2 0 1 2
M E D I A
G U I D E
2012 uco TeNNiS Schedule Date Feb. 4 (Saturday) Feb. 17 (Friday) Feb. 24 (Friday) Feb. 28 (Tuesday) March 2 (Friday) March 3 (Saturday) March 6 (Tuesday) March 9 (Friday) March 10 (Saturday) March 13 (Tuesday) March 16 (Friday) March 20 (Tuesday) March 21 (Wednesday) March 22 (Thursday) March 23 (Friday) March 29 (Thursday) April 2 (Monday) April 6 (Friday) April 7 (Saturday) April 10 (Tuesday) April 13 (Friday) April 14 (Saturday) April 21-May 1
Opponent Texas-Arlington Cowley College Oklahoma Christian Southern Nazarene Cameron East Central Southwest Baptist Tarleton State Arkansas Tech Ouachita Baptist Southeastern Oklahoma Newman Xavier (La.) New Orleans Montevallo West Florida Midwestern State Dallas Baptist Fort Hays State Northwest Missouri Northeastern State St. Edward’s St. Mary’s Trinity NCAA II Regional
Site Arlington, Texas Edmond Edmond! Oklahoma City@ Edmond Edmond Lawton, Okla. Russellville, Ark. Russellville, Ark. Durant, Okla. Edmond New Orleans, La. New Orleans, La. Pensacola, Fla. Pensacola, Fla. Edmond Edmond Maryville, Mo. Maryville, Mo. Tahlequah, Okla. Austin, Texas San Antonio, Texas TBA
Time 3:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. TBA
Bold-Home match !-At Oak Tree Country Club @-At Oklahoma City Tennis Center
School NickName
“Bronchos” was the nickname selected for the school in 1922 by Mrs. C.W. Wantland, the wife of football coach C.W. Wantland. It was chosen from a number of suggestions for the name of the football team and became the nickname for all athletic teams at the school. Mrs. Wantland was made an honorary member of the Letterman’s Club, becoming the first woman admitted to that organization.
School colorS
Bronze and blue were chosen as the school colors in 1895 by school president Edmund Murdaugh. The first public display of the bronze and blue was in Guthrie when a student represented UCO in the first oratorical contest ever held in Oklahoma.
oN The cover
Featured on the front cover of the 2012 UCO tennis media guide are seniors (l to r): Eli Abramovic, Julia Shviadok and Anna Kochigina. On the back is Rose Cabato (left) and Anto Rossini.
ProducTioN crediTS
The 2012 University of Central Oklahoma tennis media guide was written, edited and designed by Mike Kirk of the UCO Athletic Media Relations Office. Photographs were provided by Dan Smith, director of UCO Photographic Services Department. Cover design was done by UCO Art Director Craig Beuchaw. It was printed at the UCO printCentral, NUC 146.
2012 UCO Tennis UCO Quick Facts
School Colors: Bronze and Blue Enrollment: 17,101
Mailing Address: 100 North University Edmond, OK 73034 Founded: Dec. 24, 1890 President: Dr. Don Betz Athletic Director: Joe Muller Senior Associate AD: Scott Williams Assistant AD/Business: Tina Kurtenbach Director of Compliance: Darnell Smith Compliance Coordinator: Collin Walker Ticket Coordinator: Gunnar Poff Head Athletic Trainer: Ed Kabrick Faculty Representative: Trey Cone National Affiliation: NCAA Division II Conference: Independent Nickname: Bronchos
Tennis Facts
Head Coach: Natalya Smith Years, Record at UCO: Five, 62-47 2011 Record: 17-9 Starters Returning/Lost: 5/1
Athletic Media Relations Director of Media Relations: Mike Kirk Office: (405) 974-2142 Home: (405) 348-4897 Cell: (405) 615-2233 Email: mkirk@uco.edu Fax: (405) 974-3820
www.bronchosports.com
UCO Tennis Staff Directory
(405 Area Code) University of Central Oklahoma Switchboard.......................................974-2000 Athletic Department Fax .......................................................................974-3820 Office Athletic Department............................................................................... 974-2500 Athletic Director.................................................................................... 974-2502 Joe Muller (jmuller2@uco.edu) Senior Associate Athletic Director......................................................... 974-2137 Scott Williams (jwilliams129@uco.edu) Head Tennis Coach................................................................................ 974-2165 Natalya Nikitina-Helvey (nnikitinahelvey@uco.edu)
Table Of Contents
General Information
Player Profiles ................................. 5-8
UCO Quick Facts/Directory................1 Head Coach..........................................2
About UCO
The University................................... 10 Athletic Administration.................11-14 About Edmond................................... 15 About Oklahoma City........................ 16
Season Outlook/Players
2012 Season Outlook/Roster................4
