RMU Athletics 2019-20 Annual Report

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

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“Our vision is to win. Win on the court, ice and fields of play, win in the classroom, win in the community and win in the lives of the people we touch. We are going to put our student-athletes in a position where they can have success at the highest levels in academics, athletics and preparation for excellence in life. We are going to proivde opportunities for every student-athlete at RMU to be as successful as they want to be and as competitive as they aspire to be.�

- Chris King, Director of Athletics

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Director of Athletics 2019-20 Highlights

2-4 5-26

UPMC Events Center Opening

6-7

RMU Joins New Conferences

8-9

Competitive Excellence

10

2019-20 All-Conference Honors

11

Fall Seasons in Review

12-15

Winter Seasons in Review

16-23

Spring Seasons in Review

24-26

Academic Success

27-32

Academic Success

28-30

Colonial Leadership Academy

31

Run It Back 2020-21

32

Engagement 33-38

Colonials in the Community

34-36

RMU Athletic Hall of Fame

37

RMU Tribute

38

Investment in Student-Athlete Experience

39-44

Colonial Champions Fund

40-41

Investment in Student-Athlete Experience

42-43

COVID-19 Plan of Action

44

Moving Forward / What’s Ahead

45-53

The Latest Colonials

46-47

Partnership with Old Hat

48-49

Taymar Sales U.

RMU Athlete Network

51

Website Redesign / Gameday App

52

2021 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four

53

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

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A MESSAGE FROM VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS CHRIS KING This past June marked one full year since my first day as the Director of Athletics at my alma mater. We are proud of our department’s progress and the solid foundation we are laying for the growth of RMU athletics throughout the region. From my first day on campus, we have spearheaded an array of initiatives to improve the experiences of our student-athletes and work towards the identified goal of RMU athletics becoming the most visible marketing tool and front porch for the university. Throughout every accomplishment and initiative, we continue to recognize the importance of the student-athlete and the responsibilities and significance that RMU athletics holds for the university and the community. Our President, university administration, departmental staff and coaches and our student-athletes have driven the progress as we head into the 2020-21 academic year.

My first year back at Robert Morris was a period of evaluation and assessment for our coaches and staff, as we analyzed new strategies to improve our department. The 2019-20 academic year gave us the opportunity to launch many new initiatives and establish a solid foundation for RMU athletics that opens the door for great success in the future. I’m very grateful to our staff members, who have bought into the concept of our new vision and direction.

I will admit that there were times this past year when I was not sure if we would be able to move forward at such a rapid pace. However, these improvements and advancements are a direct reflection of the hard work, dedication and support of the university administration and department staff. I feel very fortunate to work with colleagues who, honestly, have endured a lot of change and uncertainty during this unprecedented period of time, including working through the COVID-19 pandemic. The athletics department staff and coaches have been outstanding in the past year during the leadership transition and eventual pandemic, and I am proud to work alongside them.

The 2019-20 academic year was a momentous year for the Colonials, as evidenced by the continued growth of our athletic department and new achievements that will have a positive impact on our future. The year began with the official opening of the state-of-the art UPMC Events Center. The UPMC Events Center continued to be a focal point for campus and community Colonial pride and excitement. Men’s basketball opened its home season on ESPN to a sell-out crowd against Pitt and ended its year with another home sell-out crowd on ESPN winning the NEC Tournament championship against rival Saint Francis U and secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Evidence of the significance of the competitive advantage of the UPMC Events Center was apparent as RMU volleyball and both basketball programs hosted NEC postseason tournaments in our inaugural seasons.

This past year featured an invitation to join the Horizon League as our primary conference, which we officially joined on July 1. Additionally, we announced plans to join the Big South Conference as an associate football member and the Mid-American Conference as an affiliate women’s lacrosse member. All of these exciting initiatives are going to forever change the scope of RMU athletics in one of the nation’s leading sports regions.

This past year, our student-athletes competed at the highest level and we earned championships as teams and individuals, rewrote numerous school records and totaled a slew of conference honors in our 16 sport programs. More importantly, our student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom, as can be seen in our record department overall grade point average and NCAA and conference academic honors. Overall, our student-athletes had a cumulative departmental grade point average of 3.523 in the spring semester, and an overall GPA of 3.473 for the academic year. Both marks set department records!

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

Our student-athletes and coaches gave back to the community by participating in a variety of community service projects throughout the year. The community service and involvement of our student-athletes and coaches are too numerous to list here, but you will be impressed when you read this expansive list in the following pages.

Additionally, we were honored to partner with our university colleagues to continue to develop campus events that build pride and enthusiasm on our campus.

In addition to the accomplishments of our student-athletes and sport teams, this annual report showcases the support of our 1921 Club donors, corporate sponsors, alumni and campus and community leaders that make all of our success possible. Every day, we are partnering with new businesses and earning new fans and supporters, and their backing provides new opportunities and horizons for our student-athletes. Several loyal donors made significant gifts to aid our cause, and a challenging financial climate made the generous support of all of these private organizations and individuals especially critical for our growth.

All of our efforts and achievements would not be possible without the backing of our Colonial supporters. During the year ahead, we will strive to communicate with more of our fans and generate more avenues for involvement with our athletic program. It is important that we provide outstanding service to our fans and our 1921 Club and Varsity Club donors and provide additional opportunities to share in the success of our RMU student-athletes.

We are dedicated to increasing the resources available to our student-athletes at RMU. Whether through funding athletic scholarships, special projects, facility improvements or enhancing operating budgets in areas such as academic assistance, revenue generation exists as a critical foundation for the success of our student-athletes and the student-athlete experience. The success of the department of athletics brings a positive economic impact to our community and region. These young men and women represent our institution to the highest degree and during the upcoming year, I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and continuing to provide more resources to enhance their opportunities for success.

I would be remiss if I didn’t address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic that suddenly cancelled college athletics during the spring semester. The coronavirus has become a global issue that has had a significant impact on athletic departments across the country, including RMU athletics. The events in March during the basketball and hockey conference tournaments caused incredible concern, confusion and frustration throughout our campus, campuses across the nation, the sporting world, and our world in general. University and athletics administrators were involved in a flood of meetings and conference calls, all aimed at addressing a crisis unprecedented in the history of college sports.

The pace at which everything happened was an emotional rollercoaster - from the excitement and pride of the NEC men’s basketball championship, to the emotions of the cancellation of the NEC women’s basketball tournament and Atlantic Hockey conference tournament, to the eventual cancellation of all winter championships and spring sports seasons and championships. Our guiding principle was to make every decision based on student-athlete safety and welfare. Similar decisions were being discussed at every university and athletic department across the country, from the Power 5 institutions to mid-major institutions and athletic programs.

As a university and department of athletics, our #1 priority is keeping everyone safe and healthy, but the 2019-20 winter and spring seasons ended in disappointment, as we didn’t have the chance to compete in the NCAA Basketball Tournaments and the Atlantic Hockey championship tournament. It’s disappointing our spring sports did not have the chance to finish their seasons and compete in conference and NCAA championships. We hurt for our basketball and hockey programs, spring sports and our senior student-athletes who have placed all of their effort and determination into their respective sports. We are extremely proud of our student-athletes and their cooperation and positive attitude during this challenging and unprecedented time.

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In response to the horrific injustices we have watched across the country, I want to acknowledge the pain that is felt by our student-athletes, staff, and coaches of color who are affected by systemic racism. We see you, we are listening, we stand beside you, and we commit ourselves to continuing to be and do better.

While we do not presume to have the answers, remaining silent in the face of widespread injustice only perpetuates the problem. It is our responsibility as leaders to educate ourselves in ways that help us all combat injustice. We know that this step begins with self-examination. The well-being of our athletic community starts with each of us, and we are committed to moving forward in a way that supports all members of RMU athletics and the university community. We are stronger together.

I hope you share my pride in the accomplishments of RMU athletics over the past year. As we move into the 2020-21 academic year, I am more excited than ever to be the Director of Athletics at RMU! We have experienced a challenging year with the current pandemic, but have continued to identify areas for improvement and made tremendous progress at establishing much needed advancements. Together, we have laid a solid foundation and developed a strong strategic road map to guide us toward a bright future.

I hope the achievements of the past year inspires you to join our Colonial family and assist our student-athletes, coaches and staff in together building the premier NCAA Division I athletic program that shines brilliantly on our campus, throughout the Pittsburgh region and beyond.

Our vision is to win. Win on the court, ice and fields of play, win in the classroom, win in the community and win in the lives of the people we touch. We are going to put our student-athletes in a position where they can have success at the highest levels in academics, athletics and preparation for excellence in life. We are going to provide opportunities for every student-athlete at RMU to be as successful as they want to be and as competitive as they aspire to be.

We aspire to be the “model” and “standard” athletic department in our respective conferences, contending for championships in every sport, and our vision is for our surrounding communities to be connected to our 16 sport programs. We are excited to reach even greater heights in the future, and we hope you will take the time to enjoy the amazing year for RMU athletics that is documented in the 2019-20 Annual Report.

On behalf of all of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, we thank you for your continued belief and support in our mission and direction.

Sincerely,

Chris King ‘94 Vice President and Director of Athletics

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2019-20 HIGHLIGHTS 2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

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UPMC EVENTS CENTER OPENING Robert Morris University celebrated the opening of the UPMC Events Center Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, by hosting the University of Pittsburgh in its first game at the new facility.

University dignitaries, alumni, boosters and fans came together to commemorate years of planning and honor the latest addition to the RMU campus.

The 161,000-square foot multipurpose facility opened in May of 2019 and is home to the men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball programs and was funded entirely through donations and corporate sponsorships.

FOUNDING PARTNERS The founding partners consisting of Peoples Natural Gas, UPMC, Eat’n Park, Koppers, Pepsi, PNC Bank, PJ Dick and PGT Trucking were able to fund the UPMC Events Center, helping fuel the rising reputation of Robert Morris University.

These Pittsburgh corporations have allowed RMU athletics to grow and reach new heights, and the founding partners have shown enormous generosity by helping support all our student-athletes and the mission of them having a firstclass experience both on and off the court at RMU. Pictured L-R: Matt O’Brien (RMU), TJ Brown (RMU), Chris King (RMU), Luis Guzman (PGT Trucking), Brad Schmitt (Pepsi), Glenn Groninger (PNC Bank), Brett Pitcairn (PJ Dick), Dr. Christopher Howard (RMU), Jeff Broadhurst (Eat’n Park), Jim Hogan (Koppers), Morgan O’Brien (Peoples Natural Gas), Brian Hagen (UPMC), Matt Millet (RMU)

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

A sold out crowd of 4,034 fans packed the UPMC Events Center to watch the Panthers knock off the Colonials, 71-57, in a game televised live nationally on ESPNU. A viewing party was held on the lawn of the Nicholson Center and a postgame fireworks display took place at the conclusion of the game in front of Joe Walton Stadium.

PAT GALLAGHER HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics received its first head coaching announcement, courtesy of a gift to create the Pat Gallagher Head Men’s Basketball Coach.

The gift came from Patrick Gallagher, founder and CEO of PGT Trucking, Inc., a former member of the RMU Board of Trustees and longtime university donor.

“Robert Morris’ success in athletic competition is established on top coaching talent,” said Gallagher. “I am honored to donate to this organization and this program, as I recognize and value the integrity of the coaching leadership at RMU and hope to reinforce these values through the implementation of the head coaching endowment.”

Gallagher made the historic gift to Robert Morris as part of the university’s RMU 100: Ready To Rise comprehensive fundraising campaign, which was unveiled on the day the Colonials hosted Pitt at the UPMC Events Center.

MATT FURJANIC, JR., AND THE 1982-83 MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM LOCKER ROOM Robert Morris honored one of the first teams to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament Feb. 29, 2020, by unveiling the Matt Furjanic, Jr., and the 198283 Men’s Basketball Team Locker Room. Members of the team as well as Furjanic, one of the team’s early coaches, were honored with a ceremony outside the locker room that featured RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris King and RMU Pat Gallagher Head Coach Andrew Toole.

