RMU Athletics 2012-13 Annual Report

Robert Morris University 2012-13 Athletics Annual Report

Nolan Nearhoof

Una Japundza

Sean Meagher

Artemis Spanou

2012 NEC Defensive Player of the Year

2013 NEC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year

2013 NEC Defensive Player of the Year

2013 NEC Player of the Year

2013 RMU Presidential Transformation Award

2013 NEC Men’s Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year

2012 Capital One Academic All-America First Team 2012 NFF National Scholar-Athlete

2013 NetScouts Basketball All-America Third Team

Robert Morris By The Numbers

2 Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year honors in as many seasons for Nicole Sleith

3.30 Average grade point average (GPA) of RMU’s 23 Division I programs in 2012-13

4

The first national championship of a major sport decided on Pittsburgh soil in 2013 as RMU hosted the 2013 NCAA® Frozen Four®

11.27 Caused turnovers per game by the Robert Morris men’s lacrosse team in 2013, which led NCAA Division I

14 Consecutive Northeast Conference Tournament appearances by the Robert Morris volleyball program, the longest streak by any program in school history

15.6 Rebounds per game by Artemis Spanou in 2012-13, which led NCAA Division I women’s basketball

20 Wins by the RMU men’s ice hockey team in 2012-13, a school record 26.5 Career sacks by Nolan Nearhoof of the Colonial football squad, a school and NEC record

91 Victories by men’s basketball seniors Velton Jones,

Russell Johnson and Treadwell Lewis in their career, the most wins by an RMU class in men’s basketball history

152 Draw controls by freshman midfielder Jessica Karwacki in 2013, an NCAA single-season Division I record

3,444 Fans in attendance at the Charles L. Sewall Center for RMU’s 59-57 victory over Kentucky in the first round of the 2013 NIT, the largest home crowd in program history

A letter from

Craig Coleman, M.D. Director of Athletics Dear Member of the RMU Athletics family, We are pleased to present the 2012-13 Department of Athletics Annual Report. In the pages that follow, you will find a very long list of impressive accomplishments by our excellent student-athletes and coaches, supported by our superb staff and University faculty. This marks the culmination of so much hard work by so many people, and we are proud of each and every accomplishment noted.

Of particular significance is that our student-athletes have proven once again that success in athletic competition can be accomplished without sacrificing excellent achievement in the classroom and while maintaining a commitment to community service. The miraculous home victory in men’s basketball against Kentucky, and RMU’s hosting of the NCAA® Men’s Frozen Four®, are examples of a University and Athletic Department on the rise.

Finally, while this report outlines all of the tangible results attained by our studentathletes, coaches, and staff, the long-term benefit to our student-athletes of their athletic experience can best be measured by their success in their careers and/or post-graduate studies.

Combined with the outstanding education and student life opportunities that Robert Morris University affords, the 500+ student-athletes at RMU are all winners!

Sincerely,

Craig S. Coleman, M.D. Director of Athletics

Academic Robert MorrisSuccess University ★ As a department, Robert Morris posted an average cumulative team GPA of 3.30 among its 23 Division I programs in 2012-13, with a total of 20 of RMU’s 23 programs finishing with team GPA’s of 3.0 or higher.

Brad Banas

★ A total of six teams from RMU were recognized by the Northeast Conference (NEC) for compiling the best GPA in their respective sports. The Robert Morris women’s volleyball squad led the way with a team GPA of 3.649 and was joined by softball (3.562), men’s cross country (3.467), women’s lacrosse (3.404) and the men’s indoor and outdoor track & field (3.299) squads. ★ Overall, nearly 70 percent of all of RMU’s 569 student-athletes posted a 3.0 or higher grade point average in 2012-13.

Katelyn Scott

★ A trio of Robert Morris studentathletes were named to their respective Capital One District II Academic AllAmerica Teams by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). ★ Senior defensive lineman Nolan Nearhoof earned his third consecutive Capital One Academic All-America honor, earning first team accolades for the first time. Senior linebacker Brad Banas, meanwhile, was tabbed to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America Second Team.

★ The Robert Morris men’s ice hockey squad featured 25 student-athletes tabbed to 2013 Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) All-Academic Team, a league high. To qualify for the honor, a student-athlete must post a 3.00 GPA in the academic semesters they are competing.

★ A total of 21 student-athletes from the RMU women’s ice hockey team were named to the 2013 College Hockey America (CHA) Academic Team. To qualify for the honor, a student-athlete must post a 3.00 GPA in the academic semesters they are competing. ★ The Metro Atlantic Athletic Association (MAAC) named 13 student-athletes from Robert Morris to its 2013 Women’s Rowing All-Academic Team. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have completed at least two semesters and hold a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher.

★ The MAAC also recognized a total of 24 members from the RMU women’s rowing team as part of its 2012-13 Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher.

★ A pair of student-athletes were named the NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in their respective sports, as Nolan Nearhoof garnered the honor for football and Sean Meagher for men’s lacrosse.

★ The 2012-13 academic year featured Collin Ray

95 Robert Morris student-athletes that were named to the 2012 NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, 52 to the 2013 NEC Winter Academic Honor Roll and 116 to the 2013 NEC Spring Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible, a student-athlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher.

★ Robert Morris placed 36 studentathletes on the 2012 NEC Fall Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, 19 to the 2013 NEC Winter Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and 31 to the 2013 NEC Spring Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible, a studentathlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better.

Megan Coleman

★ Senior Tyler Hinds and freshmen Brandon Denham and Zac Lynch were three of 11 student-athletes Zac Lynch honored as the AHA Student-Athletes of the Year for compiling a perfect 4.00 GPA during the 2012-13 academic year. ★ Sophomore Katelyn Scott was one of 11 student-athletes honored as the 2013 College Hockey America (CHA) StudentAthlete of the Year for women’s ice hockey after compiling a perfect 4.00 GPA during the 2012-13 academic year.

Student-Athlete Profile

Nolan Nearhoof (Sr.) — Football ★

Named the 2012 Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 76 tackles in 11 games, including a league-high 10.5 sacks, and earned a spot on the All-NEC First Team for the third straight year.

★ Three RMU women’s golfers were tabbed Women’s Golf Coach Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars, including junior Annie Bozich, sophomore Sarah Weber and Annie Bozich freshman Halley Morell. To qualify, a student-athlete must own a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher. RMU’s trio were the only NEC players to be honored.

★

Earned a spot on the 2012 All-America Third Team according to The Sports Network.

★

One of 15 student-athletes from all divisions, as well as the only individual from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) ranks, to be named a National Football Foundation (NFF) National ScholarAthlete. Thanks to honor, Nearhoof was awarded an $18,000 scholarship to assist in postgraduate studies.

★

Named the 2012 NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive season and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology while maintaining a 3.75 grade point average (GPA).

★ The Robert Morris men’s golf squad was bestowed the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-Academic Team Award, which was presented by Farmers Insurance. RMU was one of 143 college or university teams in the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA to earn the distinction from the national association. To be eligible, an institution must carry a 3.0 team grade point average (GPA) that includes all golfers on its official squad list for the academic year.

In 2012-13, RMU posted a team GPA of 3.05.

★ Senior Una Japundza of the Robert Morris volleyball team was selected as the 2013 NEC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Sponsored by the league’s Faculty Athletic Representatives, the award is bestowed annually upon the male and female student-athlete of the year who have exhausted their eligibility, graduated and posted the highest cumulative GPA in the conference at the conclusion of the academic year. Japundza graduated with a perfect 4.00 GPA as a management major. ★ Seniors Steve Mitchell and Collin Ray of the men’s track & field team and junior Rachael Kotula of the women’s track & field squad each earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Honors. To qualify, a student-athlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and have competed in any round of the NCAA Division I Championships. ★ In July of 2013, four RMU athletic programs were honored with NCAA Public Recognition Awards, which is bestowed on teams with an NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports in 201112. Earning the accolade were the RMU women’s golf, softball, women’s tennis and women’s volleyball programs.

★

Finished his career as the Robert Morris and NEC career record holder for sacks (26.5).

★

Added career totals of 213 tackles, including 36 tackles for loss, six passes defended, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.

★

One of 18 players in school history to eclipse 200 career tackles, finishing his career tied for 13th all-time at Robert Morris with former defensive back Dante Payne (1994-97).

