2015-16 Rogers State Athletics Annual Report

HILLCAT ATHLETICS 2 0 1 6 R S U A N N UA L R E P O R T

R O G E R S

S T A T E

U N I V E R S I T Y

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS S A R A WI L L IAMS |

ASSOCIATE AD FOR EXTERNAL OPERATIONS

S C OT T S L ARKS | T I M H A NS ON |

ASSISTANT AD FOR COMMUNICATIONS SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR

R A N DY RIGGS |

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

B IL L P O WE L L & RS U ATHLETICS |

PHOTOGRAPHY

Rogers State University, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services. This publication was printed by the RSU Printshop.

S T N E T CON 2016

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT DR. LARRY RICE | RSU PRESIDENT

For more than a century, Rogers State University has provided opportunity for young men and women to better themselves through education and the opportunities afforded by a college degree. We are honored that our Athletic Department has taken a leadership role in preparing student-athletes for the demands of competing at the NCAA Division II level, while also helping them develop the tools they’ll need for a successful transition to life after college.

Our student-athletes have enjoyed a remarkable year, as you’ll see throughout this book.

They have demonstrated success on the playing field, while also serving as leaders within the classroom. We are proud of their accomplishments in all aspects of their involvement in the RSU experience.

If you have spent any time on the RSU campus, I trust you quickly noticed the close-knit family environment our students, faculty and staff create. In fact, our students say this personal attention is the #1 difference maker as they describe what sets RSU apart from other schools. You’ll see it in our small classes (where less than 1% of classes have more than 50 students enrolled) as well as with our faculty and staff who know students by name and are personally invested in their success.

To support this learning community, RSU has made strategic investments in its physical campus. In the past 15 years, we have constructed three student apartment communities on our main campus in Claremore to strengthen our position as Tulsa metropolitan area’s only public, residential four-year university. Along with campus housing, RSU constructed the adjacent Chapman Dining Hall to provide healthy dining options, while also including a basement storm shelter large enough to hold all campus residents. The university has upgraded academic facilities in Baird Hall and the Stratton Taylor Library, as well as opened new campus facilities in Bartlesville and Pryor.

Thanks to support from the student body, we have invested in our athletic programs through new or remodeled facilities at Soldier Field, the Hillcat Athletic Center, the Diamond Sports Complex and Bushyhead Fieldhouse.

These are exciting times at RSU, as this spring the university celebrated its largest graduating class including the inaugural graduates from its master of business administration program. As we continue to develop a strong graduate program, RSU continues to strengthen its reputation for providing undergraduate programs that prepare students to immediately enter the workforce or secure admission to prestigious graduate schools in such fields as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, law, engineering, and more.

Also, I’m proud to note that nearly half of last year’s graduating class earned their college degree without taking on student loans thanks to our affordable tuition and commitment to securing financial aid for deserving students.

Finally, I would point out the leadership role that our student-athletes have taken in RSU’s mission to make a difference within the communities we serve. Nearly 250 Hillcat student-athletes (representing every sport) participated more than 5,000 volunteer hours during the past year. In fact, there was an RSU student-athlete in every Claremore elementary school every week during the 2015-16 academic year. This is the kind of involvement that can make a difference in the life of a child and a community’s overall health.

Thank you for your continued support for RSU and its athletics program. The support of our extended Hillcat family has created incredible opportunities for these young men and women to fully develop their academic skills while strengthening their personal values and character.

Go Hillcats!

Sincerely,

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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LETTER FROM THE AD

RYAN ERWIN | RSU DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Greetings from the Hill, The 2015-16 academic year was a memorable one for Rogers State Athletics as we completed the final year as a NCAA provisional member and began to make plans for full, active NCAA Division II membership.

In this annual report we are showcasing what it means to be a part of the Hillcat family.

Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have represented the University in competition, in the classroom, and throughout the community. This report highlights many of our triumphs throughout the year and provides a glimpse into the bright future of RSU Athletics.

We have much to be proud of as we close out the 2015-16 academic year. Our student-athletes had success not only on the field of play but also in the classroom. Fifty-three student-athletes earned their degree this year with two former student-athletes representing the department in RSU’s first MBA graduating class. Our studentathletes combined for a 3.13 cumulative grade point average for the year with 119 student-athletes achieving a 3.0 or better and 29 with a perfect 4.0.

Our men’s basketball team highlighted an exciting year bringing home our first Heartland Conference Championship.

JC Hartzler garnered conference player of the year accolades as the program received the honor for the secondconsecutive season. Head Coach Justin Barkley was named conference coach of the year, leading the team to a 23-5 finish.

In the fall, freshman Seth Whittington burst onto the scene and paced the men’s cross country team earning allconference honors and conference freshman of the year accolades. Men’s soccer achieved a 10-win season and senior Dylan Beaird was named the league’s offensive player of the year.

In the spring, Audrianna Morgan stole the show for the women’s track and field team at the 2016 Great American Conference Championships winning three event titles in the sprints. Our baseball and women’s basketball teams each had its best finish in three seasons with 28 wins and 17 wins, respectively, while women’s golf earned a lateseason win at the UAFS Lady Lions Classic.

The dance team made waves in its inaugural season and the cheer squad once again made an appearance at nationals.

We rounded out the year adding two head coaches that are no strangers to Hillcat athletics. In April, Andrea Vaughan was named head softball coach after serving as the interim head coach since February and Scott Parkinson was named the head women’s soccer coach in May after spending two seasons as the men’s soccer assistant coach.

Thank you for joining the Hillcat family in our journey this year. We are truly appreciative of all the student-athletes, coaches, staff, supporters and fans. Without your unwavering support we could not be successful.

Go Hillcats!

Sincerely,

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY IT ALL STARTS HERE

Since being established as a four-year regional university in 1999, Rogers State University has quickly developed into a dynamic university widely recognized for its high-quality academic programs, distance learning options, and high-technology learning environment.

RSU students work closely with faculty members, many of whom hold doctoral degrees or the highest degrees available in their fields from esteemed institutions across the nation. The RSU Honors Program provides an atmosphere where scholars can challenge themselves academically through specialized courses, student/faculty joint research projects and a strong emphasis on service learning in the community. The President’s Leadership Class (PLC), a four-year scholarship program that fosters personal and professional development, was designed for RSU students who have demonstrated leadership abilities.

RSU stands as the only public, four-year, residential university in the Tulsa metropolitan area, which allows students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the college experience while living in one of its three oncampus student apartment communities. Students also may live at home while enjoying the flexibility of taking classes at RSU’s three physical campuses (Claremore, Bartlesville and Pryor) or through the nationally recognized RSU Online program.

Whatever a student’s path, RSU provides rigorous educational preparation coupled with personalized attention attained through small class sizes and faculty committed to student success. RSU offers a wide variety of bachelor’s and associate degrees, and it most recently added its first graduate program featuring a Master of Business Administration.

Students are able to participate in a broad selection of internships, including The Washington Center Internship Program, a nationally recognized program placing students with private, public and nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C. The university offers international study-at-large programs to provide students with opportunities to see the world, learn about other cultures and enrich their educational experience in locations that have included Italy, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Korea.

DISTINGUISHED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

GROWTH IN LEARNING FACILITIES

Academic quality has long been a hallmark of the RSU experience, with highly regarded programs in health care, biological sciences, social sciences, criminal justice and business. RSU’s nursing program is considered one of the most rigorous in the state with graduates consistently exceeding state and national averages for nursing exams.

Visitors to RSU’s main Claremore campus are quick to praise its attractive, collegiate appearance that blends remodeled historic buildings alongside newly constructed facilities.

The Centennial Center, which opened in 2009, has become the centerpiece of the main campus in Claremore. This two-level, 50,000-square-foot facility combines student services programs under one roof, serves as a central location for students to study and socialize, and provides a focal point for the RSU campus in Claremore. The facility also offers ballrooms, conference centers, and meeting rooms for the community.

The university has quickly established itself as an institution of choice in the Tulsa metro for students who plan to study biology and apply to medical school, dental school or other related medical-professional graduate programs. In the past few years, more than 100 RSU students have been accepted into health-related graduate programs.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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A STORIED HISTORY

A major expansion and renovation of Baird Hall on the Claremore campus was completed in 2010. The new Baird Hall has doubled in size and contains many of the leading-edge features associated with higher learning today, including modern classrooms, a performance studio, a television production studio, an art gallery, and an outdoor classroom for learning outdoors on sunny days.

RSU holds a unique position as Oklahoma’s newest four-year regional university, but with roots that extend back to the earliest days of statehood.

RSU was founded in 1909 as Eastern University Preparatory School in Claremore. The school prepared the daughters and sons of area residents to attend college. Historic Preparatory Hall, known for its iconic gold dome, was the first building on the school’s campus.

Opened in 2004, the Stratton Taylor Library features extensive printed and digital informational resources, electronic databases, multimedia collections, study areas, reading rooms, computer stations, and classrooms. Additional academic facilities include a full-powered public television station, a student-run radio station, a 100-acre conservation reserve, advanced nursing facilities, an EMS classroom featuring a fullsized ambulance, art facilities, and the historic Will Rogers Auditorium.

However, the school closed only a few years after it opened. Taking its place was the storied Oklahoma Military Academy (OMA), which operated on the Hill from 1919 to 1971. Known as the “West Point of the Southwest,” OMA has an extensive register of graduates who became great leaders, both in military and civilian life. More than 2,500 OMA graduates served in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. More than 100 graduates gave their lives in service to their country.

The Claremore campus houses RSU’s residential community with capacity for more than 800 students in three student apartment communities (constructed in 2001, 2011 and 2015) and family housing. Residents can choose from several floor plans within the housing communities, which are adjacent to Chapman Dining Hall (opened in 2014). Chapman Dining Hall features a dedicated emergency generator for food preparation during long-term power outages and a basement storm shelter large enough to hold all campus residents.

In 1971, OMA closed and Claremore Junior College opened on the Hill, serving more than 400 students. The junior college grew rapidly in the 1970s, and by the time it was renamed Rogers State College in 1982, the institution boasted a variety of associate degree programs, distance learning capabilities, a new radio and television station and intercollegiate athletics.

The RSU campus in Bartlesville is located in a nine-story building in the heart of downtown and serves as the educational anchor for the revitalized business district. The Pryor campus is located in a two-story, 38,000-square-foot facility (opened in 2014) in the MidAmerica Industrial Park, which donated the facility to address the region’s workforce needs.

The largest single gift in the university’s history, the approximately $10 million project included site development and construction on the 83-acre property.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

In 1999, the Oklahoma Legislature renamed the institution Rogers State University and charged it with seeking accreditation as a four-year university offering bachelor’s and associate degrees. Its first graduate program, a Master of Business Administration, launched in 2014 and graduated its first class in May 2016.

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MADELEINE KUPEC | FR.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY ROGERS STATE STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY ROGERS

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WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Office Phone: Email:

Chris McCormick (6th Season) (918) 343-7689 cmccormick@rsu.edu

HISTORY First Year: 2010 Conf. Titles (Individual): 1 – Brenda Felipe (2011) NAIA Nat’l. Champion App.: 1 – Brenda Felipe (2011)

SEASON REVIEW

The Rogers State women’s cross country team showcased a balanced lineup for head coach Chris McCormick, in his sixth season at the program’s helm. During their five meets of the season, the Hillcats turned in three top-10 results led by a core group of experienced runners in their biggest roster ever, featuring 14 studentathletes.

The campaign began in sunny and hot conditions at the familiar UCO Land Run in Edmond, Oklahoma as RSU raced to eighth place in the meet laden with talented regional opponents. RSU continued through a challenging schedule at the Southern Stampede and Roy Griak Invitational before another quality result placing seventh at the OBU Bison Invitational.

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 1 Conference Runner of the Year 5 All-Heartland Conference Selections 4 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selections 3 Conference Runner of the Week Selections Academic Awards 33 Academic All-Conference Selections 2 CoSIDA Academic All-District® 2 Capital One Academic All-District® 2 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honorees 18 President’s Honor Roll Selections 15 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Jessica Fairres, Mia Chavez, Hannah Tobias, Hunter Thompson, Danielle Wolf, Olivia Jalomo, Jocelyn Buckner Row 2: Malinda Moore, Haley Taylor, Madeleine Kupec, Sarah Becker, Head Coach Chris McCormick, Brianna Valles, Andi Gourd, Hailey Gillispie, Christi Dougherty

The Hillcats closed their third season as a member of the Heartland Conference by finishing sixth at the 2015 league championship meet in Laredo, Texas, having to run through mud and muck.

Haley Taylor, a two-time all-conference selection in her four-year career, led the team twice in 2015, and was one of the top two finishers for the navy and red in four of five races. Her high-paced efforts throughout the season earned the Collinsville, Oklahoma native RSU Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year honors.

Madeleine Kupec made a splash for the Hillcats from the start of her collegiate running career as she turned in the top results for the team in her opening two races. The freshman from Mannford, Oklahoma suffered a late-season injury that forced her to miss the final two races.

Junior Olivia Jalomo continued to improve as the season moved along finishing in the top three for RSU in all five races. That included the top performance for the Hillcats in the finale at the Heartland Conference Championship, as the Quanah, Texas product ran a season best despite the tough course conditions.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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CHRIS McCORMICK HEAD COACH

Chris McCormick completed his fifth year as the head coach of the Rogers State men’s and women’s cross country teams as the only coach in program history since its inception in April 2010.

He coached 2014 Heartland Conference individual champion and Runner of the Year, Baylor Harvey, as the RSU men crowned its first-ever conference champion. Seth Whittington capped his debut season in 2015 by being named the Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year.

The RSU women had their first individual conference champion under McCormick’s guidance at the 2011 Sooner Athletic Conference meet as Brenda Felipe won the race before going on to represent the Hillcats at the NAIA National Cross Country Championships in Vancouver, Washington.