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ROBERT MORRIS JOINS HORIZON LEAGUE Robert Morris University announced in a press conference at

From its fertile beginning as a men’s basketball junior

the UPMC Events Center June 15, 2020, that the Department

college powerhouse to one of the most multi-faceted

of Athletics will join the Horizon League as the Horizon

athletic programs in the Pittsburgh region, over the last

League Board of Directors approved the university’s

44 years Robert Morris has claimed 51 conference regular-

application for membership.

season championships and 52 league tournament titles. A

Beginning July 1, 2020, the Horizon League will have 12 members, including Cleveland State University (Cleveland, Ohio), the University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, Mich.),

total of 14 of RMU’s intercollegiate athletic programs have earned at least one tournament championship, with men’s basketball leading the way with nine.

the University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, Ill.), Indiana

“We are excited for the opportunity to become members

University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Indianapolis,

of the Horizon League,” Robert Morris Vice President and

Ind.), Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, Ky.),

Director of Athletics Chris King ‘94 said. “Aligning ourselves

Oakland University (Rochester, Mich.), Purdue University

with a nationally recognized and well-branded conference

Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Robert Morris, University

such as the Horizon League positions our athletics

of Wisconsin-Green Bay (Green Bay, Wisc.), University of

department to continue to gain national exposure for RMU.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisc.), Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio) and Youngstown State University (Youngstown, Ohio).

“RMU is excited to collaborate with our Horizon League members to meet established conference goals and to actively contribute to broad-based initiatives that serve

In the Horizon League, the Colonials will compete in men’s

to grow the Horizon League on both a regional and

and women’s soccer, volleyball, women’s cross country

national level,” said King. “We are excited about this next

and indoor and outdoor track & field, men’s and women’s

chapter, creating new rivalries and continuing the forward

basketball, men’s golf and softball.

momentum of RMU athletics. I’m confident RMU, located

“This is the next great step forward for our student-athletes and a great day in the history of Robert Morris University,” RMU President Dr. Chris Howard said. “We are excited for the excellent competition that awaits in the Horizon League and for the opportunities it presents for the university.”

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

in one of the country’s most passionate sports cities, will not only be a strong and valued member of the conference athletically, but will also enhance the reputation of the conference through the addition of a national ranking institution with student-athletes who excel academically, athletically and in life.”

RMU JOINS BIG SOUTH AS ASSOCIATE MEMBER Robert Morris University announced in a press conference at the UPMC Events Center June 15, 2020, that the Department of Athletics will join the Big South Conference as an associate member in football beginning in 2021.

Beginning in 2021, the Big South will have five core members with football, including Campbell University (Buies Creek, N.C.), Charleston Southern University (Charleston, S.C.), Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, N.C.), Hampton University (Hampton, Va.) and North Carolina A&T University (Greensboro, N.C.).

“On behalf of the Robert Morris football program we’re thrilled to be joining the Big South in 2021,” RMU head football coach Bernard Clark, Jr. said. “I speak for our coaches and student-athletes that this move will help us elevate the program to new heights. I’d like to thank Commissioner Kallander as well as RMU President Howard and athletic director Chris King for this opportunity.”

In addition, the Big South will feature four associate football-only members institutions, including Monmouth University (West Long Branch, N.J.), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, Ga.), the University of North Alabama (Florence, Ala.) and Robert Morris.

Introduced at Robert Morris June 8, 1993, RMU football has won six Northeast Conference (NEC) titles, including the league’s first five championships from 1996 to 2000, in the program’s 26-year history. In 2010, the Colonials claimed the NEC title and became the first team in NEC history to garner an automatic bid to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs.

RMU JOINS MAC AS AFFILIATE MEMBER Robert Morris University announced June 23, 2020 that the Department of Athletics will join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as an affiliate member in women’s lacrosse in 2020-21.

Beginning in 2021, the MAC will have six members with women’s lacrosse, including core institutions Akron (Akron, Ohio), Central Michigan (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) and Kent State (Kent, Ohio) and affiliate members Detroit-Mercy (Detroit, Mich.), Robert Morris and Youngstown State (Youngstown, Ohio). The following year, Eastern Michigan (Ypsilanti, Mich.) will add women’s lacrosse to increase MAC membership to seven for the 2021-22 academic year.

“We’re extremely excited to become an affiliate member of the Mid-American Conference,” RMU women’s lacrosse Katrina Silva said. “We’re looking forward to creating new rivalries within the league and continuing to grow the sport of women’s lacrosse. I’d like to thank Chris King and MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher for this opportunity. We can’t wait to get started.”

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COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE From its fertile beginning as a men’s basketball junior college powerhouse to one of the most multi-faceted athletic programs in the Pittsburgh region, over the last 44 years Robert Morris has claimed 51 conference regular-season championships and 52 league tournament titles. A total of 14 of RMU’s intercollegiate athletic programs have earned at least one tournament championship, with men’s basketball leading the way with nine.

During the 2019-20 athletic season, the RMU volleyball and women’s basketball programs claimed Northeast Conference (NEC) regular-season championships, while men’s and women’s basketball each were crowned NEC Tournament champions.

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

2019-20 CONFERENCE HONORS MAJOR AWARDS

ATLANTIC HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (AHA)

FOOTBALL

MEN’S ICE HOCKEY (2020)

Bernard Clark – 2019 NEC Coach of the Year (Co-)

Justin Kapelmaster – All-AHA Second Team

Robert Morris – 2019 NEC Team Sportsmanship Award

COLLEGE HOCKEY AMERICA (CHA)

VOLLEYBALL Emma Granger – 2019 NEC Player of the Year

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY (2020)

Dale Starr – 2019 NEC Coach of the Year

Emily Curlett – All-CHA First Team Jaycee Gebhard – All-CHA First Team

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Charlies Buscaglia – 2020 NEC Brenda Reilly Coach of the Year

Lexi Templeman – All-CHA Second Team Raygan Kirk – All-CHA Rookie Team Maggy Burbidge – All-CHA Rookie Team

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE (NEC) MEN’S SOCCER (2019)

FOOTBALL (2019)

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (2020)

Matt Cillo – All-NEC Second Team

Nick Bisceglia – All-NEC First Team

Nneka Ezeigbo – All-NEC First Team

Matthew Gonzalez – All-NEC First Team

Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu – All-NEC Second Team

Mason Gray – All-NEC First Team

Isabella Posset – All-NEC Third Team

WOMEN’S SOCCER (2019) Kristina Kelley – All-NEC Second Team

Alijah Jackson – All-NEC First Team

Sheridan Reid – All-NEC Rookie Team

Aniello Buzzacco – All-NEC Second Team

WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD (2020)

Trevor Hicks – All-NEC Second Team

Kaitlyn Hawkins – All-NEC Second Team (pole vault)

Heavon Price – All-NEC Second Team

Estelle Katende – All-NEC Second Team (shot put)

Bussy Remaley – All-NEC Second Team

Yessie Valencia – All-NEC Second Team (weight throw)

VOLLEYBALL (2019) Maria Alfano – All-NEC First Team Emma Granger – All-NEC First Team Whitney Brown – All-NEC Second Team

Alijah Caul – All-NEC Rookie Team (weight throw)

MEN’S BASKETBALL (2020) AJ Bramah – All-NEC Second Team Josh Williams – All-NEC Second Team

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VOLLEYBALL SEASON IN REVIEW • Led by 10th-year head coach Dale Starr, Robert Morris posted an overall record of 25-5 (.833) in 2019, including a mark of 15-1 (.938) in the Northeast Conference • The Colonials claimed their first NEC regular-season championship in 11 years and sixth overall in 2019 • RMU opened the season 10-0, becoming the second program in athletic department history to win each of its first 10 games of the season NIKOLETTE ZANOLLI

• In the first athletic event at Peoples Court at the UPMC Events Center, the Colonials posted a 3-0 win over Manhattan August 30, 2019, as part of the RMU Sheraton Invitational • Junior middle blocker Emma Granger, named the 2019 NEC Player of the Year, paced Robert Morris in kills (385), attack percentage (.381), service aces (60) and blocks (160)

MARIA ALFANO

• Granger led the NEC in attack percentage and per set averages in service aces (0.56) and blocks (1.60) while ranking third in the circuit in kills (3.64) • Junior middle blocker Maria Alfano, who earned a spot on the 2019 All-NEC First Team, provided the Colonials with 262 kills, a .365 attack percentage and 109 blocks • Alfano ranked second in the NEC in blocks per set (1.15) and attack percentage while ranking seventh in kills per set (2.76) • Junior setter Whitney Brown was named to the 2019 AllNEC Second Team after leading the NEC in assists per set with an average of 10.06 • Sophomore libero Nikolette Zanolli finished with a teamhigh 498 digs in 2019, an average of 4.63 per set that was good enough to rank second in the NEC • Four Colonials eclipsed 200 kills in 2019, as joining Granger and Alfano were sophomore outside hitters Alyssa Hudak (261) and Lauren Kolenik (244)

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

WHITNEY BROWN EMMA GRANGER

2019 NEC COACH OF THE YEAR In a vote of league head coaches, Dale Starr was named the 2019 NEC Coach of the Year Nov. 21, 2019. He led the Colonials to an overall record of 25-5 (.833) in 2019, including a 15-1 (.938) mark in the NEC. Starr guided RMU to a school record for conference wins and is the fourth coach in program history to earn the honor as well as the first since 2008. Robert Morris led the NEC in 2019 in attack percentage (.244) and with per set averages in blocks (2.79), service aces (1.66) and digs (16.80).

EMMA GRANGER: CREATING A LEGACY In just three seasons, middle blocker Emma Granger has solidified herself as one of the best in program history to play the position. Granger was a key component to a 2019 Robert Morris team that claimed its first NEC regular-season championship in 11 years. A look at some of her accomplishments …

• Named the 2019 NEC Player of the Year, earned a spot on the 2019 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Northeast Region Honorable Mention Team and was tabbed a 2019 VolleyballMag.com Honorable Mention All-American • Granger is the first student-athlete from Robert Morris to be earn all-region honors from the AVCA as well as the first to earn All-American status from VolleyballMag.com • In 2019 led the NEC in attack percentage (.381) and service aces and blocks per set averages of 0.56 and 1.50, respectively • Finished third in the NEC in kills per set (3.64) in 2019, posting a conference-high 389 • Nationally, Granger ranked sixth in blocks per set, ninth in aces, 23rd in points per set (5.03), and 33rd in hitting percentage • In 2019 established an RMU single-season record for blocks (160) as well as establishing a new career mark for service aces (174) • Named the Molten/NEC Player of the Week seven times in 2019, setting a new conference record • During the course of the 2019 season posted five of the top 10 highest point totals in single-match history, including a record 33 points in a 3-2 victory over Central Connecticut at the UPMC Events Center Nov. 8, 2019 • One of three student-athletes in Robert Morris program history to be named to the All-NEC First Team three times, joining former middle blockers Katie Noble and Amanda Graham and former outside hitter Megan Bell • Enters her senior season in 2020 with 1,008 career kills, which ranks just outside the top 10 in program history, while ranking third in attack percentage (.340) and seventh in blocks (373)

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FOOTBALL SEASON IN REVIEW • Under the direction of second-year head coach Bernard Clark, Jr., Robert Morris posted an overall record of 7-5 (.583), including a mark of 6-1 (.857) in the Northeast Conference • The Colonials clinched their first winning season since 2010, winning seven of their final nine games after opening the year 0-3 • For the first time in program history, RMU was honored with the 2019 NEC Team Sportsmanship Award, which is given to acknowledge the team in each conference sport that, in the opinion of its peers, most closely demonstrates good sportsmanship based on NEC Principles of Sportsmanship and Standards Conduct • A total of eight student-athletes earned All-NEC recognition in 2019, the most since 2013 • Redshirt sophomore running back Alijah Jackson, named to the 2019 All-NEC First Team, ranked second in the league in rushing and third in all-purpose yards with per game averages of 88.3 and 103.5, respectively

MATTHEW GONZALEZ

ANIELLO BUZZACCO

• Senior tight end Matthew Gonzalez led the Robert Morris receiving corps in 2019 with 34 catches for 563 yards and four touchdowns, earning All-NEC First Team and STATS FCS AllAmerica Third Team honors • Gonzalez concluded his career with the Colonials with 96 receptions for 1,473 yards and 17 touchdowns, ranking fifth alltime in both catches and receiving yards and fourth in touchdown catches • RMU featured the top two producers in tackles in the NEC in 2019, with sophomore linebacker Aniello Buzzacco leading the conference with 131 and redshirt senior defensive back Mason Gray finishing second with 108 • Gray, a 2019 All-NEC First Team selection, tied an NCAA FCS single-game record by returning two interceptions for a touchdown in a 41-21 victory over Duquesne at Joe Walton Stadium Nov. 9, 2019 • Junior kicker Nick Bisceglia tied for the NEC lead in field goals (12) and was a perfect 33-for-33 in point after attempts en route to earning 2019 All-NEC First Team accolades

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

GEORGE MARTIN

2019 NEC CO-COACH OF THE YEAR In a vote of league head coaches, Bernard Clark, Jr. was named the 2019 NEC Co-Coach of the Year Nov. 27, 2019. In one of the greatest turnarounds in program history, Clark, who was also named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, helped guide the Colonials to an overall record of 7-5 (.583), including a mark of 6-1 (.857) in the NEC. RMU won seven of its last nine games of the season after starting the year 0-3. Clark is the second coach in program annals to take home the honor, joining Joe Walton (1996, 1997, 1999, 2010).

