Arena Information Welcome to a 2017-18 Robert Morris basketball home game. The Robert Morris University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is here to serve your needs. Thank you for coming to the game.
— FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE — Event staff are posted throughout the arena. Please see them for assistance, including emergencies.
— TICKET INFORMATION — To purchase single game or season tickets, please contact the RMU Athletic Ticket Office at (412) 397-4949 or visit www.RMUColonials.com.
— FOR MORE INFORMATION — For regular updates, statistics and information on each of RMU’s 16 intercollegiate sports, please log onto the official website for Robert Morris University athletics at www.RMUColonials.com.
— TABLE OF CONTENTS — 1 Arena Information 6 Dr. Christopher B. Howard, President 10 Craig Coleman, M.D., Director of Athletics 15 Head Coach Andrew Toole 20 Assistant Coaches 28 2017-18 Spotter Chart 29 2017-18 Robert Morris Roster 31 2017-18 Basketball Schedule 32 UPMC Events Center 44 Postseason Honors 55 About Robert Morris University 56 RMU Athletics 59 RMU’s Conference Champions Credits: “Independence Day Magazine” is a publication of the Robert Morris University media relations office. The magazine was written and edited by Jim Duzyk with special assistance from Marty Galosi. Design and typography by Juris Silenieks of JR Graphics. Photos by Jason Cohn and Glory Days Photography. Printing done by Reed & Witting Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Dr. Christopher Howard President of Robert Morris University
Dr. Christopher B. Howard became the eighth president of Robert Morris University in suburban Pittsburgh on February 1, 2016. RMU is a nationally ranked university that combines academic excellence with a professional focus in more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across five academic schools. More than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate, nontraditional and online students from 48 states and 39 nations are enrolled at RMU, which sits on 230 scenic acres just 20 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. Dr. Howard aims to make RMU the preferred strategic partner for corporations, organizations, professionals, and aspiring professionals in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. The university is now nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, which also rates RMU among the top 10 percent of universities for online bachelor’s degree programs in the nation. In January 2016, Dr. Howard announced that RMU would build the UPMC Events Center and a student recreation and fitness center, a $50 million capital project that is the largest in RMU’s history. Dr. Howard is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he earned a B.S. in political science in 1991. A Rhodes Scholar, he earned his doctorate in politics at the University of Oxford and an M.B.A. with distinction from the Harvard Business School. He received the Campbell Trophy, the highest academic award in the country presented to a senior college football player, and was inducted into the Verizon Academic All-America Hall of Fame. He is a recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletic careers. Dr. Howard is a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and one of 13 members of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. A retired Air Force reserve lieutenant colonel, Dr. Howard served as a helicopter pilot after earning his doctorate, and then became an intelligence officer for the elite Joint Special Operations Command. Defense Secretary William Cohen asked Dr. Howard to accompany a 1999 U.S. delegation to South Africa as a political-military advisor. He
was called back to active duty during 2003 in Afghanistan, and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Dr. Howard also served as the Reserve Air Attaché to Liberia. Prior to his appointment as president of RMU, Dr. Howard for six years was the president of Hampden-Sydney College, a private, liberal arts college near Richmond, Va. During Dr. Howard’s tenure as president, enrollment, retention, and alumni giving all increased at Hampden-Sydney. Previously he served as vice president for leadership and strategic initiatives at the University of Oklahoma, where he also served as the director of the Honors College Leadership Center and a President’s Associates Presidential Professor. Dr. Howard enjoyed a successful career in the corporate world, working in General Electric’s Corporate Initiatives Group as well as Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Corporate Associates Program. At both companies, Dr. Howard’s responsibilities included sales, marketing, international project management, strategic planning, internal consulting, and business development. He has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, ESPN. com, NPR’s “All Things Considered” and “On Being” and has been interviewed on CNN, PBS, and PRI’s “The Tavis Smiley Show.” OTHER HONORS AND APPOINTMENTS INCLUDE: ■ Member of the Board of Directors of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. ■ Member of the Committee on Infrastructure & Transportation ■ Member of the Regional Transportation Alliance of Southwestern Pennsylvania ■ Former member of the “MyVA” Advisory Committee, appointed by then Secretary of Veteran Affairs Robert McDonald. ■ Founder, former chairman, and current trustee of the Impact Young Lives Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarship and travel opportunities for South African university students of color.
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■ Named one of “The 20 Most Interesting College Presidents” by The Best Schools.
■ Former member of the National Security Education Program Board, nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
■ National Council of Advisors of the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. ■ Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow.
■ Former trustee of the Association of American Rhodes Scholars.
■ Graduate of the Harvard Seminar for New Presidents.
■ Former member of the National Intelligence University Board of Visitors.
■ One of the few college or university chief executives in the U.S. invited to join the Young Presidents’ Organization.
■ Selected by Steve Schwarzman to serve on the inaugural selection committee for the Schwarzman Scholars Program, a highly selective master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing aimed at fostering future international leaders.
■ Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Trustees of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
■ Former member of the Board of Trustees of The Fessenden School in West Newton, Massachusetts.
■ Leadership Council for The Aspen Institute’s Franklin Project encouraging civic responsibility.
■ Former member of the Board of Trustees of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
■ 2012 Honoree, Dominion Power’s Strong Men and Women: Excellence in Leadership Series.
ATHLETICS-RELATED APPOINTMENTS:
■ 2010 African-American Trailblazer in Virginia History by the Library of Virginia.
■ Member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
■ Former member of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe’s Commission to Ensure Integrity and Public Confidence in State Government.
■ Member of the NCAA Honors Selection Committee. ■ Member of the National Football Foundation Awards Committee.
■ Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Centre College, Ripon College, and the Rush University College of Medicine.
■ Former member of the Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Fame Selection Committee. ■ Former member of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council.
■ Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Christopher Newport University.
■ College Football Playoff Selection Committee.
■ Member of the Sigma Pi Phi, also known as the Boule, the oldest African American fraternity in the United States.
BUSINESS-RELATED ACHIEVEMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS:
■ Honorary member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society serving AACSBaccredited business schools.
■ Co-author with David Snider of the 2010 book Money Makers: Inside the New World of Finance and Business.
■ Honorary member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
■ Member of the OLO Systems Advisory Board and formerly on the Board of Directors of Converge, an IT de-manufacturing firm.
■ Gift made in the Howards’ honor at HampdenSydney College to create the Chris and Barbara Howard Chair in Rhetoric.
■ Former Senior Advisor on African Affairs at the Albright Stonebridge Group, an international advisory firm for Fortune 1000 companies.
EDUCATION-RELATED APPOINTMENTS:
■ Served as the youngest member of the annual Washington Post-Harvard University “America’s Best Leaders” selection committee.
■ Higher Education Working Group on Global Issues of the Council on Foreign Relations.
■ Former acting Managing Director of Endeavor South Africa, a global initiative that supports entrepreneurs in the developing world.