McCormick earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from East Central and was a member of the Tigers’ track and field program.

He twice competed at the NAIA Track and Field National Championships, placing 8th and 11th in the marathon.

HALEY TAYLOR While Haley Taylor continued to showcase her athletic abilities for RSU on cross country courses across the region, she accomplished something even greater when the season ended. She finished a four-year career with the Hillcats and graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. For her efforts in the classroom, she earned Capital One Academic All-District honors each of the last two seasons.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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SETH WHITTINGTON | FR.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Office Phone: Email:

Chris McCormick (6th Season) (918) 343-7689 cmccormick@rsu.edu

HISTORY First Year: 2010 Conf. Titles (Individual): 1 – Baylor Harvey (2014) NAIA Nat’l. Champ. App.: 1 – Caleb Clark (2010)

SEASON REVIEW

The Rogers State men’s cross country team continued to make strides with its young roster during the 2015 season. Under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Chris McCormick, it was the team’s third season as a member of the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference.

Three talented runners took redshirts in 2015, including Baylor Harvey, the 2014 Heartland Conference Cross Country Champion, as he was not able to defend his title. His absence allowed new runners the opportunity to step in and showcase their ability on the collegiate scene. The team featured just one senior, Garrett Dyson, who closed his four-year career running in all five meets, and one junior making the transition to RSU from junior college, Daniel Driskill.

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 1 Conference Runner of the Year 1 Conference Freshman of the Year 6 All-Heartland Conference Selections 1 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selection 2 Conference Runner of the Week Selections Academic Awards 24 Academic All-Conference Selections 2 CoSIDA Academic All-District® 2 Capital One Academic All-District® 1 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete 1 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honoree 5 President’s Honor Roll Selections 17 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections (From Left to Right) Row 1: Seth Whittington, Tristan Owens, Coty Fox, Garrett Dyson, Colton Green Row 2: Daniel Driskill, Blake Fisher, Cruz Chavez, Head Coach Chris McCormick, Trey Taylor, Ryan Alexander, Baylor Harvey

With a lot of attention focused on runners not in the lineup, it was freshman Seth Whittington that took over command of the top spot for the Hillcats leading the team at all five races during the season, including a thirdplace finish at the Heartland Conference Cross Country Championship. The result earned the Kansas, Oklahoma native Freshman of the Year honors from the league and a spot on the all-conference first team. His performance marked the third-consecutive year RSU had a student-athlete named to the all-conference squad.

As a team, the Hillcats opened with their first of three top-10 finishes at the familiar UCO Land Run running through the heat to seventh place. After tough races at the Southern Stampede and Roy Griak Invitational, RSU got back on track finishing fifth at the OBU Invitational behind four of seven competing runners setting a personal best. The campaign closed in Laredo, Texas in late October as the Hillcats placed sixth at the 2015 Heartland Conference Championship. Sophomore Ryan Alexander narrowly missed joining Whittington with a spot on the all-conference team as he turned in his best result of the year finishing 20th in the season finale.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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CHRIS McCORMICK HEAD COACH

Chris McCormick completed his fifth year as the head coach of the Rogers State men’s and women’s cross country teams as the only coach in program history since its inception in April 2010.

He coached 2014 Heartland Conference individual champion and Runner of the Year, Baylor Harvey, as the RSU men crowned its first-ever conference champion. Seth Whittington capped his debut season in 2015 by being named the Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year.

The RSU women had their first individual conference champion under McCormick’s guidance at the 2011 Sooner Athletic Conference meet as Brenda Felipe won the race before going on to represent the Hillcats at the NAIA National Cross Country Championships in Vancouver, Washington.

McCormick earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from East Central and was a member of the Tigers’ track and field program.

He twice competed at the NAIA Track and Field National Championships, placing 8th and 11th in the marathon.

GARRETT DYSON The lone senior in 2016, Garrett Dyson closed his four-year career on the Hill with a flourish as he was consistently one of the top finishers with the navy and red. A local product from Owasso, Oklahoma, Dyson put together his best year since 2012, despite battling nagging injuries throughout the season. It was his leadership and guidance for the youthful team that has helped shape the future of RSU cross country.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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LEXI ELLINGSEN | SO.

WOMEN’S SOCCER ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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WOMEN’S SOCCER QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Record (Pct.): Office Phone: Email: Asst. Coaches (Yrs.):

Heather Cato (2nd Season) 4-30 (.118) (918) 343-7995 hcato@rsu.edu Victoria Ramirez (2nd Season)

SEASON REVIEW

The Rogers State women’s soccer team had a youthful energy for the 2015 season under second-year head coach Heather Cato. With three seniors on the roster to provide leadership experience, the Hillcats turned to a group of fresh faces in their third season as a member of the Heartland Conference posting a 1-16 overall record going 1-7 in league play.

A double-overtime setback to East Central in the second week of the season followed a home opener where RSU held an early lead and out-shot Oklahoma Wesleyan, but could not come up with late goals in a hardfought loss at Soldier Field.

2015-IN-REVIEW Record: Home: Away: Heartland Conf. (Finish): Home: Away:

1-16 0-7 1-9 1-7 (9th) 0-3 1-4

HISTORY First Year: All-Time Record (Yrs.): Home: Away: Neutral: Heartland Conf.: Sooner Athletic Conf.: Postseason:

2007 88-73-8 (9) 50-32-5 (.603) 36-39-3 (.481) 2-2-0 (.500) 6-19-0 (.240) 36-19-4 (.644) 8-4-1 (.654)

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 2 NAIA All-America Selections 2 NSCAA NAIA All-Southwest Region Selections 3 All-Region VI Selections 1 Conference Offensive Player of the Year Selection 1 Conference Newcomer of the Year Selection 1 Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Selection 1 Conference Coach of the Year Selection 3 All-Heartland Conference Selections 18 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selections 3 NAIA National Player of the Week Selections 9 Conference Offensive Player of the Week Selections 11 Conference Defensive Player of the Week Selections Academic Awards 56 Academic All-Conference Selections 4 Capital One Academic All-America® 8 Capital One Academic All-District® 5 NSCAA Scholar All-South Region Selections 8 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Randye Sharp, Amanda Jones, Korie Martin, Samantha Snow, Taylor James, Courtney Tucker Row 2: Athletic Trainer Jill O’Brien, Breanna Ray, Savannah Owens, Taylor Geissler, Paige Pontarolo, Marlaina Trahant, Lexi Ellingsen, Jianna Cervantes, Head Coach Heather Cato, Assistant Coach Victoria Ramirez Row 3: Tayler Stover, Ashley Pruitt, Addy Pritchard, Kimberlin Bennett, Taylor Neubecker, Haley Wenlock, Morgan Wooten, Taylor Williams, Katlin Moran, LeighAnn Craig, Amanda Morgan

Late in the season, the Hillcats again could not make an early margin stand on the road at Lubbock Christian, but found success in the final contest of a four-match swing through Texas. RSU put together a complete performance and finished off a 2-0 shutout at Texas A&M International controlling play from the opening kick. Samantha Snow scored the eventual game winner just 5:31 into the match for her first goal as a Hillcat and LeighAnn Craig added an insurance goal in the 60th minute aiding goalkeeper Taylor Stover’s first-career shutout.

Stover put together an impressive season for the navy and red in her first collegiate campaign as she ranked fourth in single-season history making 110 saves. The Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native played more than 1,400 minutes between the posts fighting through an injury to remain on the field for all but one start.

Fellow freshman Kimberlin Bennett picked up the offensive output late in the year tallying five of her teamleading nine points in the final three matches, including an assist on Snow’s game-winning goal against the Dustdevils. Bennett, a product of Ephrata, Washington, scored a goal in the last two games of the season on her way to a team-high four goals in 2015.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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SCOTT PARKINSON HEAD COACH

Scott Parkinson takes over the reins of the women’s soccer program in May 2016 after serving as an assistant coach with RSU men’s soccer for two seasons. He replaces Heather Cato, who resigned to take an assistant coaching spot at NCAA Division I Central Michigan after completing two seasons leading the Hillcats.

A native of Liverpool, England, Parkinson is a United States Soccer Federation National “B” Licensed coach. He has spent time coaching across Oklahoma, including as an assistant for the men’s team at Oklahoma Wesleyan University and as the Director of Soccer Operations for Oklahoma City FC. Parkinson played collegiate soccer at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma where he was the program’s first-ever, First-Team NAIA and NSCAA All-American in 2012 following third-team selections in 2011.

He was team captain for the Drovers and a two-time Sooner Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. USAO made the NAIA National Tournament all four years with Parkinson anchoring the back line, twice reaching the final eight. The Drovers also won three SAC regular season titles and two conference tournament championships during his career.

Parkinson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from USAO in 2013.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

HALEY WENLOCK DEFENDER

After missing nearly the entire 2014 season due to knee surgery, Haley Wenlock received a medical hardship waiver and returned to the Hillcats’ lineup for 2015. In her final collegiate campaign, the redshirt senior from Laguna Hills, California logged 1,187 minutes for the navy and red in 17 appearances. Wenlock anchored the back line on her way to earning RSU’s Female Courage Award at the inaugural OMAs award show given to a student-athlete who demonstrated heart and perseverance in the face of adversity.

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DANIEL SANCHEZ | JR.

MEN’S SOCCER ROGERS STATE STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY ROGERS

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MEN’S SOCCER QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Record (Pct.): Office Phone: Email: Asst. Coaches (Yrs.):

Derek Larkin (9th Season) 88-63-16 (.575) (918) 343-7995 dlarkin@rsu.edu Scott Parkinson (2nd Season) Bryan Weygand (7th Season)

SEASON REVIEW

Behind the valuable experience of a 12-man senior class, the Rogers State men’s soccer team enjoyed one of its finest seasons in recent history registering a 10-5-3 record. Head coach Derek Larkin, in his ninth season leading the program, guided the Hillcats to double-digit wins for the first time since 2011 and a third-place finish in the Heartland Conference posting a 4-2-2 mark in league action.

The Hillcats had their best defensive season in the team’s nine-year history of competition holding opponents to just 16 goals in 18 matches aided by the efforts of four National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-South Central Region performers.

2015-IN-REVIEW Record: Home: Away: Heartland Conf. (Finish): Home: Away:

10-5-3 6-3-1 4-2-2 4-2-2 (3rd) 1-2-0 3-0-2

HISTORY First Year: All-Time Record (Yrs.): Home: Away: Neutral: Heartland Conf.: Sooner Athletic Conf.: Postseason:

2007 88-63-16 (9) 52-29-8 (.629) 34-33-8 (.507) 2-1 (.667) 11-12-2 (.480) 26-18-8 (.577) 3-6 (.333)

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 5 NSCAA All-South Central Region Selections 2 D2CAA All-Region Selections 2 NSCAA NAIA All-Southwest Region Selections 1 USL PRO Combine Attendee 1 Conference Player of the Year Selection 7 All-Heartland Conference Selections 19 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selections 1 NAIA National Player of the Week Selection 8 Conference Offensive Player of the Week Selections 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week Selections Academic Awards 60 Academic All-Conference Selections 1 Capital One Academic All-America® 2 Capital One Academic All-District® 1 NSCAA Scholar All-America College Division 2 NSCAA Scholar All-South Region Selections 3 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honorees 4 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes 11 President’s Honor Roll Selections 40 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Assistant Coach Bryan Weygand, Jose Escobedo, Tyler Hall, Nathan Garcia, Timothy Nuckols, Dylan Beaird, Lars Lindtner, Tyler Fielder, Saul Gutierrez, Assistant Coach Scott Parkinson Row 2: Head Coach Derek Larkin, Daniel Sanchez, Kevin Howard, Edgar Aranda, Braeden Marshall, Josh Howard, Casen Brown, Adil Iskandarov, Brayden Carter, Josh Cude, Eddie Choe, Danko Kenjic, Athletic Trainer Trey Robertson Row 3: Cody Gammill, Kevin Kwarteng, Niall Masterson, Abe Young, Mitchell Sowerby, Carson Lynn, Edward Hubbard, Caleb Pitts, Billy Cundall, Mitchell Penton

Despite a one-goal setback to Colorado State-Pueblo in the home opener, the Hillcats responded by rattling off a seven-match unbeaten streak with six-straight wins. It was the seniors that led the charge to the first win of the year, a 6-1 thrashing of Southwest Baptist at Soldier Field, as Dylan Beaird and Danko Kenjic each net a pair of goals.

A grueling four-game stretch through Texas ensured a successful campaign as the Hillcats posted three wins and a draw against some of the Heartland Conference’s best teams. The quality of play continued at home with a dominating 4-1 victory over Lindenwood, a team receiving votes in the national polls, before capping the year with a shutout of Newman on Senior Night.

RSU had five student-athletes earn spots on the All-Heartland Conference teams, which is the most in the program’s three-year history since joining the league. Beaird used his early-season success on the way to being named Heartland Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Year. He led the league with 11 goals and matched Niall Masterson for the team lead with 22 points. Masterson set a single-season school record contributing eight assists to land on the all-conference first team, while Kenjic broke the career record with 20 assists in four seasons. Kenjic joined Mitchell Sowerby and Cody Gammill on the All-Heartland Conference Second Team.

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DEREK LARKIN

HEAD COACH

Derek Larkin finished his ninth season leading the Rogers State men’s soccer team in 2015 and has established a winning tradition on the Hill. He has led the Hillcat men to an 88-63-16 record (.583 winning percentage) in nine seasons.

