BOBCAT CLUB e - m a g A z i n e
Contents BOBCAT
CLUB
e - m a g a z i n e
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bryan Gates Chris Park
Design
Bryan Gates
writers/contributors Bryan Gates Chris Park Texas State Sports Information Steve Appelhans Mary Ellen Jones
photography
Texas State Media Relations
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Bobcat club e-magazine
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Letter From The Desk of Chris Park
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2010 Fall Athletics Calendar
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Bobcat Club News
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Spring 2010 Bobcat Accolades
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Bobcat Club Announces A New Website and Record Numbers
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Women’s Soccer Feature: Lone Star Coach
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Football Season Update
10 Inside Bobcat Football: Steven Kenney & Darius Bolden 11 Bobcat Volleyball: History In The Making 13 Catching Up With Bobby Hutcherson 14 Compliance Corner
Letter From The Desk of Chris Park
Department of Athletics Bobcat Club
Dear Bobcat Club Donors, What a start to the Fall Athletic Season! Impressive wins are being piled up left and right by our fall sports teams and if this pace continues it may very well be another year in Bobcat Athletics with many championship trophies hoisted for all to see. Not only have our student athletes started the year off with a bang but so have our Bobcat Club donors. Many have heard the positive rumblings that the donor base is up, cash dollars raised for scholarships is at an all time high and big things are happening in Athletic Development at Texas State. Well, the rumors are true! As a staff we made a conscientious effort to increase Bobcat Club gifts at a rate never before seen at Texas State. The first step in this process was putting together our Leadership Council early last spring. This group did a fabulous job organizing teams around the state and bringing on board new donors to the Bobcat Club. The second step was to increase Bobcat Club awareness and the importance of increasing our donor base during our Drive to FBS campaign. The aggressive goals established were to increase Bobcat Club donors by 100% going from 393 in 2009-2010 to 800 in 2010-2011. I am extremely happy to report that we are currently at 600 donors to the Bobcat Club, a 50% increase from last year with essentially six months of fundraising left in this fiscal year cycle. We believe we can accomplish our goal of 800 donors. Regarding dollars raised, this is an area we have seen a significant increase. Six months into fundraising for the 2010-2011 athletic year we have seen an increase in dollars raised by 51%. The goal established for the Bobcat Club scholarship fund for this year is $400,000. To date, $75,000 additional dollars needs to be raised to hit our goal which would be a 100% increase. As you can see, everyone who is a Bobcat Club donor deserves a pat on the back. Tremendous strides have been made thus far and our goals are still within reach. In the coming weeks the Athletic Development staff will be reaching out to Bobcat Club donors to help us find new friends of Texas State Athletics so our goals can be achieved. ----------------------I am excited to announce that the Athletic Development team is unveiling our new Bobcat Club / Athletic Fundraising website on Today! So many people had their hand in making this new site a first class page for all important information related to donors of Texas State Athletics. More on the site in the E-Magazine, but be sure to take the time to check out the site send us feedback! ----------------------Until our next letter, see you in the Sac-N-Pac room on October 16th or in the stands at volleyball and soccer! With Bobcat Pride, Chris Park
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Calendar
2010 Fall Home Athletics Calendar October
November
10/8 Soccer vs. Central Arkansas
11/3 Bobcat Club Luncheon- Sac-N-Pac Room
10/9 Volleyball vs. Northwestern State
11/4 Volleyball vs. Nicholls State
10/10 Soccer vs. Northwestern State
11/4-7 Soccer [SLC Conference Tournament]
10/14 Volleyball vs. Sam Houston State
11/6 Volleyball vs. Southeastern Louisiana
10/16 Volleyball vs. SFA
10/16 Football vs. Nicholls State
11/11 Volleyball vs. UTSA
10/20 Volleyball vs. UT Arlington
11/12 Women’s Basketball vs. East Texas Baptist
10/22 Soccer vs. Nicholls State
10/23 Football vs. Northwestern State