NEC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Sponsored by NEC Faculty Athletic Representatives Name

Sport

Una Japundza.............................. Volleyball NEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year Name

Sport

Sean Meagher...................... Men’s Lacrosse Nolan Nearhoof.............................. Football CHA Student-Athletes of the Year Name

Sport

Katelyn Scott............... Women’s Ice Hockey AHA Student-Athletes of the Year Name

Sport

Brandon Denham............. Men’s Ice Hockey Tyler Hinds...................... Men’s Ice Hockey Zac Lynch......................... Men’s Ice Hockey

Sarah Weber

Capital One District II Academic All-Americans Name

Sport

Brad Banas...................................... Football Tyler Hinds.................... Men’s Ice Hockey * Nolan Nearhoof.............................. Football * At-large selection

Capital One Academic All-America First Team Name

Sport

Nolan Nearhoof.............................. Football Capital One Academic All-America Second Team Name

Sport

Brad Banas...................................... Football

Kristie Domis

Men’s Basketball

Golden Era of RMU Basketball Continues …

★ Robert Morris extended its school record for consecutive winning seasons to eight in 2012-13, finishing with an overall record of 24-11 (.686).

★ Redshirt senior guard Velton Jones earned a spot on the 2013 All-NEC First Team, while sophomore forward Lucky Jones was tabbed to the 2013 All-NEC Third Team.

★ The Colonials claimed their 10th Northeast Conference regular-season championship, compiling a record of 14-4 (.778) against league foes.

★ RMU has appeared in 10 straight NEC Tournaments and has advanced to a national postseason tournament five times in the last six years after earning a bid to the 2013 National Invitation Tournament (NIT). ★ In the 2013 NIT, Robert Morris earned arguably its biggest victory in school history with a 59-57 win over defending national champion Kentucky in front of 3,444 fans at the Charles L. Sewall Center, the largest crowd in school history. In the second round, RMU’s postseason run came to an end with a 77-68 setback @ Providence.

Andrew Toole

Anthony Myers-Pate

★ Velton Jones provided the Colonials with averages of 10.6 points and a teamhigh 5.1 assists per game, while Lucky Jones averaged 11.6 points and a teamhigh 6.0 rebounds per contest. ★ Junior guard Karvel Anderson led the Colonials in scoring in 2012-13 by averaging 12.5 points per game on the strength of a team-high 82 three-pointers, a new school record by a member of the junior class. ★ Redshirt senior forward Russell Johnson contributed averages of 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and became the 12th player in school history to eclipse career totals of 1,000 points and 500 rebounds, finishing 14th at Robert Morris in points (1,208) and third in rebounds (746).

Russell Johnson

Student-Athlete Profile

Velton Jones (R-Sr.) Karvel Anderson

Stephan Hawkins

Men’s Basketball

Coron Williams

★

★ Karvel Anderson produced a perfect shooting night in an 84-76 win over Ohio (12/1/12), hitting all 10 of his shots from the floor, including a perfect 8-for-8 from beyond the arc, for a career-high 28 points.

Anderson established an RMU single-game record for field goals made without a miss.

★ Since the beginning of the 2007-08 campaign, RMU has compiled an overall record of 141-67 (.678), with the 141 victories both a school and NEC record for a six-year span. Against NEC foes over that span, the Colonials have posted a mark of 85-23 (.787). ★

★

In 2012-13, Karvel Anderson (82) and redshirt junior guard Coron Williams (74) combined for 156 three-pointers, the most by an RMU tandem in single-season school history.

In May of 2013, Robert Morris signed head coach Andrew Toole to a three-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season. In three years under Toole’s tutelage, the Colonials own a record of 68-36 (.654), including a mark of 39-15 (.722) against NEC foes.

A two-time All-Northeast Conference First Team selection (2012, 2013) that led the Colonials to a record of 91-50 (.645) over his four seasons on the roster, the most victories by a class at Robert Morris

★

Led RMU to three postseason appearances in four years, including the 2010 NCAA Tournament, the 2012 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) and the 2013 National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

★

In the 2013 NIT, helped lead the Colonials to arguably their biggest victory in school history with a 59-57 win over Kentucky (3/19/13) in front of 3,444 fans at the Charles L. Sewall Center, the largest crowd in school history.

★

Owns Robert Morris career records for games played (135), starts (125), consecutive games played (121), free throws (495) and free-throw attempts (688).

★

The ninth player in NEC history, and first player from Robert Morris, to eclipse career totals of 1,500 points and 500 assists, finishing second all-time in program history in assists (551) and fifth in points (1,588).

★

A two-time All-NEC Tournament Team honoree (2011, 2012) that owns RMU career individual records in the tourney for games played (11), starts (11), assists (48) and free throws (49).

★ Mike McFadden

Graduated with a Bachelor of Science Business Administration degree with a major of hospitality and tourism management.

Lucky Jones

Mid-Major Basketball: A Six-Year Study (2007 to 2013) …

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 six years, the Colonials have compiled an overall record of 141-67 (.678), with the 141 victories tied for eighth with Davidson among mid-major programs in the country. Gonzaga has posted 163 wins over the same span, tops among mid-major institutions. A look at the top 10 Division I programs at the mid-major level over the last six seasons …

School (Conference)

1. Gonzaga (West Coast)

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

25-8

28-6

27-7

25-10

26-7

2012-13 Overall

32-3

163-41 (.799)

2. Saint Mary’s (West Coast)

25-7

28-7

28-6

25-9

27-6

28-7

161-41 (.797)

3. Utah State (WAC)

24-11

30-5

27-8

30-4

21-16

21-10

153-54 (.739)

4. Belmont (OVC)

25-9

20-13

19-12

30-5

27-8

26-7

147-54 (.731)

Creighton (MVC)

22-11

27-8

18-16

23-16

29-6

28-8

147-65 (.693)

6. Murray State (OVC)

18-13

19-12

31-5

23-9

31-2

21-10

143-51 (.737)

7. Akron (MAC)

24-11

23-13

24-11

23-13

22-12

26-7

142-67 (.679)

8. Davidson (Southern)

29-7

27-8

16-15

18-15

25-8

26-8

141-61 (.698)

Robert Morris (NEC)

26-8

24-11

23-12

18-14

26-11

24-11

141-67 (.678)

10. Wichita State (MVC)

11-20

17-17

25-10

29-8

27-6

30-9

139-70 (.665)

Men’s Basketball 2013 NIT HIGHLIGHTS ★ Robert Morris advanced to a national postseason tournament for the fifth time in the last six years by earning an automatic bid to the 2013 National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

★

★ The Colonials made their second

★

appearance in the NIT in 2013 and their first since 2008.

★ RMU hosted its first-ever national postseason tournament contest at the Charles L. Sewall Center in the first round, defeating defending national champion Kentucky, 59-57, in front of 3,444 fans, the largest crowd in school history. ★ Robert Morris jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first four and-a-half minutes of the contest and eventually entered halftime with a 28-27 lead thanks to a pair of free throws from junior guard Karvel Anderson with 1:27 left before the break. ★ Redshirt senior guard Velton Jones scored the first six points of the second half for RMU as part of a 12-4 run that opened up a 40-31 lead for Robert Morris with 13:57 to play.

The biggest lead of the contest for the Colonials came with 8:58 remaining, when a three-pointer by redshirt senior forward Russell Johnson gave RMU a 49-36 advantage.

The Wildcats responded with a 17-4 surge to knot the game for the third time, 53-53, setting up a frantic final three minutes of action.

★ Knotted, 57-57, junior forward Mike McFadden hit a pair of free throws with 8.7 seconds to play to give the Colonials a 59-57 cushion, and Kyle Wiltjer’s threepoint with one second left was off the mark, giving Robert Morris the victory. ★ Sophomore forward Lucky Jones paced the Colonials with 15 points in the win over Kentucky, while Russell Johnson added 14 points, five rebounds and three steals.

★

In the second round, RMU suffered a 77-68 setback @ Providence as the Friars used a 15-5 run late in the second half to secure the win. Karvel Anderson scored 18 points off the bench to lead the Colonials, while Russell Johnson added 16 points, three rebounds and five steals and Mike McFadden contributed 14 points.

★ Russell Johnson averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals in RMU’s two games of the 2013 NIT, while Mike McFadden averaged 11.0 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 66.7 percent (8for-12) from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line.