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2012 UCO Tennis Head Coach Natalya Nikitina-Helvey In her sixth year at the helm of the Central Oklahoma tennis program is Natalya Nikitina-Helvey a former local college standout who has taken the Bronchos to new heights during her short tenure. UCO has made three NCAA Division II national tournament appearances under Nikitina-Helvey’s guidance and she has a 62-47 career record with the Bronchos, including a 46-24 mark the last three years. The Bronchos went 5-14 in Natalya’s first year in 2006-07 and then qualified for the Division II playoffs for the time since 2000 the next year in finishing 11-9. UCO went 14-8 and made it back to the national tournament in 2008-09 while having four players earn first-team All-Lone Star Conference honors and had a pair of first-team All-LSC performers in 2009-10 during a 15-7 campaign that ended with a close loss in the first round of the South Central Regional. The Bronchos were denied a fourth consecutive national tournament berth in 2010-11 despite a 17-9 record that included a late-season eight-match winning streak. Two players earned first-team All-LSC recognition. Seventeen players have been named ITA Scholar-Athletes under Natalya’s guidance and UCO has been selected as an ITA All-Academic Team four straight years. A three-time NAIA All-American at Oklahoma Christian, Nikitina-Helvey came to Edmond after spending the previous two years coaching at Wichita State. She spent one year as the assistant women’s head coach before taking over as the associate head coach in January 2005, helping lead the Shockers to one of their best-ever seasons in 2005-06. WSU captured the Missouri Valley Conference championship and made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Championships in 2006. Nikitina-Helvey enjoyed an outstanding playing career, obtaining WTA world rankings in both singles and doubles. She was a member of the Republic of Uzbekistan National Team from 1994-99 and played in the Federation Cup from 1995-99. Natalya went to Oklahoma Christian in 1999 and was the Eagles’ No. 1 singles and doubles player the next four years, earning NAIA All-America honors three times and NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades twice. Nikitina-Helvey graduated Magna Cum Laude in business administration from OC in 2003. She served as head counselor for the Carmel Valley (Calif.) Tennis Camp and was a tennis professional at KickingBird Tennis Center in Edmond before going to WSU. Natalya is married to James Helvey, the men’s and women’s tennis coach at Cameron, and has one son (Maksim) and two stepsons (Hunter and Dylan). She graduated with honors with a master’s in education from UCO in December 2011.
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2012 UCO Tennis
Season Outlook/ Player Profiles
2012 UCO Tennis Season Outlook A trio of senior standouts spearhead Shviadok is a brilliant all-around player a veteran Central Oklahoma team that is who ranks among the best in the country. determined to make it back to the NCAA She earned All-Lone Star Conference Division II national tournament in 2012. honors in both singles and doubles each of The Bronchos of sixth-year head coach the past three years and has 84 career wins Natalya Nikitina-Helvey return five start- to her credit ers from last year’s 17-9 squad that was Abramovic was a three-time All-LSC ranked 39th in the final poll and barely selection in doubles while also claiming missed out on a fourth straight national singles accolades last year when she went tournament berth, with the addition of two a combined 34-14 and is also among the talented freshmen providing best in Division II. extra firepower. Kochigina won 25 matches last year after The South Central Regional joining the team at the semester break is tougher than ever and UCO and will be even better this spring. faces a daunting schedule as an UCO also has back a pair of independent before moving two-year starters in juniors Rose into the Mid-America InterCabato and Anto Rossini. collegiate Athletics AssociaRossini was 33-18 tion next year, but the Bronchos in singles and are ready to be a factor. doubles last sea“Competing as an indepenson and Cabato dent will make it tough for earned 26 wins, us to qualify for the with both expected to do even national tournamore in 2012. ment, but I know Freshmen Camila Lang and that my team is up Sowmya Pulumati are the Julia Shviadok for the challenge,” newcomers and both will have Nikitina-Helvey said. “I’m really excited an impact. about this group of women, they have the The Bronchos will have just eight of their work ethic, discipline, talent and passion 24 matches at home this season and are to become the top team in the region and slated to meet four top-25 teams. complete this season on a high note as we “Our schedule will definitely test us, but prepare to join our new conference.” it will also make us better,” Nikitina-Helvey Set to lead the Bronchos are seniors Eli said. “We’re in an extremely tough region Abramovic, Anna Kochigina and Julia and will have to play at a high level all seaShviadok. son, but we’re excited about our chances.”
