TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
NCAA DIVISION III
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NCAA DIVISION III TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
Year In Review
1. The Transylvania men’s soccer team earned its second consecutive HCAC Tournament Championship with a win at Hanover College on penalty kicks to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. 2. The Transylvania women’s basketball team produced its best season in program history with a 27-3 record. The Pioneers went 15-1 in HCAC regular season play on the way to winning the conference regular season and tournament titles before advancing all the way to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. 3. The Transylvania men’s golf team won its 13th straight HCAC Conference Crown in qualifying for its 13th consecutive NCAA Championship berth. Transylvania University hosted the D-III Men’s Golf National Championships in May 2019 at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky. 4. The Transylvania women’s golf team won its second consecutive conference tournament championship in Fall 2018 behind HCAC Most Valuable Player Rachel Fine to clinch its second straight NCAA Tournament berth. The Pioneers tied their program best with a 15th-place finish at the National Championships 5. The Transylvania volleyball team, under first-year head coach Amy Barmore, won its first outright HCAC regular-season title with an 8-1 record. Junior Jordan Horne was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. 6. Senior Abby Blackburn of the Transylvania eventing team earned the USEA Intercollegiate Novice Champion title in becoming the top rider in the country at the Novice level, beating out all other university teams across Division I, II, and III college eventing. Blackburn was named the Pioneer Female Athlete of the Year at sesaon’s end. 7. Senior Graham Smith finished his career on a high note, becoming the first male All-American in Transylvania track and field history by finishing as the national runner-up in the men’s javelin at the 2019 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. 8. The Transylvania softball team qualified for its third straight NCAA Tournament, a program record by winning the 2019 HCAC Softball Tournament. 9. The Transylvania women’s lacrosse team won the HCLC regular season and tournament championship for the second-consecutive year to clinch their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. 10. The Transylvania men’s lacrosse team won its fifth straight conference tournament championship to clinch its third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
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General Information
Athletic Administration
The 2019-20 women’s golf media guide was designed and compiled by Sports Information Director Justin Sweeney and Assistant Director of Sports Information Neal Settle. Special thanks to Transylvania Communications Graphic Designer Sam Cooper.
The Department of Athletics provides equitable opportunities and support for male and female students to participate in intercollegiate athletics and to compete successfully in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference and Southern Athletic Association. All activities hold paramount the academic, personal and physical welfare of the student-athlete and emphasize physical fitness, selfdiscipline, teamwork, leadership and the highest standards of ethics, sportsmanship and personal performance. Student-athletes are representative of the general student population and are afforded similar opportunities and treatment. Programs, staff and facilities reflect the excellence of the institution and contribute to the quality of campus life.
Season Outlook and Review Lettermen Returning.................................................................8 Lettermen Lost..........................................................................5 Newcomers.................................................................................4
Women’s Golf Staff Head Coach...........................................Tyrus York (4th Year) Assistant Coach.............................Mercedes Lane (1st Year) Women’s Golf Office Phone..............................859-233-8153 Twitter................................................................@Transy_wgolf
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NCAA DIVISION III
Credits
The Transylvania intercollegiate athletics program is integral to the university’s educational mission and operates under the principles of amateur athletics and fair play, as established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.
LEXINGTON, KY
Vice President of Athletics.........................Dr. Holly Sheilley Assistant AD - Compliance..................................Jeff Chaney Assistant AD - Facilities.....................................Leigh Oakley Assistant AD - Sport Administration..........Kevin Calhoun Assistant AD - Outdoor Facilities.....................Terry Justice Assistant AD - Business Operations.........Parviz Zartoshty Senior Woman Administrator..................................Juli Fulks Sports Information Director..........................Justin Sweeney Asst. Director of Sports Information...................Neal Settle Strength and Conditioning Coach....................Zach Turner Faculty Athletics Representative.........................Jeff Hopper Title IX Coordinator.......................................Amber Morgan
Athletics Mission Statement
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Location...............................................................Lexington, Ky. Founded................................................................................1780 Affiliation....................................................NCAA Division III Conference.................................................Heartland (HCAC) Colors........................................................Crimson and White Nickname......................................................................Pioneers Mascot.......................................................................Raf the Bat President..................................................Dr. John N. Williams Vice President of Athletics.........................Dr. Holly Sheilley Athletic Department Phone...........................(859) 233-8270 Address...................300 N. Broadway, Lexington, Ky. 40508 Website................................................www.transysports.com Twitter.................................................................@TransySports
QUICK FACTS
NCAA DIVISION III LEXINGTON, KY TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
STAND OUT
GET PREPPED
Hone your critical thinking and writing skills—abilities employers and grad schools prize—and challenge your mind and imagination through a liberal arts education.
Immerse yourself in a supportive community, intimate enough for professors to really know you, with peers who believe you’re capable of more than you ever dreamed.
LIVE BIG
CONNECT FOREVER
Make the most of living and learning in the heart of Lexington, a friendly and creative city, with easy access to internships, jobs and infinite opportunities to build your future.
Become a part of the large and welcoming Transylvania network where lifetime friendships are made and career networking opportunities thrive.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE OFFERED IN: Accounting Anthropology Art Art History Biology Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Track Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology Track Business Administration Business Administration: Finance Track Business Administration: Management Track Business Administration: Marketing Track Business Administration: Hospitality and Tourism Track Chemistry Chemistry: Biochemistry Track Classics Computer Science Digital Arts and Media Economics Education—Elementary: P-5 Education—Middle Grades: 5-9 Educational Studies English Exercise Science
MINORS AVAILABLE IN MOST MAJORS AND: French Language and Literature German Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Studies Music Education Music Performance Music Technology Neuroscience Philosophy Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Physics Political Science Psychology Religion Sociology Sociology/Anthropology Spanish Language and Literature Teaching Art Teaching Chemistry Theater Writing, Rhetoric, and Communication
Asian Studies Classical Studies Communication Creative Writing Education Minor for Secondary Certification (8-12) Environmental Studies Latin American and Caribbean Studies Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
PREPROFESSIONAL PREPARATION IN: Health Professions: dentistry, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, nursing
Engineering Law
SELF-DESIGNED MAJORS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR EXAMPLE:
Sports Management Biopsychology International Security Criminal Behavioral Studies Social Justice
Child Study Intercultural Communication Political Communication Nutrition and Sustainability Historical Rhetoric
NCAA DIVISION III
Transylvania University is in the heart of downtown Lexington, a city with all the excitement and entertainment of
a bustling metropolis while maintaining a small-town feel. Located in the heart of the Bluegrass regions and the second largest city in Kentucky, Lexington features something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s Third Street Stuff, recently voted the best coffee shop in Kentucky, right around the corner from campus, the Lexington Farmer’s Market; Thursday Night Live featuring local bands and vendors at the 5/3 Pavilion; a concert or basketball game at the world famous Rupp
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
L exington WELCOME TO
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TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
NCAA DIVISION III
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NCAA DIVISION III LEXINGTON, KY TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Transylvania has enjoyed more than a decade of success since joining the NCAA Division III in 2004. The athletics community has excelled both on and off the field, with student-athletes thriving in the classroom and in competition.
656 75 57 72 65 45
ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS
ALL-AMERICANS
NCAA POSTSEASON APPEARANCES
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PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK AWARD WINNERS IN 2018-19
Transylvania’s athletic training staff strives to provide the highest quality healthcare to its student-athletes. The Certified Athletic Trainers are highly qualified and trained medical professionals with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences.
Transylvania has two athletic training rooms for its student-athletes. The main athletic training room is on the performance floor of the Beck Center with the secondary training room located in the field house at the Athletics Complex and both are open daily. Each training room is equipped with state-of-the-art injury prevention and rehabilitation equipment.
KYLE SUTTON ASST. ATHLETIC TRAINER
Kyle Sutton joined the Transylvania Athletics Sports Medicine Staff as Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2016. Sutton brings nine years of experience in athletic training to his role at Transylvania. Sutton has previously worked at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington as Head Athletic Trainer from 2015-16 and as Head Athletic Trainer at Westerville Central High School from 2008-15. Sutton received a Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science from Oklahoma State University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science in Allied Medical Professions from The Ohio State University in 2006.
CHRISTA HENDLEY ASST. ATHLETIC TRAINER
NCAA DIVISION III
Transylvania partners with Lexington Clinic Sports Medicine Center to provide our student-athlete healthcare. Lexington Clinic orthopedic surgeons David Dome, Peter Hester, Ben Kibler and William Grantham serve as team doctors for the university and make weekly campus visits, eliminating the need to travel off-campus.
Nick Reuss begins his ninth year with the Transylvania sports medcine staff and his third as the Director of Sports Medicine for the 2019-20 season. Reuss joined the Transylvania sports medicine staff in 2011. He holds a Master of Science in recreation and sport sciences from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Science in athletic training from Ohio University. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and is certified by the Kinesio Taping Association as a Kinesio Taping Practitioner.
LEXINGTON, KY
The sports medicine staff is fully accredited by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The staff specializes in the prevention, assessment and rehabilitation of injuries to our student-athletes. Athletic trainers have been recognized by the American Medical Association as allied healthcare professionals since 1990.
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Sports Medicine
NICK REUSS DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE
Christa Hendley joined the Transylvania Athletics Sports Medicine Staff as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in November 2017. Hendley carries over five years of experience in the athletic training realm to Transylvania. Prior to her time at Transy, Hendley served as the Head Athletic Trainer at the University of the Cumberlands from 2014 through 2017, overseeing men’s and women’s soccer, basketball, cheerleading, softball, track and field, and dance during her tenure at Cumberlands. Previous stints for Hendley include working at Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics as a Head Athletic Trainer and at Chowan University.
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Head Coach
Tyrus York enters his fourth full season as the Transylvania women’s golf head coach in 2019.
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
NCAA DIVISION III
Tyrus York
Pioneers Coaching Staff
Since taking over the program in March 2016, Transylvania women’s golf has reached milestones unforeseen before York’s arrival. A two-time PGA Teacher of the Year award-winner, York has led the Pioneers to two straight NCAA Championship appearances, a first for the program. A native of Harlan, Kentucky, York brings a unique combination of professional golfing experience along with a rich and far-reaching teaching pedigree to the position. York has been a Class A-certified PGA Professional for seven years and instructs as a PGA Teaching Professional at the High Performance Golf Academy in Nicholasville, Kentucky. York brings a wealth of acclaim to the women’s golf head coaching position at Transylvania and his mantle of accolades bears witness to his acumen; York was one of nine professionals selected to Golf Digest’s “Best Teachers in Your State” list for the state of Kentucky for 2017-18. He was one of seven professionals in the Mid-Atlantic region to be chosen to Golf Digest’s “Best Young Teachers in America” list in 2016-17. In addition to his most recent awards, York was named 2017 Kentucky Section PGA Teacher of the Year award, the second time he has received such honors. York was also named the Kentucky Section PGA Teacher of the Year in 2014 and has also been nominated for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Junior Golf Leader of the Year awards in the Kentucky Section. Over the past two seasons, the Pioneers have reached new milestones under York’s guidance by repeating as Heartland Collegiate Conference Champions in the falls of 2017 and 2018. By winning the HCAC Conference Tournament in consecutive seasons, Transylvania women’s golf advanced to back-to-back national championship appearances for the first time in the history of the program.
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York leads the Pioneers into the 2019-20 season as the standard of excellence in the HCAC. In the 2018-19 season, York led the Pioneers to a repeat as conference champions for the first time in program history. The Pioneers also clinched back-to-back NCAA Championship berths for the first time ever by winning their second consecutive conference title. Junior Rachel Fine finished as the individual champion of the conference while the Pioneers won by 13 strokes over the conference runner-up. Four players were named to the All-HCAC team for their conference performances. Transylvania finished off a historic year with a 15thplace finish at the national championships at the Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas in May 2019. The 2018-19 campaign followed a landmark season the year before wherein York oversaw the most successful year for the Pioneers women’s golf program on and off the links in 2017-18. In October 2017, York’s Pioneers won the HCAC Conference Tournament team championship for the first time in nearly a decade as junior Meredith Moir won her second consecutive HCAC Most Valuable Player award with a first-place finish. Transylvania captured the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament the following May and recorded its best finish at a national championship in program history, making the cut and placing 15th. The Pioneers also recorded the third-highest grade-point-average of any women’s golf program in the country to top off an extraordinary 2017-18 campaign. In his first full season at Transylvania during the 20162017 season, instant results came for the Pioneers women’s golf team; the Pioneers finished the 2016 portion of the fall season strong as sophomore Meredith Moir captured the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference individual championship with a first-place finish at Hulman Links Golf Club. Both Moir and fellow sophomore Jenna Soderling notched first and second place in the 2016 HCAC Women’s Golf Championships under York’s guidance while Moir was named the conference player of the year. The Pioneers completed 2017 on a high note as they won the team title at the Transylvania Spring Invitational at Keene Run Golf Course, their home venue. Following the conclusion of the 2017 season, the team received the inaugural WGCA Mark Laesch Award, which recognizes the team from each NCAA Division that attains the greatest improvement in stroke average from one season to the next; the Pioneers improved from a 382.92 stroke average in 2016 to a 343.50 stroke average in 2017, York’s first full season at the helm of the program.
York served as the boys and girls high school head coach at the Sayre School in Lexington for three years from 2012 through 2015. In all, York has been involved in golf instruction for over a decade prior to his current stint as the women’s golf head coach at Transylvania.
York touts a relationship-first teaching philosophy based upon initially evaluating the learning style of each of his students, and developing a method that best aligns with their abilities and talents prior to developing the optimal golf swing. “My philosophy as an instructor is do something every day to better yourself and personally adopt that in my own life,” said York. As a resident of the Lexington area for a decade, York commands an understanding of the university and top-level aspirations for his program: “Transylvania has a rich history here in the state of Kentucky for both academics and sports,” said York. “The university has long been a very important landmark in Lexington. Having produced extremely talented student-athletes already, I want to see more women’s golfers be a part of that legacy. I am humbled to be the coach to take these ladies to the next level.”
Assistant Coach
Mercedes Lane enters her first season as an assistant coach with the Transylvania women’s golf team for the 2019-20 season. “We are extremely excited to have Mercedes join our program as assistant coach,” adds Transylvania head coach Tyrus York. “Her experience as a former collegiate player and currently as a PGA Associate will be an incredible asset to me and the team.” Lane brings a full array of coaching, managerial, leadership, and playing perspective to her role as the women’s golf assistant coach with the Pioneers. A former standout golf athlete at Midway University in Midway, Kentucky, Lane has spent 2019 as the First Assistant Golf Professional at the University Club at Arlington providing support to Directors of Golf and assisting with management and operations of its golf course and practice facilities.
Prior to her time with the University Club at Arlington, Lane served as the Director of Tournament Operations at Moss Hill Golf Club where she led tournament operation coordination, marketing and promotion, rules officiating, course set-up, and overseeing the pro shop. In the summer of 2018, Lane completed the PJ Boatwright Internship Program established by the USGA. In this role, Lane interned with Golf House Kentucky conducting tournaments, junior golf programs, and working with membership services. The internship is designed to give experience to individuals who are pursuing careers in golf administration while assisting state and regional golf associations. Lane competed in women’s golf at Midway University from 2014 through 2018 where she was part of three conference championship teams. In 2017 and 2018, Lane earned Daktronics Women’s Golf Scholar-Athlete honors, awarded to women’s golf student-athletes who register a GPA of 3.5 or higher. While at Midway, Lane was the President of the Student Athletic Board and Sport Management Board. She graduated from Midway in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and Business Administration. In 2018, Lane was awarded the NAIA Champion of Character award.
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NCAA DIVISION III
Mercedes Lane
LEXINGTON, KY
The love of the game and the love of teaching it are two passions that fuel York’s daily drive as a coach: “I began teaching golf shortly after the conclusion of my college golf career and knew that coaching was something I wanted to do for a long time,” says York. “I’m fortunate that my primary focus has been on instruction, and subsequently improving
these teaching skills. Along the way I’ve been able to contribute to the marketing efforts of the facilities I’ve worked with, as well as manage the financial responsibilities of running my own teaching business.”
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
While the evolution of the Transylvania program has been swift under York’s management, his procession to becoming the Pioneers women’s golf head coach has been a steady drive from a playing career that began as an eighth-grader, led to a college career at the University of the Cumberlands, and bloomed into a coaching career following graduation in 2005.
NCAA DIVISION III
2019-20 Women’s Golf Roster
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
NAME.
CLASS.
Grace Chilton
Fr.
Worthville, Ky. / Owen Co.
Hunter Copley
Fr.
Bidwell, Ohio / Gallia Academy
Rachel Fine
Sr.
Lexington, Ky. / Dunbar
Rebecca Fine
Sr.
Lexington, Ky. / Dunbar
Kelli Harpe
So.
Lexington, Ky. / Lexington Catholic
Lexie Lamar
Sr.
Lewisport, Ky. / Hancock Co.
Christine McGaughey
Fr.
Frankfort, Ky. / Western Hills
Lauren Miles
Fr.
Bardstown, Ky. / Bardstown
Emily Neat
Sr.
Louisville, Ky. / Christian Academy
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HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL
Hunter Copley Freshman Bidwell, Ohio Gallia Academy
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Grace Chilton Freshman Worthville, Ky. Owen Co.
Rachel Fine Senior Lexington, Ky. Dunbar
LEXINGTON, KY
Christine McGaughey Freshman Frankfort, Ky. Western Hills
Kelli Harpe Sophomore Lexington, Ky. Lexington Catholic
Lauren Miles Freshman Bardstown, Ky. Bardstown
NCAA DIVISION III
Rebecca Fine Senior Lexington, Ky. Dunbar
Lexie Lamar Senior Lewisport, Ky. Hancock Co.
Emily Neat Senior Louisville, Ky. Christian Academy
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2019-20
TRANSYLVANIA WOMEN'S GOLF SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER Sat. 31 Sun. 1 Sat. 14 Sun. 15 Sat. 21 Sun. 22 Sun. 29 Mon. 30
Lynn Schweizer Invitational Lynn Schweizer Invitational NCAA Preview NCAA Preview HCAC Preview HCAC Preview Rumble at Rising Star Rumble at Rising Star
1st Round 2nd Round 1st Round 2nd Round 1st Round 2nd Round 1st Round 2nd Round
OCTOBER Sat. 12 Sun. 13
HCAC Championships HCAC Championships
1st Round 2nd Round
Spring Break Tournament Jekyll Island Invitational Jekyll Island Invitational Jekyll Island Invitational
TBD 1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round
MARCH Mon. 9 Fri. 20 Sat. 21 Sun. 22
Sun. 29 Mon. 30
Duncan Rhodes Invitational Duncan Rhodes Invitationa
1st Round 2nd Round
Transylvania Invitationa Transylvania Invitational Franklin Invitational Franklin Invitational
1st Round 2nd Round 1st Round 2nd Round
NCAA National Championships NCAA National Championships NCAA National Championships NCAA National Championships
1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round 4th Round
APRIL Sun. 5 Mon. 6 Sat. 25 Sun. 26 MAY Tues. 12 Wed. 13 Thu. 14 Fri. 15