In 2015, Larkin guided the Hillcats to a third place Heartland Conference finish with a 4-2-2 league record. Since joining the Heartland Conference in 2013, Larkin has coached nine all-conference selections, including five a season ago. Under Lark’s tutelage this season, four Hillcats were named NSCAA All-South Central Region with Mitchell Sowerby an academic all-region selection. For his career at RSU, Larkin has produced two AllAmericans, 45 all-conference members, five Capital One Academic All-America honorees, one NSCAA Scholar Athlete All-America and 16 academic all-district selections.

A four-year starter during his playing days at Missouri Valley College, Larkin was a two-year captain leading the Vikings to two Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships. He was twice named first-team all-conference and second-team all-region.

DYLAN BEAIRD FORWARD

Dylan Beaird closed his four-year career with the Hillcats in style being named Heartland Conference Men’s Soccer Offense Player of the Year.

Scoring a league-best 11 goals in 17 matches, he tallied the second most goals in RSU single-season history. A local product from Tulsa, Oklahoma, he got his senior season off to an incredible start as he scored goals in five of the first seven matches of the 2015 season and tallied three, multi-goal performances for the year.

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NATASHA KINDRED | JR.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Record (Pct.): Office Phone: Email: Asst. Coaches (Yrs.):

Bobby Cope (2nd Season) 22-30 (.423) (918) 343-7883 rcope@rsu.edu April Ponds (1st Season) Logan Froese (1st Season)

SEASON REVIEW

The Rogers State women’s basketball team showed a dramatic improvement in the 2015-16 season recording its first winning season in four years under the direction of second-year head coach Bobby Cope. Aided by several experienced upperclassmen and an influx of youthful energy, the Hillcats went 14-12 on the year and posted a 9-9 record in Heartland Conference play to finish sixth in the 10-team league.

The season started on a high note as RSU took down perennial power Midwestern State on the road stealing a three-point win over a team that had reached three-straight national tournaments. The Hillcats returned home from the conference crossover in Wichita Falls, Texas to host its home opener against Bacone, where they started a six-game home winning streak, including three tight league games by a combined 16 points.

2016-IN-REVIEW Record: Home: Away: Neutral: Heartland Conf. (Finish): Home: Away:

14-12 9-4 5-7 0-1 9-9 (6th) 6-3 3-6

HISTORY First Year: All-Time Record (Yrs.): Home: Away: Neutral: Heartland Conf.: Sooner Athletic Conf.: Postseason:

2007-08 152-122 (9) 83-48 (.634) 57-62 (.479) 12-12 (.500) 21-35 (.375) 73-53 (.579) 8-9 (.471)

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 6 NAIA All-America Selections 1 Conference Newcomer of the Year Selection 2 Conference Defensive Player of the Year Selections 1 NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team Selection 4 All-Heartland Conference Selections 21 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selections 4 Conference All-Tournament Selections 5 Conference Player of the Week Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Assistant Coach April Ponds, Assistant Coach Logan Froese, Rachel Block, Heather Roberts, Rachel Dobrinski, Kami Bunch, Carlye Bohannan, Head Coach Bobby Cope Row 2: Courtney Smith, Danielle Carr, Lindsey Byfield, Natasha Kindred, Lauren Schuldt, Jackie Bueno, Emily Gamble, Madison Dearmin, Javiona Green

Academic Awards 33 Academic All-Conference Selections 1 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honoree 1 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete 14 President’s Honor Roll Selections 12 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

RSU relied on a renewed intensity on the defensive end throughout the 2015-16 season showing off one of the best scoring defenses in the Heartland Conference holding opponents to just 59.3 points per game. The number ranked second in the league, behind only unbeaten national champion Lubbock Christian as the Hillcats limited their opposition to 50 points or less seven times during the year. Freshman Lauren Schuldt was a force in the paint setting a single-season record blocking 38 shots, while fellow newcomer Natasha Kindred added 27 blocks as a junior.

It took a late rally and overtime for the Hillcats to close out the season on Senior Day in style with a 63-58 victory over Newman at the Claremore Expo Center during a span of three wins in four games.

Senior Kami Bunch capped her career for the navy and red earning a spot on the All-Heartland Conference Honorable Mention team. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native led the Hillcats in scoring averaging 10.1 points per game, ranking 19th in the league, and was second in the conference dishing 5.1 assists per game.

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BOBBY COPE

HEAD COACH

Bobby Cope finished his second season behind the bench of the Rogers State women’s basketball team after taking over head coaching duties in March 2014.

Cope led the Hillcats to a six win improvement finishing 14-12 during the 2015-16 campaign going 9-9 in the Heartland Conference, including a 3-0 start to the league season. Senior point guard Kami Bunch capped her career with RSU earning a spot on the 2015-16 All-Heartland Conference team.

Cope previously served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at RSU for five seasons reaching the NAIA National Tournament three times during his tenure. RSU compiled a 99-60 record during Cope’s time as an assistant.

Cope earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Black Hills State and a Masters of Health and Physical Education from Northern State.

He is married to former RSU head softball coach, Amy Cope (Renault).

KAMI BUNCH GUARD

Senior Kami Bunch made the start of the 2016 calendar year one to remember as she broke the RSU career record for assists dishing a season-high 10 in a one-point upset win over St. Edward’s Jan. 2. She reached double-figure assists on the winning basket by Madison Dearmin with 22 seconds remaining and ended her three-year career with 362 assists.

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COREY AYALA | SR.

MEN’S BASKETBALL ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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MEN’S BASKETBALL QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Record (Pct.): Office Phone: Email: Asst. Coaches (Yrs.):

Justin Barkley (6th Season) 126-55 (.696) (918) 343-6804 jbarkley@rsu.edu Ben Rovenstine (1st Season) Tyler Wayman (2nd Season)

SEASON REVIEW

The Rogers State men’s basketball team enjoyed a season for the record books becoming the first team to win a Heartland Conference regular season championship, and doing so in dramatic fashion. With head coach Justin Barkley behind the bench for his sixth season leading the Hillcats, the team posted their eighth 20-plus win season in the program’s nine-year history.

The Hillcats got off to a blazing start to the season winning all 11 games during the 2015 calendar year, including a commanding 21-point decision over nationally-ranked Metropolitan State-Denver to begin the season. On an emotionally-charged, Nov. 24 night in Tahlequah, Oklahoma against regional rival Northeastern State, senior JC Hartzler became the program’s fourth player to reach the 1,000-point milestone.

2016-IN-REVIEW Record: Home: Away: Neutral: Heartland Conf. (Finish): Home: Away:

23-5 14-1 7-4 2-0 15-5 (1st) 8-1 6-4

HISTORY First Year: All-Time Record (Yrs.): Home: Away: Neutral: Heartland Conf.: Sooner Athletic Conf.: Postseason:

2007-08 199-78 (9) 108-21 (.837) 67-45 (.598) 24-12 (.667) 40-18 (.690) 86-40 (.683) 13-8 (.619)

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 6 NAIA All-America Selections 2 NABC All-District Selections 1 D2CCA All-Region Selection 2 Conference Player of the Year Selections 1 Conference Defensive Player of the Year 1 Conference Coach of the Year Selections 6 All-Heartland Conference Selections 23 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selections 1 NAIA National Championship All-Tournament 8 Conference Player of the Week Selections Academic Awards 20 Academic All-Conference Selections 1 CoSIDA Academic All-America Selection® 2 CoSIDA Academic All-District Selections® 3 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honorees 2 NAIA Champions of Character Scholarship Honorees 14 President’s Honor Roll Selections 11 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Jordan Huffman, Corey Ayala, Travis Hester, Donald Moore, Student Manager Connell Cawyer, JC Hartzler Row 2: Head Coach Justin Barkley, Robert Johnson, Johnathon Buckley, Assistant Coach Tyler Wayman, Kyler Ng, Chase Littlejohn, Matt Lea, Jeylyn Sharpe, Travis Hester, Assistant Coach Ben Rovenstine

In the first game of the 2016 calendar year, Hartzler continued to add to his list of feats as the Tulsa, Oklahoma native climbed to the top of the scoring summit becoming the all-time leading scorer in men’s basketball history.

After a difficult three-game skid, RSU returned to its winning ways rattling off five-consecutive Heartland Conference victories and eight wins in a nine-game stretch to remain within striking distance of first place. The Hillcats needed a late-season surge to accomplish their goals and came up with second-half rallies in critical games against the league’s best to set up a winner-take-all title bout at Dallas Baptist in the season finale.

It took two overtimes and amazing play from the senior class on Leap Day for RSU to pull off the regular season conference title. Donald Moore drained a step-back three pointer in the waning seconds sending the navy and red-clad supporters into frenzy. The five seniors combined for 87 of the team’s 97 points on a championship night that featured 17 ties.

The awards piled up for the Hillcats at the end of the season as Barkley was named Heartland Conference Coach of the Year, while Hartzler earned Player of the Year honors from the league. Moore joined the list garnering allconference recognition.

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JUSTIN BARKLEY HEAD COACH

Justin Barkley continued his tenure behind the bench as the head men’s basketball coach at Rogers State for his sixth season in 2015-16 after being named to the position in April 2010.

Barkley led the Hillcats to the school’s first-ever Heartland Conference team championship this season. RSU went 15-5 in league play with Barkley being named the Heartland Conference Coach of the Year. Senior JC Hartzler was selected as the Heartland Conference Player of the Year, the second straight Hillcat to earn the honor after Frederico Santos picked up the award in 2014-15.

In his time leading the program, the Hillcats have posted five 20-plus win seasons, including two straight, and has an overall record of 126-55 for a winning percentage of .696.

As a player, Barkley led Inola High School to a state championship under the direction of his father, Clyde, in 1998. He continued his playing career at Northeastern State, where he spurred the Redmen to a NCAA Division II National Championship in 2003.

JC HARTZLER GUARD

Senior JC Hartzler may need a spare bedroom for all the awards he acquired in his final season of a remarkable four-year career for the Hillcats. Behind a career-best 38 points in the conference championship-clinching win at Dallas Baptist, he closed his career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,413 points. He also broke career records for rebounds, threepoint field goals made, free throws made, and games started. Hartzler was named the Heartland Conference Player of the Year, NABC First Team All-District, Second Team D2CCA All-South Central Region, and First Team All-Heartland Conference, and combined his athletic success with academic success landing on the CoSIDA Academic All-America team.

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TAYLOR SANTISTEVAN | FR.

SOFTBALL ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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SOFTBALL QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Record (Pct.): Office Phone: Email: Asst. Coaches (Yrs.):

Andrea Vaughan (1st Season) (918) 343-7562 avaughan@rsu.edu Carley Conley (1st Season)

2016-IN-REVIEW Record: Home: Away: Neutral: Heartland Conf. (Finish): Home: Away:

SEASON REVIEW

The Rogers State softball team ushered in some change to begin the 2016 season as Andrea Vaughan was named interim head coach less than a week before the start of the year. Vaughan led the Hillcats to a 17-35 record and was officially named the head coach late in the season.

Coach Vaughan and RSU picked up the first win of the season starting a doubleheader sweep of Mid-America Christian Feb. 9 at the Diamond Sports Complex, a home stand where the Cats won three of four contests.

The campaign continued with the start of Heartland Conference play where the Hillcats won three-straight league series over Texas-Permian Basin, Newman, and Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Hillcats finished league play with a 6-18 record ending eighth in the standings.

17-35 11-14 5-15 1-6 6-18 (8th) 4-8 2-10

HISTORY First Year: 2006 All-Time Record (Yrs.): 326-270 (11) Home: 155-97 (.615) Away: 83-118 (.413) Neutral: 88-55 (.615) Heartland Conf.: 23-48 (.324) Sooner Athletic Conf.: 71-92 (.436) Postseason: 8-16 (.333) NAIA Tournament App.: 1 (2013)

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 1 NAIA All-America Selection 1 Conference Newcomer of the Year 6 All-Heartland Conference Selections 28 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selections 5 All-Region VI Selections 4 Sooner Athletic Conference Gold Glove Selections 6 Conference Hitter of the Week Selections 3 Conference Pitcher of the Week Selections Academic Awards 53 Academic All-Conference Selections 2 Capital One Academic All-America® 3 Capital One Academic All-District® 8 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honorees 4 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes 1 NAIA Scholar-Team Award 17 President’s Honor Roll Selections 31 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Katlin Alexander, Taylor Sutterfield, Ashleigh Stidman, Jamie Kowalick, Jessica Christian, Malori Moss, Rachel Jones Row 2: Kayla Patterson, Stephanie Schivally, Ashley Williams, Assistant Coach Kyle Pease, Head Coach Andrea Vaughan, Assistant Coach Carley Conley, Taylor Santistevan, Mikayla McGoldrick, Morgen Blanchard Row 3: Randye Sharp, Mayra Helguera, Katelyn Gamble, Arika Araujo, Kendra Linn, Courtney Davis, Carson DuBose

Showing just how talented the team was, RSU earned four spots on the All-Heartland Conference team, led by three first-team selections in Ashleigh Stidman, Morgen Blanchard, and Arika Araujo. Stidman enjoyed a breakout senior posting a .335 batting average, ranking in the top 20 of the league. Blanchard was the offensive catalyst for the Hillcats all season recording a .341 batting average that ranked 16th in the Heartland Conference. Her 17 doubles tied for second all-time in RSU single-season history and was second in the conference. Araujo showcased her versatility all season by playing at third base and a significant amount of time behind the plate for the Hillcats ranking third on the team with 24 RBI belting two home runs and seven doubles.

Freshman Katelyn Gamble burst onto the collegiate scene leading the offense with a .350 batting average starting all 52 games in the outfield. She added a team-high 36 runs, ranking 12th in the league, and was a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen bases in 2016 to earn second-team all-conference honors.

Jessica Christian led the Hillcats’ pitching staff throwing 144 innings, while Rachel Jones and Mayra Helguera pitched 104 and 86 innings, respectively. Christian paced the team picking up nine wins in the circle, including her first-collegiate, complete-game shutout holding Southwest Baptist to just three hits March 2.