Name Eli Abramovic Rose Cabato Anna Kochigina Camila Lang Sowmya Pulumati Anto Rossini Julia Shviadok
Ht. 5-8 5-7 5-6 5-6 5-4 5-7 5-8
Roster
Class Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr.
Hometown (High School) Zagreb, Croatia (XVII Gymnasium) Richmond, Texas (Foster) Pavlovsky Posad, Russia Oklahoma City (Mount St. Mary’s) Hyderabad, India (St. Philomina) Midwest City (Midwest City) Brest, Belarus (Brest)
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2012 UCO Tennis Eli Abramoic 5-7 • Senior • Zagreb, Croatia Senior standout who ranks among the best players in the region . . . Will play near the top of the lineup and is ready for a banner final year . . . Dedicated player with plenty of experience and features a well-rounded game . . . Came to UCO at the semester break as a freshman and had an immediate impact in the spring of 2009. 2010-11: Earned All-Lone Star Conference honors in singles and doubles and was also named the league’s Co-Sportsmanship Player of the Year . . . Finished a combined 34-14 on the year, going 16-8 in singles and 18-8 in doubles . . . Played 20 of her 24 singles matches at No. 2 and split time at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, going 11-5 at No. 1 and 7-3 at No. 2 . . . Teamed with Julia Shviadok for six straight doubles wins to end the season. 2009-10: Put together a 14-6 singles record while playing mostly at No. 2 and teamed with Julia Shviadok for a 14-8 mark at No. 1 doubles, earning All-LSC honors in doubles . . . Won 10 of 11 matches in singles during one stretch and had a seven-match winning streak in doubles . . . Was runner-up at No. 1 doubles with Shviadok in the LSC Doubles Championships during the fall. Spring 2009: Played anywhere from No. 3 to No. 6 in singles and finished with an 11-7 record . . . Teamed with Shviadok in doubles, going 14-7 and earning All-LSC honors. Personal: An finance major looking to work as a stock broker . . . Enjoys playing the piano among her favorite hobbies . . . Names “Coach Carter” as her favorite sports movie . . . Birthdate is June 12, 1989.
Rose Cabato 5-7 • Junior • Richmond, Texas Two-year starter ready to make an even bigger impact this year . . . Has made great improvement over the past two years and is an experienced junior with a great work ethic who seldom makes mistakes on the court. 2010-11: Had a combined 26-19 record, going 10-10 in singles and 16-9 in doubles . . . Saw
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2012 UCO Tennis action at Nos. 4, 5 and 6 singles while seeing all her doubles duty at No. 3 . . . Won eight of her last nine doubles matches. 2009-10: Saw most of her action at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles, going a combined 19-12 . . . Won six straight matches during one stretch in finishing 9-5 in singles and went 10-7 in doubles . . . Was runner-up in the Lone Star Conference Doubles Championships at No. 3 . . . Earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors. High School: Prep standout at Foster High School. Personal: An education major . . . Father (Rod) and sister (Amy) both played at UCO, with Rod an NAIA All-American in the 1980s . . . Birthdate is May 9, 1987.
Anna Kochigina 5-6 • Senior • Pavlovsky, Russia Senior who will play a major role on this year’s team . . . Came to UCO at the semester break last year and stepped into an immediate starting role . . . Excellent all-around player who should benefit from experience gained last spring . . . Played two years at Russian State University. 2011: Went 11-8 in singles while playing mostly at No. 5 and was 14-9 at No. 3 doubles . . . Won six of her last seven doubles matches, all while teamed with Rose Cabato. High School: Played at Gmnasium No. 1 in Pavlovsky Posad, Russia. Personal: A business administration major . . . Enjoys playing the guitar in her spare time and aspires to be a singer . . . Birthdate is Feb. 22, 1990.
Camila Lang 5-6 • Freshman • Oklahoma City Talented rookie looking to contribute this season . . . Enjoyed a stellar prep career and is an athletic youngster who has a bright future ahead with the Bronchos.
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2012 UCO Tennis High School: Put together a 25-3 record as a senior last year at Mount St. Mary’s to earn Oklahoman All-City and All-State honors . . . Also a volleyball standout for the Rockets. Personal: An engineering major . . . Lists the Oklahoma City Thunder as her top professional team . . . Birthdate is April 5, 1993.
Sowmya Pulumati 5-4 • Freshman • Hyderabad, India Highly-regarded newcomer ready to make an immediate impact . . . Should step in and really strengthen the middle of the lineup, bringing plenty of positive energy to the court . . . Late addition to the team, not arriving until the second semester. Personal: A business major . . . Older brother (Yashwant) is a junior tennis player at Findlay (Ohio) . . . Enjoys watching movies in her spare time . . . Lists Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic as her favorite sports stars . . . Birthdate is Feb. 4, 1993.
Anto Rossini 5-7 • Junior • Midwest City Two-year starter and hard-working junior veteran who has made great strides during her career . . . Intelligent player ready to fill a key role once again this year . . . Enthusiastic player with a great feel for the game who will continue to improve. 2010-11: Saw action mainly at No. 4 singles and finished with a 16-9 record while also going 17-9 at No. 2 doubles . . . Won seven of her last eight singles matches, with six of those in straight sets . . . Earned Division II Scholar-Athlete honors from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). 2009-10: Played four different positions in the singles lineup and finished with a 9-9 record, going 8-3 down the stretch to overcome a 1-6 start . . . Had three different teammates in doubles and went 13-7 while playing at No. 2 and 3, winning six straight matches during one stretch . . . Was named to the ITA Scholar-Athlete team.
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2012 UCO Tennis High School: Fourth-place state finisher at Midwest City High School as a senior. Personal: A hotel and food administration major . . . A native of Argentina, where her family still lives . . . Tabs the L.A. Lakers as her top team . . . Birthdate is Aug. 3, 1991.
Julia Shviadok 5-8 • Senior • Brest, Belarus Senior star who ranks among the best players in NCAA Division II . . . Superb all-around player who owns a wide variety of shots and is ready to once again lead the Bronchos from the top of the lineup at No. 1 singles and doubles . . . Had an immediate impact as a freshman and has been a consistent force throughout her career . . . Picked up extensive experience while competing in various tournaments of national and international status in Belarus before coming to UCO. 2010-11: Earned All-Lone Star Conference honors in both singles and doubles . . . Went 15-9 in singles, playing all but four matches at No. 1, and finished 14-12 at No. 1 doubles . . . Teamed with Eli Abramovic to win six straight doubles matches to end the season . . . Was an Academic All-LSC selection as well as claiming Division II Scholar-Athlete recognition from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). 2009-10: Was an All-LSC selection in both singles and doubles after playing No. 1 in both positions throughout the year . . . Reeled off six straight wins in singles en route to a 13-8 finish and went 14-8 in doubles, winning seven in a row during one stretch . . . Was runner-up at No. 1 doubles with Abramovic in the LSC Doubles Championships during the fall and won two singles matches in the Wilson/ITA South Central Regional Championships . . . Made the ITA Scholar-Athlete team. 2008-09: Played in the No. 2 spot in both singles and doubles, earning All-LSC recognition in both in addition to claiming Freshman of the Year accolades . . . Finished 14-5 in singles, winning six straight matches at one point . . . Teamed with Abramovic to go 14-7 in doubles. High School: Competed in basketball, volleyball, table tennis and handball at Brest High School S23 in Belarus . . . Placed in numerous junior national tournaments in tennis. Personal: An actuarial science major . . Enjoys dancing and swimming among her hobbies . . . Names “Miracle” as her favorite sports movie . . . Birthdate is Dec. 28, 1990.
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2012 UCO Tennis
About UCO
2012 UCO Tennis The University The University of Central Oklahoma prepares future leaders in an opportunity-rich environment, ideally located in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Central offers an innovative learning community where teaching comes first and students develop personal relationships with faculty and staff who are committed to transforming lives. With 114 undergraduate majors and 54 graduate programs, Central is a smart investment for students dedicated to their future success. Central is home to students from throughout Oklahoma, as well as all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Among Central’s many unique and notable academic programs are Forensic Science, Accounting, Music Theater, Professional Golf Management, Jazz Studies, Mass Communication, Nursing, and Funeral Science. Central is: • Home to the world-renown Forensic Science Institute, which attracts experts from throughout the world to teach students and law enforcement professionals the latest techniques in crime fighting. • Rated by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the “2010 Great Colleges to Work For.” • Winner of multiple national and statewide awards for sustainability efforts • An official Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, as designated by the U.S. Olympic Committee. • Home to the Academy of Contemporary Music at UCO, located in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown district. • Partnered with Chesapeake Energy to build the CHK-Central Boathouse on the Oklahoma River, which will house Central’s rowing team as well as an entertainment venue and an art gallery. • Home to 2008 Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year, Dr. Wei Chen. • Ranked among the top universities nationally in residence life. In Fall 2010, Central opened the new state-of-the-art Center for Transformative Learning, a classroom building designed intentionally to encourage collaboration and creativity in its learning spaces. In addition, Central’s appealing 210-acre campus is on track to become a certified botanical garden, offering both a pleasing learning and living environment and a source of pride for students, employees and alumni. Founded in 1890, the University of Central Oklahoma is the state’s first public institution of higher learning, and continues to cultivate creativity and innovation in every corner of campus, bringing to life its core values of Character, Community and Civility each day.
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2012 UCO Tennis Administration President Dr. Don Betz Dr. Don Betz became Central Oklahoma’s 20th president in August 2011 after having previously served as UCO’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs from 1999-2005, when he developed several initiatives and programs that have helped transform Central into one of the leading metropolitan universities in the nation. President Betz has enjoyed a distinguished career in higher education that spans more than 40 years, developing a reputation for teaching and encouraging students, leadership development and diplomacy through his international activities, most notably with the United Nations and its affiliated nongovernment organizations. Prior to returning to UCO, he served as president of Northeastern State, a post he held since July 2008. He also served as Chancellor at the University of WisconsinRiver Falls from 2005 until his appointment at NSU and as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Palmer College (Iowa) from 1994-1999. In the 23 years prior, he fulfilled various capacities at NSU, including the Vice President of University Relations and Professor of Political Science. While at NSU, he also was the Executive Director of the Educational Foundation, Assistant to the President, Dean of Continuing Education and Special Programs, Director of the Sequoyah Institute/Center for Tribal Studies, the founder and advisor of the university’s President’s Leadership Class and its Model United Nations program. From 1982 through 2003, President Betz worked for and with the United Nations on Middle East issues. He founded and chaired the International Coordinating Committee on the Question of Palestine (ICCP), a UN-affiliated non-governmental organization (NGO) network pursuing peace in the Middle East based on UN resolutions. A frequent writer and speaker, Dr. Betz has addressed international, educational, motivational topics, and has worked with newspapers, radio and television. His life-long interest in global issues and his passion for promoting cross-cultural understanding has led him to more than 80 countries. While president at NSU, he served as the chair of the Northeast Oklahoma Public Facility Authority, board member for BancFirst in Tahlequah, the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, Creative Oklahoma, Inc., and chair of the Regional University System of Oklahoma Council of Presidents. He is a member of the Oklahoma Academy, Leadership Oklahoma, Universities and Colleges President’s Climate Commitment, International Association of University Presidents and has served as Chairman of AASCU’s International Education Committee. President Betz received his B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of San Francisco and his M.A. and Ph.D. in International Studies from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver. He completed Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management. 11
2012 UCO Tennis Athletic Administration Athletic Director Joe Muller Now in his fourth year as athletic director at Central Oklahoma is Joe Muller, who brought a wealth of Division I experience to the position. Muller became just the seventh athletic director in school history when he took over the position in July of 2008 after previous stints in the athletic departments at Oklahoma State and Purdue. Joe served as senior associate athletic director for external relations at Purdue for two years before coming to UCO. He oversaw all facets of external relations while at Purdue, including development, marketing and promotions and the John Purdue Club. A graduate of Stillwater High School, Joe earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OSU. He served as director of athletic marketing and promotions at OSU from 1985-90 and then was involved in the television industry for more than a decade. Muller returned to Oklahoma State in 2002 as associate athletic director, serving in that capacity until going to Purdue. His duties at OSU included all development activities of the athletic department, including ticket operations, marketing and promotions and the OSU POSSE fund-raising operation. Under Muller’s watch, OSU raised over $90 million to renovate its football stadium, set football attendance records in 2003, ’04 and ’05 and had all-sport ticket revenues increase more than 115 percent. Joe is married (Julie) and has three sons (Jaxon, Brandon and Matthew).
Senior Associate AD Scott Williams Scott Williams is in his third year as Central Oklahoma’s senior associate athletic director, coming to Edmond in December of 2009 after a nearly five-year stint at Oklahoma State. Williams was associate athletic director for compliance at OSU for three years, overseeing the entire compliance program while also serving as tournament director for the 2008 NCAA Division I baseball regional and 2009 NCAA Division I men’s golf regional. He spent the previous two years at OSU as assistant athletic director for compliance, with the responsibility of seven varsity programs. Scott went to OSU after seven years as assistant athletic director for compliance at Oral Roberts. While at ORU, he was responsible for all compliance-related matters in addition to supervising eight varsity programs and coordinating all event management activities for home athletic events. A 1995 graduate of OSU, Williams earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1998 and worked in the University of Kansas athletic department before going to ORU. Scott, a product of Deer Creek High School outside Edmond, is married (Tammy) and has four children (J.R., Matthew, Hannah and Luke).
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2012 UCO Tennis Athletic Administration Assistant Athletic Director Tina Kurtenbach In her fifth year as the assistant athletic director for business is Tina Kurtenbach, who came to UCO from the University of Oklahoma. Kurtenbach manages more than 130 budgets in handling the day-to-day financial operations of the UCO Athletic Department while also taking care of human resource duties for athletics. Tina served as the financial accountant for the College of Medicine at OU before coming to Edmond. She previously worked in the Redlands Community College Athletic Department, in the bursar office for financial aid at Oklahoma State and as financial manager for the Broken Arrow High School Athletic Department. Kurtenbach received her associates degree from Redlands and her bachelor’s from Northeastern State. Tina is married (Dan) and has two sons (D.J. and Josh).
UCO Athletic Media Relations Office The Central Oklahoma Athletic Media Relations Office is under the direction of Mike Kirk, whose main duty is to keep local, state and national media informed about UCO’s 15 varsity sports. Kirk is in his 25th year with the Bronchos, coming to UCO in November 1987. Some of his main duties include the daily maintenance of the athletic department website (www.bronchosports.com), distribution of news releases and compilation of statistical data. A native of Perry, Mike was a student assistant in the sports information office at Oklahoma State University for four years before graduating in 1982 with a journalism degree. He was a sports writer at the McAlester News-Capital and Democrat for one year and the Lawton Constitution for four years before arriving at UCO. An active member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) who has served on several committees during his career, Kirk worked as the Press Information Manager for wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He is currently in his second year as a member of the NCAA Wrestling Championships Committee. Kirk has received 56 CoSIDA publication awards at UCO, including 25 Best in the Nation citations. Mike is married (Debbie) and has two children (Alex and Jessica). Serving as an intern for the UCO Athletic Media Relations Office in the spring of 2012 is Anna Kochigina, a senior member of the tennis team.
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2012 UCO Tennis Athletic Administration Athletic Compliance Darnell Smith
Serving as Central Oklahoma’s Director of Athletic Compliance is Darnell Smith, who took over the position in June of 2010 after serving in the same capacity at the University of New Mexico. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Smith was a four-year member of the Oklahoma State football team from 2002-06 at defensive end. He was a three-time recipient of the Arthur Ashe Scholar award at OSU and also earned second-team honors on the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Team. Darnell was named OSU’s Outstanding Senior and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from there. He served as a graduate assistant in the OSU compliance office in 2007-08 and worked as a management development trainee for the United States Olympic Committee from June 2008 to February 2009 until going to New Mexico. He is married (Candace).
Athletic Compliance Collin Walker
In his second year with the Central Oklahoma athletic department is Collin Walker, who serves as the director of compliance monitoring for the Bronchos. Walker worked as an intern for senior associate athletic director Scott Williams in the spring of 2010. He was also an intern for the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to earning his Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University in May, 2010. A native of Stillwater, Collin earned an associate’s degree from Central Christian College (Kan.) before going to Oklahoma State. He served as a manager for the OSU men’s basketball team from 2002-05 before earning his bachelor’s degree and then worked as a graduate assistant with the OSU team in 2006-07. He was also an intern in the OSU compliance office. Walker earned his master’s in sports science from the United States Sport Academy in Daphne, Ala. in 2007.