FALL SEASON IN REVIEW WOMEN’S SOCCER • Robert Morris compiled an overall record of 6-10-2 (.389) in 2019, including a mark of 4-5-1 (.450) in the Northeast Conference • Freshman Sheridan Reid, who was named to the 2019 All-NEC Rookie Team, paced the Colonials in scoring with 13 points thanks to team highs in both goals (5) and assists (3) • Senior forward Kristina Kelley, an All-NEC Second Team selection, and freshman forward Kayla Veloso-Lima each scored four goals for RMU in 2019 • In goal in 2019, junior goalkeeper Sydney Bruckner appeared in all 18 games, recording a 1.17 goals against average and an .833 save percentage

MEN’S SOCCER • Led by head coach Bill Denniston, in his 23rd season leading the Colonials in 2019, RMU posted an overall record of 4-11-2 (.294), including a 3-5-1 (.389) mark in the Northeast Conference • Sophomore midfielder Riccardo Rota led the Colonials in scoring in 2019 with eight points, scoring four goals on the season • Sophomore Matt Cillo, an All-NEC Second Team pick, and freshman Michael Petitti each scored a pair of goals for RMU in 2019, with Petitti adding a pair of assists to finish the year with six points MICHAEL PETITTI

CROSS COUNTRY • Robert Morris placed ninth at the 2019 Northeast Conference Championships in New Britain, Conn., compiling 221 points • Sophomore Martha Gardner recorded the top time for RMU at the NEC Championships, crossing the finish line with a time of 19:06.5 in the five-kilometer course to claim 19th individually • Gardner finished as the top runner for the Colonials in each meet in 2019, with her time at the NEC Championships establishing a personal record SHERIDAN REID

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MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON IN REVIEW • Robert Morris finished with an overall record of 20-14 (.588) in 2019-20 under the guidance of 10th-year head coach Andrew Toole, including a mark of 13-5 (.722) in the Northeast Conference • As the No. 1 seed in the 2020 NEC Tournament, the Colonials claimed their ninth championship with a 77-67 triumph over No. 2 seed Saint Francis U in front of 4,034 fans at Peoples Court at the UPMC Events Center • RMU paced the NEC in three-point field goal percentage (.363), assists (16.53 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.30) while ranking second in turnover margin (+2.03) and third in scoring defense (67.1 ppg) • Redshirt senior guard Josh Williams, named to the 2020 All-NEC Second Team, led RMU in scoring in 2019-20 with an average of 13.6 points per game while adding averages of 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest

JON WILLIAMS

• Junior forward AJ Bramah also earned a spot on the 2020 All-NEC Second Team after supplying Robert Morris with averages of 13.4 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game while converting 56.9 percent (173-for-304) of his shots from the field • Sophomore guard Dante Treacy finished second in the NEC in assists per game (4.50) and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.25) while contributing an average of 8.7 points per contest

AJ BRAMAH JOSH WILLIAMS

• In two seasons in an RMU uniform, Josh Williams knocked down 209 threepointers, which ranks sixth in program history • Junior guard Jon Williams has started each of the 102 games of his career, establishing a new school record for consecutive starting assignments in 2019-20 • Jon Williams averaged 6.3 points and 4.1 assists per game in 2019-20 while shooting 39.6 percent (55-for-139) from beyond the arc, which ranked seventh in the NEC • Senior forward Yannis Mendy provided the Colonials with averages of 8.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 2019-20, converting 55.3 percent (126-for-228) of his attempts from the field • Bramah led the NEC in field goal percentage in 2019-20, while Mendy ranked fourth in the same category • Over the last 13 seasons, RMU has compiled an overall record of 261-185 (.585), an average of 20.1 wins per season • Robert Morris has finished with at least 20 wins five times under Toole, eight times in the last 13 years and 11 times overall in program history

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

YANNIS MENDY

NEC TOURNAMENT • Robert Morris hosted the NEC Tournament as the No. 1 seed for the first time since 2014 and earned a 59-58 victory over No. 8 seed St. Francis Brooklyn in the quarterfinals before posting an 86-66 win over No. 4 seed LIU in the semifinals

MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON IN REVIEW

• In the championship game, sophomore guard Dante Treacy led the Colonials with 18 points and added five assists and a steal in a 77-67 win over No. 2 seed Saint Francis U • Treacy was named the 2020 NEC Tournament MVP after averaging 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals in three games while shooting 65.2 percent (15-for-23) from the field, including 55.6 percent (5-for-9) from beyond the arc • Joining Treacy on the 2020 All-NEC Tournament Team were junior forward AJ Bramah and redshirt senior guard Josh Williams

SAYVEON MCEWEN

• Bramah averaged a team-high 17.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in three games of the NEC Tournament while converting 67.7 percent (21-for-31) of his shots from the field, while Williams averaged 14.3 points and knocked down nine three-pointers in the three victories

DANTE TREACY

ANDREW TOOLE: ESPN 40 UNDER 40 RMU Pat Gallagher Head Coach Andrew Toole ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s annual rankings YANNIS MENDY of 40 college basketball coaches under the age of 40.

Widely recognized as the young coach who led Robert Morris to a win over Kentucky in the first round of the 2013 NIT, Toole has recorded seven winning seasons in 10 years as head coach of the Colonials. He owns a career record of 188-154 (.550) and has guided RMU to a pair of NEC regular-season (2013, 2014) and tournament (2015, 2020) championships, and five national postseason appearances, including the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON IN REVIEW • Led by fourth-year head coach Charlie Buscaglia, RMU posted an overall record of 23-7 (.767), including a mark of 17-1 (.944) in the Northeast Conference • The Colonials claimed their fourth consecutive NEC regular-season championship in 2019-20, becoming the first team to win four in a row since Saint Francis U from 2001 to 2005 • As the No. 1 seed in the NEC Tournament, Robert Morris posted a 65-61 win over Wagner in the quarterfinals before being crowned champions due to the cancellation of the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic • Robert Morris nearly pulled off a historic upset Nov. 5, 2019 in its season opener, falling 66-61 at TCU, who finished just outside the Associated Press and Coaches’ Top 25 polls • Previously 0-37 against BIG EAST opponents, RMU claimed its first win over the conference with a 71-57 home triumph over Xavier Dec. 1, 2019 • RMU led the NEC in scoring defense (52.6 ppg), scoring margin (+12.4), field goal percentage defense (.346), steals (10.6 per game) and turnover margin (+5.57) while ranking second in the conference in three-point field goal percent defense (.266)

NNEKA EZEIGBO

ISABELLA POSSET

• The Colonials ranked fourth in NCAA Division I scoring defense and also ranked in the top 16 in three-point field goal percentage defense, forced turnovers, steals and turnover margin • Senior center Nneka Ezeigbo, a member of the All-NEC First Team, averaged 14.1 points and 8.3 rebounds to lead the Colonials while shooting 48.7 percent (163-for-335) from the field • Junior center Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu, an All-NEC Second Team pick, contributed 9.3 points and a team-high 8.6 rebounds per contest in 201920, leading the NEC in field goal percentage (.557) while ranking third in rebounding • Junior guard Isabella Posset, an All-NEC Third Team selection, finished with averages of 7.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while leading the Colonials in steals with 68 • Posset averaged 2.3 steals per game in 2019-20, which led the NEC, and became the 27th student-athlete in program history to eclipse 100 career steals, becoming the fourth fastest to reach the threshold • Senior guard Honoka Ikematsu averaged 6.2 points per game in 2019-20, leading the Colonials in three-pointers (42) while ranking second in assists (61) • Senior guard Nina Augustin paced Robert Morris in assists, dishing out an average of 2.7 per contest while supplying an average of 5.9 points per game

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

NINA AUGUSTIN IREKPITAN OZZY-MOMODU

COACH OF THE YEAR FOUR-PEAT In a vote of league head coaches, Charlie Buscaglia was named the Brenda Reilly NEC Coach of the Year March 9, 2020 for the fourth consecutive season. The unprecedented fourth top coaching plaudit tied the conference record with league Hall of Famers Bill Sheehan of Mount St. Mary’s (1981-98) and Ed Swanson of Sacred Heart (1990-13). He led the Colonials to an overall record of 23-7 (.767) in 2019-20, including a program-best 17-1 (.944) mark in the NEC to capture a fourth straight league regular-season crown.

Center Nneka Ezeigbo was a consistent force for the Colonials in the post during her four years, helping lead RMU to three NEC Tournament championships as well as the 2018 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). She etched her name in the record book at Robert Morris as one of the most complete student-athletes in school history. A look at some of her accomplishments …

NNEKA EZEIGBO: COMPLETING A LEGACY 2016-2020

• Earned All-NEC honors each of her four years at RMU, being named to the 2017 All-NEC Rookie Team before garnering second team honors in 2018 and twice being named to the All-NEC First Team (2019, 2020) • One of just five Colonials to garner All-NEC accolades each of her four years at Robert Morris, joining Laura Lindak (1989-94), Elise James (1996-00), Aretmis Spanou (2010-14) and Anna Niki Stamolamprou (201317) • Is the only player in program history to be a part of four NEC regular-season championship teams and competed in two NCAA Tournaments (2017, 2019) • In a vote of league head coaches was named the 2019 NEC Defensive Player of the Year and followed that by being named the 2019 NEC Tournament MVP after leading the Colonials to the championship • As a senior in 2019-20 was named NEC Player of the Week four times and was bestowed the plaudit six times in her career • Ranked in the top 10 in the NEC in seven categories as a senior in 2019-20, including seventh in scoring (14.1 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (8.3 rpg) and field goal percentage (.487) • One of four players in program history to accumulate career totals of 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks and 100 steals • Appeared in 125 career games, earning 73 starting assignments, and concluded her career with totals of 1,358 points, 870 rebounds, 109 blocks and 167 steals • Of her 870 career rebounds, Ezeigbo grabbed 364 offensive caroms, in averaging 7.0 rebounds throughout the course of her career, and also shot 48.4 percent (557-for1,150) during her four seasons • Ranks sixth all-time at Robert Morris in scoring, fourth in rebounding, sixth in blocks and eighth in steals • Named the 2020 NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women’s basketball and maintained a 3.61 cumulative grade point average (GPA) while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology • Is set to start her pro career in 2020-21 after signing a contract with Unicaja Malaga of Spain’s Liga Femenina 2 (LF2), becoming the 22nd player in program history to play professionally

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WOMEN’S HOCKEY SEASON IN REVIEW • Under the guidance of ninth-year head coach Paul Colontino, RMU recorded an overall record of 20-12-4 (.611), including a mark of 13-5-2 (.700) in College Hockey America (CHA) • The Colonials advanced to their fourth consecutive CHA Tournament championship game in 2020 • Senior forward Jaycee Gebhard paced Robert Morris in scoring in 2019-20, finishing with 63 points thanks to 20 goals and a team-high 43 assists • Pacing RMU in goals in 2019-20 was redshirt sophomore forward Michaela Boyle, who lit the lamp 22 times on the year and added seven assists to rank fourth in scoring with 29 points • Junior forward Lexi Templeman scored 44 points in 2019-20, while junior defender Emily Curlett concluded the year with 36 points

MAGGY BURBIDGE

EMILY CURLETT

• Gebhard, in addition to being the 2020 CHA scoring champion, and Curlett were named to the 2020 All-CHA First Team, while Templeman earned second team honors • Freshmen Maggy Burbidge and Raygan Kirk each were selected to the 2020 CHA All-Rookie Team • Burbidge finished the year with 15 points thanks to seven goals and eight assists, and she also recorded three game-winning goals in 2019-20 • Kirk saw action in 26 games between the pipes, posting a record of 15-8-1 (.646) to go along with a 2.05 goals against average and a .925 save percentage • Templeman ranked seventh in NCAA Division I in assists per game with an average of 0.92 • Curlett and Gebhard were named NCAA statistical champions, as Curlett scored a nation-leading 13 power-play goals and Gebhard scored a NCAA-high four shorthanded goals • Curlett was also one of six defensemen in NCAA Division I to average a point per game in 2019-20, tying for fifth with Ella Shelton of Clarkson (1.00) • Senior forward Natalie Marcuzzi finished the 2019-20 campaign with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points and concluded her career with 20 goals and 40 points in 139 games

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

RAYGAN KIRK LEXI TEMPLEMAN

BATTLE AT THE BURGH Robert Morris competed in the first Battle At The Burgh, a tournament that took place at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa., and hosted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The field for the first tournament included Wisconsin, Colgate, Northeastern and RMU. After falling to No. 1 Wisconsin on the first day, 3-1, the Colonials earned a dramatic win over Colgate, 6-5, thanks to a goal

by Kyleigh Hanzlik with seven seconds remaining.