— April 10-13, 2013 —

Men’s Hockey

2013 NCAA® MEN’S Frozen Four® ★ Robert Morris continued its progression in the sport of hockey in 2012-13, hosting the first NCAA national championship in a major sport in the city of Pittsburgh with the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four at CONSOL Energy Center. ★ The 2013 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four was a group effort between officials from RMU, the Pittsburgh Penguins, CONSOL Energy Center and Visit Pittsburgh. ★ No. 1 overall seed Quinnipiac, St. Cloud State, No. 3 overall seed UMassLowell and Yale made up the 2013 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four. ★ The 2013 NCAA Men’s Frozen Fest included live entertainment from local bands No Bad JuJu and Tres Lads, sports activities, product displays and championship merchandise and attracted over 17,000 people over two sessions Thursday, April 11, and Saturday, April 13. ★ Over 1,100 people attended a public skate on the ice at CONSOL Energy Center Friday, April 12, which featured four 30-minute sessions.

★ Also announced at CONSOL Energy Center along with the Hobey Baker Award and the BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award Friday, April 12, was the 2013 CCM Division I AllAmerica Teams, which was divided into East and West regions, first and second teams and featured 25 student-athletes from 20 different Division I programs.

★  Senior forward Drew LeBlanc of St. Cloud State was honored with the 2013 Hobey Baker Award Friday, April 12, in a ceremony at CONSOL Energy Center. The other two finalists included sophomore forward Johnny Gaudreau of Boston College and Eric Hartzell of Quinnipiac.

— 2013 NCAA MEN’S FROZEN FOUR —

★ Honored as the 2013 BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award Friday, April 12, at COSONL Energy Center was Tucker Mullin, a senior forward from Saint Anselm. Mullin garnered the honor of college hockey’s finest citizen as a result of his extensive charitable activity. He cofounded the Thomas E. Smith Fight to Cure Paralysis Foundation, which seeks to provide emotional and financial support to those affected by and living with paralysis, and has served as a student ambassador for Team IMPACT, a New England based non-profit that works with children facing life-threatening diseases.

★ Prior to the 2013 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, a championship reception was held at Heinz Field that was attended by team travel parties, members of the NCAA, commissioners of Division I conferences, host individuals and various dignitaries and featured local radio personality Mike Prisuta serving as emcee.

★ A total of 35,612 fans were in attendance for the two sessions of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four at CONSOL Energy Center as Yale claimed its first national championship in school history. ★ In the national championship, Yale earned a 4-0 win over Quinnipiac to become the first Ivy League school to win the NCAA hockey national title since Harvard in 1989.

★ In the semifinals, Yale earned a 3-2 overtime victory over UMass-Lowell, while Quinnipiac defeated St. Cloud State, 4-1. ★

Yale senior center and captain Andrew Miller was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four after notching two goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal in overtime in a win over UMass-Lowell that sent the Bulldogs to the title game.

— F A LL 2 0 1 2 —

Team Accomplishments Robert Morris University Men’s Cross Country

★ Robert Morris tied for eighth at the 2012 Northeast Conference Championships with Saint Francis U. by compiling 228 points. ★ Freshman Richard Lednak paced the Colonials at the NEC Championships, posting a time of 26:41.75 in the eight-kilometer course to place 32nd individually. ★

Highlighting the 2012 campaign for RMU was junior Mac Byrne-Houser, who established a new school record by navigating the eight-kilometer course at the Buffalo Stampede in a time of 25:59.20.

Marissa Polk

Mac Byrne-Houser

Women’s Cross Country

Jamie Hartley

Field Hockey

★ RMU posted an overall record of 5-13 (.278) in 2012, including a mark of 2-5 (.286) in the Northeast Conference. ★

The Colonials started the season with a 3-1 record, posting three consecutive wins for just the second time in school history thanks to a home victory over Radford and neutral-site wins over Appalachian State and Saint Louis.

★ Sophomore midfielder Jamie Hartley tied her own single-season school record by finishing with 21 points, compiling six goals and nine assists, and in the process through two seasons became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 42 points.

★

The Colonials placed seventh at the 2012 Northeast Conference Championships by finishing with 167 points.

★ Leading the charge for RMU at the NEC Championships was junior Lindsay Erath, who posted a time of 18:49.19 in the five-kilometer course to finish 18th individually.

Lindsey Monger

★ Sophomore Marissa Polk placed sixth at the Buffalo Stampede, posting the second-fastest time in school history in a five-kilometer course with a time of 18:08.00.

Football

★ Robert Morris posted an overall record of 4-7 (.364) in 2012, including a mark of 3-5 (.375) against Northeast Conference foes. ★ RMU opened its 2012 slate against defending national champion and preseason No. 1 North Dakota State in front of 18,769 fans at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D., the largest crowd to witness a Robert Morris football game in school history.

— F A LL 2 0 1 2 —

★ In front of 3,524 fans at Joe Walton Stadium as part of the University’s Homecoming festivities, kicker Greg Langer’s 33-yard field goal with just 19 seconds to play helped lift the Colonials to a 31-28 victory over Lafayette in the inaugural meeting between the two programs. ★

Thanks to a trio of sacks @ Bryant (10/13/12), senior defensive lineman Nolan Nearhoof establishes a new Robert Morris career record in sacks. Nearhoof would finish his career with 26½ sacks, both a school and NEC record.

★ Senior quarterback Jeff Sinclair engineers an eight-play, 82yard drive and caps it with a two-yard Jeff Sinclair touchdown pass to senior fullback Nick Groat to help lift the Colonials to a 21-17 win @ Sacred Heart (11/10/12). It marked the seventh time in Sinclair’s career he put together a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, an RMU career record.

Men’s Soccer

★

Robert Morris compiled an overall record of 5-12-2 (.316) in 2012, including a mark of 2-7-1 (.250) in the Northeast Conference.

★ Junior forward Miro Cabrillo led the Colonials in scoring, compiling four goals and four assists for a total of 12 points, while freshman forward Bruce Cullen tied Cabrillo for team-high honors in goals. ★ Senior goalkeeper Toba Bolaji concluded his RMU career as the program’s all-time leader in shutouts (17) and goals against average (1.17) while finishing second in career save percentage (.823).

Women’s Soccer

★ Robert Morris concluded its 2012 season with an overall record of 2-162 (.150), including a 2-7-1 (.250) ledger against Northeast Conference foes.

Alexa Sarsfield

★ Junior defender Alexa Sarsfield and sophomore forward Cassie Raymond tied for team-high honors in scoring with five points each. Sarsfield provided a pair of goals and an assist, while Raymond found the back of the net once and added three assists.

★ Freshman forward Kristen Check also recorded a pair of goals for RMU in 2012 to tie for team-high accolades with Sarsfield and finished the year with four points. ★ In her last career game on Senior Day, goalkeeper Heather Schultz recorded her first career shutout by registering five saves, including three key late stops, in a 1-0 victory over Wagner (10/28/12).

Volleyball

★

The Colonials kept one of the longest streaks in school history intact in 2012, advancing to their 14th consecutive Northeast Conference Tournament. RMU finished with an overall record of 17-17 (.500) in 2012, including a mark of 13-3 (.813) in the NEC.

Cassie Raymond

★

Led by 20 kills and 22 digs from senior outside hitter Lindsey Monger, Robert Morris earned its first victory against a Big 12 opponent thanks to a 3-2 victory over West Virginia (9/11/12) at the Charles L. Sewall Center.

★

Monger led the Colonials in both kills (421) and digs (407) in 2012, registering 19 double-doubles on the year. She also concluded her career as just the second player in school history to eclipse career totals of 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs, ranking fifth alltime in kills (1,226) and seventh in digs (1,290).

★ Sophomore middle blocker Becky Jay set an RMU single-season record for total blocks, registering 14 solo and 144 assists for 158.

Toba Bolaji

Student-Athlete Profile

Ryan Prokay (So.) — Men’s Golf ★

Selected as the recipient of the 2013 Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) David Toms Award, given annually to one men’s collegiate golfer who has overcome adversity to achieve collegiate excellence. Prokay was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in third grade.

★

A two-time selection to the Northeast Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll (3.20 cumulative GPA or higher) and the NEC Spring Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll (3.75 GPA or higher), through two years has maintained a 3.85 GPA as a sport management major.

★

Finished third for the Colonials in 2012-13 with an average round score of 79.2, playing 18 rounds.