Athletic Tickets Gunner Poff
Gunnar Poff is in his third year with the Central Oklahoma Athletic Department, coordinating ticket sales for the Bronchos while also assisting in a host of other roles related to the game-day operations. A native of Sayre, Poff earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Southwestern Oklahoma in 2007. Gunnar was a pitcher on the baseball team while at SWOSU. He went on to earn a master’s of education in intercollegiate athletics administration in 2009 from the University of Oklahoma, working in the office of event management during his tenure with the Sooners. Poff is married (Tessa) and has two daughters (Presley and Piper).
Athletic Marketing Brandon Baker
In his first year with the Central Oklahoma athletic department is Brandon Baker, who is responsible for corporate sponsorships and marketing for athletic events on the UCO campus, working with local, regional and national businesses to create memorable experiences for both fans and sponsors. Baker spent the last 10 years with the Oklahoma City RedHawks in a variety of roles, including corporate sponsorships, baseball operations, game-day experience and ticket office manager. He spent two years prior to that with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. A native of Fulton, Mo., Baker attended the University of Missouri and was involved with the Mizzou chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Baker is married (Erin) and has two sons (Benjamin and Evan).
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2012 UCO Tennis About Edmond Edmond is located in the heart of Oklahoma, just north of the state capital in Oklahoma City, and has a population of over 80,000 as one of the fastest growing cities in the state. Edmond has the best of both worlds including easy access to the city with just enough distance to maintain a close-knit community atmosphere. The city offers outstanding hotels, nostalgic shopping areas and conveniently located attractions for your enjoyment. Known for its outstanding golf courses, Edmond has hosted some of the most exciting PGA and celebrity events in the past two decades at world-famous Oak Tree Golf Club. Edmond is the fastest growing, most economically dynamic city in Oklahoma. Thriving technology firms, diverse retail and commercial opportunities, and small corporate office headquarters have enhanced our reputation as the affluent residential suburb to the metropolitan area. The local economy is booming. Retail trade has doubled just since 1990, commercial building permits continue at a record pace, and national retailers are building Edmond locations at an unparalleled rate. Home values have appreciated significantly, with MultiList average sales prices increasing 19.5% since 1994. Home sales are brisk, with average time on the market of close to 90 days for most price ranges. New home and commercial construction have contributed nearly a billion dollars to the economy since 1994 alone. There are many more activities in Edmond, with a variety of music, art, theatre, water and sporting events that make for spectacular family fun. Edmond is also just minutes south of historic Guthrie, which offers a variety of cozy bed-and-breakfast establishments along with the Lazy-E-Arena that is home to a number of rodeo events every year.
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2012 UCO Tennis About Oklahoma City The largest city in the state, Oklahoma City is located just minutes from Edmond at the crossroads of I-35, I-40 and I-44 in the heart of Oklahoma. The second largest city in the continental United States based on geographical size, more than 1.1 million people call metro Oklahoma City area home. Oklahoma City is surrounded by more than a dozen communities and offers a diverse landscape of hip, urban culture and charming, old-fashioned neighborhoods for visitors and residents alike. Oklahoma City’s climate is mild, with four distinct seasons and an average temperature of 60 degrees. With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, outdoor recreation and activities are plentiful in Oklahoma City. As a city that redefines itself, Oklahoma City’s hip, spirited environment blends with its deep western heritage to create a place where culture and commerce thrive. With renowned festivals, national sporting events, treasure-filled museums and a variety of districts highlighting arts and entertainment, the possibilities for adventure and fun in Oklahoma City are endless. One of the main attractions in Oklahoma City is Bricktown, an area filled with shops, restaurants and clubs in the middle of downtown. Also located in downtown is the Oklahoma City Arena, home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
The UCO Stampede Club The Stampede Club is the athletic booster club for all UCO sports. Membership in the Stampede Club ensures you will be among the first to be invited to special UCO athletic department activities, you will receive gear not offered to the public, you will meet coaches and staff and you will experience UCO athletics up close and personal. Help keep UCO’s athletic teams remain among the finest in NCAA Division II by becoming a member of the Stampede Club at www.bronchosports.com or by contacting Dave Lewis, manager of athletic development, at 974-3553 or dlewis22@uco.edu. Join today!
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2012 uco TeNNiS The miaa Central Oklahoma will compete as an NCAA Division II independent in all sports during the 2011-12 school year before joining the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Assocition in 2012-13. The MIAA, a 15-member conference of NCAA Division II institutions in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, was first organized in 1912 as the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Over the past 99 years, the MIAA has gained the reputation of being one of the top NCAA Division II conferences in the nation. MIAA schools have won 15 NCAA team championships and, since 1964, over 160 individual national titles. The MIAA currently conducts 17 championships (eight men, nine women). Champions are crowned in football, cross country, basketball, indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball, tennis and golf for men and volleyball, cross country, soccer, basketball, indoor and outdoor track and field, softball, golf and tennis for women. The MIAA turned a new page on July 1, 1992, changing its name from the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association to the MidAmerica Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The decision to make the change originated in 1989, when Pittsburg State and Washburn became the first schools outside the state of Missouri to gain membership in the MIAA. The conference was first organized in 1912 with 14 member institutions. Of those original members, Central Missouri, Truman State and Northwest Missouri still remain in the MIAA. The first change in membership came in 1924, when the MIAA reorganized to include
only the five regional Missouri state colleges: Central Missouri, Truman (then known as Northeast Missouri State), Northwest Missouri, Southeast Missouri State and Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State). Over the next 56 years, three schools joined the membership: Missouri School of Mines (later Missouri-Rolla) in 1935, Lincoln in 1970 and Missouri-St. Louis in 1980. Ken Jones became the first full-time commissioner of the MIAA in 1981 and would be in the position for 16 years, retiring in 1997. Ralph McFillen succeeded Jones, serving 10 years before his retirement in 2007. Jim Johnson succeeded McFillen and served as commissioner until 2010, when Dr. Bob Boerigter took over. Southwest Baptist brought membership back to eight schools in 1986, before the conference added Pittsburg State, Washburn, Missouri Southern and Missouri Western in the 1989. Southeast Missouri State left the MIAA following the 1990-91 season and was replaced by Emporia State in the 1991-92 season. Missouri-St. Louis departed the MIAA in 1996, Missouri-Rolla left in 2005 and Lincoln forfeited its membership in 1999. Fort Hays State joined the MIAA in 2006, NebraskaOmaha entered the league in 2008 and Lincoln re-joined the conference in 2010. In 2010, the MIAA CEO Council voted to extend invitations to UCO, Northeastern State, Nebraska-Kearney and Lindenwood to become members of the league. Those four schools will begin league play in 2012-13, which will give the MIAA 15 member schools after the depature of Nebraska-Omaha.
The mid-america iNTercollegiaTe aThleTicS aSSociaTioN Address: 114 West 11th Street (Suite 105), Kansas City, Mo. 64105 Phone: (816) 421-MIAA (6422) Media Relations Fax: (816) 421-6429 Web: www.themiaa.com Commissioner: Dr. Bob Boerigter Assistant Commissioner for Championships/Business Development: Larry House Assistant Commissioner for Compliance/Internal Operations: Amber Feldman Director of Communications: Kellen Coleman Administrative Assistant: Lori Shumpert
2012 BRONCHO TENNIS Feb. 4 Feb. 17 Feb. 24
at Texas–Arlington 3 p.m. Cowley 2 p.m. Oklahoma Christian 6 p.m. (Oak Tree Country Club) Feb. 28 Southern Nazarene 2 p.m. (OKC Tennis Center) Mar. 2 Cameron 9 a.m. Mar. 2 East Central 2 p.m. Mar. 3 Southwest Baptist 9 a.m. Mar. 6 Tarleton State (Dallas, Texas) TBA Mar. 9 at Arkansas Tech 10 a.m. Mar. 10 Ouachita Baptist (Russellville, Ark.) 9 a.m. Mar. 13 at Southeastern Oklahoma State 2 p.m. Mar. 16 Newman 3:30 p.m. Mar. 20 at Xavier (La.) 4 p.m. Mar. 21 at New Orleans 12 p.m. Mar. 22 Montevallo (Pensacola, Fla.) 10 a.m. Mar. 23 at West Florida 2 p.m. Mar. 29 Midwestern State (Senior Day) 3 p.m. Apr. 2 Dallas Baptist 10 a.m. Apr. 6 Fort Hays State (Maryville, Mo.) 2:30 p.m. Apr. 7 at Northwest Missouri State 10 a.m. Apr. 10 at Northeastern State 2 p.m. Apr. 13 at Saint Edward's 1:30 p.m. Apr. 14 at St. Mary's (TX) 9 a.m. Apr. 14 at Trinity 2 p.m. Apr. 29-May 1 NCAA Division II South Central Regional May 16-19 NCAA Division II Championship (Louisville, Ky.) Bold–Home Match
www.bronchosports.com