JAYCEE GEBHARD: COMPLETING A LEGACY 2016-2020 At the center of RMU’s run the last four seasons at the RMU Island Sports Center has been forward Jaycee Gebhard, who concluded her record-breaking career as the programs’ all-time leading scorer. A look at some of her accomplishments …

• Led College Hockey America (CHA) in scoring her last two seasons in an RMU uniform, including a Robert Morris single-season school record 63 points in 2019-20 • Ranked fourth in NCAA Division I in points per game (1.75) in 2019-20 and with 43 assists in 36 games ranked second in the country in assists per contest (1.19) • In 2019-20 led all of NCAA Division I in short-handed goals (4) • In four seasons at Robert Morris helped lead the Colonials claim three CHA regular-season championships (2017, 2018, 2019) as well as the 2017 CHA Tournament title and the programs’ first automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament • During her four seasons on the active roster, RMU compiled an overall record of 81-39-20 (.650) • Appeared in 136 games, concluding her career with 198 points thanks to 74 goals and a program-record 124 assists • In averaging 1.46 points per game during her career, Gebhard also registered 24 power-play goals, 12 game-winning markers and five short-handed goals • Named both the Outstanding Senior Female and the Presidential Scholar-Athlete at the 2020 RMU Virtual Athletics Award Ceremony • Named to the 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-America® At-Large Second Team, becoming the first women’s hockey student-athlete to be named an Academic All-American as well as the fourth female student-athlete overall in department history NATALIE MARCUZZI

NWHL DRAFT PICKS Seniors Jaycee Gebhard and Natalie Marcuzzi were each selected by the expansion Toronto Six franchise of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) as part of the 2020 Entry Draft. The first pick in Toronto franchise history, Gebhard was selected in the first round (sixth overall). Marcuzzi was selected in the fourth round as the 22nd overall pick. Gebhard later signed a contract to play for Brynas IF of the Svenska damhockeyligan (SDHL), Sweden’s top professional women’s hockey league.

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MEN’S HOCKEY SEASON IN REVIEW • Led by Derek Schooley, in his 16th year at the helm of the Colonials in 2019-20, RMU finished with an overall record of 13-19-5 (.419), including a mark of 11-12-5 (.482) in Atlantic Hockey • Robert Morris took a 2-1 series win over Holy Cross at Colonials Arena at the RMU Island Sports Center in the first round of the 2020 Atlantic Hockey Tournament before having its quarterfinal series at Sacred Heart cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic • Senior Justin Kapelmaster, an All-AHA Second Team pick, appeared in 30 games in net for Robert Morris, posting a 2.52 goals against average as well as a .929 save percentage

NICK PRKUSIC DANIEL MATENUTO

• Junior forward Nick Prkusic led RMU in scoring in 2019-20 with 28 points thanks to 11 goals and 17 assists, both team highs • Senior forward Jacob Coleman registered 21 points for the Colonials in 2019-20, scoring nine goals and notching 12 assists • A total of 11 Colonials scored at least 10 points in 2019-20, including five that finished with 17 points or more • Sophomore forward Justin Addamo finished with 19 points, while senior forwards Daniel Mantenuto and Luke Lynch each scored 17 points • Prkusic was one of three Colonials to score four power-play goals to lead RMU, with junior Nick Jenny and sophomore Aidan Spellacy also recording four

JACOB COLEMAN JUSTIN KAPELMASTER

COLLEGE HOCKEY CLASSIC Robert Morris played Ontario Tech in the 2020 College Hockey Classic Jan. 4, 2020, an exhibition contest held at the historic 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown, Pa. The game marked the first time that an NCAA Division I college hockey team has played at the signature 69-yearold venue. The arena is home of the fictional Charlestown Chiefs from the 1977 cinematic classic ‘Slap Shot’, and has hosted high-level hockey since 1950. Ontario Tech won the game, 4-2.

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

TRACK & FIELD

ROWING & TRACK & FIELD SEASON IN REVIEW ROWING

• RMU finished ninth at the 2020 Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships at Ocean Breeze Complex on Staten Island, N.Y., compiling 36 points

• RMU had its spring season canceled before competing due to the COVID-19 pandemic but competed twice in the fall of 2019 under fifthyear head coach Nelle Stahura

• Juniors Kaitlyn Hawkins and Estelle Katende each earned All-NEC Second Team accolades on the first day of the championships, with Hawkins finishing second in the pole vault (11’11.75”) and Katende claiming silver in the shot put (44’0.75”) • Junior Yessie Valencia posted a toss of 51’8.25” in the weight throw on the second day of the championships to claim All-NEC Second Team honors

• The Colonials opened their 2019-20 season with the Head of the Ohio in Pittsburgh, Pa., with the Lightweight 4+ earning gold with a time of 15:52.2 YESSIE VALENCIA

KAITLYN HAWKINS

KRISTOF SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN FISU FORUM

• RMU hosted its first regatta out of Midge McPhail Boathouse in October of 2019 with the Yinzer Cup, as the Varsity 4 finished first

Junior rower Nicole Kristof was one of two student-athletes from across the country selected to represent the United States at the 2020 International University Sports Federation (FISU) Forum, which took place August 12-16, 2020, in Budapest, Hungary.

Every two years, alternating with Universiade years, the FISU Forum brings together students, officials and other key partners involved in the University Sport Movement with FISU Member Associations. Combining academic sessions with cultural, educational and sporting activities, the FISU Forum is a powerful communication platform for various university sport communities.

• The Robert Morris Lightweight 4+ featured sophomore Molly Rosado as coxswain along with freshmen Kathryn Gronek and Hannah Wandoff, sophomore Mary Woods and freshman Maria Ringo

• The Robert Morris Varsity 4 boat featured Rosado as the coxswain, and she was joined by sophomore Madyson Orlando, junior Madelyn Green, sophomore Marissa Beck and junior Rachel Gress CARLEE SMITH

“It’s a huge honor as well as very humbling because of the opportunity to portray our culture in the best way that I can,” Kristof said. “With the other attendees, I might be the first person from the United States that they’ve ever met, so it will be great to interact with them and learn their culture, as well. Being from a small town, going out of the country is something that I’ve always wanted to do. To have an opportunity like this and make it meaningful is awesome. Studying abroad isn’t always something that a collegiate studentathlete gets the chance to do because of the dedication to our roles in school and with our team, but this is the next best thing.”

An average of 200 participants from over 60 countries take part in the FISU Forum, which includes junior and senior university sports managers, representatives of international sports and non-sports federations. The FISU Forum has been held every two years since 1992, with the 2020 version the 15th since its inception.

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

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MEN’S GOLF SEASON IN REVIEW • Robert Morris had its spring season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic but competed in seven tournaments overall in 2019-20 under 19th-year head coach Jerry Stone • In its only spring tournament, senior Kyle Grube tied for second individually at the Lonnie Barton Invitational in Daytona Beach, Fla. • Grube carded a two-day score of 146 at the Lonnie Barton Invitational, including a 68 (-4) on the final 18 holes CHASE MILLER

• RMU claimed the team title at the Towson Fall Invitational with a team score of 289, two strokes ahead of Youngstown State • Senior Max Palmer claimed the first individual title of his illustrious career, matching a career low with a 68 (-4) • The team title extended a streak of consecutive seasons with a tournament victory to 11, and have won 23 total competitions under Stone’s leadership

KYLE GRUBE

MAX PALMER

COMPLETING A LEGACY

2016-2020

Max Palmer concluded his career as one of the top golfers in program history in 2019-20. In addition to helping lead the Colonials to the 2019 NEC Tournament championship and a bid in the NCAA Tournament, his steady and consistent play helped the Colonials throughout his career. A look at some of his accomplishments …

NEC SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD • Is the only RMU student-athlete in program history to be named NEC Rookie of the Year (2017) as well as NEC Golf of the Year (2019)

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

•

A three-time All-NEC selection (2017, 2018, 2019), Palmer owns the RMU single-season record for top five finishes with five, which came in 2018-19

•

Ranks second all-time at Robert Morris in stroke average (74.07), rounds under par (18) and top five finishes (12)

•

Concluded his career ranked third in program history in top 10 finishes (17)

•

Palmer’s career low round was a 68, which he carded three times as a member of the Colonials

SPRING SEASON IN REVIEW MEN’S LACROSSE • Under the direction of ninth-year head coach Andrew McMinn, Robert Morris recorded a record of 4-2 (.667) before having its season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic • The Colonials opened their 2020 season with a 22-10 victory at Canisius as senior attack Ryan Smith established an RMU singlegame record for points (10) while tying a the single-game mark for goals (8) • Robert Morris closed the season on a three-game winning streak, earning a 15-11 win over High Point in its only home game of the 2020 campaign at Joe Walton Stadium

AUSTIN POPOVICH

• Tied, 10-10, in the closing seconds against Marquette, senior midfielder Brad McCulley scored his third goal of the afternoon with 4.7 seconds to play to lift the Colonials to a victory in what would be their last game of the season

RYAN SMITH

• In six games, Smith led RMU in scoring with 28 points thanks to 17 goals and a team-high 11 assists • Senior midfielder Austin Popovich owned a team-high 18 goals in 2020 and added nine assists to finish second for the Colonials in scoring with 27 points • Popovich finished with a season-high seven points in road victories over Canisius and Detroit Mercy

BRAD MCCULLEY

FROM BOBBY MO TO PRO In 2020, Robert Morris had the highest representation of any college or university in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), with a total of 11 former Colonials playing for 10 different teams. Tyson Gibson, a 2019 alumnus, made history by being selected with the number one overall pick by the expansion New York Riptide in the Entry Draft Sept. 17, 2019. Gibson was later named NLL Rookie of the Year, and competed for the Philadelphia Barrage in the 2020 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) summer season.

• In the win over the Golden Griffins, Popovich notched five goals and a pair of assists, while he compiled four goals and three helps in the triumph over the Titans • Smith will return in 2021 and enters the season ranked sixth alltime in program history for career points (146), goals (94) and assists (52) • Junior attack Corson Kealey played in three games in 2020, scoring a goal and adding two assists and will enter 2021 ranked 10th all-time in program history for points per game (2.39)

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SPRING SEASON IN REVIEW WOMEN’S LACROSSE • RMU posted an overall record of 5-2 (.714) in 2020 under thirdyear head coach Katrina Silva before having its season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic • The Colonials were a perfect 4-0 at Joe Walton Stadium in 2020 and enter the 2021 campaign with a nine-game winning streak at home dating back to the 2019 season DANA VATAKIS

• Senior attack Mackenzie Gandy owned a team-high 36 points for Robert Morris in 2020, racking up team highs in both goals (19) and assists (17) • Mackenzie’s twin sister, senior attack Melanie Gandy, finished second for RMU in scoring in 2020 with 31 points courtesy of 16 goals and 15 helpers

NATALIE HIGGINS

SOFTBALL • Led by second-year head coach Jexx Varner, Robert Morris finished with an overall record of 8-11 (.421) in 2020 before having its season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic

MACKENZIE GANDY

• RMU took part in four tournaments in 2020, including the Blue Hose Invitational, the Runnin’ Bulldog Softball Tournament, the Seahawk Softball Challenge and the Clearwater Spring Break Invitational

• The Colonials established a season high in goals with 18 in backto-back home victories over Kent State and Akron at Joe Walton Stadium • Senior goalkeeper Katelyn Miller finished the 2020 campaign with a 5-2 (.714) record and registered 48 saves for the Colonials

• Senior Natalie Higgins hit .349 (22-for-63) for the Colonials in 2020 while starting all 19 games, leading the team in doubles (6) while tying for the team lead in home runs (3) and RBI (12)

• In its final contest of the 2020 season, a 15-8 win over Butler at Joe Walton Stadium, Mackenzie Gandy posted a season-high eight points thanks to five goals and three assists

• Senior Madison Riggle also hit three home runs and drove in 12 for Robert Morris while hitting .308 (16-for-52) on the year

• Mackenzie Gandy, who will return for the Colonials in 2021, ranks second all-time in school history with 176 points and is just four shy of becoming the program’s scoring leader

• Senior outfielder Briana Bunner paced the Colonials in runs (10) in 19 games and on the season hit .339 (20-for-59) • Over her four-year career, Bunner started each of her 151 games and provided a .265 average (121-for-457) to go along with 34 doubles, seven home runs and 59 RBI KATELYN MILLER

• Higgins is tied for fourth all-time in program history with 35 career doubles, while Bunner ranks sixth • From the circle, sophomore Dana Vatakis appeared in 12 games, including 10 starts, and posted an earned run average of 2.54, striking out 46 in 69 innings • Higgins will return for Robert Morris in 2021 and in owning a career batting average of .317 (152-for-480) will look to become just the fourth student-athlete in program history to accumulate 200 career hits • In her final season with the Colonials in 2020, senior Taryn Miller started all 19 games, producing a .321 (17-for-53) average with four doubles and six RBI

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

MELANIE GANDY

ACADEMIC SUCCESS 2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

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ACADEMIC SUCCESS COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS Junior setter Whitney Brown of the volleyball program was named to the 2019 Academic All-America® Second Team according to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), while senior forward Jaycee Gebhard of the women’s hockey team was named to the 2019-20 CoSIDA Academic All-America® At-Large Second Team.

