBC and District Six titles... Three-time all-state selection... Earned a spot on the Oregon Clay invite all-tournament squad as a junior and senior... Finished her career with 913 kills, .428 hitting percentage, 98 block solos and 166 block assists... Member of the OHIO Elite 18 National Club Team... Also lettered in track & field.
RADFORD
Carson WIDENER R-Freshman • Defensive Specialist
2010 HIGHLIGHTS Redshirted.
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB
Selected first-team all-conference and Second-Team All-North Tennessee following her senior campaign in high school.
Returning Player Profiles
PERSONAL
Carson Savannah Widener was born on Feb. 27, 1992... Carson and younger brother Tim are the children of Cindy and Tim Widener... Grandfather Howard Webb played basketball and tennis at Tusculum... Graduated with distinction and awarded King Scholar... A member of the BETA and NHS organizations... Volunteered with several volleyball clinics and the Civinettes during high school.
HEIGHT 5-9 HOMETOWN Bristol, Tenn. HIGH SCHOOL Bristol MAJOR Biology
#5 20
VOLLEYBALL
RADFORD
21
Christine BECKHAM
#6
Freshman • 6-0 • Setter Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB Stone Bridge High School’s 2010-11 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year... Selected to the 2011 VHSCA East-West Senior All-Star contest and named tournament MVP for the West squad after helping them to a 3-0 triumph... Two-time first-team all-district member and All-Tournament team in 2009 and 2010, and earned Tournament MVP in 2010… Placed on the all-region squad her junior and senior campaigns… First-Team All-Met (Washington Post) in 2010… Currently holds the most points record at Stone Bridge with 32, and finished her career with over 1,000 kills.
Jena BRADEN
#7
Freshman • 5-8 • Setter New Knoxville, Ohio/New Knoxville
HIGH SCHOOL / CLUB Led her club team to two National appearances after being a member of elite squads over the past 11 years… Recorded over 1,000 assists, and set the NKHS career assist record at 1,262… Selected to the Midwest Athletic Conference First Team, and earned a spot on the District 8 Honorable Mention and All-Ohio Third Teams… As a senior, named the WTLW Television Player of the Week and MVP Magazine Player of the Day… Awarded NKSH MVP Ranger and Best Offensive Player Awards… Invited to participate in the Ohio High School Association Elite Camp three years in a row… Named the Midwest Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete three years in a row… Awarded the Wendy’s Heisman School Award as a senior.
VOLLEYBALL PERSONAL / ACADEMICS Jena Renee Braden was born on July 7, 1992... Majoring in education with a minor in sports administration... Jena in the youngest of Chuck and Judy Braden’s three daughters... Both sisters played collegiate volleyball; Shannen at Ohio and Brook at College of Charleston.
Newcomer Profiles
PERSONAL / ACADEMICS Christine Elise Beckham was born on Dec. 11, 1992... Majoring in political science... Christine and brother Collin are the children of Dana and Jean-Pierre Beckham.
RADFORD Rachel BRUMMITT
Newcomer Profiles
Freshman • 5-6 • Libero Plano, Texas/Plano West
#10
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB Awarded the 2010 District 8-5A Defensive Player of the Year Award… Named one of the Top-39 liberos in the country by PrepVolleyball.com... Selected to the 2011 Defensive Dandies second team.... Named to 2011 Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) Class 4A-5A All-Star game... Three-year letterwinner for Plano West Senior High and served as team captain during her senior campaign… Two-time Plano West Lady Wolves Defensive Player of the Year, and earned a spot on the first-team all-district squads in 2009 and 2010… Holds three school records in career digs (1,250), season digs (616) and digs per game (5.22)… Competed last summer in the 2011 Texas AllStar 4A-5A game for the East squad in Austin, Texas… While playing for the Texas Advantage Club Team, was awarded LoneStar’s Player of the Week on Sept. 28, 2010... Placed on the LoneStarVolleyball’s 2010-11 All-Texas Honorable Mention squad... LoneStarVolleyball’s 2010 Outstanding Libero Honorable Mention selection... Earned a spot on the PrepVolleyball’s 2010 Defensive Dandies Honorable Mention team... A 2010 AVCA Under-Armour All-American nominee... Member of the 2010 17 Open JO’s National Champions. PERSONAL/ACADEMICS Rachel Ann Brummitt was born on Feb. 19, 1993... Business major... Rachel and her older brother Drew are the children of Bill and Kim Brummitt.
Savannah CANTRELL
Freshman • 5-11 • Middle Blocker Jacksonville Beach, Fla./Nease
#4
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB Member of Nease’s St. John’s River Conference Championship team… Selected firstteam all-conference... AVCA Under-Armour All-American nominee… Member of Select Jax squad that traveled to Barbados for the BIP-USA Tour, along with four other high school teammates her senior season… As a junior, was a member of the Class 2A: District 10 and Region 3 Championship teams at Tampa Prep… Traveled to Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary for the USA Tour – International Play.