★

Produced a trio of top 15 finishes in 2012-13, including a tie for eighth in helping lead RMU to the team title at its annual home event, the RMU Colonial Classic, with a two-day score of 155.

★

In two seasons at Robert Morris has produced a career scoring average of 77.6 and owns four top 10 finishes.

★

Posted a career-best score of 69 in the second round of the 2012 Mount St. Mary’s Invitational en route to a three-day score of 221 to tie for third individually.

— W INTE R 2 0 1 2 - 1 3 —

Robert Morris University

2012 THREE RIVERS CLASSIC CHAMPIONS ★ RMU claimed the title at the inaugural Three Rivers Classic at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., posting a 6-0 win over Penn State (12/28/12) before winning the championship with a 1-0 victory over No. 5 Miami (Ohio) (12/29/12). ★ By winning the inaugural Three Rivers Classic, the Colonials tied a school record for their longest unbeaten streak in program history at eight games. ★ Senior goaltender Eric Levine was tabbed Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the inaugural Three Rivers Classic after registering 99 saves, including 51 in the championship game against Miami (Ohio).

Thanks to his performance, Levine was tabbed the AHA Goaltender of the Week and AHA Goaltender of the Month for December 2012.

★ Sophomore forward Cody Wydo scored a pair of goals to help lead Robert Morris to its win over Penn State, while freshman forward Brendan Denham scored his first career goal against Miami (Ohio) for the only score in the championship game. ★ A total of 22,460 fans were in attendance for the two days of the inaugural Three Rivers Classic, including 11,663 to witness the Colonials knock off the Nittany Lions in the first round.

— W INTE R 2 0 1 2 - 1 3 —

Team Accomplishments Robert Morris University men’s Ice Hockey

★ Robert Morris established a program record for victories in 2012-13, posting an overall record of 20-14-4 (.579), including a mark of 13-11-3 (.537) against Atlantic Hockey Association members.

★ Senior forward Adam Brace paced the Colonials with 41 points, registering 14 goals and a team-high 27 assists. Leading RMU in goals was sophomore forward Cody Wydo, who found the back of the net 21 times and finished the season second for the Colonials in points with 33. ★ In just two seasons, Wydo has cracked the top five all-time at Robert Morris in career goals with 34. ★ In 35 games between the pipes in 2012-13, senior goaltender Eric Levine finished with a record of 19-12-4 (.618) to go along with a 2.55 goals against average and a .929 save percentage. He established RMU single-season school records in each category and finished 13th in Division I in save percentage.

★ Levine also finished his career at Robert Morris with career records for goals against average (2.69), save percentage (.925) and shutouts (4). ★ Each of RMU’s five members of the 2013 senior class signed professional contracts, as Eric Levine inked a deal with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL), Adam Brace, Zach Hervato and Brendan Jamison signed with the Florida Everblades, Trenton Titans and Greenville Road Warriors, respectively, of the ECHL, while Tyler Hinds continued his career with the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League. ★ Seniors Adam Brace and Eric Levine and sophomore Cody Wydo each spent time in NHL Prospect Camps in the summer of the 2013, as Brace spent time with the Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes, Levine participated with the New York Rangers and Wydo did the same with the New Jersey Devils.

Cody Wydo

Adam Brace

Tyler Hinds

Eric Levine

Zach Hervato

— W INTE R 2 0 1 2 - 1 3 —

Team Accomplishments Robert Morris University Women’s Basketball

★ RMU posted an overall record of 7-20 (.241) in 2012-13, including a mark of 6-10 (.333) against Northeast Conference foes.

Anna Gailite

★ Forward Artemis Spanou became one of the most consistent producers in the Northeast Conference as a junior in 2012-13, leading the league in both scoring (19.1 ppg) and rebounding (15.6 rpg) en route to 2013 NEC Player of the Year honors.

Spanou also finished the year as NCAA Division I’s leading rebounder. ★ Freshman guard Ashley Ravelli was selected the 2013 NEC Rookie of the Year after averaging 10.4 points per game and finishing fourth in the NEC three-point field goals made per game (2.03) and ninth in three-point field goal percentage (.349).

Lou Mataly

Rebecca Vint

thea imbrogno

★ Joining Ashley Ravelli with a spot on the 2013 All-NEC Rookie Team was freshman guard Lou Mataly, who in 19 games, including 13 starts, averaged 10.1 points and converted 38.5 percent (47-for122) of her attempts from beyond the arc. ★ Senior center Anna Gailite finished her career at Robert Morris with a trifecta of school records in blocks, including single-game, single-season and career marks. In 2012-13, Gailite established a new RMU single-season record with 61, leading the NEC with an average of 2.10 per contest. Thanks to that performance, she pushed her career total to 169, a Colonial career mark. Gailite’s single-game record of nine blocks came in a 76-65 win @ LIU Brooklyn (1/7/10) during her freshman campaign in 2009-10.

Kristen DiCiocco

★ Senior point guard Jasmine Tate received the RMU President’s Council Rising Star Award at a ceremony at Heinz Field Dec. 4, 2012. The award is bestowed to a graduating senior who demonstrates academic success, individuality, determination, passion and potential in his or her field of study. In addition to playing basketball, Tate is a songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, participated in various spiritual groups on campus and was active in spreading anti-bullying messages to schoolchildren. She graduated from Robert Morris in May of 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in communication with a 3.64 grade point average (GPA).

Women’s Ice Hockey

★ Robert Morris compiled an overall record of 15-15-3 (.500) in 2012-13, including a mark of 9-10-1 (.475) in College Hockey America (CHA). ★

Sophomore forward Rebecca Vint led the Colonials in all three offensive categories, compiling 16 goals, 17 assists and 33 points. Vint tied for third in the CHA in goals and fourth in points.

★ Junior forward Thea Imbrogno tied for second for RMU in scoring with 23 points, compiling 11 goals and 12 assists, and enters her final season of eligibility in 2013-14 ranked third all-time in program history with 88 points. ★ Senior Jamie Joslin concluded her career with 44 points, compiling 13 goals and 31 assists, establishing a new school record for points by a defenseman.

Drew Gerberich

— W INTE R —

Dorian Rumble

Nicolas Gentile

★ In her final season as a Colonial, senior goaltender Kristen DiCiocco established the RMU career record for wins by a goalie, finishing with a record of 3534-9 (.506). In 86 career contests, DiCiocco posted a 2.32 goals against average, 1,933 saves and five shutouts.

Men’s Indoor track & field

★ Robert Morris placed sixth at the 2013 Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships (2/10/13) in Landover, Md., posting a team score of 39 points. ★ Senior Steve Mitchell earned silver in the weight throw at the NEC Championships thanks to a final tally of 18.40 meters (60’4.50”) to earn All-NEC Second Team honors. Mitchell went on to establish a new school record in the event at the IC4A/ ECAC Championships (3/3/13) with a toss of 19.04 meters (62’5.75”) to finish third in the event and earn All-East Coast accolades.

★ Senior Collin Ray also earned AllNEC Second Team accolades at the NEC Championships, establishing a new school record in the shot put thanks to a throw of 16.97 meters (55’8.25”). Like Steve Mitchell, Ray would also go on to garner All-East Coast Status in the event thanks to a 16.53 meters (54’2.75”) to place eighth at the IC4A/ECAC Championships (3/3/13). ★ The RMU 4x800-meter relay squad posted a new school record with a time of 7:44.37 at the Penn State Relays (1/5/13).

The squad consisted of freshman Drew Gerberich and juniors Dorian Rumble, Fred Thompson and Nicolas Gentile.

Marissa Polk

Yulia Vasilyeva

Olivia Loy

★ The RMU 4x800-meter relay squad that Gentile was a part of was one of three school records that he would establish in 2012-13, as he also broke school marks in the 600-meter and the 800-meter.

Gentile’s time of 1:21.88 in the 600-meter came at the Gene Edmunds Cup (1/19/13) in West Lafayette, Ind., while his time of 1:52.15 in the 800-meter occurred in the preliminaries of the IC4A/ECAC Championships (3/2/13).

Women’s Indoor track & field

★ RMU earned fifth at the 2013 Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships (2/10/13) in Landover, Md., compiling 50 points. ★ For the second straight year as well as the third time in the last four seasons a member of Robert Morris claimed the individual title in the pole vault, as freshman Olivia Loy claimed the championship with a leap of 3.70 meters (12’1.50”). Thanks to the mark, Loy established a new school record in the event and earned All-NEC First Team and All-NEC Rookie Team status. ★ Each of the top five marks in school history in the pole vault occurred in 201213, including three by freshman Olivia Loy and two by sophomore Bethany Ledford. ★ Junior Yulia Vasilyeva won the triple jump at the NEC Championships thanks to a leap of 11.38 meters (37’4”) to earn AllNEC First Team honors. ★ Sophomore Marissa Polk established a new school record in the mile at the NEC Championships by posting a time of 5:09.73 to win the second of three preliminaries in the event. In the finals, Polk earned bronze with a time of 5:12.41.

Student-Athlete Profile

ARTEMIS SPANOU (Jr.) Women’s Basketball ★

En route to 2013 Northeast Conference Player of the Year accolades led the league in scoring (19.1 ppg) and paced the nation in rebounding (15.6 rpg) while finishing second in the country in double-doubles (26), trailing only Chiney Ogwumike of Stanford.

★

A three-time All-NEC selection, Spanou also was selected to the NetScouts Basketball Women’s AllAmerica Third Team, the first Colonial in school history to earn such distinction.

★

Eclipsed the 20-rebound plateau five times during the 2012-13 campaign en route to shattering the RMU single-season record for caroms with 451.

★

Concluded the 2012-13 season with 24 consecutive double-doubles in posting 26 in 29 games and owns the Robert Morris career record with 58.

★

The 11th player in school history to eclipse career totals of 1,000 points and 500 rebounds, Spanou enters her senior season in 2013-14 with 1,485 points and 1,083 rebounds.

★

Ranks third all-time in career points and second in rebounds and is just 149 points and 38 boards shy of establishing new Robert Morris career school records.

★

As an applied psychology major has maintained a 3.14 cumulative grade point average (GPA) entering her final season of eligibility.

— SP R ING 2 0 1 3 —

Robert Morris University

Team Accomplishments in 2013 Men’s GOLF

Halley Morell

★ Robert Morris earned fourth at the 2013 Northeast Conference Championships, which was played on the Legends Course at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., posting a threeround score of 912. ★ Leading the way for the Colonials at the 2013 NEC Championships was senior Brock Pompeani and freshman Garrett Browning, who each produced a three-day total of 227 to tie for 10th individually. ★ RMU won its third straight home event, the Colonial Classic, with a two-day total of 602, at the Club at Shadow Lakes in Hopewell Township, Pa., in October of 2012. Sophomore Bo Lustig won the individual title with a score of 148, while Brock Pompeani tied for second, finishing just two strokes behind Lustig.

Garrett Browning

★ Brock Pompeani claimed the individual championship at the 2013 Lonnie Barton Invitational at the Legends Course at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., in March of 2013 with a tworound score of 155. ★ In posting an average round of 77.2 strokes and earning a trio of 10 top finishes, Brock Pompeani led Robert Morris in 2012-13. On his career, he posted an average of 76.7 and 12 top 10 finishes, which rank second and fourth all-time, respectively, in program history.

WOMen’s GOLF

Jenna Rinker

★ The Colonials finished ninth at the 2013 Northeast Conference Championships at the Legends Course at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., compiling a three-day score of 1,008.

★ Freshman Halley Morell highlighted the 2013 NEC Championships for RMU, claiming 14th individually with a three-day score of 241. Morell tied a season-low with a 75 in the final round, including a hole-inone on the 224-yard, par-four 13th hole. ★ Robert Morris finished runner-up on a pair of occasions during the 2012-13 campaign, placing second at its annual Jake Hayes

home event, the Colonial Classic, in October of 2012, while also earning second at the Mount St. Mary’s Spring Invitational in April of 2013.

★ Senior Jenna Rinker led the Colonials in 2012-13 by averaging 80.5 strokes per round, establishing a new RMU singleseason record. ★ Rinker won a pair of individual championships in her final season at Robert Morris, winning the 2012 Youngstown State Invitational with a twoday score of 148 in September, followed three weeks later with the 2012 RMU Colonial Classic championship in October thanks to a two-round score of 154. ★ Over the course of four years with the program, Rinker established a new Robert Morris career record for scoring average at 82.14 strokes per round.

Men’s LACROSSE

★ RMU compiled an overall record of 8-7 (.533) in 2013 and finished in a three-way tie for second place with Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart in the Northeast Conference with a ledger of 3-2 (.600). ★ Robert Morris paced the NEC in points (18.60), goals (11.80) and shots on goal (23.53) per game and also led Division I in both caused turnovers per game (11.27) and man-up offense (.511). ★ Freshman midfielder Eric Rankel, a five-time NEC Rookie of the Week selection in 2013, paced the Colonials in scoring with 40 points, producing a team-high total in goals (28) while compiling 12 assists. ★ Senior attack Jake Hayes finished with 26 goals and 12 assists for 38 points and concluded his career at RMU ranked second all-time in man-up goals (19), sixth in goals (89) and seventh in career points (123). ★ Junior long stick midfielder Sean Meagher produced 38 caused turnovers, an average of 2.53 per game that ranked second in Division I, en route to being named 2013 NEC Defensive Player of the Year.

— SP R ING 2 0 1 3 —

★ Sophomore midfielder Kristin Yoviene led RMU in assists (12) and finished second for the Colonials in scoring with 39 points. ★ Freshman midfielder Emily Jamison registered 30 goals to finish second for Robert Morris and added five assists for 35 points. ★ RMU returns each of its top 10 scorers in 2014, which accounted for 172 goals, 54 assists and 226 points in 2013.

Kristin Yoviene

WOMen’s ROWING

★ The Colonials finished fifth at the WOMen’s LACROSSE

★ Robert Morris posted an overall record of 8-8 (.500) in 2013, finishing seventh in the Northeast Conference with a mark of 4-5 (.444). ★ The Colonials led the NEC and ranked second in Division I in draw controls with an average of 15.00 per game, trailing only Winthrop (15.12).

★ RMU led the NEC in shots per game (28.00) and ranked second in the circuit in both goals (11.44) and points (15.81) per contest. ★ Freshman midfielder Brittany Byerly paced Robert Morris in scoring, producing 31 goals and 11 assists for 42 points, and also led the Colonials in ground balls (29) and caused turnovers (13). For her efforts, Byerly earned a spot on the 2013 All-NEC First Team and the 2013 All-NEC Rookie Team.

★ Freshman midfielder Jessica Karwacki established an NCAA single-season record for draw controls in 2013 with 152, an average of 9.50 per game. She established a single-game record with 25 against Quinnipiac (4/19/13) and also earned a spot on the 2013 All-NEC Rookie Team.

2013 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J., compiling a point total of 45.

Student-Athlete Profile

★ The Robert Morris Varsity 8 claimed the championship at the Franklin & Marshall Invitational in March of 2013, posting a time of 7:18.3. The boat, which was tabbed MAAC Boat of the Week, consisted of sophomore Laura Mooradian as the coxswain, senior Jamie Witsch as the bow, junior Megan Coleman, sophomores Brianna Hellier, Kelsey Porter, Julie Miller and Heather Hodges, freshman Caitlin Ryan and sophomore Kristin Fay as the stroke.

★ The RMU novice four, which consisted of sophomore Victoria Lomax as the coxswain, freshman Donna Muschar as the bow, freshmen Paige Oster and Emily Foster and freshman Rebekah Noorlag as the stroke, posted its best finish of the year at the Knecht Cup in April of 2013, placing ninth out of a pool of 41 boats, including a third-place finish in the petite final.

Sean Meagher (Jr.) Men’s Lacrosse ★

Named the 2013 Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the first Colonial in school history to garner the honor.

★

Established an RMU single-season record for caused turnovers with 38, an average of 2.53 per game that led the NEC and ranked second nationally.

★

Thanks to Meagher’s 38 caused turnovers, Robert Morris led Division I in the category with an average of 11.27 per contest.

★

Tabbed the 2013 NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the third straight occasion RMU has garnered the honor, having compiled a 3.80 cumulative grade point average (GPA) with a double major of accounting and finance.

★

A three-time member of the NEC Spring Academic Honor Roll and the NEC Spring Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.

★

Enters his final season of eligibility in 2014 owning the RMU career record for caused turnovers per game (1.72) and is just 11 caused turnovers shy of establishing a new career record in the category.