Brown has maintained a 3.99 cumulative GPA as a biology major and became the second RMU volleyball studentathlete to earn Academic All-America honors. She is also the first junior female student-athlete to garner the academic accolade.

Gebhard graduated from RMU with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in May of 2020 with a cumulative GPA of 3.94 and is the first women’s hockey student-athlete in school history to garner Academic AllAmerica accolades.

Brown and Gebhard become the third and fourth female student-athletes, respectively, in athletic department history to be named an Academic All-American by CoSIDA, joining former volleyball student-athlete Amanda Graham (2010) and softball standout Annie Dubovec (2011).

RMU COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA® FIRST TEAM Name Sport Year Annie Dubovec Softball 2011 Nick Faraci Football 2015 Ray Gensler Football 2006 Jonathan LeDonne Football 2004 Nolan Nearhoof Football 2012 Adam Wollet Football 2018 COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA® SECOND TEAM Name Sport Year Brad Banas Football 2012 Whitney Brown Volleyball 2019 Nick Faraci Football 2014 Jaycee Gebhard * Ice Hockey 2020 Ray Gensler Football 2005 Amanda Graham Volleyball 2010 Christian Lemke Track & Field 2004 Nolan Nearhoof Football 2010, 2011 Adam Wollet Football 2017

WHITNEY BROWN

COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA® THIRD TEAM Name Sport Year Zac Lynch * Ice Hockey 2014 * At-large selection

JAYCEE GEBHARD

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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

ACADEMIC SUCCESS • As a department, Robert Morris posted a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.476 among its 16 Division I programs in 2019-20, with a total of 15 of RMU’s 16 programs finishing with team GPA’s of 3.00 or higher.

ALEX MINFORD

NNEKA EZEIGBO

• The RMU volleyball and women’s basketball programs claimed Northeast Conference (NEC) Team GPA awards for posting the highest team GPA in the league during the 2019-20 academic year. Volleyball posted a 3.894 team GPA during the 2019-20 academic year, the highest team GPA among all athletic programs in the NEC. Women’s basketball recorded a team GPA of 3.767 in 2019-20 to claim its fourth consecutive NEC Team GPA Award honor.

• With its team GPA of 3.767, the RMU women’s basketball program earned the No. 3 ranking in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 Division I Honor Roll for the second season in a row. The Colonials are the only Division I team and one of two teams overall to claim a top-four ranking in four consecutive years, coming in at No. 3 in 2018-19, No. 4 in 2017-18, and No. 2 in 2016-17.

• Overall, nearly 70 percent of all of RMU’s 420+ student-athletes posted a 3.00 or higher grade point average in 2019-20.

LEXI TEMPLEMAN

• Whitney Brown and Jaycee Gebhard were also named to the CoSIDA Academic AllDistrict II Team, and the pair were joined by Alex Minford and Conner Mundy from football, Sean Giles of men’s hockey and Lexi Templeman from women’s hockey.

• The 2019-20 academic year featured 84 Robert Morris student-athletes that were named to the 2019 NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, 35 to the 2020 NEC Winter Academic Honor Roll and 88 to the 2020 NEC Spring Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible, a student-athlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher.

CONNOR MUNDY

• Robert Morris placed 35 student-athletes on the 2019 NEC Fall Commissioner’s Honor Roll, 18 to the 2020 NEC Winter Commissioner’s Honor Roll and 33 to the 2020 NEC Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll. To be eligible, a student-athlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better.

• A pair of RMU student-athletes were named the NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in their respective sports, as Whitney Brown earned the honor for volleyball and Nneka Ezeigbo garnered the award for women’s basketball.

SEAN GILES

COURTNEY KOLLMAN

• Robert Morris led College Hockey America (CHA) with four 2020 CHA Student-Athlete of the Year recipients, including Lexi Templeman, Courtney Kollman, Emilie Harley and Joelle Fiala. Each of the four student-athletes posted perfect 4.00 GPAs during the 2019-20 academic year.

• The RMU women’s hockey team featured a league-high 22 student-athletes named to the 2020 CHA All-Academic Team. To qualify for the honor, a student-athlete must point a 3.00 GPA or higher in the academic semester they are competing.

• The Robert Morris men’s hockey squad featured 24 student-athletes tabbed to 2020 Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team. To qualify for the honor, a student-athlete must post a 3.00 GPA in the academic semesters they are competing.

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ACADEMIC SUCCESS • The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) named a league-high 22 student-athletes from Robert Morris to its 2020 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.

• A total of 15 student-athletes from the RMU rowing team were named 2020 scholar-athletes by the College Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA).

To be considered, a student-athlete must be in their second, third or fourth year of eligibility, must be ranked in the top 50 percent of their team at the conclusion of the 2020 semester and must own a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.

• The Robert Morris women’s basketball and track & field teams were bestowed with NCAA Public Recognition Awards for finishing in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports based on Academic Progress Rate (APR) data. This is the first time women’s basketball has received this honor, while it’s the second consecutive for the women’s track & field team.

• The RMU rowing team had a 31 student-athletes named to the 2020 MAAC Honor Roll. To be eligible, a student-athlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher. Freshmen are eligible for the accolade, and the honor roll is unlike the MAAC Rowing All-Academic Teams announced earlier in the year.

• For the first time in program history, the Robert Morris golf program had three student-athletes named Srixon / Cleveland Golf All-America Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). Seniors Max Palmer and Kyle Grube as well as sophomore Chase Miller were each bestowed the honor. To be eligible, an individual must by a sophomore, junior or senior academically, have a stroke average under 76.0 and main a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher.

• The men’s golf program also received the GCAA Outstanding Team Academic Award and President’s Special Recognition for achieving a 3.5 grade point average or higher. This is the eighth straight season that it received the Outstanding Team Academic Award for posting a 3.0 GPA or better, and the fourth straight campaign collecting President’s Special Recognition.

• Seniors Austin Popovich and Ryan Smith of the RMU men’s lacrosse team were honored by being named 2020 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Warrior and New Balance NCAA Division I Scholar All-Americans. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be in senior academic standing and own a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.

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RMU 2019-20 ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS Name Sport Whitney Brown Volleyball Jaycee Gebhard * Ice Hockey

NNEKA EZEIGBO

COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT II Name Sport Whitney Brown Volleyball Alex Minford Football Conner Mundy Football Jaycee Gebhard * Ice Hockey Sean Giles * Ice Hockey Lexi Templeman * Ice Hockey NEC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Name Sport Whitney Brown Volleyball Nneka Ezeigbo Women’s Basketball

LEXI TEMPLEMAN

CHA STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Name Sport Joelle Fiala Women’s Hockey Emilie Harley Women’s Hockey Courtney Kollman Women’s Hockey Lexi Templeman Women’s Hockey CHASE MILLER AUSTIN POPOVICH

JOELLE FIALA

COLONIAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY The Leroy M. Ball Colonial Leadership Academy (CLA) exists to provide an opportunity for student-athletes to lay the groundwork for a successful collegiate career and productive future post-graduation.

Through engaging speakers, workshops, networking opportunities, and a service-based capstone project, participants will develop and learn under three key pillars of study: •

Self Discovery

•

Professional Development

•

Servant Leadership

This year, the 45 sophomore, junior, and senior student-athletes had the opportunity to build their personal network through one on one interviews with leaders in their chosen career field.

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Robert Morris will return 17 student-athletes across six different programs that had their 2020 spring seasons cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included are eight from the women’s lacrosse program, three for men’s lacrosse, two for softball and track & field and one for rowing.

RMU will welcome back Alyssa Alberghini and Anna Chasovskaia for track & field, Madison Burke, Kelly Colegrove, Mackenzie and Melanie Gandy, Clio Kerr, Shea McArdle, Katelyn Miller and Thalia Zolis for women’s lacrosse and Kyle Grube for men’s golf. In addition, Austin Popovich, James Scane and Ryan Smith will return for men’s lacrosse, Natalie Higgins and Madison Riggle for softball and Kestra Harris for rowing.

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ENGAGEMENT 2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

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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. A number of initiatives took place in 2019-20, highlighted by Building Bridges Through Basketball, held at the UPMC Events Center Jan. 20, 2020.

On the next three pages, you will find highlights of some of the initiatives that RMU participated during the 2019-20 academic year, as well as statistics from the department’s community service involvement.

BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH BASKETBALL In tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first National Day of Service, created to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., student-athletes at RMU hosted the first “Building Bridges Through Basketball” event Jan. 20, 2020. Student-athletes from each varsity sports program invited children and their families from surrounding communities to participate in a sports mini clinic (football, volleyball, lacrosse, softball and rowing), face painting, a pompom craft, fan poster making, a coloring station, poster autograph signings, balloon animals, free popcorn and a special cheering section for young fans and their families. Student-athlete buddies then joined guests to cheer on the Colonials during the men’s basketball game against Sacred Heart.

DATING & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS NIGHT The RMU volleyball team hosted “Dating & Domestic Violence Awareness Night” Oct. 11, 2019 in its match against Fairleigh Dickinson. With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), RMU raised awareness through the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence’s (NRDV) #1Thing campaign, which unites our individual voices while highlighting the power of collective action. The Colonials wore t-shirts during warm-ups that featured the caption “Action + Awareness = Social Change”, raffled off baskets from various generous donors, and collected donations through a toiletry drive with all items being donated to the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

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COLONIALS IN THE COMMUNITY 14TH ANNUAL COLONIAL CLASSIC HOPE FOR THE CURE The RMU women’s lacrosse team hosted its 14th annual “Colonial Classic Hope for the Cure” 7-on-7 tournament on the weekend of Oct. 19-20, 2019 for youth, middle school, high school and club teams. The tournament served as a fundraising and awareness opportunity for those affected by Huntingdon’s Disease, and raised money for two significant charities in the area: The Huntingdon’s Disease Society (Western Pa. chapter) and Glimmer of Hope.

CAREER & EDUCATION DAY The RMU women’s basketball team hosted “Career & Education Day” Nov. 27, 2019 in its game against Pitt-Johnstown. RMU invited local elementary, middle, and high school students to the UPMC Events Center for an academically focused field trip that provided them the chance to visit a college campus.

Representatives from RMU academic departments involved students in learning and interactive displays, and all students, teachers, parents, and more were admitted free for that morning’s game.

FOURTH ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR TOSS The RMU women’s hockey team hosted its fourth annual “Teddy Bear Toss” Dec. 6, 2019 in its game against Mercyhurst. Fans were encouraged to bring a new stuffed toy with the tags still attached, and when Michaela Boyle scored a power play goal in the first period, the fans threw their toys onto the ice. All the items collected were donated directly to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The promotion is entirely organized and executed by student-athletes.

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COLONIALS IN THE COMMUNITY HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER WEEKEND The RMU men’s hockey team hosted “Hockey Fights Cancer” on the weekend of Dec. 14-15, 2019 in its games against Army West Point, becoming the first NCAA hockey program to partner with the American Cancer Society for such an event. The team, which has been affected by cancer in particular with alumni Chris Kushneriuk ‘11 and Nick Chiavetta ‘12 have battled the disease and former associate head coach Mark Workman passing away from the disease in February 2018, wore lavender speciality Hockey Fights Cancerbranded jerseys over the weekend and those game-worn items were available to fans via a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Fans also filled out lavender ‘I Fight For’ placards that were displayed at a media timeout.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEKEND The RMU women’s hockey team hosted “Mental Health Awareness Night” on the weekend of Jan. 17-18, 2020 in its games against Syracuse. In partnership with Never Give Up Radio and Hope Happens Here, the team raised money and awareness to end the stigma surrounding mental health and wore speciality green and purple jerseys. Student-athletes participated in a social media campaign spreading facts about mental health, and the team hosted a mental health discussion panel in Yorktown Hall that included former Pittsburgh Penguins player Tyler Kennedy on the night before the two-game series.