11/13 Volleyball vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
10/24 Soccer vs. Southeastern Louisiana
11/15 Women’s Basketball vs. UT- Tyler
10/30 Men’s Basketball vs. Saint Edward’s
11/16 Men’s Basketball vs. Long Island University
Football vs. Central Arkansas
Men’s Basketball vs. Sul Ross State
11/23 Women’s Basketball vs. Idaho State
December
11/24 Men’s Basketball vs. Our Lady of the Lake 11/27 Women’s Basketball vs. Jackson State
Men’s Basketball vs. North Texas
12/7 Women’s Basketball vs. Southwestern Assemblies of God 12/12 Women’s Basketball vs. UT Pan American 12/21 Women’s Basketball vs. Texas Southern 12/30 Women’s Basketball vs. Rice 12/31 Men’s Basketball vs. UT-Tyler
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bobcat Club News
Upcoming Luncheons Wednesday, November 3rd Sac N Pac Room Wednesday, February 2nd Champions Club Level Wednesday, March 2nd Maggiano’s, Houston, TX Wednesday, May 4th Courtyard by Marriott, New Braunfels, TX All Luncheons begin at Noon and cost $20 for Bobcat Club Donors, $25 for Non-Bobcat Club Donors. Please RSVP by calling Linda at 245-2114 or emailing la23@txstate.edu
2010-2011 Luncheon Partners
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Spring 2010 Bobcat Accolades Baseball Sophomore pitcher Carson Smith was named the 2010 Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. The Midland native made 22 appearances on the mound and started 12 games. He finished with a team-high and league second-best nine games (9-3) and 100.1 innings pitched. He posted the No. 2 SLC ERA with a 2.78. His 90 strikeouts on the season make him No. 10 all-time in Texas State single season strikeouts. He received first-team All-Southland Conference. Senior first baseman Kyle Livingstone was named All=Southland Conference First-Team after finishing the season with a .373 batting average, which was fourth-best in the league. Livingstone led the team in RBIs with 60 on the season and finished with 10 home runs. Sophomore third baseman Kyle Kubitza was named to the All-Southland Conference First Team after posting a .351 batting average on the season which included 29 extra base hits and 10 home runs. Junior outfielder Bret Atwood was named to the All-Southland Conference Second Team. It was his second straight all-conference honor. Sophomore designated hitter Jeff McVaney was named to the All-Southland Conference Second Team. Junior shortstop Jason Martinson was named to the All-Southland Conference Third Team. Senior outfielder Lauren Randell was named Honorable Mention in the Southland Conference. Tyler Sibley was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine All-District VI Baseball Team. Sibley received this academic award after earning a 3.92 GPA while studying exercise and sports science. He has been on the Dean’s List every semester he has been enrolled at Texas State.
Softball Senior outfielder Leah Boatright was named to the 2010 All-Southland Conference First Team. She was also named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division 1 All-Central Region Second Team. Boatright led the team in RBI with 39 and home runs with 8. She ended her Bobcat career in the all-time Top 10 in batting average (.284), runs scored (98), hits (165), RBIs (118), and total bases (272). She is a two-time all-conference selection. Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Chandler Hall was named the SLC Pitcher of the Year for the second straight year as well as All-Southland Conference First Team for the second straight year. She is one of four players in conference history to win pitcher of the year two consecutive seasons. Hall tied for second in the league with 17 wins and 231 strikeouts. She appeared in a league best 41 games and led the conference with 213.2 innings pitched. She was also named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger/ NFCA Division 1 All-Central Region Second Team. The honor is the second of her career.
Track and Field Texas State sent four athletes to the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field West Region Championships. Freshman Lisa Bingham (high jump) won the event at the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships with a height of 1.72 meters. Senior Valerie Hancock (high jump) placed fourth at the conference meet, but has a season best height of 1.75 meters. Senior Katy Hanie (discus) earned the bronze medal at the SLC Championships with a distance of 45.10 meters. Junior Kevin Aje (sprinter 100m) sprinted a personal best time of 10.43 in the 100-meter finals for a fifth place finish at the conference championships.