VOLLEYBALL PERSONAL/ACADEMICS Savannah Faye Cantrell was born on March 30, 1993 in Houston Texas... Will major in biology (pre-health)... Daughter of Alexia Henson... Mother was a professional figure skater.
22
RADFORD
23
Emma DEININGER
#3
Freshman • 6-1 • Middle Blocker Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB Awarded Central League MVP, ALL-DEKO and first-team all-district honors her junior and senior campaigns… Selected all-league ALL-DEKO and all-district her sophomore season… As a freshman, was placed on ALL-DEKO and all-league teams... Guided Synergy Volleyball Club 18 Orange (King of Prussia, Pa.) to a second place finish in the 18 Open Division at the 2011 National Junior Classic... Help lead her Synergy 17-1 team to a second place finishes in the Open Divisions at both AAU’s (Florida) and Junior Olympics (Reno, NV) in route to picking up 2010 All-America honors in Reno… Listed as a prepvolleyball.com Senior Ace (September 2010).
#14
Taylor PAHNO
Freshman • 6-0 • Outside Hitter Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB Selected to the 2009 and 2010 Virginia Showcase All-Tournament Team… Named 2010 Beach Player of the Year… Garnered first-team all-district honors her senior season, including First-Team Beach District and all-region… Earned First Colonial MVP her junior and sophomore campaigns… Earned Beach District Second-Team honors her sophomore year and Beach District Honorable Mention as a freshman.
VOLLEYBALL PERSONAL/ACADEMICS Taylor Gwynn Pahno was born on March 25, 1993... Majoring in biology... Taylor and her younger sister Logan are the daughters of Stephan and Melanie Pahno.
Newcomer Profiles
PERSONAL/ACADEMICS Emma Marie Deininger was born on Feb. 26, 1993... Business major... Emma and older brother Steven are the children of Calvin and Linda Deininger.
RADFORD Shannon PHILLIPS
Freshman • 5-6 • Defensive Specialist King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion #19
Newcomer Profiles
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB Selected to the PVCA All-State First Team and State Championship All-Tournament Team… Earned a spot on the Suburban One League and Time Herald first teams during her senior campaign… Member of the American Conference Champions four years in a row and the 2010 PIAA Suburban One District I Champions… In 2009, Phillips was placed on the Suburban One League Honorable Mention and Times Herald First Team All-Area squads.
PERSONAL/ACADEMICS Shannon Marie Phillips was born on August 8, 1993... Majoring in nutrition... Shannon is the middle sibling of Mark and JoAnne Phillips’ three daughters... Earned Distinguished Honor Roll her senior year… President of the Students Against Destructive Decisions, and a member of the FCA, Octagon, Spanish and Varsity Clubs.
Rachel Wiechecki
Freshman • 5-10 • Outside Hitter Wilmington, Del./Ursuline Academy
#8
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB 2011 Prep Volleyball High School All-America Special Mention… Member of the DIAA State Champion Team three years in a row… Placed on the First-Team All-Catholic squad her junior and senior campaigns… 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year nominee… Earned a spot on the 2010 all-sate first team and 2009 all-state second-team... Guided Synergy Volleyball Club 18 Orange (King of Prussia, Pa.) to a second place finish in the 18 Open Division at the 2011 National Junior Classic.
VOLLEYBALL PERSONAL/ACADEMICS Rachel Marie Wiechecki was born on March 5, 1993... Will major in nursing... Rachel is the middle sibling of Tom and Helene Wiechecki’s three children... Sister Nicole plays collegiate volleyball at Wilmington University and father played soccer at Penn State Brandywine.
24
RADFORD
The Big South Conference
Since its founding in 1983, the Big South Conference has matured into a competitive leader in college athletics, actively pursuing excellence on the field of play and in the classroom. The League’s growing presence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is evident by athletic accomplishments on the national stage, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages, and quality athletic competition while intentionally fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of each student-athlete. This has evolved into the Conference’s mission of “Developing Leaders Through Athletics.” The Big South Conference was formed on August 21, 1983, when Charleston Southern (then Baptist College) Athletic Director Howard Bagwell and Augusta President George Christenberry began recruiting members into the Big South, receiving initial commitments from Augusta, Charleston Southern, Campbell, Coastal Carolina and Winthrop. One month later, Dr. Edward M. Singleton was selected as the League’s first Commissioner and continued to solicit new members. His efforts led to the additions of Armstrong State, Radford and UNC Asheville, giving the Big South more than the required six members to constitute an official conference. The Big South’s first year of competition was in the Fall of 1984, and in September 1986, the Big South Conference was granted full-fledged NCAA Division I status. During its infancy and prior to securing automatic bids to NCAA Championships, the Big South made early strides in earning at-large berths in several national postseason events, including volleyball, women’s basketball and women’s golf. In 1989, George F. “Buddy” Sasser replaced the retiring Dr. Singleton as Commissioner, and in 1990, the League received its first automatic bid – receiving an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Baseball Championship. Under Sasser’s seven years of leadership, the Conference implemented its public relations and compliance programs, and introduced its first-ever men’s basketball television package, featuring the Big South competing among some of the finest teams in the nation. In August 1996, Kyle B. Kallander replaced Sasser as the third Commissioner, and in his 14 years at the helm of the Big South, Kallander has been instrumental in aggressively promoting the Conference to new levels. The Conference has enjoyed record levels in marketing revenue during the past several years, he has brought television coverage to Big South women’s basketball, baseball and softball for the first time in Conference history, as well as increased national television exposure to the League as a whole through aggressive and unique television packages. Under Kallander’s leadership, the Big South developed and initiated its first longrange strategic plan, re-affirming the League’s vision as a distinctive athletic Conference committed to the quality of institutional life through athletic competition. He also spearheaded the efforts to add football as a championship sport, which came to fruition in 2002, and has solidified Conference membership with the additions of High Point, Gardner-Webb and Presbyterian, and in 2011-12, the return of charter member Campbell University. Kallander’s long range vision has also included technological advancements, as the Conference introduced its first live event video streaming in 2005 and has since expanded its video offerings to more than 600 events annually through a partnership with the member institutions, as well as the creation of several online and social media platforms. In the last 16 years, the Big South has experienced monumental growth and suc-
cess in nearly every sport. During this time, the Conference has had three individual National Champions, more than 200 All-Americans, has reached the “Sweet 16” in men’s soccer, women’s basketball and baseball, has received national Top 25 rankings in men’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, men’s outdoor track & field, and men’s golf, had an individual selected to play in the NCAA Singles Championship four times in addition to the first men’s tennis doubles at-large selection, had the No. 1 ranked men’s golfer in the country, has had the nation’s top scoring men’s basketball team three consecutive years as well as the national men’s basketball scoring leader twice, received an at-large playoff berth in the Football Championship Subdivision in 2006, and had an institution finish fifth in the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships – the highest-ever team finish in an NCAA event. The Conference’s tagline, “Developing Leaders Through Athletics” was unveiled in 2008-09 in conjunction with the Conference’s 25th Anniversary. The League also honored its heritage with the Top 25 “Best of the Best” moments in League history from 1983-2008, with Liberty University’s 10-year women’s basketball championship run from 1996-2007 being crowned the No. 1 moment in the Big South’s first 25 years. The Conference’s on-field accomplishments have been duplicated in the classroom. Annually, more than 40 percent of Conference student-athletes are named to the Big South’s Presidential Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average, and the League has had more than 95 Academic All-Americans in its quarter-century of existence.
VOLLEYBALL
25
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
26
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.
27
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
28
29
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.
30
THE NEW RIVER
31
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
32
33
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
ATHLETICS
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.
34
C
35
CONDITIONING
Dedmon
36
37
Donald N. Dedmon Center Opened in 1981, the Dedmon Center, a versatile athletic complex on the campus of Radford University, recently underwent a multi-million dollar facelift, which makes it one of the premiere collegiate athletic facilities in the Big South Conference and Mid-Atlantic region. The hardwood floor was produced by Horner Flooring, located in Dollar Bay, Michigan and founded in 1891. Along with Radford University, Horner Flooring can be found at Allen Fieldhouse (University of Kansas), The Breslin Center (Michigan State University), The Kohl Center (University of Wisconsin), ALLTEL Pavilion (Virginia Commonwealth) and the Georgia Dome, which hosted the 2002 NCAA Final Four. Branch & Associates, Inc. (Roanoke, Va.) was responsible for the largest part of the renovations, which consisted of replacing the facilities’ air-supported fabric roof with a more modernized fabric structure, supported by nine steel trusses. By replacing the air-supported roof, a new air conditioning and air circulation system is being installed throughout the facility, making it more adaptable for all seasons and a more comfortable and quiet environment. Other improvements to the Dedmon Center include a new high-tech lighting system with shutter capabilities, enhancing the pre-game as well as in-game atmosphere. The improved lighting will also create a more viewer-friendly picture for the television audience. The Dedmon Center also houses the department’s new Learning Enhancement Center (LEC), dedicated to student-athlete support services and a state-of-the-art, 5,000 square-ft. weight room dedicated to the needs of the University’s 19 varsity athletic teams.
Center
The complex features several adjoining facilities, including intramural soccer, football and softball fields and intercollegiate fields and courts for baseball, softball, field hockey and tennis. In addition Patrick D. Cupp Stadium adds a intercollegiate soccer and track and field complex. The Center itself features a 1/6-mile indoor jogging track; a Learning Enhancement Center; a weight training room; the main arena featuring a main basketball floor and a secondary volleyball arena for intercollegiate competition. One of the more amazing things about the Dedmon Center is its versatility. The arena area can be customized to the current needs, including setting up a 3,200seat arena for basketball or a 1,000-seat arena for volleyball. The arena is also used for concerts, graduation and other large university events.