YOU CAN PLAY WEEKEND Both the RMU men’s and women’s hockey teams hosted “You Can Play Weekend” on Jan. 24-25, 2020 during their respective games against American International and Lindenwood. The teams partnered with both the Student Alliance for Equality (SAFE) and the You Can Play Team, and its mission to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans.

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RMU ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME The RMU Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to honor those who have made an outstanding contribution to Robert Morris athletics. Nominations are solicited and individuals selected by the Hall of Fame Committee. Players, coaches and administrators are eligible for selection five years after they have concluded their career at Robert Morris.

Veteran’s choices, those who have concluded their career for at least 20 years, are also considered.

CHRIS KING

CHRIS CARPER

The 29th annual class of inductees into the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame was comprised of five former student-athletes. The Class of 2019 included former student-athletes Chris Carper (track & field; 2010-14), Ray Gensler (football; 2003-06), James Noel (football; 2001-05), Jacek Przednowek (men’s soccer; 2005-07), and Artemis Spanou (women’s basketball; 2010-14).

The class was inducted at the seventh annual RMU Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport, with public recognition taking place at halftime of RMU’s 78-68 victory over Saint Francis U at the UPMC Events Center. The Voice of the Colonials, Chris Shovlin, served as master of ceremonies for the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner.

Class of 2019 Group Photo Cutline Sitting (l-r): Ray Gensler, Jacek Przednowek Standing (l-r): Dr. Christopher Howard, James Noel, Artemis Spanou, Chris Carper, Chris King

JAMES NOEL ARTEMIS SPANOU

JACEK PRZEDNOWEK

RAY GENSLER

CLASS OF 2019

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RMU TRIBUTE IN MEMORIAM

Robert Morris University mourned the loss of two important individuals in 2019-20, including former football coach Dan Radakovich and former men’s lacrosse student-athlete Jack Toomb.

DAN RADAKOVICH

JACK TOOMB

Radakovich passed Feb. 20, 2020, at the age of 84. Born Nov. 26, 1935, and a native of Duquesne, Pa., Radakovich was the first coaching hire made by head coach Joe Walton when the RMU football program was established in 1993. He spent 13 years on the sideline in two different stints (1994, 1996-2007) with the Colonials as both defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

Toomb passed March 16, 2020, at the age of 23. Born Sept. 5, 1996, Toomb was a cornerstone of RMU’s 2018 and 2019 NEC championship sides as a longstick midfielder and defender.

Following graduation, he returned to his high school alma mater, Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, to serve as an assistant lacrosse coach.

Known as the patriarch of “Linebacker U” at alma mater Penn State, Radakovich, affectionately known as “Bad Rad,” left his undeniable mark at the position for RMU. A quick glance at the all-time leaders at Robert Morris for career tackles and eight of the top 10 marks, including each of the top five, are linebackers.

DAN RADAKOVICH

In addition to his work with the linebackers, Radakovich’s fingerprints are all over the top performances in RMU history on defense. In 1994, the first season the Colonials fielded an NCAA Division I-AA (now the Football Championship Subdivision) program, Robert Morris led NCAA Division I in turnover ratio (+17). He was also at the helm of a Robert Morris defense in 1996 that shut out each of its first three opponents. In 1999, the Colonials allowed just 15.6 points per game, which ranked sixth in the country.

“Dan, as much as anybody, is responsible for the building of the Robert Morris football program,” former head coach Joe Walton said. “Any success we had goes equally to him. He was the best on-the-field coach I’ve ever seen.”

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A three-time All-NEC Second Team selection, Toomb ranks third all-time at RMU in games played (65), fourth in groundballs (210), and fifth in groundballs per game (3.23) and caused turnovers (64). He recorded at least 44 groundballs in each of his four seasons, establishing a best of 68 in 2017, and eclipsed 20 caused turnovers with 21 as a senior.

“Jack was a terrific competitor but an even better person,” said Robert Morris men’s lacrosse head coach Andrew McMinn. “His positive, fun-loving personality was infectious and he therefore touched more lives than most of us ever will. There is no way of explaining how much he will be missed but, because of who he was, he will continue to carry on and impact us in so many ways.”

JACK TOOMB

In July of 2020, former RMU teammate Tyson Gibson honored the late Toomb by wearing his last name and number 43 on the back of his jersey during the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) season.

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COLONIAL CHAMPIONS FUND

Announced April 29, 2020, the Colonial Champions Fund is dedicated to funding all aspects of the student-athlete experience, student success and student-athlete welfare and ensures more than just wins and losses. It provides RMU student-athletes with funding for their academic and career pursuits while representing Robert Morris on the field, ice or court. By investing in the most meaningful areas for student-athletes at RMU, donors can assist current and future Colonials with the necessary resources to succeed in competition, the classroom and in career preparation.

The Colonial Champions Fund is made up of six main areas:

The department of athletics is committed to supporting our student-athletes, not just in times of crisis, but during every day of their athletic and academic journey. It is our duty to support our student-athletes to the best of our ability, regardless if they are in the classroom, in competition or at home navigating through a global pandemic. In order to provide the best resources available,

•

Counseling, Mental Health & Wellness Resources

•

Nutrition

now and in the days, weeks and years ahead, we are asking those

•

Sports Performance, Sports Medicine and Strength & Conditioning

who are able to partner with us in making an indelible impact on

•

Academic Support Services and Retention

the lives of our Colonial student-athletes.

•

Recruiting

•

Leadership Development and Career Preparation

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“

Chris King Director of Athletics

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

COLONIAL CHAMPIONS FUND

RMU athletics works directly with RMU’s counseling team to provide direct services for student-athletes who are experiencing symptoms consistent with diagnosable mental health disorders, to those who are seeking ways to optimize their performance in the classroom and in competition, as well as help with everyday life. The need to counsel student-athletes remotely also provides additional considerations and required resources.

NUTRITION RMU athletics is committed to providing the best education and service to support healthy fueling habits and to prepare our student-athletes for healthy life habits post-graduation. The goal is to create student-athlete refueling stations located inside the UPMC Events Center and the RMU Island Sports Center, open for all student-athletes for grab-&-go snacks & drinks.

SPORTS PERFORMANCE RMU athletics is committed to providing our student-athletes with the best medical care, which is evident by our partnership with UPMC as our official medical provider. Colonial student-athletes are treated by the best physicians in Pittsburgh, including full access to the UPMC medical network, along with RMU’s own sports medicine training staff. The sports performance and strength & conditioning program provides our student-athletes with well-rounded, sport specific training throughout the year that allows them to perform to their highest level.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES RMU athletics is committed to the enhancement of a comprehensive athletics academic support program that promotes graduation within four years, increases departmental grade point averages, and facilitates academic progress rates (APR), while maintaining a culture of academic integrity. The department’s current academic projects consist of three major initiatives: an academic staff restructure to address student-athletes’ needs, promote retention of qualified staff, and provide for their professional development; a facilities and academic center upgrade to provide adequate office space for student-athlete academic services staff; enhancement of current technology and the addition of new technology to support student-athletes’ growth and development.

RECRUITING The coaches in each of our 16 intercollegiate athletic programs are tasked with finding and recruiting the best and the brightest student-athletes. Over 65 percent of our 400+ student-athletes hail from outside of the state of Pennsylvania, including over 20 foreign countries. This makes it imperative that our coaches have the resources to travel and find talent anywhere in the world.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RMU athletics is committed to providing our student-athletes with the tools and resources to succeed during their academic careers as Colonials and prepare them for life beyond college athletics. The overall goal is to create individuals who are leaders in competition and in life. Recent donor support towards leadership development and career preparation for our studentathletes led to two major initiatives for RMU athletics: the Leroy M. Ball Colonial Leadership Academy (CLA) and the Robert Morris Athlete Network.

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INVESTMENT IN STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE GENDER EQUITY In the fall of 2019, the RMU Department of Athletics was proactive by making gender equity an organizational commitment. Through an outside consultant, the department conducted a detailed study of institutional and intercollegiate athletics policies and procedures in regard to Title IX gender equity through interviews with coaches, studentathletes, athletic administrators and support area directors.

During the study, the policies and procedures in place were reviewed, analyzed and compared to other institutions of similar size. This data helped RMU athletics define a performance baseline in regard to gender equity.

The study helped provide RMU athletics with recommendations for managing the impact of Title IX and gender equity compliant with budgets, facilities, personnel, competitive excellence and sport sponsorship.

REALRECRUIT

RealRecruit gathers feedback from student-athletes through surveys and real-time reporting tools and serves an integrated hub for administrators and coaches to document and track their responses in one easy and accessible location. RMU leaders immediately recognized how the platform could provide the school with actionable data to make the most informed and best decisions—and advance its student-athlete experience forward.

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“

Once the team heard about the unparalleled levels of new insights it provided into the student-athlete experience, as well as the peace of mind that it gives administrators, implementing RealRecruit at RMU became a no-brainer.

“

The RMU Department of Athletics announced in December of 2019 with with RealRecruit, the leading culture risk-management solution for collegiate athletic departments. The partnership is a reflection of the Colonials’ commitment to program excellence and to strengthening communication between students and staff.

Chris King Director of Athletics

INVESTMENT IN STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE ARMS The RMU Department of Athletics is proud to partner with ARMS Software, which helps athletic departments transform its operations and meet the overall goal of the university’s strategic plan through automation and control.

The fastest growing technology company in college athletics, ARMS Software is currently working with over 250 institutions at the NCAA Division I, II and II levels across the country, with clients such as Clemson, Louisville, North Carolina State and Stanford.

ARMS helps athletic departments create efficiencies, transparency, accountability and overall effectiveness through the entire department.

Student-athletes, coaches and staff have the ability to communicate and stay up to date in a 24/7/365 manner from any device and complete tasks in both real time and in a secure manner. The software also helps as a recruiting tool for coaches and is customizable for any department or coaching staff.

RMU looks forward to automating its processes across all levels of its department of athletics to help springboard coaches and student-athletes to even greater heights of success.

FORWARD PROGRESS An industry leader in NCAA related academics consulting, Forward Progress was employed by RMU to conduct a review of its policies and procedures for certifying student-athlete eligibility and submitting Academic Progress Rate (APR) and Graduate Success Rate (GSR) data.

Forward Progress has assisted numerous schools and conferences in assessing academic support services, compliance operations, strategic planning for improved academic performance and the navigation of NCAA processes. The consulting firm was founded in 2013 by former NCAA Director of Academic and Membership Affairs, John Shukie, and the former NCAA Coordinator of StudentAthlete Development Maricela Shukie.

Forward Progress develops student-athletes, coaches and administrators into successful leaders in life. The firm helps peoples find their voice and purpose through various initiatives, including leadership retreats and programs designed to bring the best out of an individual.

Through student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC), student-athlete and administrator training, Forward Progress has supported over 150 institutions in the mission to grow and graduate student-athletes.

HELPER HELPER Implemented at Robert Morris during the 2019-20 academic year, Helper Helper is an efficient software platform and mobile app that enables student-athletes to easily coordinate and track service hours across the department of athletics.

By logging and keeping track of various initiatives, Helper Helper allows RMU to coordinate, track and report individual and team participation and its impact on the local and regional community. It provides student-athletes and administrators access to certified transcripts of community service volunteer hours that can be referenced at any time for graduation requirements, college applications and resumes.

Helper Helper is committed to ensuring success by engaging volunteers in the community, with over 200 athletic departments throughout the country elevating community service with the program.

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COVID-19 PLAN OF ACTION RMU is committed to the health and safety of its student-athletes, coaches and staff and continues to adhere to the evolving recommendations and requirements of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as local and state health guidelines.

In addition, RMU adheres to the NCAA: Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Developing Standards for Practice and Competition, and at the direction of the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine physicians and the UPMC Sports Medicine Playbook: Return to Sports During COVID-19.

The department of athletics is active with the RMU Ready Plan, which is committed to promoting a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. RMU Ready Plan balances our primary concern for the safety of all members of the RMU community with our mission of providing an engaging on-campus living and learning environment for the students we serve.

The RMU Ready Plan includes masks that are required in all common areas, along with reduced capacity in elevators and spatial indicators and signage indicting limits of the number of occupants in a given space. Indoor recreational facilities will operate with capacity restrictions based on health requirements to main physical distancing, and locker rooms and shared shower facilities will be closed.