Golf
Senior men’s golfer Michael Carnes was selected as an All-Southland Conference Third-Team selection. Carnes led Texas State with five Top 20 finishes this season. Sophomore women’s golfer Gabby de Reuck was named to the 2010 AllSouthland Conference women’s golf team. A native of George, South Africa, De Reuck is a management major with a 3.64 GPA and is a three-time Dean’s list student. She also posted four top 10 finishes in her play this year.
Tennis
Kyle Kubitza
The Texas State women’s tennis team was among 800 NCAA Division I sports teams to earn a Public Recognition Award for their exceptional work in the classroom as part of the NCAA’s Academic Performance Program. Based on the most recent multiyear Academic Progress Rates, the awards are presented annually to teams scoring in the Top 10 percent in each sport.
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BOBCAT CLUB ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE AND RECORD NUMBERS Steve Appelhans-Texas State Sports Information
With almost six months left in its 2010-11 fiscal year, the Bobcat Club has already made great strides towards this year’s goals of increasing both its donor base and dollars raised by at least 50 percent over last year’s totals. The Bobcat Club, which raises money for Texas State’s student-athlete scholarship fund, has announced the release of its new website completely dedicated to providing existing and potential donors with the latest Bobcat Club information. Chris Park, assistant athletic director for development, credits the Bobcat Club’s newly formed Leadership Council along with increased awareness and a larger staff for the growth the Bobcat Club has experienced. “The first step in this process was putting together our Leadership Council back in early spring,” Park said. “This group did a fabulous job organizing teams around the state and bringing on board new donors to the Bobcat Club.” The Leadership Council reached out to family, friends, and fellow alumni through peer-to-peer fundraising to help increase the number of Bobcat Club donors and cash dollars for scholarships. To date, the Bobcat Club has 600 donors for the 2010-11 year, more than a 50 percent increase from the 393 donors for the entire 2009-10 school year. In addition, the Bobcat Club has raised more than $325,000 to be used for studentathlete scholarships, an increase of 51 percent from the total dollar amount raised a year ago.
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With six months remaining to reach the goals of 800 donors and $400,000 raised, Park is confident that the Bobcat Club will continue to expand. “Everyone who is a Bobcat Club donor deserves a pat on the back,” Park said. “Tremendous strides have been made thus far, and our goals are still within reach.” One tool that will assist the Bobcat Club in reaching its goals is a new website dedicated completely to Bobcat Club news and information. The website, which can be reached through www.txstatebobcats.com or directly through it’s own URL www.txstatebobcatclub.com, provides a central location where existing and potential donors can learn about all the happenings of the Bobcat Club. A separate website from the main Texas State Athletics website, www.txstatebobcatclub.com has a distinct design that provides a unique presence for the Bobcat Club. Additionally, users can easily navigate the website for more in depth news and information, while allowing Park and the rest of the Bobcat Club staff to better serve their donors. “We needed a tool that is easier for both our donors and staff to use.” Park said. “Our site will include all pertinent information for our donors and we hope this will help us continue to grow our donor base.” The Bobcat Club is an organization of alumni, fans, former student-athletes, coaches and friends joined together to provide current student-athletes with a first-class education and a chance to excel both in the classroom and on the playing field. In addition to supporting scholarships, there are many benefits to being a Bobcat Club donor, including priority parking for football and men’s and women’s basketball, priority seating at football, staying connected through weekly Bobcat Club e-mails, exclusive invitations to special events and much more. Becoming a new Bobcat Club donor is easy. Contributions can be paid in full or set up for monthly payments. For more information, contact the Bobcat Club office at (512) 245-2114 or by e-mail at cpark@txstate.edu. You may also donate at www.txstatebobcatclub.com.
