Robert Morris Athletics
A Decade of Success 2005-06 through 2014-15
By The Numbers
2 4 10 10 10 18 26 37
Times that Robert Morris has claimed the Northeast Conference Institutional Academic Award (2012, 2014) for posting the highest overall institutional GPA among studentathletes competing in sports sponsored by the NCAA Division I conference Number of RMU student-athletes named the Northeast Conference Faculty Athletic Representative Scholar-Athlete of the Year, which is bestowed for the highest GPA in the conference among graduating seniors Number of occasions a student-athlete at Robert Morris has been named a Capital One Academic All-American according to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including three-time honoree Nolan Nearhoof Appearances in the NCAA Tournament by athletic programs at Robert Morris in the last decade, including three appearances each by the RMU men’s basketball and women’s basketball programs Consecutive winning seasons by the RMU men’s basketball program, the longest stretch in school history
Regular-season championships claimed by Robert Morris athletic programs over the last 10 years, including five each for men’s basketball and softball
Number of student-athletes that were selected as Scholar-Athlete of the Year in their respective sport, covering three conferences (NEC, AHA, CHA) and 13 different intercollegiate athletic programs Programs at Robert Morris that have been recognized as having the highest team GPA in an academic year among Northeast Conference schools, including seven by the RMU softball team
Dear Member of the RMU Athletics family, The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics will celebrate its 40th season of Division I athletics in 201516, and our student-athletes will again have the opportunity to compete at the highest level for a championship in each of our 16 programs. In essence, our student-athletes have a chance to make history. Never has more history been made at Robert Morris than the last 10 years, the most successful decade in department history. It began in the fall of 2005, when the RMU men’s soccer program returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the early 1990s. The championship set off a decade in which the Colonials claimed a total of 11 conference tournament titles, with 10 of those squads earning berths in the NCAA Tournament. In the pages that follow, you will find a long list of accomplishments by our student-athletes and coaches, supported by our superb staff and University faculty. Each championship and award is no small feat, and we are proud of each and every accomplishment noted. While RMU’s success on the field, court or ice is impressive, we are equally as proud of what our student-athletes achieve in the classroom as well as their commitment to community service. Our goal as a department is to develop the total student-athlete, as the long-term benefit can best be measured by the many former studentathletes that have gone on to successful careers away from competition. We hope you enjoy taking a look back at the last 10 years of Robert Morris athletics and its many successes, and we also hope to see you at various events as we continue to make history in the coming years. Sincerely,
Craig S. Coleman, M.D. Director of Athletics
academic success
Ray Gensler
Annie Dubovec
The Robert Morris University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is not all about winning on the field, court or ice. Success in the classroom through academics is as much a triumph as the athletic competitions themselves. Robert Morris University is committed to the total development of its student-athletes. A look at some of RMU’s academic accomplishments over the last 10 years …
NEC Institutional Academic Award 2012 – 3.279 combined GPA among 20 NEC sports in 2011-12 2014 – 3.295 combined GPA among 19 NEC sports in 2013-14
Capital One Academic All-America First Team Name
Year(s) Sport
Annie Dubovec.................. 2011 Ray Gensler........................ 2006 Nolan Nearhoof................. 2012
Softball Football Football
Capital One Academic All-America Second Team Name
Year(s) Sport
Brad Banas......................... 2012 Nick Faraci......................... 2014 Amanda Graham............... 2010 Ray Gensler........................ 2005 Nolan Nearhoof................. 2010, 2011
Football Football Volleyball Football Football
Capital One Academic All-America Third Team Name
Year(s) Sport
Zac Lynch *........................ 2014 * At-large selection
Men’s Ice Hockey
Zac Lynch
2012 NEC Defensive Player of the Year ★
Three-time Capital One Academic All-American (2010, 2011, 2012) ★
RMU All-Time Leader for Career Sacks (26.5) ★
National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete (2012)
Nolan Nearhoof (2009-12)
Amanda Graham
Brad Banas
Janette Schneider
Brooke Panepinto
Tyler Hinds
Angela Story
Adam Lawrence Susan Perich