— SP R ING 2 0 1 3 —

SOFTBALL

★ RMU earned its third straight Northeast Conference regular-season championship and seventh in school history in 2013, compiling an overall record of 30-17-1 (.635), including a 16-4 (.800) mark in league play. ★ Sophomore Nicole Sleith was tabbed the NEC Pitcher of the Year for the second straight year and finished with a record of 17-9 from the circle. In 33 appearances, Sleith posted 206 strikeouts in 170.1 innings pitched and tied her own singleseason school record with five saves.

Tess Apke

★ Robert Morris led the NEC in fielding percentage at .971, which ranked 24th among 290 Division I programs in the NCAA. ★ Freshman Ashley Gerhart was named

★ Senior Isabella Novella posted a

the 2013 NEC Rookie of the Year, the second straight player from RMU to take home the honor and fifth overall in program history. Gerhart led the Colonials in batting average (.347), stolen bases (10) and walks (19) and finished second in runs (28).

★ Freshman Haileigh Stocks, an All-NEC First selection at utility, hit .298 in her inaugural collegiate season, leading Robert Morris in doubles (10) and RBI (24).

★ Sophomore Tess Apke hit .295 on the 2013 campaign and led RMU in runs (29), while junior Chelsea Siar hit a team-high seven home runs. Siar enters her final season of eligibility in 2014 as RMU’s active career leader in home runs with 18, which ranks fourth all-time in program history.

record of 8-7 (.533) in singles action, including a mark of 7-2 (.778) at the No. 6 flight, to lead the Colonials.

★ Junior Carolina Mourao-Teixeira enters the 2013-14 season as RMU’s active leader in career singles victories with 28 and also owns a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) as an engineering major.

Men’s OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

★ Robert Morris claimed third at the 2013 Northeast Conference Championships in West Long Branch, N.J., with a point total of 122.

★ A pair of Colonials earned individual titles at the 2013 NEC Championships, as junior Chris Carper set a new NEC Championships record in the javelin with a toss of 68.60 meters (225’1”), while senior Brendan Morales claimed gold in the hammer throw with a tally of 55.79 meters (183’0”).

★ In 2012-13 the Colonials posted an overall record of 4-15 (.211), including a mark of 2-2 (.500) in the Northeast Conference.

★ Junior Chris Carper became the first student-athlete in program history to qualify for the NCAA Championships, finishing 19th in the javelin with a throw of 64.96 meters (209’10”) at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, to earn Honorable Mention All-America accolades.

★ Senior Andre Coiro led RMU in singles

★ Earning All-NEC Second Team accolades

Men’s TENNIS

victories, posting a record of 9-12 (.429), including a combined mark of 4-2 (.667) at either the No. 3 or No. 4 flights. Coiro finished his career with 33 victories in singles play, which ranks seventh all-time in program history.

Isabella Novella

WOMen’s TENNIS

★ Robert Morris compiled an overall record of 4-18 (.182) in 2012-13, including a record of 1-3 (.250) against Northeast Conference foes.

★ For the second consecutive year, sophomore Samantha Santillo was bestowed the NEC Golden Glove Award, which is given to the top defensive player in the conference.

andre coiro

Carolina Mourao-Teixeira

in 2013 were senior Steve Mitchell and junior Dorian Rumble. Mitchell placed second in the shot put at the NEC Championships thanks to a throw of 17.43 meters (57’2.25”), establishing a new school record in the process, while Rumble claimed silver in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:54.24.

— SP R ING 2 0 1 3 —

★ Seniors Steve Mitchell and Collin Ray rewrote the record book in the shot put in 2013, establishing each of the top 10 marks, including five by Mitchell and four

by Ray. ★ RMU’s 4x800-meter relay squad recorded each of the top three times in school history in 2013, including a school record of 7:39.07 at the IC4A/ ECAC Championships in Princeton, N.J. The squad consisted of freshman Sachin Natarajan and juniors Dorian Rumble, Fred Thompson and Nicolas Gentile.

Gentile also broke his own record in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:52.98 at the Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Va. WOMen’s OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

★ RMU finished fifth at the 2013 Northeast Conference Championships in West Long Branch, N.J., compiling 69 points. ★ A total of four student-athletes earned All-NEC Second Team accolades at the 2013 NEC Championships, including juniors Rachael Kotula (javelin), Aubree Ray (discus) and Yulia Vasilyeva (triple jump) and sophomore Bethany Ledford (pole vault).

with a time of 9:30.72 at the 2013 NEC Championships.

★ Junior Lindsay Erath broke her own school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, posting a time of 11:12.71 at the NEC Championships. Erath owns five of the top 10 times in school history in the event. ★ Sophomore Bethany Ledford and freshman Olivia Loy recorded the top two marks in school history in the pole vault in 2013. Loy’s leap of 3.52 meters (11’6.50”) came at the University of Virginia Invitational and stood as the school record for just over a month before Ledford finished second at the 2013 NEC Championships with a leap of 3.62 meters (11’10.50”). ★

In 2013, seven of the top 10 marks in school history in the discus were established by junior Aubree Ray, including the school record. Ray posted a toss of 47.45 meters (155’8”) at the 2013 NEC Championships to finish second in the event and earn All-NEC Second Team status.

Rachael Kotula

★ Junior Rachael Kotula became the second Colonial in program history to advance to the NCAA Championships, qualifying for the event in the javelin thanks to a personal record toss of 47.04 meters (154’4”) in Greensboro, N.C., at the NCAA East Preliminary Round. The distance ranks eighth in the RMU record book. ★ Junior Rachael Kotula earned Honorable Mention All-America honors in the javelin, the first student-athlete in program history to garner the accolade in any event, after placing 24th at the 2013 NCAA Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Sachin Natarajan

Fred Thompson

★ Sophomore Marissa Polk broke her own record in the 1,500-meter at the Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Va., posting a time of 4:38.02. Polk owns six of the top nine best times in school history in the event. ★ The RMU 4x800-meter relay team that consisted of junior Lindsay Erath, sophomores Alexis Ebersole and Marissa Polk and freshman Brittany Shay established a new school record

Lindsay Erath

Alexis Ebersole

Bethany Ledford

ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS Robert Morris University Conference Legend:

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE (NEC)

NEC – Northeast Conference AHA – Atlantic Hockey Association CHA – College Hockey America

Velton Jones – All-NEC First Team Lucky Jones – All-NEC Third Team

MAJOR AWARDS

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

FOOTBALL

Nolan Nearhoof – 2012 NEC Defensive Player of the Year

Marcelis Branch – 2012 NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Artemis Spanou – 2013 NEC Player of the Year Ashley Ravelli – 2013 NEC Rookie of the Year WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY

Robert Morris – 2013 CHA Team

Artemis Spanou – All-NEC First Team Ashley Ravelli – All-NEC Rookie Team Lou Mataly – All-NEC Rookie Team FIELD HOCKEY

Jamie Hartley – All-NEC Second Team Michelle Lewthwaite – All-NEC Second Team FOOTBALL

Nolan Nearhoof – All-NEC First Team Marcelis Branch – All-NEC Second Team

Sportsmanship Award MEN’S GOLF

Marcelis Branch

Brock Pompeani – All-NEC Second Team

Men’s Lacrosse

Sean Meagher – 2013 NEC Defensive Player of the Year MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Michael Smith – 2013 NEC Coach of the Year SOFTBALL

Nicole Sleith – 2013 NEC Pitcher of the Year Samantha Santillo – 2013 NEC Golden Glove Award Becky Jay

Ashley Gerhart – 2013 NEC Rookie of the Year

Men’s Lacrosse

Eric Rankel – All-NEC First Team Jake Hayes – All-NEC Second Team Tyler Digby – All-NEC Second Team Ben Lewis – All-NEC Second Team Luc Magnan – All-NEC Second Team Sean Meagher – All-NEC Second Team Eric Rankel – All-NEC Rookie Team Luke Laszkiewicz – All-NEC Rookie Team Nicholas Beaudoin – All-NEC Rookie Team

Aubree Ray

Ben Lewis

Brittany Byerly

Johanna Kadam

SteVE Mitchell

Brendan Morales

Jamie Joslin

Eric Rankel

Haileigh Stocks

Brock Pompeani

WOMEN’S INTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Olivia Loy – All-NEC First Team (pole vault) * Yulia Vasilyeva – All-NEC First Team (triple jump) * Olivia Loy – All-NEC Rookie Team * NEC Champion MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Chris Carper – All-NEC First Team (javelin) * Brandon Morales – All-NEC First Team (hammer throw) *

Steve Mitchell – All-NEC Second Team (shot put) Dorian Rumble – All-NEC Second Team (800-meter) * NEC Champion WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Rachael Kotula – All-NEC Second Team (javelin) Yulia Vasilyeva – All-NEC Second Team

Ashley Ravelli

(triple jump)

Bethany Ledford – All-NEC Second Team

WOMen’s Lacrosse

(pole vault)

Brittany Byerly – All-NEC First Team Brittany Byerly – All-NEC Rookie Team Jessica Karwacki – All-NEC Rookie Team

Aubree Ray – All-NEC Second Team (discus) Jessica Guyett – All-NEC Rookie Team (shot put)

WOMen’s SOCCER

VOLLEYBALL

Ashley Gerhart

Johanna Kadam – All-NEC Second Team

Lindsey Monger – All-NEC First Team Becky Jay – All-NEC Second Team

SOFTBALL

Nicole Sleith – All-NEC First Team Ashley Gerhart – All-NEC First Team Haileigh Stocks – All-NEC First Team

ATLANTIC HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (AHA)

MEN’S INTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

COLLEGE HOCKEY AMERICA (CHA)

MEN’S ICE HOCKEY

Adam Brace – All-AHA Second Team

Steve Mitchell – All-NEC Second Team

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY

(weight throw) Collin Ray – All-NEC Second Team (shot put)

Rebecca Vint – All-CHA First Team Jamie Joslin – All-CHA Second Team

Student-Athlete Profile

Nicole Sleith (So.) — Softball ★

Tabbed the 2013 Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year, becoming the first member of the Colonials to earn the honor in consecutive seasons, in helping guide Robert Morris to its third straight NEC regular-season championship.

★

Tied her own single-season school record for saves (5) while posting a 17-9 record to go along with a 1.73 earned run average (ERA) and 206 strikeouts.

Michelle Lewthwaite

★

For the second straight year was tabbed to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region Second Team, becoming only the third student-athlete in program history to earn multiple all-region accolades. Sleith’s honor was for the Great Lakes Region.

★

Tossed a three-hit shutout while striking out a career-high 14 in a 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois (3/11/13) in Kissimmee, Fla.

★

In a 5-0 win over Mount St. Mary’s (3/29/13) in the first game of a doubleheader pitched her first career no-hitter, striking out 12 and facing just one batter over the minimum in the victory.

★

Ranks in the top six all-time at RMU through two seasons for career shutouts (11), strikeouts (457) and wins (42) entering her final two seasons of eligibility.

Jessica Karwacki

COLONIALS IN THE University COMMUNITY Robert Morris 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 2012-13 academic year … ★ For the second consecutive year, the Robert Morris University Department of Athletics earned the “Penny Wars” trophy, as presented by the Northeast Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The conference-wide community service initiative and fundraiser raised $7,615 for the children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation, which is based in Harrisburg, Pa. Of the $7,615 raised, RMU contributed $3,028.

★ In conjunction with Bauer Hockey, Robert Morris University donated 100 pairs of skates to the Pittsburgh ICE and Steel City Icebergs in June of 2013. The 100 pair of skates were donated by Bauer and were used at the free public skate event during the NCAA Frozen Four at CONSOL Energy Center.

Bauer annually donates the skates to the host institution of the NCAA Frozen Four with the stipulation that the skates be donated within the community afterward. Pittsburgh ICE (stands for Inclusion Creates Equality), part of a National Hockey League (NHL) initiative, provides under-served kids in the Greater Pittsburgh Area the opportunity to learn and play hockey at no cost. The Steel City Icebergs, meanwhile, is an adaptive program for both children and adults with the developmental disabilities such as autism, Down Syndrome and traumatic brain injuries.

Both organizations had an opportunity to skate with the members of the RMU men’s ice hockey team as part of the festivities.

★ In April of 2013, the RMU men’s hockey team announced the addition of Sam Zimmerman through the Team IMPACT Foundation at a press conference at the RMU Island Sports Center. A native of Bethel Park, Pa., Zimmerman has been battling a massive brain infection for over a year but is on the road to a full recovery. He spent time in the Robert Morris locker room and met many of the current student-athletes before the press conference while receiving an RMU jersey and an autographed stick. Team IMPACT, a non-profit chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening diseases, helps children get drafted into local college athletic programs and become an official member of the team for the duration of their treatment and beyond.

★ The Robert Morris SAAC, in conjunction with the Duquesne SAAC, sponsored its second annual food drive when the Colonials and Dukes squared off on the gridiron November 3, 2012, at Joe Walton Stadium. Items collected by both groups were turned over to the West Hills Food Pantry in Moon Township, Pa., a nonprofit charitable organization that serves between 150 and 200 families in the community and has never closesd in its 22 years of operation. Combined, the SAAC’s between RMU and Duquesne donated over 3,000 items to the West Hills Food Pantry.

The top four programs that made contributions to the food drive from Robert Morris were men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer and softball. The RMU softball team led the way with 588 items.

★ The Robert Morris men’s hockey team partnered with the Bakersfield Condors and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL to raise awareness for men’s cancer after former RMU forward Chris Kushneriuk (2008-11) was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The Colonials contributed through sales of a bracelet emblazoned with “Krush Cancer” and also held a Men’s Cancer Awareness Weekend when it hosted Bentley at the RMU Island Sports Center in November of 2012, accepting donations at both games. Together, RMU, Bakersfield and Wheeling have raised over $20,000 to benefit Kushneriuk. In August of 2013, Kushneriuk became a Stage 4 cancer survivor and was cleared to play hockey again.

BATTLE FOR THE BOOKS ★ The Robert Morris University men’s and women’s basketball teams again took part in the Battle for the Books throughout the course of the 2012-13 season. Made possible by a grant from the Northeast Conference, the two programs provided over 10,000 local youth in RMU’s eight immediate public school districts the opportunity to experience NCAA Division I basketball while assisting their schools. As part of the Battle for the Books, students in 20 area schools were provided with “Admit 2” vouchers to every home regular season men’s and women’s basketball game for the 2012-2013 season. The school with the highest number of vouchers redeemed received $1,000 for their school library. The school with the second highest percentage of vouchers redeemed received $500 for their library. Elementary schools in the Moon Area District took home the top two prizes, Hyde (first) and Brooks (second).

Over 500 vouchers were redeemed.

MOVEMBER ★ The Robert Morris men’s hockey and men’s lacrosse teamed up in November of 2012 to support Movember, which is responsible for raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. The members of the two teams sprouted mustaches and registered at Movember.com, raising funds and selling specially designed t-shirts.

Of the nearly 14,000 teams registered at Movember. com, “Bobby Mo Bros”, a combination of the RMU men’s hockey and lacrosse squads, ranked among the top one percent nationally in terms of money raised. Even RMU President Dr. Greg Dell’Omo got involved, and in total, Bobby Mo Bros raised $15,102, ranking 111th in the country.

DR. GREG DELL’OMO

Student-Athlete Profile

UNA JAPUNDZA (Sr.) Volleyball ★

★ For the second straight year the RMU football program took part in a special community service project by participating as volunteers in the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Special Olympics Bowling Sectional at AMF Lanes in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. A total of 20 student-athletes interacted with the Special Olympics bowlers in addition to serving as lane monitors and scorekeepers during the competition. In addition, the football team conducted a blood, book and toy drive in conjunction with the program’s annual spring game, and team members also paid a visit to patients at Children’s Hospital as part of its community outreach.

★ The Robert Morris women’s basketball team hosted its second “Elementary School Game”, a 71-69 victory over Bryant at the Charles L. Sewall Center Jan. 7, 2013. More than 500 students from the Moon Area School District attended the game.

★ Throughout the course of the 2012-13 season, both the RMU men’s and women’s ice hockey teams held various community programs. Included this year were four “Skate with the Colonials” nights, which were free to fans that brought their own skates. Robert Morris also hosted Boy and Girl Scout Nights, giving free admission to scouts, and a Skate for the Cure.

★ The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics teamed up the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots initiative for the fifth consecutive year, raising $255 and collecting a record 222 toys. Colonial fans who donated a toy were given free admission to five different RMU home intercollegiate athletic events, including football, men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s ice hockey.

★

At a doubleheader against Quinnipiac at the North Athletic Complex in May, the RMU softball team hosted a “Strike Out ALS” event, raising money through a variety of initiatives. All proceeds were donated to the ALS Association to help fight “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” and the event was held in honor of former RMU mathematics professor Mark Ciancutti, who passed away in November of 2012 from the disease. Ciancutti received his Ph.D. in statistics from Carnegie Mellon University in 1981 and taught mathematics and statistics at Robert Morris for 30 years.

★ Robert Morris continued its popular youth soccer clinics, which are held each spring at the Western Area YMCA and annually draws over 100 participants.

★ Free youth basketball clinics, which were sponsored by Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services Airport Office in the fall and Heritage Valley Health System in the spring, continue to be one of the highlights of RMU’s community service program.

The clinics teach approximately 200 youths annually the game of basketball, and the 2012 fall clinic included a canned food drive that donated over 100 nonperishables to the West Hills Food Pantry.

★ The RMU Adopt a Highway litter cleanup project is in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Robert Morris has been part of the program since 1996, and every year, Colonial student-athletes on two occasions clean a two-mile stretch on I-376 in Moon Township.

Selected as the 2013 Northeast Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, sharing the honor with Carly Thibault of the Monmouth basketball squad.

★

Sponsored by the NEC’s Faculty Athletic Representatives, the NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year is given annually to the male and female student-athlete that has exhausted their eligibility, graduated an posted the highest cumulative GPA in the conference at the conclusion of the academic year. Japundza maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA as a management major.

★

Selected as the inaugural female student-athlete recipient for owning the highest cumulative GPA as a graduating senior at the annual RMU All-Sports Banquet.

★

A three-year letterwinner and team captain for Robert Morris in 2012, Japundza appeared in 56 career matches, compiling 37 kills, 102 digs, 41 blocks and 30 service aces.

★

Honored with the 2013 RMU Presidential Transformation Award, the University’s highest undergraduate honor. The award is given annually to a graduating student who has been transformed by his or her experience at RMU and was engaged in learning, leadership and community service, therefore transforming Robert Morris in the process.

★

Recipient of the Outstanding Management Student of the Year in 2012-13.

RMU all-sports banquet Robert Morris University

The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics honored its student-athletes for the 2012-13 school year at its 19th annual All-Sports Banquet, held at the Charles L. Sewall Center in April of 2013.

Led by master of ceremonies Chris Shovlin, the play-by-play voice of Colonial athletics for the last 26 years, Robert Morris presented most valuable player plaques to each of its 23 intercollegiate sports, while 12 individuals and one team were also honored, respectively, with the Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award, Highest Grade Point Average Award, Most Outstanding Senior Female and Most Outstanding Senior Male Award, the fifth annual Strength & Conditioning StudentAthlete of the Year accolade and StudentAthlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Award.

Garnering the Presidential ScholarAthlete Award, presented by RMU President Dr. Greg Dell’Omo, were senior Casey Folga of the women’s track & field team and senior Brad Banas of the football squad. Folga posted a 3.95 cumulative grade point average as an early childhood education major, while Banas compiled a 3.96 cumulative GPA as an engineering major.

In a new honor at the 2013 All-Sports Banquet, awards for owning the highest cumulative GPA were bestowed to a senior female and male student-athlete. Taking home the accolade were Una Japundza of the volleyball team and Ben Ridgeley from football.

Also awarded by Dr. Dell’Omo, Japundza maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA as a

management major throughout her career at Robert Morris, while Ridgeley carried a 3.97 cumulative GPA as an actuarial science major.

The RMU women’s cross country team earned the Team GPA award, presented

by Robert Morris Assistant Director of Athletics Ryan Fleischer. The Colonials posted a 3.79 team GPA during the 201112 academic year, the highest of RMU’s 23 Division I programs.

The winners of the fifth annual Strength & Conditioning Student-Athletes of the Year were presented to a male and female

by RMU head strength & conditioning coach Todd Hamer. Senior Mike Keegan of the lacrosse team earned the male honor, while the female award went to senior Britta Grafton, who played for both the RMU basketball and softball squad.

Presented by SAAC President and men’s soccer MVP Toba Bolaji, earning the annual SAAC Award were seniors Cobina Delaney and Kristen DiCiocco of the women’s ice hockey team.

Taking home the RMU Athletic Director Appreciation Award, handed out by RMU Senior Associate Athletic Director Marty Galosi, was RMU Director of IT Customer Service Dennis Jochmann.

Awarded annually to an individual or individuals from outside the athletic department that displays exemplary service, Jochmann is present at many athletic events throughout the course of a season both as a fan or to help with various information technology needs.

Galosi also handed out the honor of

Outstanding Senior Female to DiCiocco and Co-Outstanding Senior Male to Nolan Nearhoof from football and Velton Jones of men’s basketball.

A total of 30 student-athletes were honored with MVP plaques at the 2013 All-Sports Banquet.

★ ★ ★ RMU Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2013 The 22nd annual class of inductees into the Robert Morris University Athletic Hall of Fame was comprised of four former student-athletes as well as The Voice of the Colonials, each of whom have left an indelible mark on their respective programs.

The five members to join the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame as the Class of 2012 were Stephanie Kuhn (track & field/ soccer; 2004-07), Keri Meyer (softball; 2003-06), Darcey Miller (volleyball; 2001-04), Chris Shovlin (Radio Play-byPlay Announcer; 1987-present) and Ray Thomas (football; 1997-2000).

Each of the five inductees were enshrined into the Robert Morris Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of RMU’s 37-31 victory over Central Connecticut State Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 at Joe Walton Stadium.

The RMU Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to honor those who have made an outstanding contribution to Robert Morris University athletics.

Nominations are solicited and individuals selected by the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame committee. Players, coaches and administrators are eligible for selection five years after they have concluded their career at Robert Morris.

The Class of 2012 brings membership in the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame to 98.

Brianne McLaughlin Olympic Bound (Again) Former RMU women’s hockey goaltender Brianne McLaughlin will make her second appearance in the Olympics after being named to the 25-player national team roster by USA Hockey in June of 2013.

The event marks McLaughlin’s fifth time competing in an international competition for the U.S. women’s national hockey team, as she was part of the 2011 and 2013 teams that won gold at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Women’s Championships as well as the 2012 squad that won silver. McLaughlin also collected a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

In her four years at Robert Morris, McLaughlin established an NCAA career record with 3,809 saves and also owns program records for saves per game (31.74) and shutouts (8). A four-time All-College Hockey America honoree, McLaughlin spent the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons as an assistant coach with the Colonials.

★ ★ ★ 970 AM ESPN New Flagship Station for RMU Athletics In July of 2013, Robert Morris University and 970 AM ESPN (WBGG) Pittsburgh reached a three-year agreement to broadcast RMU football, men’s basketball and home men’s ice hockey games beginning in the fall of 2013 and running through the 2015-16 athletic season.

The agreement makes 970 AM ESPN the flagship station and broadcast home for all RMU games in football and men’s basketball as well as for all home games in men’s hockey.

The agreement also includes weekly coaches shows for the three programs, which will take place at various Buffalo Wild Wings as well as other locations in the Pittsburgh region.

Student-Athlete Profile

CHRIS CARPER (Jr.) Men’s Track & Field ★

Became the first student-athlete in program history to qualify for the NCAA Championships, earning Honorable Mention All-America accolades in the javelin after finishing 19th at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, with a toss of 63.96 meters (209’10)”.

★

Rewrote the RMU record book in 2013 in the javelin, establishing six of the top 10 distances in school history, including each of the top five marks.

★

In 2013 season opener @ Wake Forest produced a throw of 70.87 meters (232’6”) to establish a new school record and breaking the old mark by over 15 feet.

★

Claimed the individual title and All-NEC First Team honors while establishing a new Northeast Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships record with a toss of 68.39 meters (224’5”).

★

At the 2013 NCAA East Preliminary Round on the campus of North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C., Carper unleashed a throw of 68.66 meters (225’3”) to finish 12th and advance to the NCAA Championships.

★

Established a facility record in the javelin at the RMU Island Sports Center and claimed the individual championship in the event at the annual Bennie Benson Memorial Invitational with a tally of 68.55 meters (224’11”).