LONE STAR COACH From Texas State Media Relations and University Marketing
“Tell me about yourself.” When asked that question, Kat Conner has no problem conjuring up an answer. “I’m a fifth-generation Texan,” boasts Conner. “I was born here; my parents are from here and so on. I love this place.” Conner grew up with the Dallas- Fort Worth Metroplex as a backdrop. Just as her older siblings did, Conner excelled in sports but had an immediate impact on the soccer field. Upon graduation from Irving High School, Conner’s speed and agility on the field opened many avenues, but she knew there was only one choice. “When I graduated high school, I had choices to go other places for my education, but I wanted to stay in Texas,” she says. Conner attended Hardin-Simmons upon graduation, leaving the suburban life of Irving and heading to the rural quarters of Abilene. She helped the Cowgirls rope into two NAIA national championship appearances. After her third year there, a change in the coaching staff led her to look at other collegiate programs. Her curious nature took her outside the Lone Star State. Having competed against Pacific Lutheran while playing at Hardin-Simmons, Conner recognized the talent on that team and decided to try her hand (or foot) at soccer outside Texas. She wound up being namd an all-American for the Lutes. Upon graduation from Pacific Lutheran in 1990, Conner accepted an assistant coaching position with the program and spent two more years at the institution. In all, she was a player or coach with the team for three straight NAIA national championship appearances. “Circumstances took me away from Texas, but I found my way back as quickly as I could,” says Conner. “When I was looking for a job, I knew Texas was where I wanted to be and, as it turned out, where I would be.” Coach G. Guerrieri, former assistant coach at Hardin-Simmons, had just been named head coach at Texas A&M and called on Conner to be an assistant. She readily accepted, and from 1993 to 1998 she worked for the Aggies. At the age of 30, she got the chance of a lifetime to create her own soccer program. “This was the perfect opportunity,” she says. “I came to San Marcos for an interview, loved everything about it and eventually got the job. I still love it here.” Conner’s love for the job shows in her success. In her inaugural year as head coach, she led the 1999 Bobcats to a Southland Conference Tournament Championship and the team’s first appearance in the NCAA Championship Tournament. In 10 years, she has coached her team to four SLC titles, three additional Southland Tournament titles and earned a pair of Coach of the Year titles. She has also coached two Players of the Year, a pair of Newcomers of the Year, three Freshmen of the Year, an All-American and almost 30 AllSouthland Conference team members.
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As Conner prepares for the 2010 season, she anticipates this will be one of the best, if not the best, squad to play at Texas State. A homegrown unit, as always, Conner boasts veterans and recruits from across the state of Texas. “I grew up playing here so I know the talent that was here when I was playing and I know how much it has developed,” she says. “Players like Mia Hamm and Carla Overbeck are household names now in soccer, and I grew up playing against them in Texas. They have done wonders for the development of women’s soccer in the state, and I look here first for recruits.” Leading the new crop of Bobcats will be senior and 2009 Southland Conference Player of the Year Britney Curry. A native of Cypress, Texas, Curry finished the regular season atop every offensive category, leading the league in points (38), points per-game (2), goals (16) and gamewinning goals (5). As a junior, she became Texas State’s all-time leading goal scorer for with 39 career goals. “As a team captain, Britney is doing everything she can to lead this team, and she is doing a brilliant job,” says Conner. “She is a leader on and off the field and a large part of this team’s success will come from the motivation and fire that she has lit under them to achieve great things.” Curry, a bit more modest, expects great things out of the 2010 Bobcat soccer team, as well. “We are a great team, because Coach Conner molds us to be a great team,” says Curry. “She is committed to the program that she worked so hard to build. She holds everyone to the same standards and tells us if we work hard both athletically and academically, we will in turn become champions.” “We have to defend our title, again,” adds Curry. “We have a lot of talent on this squad, and our ultimate goal is to get past the first round of the NCAA Championship Tournament and make history at Texas State.” Coach Kat Conner
Britney Curry
FOOTBALL SEASON UPDATE
2010 Football Schedule and Results
9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/9 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20
@University of Houston vs. Southern Arkansas vs. Cal Poly vs. Southern Utah @ Southeastern Louisiana vs. Nicholls State University vs. Northwestern State @ Stephen F. Austin vs. Central Arkansas @ McNeese State @ Sam Houston State
L, 28-68 W, 31-17 W, 21-12 W, 42-28 2:00pm 6:00pm 3:00pm 2:00pm 2:00pm 7:00pm 2:00pm
Bobcat Football Notes: The Bobcats are 3-1 on the season after beating Southern Utah University at home 42-28 this past weekend in San Marcos. The Bobcats’ only loss came on the road at the University of Houston in the season opener. The running back combination of Karrington Bush and Dexter Imade has resulted in over 600 rushing yards in the first four games. Red shirt freshman Prestin Brown leads the team with twenty-five tackles this season. The team enjoyed a bye week before going on the road to begin Southland Conference play against Southeastern Louisiana October 9.
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INSIDE BOBCAT FOOTBALL The Bobcat Club caught up with Bobcat football center Stephen Kenney and wide receiver Darius Bolden to learn a little more about these student-athletes. What are your expectations for this year? (Kenney) “I think we have a very good team that is loaded with guys who are going to give everything they have to be the best. So of course I think we have a chance at doing something that hasn’t been done in a long time: Win a National Championship.” How does it feel to be an upperclassman on the team? (Bolden) “It feels great, rookies naturally look up to me. I definetly feel the responsibility of motivating the rookies to do the right thing at all times and not when its convenient for themselves. I lead by example because I believe actions speak louder than words.” What sports would you play if you did not play football? (Kenney) “I have always liked golf and tennis. They are more individualistic and I have never played a sport where I didn’t have a teammate to get me going.” (Bolden) “Nothing tops football for me but I would probably choose basketball because it is fun and requires skill.” What is your most memorable game? (Kenney) “Probably TCU in 2009 because it was my first game that I started and played the the entire game.” (Bolden) “Team wise, it would have to be the win against Sam Houston my freshman year to win the conferences championship. Individually, it is the Central Arkansas game last season where I scored the winning touchdown.” How would you describe yourself on the football field? (Kenney) “I’m pretty calm. My position requires a lot of thinking so I try to stay focused so that I do not get distracted.”
Off of the field? (Kenney) “I’m your typical goofy lineman. I love to cook, eat, and make terrible jokes.” (Bolden) “Studious, trustworthy, and humble.” Best non-athletic talent? (Kenney) “I’m a master in the kitchen.” (Bolden) “Devouring Steven Kenney’s cooking.” Your major? (Kenney) “Mathematics with a minor in chemistry.” (Bolden) “Industrial Engineering.” What is the most important thing you have learned here at Texas State? (Kenney) “The most important thing I have learned is that when things get tough on and off the field, I have to trust the advice of family and friends and continue on.” (Bolden) “I’ve learned how to prioritize my time.” I came to Texas State because...? (Kenney) “I came to Texas State because it is the right place for me in both the academic and athletics spectrum. Plus, it’s not too far from momma!” (Bolden) “It wasn’t too close or too far from home, I was offered a scholarship and I was very impressed by the coaching staff.”
(Bolden) “Aggressive and smart.” #80 Darius Bolden (Left) #58 Steven Kenney (Right)
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BOBCAT VOLLEYBALL: HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Compilated from Texas State Sports Information Some people are just born winners. Regardless of the scenario, these people almost always find a way to come out on top. Over the years, the Texas State volleyball program has seen its share of winners come and go through the doors of Strahan Coliseum. Great players and dominating teams have been a staple of Bobcat volleyball since the program began in 1967. During the past 23 years, Texas State has produced 73 All-Southland Conference selections for volleyball. Since 1991, the volleyball team has won 11 Southland Conference championships. Being a winner and being a Bobcat volleyball player go hand-in-hand. With such a long history of winning, it’s difficult to accomplish something that has never been done. However, this fall, three Bobcats – Melinda Cave, Shelbi Irvin and AJ Watlington – have the opportunity to do just that. With a 2010 conference championship, the three would become the first Bobcats to win four conference titles in four years. In fact, the trio would become the first Bobcats in any sport in Texas State history to accomplish the feat.
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The impact of such an accomplishment is not lost on the three seniors. “It would be amazing,” Cave said. “We would just know that all the hard work had paid off and can look back 50 years from now and say, ‘we did that.’” Getting to this point has been no accident and started before they even came to Texas State in 2007. Unknowingly, the trio entered their freshmen campaigns with a common bond – they were winners. Cave came to Texas State from Placentia, Calif., where she led her high school team to an undefeated record and sectional championship. Irvin played on the top club team in Texas and guided three different high schools to district titles. Watlington led her prep team to an undefeated record in the district, while also having great success as a softball player. Winning came naturally. So, it did not sit well with the triumvirate when their freshman years didn’t start the way they had planned.
“The most we lost was in our freshman year,” Cave said. “Getting a taste of losing is what helped us learn what it takes to win at the college level.” After finishing the regular season with a 10-6 conference record, the Bobcats went into the SLC postseason tournament with a disappointing fifth seed. And in the way of a Southland Conference Tournament Championship stood three teams that had each beaten the Bobcats earlier in the year. “We knew that we hadn’t lived up to expectations that year,” Irvin said. “We had some bad losses in the conference. We thought we were going to win the regular season title, and we didn’t really come close at all.” “We went into the tournament as underdogs,” Watlington added. “But we said, ‘you know what, we can show them.’” And show them they did. The Bobcats disposed of fourth-seed McNeese State in the first round before taking down top-seeded Lamar in the semifinals. Texas State’s final test was second-seed Stephen F. Austin, a team that had beaten them twice earlier in the season. With the match tied up at 2-2, a race to 15 would decide which team would claim the conference crown and advance to the NCAA Tournament. Ahead 14-11 in the final set, the three now agree that the next point was the defining moment of their careers. “I still remember it like it was yesterday. I set Melinda for the game-winning kill,” Irvin said. “I’ll never forget that.” That kill etched the first of three conference championships for Cave, Irvin and Watlington as they claimed the regular season title in 2008 and the tournament championships last season. And the trio will not be satisfied until they make it four. “We have a goal to win the regular season and the tournament,” Watlington said. “We have high expectations of everybody, and we don’t want to let each other down.” “We’re holding everyone to a higher standard this year than any year that we’ve been here,” Cave said. A fourth championship this season would ensure a legacy for the three as the best of the best – the only players at Texas State to win four titles in four years. Cave, Irvin and Watlington came to Texas State as winners. They have their sights on leaving the same way.
Next 5 Games 10/6 @ UT-Arlington 7:00pm 10/9 vs. Northwestern State University 2:00pm 10/14 vs. Sam Houston State University 6:30pm 10/16 vs. Stephen F. Austin State University 2:00pm 10/20 vs. UT-Arlington 6:30pm
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Catching Up with... Bobby Hutcherson
Former Texas State standout golfer Bobby Hutcherson was one of four golfers who played their way into the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Classic at the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas Golf Club In Irving, Texas. Hutcherson, who resides in San Marcos, qualified to play in the tournament after shooting an eight-under-par 64 in a qualifying tournament that was held on Monday, May 17, at the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney. He tied Trevor Fisher of Fort Worth for the low rounds and was one of four golfers to qualify to play in the 2010 Byron Nelson Classic. Those four players were among 85 players who tried to qualify for the Byron Nelson Classic. The 85 competitors included players from the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, Champions Tour as well as 54 players that had advanced to the Open Qualifying from Pre-Qualifying. This marked the first time that Hutcherson played in a PGA Tour event. He has played three seasons on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series, where he has three Top 10 finishes in his career. His first Top 10 showing came on May 1-4, 2008, when he finished in third place at the Capital One Classic with a nine-under-par score on the Ellendale Country Club course in Houma, La. He opened the 2010 season tying for eighth place at the Coca Cola Wal-Mart Open presented by Million Air after shooting 11 under par at the OakWing Golf Club on March 17-20 in Alexandria, La. He also tied for third place at the Jamie Hilton’s Hillcrest Children’s Golf Classic on April 28-May 1 after shooting an even par 288 score at the Twin Rivers Golf Club in Waco, Texas. In between those two Tournaments, Hutcherson won the 2010 Austin Open on April 17-18 at the Grey Rock Golf Club. Hutcherson tied for 20th at the Jim & Carol West Hooters Pro Tour in Victoria, TX shooting a four round total 278 (-6) A native of Memphis, Hutcherson played two seasons at Texas State in 2005-07 after transferring from Midland College in 2005. His best finish during his senior season was at the Middle Tennessee Intercollegiate when he tied for sixth place after shooting even par 72s in each of the three rounds. He graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and sports.
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Compliance Corner Each issue, Assistant AD for Compliance Mary Ellen Jones answers common questions concerning compliance issues, and addresses new policies affecting boosters in the “Compliance Corner.”
This issue we investigate what the term “booster” means and what limitations you, as “boosters,” have with student-athletes. What is a “Booster”? You are a “booster” or “representative of athletics interests” if you have at any time: 1. Been a member of an organization that supports Texas State athletics (i.e. Bobcat Club); 2. Made a donation to the Texas State University athletic programs or any athletic organization of the University; 3. Been involved in the recruitment of a prospect or have been asked to assist in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete; 4. Arranged for or provided employment for a Texas State University student-athlete; 5. Provided benefits to an enrolled student-athlete or his or her relatives or friend; 6. Otherwise been involved with promoting the Texas State University Athletics program (e.g. season ticket holder, etc.). Once you have been identified as a booster or representative of athletics interest, you retain that identity forever. A booster MAY NOT: 1. Contact a prospective student-athlete in person on- or off-campus; 2. Write or telephone a prospect or member of the prospect’s family; 3. Entertain coaches of prospects; 4. Provide free tickets or reduced priced tickets to attend an athletic event to a prospect or the prospect’s family or friends; 5. Provide any “extra-benefits” or special arrangements to prospects (or their relatives and friend), enrolled student-athletes (or their relatives and friends), teams of prospects, coaches of prospects or any individual who directs any type of physical activity of a prospect or persons who are involved in the recruitment of a prospect. A booster MAY: 1. Contribute funds to Bobcat Club or specific sports teams; 2. Provide employment to current student-athletes with compensation based upon work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with other employees performing similar job duties. 3. Invite a student-athlete or an entire team to receive an occasional meal provided such a meal is extended infrequently for special occasions; the meal is provided in your home or on-campus; and prior approval is received from the Athletic Compliance Office. 4. Continue existing friendships with families of prospects, but not attempt to recruit on behalf of Texas State; 5. Attend athletic contests where prospects compete, but may not contact the prospect or the prospect’s relatives. REMINDER: ASK BEFORE YOU ACT!! This information was prepared by the Athletic Compliance Office at Texas State University. All applicable NCAA legislation could not be covered in this section. If you have any questions regarding the above information or other questions pertaining to NCAA rules please contact the Mary Ellen Jones, Assistant Athletics Director/Compliance - 512.245.2114, mj21@txstate.edu. Remember, if you ever have questions please contact me at your earliest convenience. My number is 512-245-2114 and my email is mj21@txstate.edu.
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