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ANDREA VAUGHAN HEAD COACH

Andrea Vaughan was named the fourth head coach in Rogers State softball history in May 2016 after being named the interim head coach prior to the season.

In her first season, Vaughan led the Hillcats to three-straight Heartland Conference series wins, a first since joining the league in 2014. Four players earned All-Heartland Conference honors, including three first-team picks, under Vaughan’s guidance.

Prior to being named the head coach, Vaughan served as an assistant coach for three seasons where she directed the pitching staff.

Vaughan enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Oklahoma City, making three-consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament. The Stars won the NAIA National Championship in 1997, were second runner-up in 1998, and made it to the title game in 1999. Vaughan, a right-handed pitcher from Claremore, Oklahoma, was a two-time Academic All-American at OCU.

ASHLEIGH STIDMAN OUTFIELDER

Senior Ashleigh Stidman showcased her offensive ability in a breakout season for the Hillcats in 2016 landing a spot on the 2016 All-Heartland Conference First Team. The Lincoln, California native made a remarkable turnaround from a disappointing junior campaign by more than doubling her batting average from a season ago. In 48 starts this year, she posted a .338 average ripping three doubles, a team-leading three triples, and her first-career home run. Stidman also enjoyed a 19-game hit streak that lasted more than a month.

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ISMAEL OROZCO | JR.

BASEBALL ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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BASEBALL QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Record (Pct.): Office Phone: Email: Asst. Coaches (Yrs.):

Chris Klimas (2nd Season) 47-49 (.490) (918) 343-7787 cklimas@rsu.edu Robert Brown (11th Season) Jimmy Rogers (10th Season) Skyler Ellis (2nd Season) Joe Crow (1st Season)

SEASON REVIEW

Behind a blistering start to the season, the Rogers State baseball team posted a 28-22 record during the 2016 campaign for its first winning season since 2013. Under the guidance of second-year head coach Chris Klimas, the Hillcats won nine of their first 11 games of the year, including five-straight at home on opening weekend, and finished the season 21-8 at the Diamond Sports Complex.

Led by a couple wily veterans and a fresh batch of newcomers that added a west-coach flavor, RSU tallied impressive sweeps over UA Fort Smith and Oklahoma Panhandle State in Heartland Conference play. The Cats added series wins over perennial-powers St. Mary’s and Texas A&M International to finish tied for sixth in the league standings with a 13-14 record behind the play of three all-conference honorees.

2016-IN-REVIEW Record: Home: Away: Heartland Conf. (Finish): Home: Away:

28-22 21-8 7-14 13-14 (6th) 8-4 5-10

HISTORY First Year: 2006 All-Time Record (Yrs.): 328-237 (11) Home: 181-103 (.637) Away: 117-112 (.511) Neutral: 30-22 (.577) Heartland Conf.: 32-52 (.381) Sooner Athletic Conf.: 101-76 (.571) Postseason: 17-15 (.531) NAIA World Series App.: 2 (2012, 2013)

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 2 MLB First-Year Draft Picks 2 NAIA All-America Selections 1 Conference Newcomer of the Year 1 NCBWA All-America Selection 3 NCBWA All-South Central Region Selections 3 ABCA/Rawlings All-South Central Region Selections 2 D2CCA All-South Central Region Selections 5 All-Heartland Conference Selections 20 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selections 1 All-Region VI Selections 3 NAIA World Series All-Tournament Selections 1 NAIA World Series Gold Glove Selection 10 Sooner Athletic Conference Gold Glove Selections 2 All-Region VI Gold Glove Selections 14 Conference Hitter of the Week Selections 12 Conference Pitcher of the Week Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Cameron Kirk, Blake Roley, Cesar Rodriguez, Colton Crocker, Chris Miguel, Tanner Smith, Danny Donoghue Row 2: Ismael Orozco, Garrett Hall, Caleb Banks, Jason Marley, Justin Magstadt, Samuel Davison, Zach Tyson Row 3: Head Coach Chris Klimas, Assistant Coach Robert Brown, Assistant Coach Jimmy Rogers, Josh Eclavea, Andrew Lucio, Brock Knoten, Jordan Garr, Travis Peet, Student Assistant Joe Crow, Assistant Coach Skyler Ellis Row 4: Brooks Owen, Caleb Kohlmeyer, Zack Ashford, Rusty Huber, Bo McSpadden, Landon Nealon, Cole Chandler, Tyler Kruse, Michael Fusselman

Seniors Caleb Kohlmeyer and Michael Fusselman led the charge for the offense and defense, respectively, to close their collegiate careers in style. Kohlmeyer was one of the league’s top hitters all season ending his tenure on the Hill with a .353 batting average in 2016 tallying a team-best 16 doubles. Fusselman was the ace of the staff again in 2016 following up a solid junior effort by winning his final three starts on the way to a 7-5 record and a 3.60 earned run average with a complete-game shutout on Senior Day. Colton Crocker, Ismael Orozco, and Chris Miguel joined Kohlmeyer in providing a bulk of the offense for the Hillcats. Crocker caught fire late in the season jumping his average to .336 for the year, while Orozco hit .333 on his way to all-conference honors tallying 15 extra-base hits. Miguel added the run support with a teamleading nine home runs, ranking sixth in the conference, and 40 RBI to pace the team.

A key difference for RSU in 2016 was the emergence of a stellar bullpen anchored by closer Rusty Huber. The junior was one of the premier closers in NCAA Division II baseball ranking fourth in the country with a schoolrecord 12 saves and his 1.50 ERA was seventh in the NCAA. Huber was joined by fellow newcomers Justin Magstadt and Josh Eclavea combining for eight wins to solidify the back end of the pitching staff.

Academic Awards 64 Academic All-Conference Selections 1 Capital One Academic All-District® 1 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America® 4 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honorees 4 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes 11 President’s Honor Roll Selections 34 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

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CHRIS KLIMAS

HEAD COACH

Chris Klimas completed his second season as head coach of the Rogers State baseball team after being hired as the second head coach in program history in July 2014.

In the 2016 season, Klimas led the Hillcats to a nine-win improvement finishing with a 28-22 record, including an impressive 21-8 home mark.

RSU went 13-14 in the Heartland Conference, its most wins since joining the conference in 2013, finishing tied for sixth in the league standings.

Three Hillcats were selected to the All-Heartland Conference team, while Rusty Huber and Caleb Kohlmeyer were all-region selections by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), D2CCA and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Klimas coached NCBWA All-America Honorable Mention selection, Andrew Vanisi, in his first season as a head coach in 2015.

A native of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Klimas was a two-year starting catcher for Oklahoma Baptist from 1999-2001 and graduated from OBU in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

RUSTY HUBER PITCHER

After first making himself visible at the Claremore Expo Center donning a giraffe costume in the stands at Hillcat basketball games, Huber quickly became a familiar name for baseball fans. The San Diego, California native recorded the first of his school record 12 saves opening weekend and continued to dominate opposing hitters throughout 2016. In a singleseason record 24 appearances, the junior struck out 43 batters in 36 innings, while limiting opponents to a .146 batting average behind a 1.50 ERA. With a brilliant resume, Huber was named All-Heartland Conference First Team and All-South Central Region First Team by the NCBWA and D2CCA.

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CHELSEA BURNEY | SR.

WOMEN’S GOLF ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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WOMEN’S GOLF QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Office Phone: Email: Asst. Coaches (Yrs.):

Josh Fosdick (2nd Season) (918) 343-7894 jfosdick@rsu.edu Catherine Matranga (1st Season)

HISTORY First Year: Tournament Titles: Low Round (Team): Low Round (Individual):

SEASON REVIEW

With nine top-10 finishes in 10 total tournaments during the 2015-16 season, the Rogers State women’s golf team enjoyed one of its most successful campaigns in program history. Head Coach Josh Fosdick, in his second year leading the program, had his small group dialed in from day one of the fall.

The season began with three top-five results in the four events of the fall, including a near victory and secondplace finish at the 17th Annual NSU Golf Classic. The Hillcats bounced back from two tough tournaments at the Lady Rattler Invitational and St. Edward’s Invitational opening the spring to finish inside the top six at the last four events of the season.

2009-10 6 291 (9/16/14) 69 (-3) Mica Eastin (10/13/15)

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 2 All-Heartland Conference Selections 2 Conference Golfer of the Week Selections Academic Awards 25 Academic All-Conference Selections 1 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honoree 12 President’s Honor Roll Selections 14 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Head Coach Josh Fosdick, Assistant Coach Catherine Matranga Row 2: Mica Eastin, Morgan Brown, Chelsea Burney, Elizabeth McCloskey, Stirling Phillips, Kina Boone, Raquel Trevino

In their final tournament before the Heartland Conference Championship, the Hillcats claimed the team title at the UAFS Lady Lion Classic matching a season-low round of 296 in the final round for a 10-stroke victory. It marked the fifth-consecutive season RSU has won a team title and the sixth tournament title in program history.

The season closed for RSU at the conference tournament at Horseshoe Bay Resort at its Apple Rock course, where the five golfers could only compete as individuals due to the program’s provisional status with the NCAA. Three Hillcats finished in the top 10 as Mica Eastin, Kina Boone, and Chelsea Burney all tied for ninth place in the rainshortened tournament, missing all-tournament team honors by one stroke.

Eastin led the charge for the women during the season setting a school record by posting a 76.6 scoring average that ranked sixth in the Heartland Conference and top 60 in all of NCAA Division II golf. Boone (77.7) and Burney (79.4) joined the junior by closing the year with a scoring average below 80 for the Hillcats. All three earned at least one finish inside the top five, while combining for 12 of the team’s 15 top-10 individual performances.

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JOSH FOSDICK

HEAD COACH

Josh Fosdick finished his second season at the helm of the Rogers State men’s and women’s golf teams after being hired in July 2014, as the second coach in program history.

Fosdick shaped the Hillcats back into contenders while making a name for them in the Heartland Conference earning 2014-15 Coach of the Year honors for his work with the RSU men. RSU has won a combined four tournaments between the two programs in his first two years.

With Fosdick’s guidance, the RSU men saw Alex Marsh earn Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year and Second-Team All-Conference honors a season ago. Tanner Alder was a first-team selection while Hagen Barmasse landed on the second-team and a spot on the league’s all-tournament team with Ryan Roberts. Raquel Trevino became the first Hillcat to earn a women’s golf postseason honor gaining All-Heartland Conference SecondTeam accolades in 2014-15 and Mica Eastin followed by earning all-league honors this season.

A former player on the National Golf Association (NGA) Professional Golf Tour, Fosdick brought six years of golf coaching experience, including four at the NCAA Division I level, to RSU. He played three years at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, Louisiana, serving as team captain for the Demons during his senior season. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Chemistry from NSU in 1997.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

MICA EASTIN It was a record-setting year for Mica Eastin as she lowered her own schoolrecord for best single round carding a 3-under-par 69 in the second round of the Dallas Baptist Women’s Classic Oct. 13. The junior fired three of the best four rounds of the season for the Hillcats, including the only two rounds under par with a pair of 69’s. Her consistent play all season led to All-Heartland Conference Second Team honors, becoming just the second all-conference selection in the six-year history of women’s golf at RSU.

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PATRICK BART | FR.

MEN’S GOLF ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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MEN’S GOLF QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Office Phone: Email: Asst. Coaches (Yrs.):

Josh Fosdick (2nd Season) (918) 343-7894 jfosdick@rsu.edu Catherine Matranga (1st Season)

HISTORY First Year: Tournament Titles: Low Round (Team):

Low Round (Individual):

SEASON REVIEW

Having to rely on a young, but talented group, the Rogers State men’s golf team turned in seven top 10’s in 10 tournaments during the 2015-16 season. Led by second-year head coach and returning Heartland Conference Men’s Golf Coach of the Year, Josh Fosdick, the Hillcats used nine different players throughout the season.

The campaign opened with the Hillcats turning in four-consecutive, top-10 finishes during the fall season, including their highest result of the year, a fourth-place effort at the familiar Texoma Championship at Chickasaw Pointe Golf Resort.

2009-10 8 278 (3/10/15 & 9/18/12) 65 (-6) Preston Bartley (9/18/12)

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 1 Conference Coach of the Year 1 Conference Freshman of the Year 3 All-Heartland Conference Selections 2 All-Sooner Athletic Conference Selections 2 Conference All-Tournament Team Selections 6 Conference Golfer of the Week Selections Academic Awards 32 Academic All-Conference Selections 1 Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar 2 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honorees 5 President’s Honor Roll Selections 24 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Trevor Williams, Evan Norlie, Eric Moore, Ewen Delample Row 2: Head Coach Josh Fosdick, Alex Marsh, Brendon Pittman, Will Lecky, Taylor Schoppa, Patrick Bart, Hagen Barmasse, Owen Bates, Assistant Coach Catherine Matranga

The spring championship portion of the schedule began with RSU placing eighth at the difficult TPC San Antonio course during the San Antonio Shootout. The Hillcats followed with back-to-back top 10’s at the St. Mary’s Invitational and the Chaps Invitational facing some of the best teams in the region before closing the year competing as individuals at the Heartland Conference Championship.

Alex Marsh, the reigning Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year, faced the challenge of taking over the number one spot for RSU and did so by leading the team with a 75.6 scoring average during 31 rounds. The sophomore posted seven rounds of even par or better, including a career-best, 4-under-par 68 in his first round of the season.

Freshman Patrick Bart quickly adjusted to the collegiate style of golf in America making the transition from Burnham, England to end the year one stroke behind Marsh with a 76.4 scoring average. He was the top finisher for the navy and red twice during the season.

Having limited tournament experience previously, junior Eric Moore became a fixture for the Hillcats in 201516 playing all 31 rounds. The Tulsa, Oklahoma product paced the squad at four tournaments, including the Heartland Conference Championship, where he finished 14th overall.

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JOSH FOSDICK

HEAD COACH

Josh Fosdick finished his second season at the helm of the Rogers State men’s and women’s golf teams after being hired in July 2014, as the second coach in program history.

Fosdick shaped the Hillcats back into contenders while making a name for them in the Heartland Conference earning 2014-15 Coach of the Year honors for his work with the RSU men. RSU has won a combined four tournaments between the two programs in his first two years.

With Fosdick’s guidance, the RSU men saw Alex Marsh earn Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year and Second-Team All-Conference honors a season ago. Tanner Alder was a first-team selection while Hagen Barmasse landed on the second-team and a spot on the league’s all-tournament team with Ryan Roberts. Raquel Trevino became the first Hillcat to earn a women’s golf postseason honor gaining All-Heartland Conference SecondTeam accolades in 2014-15 and Mica Eastin followed by earning all-league honors this season.

A former player on the National Golf Association (NGA) Professional Golf Tour, Fosdick brought six years of golf coaching experience, including four at the NCAA Division I level, to RSU. He played three years at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, Louisiana, serving as team captain for the Demons during his senior season. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Chemistry from NSU in 1997.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

ALEX MARSH The pressure and expectations of being named Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year may have been too much for some to handle, but Alex Marsh is not one of them. Taking over the top spot in the Hillcats’ lineup, the sophomore avoided a slump by leading the team totaling 99 birdies for the year. At one point late in the spring, the Southampton, England native ranked in the top five nationally for birdies.

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CHRISTI DOUGHERTY | JR.

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD ROGERS ROGERS STATE STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

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WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Chris McCormick (2nd Season) Office Phone: (918) 343-7689 Email: cmccormick@rsu.edu Assistant Coach (Yrs.): Morrie Turner (2nd Season)

HISTORY First Year: Conf. Titles (Individual):

2015 Audrianna Morgan (2016) - 100 meters Audrianna Morgan (2016) - 200 meters Cambridge Coy, Audrianna Morgan, Vivian Walters, Ashli Turner (2016) - 4x100 relay

SEASON REVIEW

To say the Rogers State women’s track and field team improved by leaps and bounds from its inaugural season, is vastly inadequate, as the team quickly made itself a group to be reckoned with in 2016. Under second-year head coach Chris McCormick, the program reached new heights breaking nearly every record set a year ago.

The season, featuring nine meets, began with a flurry as the Hillcats competed at a brand new indoor track facility in back-to-back meets for the Pittsburg State Invitational and the Indoor Gorilla Classic. RSU used nearly a full month off competition to gear up for the outdoor portion of the schedule that began at the Southwestern Invitation in Winfield, Kansas. It was there that the navy and red started to showcase their speed on the track, which continued throughout the spring season.

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 14 All-Great American Conference Selections 1 Conference Runner of the Week Selection Academic Awards 16 Academic All-Conference Selections 1 CoSIDA Academic All-District® 1 Capital One Academic All-District® 2 D2ADA Academic Achievement Honorees 1 President’s Honor Roll Selection 11 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Jessica Fairres, Mia Chavez, Danielle Wolf, Hunter Thompson, Hannah Tobias, Christi Dougherty, Natalie Titus, Olivia Jalomo, Jocelyn Buckner Row 2: Head Coach Chris McCormick, Cambridge Coy, Ashli Turner, Hailey Gillispie, Madeleine Kupec, Vivian Walters, Sarah Becker, Olivia Couch, Brianna Valles, Audrianna Morgan, Malinda Moore, Assistant Coach Morrie Turner

The Hillcats were anchored all season by a dynamite group of sprinters that proved to be some of the best in the region, led by four-time all-conference selection Audrianna Morgan. At the inaugural Great American Conference Championship, the sophomore from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma did what she had been doing all season by sweeping the sprint events at the meet winning both the 100 and 200 meters, while aiding the 4x100 relay to a school record and event title. Right on her heels all season was junior transfer Ashli Turner, who also reached all-conference status three times in her first season on the Hill.

In just its first year with an expanded roster that included student-athletes in the jumps events, RSU earned two all-conference selections as Olivia Couch (long jump) and Vivian Walters (triple jump) each placed second at the season finale behind record-breaking efforts.

The distance and mid-distance crews relied on experience gained from last season to improve times across the board led by sophomore Hailey Gillispie, who ran the three fastest 800 meter times in history dropping nearly two seconds off her best from 2015. Senior Christi Dougherty ender her track career by cementing her name in the record books in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

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CHRIS McCORMICK HEAD COACH

Chris McCormick finished his second season as head coach of the Rogers State women’s track and field team and began his tenure with the men’s program for its inaugural season in 2016. He was instrumental in getting the two programs started on the Hill and also remains the head coach of men’s and women’s cross country.

McCormick found early success with the track and field program as the Hillcats won four events at the inaugural Great American Conference Championship in 2016. Audrianna Morgan stole the show winning three events for the women’s track team sweeping the sprints getting wins in the 100 and 200 meters along with the 4x100 meter relay. On the men’s side, Baylor Harvey won the program’s first conference title in the 5,000 meters by nearly 10 seconds.

McCormick coached the program’s first Capital One Academic All-District Track and Field/Cross Country selections in Haley Taylor and Baylor Harvey, as the pair garnered the honor each of the last two years.

McCormick earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from East Central and was a member of the Tigers’ track and field program. He twice competed at the NAIA Track and Field National Championships, placing 8th and 11th in the marathon.

AUDRIANNA MORGAN While Morgan may have won three event titles at the Great American Conference Championship, her biggest accomplishment of the season may have come in an eighth-place finish. That may seem odd to some, but that result came on the national stage, and on national television, as she raced against some of the top collegiate runners in the country at the Nike Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. Running the 100 meters live on the Longhorn Network, the sophomore was the lone NCAA Division II athlete to reach the finals following a then school-record time in the prelims.

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CRUZ CHAVEZ | FR.

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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MEN’S TRACK & FIELD QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Chris McCormick (1st Season) Office Phone: (918) 343-7689 Email: cmccormick@rsu.edu Assistant Coach (Yrs.): Morrie Turner (1st Season)

SEASON REVIEW

In just its first year of competition, the Rogers State men’s track and field team showed it will be a force to content with thanks to the efforts of Head Coach Chris McCormick and Assistant Coach Morrie Turner.

The Hillcats completed a nine-meet schedule during its inaugural 2016 season highlighted by remarkable performances throughout the year.

RSU got its first taste of action at a brand new indoor track facility on the campus of Pittsburg State Jan. 29 and wasted no time making a name for itself. Baylor Harvey picked up his first of three event titles during the season and D’Jiron Lilley made a splash reaching the finals of the 100 meters in his collegiate debut.

HISTORY First Year: 2016 Conf. Titles (Individual): 1 – Baylor Harvey (2016)

5,000 meters

HIGHLIGHTS Individual Awards 15 All-Great American Conference Selections Academic Awards 23 Academic All-Conference Selections 1 2015-16 CoSIDA Academic All-District® 2 President’s Honor Roll Selections 6 Dean’s Honor Roll Selections

(From Left to Right) Row 1: D’Jiron Lilley, Seth Whittington, Dylan Beaird, Kevin Howard, Tristan Owens, Colton Green, JaQuan Johnson, Jairus Bradley, Nathan Hammack Row 2: Head Coach Chris McCormick, Daniel Driskill, Garrett Dyson, Blake Fisher, Cruz Chavez, Ryan Alexander, Bryan Clinton, Ricky Bell, Niall Masterson, Baylor Harvey, Assistant Coach Morrie Turner

At the inaugural Great American Conference Championships, where RSU is an affiliate member, the Hillcats boasted 13 top-10 results and landed 12 individuals or relays on the all-conference list, including one individual champion.

Harvey closed his year by claiming the first-ever conference championship in program history winning the 5,000 meters in a time of 14:57.10, dominating the field by more than 10 seconds. Earlier in the year, he shattered his own school record and turned in one of the top times in the nation running the 5,000 meters at the prestigious 2016 Nike Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in 14:35.29. The sophomore was the fourth-highest collegiate finisher running past 10 NCAA Division I student-athletes.

Not to be outdone by Harvey and the distance crew, the RSU sprinters put together an impressive season on the Hill ending with all-conference awards by Lilley and Ricky Bell in the 100 and 200 meters. Earlier in the year, Lilley swept the sprint events at the Southwestern Invitational in his outdoor track and field debut.

The 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams also landed all-conference accolades, while adding event titles at the Bill Williams/Bob Laptad Invitational late in the season.

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CHRIS McCORMICK HEAD COACH

Chris McCormick finished his second season as head coach of the Rogers State women’s track and field team and began his tenure with the men’s program for its inaugural season in 2016. He was instrumental in getting the two programs started on the Hill and also remains the head coach of men’s and women’s cross country.

McCormick found early success with the track and field program as the Hillcats won four events at the inaugural Great American Conference Championship in 2016. Audrianna Morgan stole the show winning three events for the women’s track team sweeping the sprints getting wins in the 100 and 200 meters along with the 4x100 meter relay. On the men’s side, Baylor Harvey won the program’s first conference title in the 5,000 meters by nearly 10 seconds.

McCormick coached the program’s first Capital One Academic All-District Track and Field/Cross Country selections in Haley Taylor and Baylor Harvey, as the pair garnered the honor each of the last two years.

McCormick earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from East Central and was a member of the Tigers’ track and field program. He twice competed at the NAIA Track and Field National Championships, placing 8th and 11th in the marathon.

D’JIRON LILLEY The Rogers State men’s track and field team made its inaugural meet one to remember Jan. 29, 2016 at the Pittsburg State Invitational on the brand new Harvey Dean Track.

Baylor Harvey had a perfect start to his 2016 season winning the 3,000 meters by surging past the high-level competition over the final lap to win by nearly a full second.

Freshman D’Jiron Lilley made a spectacular debut for the Hillcats running the fourth-fastest time in the preliminary round of the 60 meters at 6.78 seconds, an NCAA Division II provisional time. Later in the finals, he crossed the finish line in 6.82 seconds for fifth place. Lilley started the inaugural meet for RSU placing 14th in the long jump recording his best leap of 6.57 meters.

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HANNAH RAKE | FR.

MICHEAL HAZER | SR.

DANCE & CHEER ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

DANCE TEAM

DANCE QUICK FACTS

COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Office Phone: Email:

Amy Alt (1st Season) (918) 343-7789 aalt@rsu.edu

CHEER QUICK FACTS (From Left to Right) Row 1: Kelsey Eichelberger, Parker Jaques, Graycen Osburn, Daysha Goins Row 2: Jalen Greer, Hannah Rake, Abigail Nofsinger, Lexi Holleyman, Elizabeth Eslinger Row 3: Chelsea Couch, Hannah Rogers, Head Coach Amy Alt, Moriah Shelton, Rachelle Ritter

CHEER SQUAD COACHING STAFF Head Coach (Yrs.): Office Phone: Email:

Matthew Hinds (3rd Season) (918) 343-7782 matthewhinds@rsu.edu

(From Left to Right) Row 1: Madison Jacobs, Bre Yeager, Jordan Lahmeyer, Rebekah Newton, Lauren Shields, Chandler Ford, Sarah Thayer, Kendell Jenkins, Sydney Nolan Row 2: Micheal Hazer, Nate Callis, James Norman, John Brito, Dakota Thomas

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save the v

u

DATE w

HILLCAT HACKER

October 28, 2016 | RSU Claremore Campus Morning (9:30 a.m. - Noon) Afternoon (1 p.m. - 4 p.m.)

Lunch served 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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WEST BEND ON THE GREEN

Featuring the RSU Homecoming Bonfire Tuesday, November 15 | Claremore Expo Center 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

ATHLETIC ALUMNI BREAKFAST

The Hillcat Hacker Invitational is a fun-filled golf event played amidst the hazards of Rogers State University’s scenic Claremore campus. The game features special non-destructive golf balls and is designed for pros, amateurs and hackers alike. Knowledge of the game is helpful, but is not necessary. A tip sheet and Hacker assistance will be available. The goal of this event is to generate camaraderie among the University’s friends and alumni, and showcase RSU’s beautiful and historic campus.

Saturday, November 19 | Hammett House Starts at 9 a.m.

RSU HOMECOMING BASKETBALL GAME AND ROYAL CORONATION November 19 | Claremore Expo Center Women’s Basketball - 2 p.m.

Men’s Basketball - 4 p.m.

Royalty Coronation - Men’s Basketball Halftime

For more information, please visit

www.rsuhillcats.com/HillcatHacker

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v w x

Everywhere you turn in Claremore and Rogers County, the Hillcat logo continues to pop up and make an appearance. That’s because of the Rogers State athletic department’s conscious effort to engage the community, working with 46 different schools, organizations, and businesses throughout the year.

The RSU athletic department takes an active role in the local community and has participated in a number of community and University events throughout the year totaling more than 5,000 hours. By providing opportunities for student-athletes to serve, these young men and women make meaningful contributions to society in the present and learn to be servant leaders in the future.

In the last year, people have had the opportunity to see Rogers State coaches and staff attempt to simultaneously ride donkeys and play basketball, while kids across the area have engaged with Hillcat student-athletes in the class room, during sports clinics, and at RSU sporting events. Several senior citizens also have enjoyed social events sponsored at their assisted living center by student-athletes. Those acts are just a sampling of the way Hillcat Athletics has impacted the community during the year.

“The Claremore community is vital to the success of Rogers State University,” RSU Director of Athletics Ryan Erwin said. “The athletic department wants to give back in the community and around campus. We feel it is important to enhance the community and be a part of what makes this such a great place to live.”

Community involvement is an essential component of developing strong, well-rounded student-athletes, and a unified athletics department. RSU athletics is committed to service initiatives that respond to the needs of the community, while providing student-athletes, coaches, and staff the opportunity to learn and grow.

RSU student-athletes could be found at all five Claremore elementary schools on nearly every school day of 2015-16 and the department also partnered with Blue Star Mothers on two occasions. The basketball teams, along with a few members of the athletic administration, volunteered as bell ringers for the Salvation Army outside Wal-Mart to help spread holiday cheer, and an impressive seven teams hosted free youth clinics at the community center.

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RSU BASEBALL AND “HILLCAT HOMIES” AT ROOSA ELEMENTARY

MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAMS UP WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY

RSU Baseball kicked off the school year with a “work day” at Roosa Elementary to beautify the outdoor space around the school and the playground. The team partners with Roosa Elementary throughout the school year with “Hillcat Homies.” Student-athletes volunteer in classrooms and ended the fall semester signing autographs for every single student at the elementary school during lunch. The entire school was invited to Roosa Day at the Ballpark to end the spring semester where baseball players signed autographs, all students received a free poster, and there were free hot dogs, candy and drinks. The event was capped by kids getting to run the bases after the game.

Men’s Basketball partnered with Westside Elementary throughout the year reading to classes, going to recess and even judging science fair projects. The team participated in an assembly at the school, hosted the elementary school at a basketball game and helped with the Westside Elementary playground project.

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HILLCATS SPREAD CHEER THROUGH OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

The Rogers State athletic department helped spread the joy of the holiday season as more than 200 student-athletes came together to pack and wrap 175 shoeboxes as part of the Operation Christmas Child project by Samaritan’s Purse.

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GOLF HOSTS VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE AT BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING CENTER

Men’s and women’s golf visited Brookdale Senior Living Center during “Giving Tuesday” in November and sparked a partnership. The team put on a Valentine’s Day Dance at Brookdale Senior Living Center complete with music, dancing and a photo booth in February.

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MEN’S SOCCER AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VOLUNTEER AT CATALAYAH ELEMENTARY, SOFTBALL SPENTS TIME AT CLAREMONT ELEMENTARY

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Men’s soccer and women’s basketball partnered with Catalayah Elementary throughout the spring, reading to students each week. Softball partnered with Claremont Elementary throughout the year reading to students, mentoring and playing at recess. Both schools were invited to a basketball game during the year.

HILLCATS HOST CAC CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME

The annual William W. Barnes Children’s Advocacy Center charity basketball game at the Claremore Expo Center raised $12,000 for the center. It is a fun afternoon pitting the RSU athletics staff against a group of community all-stars. The William W. Barnes Children’s Advocacy Center of Claremore is a non-profit, United Way Agency, whose mission is to reduce the trauma of child abuse. The Center provides forensic interviews, medical evaluations and mental health treatment in a safe, child-friendly environment. The Center has been in existence since 2001 and serves over 350 children annually from Rogers, Mayes, and Craig Counties.

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TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY PARTICIPATE IN RUNNING BUDDIES AT CATALAYAH ELEMENTARY AND CLAREMONT ELEMENTARY

RSU cross country and track helped facilitate an after school running program at Catalayah Elementary and Claremont Elementary. “Running Buddies” allows the RSU student-athletes to run with the kids from the schools, talk to them about technique and encourage the students in the sport.

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PARTNERS WITH CATOOSA SPECIAL OLYMPICS

For the sixth-straight year, the RSU women’s basketball team partnered with the Catoosa Special Olympics. The team put on a clinic for the athletes from Catoosa and cheer them on at their basketball tournament.

The Catoosa Special Olympics team is a big supporter of the RSU women coming to several games during the season at the Claremore Expo.

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RSU SOCCER COMPLETES SIXTH SEASON WITH TOPSOCCER

RSU Soccer partnered with Owasso TOPSoccer for the sixth-consecutive season.

The student-athletes helped coach the TOPSoccer team and invited them out to a game where they got to walk out with the players during starting lineups and play a game at halftime. RSU soccer players signed autographs after the game.

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HILLCATS LEND A HELPING HAND DURING TORNADO DISASTER RELIEF

Over 80 student-athletes, coaches and staff participated in tornado disaster relief throughout Claremore following the storms in early April.

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due to abuse or neglect. She has helped lead free softball clinics to help develop the skills and self-confidence of aspiring girls. Katelyn also has shared with children at Claremont Elementary School about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy, and has also volunteered for RSU’s Art on the Hill exhibition show and sale that benefits student scholarships.

GAMBLE NAMED 2016 NEWMAN CIVIC FELLOW

A Rogers State University freshman was among 218 college students nationwide to be named a 2016 Newman Civic Fellow in recognition for her service to the local community.

Her commitment to community service and social change began even before her arrival at RSU, having served through numerous opportunities in her hometown of Edmond, Oklahoma. She volunteered at the regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and served in a community outreach program that provided free school supplies, wellness checks, haircuts, and physical exams. Through her high school, she annually volunteered in fundraising opportunities to support local non-profit organizations.

Katelyn Gamble, a business administration-accounting major from Edmond, is a member of the RSU Hillcats softball team and the President’s Leadership Class at RSU. Students selected as a Newman Civic Fellow have demonstrated they are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.

RSU President Dr. Larry Rice nominated Gamble for the recognition, noting her exceptional leadership qualities.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping others in and outside of my community,” Gamble said. “To help improve the education of my peers, I became a volunteer tutor for the athletic department. Being a student athlete myself, I know how challenging it is to maintain successful grades during the season. My goal as a tutor is to help improve the educational success of my peers while also encouraging them to think positively about education and their academic careers.”

“Katelyn is passionate about academic success and promoting further educational attainment within her spheres of influence,” Rice said, noting her service as a tutor. “She manages to contribute this time to support others’ educational endeavors while balancing a busy student-athlete schedule and maintaining a strong academic record of her own.”

Newman Civic Fellows are recommended by college and university presidents to acknowledge motivation and ability in public leadership.

The award is non-competitive. Each student who is recommended will become a Newman Civic Fellow in the year she/he is recommended and will represent that school within the national group.

In addition to tutoring, Gamble has invested in the lives and well-being of area youth. She has volunteered at Rogers County Youth Services, which provides care and shelter for kids who have been taken out of their homes

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

BY THE NUMBERS

248

STUDENT-ATHLETES

5,000

WORKING WITH

46

HOURS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES

PARTNERED WITH HOSTED

9

FREE SPORTS CLINICS FOR KIDS

17

SCHOOLS IN ROGERS, MAYES, & TULSA COUNTIES

VISITED

6

ASSISTED LIVING CENTERS

ON AVERAGE, A RSU STUDENT-ATHLETE COULD BE FOUND IN ALL

WALKED IN RAISED MONEY FOR

5

4

CHARITIES

CLAREMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ON A WEEKLY BASIS

PUT TOGETHER

175

SHOEBOX GIFTS FOR OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

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3

PARADES

STUDENT-ATHLETES ALUMNI REPRESENT HILLCATS IN FIRST RSU MBA GRADUATING CLASS

Eight students from the MBA program earned diplomas representing the first graduate degree program to be offered by RSU, including former student-athletes Mason Marquette (baseball) and Katrina Loy Herndon (softball).

To mark this occasion, the University asked MBA student and former softball standout Katrina Loy Herndon, who was recognized as the outstanding graduate for the inaugural MBA class, to present remarks at both commencement ceremonies.

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“I feel so honored and grateful to be a part of Rogers State history,” Herndon said. “The University has grown so much and it means so much to be a part of it. I feel very proud to have such a strong connection with this University.”

GRADUATION DAY FULL OF RSU STUDENT-ATHLETES

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Rogers State University’s 104th commencement ceremonies May 7 recognized its largest graduating class, including inaugural graduates from its Master of Business Administration program. In total, 53 former student-athletes representing 10 Hillcat teams were part of the graduating class with 51 earning bachelor’s degrees, while two graduated with a master’s degree.

Herndon graduated from Claremore Sequoyah High School in 2009 and attended RSU as a student-athlete competing on the Hillcat softball team.

During her undergraduate career, she was a leader both on the field and in the classroom. As a result, she was named an Academic All-American during both her junior and senior seasons. She graduated with honors from RSU in 2013 and shortly thereafter began working for AEP/PSO as a project coordinator in the transmission project services department.

“Congratulations to our 2016 graduates,” RSU Director of Athletics Ryan Erwin said. “Our staff and coaches continually talk about the importance of academics and graduation from early on during the recruitment process and this confirms that commitment. I am extremely proud of this group as they have represented the Hillcats in competition while getting it done in the classroom and in the community.”

“RSU athletics has truly helped shape the person I am today,” Herndon said. “It has taught me discipline and determination that benefit me in my professional life. It helped open my eyes to what I was capable of achieving and made me realize that hard work and dedication do pay off. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and has blessed me with many wonderful friends and memories.”

During the ceremonies, the University expected to award diplomas to more than 740 students who earned master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees from all three campuses and online. The class of 2016 includes RSU’s largest group of bachelor’s degree students at 421. Since RSU received accreditation as a four-year university in 2000, the University has awarded more than 6,700 diplomas, including more than 3,100 bachelor’s degrees and nearly 3,600 associate degrees.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

Marquette, a Broken Arrow, Okla. native, was a member of the RSU baseball program from 2011-2015 and played on back-to-back NAIA World Series teams.

He earned the Hillcat Award, a career achievement award given to one male and one female student-athlete each year who exemplifies what it is to be a Hillcat on and off the field.

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HILLCATS HOST 3RD ANNUAL BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

The Rogers State athletic department hosted its third-annual Breakfast of Champions Friday morning (April 22) honoring 43 student-athletes along with their faculty or staff mentors at the Centennial Center Ballroom.

“The annual Breakfast of Champions is always a special event where we celebrate our student-athletes who have exceled in the classroom,” Director of Athletics Ryan Erwin said. “These student-athletes have shown they can balance their academic and athletic endeavors very effectively and are a true testament of an RSU student-athlete. This event also highlights and honors the RSU faculty and staff that have made an impact on the lives of our student-athletes, and we are very appreciative for their continued support of Hillcat Athletics.”

HARTZLER LANDS ON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA SQUAD

Rogers State’s JC Hartzler was named to the 2015-16 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division II Men’s Basketball team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The senior earned a spot on the second team and was one of just 15 players in the nation to be recognized for the award. The all-time leading scorer in program history, Hartzler becomes the first Hillcat, in the NCAA Division II era, to be named to the All-America team. He is the eighth student-athlete in school history to land on the prestigious list and the first since 2013.

The attendance was an all-time high with 43 Hillcat student-athletes honored.

The number of honorees has grown each year since the first event in 2014.

The participating student-athletes had to register a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average and invited a faculty or staff member of their choice that has made a positive impact on their time at Rogers State.

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS / SPORT

“What a great accomplishment for a well deserving student athlete,” RSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Just Barkley said. “JC has always understood the importance of being a student first. His accomplishments on the court stand on its own, but what he has been able to do in the classroom will have long term effects on his future goals. This is not only a great achievement for JC, but the entire Rogers State Athletic Department.”

Michael Fusselman / Baseball Cameron Kirk / Baseball Tanner Smith / Baseball JC Hartzler / Men’s Basketball Caleb Jones / Men’s Basketball Kyler Ng / Men’s Basketball Heather Roberts / Women’s Basketball Lexi Holleyman / Dance Hannah Rake / Dance Rachelle Ritter / Dance Moriah Shelton / Dance Abigail Thibodeaux / Dance Owen Bates / Men’s Golf Will Lecky / Men’s Golf Alex Marsh / Men’s Golf Stirling Phillips / Women’s Golf Chelsea Burney / Women’s Golf Mitchell Sowerby / Men’s Soccer Caleb Pitts / Men’s Soccer Lars Lindtner / Men’s Soccer Katlin Moran / Women’s Soccer Paige Pontarolo / Women’s Soccer Samantha Snow / Women’s Soccer Tayler Stover / Women’s Soccer Carson DuBose / Softball

Hartzler, who closed his career on the Hill with 1,413 points averaging a team-leading 17.7 per game this season, earned all-district honors in 2014-15 and for the second time earlier this year. He ranks fourth in the Heartland Conference in scoring helping push RSU to its first-ever league championship by scoring a career-high 38 points in his final collegiate appearance at Dallas Baptist.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hartzler boasts a 3.84 grade point average while majoring in applied technology at RSU.

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2016 RSU ANNUAL REPORT

Katelyn Gamble / Softball Rachel Jones / Softball Jamie Kowalick / Softball Kayla Patterson / Softball Mikayla McGoldrick / Softball Malori Moss / Softball Randye Sharp / Softball and Women’s Soccer Nathan Hammack / Men’s Track & Field Bryan Clinton / Men’s Track & Field Blake Fisher / Men’s Track & Field Colton Green / Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field Baylor Harvey / Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field Cambridge Coy / Women’s Track & Field Jessica Fairres / Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Hailey Gillispie / Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Malinda Moore / Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Haley Taylor / Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Brianna Valles / Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY

TWELVE HILLCATS HONORED AT GRADUATE AWARDS CEREMONY

Rogers State student-athletes continue to showcase their talents in the classroom as they represented the department in their respective honor graduates awards ceremony for each school on campus.

Bachelor of Technology: Applied Technology Outstanding Graduate: JC Hartzler

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS

Twelve Hillcats were honored May 6 for their remarkable efforts while attaining a degree from RSU. The award winners are selected by the department’s faculty and based on performance in the classroom and for their actions within the campus community.

Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, Management Option Distinguished Graduate: Michael Fusselman Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, Marketing Option Distinguished Graduate: Carley Johnson Master of Business Administration Outstanding Graduate: Katrina Herndon Loy

SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS Department of Communications Bachelor of Arts: Communications Distinguished Graduate: Lars Lindtner Outstanding Graduate: Kelsey Kellum Ng

SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, & HEALTH SCIENCES Department of Biology Associate in Science: Biological Science Outstanding Graduate: Joey Arnold

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, & CRIMINAL JUSTICE Bachelor of Science: Justice Administration Outstanding Graduate: Maggie McBrayer Bachelor of Science: Social Science – Psychology/Sociology Outstanding Graduate: Haley Taylor

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY Department of Sport Management Bachelor of Science: Sport Management, Sport Business Option Outstanding Graduate: Malori Moss Distinguished Graduate: Caleb Kohlmeyer Bachelor of Science: Sport Management, Fitness Management Option Distinguished Graduate: Jamie Kowalick

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ACADEMIC SUCCESS

BY THE NUMBERS

DEPTARTMENT GPA

3.13

HIGHEST SPRING 2016 GPA

3.46 MEN’S GOLF

HIGHEST FALL 2015 GPA

3.48

3.18

WOMEN’S GOLF

MEN’S GOLF

FALL 2015

7 of 12 teams earned 3.00 GPA

SPRING 2016

9 of 12 teams earned 3.00 GPA

ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL

3.25 WOMEN’S GOLF

ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

FALL

SPRING

FALL

SPRING

66

50

27

32 26

COMISSIONONER’S HONOR ROLL (GPA 3.0)

COMISSIONONER’S HONOR ROLL (GPA 3.0)

DEAN’S HONOR ROLL (GPA 3.0)

55

65

23

PRESIDENT’S HONOR ROLL (GPA 3.5)

PRESIDENT’S HONOR ROLL (GPA 3.5)

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

PRESIDENT’S HONOR ROLL (GPA 3.5)

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DEAN’S HONOR ROLL (GPA 3.0)

PRESIDENT’S HONOR ROLL (GPA 3.5)

STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SAAC LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Greetings,

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is comprised of student-athletes who are seen as leaders on their respective teams. We are charged with providing feedback to the administration, communicating information to our teammates and getting involved on campus and in the community.

The 2015-2016 academic year for the SAAC was very successful. We began the year with a list of goals. We wanted to continue our involvement in the community, raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and find ways to get involved on campus. Thanks to our members we were able to reach all of our goals. We made an effort to become very involved in the community both around Claremore and on the campus of Rogers State. We did so through events such as our “Senior Prom” at the Brookfield Assisted Living Center along with a cookout and volleyball tournament on campus before finals week.

RSU STUDENT-ATHLETES BRING PROM TO THE BROOKFIELD

For the second-straight year, the Rogers State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) spent a Sunday afternoon in April at The Brookfield, an assisted living center in Claremore, hosting Senior Prom.

The second annual “Senior Prom” is one of the events SAAC members have circled on their calendar. It is a great opportunity to get out and make a difference in the lives of someone who may need it. We had fun interacting with the residence talking, dancing and taking photos.

RSU student-athletes and staff members along with residents from the center and their families dressed in their Sunday best for the senior prom.

The athletes played music from a variety of eras and genres, danced with the residents, and provided a photo booth to commemorate the event.

We hosted a volleyball tournament and cookout as a bit of a study break before finals started to relieve some pressure off the students. We were also involved in a number of different events such as the disaster relief team after the tornadoes that hit Claremore, a Kiddie Carnival during Halloween, Destination RSU, the Bluegrass Chili Festival hosted annually in Claremore, and many more.

“The student-athletes took time out of their busy schedules to plan this wonderful event and show our senior citizens how much we appreciate them for another successful time,” RSU Director of Athletics Ryan Erwin said.

“Senior citizens are an integral part of our success at RSU and to see our student-athletes bring many smiles to the residents’ faces, and energy to their lives, was truly special. The inaugural RSU Senior Prom was a huge success for everyone involved and many of the residents are already asking about prom for next year.”

As part of our agreement with the Heartland Conference and NCAA Division II, we are responsible for raising at least $600 each year to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We did so through in-game events such as a Frisbee Toss at halftime of soccer and basketball games. The Fisbee Toss is always successful thanks to the amazing support of our fans and students attending games. Without their support we would not have reached our Make-A-Wish goal.

I cannot thank all of our members for sacrificing time out of their already busy schedules. Balancing athletics and academics is no easy task, but our members were able to successfully do this as well as take the time out to be a part of meetings and events. They made my duty as President a very easy one.

The RSU SAAC is comprised of two student-athletes from each sport. Their mission is to foster open communication between student-athletes and the athletics administration, to enhance the student-athlete experience by developing leadership skills, promoting a positive student-athlete image, and improving the day-to-day life of all student-athletes through activities, social events, and community service.

As SAAC grows more and more at RSU in the future, it is going to continue to add to the great things already accomplished in our few years of existence.

Sincerely, Caleb Kohlmeyer

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RSU SAAC REPRESENTATIVES FOR 2015-2016

CALEB KOHLMEYER President Baseball

JC HARTZLER Vice President Men’s Basketball

TAYLOR GEISSLER Secretary Women’s Soccer

CALEB PITTS Treasurer Men’s Soccer

WILL LECKY SGA Rep. Men’s Golf

MIKAYLA MCGOLDRICK Softball

JAMIE KOWALICK Softball

COLTON CROCKER Baseball

LEXI ELLINGSEN Women’s Soccer

MITCHELL SOWERBY Men’s Soccer

MADISON DEARMIN Women’s Basketball

HEATHER ROBERTS Women’s Basketball

JEYLYN SHARPE Men’s Basketball

CHRISTI DOUGHERTY Women’s Cross Country

HALEY TAYLOR Women’s Cross Country

MARIA APOLINAR Women’s Cross Country

GARRETT DYSON Men’s Cross Country

BAYLOR HARVEY Men’s Cross Country

RAQUEL TREVINO Women’s Golf

KINA BOONE Women’s Golf

HAGEN BARMASSE Men’s Golf

RSU STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT

The Rogers State University Hillcat Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s (SAAC) mission is to foster open communication between student-athletes and the athletic department administration, and to enhance the student-athlete experience by developing leadership skills, promoting a positive student-athlete image, and improving the day-to-day life of all student-athletes through activities, social events, and community service

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O M A s RECAP

The Rogers State athletic department held its inaugural OMAs Award Show Wednesday night at the Centennial Center Ballroom on the RSU Claremore campus honoring the 2015-16 endeavors of its student-athletes in front of a full house of coaches, staff, families and community members.

The night started with interviews on the red carpet by Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Scott Slarks along with a special photo booth.

The event featured 21 department awards honoring the best in Hillcat athletics for 2015-16, while special awards designated for each of RSU’s 14 teams were awarded.

The award show, hosted by Josh Haley, featured highlight videos, top plays from the year, and the awards presented to Hillcat student-athletes by their peers. Award recipients for the OMAs were nominated by coaches and chosen by a selection committee. The Fan of the Year and Corporate Sponsor of the Year are awarded annually to the fan and corporate sponsor that best represent the spirit of the Hillcats at sporting events and in the community.

Susan and the late Mark Haggard were honored as the fan of the year along with the award being renamed the “Mark Haggard Fan of the Year Award.”

Susan accepted the award to a standing ovation and cheers from everyone in attendance. Mark was a key member of the basketball table crew along with driving the bus on road trips to attending numerous Hillcat events.

Susan, a staple in the Hillcat athletic family, continues to be one of the biggest RSU supporters.

Buffalo Wild Wings was named the Corporate Sponsor of the Year as they have gone above and beyond to help support the athletic department.

This year RSU launched the Blue Up app, giving students a way to earn points for attending Hillcat events across campus and earn special prizes, including a chance for a free iPad. Buffalo Wild Wings also provided meals for the Hillcat Club along with other athletic events.

Selected as the Professor of the Year was Dr. Ken Hicks, a huge supporter of Hillcat athletics, especially the men’s basketball program where he served as the team’s mentor.

Along with the team awards, student-athletes presented awards in categories of For the Love of the Game, Courage Award, Best Supporting Role, Rookie of the Year, Highlight of the Year, Team Performance of the Year, Hillcat Spirit Award, Academic Success Award, All-Academic Team, Athlete of the Year, and the Hillcat Award.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

“The inaugural OMAs Awards Show was a huge hit and great success, as we celebrated the achievements of our teams and student-athletes with our biggest fans and supporters. I appreciate all the hard work and countless hours from the RSU staff that went into making this event a reality. We are also grateful for the continued support of the RSU and Claremore community and are looking forward to continued success of all our athletic programs.”

- Ryan Erwin, Director of Athletics ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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2015-2016 OMA WINNERS WOMEN’S SOCCER WOODEN SUMMIT AWARD Amanda Jones MEN’S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR Dylan Beaird WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR Haley Taylor MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR Seth Whittington CHEER HEART OF THE HILLCAT Rebekah Newton DANCE HEART OF THE HILLCAT Rachelle Ritter WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Kami Bunch MEN’S BASKETBALL MR. HILLCAT Corey Ayala WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Audrianna Morgan MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Baylor Harvey WOMEN’S GOLF GOLFER OF THE YEAR Mica Eastin MEN’S GOLF GOLFER OF THE YEAR Alex Marsh SOFTBALL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Jessica Christian BASEBALL MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER Ismael Orozco FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME AWARD Randye Sharp Ryan Alexander COURAGE AWARD Haley Wenlock Tristan Owens BEST SUPPORTING ROLE AWARD Chelsea Burney Niall Masterson

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ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Katelyn Gamble Rusty Huber HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR Audrianna Morgan Donald Moore TEAM PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR Men’s Basketball HILLCAT SPIRIT AWARD Kelsey Eichelberger ACADEMIC SUCCESS AWARD Haley Taylor Cambridge Coy Randye Sharp Kyler Ng Michael Fusselman Baylor Harvey ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM Women’s Soccer – Katlin Moran Men’s Soccer – Lars Lindtner Women’s Cross Country – Haley Taylor Men’s Cross Country – Baylor Harvey Cheer – Madison Jacobs Dance – Alexis Holleyman Women’s Basketball – Heather Roberts Men’s Basketball – Kyler Ng Women’s Track and Field – Cambridge Coy Men’s Track and Field – Bryan Clinton Women’s Golf – Chelsea Burney Men’s Golf – Will Lecky Softball – Randye Sharp Baseball – Michael Fusselman ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Kami Bunch JC Hartzler HILLCAT AWARD Jamie Kowalick Caleb Kohlmeyer PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR Dr. Ken Hicks CORPORATE SPONSOR OF THE YEAR Buffalo Wild Wings MARK HAGGARD FAN OF THE YEAR Susan and the late Mark Haggard

2016 RSU ANNUAL REPORT

RSU HILLCAT C O M PLI A N C E What are Boosters permitted to do? u Notify coaches about prospects in your area

Rogers State University is responsible for the actions of its coaches, student-athletes and staff, as well as its alumni, boosters and fans. The following information is intended to help educate athletic boosters and organizations, so they can best support RSU athletes without putting the institution or the individual student-athletes at risk. If you have any questions or would like to seek clarification regarding your actions as a supporter of Hillcat athletics, please call the athletic compliance office at 918-343-7988 or email RSU’s NCAA Compliance Coordinator, Eddie Jackson at ejackson@rsu.edu.

u Attend athletic contests where prospects compete, but

may not contact the prospect or the prospect’s relatives u Continue existing friendships with families of prospects,

but not attempt to recruit u Participate with prospects in organized institutional

community engagement activities when prospects reside

within 100-mile radius of location (Effective 8/1/07)

BOOSTERS You are a Booster or Representative of Athletic Interests, if you: u Have participated in, or ever have been, a member of a

booster organization that supports RSU athletics;

ENROLLED STUDENT-ATHLETES A booster may not provide a student-athlete any benefit or special arrangement that would not be offered to the rest of the general student population. This would include:

u Have made any financial contribution to the RSU athletic

department or any athletic organization of the University;

u May not entertain student-athletes or their friends or family;

u Have been involved in the recruitment of a prospect or

have been asked to assist in the recruitment of a

prospective student-athlete;

u May not use the name or picture of an enrolled student-

athlete to advertise, recommend, or promote any product

or service;

u Have provided or are providing benefits to an enrolled

student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends;

u May not provide awards or gifts to student-athletes; u May not allow a student-athlete to use a telephone to

make free calls, or allow use of a free or discounted auto mobile;

u Have otherwise been involved in promoting the RSU

athletic program; u Have helped arrange employment for student-athletes;

u May not provide a student-athlete free or reduced cost

goods or services;

u Are a parent or guardian of an enrolled student-athlete; u Are or have ever been a season-ticket holder.

NOTE: An enrolled student-athlete may be invited to a booster’s home for an occasional home-cooked meal, but may not be taken to a restaurant.

NOTE: Once someone has been identified as a Booster, they will retain that identity forever.

EMPLOYMENT A student-athlete may be employed so long as compensation is only for work actually performed, at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar work, and the student-athlete was not hired based on athletics ability.

RECRUITING A prospective student-athlete is any person who has begun classes in the ninth grade. A prospective student-athlete remains so even after signing a National Letter of Intent or accepting financial aid and until they report for the first day of classes.

NOTE: Employment may be arranged for a prospect provided the employment does not begin before the completion of the prospect’s senior year of high school.

What are Boosters prohibited from doing? u Contacting a prospect in person on or off campus u Writing or telephoning a prospect or member of the

prospect’s family

INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL RSU is responsible for the actions of its boosters and booster support groups. Boosters are regulated by the same NCAA rules and regulations placed upon all institutional athletics staff members.

u Making arrangements for the prospect or the prospect’s

relatives or friends to receive money or financial aid u Providing transportation for a prospect or the prospect’s

family or friends to visit the campus

CONSEQUENCES If a booster provides an impermissible benefit to a prospect, a studentathlete, or their relatives or friends, institutions may be subject to penalties, even if the student-athlete has completed his or her eligibility.

A prospect or student-athlete who accepts an impermissible benefit faces the loss of eligibility.

u Providing free tickets or reduced priced tickets to attend

an athletic event to the prospect or the prospect’s family

or friends u Entertaining coaches of prospects

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2016-2017 ATHLETIC STAFF & COACHES D I R EC TO RY NAME POSITION

EMAIL PHONE

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

ADMINISTRATION Ryan Erwin Eddie Jackson Sara Williams Dr. Keith Martin Scott Slarks Tim Hanson Trey Robertson Jeff Paden Dawn Tatro

Director of Athletics Senior Associate AD for Compliance SWA/Associate AD for External Operations Faculty Athletic Representative Assistant AD for Communications Sports Information Director Head Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer Assistant AD for Student Development

rerwin@rsu.edu ejackson@rsu.edu swilliams@rsu.edu kmartin@rsu.edu sslarks@rsu.edu thanson@rsu.edu trobertson@rsu.edu jpaden@rsu.edu dtatro@rsu.edu

918-343-7782 918-343-7988 918-343-7989 918-343-7706 918-343-8350 918.343.7839 918-343-5203 918-343-5201 918-343-7782

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BASEBALL Chris Klimas Robert Brown Skyler Ellis

Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

cklimas@rsu.edu robertbrown@rsu.edu sellis@rsu.edu

918-343-7787 918-343-6815 918-343-6815

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BASKETBALL (M) Justin Barkley Ben Rovenstine Marc Rozanski

Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

jbarkley@rsu.edu brovenstine@rsu.edu mrozanski@rsu.edu

918-343-6804 918-343-7678 918-343-6864

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK (M) Chris McCormick Morrie Turner

Head Coach Assistant Coach

cmccormick@rsu.edu morrieturner@rsu.edu

918-343-7689 918-343-7288

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

GOLF (M) Josh Fosdick

Head Coach

jfosdick@rsu.edu

918-343-7894

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SOCCER (M) Derek Larkin Mitch Sowerby

Head Coach Assistant Coach

dlarkin@rsu.edu msowerby@rsu.edu

918-343-7995 918-343-7995

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BASKETBALL (W) Bobby Cope April Ponds Logan Froese

Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

rcope@rsu.edu aponds@rsu.edu lfroese@rsu.edu

918-343-7883 918-343-7881 918-343-7757

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK (W) Chris McCormick Morrie Turner

Head Coach Assistant Coach

cmccormick@rsu.edu morrieturner@rsu.edu

918-343-7689 918-343-7290

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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ATHLETIC STAFF & COACHES D I R EC TO RY NAME POSITION

EMAIL PHONE

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

GOLF (W) Josh Fosdick

Head Coach

jfosdick@rsu.edu

918-343-7894

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SOCCER (W) Scott Parkinson

Head Coach

sparkinson@rsu.edu

918-333-7996

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SOFTBALL

Andrea Vaughan Kerry Hallman Carley Conley

Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

avaughan@rsu.edu khallman@rsu.edu cconley@rsu.edu

918-343-6813 918-333-7562 918-343-7562

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CHEERLEADING Matt Hinds

Head Coach

matthewhinds@rsu.edu

918-343-7782

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

DANCE Amy Alt

Head Coach

aalt@rsu.edu

918-343-7782

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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BUSHYHEAD FIELDHOUSE

Bushyhead Fieldhouse serves as the on-campus practice facility for RSU’s basketball teams. The gym features six goals, digital scoreboards and portable seating with a capacity of 300. Bushyhead is also the home of the athletic department offices as well as the RSU Wellness Center - a private weight training facility for student-athletes. Bushyhead houses both the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, an athletic training room, the Hillcat Academic Center for student-athletes and public restrooms.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CLAREMORE EXPO CENTER

Claremore Expo Center serves as the home of Hillcat basketball on game nights and is utilized as a secondary practice facility for the basketball teams. The Expo Center features arena seating on all four sides of the court for up to 2,000 fans. A four-sided digital scoreboard adorns center court accompanied by professional playing goals with three-sided shot clocks on each end of the floor. A state-of-the-art sound system helps produce a fun atmosphere for fans and often creates a hostile environment for opponents.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

DIAMOND SPORTS COMPLEX

The Diamond Sports Complex features a professional playing surface, lights, a large inning-by-inning scoreboard, batting cages and grandstand seating for 1,200. A spacious locker room is located adjacent to the Hillcat dugout featuring individual lockers, coaches’ offices, and an athletic training area.

The first floor of the centerpiece, two-story building includes concessions, restrooms, and umpire dressing rooms. The second floor features separate baseball and softball press boxes, offices, and a donors’ suite with indoor and outdoor seating.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SOLDIER FIELD

Soldier Field is located in the heart of the RSU campus with a new digital scoreboard added in the south end zone. It also features a large press box, lights, a public address system and stadium seating for a great view of the action capable of supporting 2,000 fans. The installation of artificial turf at Soldier Field was completed in May 2012 allowing RSU to maximize the availability and functionality of historic Soldier Field.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

HILLCAT ATHLETICS CENTER

Located in the north end zone of Soldier Field, the 8,986 square-foot Hillcat Athletics Center was completed in the summer of 2012. The facility features spacious locker rooms for the men’s and women’s soccer teams as well as the men’s and women’s cross country and track teams. Coaches’ offices and an athletic training room are located in the central area of the building. The facility also includes permanent concessions and restrooms for patrons and a paved concourse area with sightlines to the field.

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RSU ATHLETICS

MEN’S SOCCER

ďŒŽ /HillcatMensSoccer ďŒ­ /rsumsoccer

ďŒŽ /RSUHillcatAthletics ďŒ­ /RSUHillcats ďŒ‰ /RSUHillcats đ&#x;ŽŹ /RSUHillcatAthletics

WOMEN’S SOCCER

ďŒŽ /HillcatWomensSoccer ďŒ­ /rsuwsoccer ďŒ‰ /rsuwsoccer

www.RSUHillcats.com

COMPLIANCE

ďŒ‰ /rsucompliance

SOFTBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL

ďŒ­ /RSUsoftball

ďŒŽ /HillcatMensBasketball ďŒ‰ /rsumbb

CHEER

ďŒŽ /HillcatCheer ďŒ‰ /rsucheer

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ďŒŽ /HillcatWomensBasketball ďŒ­ /rsuwbb ďŒ‰ /rsuwbb

DANCE

ďŒŽ /HillcatDance ďŒ­ /rsudance

CROSS COUNTRY/ TRACK AND FIELD

ďŒŽ /HillcatXCTF ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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ABOUT THE

H E ARTLAND C O N FERENCE

The Heartland Conference is an NCAA Division II conference, founded in 1999, that currently consists of 10 schools, five from Texas, three from Oklahoma, and one each from Arkansas and Kansas. The schools comprising the Heartland Conference stretch from as far north as Wichita, Kan., as far east as Fort Smith, Ark., as far south as Laredo, Texas, and as far west as Goodwell, Okla.. The Conference stretches over a distance of 1,050 miles north to south and 610 east to west.

The schools that are in the Heartland Conference include founding members St. Edward’s University (Austin, Texas), and St. Mary’s University (San Antonio, Texas), and expansion members Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, Texas) in 2002 and again in 2004, Oklahoma Panhandle State University (Goodwell, Oklahoma) in 2002, and Newman University (Wichita, Kansas), Texas A&M International University (Laredo, Texas), the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (2009), and Oklahoma Christian University in 2012, and Rogers State and Lubbock Christian in 2013.

Among the many accomplishments of these institutions are national championships in baseball, golf, swimming, basketball, softball, and nationally ranked teams in all sports. The strength of the student-athlete concept is well supported by the many NCAA scholar-athletes in each school, the high cumulative GPA of the studentathletes in each school, and the high number of student-athletes who graduate from each institution in the Heartland. The Heartland Conference is the newest of the NCAA Division II conferences. At the present time, there are 24 conferences in NCAA Division II, totaling almost 300 institutions in full or provisional status across the nation. Members of NCAA Division II believe that a well-conducted intercollegiate athletics program, based on sound educational principles and practices, is a proper part of the educational mission of a university or college and that the educational welfare of the participating student-athlete is of primary concern.

CONFERENCE PRINCIPLES

Members of NCAA Division II support the following principles in the belief that these objectives assist in defining the division and the possible differences between it and other divisions of the Association. This statement shall serve as a guide for the preparation of legislation by the division and for planning and implementation of programs by institutions and conferences. A member of Division II: u Believes in promoting the academic success of its student-athletes, measured in part by an institution’s student-athletes graduating at least at the same

rate as the institution’s student body; u Believes that participation in intercollegiate athletics benefits the educational experience of its student-athletes and the entire campus community; u Believes in offering opportunities for intercollegiate athletics participation consistent with the institution’s mission and philosophy; u Believes in preparing student-athletes to be good citizens, leaders and contributors in their communities; u Believes in striving for equitable participation and competitive excellence, encouraging sportsmanship and ethical conduct, enhancing diversity and

developing positive societal attitudes in all of its athletics endeavors; u Believes in scheduling the majority of its athletics competition with other members of Division II, insofar as regional qualification, geographical location

and traditional or conference scheduling patterns permit; u Recognizes the need to “balance” the role of the athletics program to serve both the campus (participants, student body, faculty-staff) and the general

public (community, area, state); u Believes in offering opportunity for participation in intercollegiate athletics by awarding athletically related financial aid to its student-athletes; u Believes that institutional control is a fundamental principle that supports the educational mission of a Division II institution and assumes presidential

involvement and commitment. All funds supporting athletics should be controlled by the institution. The emphasis for an athletics department should be

to operate within an institutionally approved budget, and compliance with and self-enforcement of NCAA regulations is an expectation of membership; and u Believes that all members of Division II should commit themselves to this philosophy and to the regulations and programs of Division II. ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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2016 RSU ANNUAL REPORT

ABOUT NCAA D I V I SI O N I I WHAT IS NCAA DIVISION II

• NCAA Division II offers intercollegiate athletics in a fiscally responsible way and, in the process, offers all the student-athletes a positive intercollegiate athletics experience.

• In Division II, a “balance” exists that emphasizes both academic excellence and athletics achievement, and an environment is created that leads to the student-athlete’s total personal development, emphasizing the integration of athletics into the learning environment in ways that allow institutional members to focus on the total and comprehensive co-curricular experience of their student-athletes.

• Student-athletes are valued for their athletics contribution and for being an important part of the overall student body.

Higher education has lasting importance on an NCAA individual’s future success. For this reason, the emphasis on the student-athlete experience in Division II is a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting. The Division II approach provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletics competition and development of positive societal attitudes in service to community. The balance and integration of these different areas of learning opportunity provide Division II student-athletes a path to graduation, while cultivating a variety of skills and knowledge for life ahead.

Division II provides an intersection where athletically gifted students can compete at a high level, while maintaining much of a traditional collegiate undergraduate experience. This balance, where students are recognized for their academic success, athletics contributions and campus/community involvement, is at the heart of the Division II student-athlete experience.

NCAA Division II has 284 active member institutions, ranging in size from less than 2,500 to over 15,000, with the average enrollment being around 4,500. The division has almost 90,000 student-athletes competing and providing an intersection where athletically gifted students can compete at a high level, while maintaining much of a traditional student experience.

Additionally, the athletics programs are properly aligned with the educational mission of the institution and higher education. This balance is what distinguishes Division II from the other divisions.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

The latest figures show a 73 percent Academic Success Rate (ASR) for Division II. This means that 73 percent of all Division II student-athletes (scholarship and nonscholarship) receive a degree within six years of initial full time collegiate enrollment.

The division’s “comprehensive program of learning and development” and research-based initial- and continuing-eligibility standards result in Division II student-athletes consistently graduating 10 to 15 percentage points higher than the total student body.

• Division II teams usually feature a number of local or in-state student- athletes.

• Many Division II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans and employment earnings.

• Division II athletics programs are fully integrated into the institution’s operations and budget, like other academic departments on campus.

• The Division II membership is focused on an “academics first” philosophy and the division’s commitment to academic excellence supports the primary mission for NCAA schools: We are preparing student-athletes to go pro in something other than sports.

• A regionalization philosophy is used to select teams for Division II national championships. This emphasis on being the best team in your geographic region helps schools prioritize scheduling of regional opponents, limit missed class time, and manage travel expenses.

The gap between the Division II student-athlete and the student body graduation rate is bigger than at both the Division I and Division III levels.

FINANCIAL AID

Nearly 50 percent of all Division II student-athletes receive some amount of athletically related financial aid. Many Division II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans and employment earnings.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Division II institutions have embraced a philosophy whereby athletics is positioned as the institution’s front porch to community. By engaging community in this way, all programs, departments, and events that a campus has to offer can be showcased in a strategic way.

DIVISION II ATTRIBUTES

• Learning – multiple opportunities to broaden knowledge and skills • Service – positive societal attitude through contributions to community • Passion – enthusiastic dedication and desire in effort • Sportsmanship – respects for fairness, courtesy; ethical conduct toward others • Resourcefulness – versatile skill set drawn from broad range of experiences • Balance – emphasis on collective knowledge; integration of skills

Division II institutions have intentionally focused on creating a civil, comfortable and entertaining game environment for its athletics events that are affordable, puts fans in close proximity to the action, and the environment is “fan friendly.”

The Division II National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has committed its fundraising activities to the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2003. The overall amount raised during this timeframe is more than $1.5 million. It is estimated that more than 150 wishes have been granted from these Division II dollars.

ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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2016 RSU ANNUAL REPORT

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