All individuals in the RMU community are requested to self-check for COVID-19 symptoms each morning and as frequently as necessary. Any individual exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms must not report to work, class or any university-sponsored event or activity.

Campus visitors must wear masks and observe physical distancing at all times on campus.

Masks must cover both the nose and mouth, and disposable masks must be discarded into the trash after being worn for one day, while cloth face masks must be properly laundered before being used again.

RMU will continue to monitor the evolving guidance of public health agencies and will update this Plan and related protocols accordingly.

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MOVING FORWARD // WHAT’S AHEAD 2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

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THE LATEST COLONIALS CHELSEA BLAKELY Blakely joined the RMU Department of Athletics in August of 2019 as Deputy Director of Athletics, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).

Blakely came to Robert Morris from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where she has spent 10 years, including four as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. She also spent the 2018-19 season as the program’s SWA. While with the Vaqueros, Blakely was involved in strategic planning and oversight of revenue generation, branding, fan experience, digital media, licensing and sports administration. Through marketing and communication strategies, Blakely led the development of an external operations plan designed to increase brand awareness and build brand affinity.

A native of Houston, Texas, Blakely was a volleyball student-athlete for the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA), earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing in 2009. She is the program’s all-time career leader in assists with 3,905.

Two years later, while serving as a graduate assistant with UTPA, she earned her MBA, also in marketing.

In her role at Robert Morris, Blakely is responsible for fostering a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusiveness throughout all levels of the organization and also serves as sport administrator for volleyball, softball and women’s lacrosse.

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Robert Morris welcomed a number of new administrative staff and head coaches to the university in 2019-20. A look at the new Colonials …

KIM GRAHAM

NELLE STAHURA Graham joined RMU as Deputy Director of Athletics, Chief Marketing Officer in August of 2019.

Graham joined the staff at Robert Morris after spending a year at UTRGV as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Operations. In his role with the Vaqueros, Graham managed and oversaw all areas of athletic events and facility operations.

He does the same for the Colonials, directing oversight on event management, facility maintenance, equipment operations, facility master planning, capital projects, food and beverage operations, camps and championships.

Graham also directs the day-to-day operations for several student welfare areas, including sports medicine and strength and conditioning. He will also serve as the sport administrator for football, cross country and track & field, rowing and golf.

During his career in collegiate athletics, Graham served as the Director of Athletics at both Liberty University (19972005) and Shorter University (2015-16). During his time leading the athletic department at Liberty, the Flames won five Big South Conference Sassar Cup Awards as well as the first two Big South Men’s All-Sports Awards. Graham served as Senior Associate Athletic Director at Southeastern Louisiana from 2006 to 2008 before serving in the same capacity at Campbell University from 2008 to 2015.

Graham owns a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and a Master of Arts degree in secondary education, both from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky. An NAIA All-American in football, he was inducted into the Georgetown Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2019.

Stahura was promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Development in June of 2020.

Stahura spent five years as head coach of the RMU rowing program and overall has spent nine years with the program. She was named head coach Oct. 27, 2015, after spending the previous four years as an assistant coach.

During her time as head coach with the Colonials, Stahura helped oversee the development of the Midge McPhail Boathouse on Neville Island, the home for the Robert Morris rowing program. At the 2019 Metro Atlantic Athletic Championships (MAAC), each of the three boats to compete, the Varsity 8, Second Varsity 8 and Varsity 4, advanced to the Grand Final for the first time in program history. The Second Varsity 8 highlighted the championships by earning bronze with a time of 7:26.521.

Stahura, a native of Butler, Pa., earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication with a concentration in advertising from Robert Morris in 2007. She was a four-year letterwinner with the rowing program, earning team most valuable player (MVP) honors as a sophomore in 2004-05 while serving as team captain during her senior season in 2006-07.

THE LATEST COLONIALS CHRIS SHAW

CAROL SCHOENECKER Shaw was named head women’s soccer coach at Robert Morris in December of 2019.

Schoenecker was promoted to RMU’s head rowing coach in June of 2020.

Shaw spent six years as the head coach at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), compiling an overall record of 66-48-9 (.573). The winningest coach in program history, Shaw was named the 2016 Mountain West Conference (MWC) Coach of the Year after leading the Rebels to an overall record of 16-4-3 (.761), including a mark of 8-1-2 (.818) in the MWC. UNLV claimed its first conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth since 2007, had a 12-match unbeaten streak during the year, the longest in program history, and also established school records for points (152), goals (51) and assists (50).

S c h o e n e c k e r, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., spent the last four years as an assistant coach with the Colonials after being named to the position in June of 2016. She assisted in guiding the Colonials to Grand Final at the 2019 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in each of the Varsity 8, Second Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 while also overseeing the novice program for RMU.

Prior to being named head coach at UNLV, Shaw spent the 2013 season as the head coach at Barton College in Wilson, N.C. The Bulldogs posted an overall record of 14-5-1 (.725), and Shaw was selected as the 2013 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year.

Shaw also spent four seasons as head coach at the University of Mount Olive in Mount Olive, N.C., from 2003 to 2007, compiling an overall record of 52-34 (.605). Overall in 12 years as a head coach, Shaw has posted a record of 132-87-10 (.598).

Shaw, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and physical education from Methodist University in 1994. He also owns a Master of Arts degree in exercise physiology from East Carolina University, which he earned in 1997.

Schoenecker spent three years as an assistant coach at Duquesne from 2011 to 2014, coaching the Varsity 4 and Second Varsity 4 to third-place finishes at the Atlantic 10 Championships as well as the Novice 4 to bronze at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia, Pa. Earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and classics from Bucknell in 2011, Schoenecker also earned a Master of Arts degree in social and public policy with a concentration in peace studies and conflict resolution from Duquesne in 2013. She is currently a doctoral student at Duquesne University with a research focus on equity and inclusion initiatives in collegiate rowing.

Schoenecker competed at the Women’s Henley Regatta in England in 2008, and also spent two summers coaching the junior women with the Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association..

BRYAN DELSITE Delsite was tabbed as RMU’s head cross country and track & field coach in June of 2020.

Delsite, a native of Elysburg, Pa., spent seven years in Lewisburg, Pa., as an assistant coach at Bucknell University.

While on the staff with the Bison, he coached the vertical and horizontal jumps and multi-event student-athletes as well as select sprinters while assisting in scheduling and recruiting. He coached 34 All-Patriot League performers during his time at Bucknell, including eight women in indoor track & field and six in outdoor track & field.

Between 2014 and 2019, Delsite helped Bucknell claim five Patriot League cross country championships, three indoor track & field championships and three outdoor track & field titles. Delsite tutored three Patriot League Field Athletes of the Meet, two Patriot League Rookies of the Year, a pair of IC4A/ECAC individual champions and six student-athletes that qualified for the first round of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In addition, two of his student-athletes own Patriot League records, including the men’s pole vault and the women’s triple jump.

Prior to his stint at Bucknell, Delsite served as the head men’s and women’s cross country and track & field coach at Duquesne from 1998 to 2013. During his tenure, Delsite was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year four times and established every school record in indoor and outdoor track & field in both genders.

Delsite is a 1993 graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and food management.

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Old Hat partners with a variety of organizations to drive engagement, enhance brands and amplify the brand message.

PARTNERSHIP WITH OLD HAT In early 2020, RMU partnered with Old Hat on a brand initiative to assess the RMU athletics brand and assist with the development of our brand message.

Through their Sports180 approach, RMU athletics was provided insight into the perceptions of our athletic programs by our internal staff, supporters, students and faculty, and the greater community. This information was used to generate a clear identity and message for RMU athletics, and identify target markets to reach with our messaging.

RESEARCH + STRATEGY + CREATIVE

Founded in 2004, Old Hat has worked with more than 200 universities and sports organizations across the country.

They have also partnered with the Big Ten Conference, the American Athletic Conference, the Mountain West Conference and others to assist in their brand development.

Additionally, a creative campaign was developed around this message and will be implemented in the coming months.

s?

you regarding RMU Athletic

Q6 - Which best describes

Q6 - Which

Scouting

s? you regarding RMU Athletic Q6 - Which best describes s? you regarding RMU Athletic Q6 - Which best describes s? es you regarding RMU Athletic 6.33% Q6 - Which best describ ng RMU Athletics?

23.07% 5.49% s? best describes you regardi - Which Q6 Athletic ng RMU 6.33% 3.52% best describes you regardi

Playbook

23.07%

5.49%

6.33% 8.86%

3.52% 6.33%

5.49% 6.33%

3.52%

23.07%

8.86%

23.07%

23.07%

5.49% 8.86% 3.52%

23.07%

5.49% 3.52%

3.52%

5.49% 6.33%

8.86% 8.86%

8.86%

Q6 - Which best describes

r standing in the way of What is the primary barrie goals?

Athletics achieving its

Nothing/Moving in the 3 WORDS TODAY FUTURE #1 GOAL BARRIERS

right direction nd arketing

ics today? best describe RMU Athlet

urces

Funding/Staffing/Reso Lack of success

Buy in from coaches and

2nd tier

Forgotten

Outdated

Small

Academic

Fractured

Transitioning

Average

Overachieving

Championships

Gritty

Potential

Underattended

Growing

Progressive

Unknown

Competitive

History

Proud

Winning

Doing pretty well Economical

Important

FUTURE

community.

#1 GOAL

Time

BARRIERS

Declining enrollment

FAN ENGAGEMENT COMPETITION

OTHER PROGRAMS

The RMU fan.

RMU EXCELS

Primary VISION HURDLES & CHALLENGES AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY

SURVEY RESULTS CENSUS DATA MESSAGE

Skilled

Limited Resources

3 WORDS

COMPETITION

WORKSHOP

Following

within community TODAY unication - internally and

Comm

RMU EXCELS

What three words

Exposure in the local area/m

Seconda Intimatrye

Has: Exciting - built-in affiliation - may have Pitt ties RMU d Focuse - 1st-generation - more white-collar - have a secondary sport (FB

Intriguing

or Hockey) - Non-alumni have some connection to the university/ student-athletes

MESSAGE

Years - Attending

6

Ticket holder one sport a fan at least 7 forNot 1921 Club donor and Season I have season tickets 4

7

Not a fan

*Whose radar are we on?

48.04%

7

36.76%

5

1921 Club donor 1921 Club donor and Season

6

1-2

73 - 5 Not a 6fan -9

10+

Showing rows 1 - 7 of 7

Less than 1

2

VISION

PERSONA MATRIX 1

Less than 1

2

1-2

3

3-5

Event Attendance

4

6-9

Last Attended

5

10+

1-2

3

3-5

4

6-9

HURDLES &10+ 5 CHALLENGES

# Years Attended6 Showing rows 1 - 6 of

AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY

SURVEY RESULTS

MESSAGE

Alum/Non-Alum Active on Campus Reasons for purchasing

Less than 1

2

1-2

Not-a-fan Nancy

36.76% 136

3

3-5

Not a fan

18.38% 68

Never

22.70% 84

None Non-Alum (68%) ----

-------

- Season g

Other tickets?