■ Advisory Board of the Morehouse College Research Institute. ■ Board of the Olmstead Foundation, which provides young military leaders the opportunity to achieve fluency in a foreign language and pursue their graduate studies at an overseas university.
PERSONAL:
■ Future of Independent Higher Education steering committee for the Council of Independent Colleges. ■ Former member of the Board of Regents at Baylor University. ■ Former member of the Board of Directors at the American Council on Education.
Dr. Howard is married to Barbara Noble Howard from Johannesburg, South Africa. Barbara is a Temple University graduate, Director of the Impact Young Lives Foundation, a member of the Virginia War Memorial Board of Directors, and a Trustee of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The Howards have two sons, Cohen and Joshua. Cohen is a 2016 graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, and Joshua is a junior at Middlebury College.
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Craig Coleman, M.D. Director of Athletics
At the forefront of RMU’s golden age of intercollegiate athletics is Craig Coleman, M.D., who is in his 13th academic year as Director of Athletics at Robert Morris in 2017-18. He was named to the position Feb. 15, 2005. Led by Coleman’s guidance, the RMU department of athletics has continued to progress on both a regional and national level. Robert Morris continued its successful run in 2016-17, as the women’s ice hockey claimed the College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament championship, while women’s basketball claimed its second consecutive Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament title. Both teams earned automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament, with women’s ice hockey earning its first appearance in program history. The success the two programs had for Robert Morris in 2016-17 marked the fourth consecutive year RMU has sent a pair of programs to an NCAA Tournament. Away from competition, the department of athletics continued to excel in the classroom with Coleman at the helm. Student-athletes who competed in 16 sports combined to post a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.391 during the 2016-17 academic year, with a total of 14 of RMU’s 16 programs finishing with team GPA’s of 3.0 or higher. The continued success for the Colonials in recent years is just part of a period of unparalleled growth for the department of athletics under Coleman’s leadership. In 2015-16, both volleyball and women’s basketball advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The year before, men’s basketball and men’s golf team earned automatic bids, while in 2013-14, women’s basketball and men’s ice hockey teams played in the NCAA Tournament. That year marked the first time in school history a pair of teams earned automatic berths to the NCAA Tournament. During the 2012-13 campaign, men’s basketball and softball claimed NEC regular-season championships. The men’s basketball squad also
became the center of the college basketball universe when it defeated defending national champion Kentucky in the first round of the 2013 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in front of 3,444 fans at the Charles L. Sewall Center, the largest crowd in school history. The women’s ice hockey team claimed its first College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament championship in 2012. The Colonials snapped Mercyhurst’s streak of nine straight titles thanks to a 3-2 victory over the Lakers in the championship game of the 2012 CHA Tournament at the RMU Island Sports Center. In 2010, the football team earned the NEC’s inaugural bid to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs, the 12th straight year a program from Robert Morris earned an automatic bid in an NCAA Tournament. In addition, the men’s lacrosse program, in just its sixth year of existence, earned its first national ranking by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). Overall in Coleman’s 12 years as director of athletics at Robert Morris, programs have claimed a total of 22 regular-season championships and earned 15 automatic berths to the NCAA Tournament. RMU’s exploits academically during Coleman’s tenure have been just as impressive. In his first year as director of athletics in 200506, Robert Morris placed a total of nine studentathletes covering six sports on the ESPN The Magazine District II Academic All-America Team, the most in school history. RMU also earned the NEC Institutional Academic Award in both 2012 and 2014. Coleman oversaw the development of a new Robert Morris athletics logo and mascot as well as the launching of the official website of RMU athletics at www.RMUColonials.com. Nine head coaches have been hired by Coleman, including a pair of men’s basketball head coaches (Mike Rice and Andrew Toole) and two in women’s rowing (Midge McPhail and Nelle Stahura). Also hired by Coleman are Dale Starr (volleyball), Paul
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Colontino (women’s ice hockey) and Caitlin Cotter (cross country and track & field). All the while, Coleman has built a winning softball program at Robert Morris over the past 27 years. During that period, RMU has won eight NEC regular-season championships and six NEC Tournament titles. In 2014, Coleman won his 600th career game when the Colonials earned a 10-0 victory in six innings in the first game of a doubleheader split at Mount St. Mary’s on April 6. Prior to his arrival as head coach in 1991, the Colonials posted just 19 victories in the previous three seasons. During his 27 years as head coach, the Colonials have posted an overall record of 674611-5 (.524), including a record of 294-125-2 (.701) against NEC foes. In his first four years as head coach, Coleman guided the Colonials to an overall record of 119-62 (.657) and four NEC championships. In 1994, Robert Morris received its first national ranking in school history, regardless of sport, when the Colonials were ranked as high as No. 23 in the USA Today / National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll. Coleman’s success as head softball coach has come not only on the field, but in the classroom, as well. His players include 18 Capital One District II Academic All-Americans, six NEC ScholarAthletes of the Year for softball and numerous NEC Academic Honor Roll selections.
In the spring of 2011, former Colonial Annie Dubovec (2008-11) became the first female student-athlete in Robert Morris history to be named to the Capital One Academic All-America First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Under Coleman’s watch, the Colonials finished in the top five in Division I in team GPA six consecutive years from 2009 to 2014 according to the NFCA, including the top mark in 2009, 2010 and 2012. Overall, Robert Morris has finished in the top five of team GPA a total of seven times since the 1999-2000 academic year. Prior to being hired as RMU’s Director of Athletics, Coleman worked as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine from 1988 to 2005. He served as the Medical Director of several impatient units, residential treatment facilities and partial hospital programs at UPMC. Coleman earned his medical degree from The Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine in Hershey in 1983. In 1979, he earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a native of Philadelphia, Pa.
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Andrew Toole HEAD COACH • Penn ’03 • @AndyToole Presiding over the golden age of Robert Morris University men’s basketball is Andrew Toole, who is in his eighth season as the head coach of the Colonials in 2017-18. Introduced as the eighth head coach in the program’s 41-year Division I history at a press conference at the Charles L. Sewall Center May 11, 2010, Toole signed a one-year contract extension at RMU Jan. 19, 2017, and will lead the Colonials through the 2020-21 campaign. In seven seasons under Toole’s tutelage, the Colonials have posted an overall record of 134-106 (.558), including a mark of 82-42 (.661) against Northeast Conference opponents. Toole has overseen the most successful stretch in school history during his 10-year tenure at Robert Morris. Named an assistant coach under former head coach Mike Rice in 2007, Toole was elevated to associate head coach the following season
before taking over the reigns as head coach in 2010. During Toole’s seven seasons as head coach at RMU, the Colonials have claimed two NEC regularseason championships (2013, 2014), appeared in four NEC Tournament championship games (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015) and have made four national postseason appearances. Robert Morris played in its first CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) in 2012, earned automatic bids to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in both 2013 and 2014 and appeared in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Four of RMU’s five victories in a national postseason tournament have come under Toole. In 2011-12, his second year as head coach, Toole led the Colonials to an overall record of 26-11 (.703).
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Continued ➞
Robert Morris tied a school record for victories by advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2012 CIT thanks to road wins over Indiana State and Toledo. In 2012-13, RMU claimed its 10th NEC regularseason championship with a ledger of 14-4 (.778) in conference action and overall finished 24-11 (.686). Robert Morris earned a spot in the 2013 NIT, advancing to the second round thanks to a landmark 59-57 victory over Kentucky in front of 3,444 fans at the Charles L. Sewall Center, the largest crowd in school history. RMU earned its second straight NEC regularseason crown in 2013-14 with a record of 14-2 (.875) in league play and finished 22-14 (.611) overall. For his efforts, Toole was named the 2014 NEC Jim Phelan Coach of the Year. Led by a career-high 38 points from 2014 NEC Player of the Year Karvel Anderson (2012-14), the Colonials notched a win in the first round of the NIT for the second consecutive year with an 89-78 victory at St. John’s. In the history of the NIT, a No. 8 seed has knocked off a No. 1 seed just four times, with Robert Morris owning two of those victories thanks to its wins over Kentucky and St. John’s. Toole guided Robert Morris to an overall record of 20-15 (.571) in 2014-15, including a mark of 12-6 (.667) in the NEC. The Colonials finished in a tie for second place with Bryant in the league standings and as the No. 2 seed claimed the 2015 NEC Tournament title with a 66-63 win at No. 1 seed St. Francis Brooklyn. The win over the Terriers helped RMU secure its leaguehigh eighth NEC Tournament title and subsequent bid to the NCAA Tournament. Robert Morris earned its first NCAA Tournament victory since 1983 and second overall in program history by posting an 81-77 victory over North Florida as part of the 2015 NCAA First Four at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Two days later the Colonials fell to eventual 2015 national champion Duke, 85-56, in Charlotte, N.C.
In his first season at the helm in 2010-11, Toole guided RMU to an overall record of 18-14 (.563), including a mark of 12-6 (.667) in the NEC. The Colonials advanced to the championship game of the NEC Tournament, falling three minutes shy of earning their third straight title before falling in overtime at LIU Brooklyn, 85-82. While RMU’s overall success is apparent, the program’s accomplishments in the NEC are also clear. Over the last 10 years, the Colonials have posted a mark of 128-50 (.719) against league opposition. Robert Morris won outright NEC regular-season titles in 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2014 and shared the championship in 2010 with Quinnipiac. Overall in the last 10 seasons, RMU has posted a record of 207-137 (.602). In 2008, the Colonials made their first appearance in the NIT, dropping an 87-81 decision to No. 1 overall seed Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. In both 2009 and 2010, RMU earned automatic berths to the NCAA Tournament thanks to winning its sixth and seventh NEC Tournament championships, respectively. In the 2009 NCAA Tournament as a No. 15 seed, the Colonials fell to eventual national runnerup Michigan State, 77-62, in the first round at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn. In the 2010 NCAA Tournament, Robert Morris nearly upset No. 2 seed Villanova in the first round at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., before falling, 7370, in overtime. Prior to coming to Robert Morris in 2007, Toole spent the 2006-07 season as an assistant at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. While an assistant with the Leopards, Toole assisted in all facets of the program, from recruiting to player development. He was responsible for helping recruit student-athletes that helped lead Lafayette to the 2010 Patriot League Tournament championship game against Lehigh. Toole spent two
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— THE ANDREW TOOLE FILE — Birthdate: Sept. 11, 1980 • Hometown: Red Bank, N.J. • Age: 37 Alma Mater / Year: University of Pennsylvania / 2003 • Degree: Bachelor of Arts (political science) High School: Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, N.J.)
COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE Robert Morris University (Moon Township, Pa.) – Head Coach (2010-present) Robert Morris University (Moon Township, Pa.) – Associate Head Coach (2008-10) Robert Morris University (Moon Township, Pa.) – Assistant Coach (2007-08) Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.) – Assistant Coach (2006-07)
OTHER EXPERIENCE The Hoop Group (Neptune, N.J.) – Director, Eastern Invitational Basketball Clinic (2004-06)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE Elon University (Elon, N.C.) – Guard (1998-00) University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pa.) – Guard (2000-03) Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, N.J.) – Guard (1994-98)
YEAR-BY-YEAR COACHING RECORD School
Year
Overall (Pct.)
NEC (Pct.)
NEC Finish
Robert Morris
2010-11
18-14 (.562)
12-6 (.667)
3rd
Postseason
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Robert Morris
2011-12
26-11 (.703)
13-5 (.722)
3rd
CIT (Quarterfinals)
Robert Morris
2012-13
24-11 (.686)
14-4 (.778)
1st
NIT (Second Round)
Robert Morris
2013-14
22-14 (.611)
14-2 (.875)
1st
NIT (Second Round)
Robert Morris
2014-15
20-15 (.571)
12-6 (.667)
2nd
NCAA (Second Round)
Robert Morris
2015-16
10-22 (.313)
8-10 (.444)
8th
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Robert Morris
2016-17
14-19 (.424)
9-9 (.500)
T-5th
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134-106 (.558)
82-42 (.661)
Totals
years with The Hoop Group in Neptune, N.J., from 2004 to 2006. He served as the director of the Eastern Invitational Basketball Clinic, where he handled logistical management for the nation’s largest high school exposure camp. Also during his time with The Hoop Group, Toole maintained relationships with elite high school and AAU coaches. Also in 2004, Toole served as the director of Rebounds, a 28,000-square foot facility where high school players focus on development. Toole was a four-year starter at the Division I level, playing for Elon University (1998-2000) before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania (2000-03). In two seasons with the Quakers, Toole helped guide Penn to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2002 and 2003. A co-captain of the 2002-03 Penn team that finished with an overall record of 22-6 (.786), in two years as a starter Toole helped lead the Quakers to an overall record of 47-13 (.783). During his two seasons at Penn, the Quakers posted a record of 7-1 in the Philadelphia Big
5, an informal association of college athletic programs in Philadelphia, Pa., that includes Penn, La Salle, Saint Joseph’s, Temple and Villanova. Penn finished 4-0 in 2001-02, and it’s only loss in 2002-03 came against Saint Joseph’s. Over his four-year career at Elon and Penn, Toole averaged 12.3 points per contest, finishing with 1,341 points in 109 games. He also posted averages of 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. In two seasons at Penn, Toole hit 104 threepointers and on his career finished with 212. He was an All-Ivy League First Team selection in 2001-02, an All-Ivy League Second Team honoree in 2002-03 and was named to the All-Big 5 Team in both 2002 and 2003. A member of the Friars Senior Society at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002-03, Toole earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Penn in 2003. Toole and his wife, Brooke, reside in the Pittsburgh, Pa., suburb of Mt. Lebanon, with their two sons, Ryan and Colin.
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Assistant Coaches KYLE GRIFFIN ASSISTANT COACH
The 2017-18 season marks the second for Kyle Griffin as an assistant coach at Robert Morris University. Griffin, a native of Allentown, Pa., joined RMU after spending three seasons as an assistant coach under Dr. Brett Reed at Lehigh. During his three seasons at Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks posted an overall record of 47-47 (.500), including a 30-24 (.556) mark in the Patriot League. Prior to Lehigh, Griffin served as Director of Team Events for the Hoop Group, managing high school showcases and AAU events. He assisted in the recruitment and organization of the largest event offered by the Hoop Group in the Pittsburgh Jam Fest. Also while with the Hoop Group, Griffin was the Director of Operations and Director of the Philly Hoop Group Classic. Griffin began his collegiate playing career at La Salle before transferring to Siena. In his first season at Siena, the Saints finished 27-7 overall, including 17-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Siena appeared in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, falling to Purdue, 72-64. He appeared in 32 career games with the Saints, including two starts. In 2011 Griffin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing and management from Siena. He currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.
DANTE’ JACKSON ASSISTANT COACH
The 2017-18 campaign marks the first season for Dante’ Jackson as an assistant coach at Robert Morris University. Jackson, a native of Greenfield, Ohio, joined RMU after spending last season as an assistant at Air Force. Prior to joining the coaching staff with the Falcons, Jackson spent
one season as an assistant coach with Northern Kentucky (2015-16). A 2011 graduate of Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts, Jackson began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio University in 2011-12. Jackson returned to his alma mater after one year at Ohio University and spent two years as a graduate assistant with the Musketeers from 2012-14 while earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in sport administration. A three-year starter at Xavier, Jackson owns the school record for games played with 137 with teammates B.J. Raymond (2007-11) and Kenny Frease (2008-12). He appear.ed in the NCAA Tournament in each of his four years with the program, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2008, the Sweet 16 in both 2009 and 2010 and the second round in 2011. Jackson resides in Coraopolis, Pa.
MIKE IUZZOLINO ASSISTANT COACH
Mike Iuzzolino is in his second season as an assistant coach at Robert Morris University in 2017-18. Iuzzolino, a native of Altoona, Pa., joined the Robert Morris staff after spending ttwo seasons as an assistant coach under head coach Jim Baron at Canisius from 2014 to 2016. Iuzzolino served as the director of basketball operations with the Golden Griffins in 2012-13 before holding the same position at New Mexico in 2013-14. Iuzzolino began his collegiate playing career at Penn State before transferring to Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa. In two seasons with the Red Flash from 1989 to 1991, Iuzzolino scored 1,346 points. He was named the 1991 Northeast Conference (NEC) Player of the Year after leading SFU to 24 wins, a school record, and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Upon completion of his career with the Red Flash, Iuzzolino was drafted in the second round of the 1991 National Basketball Association
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(NBA) Draft by the Dallas Mavericks as the 35th overall selection. He played two seasons in Dallas, producing per game averages of 9.0 points, 4.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 122 career contests. During the 1991-92 campaign, Iuzzolino ranked fourth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.434). Iuzzolino began his coaching career as an assistant with the Duquesne women’s program from 2005-07 before spending a year in the same capacity with George Mason. He joined the men’s coaching staff at Saint Vincent College in 2008 and spent four years with the Bearcats as Associate Head Coach before joining the staff at Canisius. A two-time Academic All-America First Team selection (1990, 1991) by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Iuzzolino was named the 1991 CoSIDA Academic All-America Player of the Year. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and secondary education from Saint Francis U in 1991. Iuzzolino and his wife, Dana, have two children, Michael (15) and Olivia (11) and reside in Wexford, Pa.
TRAY WOODALL DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
In his first season as Director of Basketball Operations for Robert Morris University in 2017-18 is Tray Woodall. A native of Paterson, N.J., by way of the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y., Woodall joined Robert Morris after spending the 2016-17 campaign as an assistant coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). In his first year coaching, Woodall helped guide the Crimson Hawks to an overall record of 28-4 (.875), including a mark of 21-1 (.955) in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). IUP advanced to the second round of the 2017 NCAA Division II Tournament. Woodall, a 2013 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a minor in communications, joined the IUP coaching staff after a professional career that saw him play in Turkey, Greece and Kosovo as well as Mexico. While a member of the Panthers, Woodall appeared in 139 career contests, including 75 starts. He produced averages of 8.0 points, 4.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game while shooting
41.6 percent from the field. He concluded his career with totals of 1,108 points, 580 assists and 116 steals and is one of just seven players in program history to eclipse career totals of 1,000 points and 500 assists.
BRIAN URSO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS / VIDEO COORDINATOR
The 2017-18 season marks the first for Brian Urso as video coordinator and assistant director of basketball operations at Robert Morris University. Urso joined the staff at RMU after spending the 2016-17 campaign as an assistant coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Last season the Crimson Hawks compiled an overall record of 28-4 (.875), including a mark of 21-1 (.955) in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). IUP advanced to the second round of the 2017 Division II NCAA Tournament. Prior to his appointment at IUP, Urso spent two seasons at Chatham University as an assistant coach among other duties, including assistant athletic director, sports information director and compliance officer, from 2014 to 2016. He served as the first assistant coach for a program that launched in 2015-16. Between 2009 and 2016, Urso, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., served as the director of the Pittsburgh Nets AAU Basketball Organization. During his time with the Nets, Urso helped place student-athletes with Division I, Division II and Division III institutions, including Navy, South Carolina and Duquesne at the Division I level. A 2009 graduate of Point Park University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education, Urso is currently pursing a Master of Science degree in sport management and intercollegiate athletic administration from California University of Pennsylvania. He resides in Baden, Pa., with his wife, Karlie, and their daughter, Regina.
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2017-18 Spotter Chart
#0
#1
#2
#3
#4
JOSH WILLIAMS
JON WILLIAMS
DAVID COLE
LEONDRE WASHINGTON
TAEVON ASHMEADE
#5
#10
#11
#12
#13
MALIK PETTEWAY
KOBY THOMAS
DACHON BURKE
NICK CASTELVETER
SETH ROUSE
#20
#22
#23
#24
#25
CHARLES BAIN
RONNIE GOMBE
MATTY McCONNELL
CHRIS COALMON
XAVIER WILLIAMS
ANDY TOOLE
KYLE GRIFFIN
DANTE’ JACKSON
MIKE IUZZOLINO
TRAY WOODALL
BRIAN URSO
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Director of Basketball Operations
Video Coordinator
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ROBERT MORRIS ROSTER ALPHABETICAL ROSTER No. Player
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Yr.
4 Taevon Ashmeade
G
6-4
185
Jr.
Hometown / High School (Prep/JC/Other College) Bronx, N.Y. / Potters House Academy (Chipola College)
20 Charles Bain
F
6-8
200
Fr.
Freeport, Bahamas / St. John’s NW Military Academy
11 Dachon Burke *
G
6-4
180
So.
Orange, N.J. / Orange (Coastal Prep Academy)
12 Nick Castelveter
G
5-11
180
Fr.
Moon Township, Pa. / Moon Area
24 Chris Coalmon
F
6-6
185
Fr.
North Babylon, N.Y. / Long Island Lutheran
2 David Cole
F
6-7
240
R-Fr. Corona, N.Y. / Christ The King
22 Ronnie Gombe
F
6-8
240
Gr.
Nairobi, Kenya / Maseno School (Canisius)
23 Matty McConnell **
G
6-2
195
Jr.
Oakdale, Pa. / Chartiers Valley
5 Malik Petteway
F
6-8
240
Jr.
Waterbury, Conn. / Sacred Heart (Northwest Florida State)
13 Seth Rouse **
F
6-3
205
Jr.
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Kiski School
10 Koby Thomas
F
6-6
190
Fr.
Philadelphia, Pa. / Imhotep Charter
3 Leondre Washington
G
6-0
175
Fr.
Englewood, N.J. / Teaneck
1 Jon Williams
G
6-1
175
Fr.
Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary
0 Josh Williams #
G
6-2
195
Jr.
Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron)
25 Xavier Williams
F
6-9
225
Gr.
Fairfield, Ala. / Central Park Christian (Tennessee State)
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Yr.
0 Josh Williams #
G
6-2
195
Jr.
Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron)
1 Jon Williams
G
6-1
175
Fr.
Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary
2 David Cole
F
6-7
240
3 Leondre Washington
G
6-0
175
Fr.
Englewood, N.J. / Teaneck
4 Taevon Ashmeade
G
6-4
185
Jr.
Bronx, N.Y. / Potters House Academy (Chipola College)
5 Malik Petteway
F
6-8
240
Jr.
Waterbury, Conn. / Sacred Heart (Northwest Florida State)
10 Koby Thomas
F
6-6
190
Fr.
Philadelphia, Pa. / Imhotep Charter
NUMERICAL ROSTER No. Player
Hometown / High School (Prep/JC/Other College)
R-Fr. Corona, N.Y. / Christ The King
11 Dachon Burke *
G
6-4
180
So.
Orange, N.J. / Orange (Coastal Prep Academy)
12 Nick Castelveter
G
5-11
180
Fr.
Moon Township, Pa. / Moon Area
13 Seth Rouse **
F
6-3
205
Jr.
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Kiski School
20 Charles Bain
F
6-8
200
Fr.
Freeport, Bahamas / St. John’s NW Military Academy
22 Ronnie Gombe
F
6-8
240
Gr.
Nairobi, Kenya / Maseno School (Canisius)
23 Matty McConnell **
G
6-2
195
Jr.
Oakdale, Pa. / Chartiers Valley
24 Chris Coalmon
F
6-6
185
Fr.
North Babylon, N.Y. / Long Island Lutheran
25 Xavier Williams
F
6-9
225
Gr.
Fairfield, Ala. / Central Park Christian (Tennessee State)
* letters earned | # will sit out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules
Head Coach: Andrew Toole (eighth year @ RMU; eightth year overall; Penn ’03) Assistant Coach: Kyle Griffin (second year @ RMU; Siena ’11) • Assistant Coach: Dante’ Jackson (first year @ RMU; Xavier ’11) Assistant Coach: Mike Iuzzolino (second year @ RMU; Saint Francis U ’91) Director of Basketball Operations: Tray Woodall (first year @ RMU; Pittsburgh ’13) Video Coordinator / Assistant Operations: Brian Urso (first year @ RMU; Point Park ’09) Note: Toole is in his 11th year overall at RMU, serving as an assistant coach (2007-08) and associate head coach (2008-10)
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Taevon: TAY-von | Dachon: DAY-shawn | Castelveter: Castle-VET-er | Leondre: LEE-on-dre | Gombe: GOM-bay
MAJORS Ashmeade (sport management) • Bain (engineering) • Burke (undecided) • Castelveter (sport management) • Coalmon (finance) Cole (psychology) • Gombe (MBA) • McConnell (organizational leadership) • Petteway (sociology) Rouse (manufacturing engineering) • Thomas (sport management) • Washington (finance) Williams, Jon (undecided) • Williams, Josh (sport management) • Williams, Xavier (MBA)
— 29 —
— 30 —
2017-18 SCHEDULE Date
Opponent
Site
Time
@ Niagara (Exhibition) @ Saint Vincent (Exhibition)
Niagara University, N.Y. Latrobe, Pa.
7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
@ Ohio State @ Grand Canyon # @ San Diego # @ Duquesne vs. Norfolk State # @ Little Rock # @ Youngstown State
Columbus, Ohio Phoenix, Ariz. San Diego, Calif. Pittsburgh, Pa. Little Rock, Ark. Little Rock, Ark. Youngstown, Ohio
7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
@ Siena Rider Drexel @ Buffalo @ N.C. State Canisius $ @ Bryant * @ Central Connecticut *
Albany, N.Y. Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Buffalo, N.Y. Raleigh, N.C. Pittsburgh, Pa. Smithfield, R.I. New Britain, Conn.
2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
St. Francis Brooklyn * $ LIU Brooklyn * Saint Francis U * @ Fairleigh Dickinson * @ Sacred Heart * @ Wagner * Sacred Heart * Wagner *
Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Teaneck, N.J. Fairfield, Conn. Staten Island, N.Y. Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa.
7:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
Mount St. Mary’s * Fairleigh Dickinson * @ St. Francis Brooklyn * @ LIU Brooklyn * Bryant * $ Central Connecticut * $ @ Mount St. Mary’s * @ Saint Francis U * NEC Tournament Quarterfinals
Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Brooklyn, N.Y. Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Emmitsburg, Md. Loretto, Pa. TBA
7:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. TBA
NEC Tournament Semifinals NEC Tournament Final
TBA TBA
TBA TBA
OCTOBER
27 (Fri.) 30 (Mon.) NOVEMBER
10 (Fri.) 13 (Mon.) 15 (Wed.) 19 (Sun.) 24 (Fri.) 25 (Sat.) 29 (Wed.) DECEMBER
2 (Sat.) 6 (Wed.) 10 (Sun.) 16 (Sat.) 19 (Tues.) 22 (Fri.) 29 (Fri.) 31 (Sun.) JANUARY
4 (Thurs.) 6 (Sat.) 11 (Thurs.) 13 (Sat.) 18 (Thurs.) 20 (Sat.) 26 (Fri.) 28 (Sun.) FEBRUARY
1 (Thurs.) 3 (Sat.) 8 (Thurs.) 10 (Sat.) 15 (Thurs.) 17 (Sat.) 22 (Thurs.) 24 (Sat.) 28 (Wed.) MARCH
3 (Sat.) 6 (Tues.)
Home games in bold; All times Eastern Standard | Home games played at the PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh, Pa.) unless otherwise noted # Grand Canyon Classic (neutral site game played at Little Rock) | $ Home game played at the A.J. Palumbo Center (Pittsburgh, Pa.) * Northeast Conference Game | All games heard live on ESPN 970 (WBGG) Pittsburgh
— 31 —
UPMC EVEN
Coming Jan
Robert Morris University announced Jan. 10, 2017, the addition of the UPMC Events Center, a 140,000-square foot complex for the Colonials NCAA Division I basketball and volleyball teams, which will play in Peoples Court. The UPMC Events Center is the main part of a $50 million project that also includes a student recreation and fitness center on RMU’s Moon Township campus. The project will be funded largely through individual donations and corporate sponsorships, including sponsorships from UPMC, Peoples, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, PJ Dick, and PNC. The project also has received a grant through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
NTS CENTER
nuary 2019
In addition to the 4,000-plus-seat Peoples Court, a practice court, locker rooms, a strength and conditioning center, offices for athletics, concessions and a souvenir shop, the UPMC Events Center will feature 11,000 square feet of conference and meeting space for campus events and outside organizations. Plans call for the center to open in January 2019. “With a new venue of this quality and size, RMU cements its status as a university on the rise,” said RMU President Chris Howard. “Not only is it a significant regional asset, it’s a facility worthy of the success for our athletics programs and reflective of our status as a nationally ranked university. This is a great day for the Colonial Nation.” Continued ➞
“UPMC is thrilled to be a leading partner with Robert Morris University in this exciting endeavor that will provide long-lasting health and wellness benefits to not only the RMU community but also to people and businesses in this entire region. We applaud and share RMU’s commitment to provide our communities with nothing less than world-class care and facilities,” said Jeffrey Romoff, president and CEO of UPMC. As part of a broader strategic collaboration with RMU, UPMC will become the exclusive provider of sports medicine to the university’s 16 NCAA Division I sports programs, and the UPMC Health Plan will administer the university’s employees’ health insurance benefits. UPMC already provides health care to RMU students at UPMC MyHealth@School, an on-campus health and wellness center that opened in the fall. The UPMC Events Center will bring the Airport Corridor an attractive new venue for public speakers, conventions, expos, concerts, graduation ceremonies and other family entertainment options. It also will host the university’s annual convocation and commencement ceremonies, which have outgrown their current location. All three teams that will play at Peoples Court — men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball — have won the Northeast Conference title and advanced to the NCAA tournament in the last three years.
— 36 —
— 41 —
Postseason Honors
CHIPPER HARRIS
VAUGHN LUTON
MYRON WALKER
TONY LEE
JEREMY CHAPPELL
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE NEC PLAYER OF THE YEAR Chipper Harris (1983-84) Vaughn Luton (1988-89) Myron Walker (1991-92) Tony Lee (2007-08) Jeremy Chappell (2008-09) Karvel Anderson (2013-14)
NEC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Steve Vandiver (1986-87) Jeremy Chappell (2005-06) Karon Abraham (2009-10) Marcquise Reed (2014-15)
NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Bateko Francisco (2008-09) Mezie Nwigwe (2009-10)
KARVEL ANDERSON
NEC JIM PHELAN COACH OF THE YEAR Matt Furjanic (1982-83) Jarrett Durham (1988-89, 1989-90) Mike Rice (2007-08, 2008-09) Andrew Toole (2013-14)
BATEKO FRANCISCO
— 44 —
MEZIE NWIGWE
KEITH JONES
ANDRE BOYD
A.J. JACKSON
ALL-NEC FIRST TEAM
ALL-NEC SECOND TEAM
Chipper Harris (1983-84) Tom Underman (1984-85) Vaughn Luton (1988-89) Andre Boyd (1989-90) Anthony Dickens (1989-90) Andre Boyd (1990-91) Ricky Cannon (1990-91) Wade Timmerson (1991-92) Myron Walker (1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94) Gene Nabors (1998-99, 1999-00) Chaz McCrommon (2003-04, 2004-05) A.J. Jackson (2005-06) Tony Lee (2007-08) Jeremy Chappell (2008-09) Velton Jones (2011-12, 2012-13) Karvel Anderson (2013-14) Rodney Pryor (2015-16)
Vaughn Luton (1987-88) Andre Boyd (1988-89) Ricky Cannon (1991-92) Gabe Jackson (1994-95) Keith Jones (1998-99) Wesley Fluellen (2000-01) Maurice Carter (2002-03) A.J. Jackson (2006-07, 2007-08) Tony Lee (2006-07) Jeremy Chappell (2007-08) Rob Robinson (2008-09, 2009-10) Lucky Jones (2013-14, 2014-15) Rodney Pryor (2014-15) Marcquise Reed (2014-15) Isaiah Still (2016-17) ALL-NEC THIRD TEAM Lucky Jones (2012-13) Continued ➞
ANTHONY DICKENS
WADE TIMMERSON
— 45 —
CHAZ McCROMMON
LUCKY JONES
AARON THOMAS
VELTON JONES
ALL-NEC ROOKIE TEAM
ALL-NEC TOURNAMENT TEAM
Mike Brunson (1984-85) Anthony Dickens (1985-86) Steve Vandiver (1986-87) Joe Falletta (1988-89) Scott Shepherd (1988-89) Myron Walker (1990-91) Bubba Donnelly (1991-92) Bacari Alexander (1994-95) Keith Jones (1995-96) Derek Coleman (2003-04) Tony Lee (2004-05) Jeremy Chappell (2005-06) Karon Abraham (2009-10) Lucky Jones (2011-12) Marcquise Reed (2014-15)
Forest Grant (1984) Chipper Harris (1984) Andre Boyd (1989, 1990) Vaughn Luton (1989) Scott Shepherd (1989) Joe Falletta (1990) Moses Moss (1990) Tyrone Steals (1990) Wade Timmerson (1992) Myron Walker (1992) Gene Nabors (2000) Jeremy Chappell (2006, 2009) Rob Robinson (2009) Karon Abraham (2010) Dallas Green (2010) Russell Johnson (2011) Velton Jones (2011, 2012) Coron Williams (2012) Lucky Jones (2014, 2015) Rodney Pryor (2015)
NEC TOURNAMENT MVP Tom Parks (1982) Chipper Harris (1983) Vaughn Luton (1989) Myron Walker (1992) Jeremy Chappell (2009) Karon Abraham (2010) Rodney Pryor (2015)
Notes: The ECAC Metro Conference became the Northeast Conference August 1, 1988 … Chipper Harris was named the ECAC Metro Tri-Player of the Year in 1983 along with Carrey Scurry of LIU Brooklyn and Robert Jackson of St. Francis Brooklyn … The Northeast Conference changed the All-Newcomer Team to the All-Rookie Team prior to the 1999-2000 season … Vandiver was named the 1987 NEC Newcomer of the Year … The NEC named its Coach of the Year award in honor of former Mount St. Mary’s head coach Jim Phelan prior to the 2002-03 season.
— 46 —
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES (NABC) All-District DISTRICT 3 – First Team Chipper Harris (1982-83) DISTRICT 3 – Second Team Tony Lee (2007-08) DISTRICT 18 – First Team Jeremy Chappell (2008-09) Velton Jones (2011-12) Karvel Anderson (2013-14) DISTRICT 18 – Second Team Rob Robinson (2008-09) Karon Abraham (2009-10, 2010-11) Velton Jones (2012-13) Lucky Jones (2013-14, 2014-15) Rodney Pryor (2014-15) Marcquise Reed (2014-15) Rodney Pryor (2015-16)
ROB ROBINSON
ASSOCIATED PRESS HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICA
CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Chipper Harris (1981-82, 1982-83) Tom Underman (1984-85) Tony Lee (2007-08) Jeremy Chappell (2008-09) Karvel Anderson (2013-14)
DISTRICT II Matt Smith (2000-01) Aaron Thomas (2002-03)
— 47 —
— 49 —
— 50 —
— 52 —
About Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University was founded in 1921 in downtown Pittsburgh as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy. The school’s founder, educator and accountant, Andrew Blass, rented classroom space in the Blackstone Building. In 1935, the institution changed its name to the Robert Morris School of Business in honor of the Founding Father popularly known as the “financier of the American Revolution.” After leasing space at several Pittsburgh locations, including the William Penn Hotel, the school purchased a building of its own in 1959 at 600 Fifth Ave. Soon after that, in response to a new requirement that Pennsylvania accounting students have a college degree in order to become CPAs, Robert Morris became a nonprofit institution and junior college. At the same time, responding to a development boom near the new airport and Parkway West, Robert Morris acquired Pine Hill Manor, the Moon Township estate of Oliver Kaufmann, and began building a residential campus in 1963. The first students on campus lived in the Kaufmann
mansion, where today sits Massey Hall. By the end of that decade, Robert Morris had become a four-year college. The school continued to grow and expand, joining the NCAA Division I for intercollegiate athletics in 1977 and adding graduate degree programs and more bachelor’s programs as well. For decades, some students commuted or lived on the Moon campus and took classes there exclusively, while others studied entirely at the downtown building, usually in the evenings after work. The Fifth Avenue building was sold in 2010, though the university still offers classes in the Golden Triangle at its RMU Downtown location. In 2002, following approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the college became Robert Morris University. While alumni from the early days may still recognize some of the original buildings, a spate of recent and ongoing new construction — from academic buildings to residence halls to the football stadium — ensure that the institution continues to provide students with a vibrant, attractive residential campus community for living and learning.
— 55 —
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS From its fertile beginning as a men’s basketball junior college powerhouse to one of the most diverse athletic programs in the tri-state area, intercollegiate athletics and success at Robert Morris University go hand-in-hand. RMU offers 16 intercollegiate athletics programs, including the only men’s and women’s Division I ice hockey squads and Division I men’s lacrosse team in the Pittsburgh region. Over the last 41 years, the Colonials have claimed 45 conference regular-season championships and 46 league tournament titles. A total of 13 of RMU’s intercollegiate athletic programs have earned at least one tournament championship, with men’s basketball leading the way with eight Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament titles. Men’s basketball has also claimed 11 NEC regular-season championships, the most in school history, while softball owns eight and football and volleyball have each claimed six. For the fourth consecutive year in 2016-17, Robert Morris had a pair of programs earn automatic berths in the NCAA Tournament, as women’s hockey and women’s basketball each qualified. For hockey, it marked the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history after earning their second College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament championship, while women’s basketball earned its second straight, third in the last four years and
fifth overall. Individually in 2016-17, senior guard Anna Niki Stamolamprou concluded arguably the most impressive career in school history in any sport. During her four seasons in an RMU uniform, Stamolamprou helped the Colonials win three NEC Tournament championships and subsequent bids to the NCAA Tournament. Named the 2017 NEC Player of the Year, Stamolamprou was a two-time NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2016, 2017) for women’s basketball and was also the nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year by both Robert Morris and the NEC. Redshirt junior forward Brittany Howard was selected as the 2017 CHA Player of the Year, the first student-athlete from RMU to garner the top honor, while also claiming the CHA Scoring Trophy. While Stamolamprou and Howard were named the top players in their respective leagues, a total of five student-athletes from Robert Morris were named their league’s top rookie. Freshman forward Jaycee Gebhard of women’s hockey was selected as the CHA Rookie of the Year, while Lilly Harnish (outdoor track & field), Max Palmer (golf), Annie Sachs (women’s lacrosse) and Ryan Smith (men’s lacrosse) took the top rookie accolade in the NEC. It marks the most rookie honors in a single season in school history. The exploits of the intercollegiate athletic
program in 2016-17 has continued a trend that RMU has established since its move to Division I four decades ago. Since 1982, Robert Morris has sent 26 teams to the NCAA Tournament. Men’s basketball has made an NEC record eight appearances, while volleyball has participated in six. The Colonial men’s basketball program qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1982, 1983, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2009, 2010 and 2015, while volleyball made five straight appearances from 1999 to 2003 before earning the automatic bid in 2015. The women’s basketball team has appeared in five NCAA Tournaments (2007, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017), while men’s soccer has appeared three times (1993, 1994, 2005). Softball (2005), men’s ice hockey (2014) and men’s golf (2015) have also earned automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. Other programs to have claimed an NEC Tournament championship during that span include three in men’s golf (1995, 1996, 2015), two in men’s cross country (1986, 1987), men’s indoor track & field (1999, 2000) and women’s indoor track & field (1998, 2000) and one each in women’s tennis (1996) and men’s outdoor track & field (2000). The trend of success should come as no surprise. The men’s basketball program has appeared in a national postseason tournament seven times in the last 10 years, including three NCAA Tournaments (2009, 2010, 2015), three NIT’s (2008, 2013, 2014) and the 2012 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). In 2013, Robert Morris became the center
of the college basketball world by defeating defending national champion Kentucky in front of 3,444 fans at the Charles L. Sewall Center, the largest crowd in school history, in the first round of the NIT. In 2012, women’s ice hockey claimed its first College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament championship thanks to a 3-2 victory over Mercyhurst in the championship game at the RMU Island Sports Center. The football team earned the inaugural berth for the NEC in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs in 2010 by claiming its sixth NEC regular-season title. In 2000, football finished 10-0, the first perfect campaign for any sport at RMU. In the process, the team won its second straight NCAA I-AA Mid-Major National Championship, according to Don Hansen’s National Football Weekly Gazette. The program moved into its own on-campus stadium, named Joe Walton Stadium in honor of the program’s first head coach, in 2005. The women’s rowing team claimed two straight Margaret McNiff Trophies in the varsity four classification at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia, Pa., in 2000 and 2001. Five teams achieved national rankings during the 1990s, with the 1994 softball team reaching No. 23, the 1994 men’s soccer team peaking at No. 16, the 1996 football squad finishing second in the NCAA I-AA nonscholarship ranks, the 1997 football team placing third and the 1999 football squad finishing No. 1.
— 57 —
RMU’S CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS — Team — REGULAR-SEASON CHAMPIONS (45) Sport
Year(s)
Men’s Basketball
1982, 2010, Women’s Basketball 2007, Football 1996, Men’s Ice Hockey # 2015, Women’s Ice Hockey * 2017 Men’s Lacrosse 2012 Men’s Soccer 1992, Softball 1997, Volleyball 1999,
1983, 2013, 2008, 1997, 2016
1984, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2008, 2009, 2014 2010, 2014, 2017 1998, 1999, 2000, 2010
1994, 1995, 1996, 2001 1998, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS (46) Sport
Year(s)
Men’s Basketball 1982, Women’s Basketball 1988, Men’s Cross Country 1986, Men’s Golf 1995, Men’s Ice Hockey # 2014 Women’s Ice Hockey * 2012, Men’s Soccer 1993, Softball 1991, Women’s Tennis 1996 Men’s Indoor Track & Field 1999, Women’s Indoor Track & Field 1998, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field 2000 Volleyball 1992,
1983, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2009, 2010, 2015 1991, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017 1987 1996, 2015 2017 1994, 2005 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2005 2000 2000 1993, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2015
Note: All regular season and tournament championships were claimed in the Northeast Conference (NEC) unless otherwise noted. # Atlantic Hockey championship | * College Hockey America (CHA) championship Continued ➞
— Individual — MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD (39) 55-Meter Tony Bunbury (1988) 55-Meter Hurdles DeLonte Perkins (1998) • Jim Baughman (1999) 200-Meter William Blake (1999) 500-Meter Jim Baughman (1999, 2000) • Joe Wagner (2005)
1999 VOLLEYBALL
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY (1)
Mile Mike Booth (2006)
Steve Uhing (1987)
3,000-Meter Mike Booth (2006)
MEN’S GOLF (3) Paul Snyder (1986) • Bart Mease (1996) C.G. Mercatoris (2011)
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD (30)
High Jump Jarrad Pencek (1999, 2000, 2001) Jeff Witmyer (2005, 2007, 2008)
55-Meter Hurdles Jackie Gray (1991) • Genita Dickey (2000)
Long Jump Jarrad Pencek (2000, 2001, 2002)
60-Meter Hurdles Genita Dickey (2001) • Jordhanna White (2008)
Triple Jump Elliott Constantine (1989) • Cory Hunt (1993) Jarrad Pencek (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002) Nasim Siddeeq (2008)
200-Meter Genita Dickey (2001)
Pole Vault Eric White (2000, 2001, 2002) Josh Ghaly (2007) • Chris Spataro (2008, 2010) Jarad George (2009)
300-Meter Tiphani McKee (2001) 500-Meter Genita Dickey (2000, 2001)
Shot Put Patrick Mangan (1989) • Steve Mitchell (2014)
800-Meter Laura Rivera (1994) • Kerry McKinney (2002) 5,000-Meter Merel Van Steenbergen (2011)
4x400-Meter Relay Robert Morris (1999, 2000, 2001, 2014)
High Jump Michele Roth (2004) • Lilly Harnish (2017)
Distance Medley Relay Robert Morris (2006)
Long Jump Melitta Brown (2008) Triple Jump Brittany Humphress (2007) Yulia Vasilyeva (2013, 2014) Pole Vault Jessica Cooper (2000, 2001) Erica Schmidt (2010) • Casey Folga (2012) Olivia Loy (2013) • Bethany Ledford (2014, 2015) Weight Throw Nicole Downing (2004, 2005) Gabriella Rinehart (2010) • Rachel Boody (2017) 4x400-Meter Relay Robert Morris (2000, 2001)
C.G. MERCATORIS — 60 —
RACHEL BOODY
GENITA DICKEY
COURTNEY LENART
JARRAD PENCEK
WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD (40)
MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD (38)
100-Meter Hurdles Jackie Gray (1992) • Genita Dickey (2000) Jordhanna White (2008)
110-Meter Hurdles DeLonte Perkins (1998) Jim Baughman (2000)
400-Meter Hurdles Jackie Gray (1992, 1993) Genita Dickey (1999, 2000) Samantha Simile (2009)
400-Meter Hurdles Frank Bruno (1998, 1999) Jim Baughman (2000) 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Phillips Thompson (2008)
5,000-Meter Ericka Suhy (2001)
High Jump Brad Bruno (1991) Jarrad Pencek (1999, 2000, 2001) Mark Caskey (2006) • Jeff Witmyer (2008)
High Jump Ericka Frazee (2006) Long Jump Melitta Brown (2008) • Tara Van Schie (2014)
Long Jump Jarrad Pencek (2000, 2001, 2002) Christian Lemke (2004)
Triple Jump Michelle Gawaldo (1998) Brittany Humphress (2005, 2006) Yulia Vasilyeva (2014) • Lilly Harnish (2017) Pole Vault Jessica Cooper (2000, 2001) Erica Schmidt (2009, 2010) • Casey Folga (2011) Bethany Ledford (2012, 2015)
Triple Jump Jarrad Pencek (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002) Adam Woodford (2005) • Nasim Siddeeq (2008) Richard Njenga (2014)
Discus Laura Buzzard (1999) • Nicole Downing (2004) Christina Roadman (2005) Aubree Ray (2012, 2014) • Rachel Boody (2017) Shot Put Jessica Guyett (2016) Hammer Throw Nicole Downing (2003, 2004, 2005) Gabriella Rinehart (2009)
Pole Vault Eric White (2002) • Josh Ghaly (2007) Anthony Trunzo (2010) Discus Marcus McCaleb (1997) • Collin Ray (2011 Hammer Throw Kevin Argauer (2009) • Steve Mitchell (2011) Brendan Morales (2013) Javelin Scott Fath (1993) • Chris Carper (2013, 2014) 4x100-Meter Relay Robert Morris (2001, 2004)
Javelin Courtney Lenart (2004, 2005) Stephanie Kuhn (2006, 2007)
4x400-Meter Relay Robert Morris (2001)
4x800-Meter Relay Robert Morris (2017)
4x800-Meter Relay Robert Morris (2014) — 61 —
— 62 —
“Go Colonials” — RMU FIGHT SONG — Everybody Cheer for Robert Morris Stand and show your spirit and your pride! Let’s shout an R-M-U to help our team in blue bring out the fire from deep inside! Let’s go Colonials take it for the win as you hear our shouts of loyalty! We shout all out about our team together to the final victory!
RMU Alma Mater Hail to thee, dear Robert Morris let the anthem ring. Hand in hand and with one voice, your praises we do sing. At your knee we learn and grow, O, shining White and Blue, We salute our days together. Hail to RMU! Ideals high to guide us onward, paths ahead made clear. Pride and loyalty forever, Alma Mater dear. Memories made and lives are changed here, all held fond and true. Hail to thee, dear Robert Morris! HAIL TO RMU!