Capital One District II Academic All-America Honorees Name
Year(s) Sport
Tess Apke..................... 2014 Christy Baldesberger... 2009, 2010 Brad Banas................... 2010, 2011, 2012 Megan Bell................... 2005 Toba Bolaji.................... 2010 Jace Buzek *................ 2006, 2007 Kyle Cooper................. 2013 Jill Dorsch..................... 2006 Annie Dubovec............ 2009, 2010, 2011 Mary Kate Egan *........ 2009 Nick Faraci................... 2013, 2014 Joel Gasper *............... 2007, 2008 Ray Gensler.................. 2005, 2006 Alaina Gibson............... 2007, 2008 Amanda Graham......... 2008, 2009, 2010 Tyler Hinds *................. 2013 Lisa Jaszka................... 2005, 2006 Mark Klabnik................ 2006 Rachael Kotula............. 2014
Name
Softball Women’s Soccer Football Volleyball Men’s Soccer Men’s Ice Hockey Football Softball Softball Field Hockey, Lacrosse Football Men’s Ice Hockey Football Volleyball Volleyball Men’s Ice Hockey Volleyball Men’s Soccer Women’s Track & Field
Year(s) Sport
Adam Lawrence........... 2008 Mike Lovely.................. 2009, 2010 Zac Lynch *.................. 2014 Kiel Matisz *................. 2012 Duane Mitchell............. 2014 Logan Miles.................. 2011 Nolan Nearhoof........... 2010, 2011, 2012 Brooke Panepinto........ 2008, 2009 Allie Patton................... 2011 Susan Perich................ 2008, 2009 Leah Prentice............... 2011 Taryn Reichard............. 2006, 2007 Janette Schneider........ 2005, 2006 Nicole Sleith................. 2014, 2015 Angela Story................. 2005 Mark Szymanski........... 2007, 2008 Jaci Timko..................... 2010 Devin Wilson................ 2005 Jeff Witmyer................. 2007, 2008
Megan Bell
Devin Wilson
Toba Bolaji
Mark Klabnik
Leah Prentice
Joel Gasper
* At-large selection
Football Football Men’s Ice Hockey Men’s Lacrosse Football Football Football Softball Softball Softball Women’s Soccer Women’s Soccer Volleyball Softball Women’s Soccer Football Softball Football Men’s Track & Field
Northeast Conference (NEC) Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards Name
Steve Mitchell
Year(s) Sport
Annie Dubovec............ 2010, 2011 Mary Kate Egan........... 2009 Nick Faraci .................. 2014 Casey Folga................. 2012 Ray Gensler.................. 2006 Alaina Gibson............... 2008 Amanda Graham......... 2009, 2010 Adam Lawrence.......... 2008 Kiel Matisz.................... 2011, 2012 Sean Meagher............. 2013 Steve Mitchell.............. 2014 Halley Morell................ 2014 Nolan Nearhoof........... 2010, 2011, 2012 Ryan Prokay................. 2015 Taryn Reichard............. 2007 Nicole Sleith................. 2015 Jaci Timko..................... 2012 Hannah Veith............... 2011 Jeff Witmyer................. 2007, 2008 Jeff Witmyer................. 2008
Softball Women’s Lacrosse Football Women’s Indoor Track & Field Football Volleyball Volleyball Football Men’s Lacrosse Men’s Lacrosse Men’s Indoor Track & Field Women’s Golf Football Men’s Golf Women’s Soccer Softball Softball Volleyball Men’s Indoor Track & Field Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Taryn Reichard
NEC Faculty Athletic Representative Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards Name
Year Sport
Travis Denny................. 2014 Una Japundza.............. 2013 Lisa Jaszka................... 2007 Tara Maxwell................ 2009
Mary Kate Egan
Men’s Tennis Volleyball Volleyball Women’s Track & Field
Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) Student-Athlete of the Year Awards Name
Year(S) Sport
Brandon Denham........ 2013 Tyler Hinds................... 2013 Jeff Jones...................... 2012 Zac Lynch..................... 2013 David Rigatti................. 2015 Tyson Wilson................ 2012
Men’s Ice Hockey Men’s Ice Hockey Men’s Ice Hockey Men’s Ice Hockey Men’s Ice Hockey Men’s Ice Hockey
Una Japundza
College Hockey America (CHA) Student-Athlete of the Year Awards Name
Year(S) Sport
Brianna Delaney.......... 2012 Katelyn Scott................ 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Hannah Veith
Women’s Ice Hockey Women’s Ice Hockey
Casey Folga
football
Alex
DiMichele
NEC Coach of the Year Joe Walton – 2010
Chad
Wengert
Myles
Russ
NEC Offensive Player of the Year Myles Russ – 2010
NEC Defensive Player of the Year Chad Wengert – 2007 Alex DiMichele – 2010 Nolan Nearhoof – 2012
NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year James O’Quinn – 2008
NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcelis Branch – 2012
2010 ★ NEC Regular-Season Champions ★ NCAA FCS Playoffs
The Sports Network FCS All-America Team Ray Gensler – 2006 (Third) Chad Wengert – 2007 (Honorable Mention) Shadrae King – 2010 (Third) Nolan Nearhoof – 2012 (Third) A.J. Dalton – 2013 (Second) Antwan Eddie – 2013 (Third)
Ray
GENSLER
Chad
WENGERT
Shadrae
Nolan
A.J.
Antwan
NEARHOOF
DALTON
KING
EDDIE
men’s basketball NEC Jim Phelan Coach of the Year Mike Rice – 2009, 2010 (right) Andrew Toole – 2014 (above)
“THE SHOT” Dallas Gree
n
NEC Regular-Season Champions 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2013 • 2014
NCAA Tournament 2009 • 2010 • 2015
National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 2008 • 2013 • 2014
CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT)
NEC Tournament Champions
2012
2009 • 2010 • 2015
NEC Player of the Year 2008
Tony LEE
2009
Jeremy CHAPPELL
2014
KARVEL ANDERSON
NEC Defensive Player of the Year 2009
BATEKO FRANCISCO
2010
MEZIE NWIGWE
NEC Rookie of the Year
2006
JEREMY CHAPPELL
2010
KARON ABRAHAM
2015
MARCQUISE REED
Landmark Victories Robert Morris 57, Boston College 51...... Jan. 7, 2008 Robert Morris 59, Kentucky 57................ March 19, 2013 – NIT Robert Morris 89, St. John’s 78................ March 18, 2014 – NIT Robert Morris 81, North Florida 77......... March 18, 2015 – NCAA
Mid-Major Basketball: An Eight-Year Study (2007 to 2015) …
Since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, Robert Morris has become one of the nation’s elite in regard to mid-major basketball. Over the last eight years, the Colonials have compiled an overall record of 183-96 (.656), with the 183 victories ranked ninth among mid-major programs in the country. Gonzaga has posted 227 wins over the same span, tops among mid-major institutions. A look at the top 25 Division I programs at the mid-major level over the last eight seasons … School (Conference)
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Overall
1. Gonzaga (West Coast)
25-8
28-6
27-7
25-10
26-7
32-3
29-7
35-3
227-51 (.817)
2. BYU (West Coast)
27-8
25-8
30-6
32-5
26-9
24-12
23-12
25-10
212-70 (.752)
3. Saint Mary’s (West Coast)
25-7
28-7
28-6
25-9
27-6
28-7
23-12
21-10
205-63 (.765)
4. Wichita State (MVC)
11-20 17-17 25-10 29-8 27-6 30-9 35-1 30-5 204-76 (.729)
5. Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
26-6
24-8
23-9
18-11
20-12
27-5
32-3
29-5
199-59 (.771)
6. Murray State (OVC)
18-13
19-12
31-5
23-9
31-2
21-10
23-11
29-6
195-68 (.741)
Belmont (OVC)
25-9
20-13
19-12
30-5
27-8
26-7
26-10
22-11
195-75 (.722)
8. Akron (MAC)
24-11
23-13
24-11
23-13
22-12
26-7
21-13
21-14
184-94 (.671)
9. Robert Morris (NEC)
26-8 24-11 23-12 18-14 26-11 24-11 22-14 20-15 183-96 (.656)
10. Northern Iowa (MVC)
18-14
11. Kent State (MAC)
28-7 19-15 24-10 25-12 21-12 21-14 16-16 23-12 177-98 (.644)
12. Vermont (America East)
16-15
24-9
25-10
23-9
24-12
21-12
22-11
20-14
175-92 (.655)
New Mexico State (WAC)
21-14
17-15
22-12
16-17
26-10
24-11
26-10
23-11
175-100 (.636)
14. Cleveland State (Horizon)
21-13
26-11
16-17
27-9
22-11
14-18
21-12
19-15
166-106 (.610)
15. Sam Houston State (SL)
23-8
18-12
25-8
18-13
13-19
17-17
24-11
26-9
164-97 (.628)
Ohio (MAC)
20-13
15-17
22-15
19-16
29-8
24-10
25-12
10-20
164-111 (.596)
17. Iona (MAAC)
12-20 12-19 21-10 25-12 25-8 20-14 22-11 26-9 163-103 (.613)
Valparaiso (Horizon)
22-14 9-22 15-17 23-12 22-12 26-8 18-16 28-6 163-107 (.604)
19. Weber State (Big Sky)
16-14
21-10
20-11
18-14
25-7
30-7
19-12
13-17
162-92 (.638)
Oral Roberts (Summit)
24-9
16-15
20-13
19-16
27-7
20-15
17-16
19-15
162-106 (.604)
Illinois State (MVC)
25-10 24-10 22-11 12-19 21-14 18-15 18-16 22-13 162-108 (.600)
22. Harvard (Ivy)
8-22
14-14
21-8
23-7
26-5
20-10
27-5
22-8
161-79 (.671)
Montana (Big Sky)
14-16
17-12
22-10
21-11
25-7
25-7
17-13
20-13
161-89 (.644)
24. Wofford (Southern)
16-16 16-14 26-9 21-13 19-14 13-19 20-13 28-7 159-105 (.602)
25. Coastal Carolina (Big South)
13-15
23-11
11-20
30-5
28-7
20-14
28-6
20-14
19-12
21-15
14-15
16-15
21-13
31-4
24-10
179-92 (.661)
158-98 (.617)
women’s basketball
2007
NEC Brenda Reilly Coach of the Year Sal Buscaglia – 2010, 2014
NEC Defensive Player of the Year Angela Pace – 2010
2014
2008
NEC Tournament Champions NEC Regular-Season Champions 2007 • 2008 • 2010 • 2014
NCAA Tournament 2007 • 2008 • 2014
Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) 2010
NEC Rookie of the Year
NEC Rookie of the Year
Artemis Spanou 2011
Ashley Ravelli 2013
Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) 2012
NEC Player of the Year 2008
Sade Logan
2010
Angela Pace
2013, 2014
Artemis Spanou
men’s ice hockey
AHA T ourna
2014
ment
AHA Regular-Season Championships 2015
Cham pions
2012
Rivers ns e e o Thr hampi C c i Class
AHA Coach of the Year Derek Schooley – 2015
20
Nye Fron 07 tier Champio Classic ns
CHA Player of the Year
AHA Best Defenseman
AHA Best Defensive Forward
Ryan Cruthers – 2008
Denny Urban – 2011
Nick Chiavetta – 2012
Landmark Victories Robert Morris 4, #2 Notre Dame 2........ Jan. 7, 2007 Robert Morris 3, #1 Miami (Ohio) 1....... Jan. 8, 2010 Robert Morris 2, #1 Miami (Ohio) 1....... Jan. 10, 2010 Robert Morris 1, #5 Miami (Ohio) 0....... Dec. 29, 2012 Robert Morris 7, Canisius 4................... March 22, 2014
AHA Sportsmanship Award Furman South – 2011
women’s ice hockey
CHA T
ournam2012 ent C
hamp
ions
CHA Goaltending Trophy Kristen DiCiocco – 2012
CHA Coach of the Year — AND —
USCHO National Coach of the Year Paul Colontino – 2012
CHA Rookie of the Year 2011
THEA IMBROGNO
2012
REBECCA VINT
2014
JESSICA DODDS
Brianne McLaughlin (2005-09) ★ NCAA Career Saves Leader (3,809) ★ Two-Time Olympic Silver Medalist (2010, 2014) ★ 2011 & 2013 IIHF World Women’s Championships Gold Medal ★ 2012 IIHF World Women’s Championships Silver Medal
soccer
2005
ions
t Champ n e rnam u NEC To — AND — MENT A N R TOU A NCA
NEC Player of the Year
NEC Rookie of the Year
Neco Brett – 2013, 2014
Daniel Calabretta – 2010
NEC Rookie of the Year Kathleen Caggiano – 2007
volleyball
Alaina
Gibson
Alyssa
Bennett
Tawyna
Storino
NEC Regular-Season Championships 2008
NEC Coach of the Year Rob Thomas – 2008
NEC Setter of the Year Tawyna Storino – 2007 Alyssa Bennett – 2008
NEC Libero of the Year Alaina Gibson – 2008
NEC Rookie of the Year Alaina Gibson – 2005 Alyssa Bennett – 2008
cross country
INDOOR TRACK & FIELD MEN
NEC Most Outstanding Performer Mike Booth – 2006
NEC Coach of the Year Michael Smith – 2006 WOMEN
NEC Rookie of the Meet Merel Van Steenbergen – 2011
MEN
NEC Coach of the Year Michael Smith – 2013
NEC Rookie of the Year Tip Worob – 2011 Ryan Hertzog – 2013 WOMEN
NEC Rookie of the Year Merel Van Steenbergen – 2010 Marissa Polk – 2011
golf 2015
lfer NEC Go ar e of the Y
NEC Tournament Champions — AND —
NCAA TOURNAMENT (Team)
— — AND
nament r u o T A NCA ual) (Individ
1
is – 201
rcator C.G. Me
NEC Golfer of the Year
2013 GCAA David Toms Aw
Halley Morell – 2014
ard
— AND —
2015 NEC G olfer of the Year Ryan Proka
y
MEN
NEC Coach of the Year Jerry Stone – 2010, 2015 WOMEN
NEC Rookie of the Year Jenna Rinker – 2010
NEC Coach of the Year Jerry Stone – 2010
lacrosse NEC Player of the Year — AND —
NEC Offensive Player of the Year
NEC Player of the Year
Kiel Matisz – 2012
Trevor Moore – 2010, 2011
MEN
NEC Regular-Season Champions 2012
NEC Coach of the Year Drew McMinn – 2012 WOMEN
ensive NEC Def r f the Yea o r e y a l P 13 gher – 20
a Sean Me
NEC Coach of the Year Katy Phillips – 2011
Calderone
2
Ashley
n
-Seaso lar u g e R NEC s Champion
softball
3 • 2015
2012 • 201 006 • 2011 •
Jessica
t
Gerhar
Samantha
Santillo NEC Coaching Staff of the Year Robert Morris – 2011, 2012, 2015
NEC Pitcher of the Year Nicole Sleith – 2012, 2013, 2015
NEC Golden Glove Samantha Santillo – 2012, 2013, 2014
Nicole
Sleith
NEC Rookie of the Year Jessica Calderone – 2008 Nicole Sleith – 2012 Ashley Gerhart – 2013
outdoor track & field
NCAA All-America First Team Chris Carper (Javelin) – 2014
NCAA Championships Participation Stephanie Kuhn (Javelin) – 2007
MEN
IC4A Cha
mpio
n Jeff Witm y e r (High Jum p) – 2008
NEC Most Outstanding Performer Steve Mitchell – 2011
NEC Rookie of the Meet Andrew McCloskey – 2006
NEC Coach of the Year Michael Smith – 2011, 2013 WOMEN
NCAA All-America Honorable Mention Rachael Kotula (Javelin) – 2013
NEC Most Outstanding Performer (Field) Rachael Kotula – 2014
NEC Coach of the Year Michael Smith – 2014
ECAC Champion Bethany Ledford (Pole Vault) – 2014
Rachael
Kotula
In-Season Championships Spring Metropolitan Champions
rowing
2015
Nicole Sleith (2012-15)
★ 2014-15 NEC Female Student-Athlete of the Year ★ First RMU student-athlete to garner honor ★ Recognizes individual excellence in academics and athletics ★ Honors leadership and contributions to community
community service
COLONIALS IN THE COMMUNITY The Robert Morris Department of Athletics continues to be an active member of the community, both on a local and regional level. Some highlights of the past 10 years ‌
special events
The Robert Morris Department of Athletics is an active participant in attracting various events to the Pittsburgh region, with one of the highlights the 2013 NCAAŽ Men’s Frozen Four, which consisted of Quinnipiac, St. Cloud State, UMass-Lowell and eventual 2013 national champion Yale.