Factors for purchasing

sports tickets Gender Age Income

Time commitment, family activities, work (39%), Single game - Penguins (29%) Pirates (37%), Steelers Price, Game time, Success in the sport Both 56-65 (35%), 46-55 (24%) $101k-200k (42%), $200k+ (26%)

370

Past year10.78%

6-9

2+ years ago 5

10+

More than 1

----

Undergrad (46%), Non-alum (35%) Yes (53%)

6 Showing rows 1 - 6 of (48%),

Undergrad Non-alum (28%) Yes (52%)

-------

Enjoy sports in general, RMU Alum, Support f/f, Area Sport success, Live in the ----

Time commitment, family activities, work (56%), Single game - Pirates Penguins (46%), Steelers (38%), Pitt (23%) , Price, Game experience Quality opponents Male (60%) 26-35 (28%), 36-45 (19%) $101k-200k (30%), $51k-75k (15%)

families, live close

52.74% 375

Choice Count 52.74% 375

8.86% 63

23.07% 164 8.86% 63

3.52% 25

52.74% 375 3.52% 25

5.49% 39

8.86% 63 5.49% 39

6.33% 45

3.52% 25 6.33% 45

711

5.49% 39 711 6.33% 45 711

VISION

9.52% 6 25.40% 16

Diehard Dan

20.59% 21

At least 1 game5.88%

Don’t attend 4

48.04% 49

Casual Camden

23.07% 164

23.07% 164

Choice Count

Choice Count

Field

1

Choice Count

10+

E IENCE EXPER MESSAG 14.71% 15

#

Bring ‘em back Bob

- Single-game

Reasons for not attendin

6-9

3-5

MARKETING / GAME

Showing rows 1 - 7 of 7

FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS

Choice Count

1921 Club donor

INGS & FIND711 7 of 7 -IONS 711

7.84% 29

1921 Club donor

711

Showing rows 1 - 7 of 7

Less than 1

14.32% 53

Choice Count

least one sport

5.49% 39

NDAT rows 1 Showing DATAMME RECO CENSUS

10+

6-9

3-5

38.10% 24

Season tickets and/or 1921 Club Member Past year

6

15.87% 10

3+ years

102

FINDINGS & NS RECOMMENDATIO

11.11% 7

11

63

PINE TOWNSHIP (43%) Non-alum (33%) Yes (43%)

Undergrad Showing rows 1 - 6 of 6

Population: 13,741 miles (30 min) Distance to RMU: 18 Enjoy the sport in general,

----

HURDLES &

----

Population by Race

Success in the sport, Live in the area ----

Population by Age

93.9%

18-25 (26%), 46-55 (23%)

SURVEY

* Diehard fans have a

higher % of ST for other

CENSUS DATA

5.0%

0.0%

PERSONS UNDER 5 YEARS

PERSONS UNDER 18

YEARS

PERSONS 65 YEARS AND

OVER

0.4% TWO OR MORE RACES

HISPANIC OR LATINO

Median home value

Income

Education

BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN

1.1%

4.2% ASIAN

1.3% WHITE

6.3%

$389,400 $152,461

100.0% 77.4%

$163,300 $59,899

48

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

65+

Highly educated 9.8%

Pitt (10%)

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE HIGHER

Small population of

28.4%

(29%), $101k-200k 10.0% $200k+ (18%) sports - Steelers (12%),

kids

, Predominantly White Asian secondary

46-55 (21%) 15.0% 56-65 (21%),

(21%), $101k-200k TS RESUL $51k-75k/$76k-100k (14%)

Larger families with of all ages (primary audience)

Very affluent

- Pirates (59%), ENGESSingle game30.0%Penguins - Pirates (64%), (56%), Single gameCHALL Penguins (61%), Steelers (41%), Pitt (31%) Steelers25.0% (52%), Pitt (34%) Game experience, OF AREAS, Price, Game experience Success in the sport, Price Game time 20.0% Male (75%) TUNITY OPPOR Male (55%)

MESSAGE Profile: young alumni/young

I have season tickets for at

event

a fan Notdonor sport holder 1921 Club one Ticket at least Count for and Choice tickets Season donor I have season Club 1921

45

25 3.52%6.33%

6.33% 1 45 -2

1-2

Less than 1 Showing rows 1 - 7 of 7

Field

# Field

SURVEY RESULTS 38.10%

Not a fan

Ticket holder

COMMUNITY SURVEY 1

sporting 52.74% I attend at least one

events)

event

Years - 1921 Club Member

Years - Season Tickets

5

18.38%

#

I attend at least one sporting

events)

52.74%

52.74%

Casual fan (don't attend sporting

52.74%

Casual fan (don't attend sporting

52.74%

1921 Club donor

least one sport

purchased tickets for Casual fan (don't attend I attend at least one sporting 1 2 164 25 3.52% 23.07% Choice Count Field # event least one sport donorfan (don't attend sporting events) I attend at least one sporting Casual I have season tickets for at 1921 2 1 Club 4 375 39 5.49% 52.74% 23.07% 164 events) 9.52% 1921 Club donor (don't attend sporting least one sport Casual fan 1 I have season tickets for at 11.11% sporting event one sport holder at least event Ticket least oneVISION I attend Season events) sporting and one 14.71% least sporting donorevents) at Club attend I have season tickets for at I7.84% 1921 Club donor 1921 4 2 attend 5 6 fan (don't Casual Casual fan (don't attend sporting 10.78% 1 45 6.33% 8.86% 63 52.74% 375 Not a fan Ticket holder 1921 Club donor and SeasonI attend at least one sporting event 2 S & donor and Season Ticket holder 5.88% least one sport Club donor HURDLE event 22.70% 1921 I have season tickets for at 1921 Club Not4a fan14.32% 5 6 7 I attend at least one sporting Count 25 2 711 15.87% Choice 8.86% 3.52% 63 25.40% sport GES least one CHALLEN I have season tickets for at 4 Field one sport # least Ticket holder 23.07% 164 1921 Club donor and Season 1921 Club donor Not a fan 6 5 7 I have season tickets for at 4 5.49% 39 3.52% 25 Showing rows 1 - 7 of 7 events) 1921 Club donor Casual fan (don't attend sporting AREAS OF 52.74% 375 5 1 20.59% holder Season Ticket and donor fan Club a Not 1921 donor 7 6 1921 Club 5 6.33% 45 OPPORTUNITY5.49% 39 event I attend at least one sporting 2 Ticket holder Showing rows 1 - 7 of 7 8.86% 63 1921 Club donor and Season 6 Field

#

CENSUS DATA

Not a fan

donor and Season Ticket holder

season Field 4Q12I have many years have you How - #events? you attended RMU Athletics

Q11 - How many years have

SURVEY RESULTS

I have season tickets for at

23.07%

CENSUS DATA

CENSUS DATA

fan*FB/MBB/ HKY have 3 distinct of a bases, with MBB being more catch-all

1921 Club

3.52%

event

1-5 in theField fan donor 1921 Not aClub one sport holder at least Ticket The highest percentages lie # Season tickets andfor 23.07% 164 season donor have Club I1921 event I attend at least one sporting events) years in all 3 categories, indicating least one sport Casual fan (don't attend sporting I have season tickets for at their events) one sporting event least atNot donor a fan Field that RMU fans are enjoying 1 Club attend Casual fan (don't attend sporting I1921 # holder events) sport Ticket one sporting Season least 52.74% 375 and attend for at and donor tickets fan (don't Club 1921 have season I Casual experiences at athletics events, sporting event Not a fan events) engagedI attend at least one Ticket holder more attend sporting are becoming fan (don't events) a result 1921 Club donor and Season event asCasual Field Casual fan (don't attend sporting #holder I attend at least one sporting 1 2 Club a fan Not 1921 Count or 63 STH Choice 8.86% Ticket fans by becoming 1921 Club donor and Season you donated to the 1921 Club? events? have Athletics years Members.

RMU many for How tickets Q13 52.74% events) season event sporting at least one sport

Less than 1

Needs/Wants: - family-friendly - group tickets - relationship with RMU - promotional events/involvement - experience - value proposition/bargain

Needs/Wants: remium - access to program/coaches/p experience - making time/priority s - social aspect - a lot of friendship due to smaller fan base

with RMU, children, alumni/relationship Profile: 35-54, higher income, region, philanthropic values disposable income, live in Pitt

AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY

Resilient

Has: Rising - free time - less disposable income y (30-min Siloed - local communit drive radius) - walk-up tickets (esp. for FB) - some connection to HS y athletes from local communit (FB/Women’s sports)

I attend at least one sporting

events)

5.49%

8.86%

HURDLES & CHALLENGES

FINDINGS & ATIONS MEND RECOM Resourceful nce

In bad confere

Empowering

attend sporting Casual fan (don't 6.33%

FAN STATUS VISION

Lack of clear identity/bra

FAN ENGAGEMENT

OTHER PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY SURVEY

WORKSHOP

RMU

52.74%

FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS

you regarding RMU Athletics?

OR

BACHELOR'S DEGREE

OR HIGHER

PINE TOWNSHIP

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

PINE TOWNSHIP

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

- 1921 Club Members - Season Tickets - Premium experience - Pre-event social and networking opportuni-

ties s - Family-friendly event - RoMo’s Kids Club

Gameday ST RATEGY RECA P under one over-arching brand RMU Athletics must operate message: Unite. the must create unity between In order to be successful, we ng communities. We must athletics program and the surroundi general student population. unify student-athletes with the administration with the university We must unite the athletics the desire to be excellent faculty and administration around surface of play. in the classroom and on the

BA LA NCING AC T BAL ANCE

THE OV ERLA P

W HE R E W E A R E

goal by being: RMU Athletics will achieve this to our fans, alumni and donors 1) Authentic. We will speak be guarded or present without pretense. We will not other than exactly what ourselves in a way that’s anything we are. We will be real.

C H A MP I O N S s .)

(Ho w w e s e e our s el v e

U NK N O W N (Ho w our f an s s e e u s .)

W HE R E W E ’ R E G O IN G

B R A N D P AT T E R N S SEPA R AT ED UNFA MIL I A R SUC CE S SF UL

S T OR Y-T EL L ERS

W EL C OMING/IN V I T ING E XCEL L EN T

a level of access to 2) Accessible. We will provide student-athletes and our facilities, amenities, coaches, d in the Pittsburgh area. administration that is unmatche our athletics program as 3) Premium. We will position marketing and by seeking a premium brand through our experience to our fans. opportunities to provide a top-tier

REVISITING

RMU’S BRAND PATTERN

K EHOL DERS CONNE C T ION W I T H S TA

RMU’S BRAND MESSAGE:

UNITE

• ACTIVE • CALL TO ACTION

AND • WORKS INTERNA LLY EXTERN ALLY CONSIST ENT • HAS PATRIOT IC FEEL WITH EXISTING BRAND

#RMUnite

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

49

TAYMAR SALES U. RMU athletics announced Nov. 25, 2019 a partnership with Taymar Sales U., a college sports marketing company focused on driving new revenue for athletic departments that own and operate collegiate sporting events. On April 27, 2020, RMU expanded its partnership with Taymar Sales U. with a multi-year contract to assist with the growth of corporate sponsorship revenue.

Taymar Sales U. utilizes a partner-centric model, allowing for an open, creative and collaborative approach between the vendor and athletics department to help build ticket sales and attendance. Taymar Sales U. clients include Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kentucky, LSU, North Texas and Tulane.

With the partnership, RMU athletics made a pair of hires in Camille Partis and Jake Sullivan. Partis is the Director of Sales and handles single-game and season ticketing and events, and Sullivan – brought on after the April expansion – is the Director of Corporate Sponsorships.

50

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

RMU ATHLETE NETWORK RMU athletics launched July 27, 2020 the Robert Morris Athlete Network, a branded and customized technology platform to organize, promote, and track the programs and services offered to all current and former student-athletes. The partnership with Athlete Network was first announced March 24, 2020.

Athlete Network is the largest network of current and former student-athletes, collegiate athletic departments, Olympic committees, and professional sports teams in the world. The collaboration provides a branded and customized network to organize, promote, and track the programs and services offered to current student-athletes and alumni. The goal of the network is to create and engage in life-long, valuable relationships with student-athletes.

“

The addition of the Robert Morris Athlete Network is a monumental step in terms of support for our student-athletes. It will connect both alumni and current Colonials with potential employers while serving as a vehicle to increase their engagement with the campus community. The Robert Morris Athlete Network allows RMU athletics to provide the most up to date news, updates, events, and initiatives to both our alumni and current student-athletes.

The Robert Morris Athlete Network continues to evolve, and we are excited to provide career support to our alumni and student-athletes for networking, professional development, and leadership development opportunities.

�

Chris King Director of Athletics

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

51

RMUCOLONIALS.COM / RMU APP RMUCOLONIALS.COM REDESIGN RMU athletics spent the summer of 2020 working with its website provider, SIDEARM, to revamp and redesign the official website of RMU athletics. The redesign will be launched in September of 2020, incorporating elements of the athletic department’s brand study that took place over the summer with Old Hat Creative.

Located in Syracuse, N.Y., SIDEARM became the official website provider of RMU athletics in September of 2013, and is now assisting with the third redesign of the partnership.

The fresh, modern redesigned look will continue to be the go-to source for fans to receive an inside look at RMU athletics with news, game recaps, videos, statistics and special features.

RMU ATHLETICS GAMEDAY APP RMU athletics partnered with From Now On (FNO) in May of 2020 to develop its first app, which will be launched in October of 2020. The FanX™️ Mobile Engagement Platform is a one-stop-shop mobile fan experience helping colleges, teams, leagues and venues transform the fan experience on gameday.

From Now On is about a commitment to a journey, to grow and make every experience count for partners and their customers. It’s about bridging the gap from what was possible to what is happening. FNO was born from innovation and founded on the core idea that technology can facilitate phenomenal curated experiences for fans while increasing engagement. Robert Morris, with the help of FNO, will transform the fan experience and make that experience count.

52

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

The RMU app will offer fans anywhere all the information one needs in an on-thego environment. Fans will be able to view schedules, listen to audio of games, learn about their favorite Colonials, purchase tickets and stay on top of the latest promotions and engagements.

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT

53

54

2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT