A Winning—and Really Fun—Season: Fall Sports

Gold Standard A trip to the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl punctuates a fun (for student-athletes and fans!) and successful fall 49ers athletics season

BY PAUL NOWELL

While it didn’t deliver the storybook finish all Charlotte 49ers fans were hoping for, the 2019 football season was the most successful—and memorable—in program history. After competing in its first-ever bowl game, Charlotte finished the year at 7-6, notably with a home record of 5-1.

On Dec. 20, facing a tough opponent in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, Head Coach Will Healy’s team attempted a secondhalf comeback—a move that had become a specialty during the regular season—but, ultimately, fell 31-9 to the Buffalo Bulls.

Support for the team in the Bahamas was enthusiastic and strong, as more than 1,000 49ers fans traveled to the game. Approximately 400 supporters attended a pre-game pep rally, and more than 500 arrived ready for tailgating sponsored by the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association.

Larry and Jean Leonard, both from the class of 1978 and season ticket holders since the inception of 49ers football, experienced “a great sense of 49er energy” starting with their flight from Charlotte to the Bahamas, alongside 40 other UNC Charlotte fans decked out in 49ers gear. The Leonards, who co-own Kings Greenhouse in Matthews, N.C., connected with old friends and made new ones.

“We were proud to be 49ers at the game, and very proud of all the players and coaches,” said Larry. “We’re looking forward to the 2020 football season at UNC Charlotte.”

Houston Helms ‘90, MBA ‘98, who is a member of the University’s Athletics Foundation Board, was en route to Nassau with alumni and others when bad weather prevented their cruise ship from docking.

“I made it an ambition to find and inform every Charlotte 49er on the cruise and for us to watch it together,” said Helms, determined to cheer on the team even if bouncing around the Cuban coastline.

Among them were Chris Greene, ‘05, and his wife, Elizabeth, who had decided to cruise to the Bahamas for the game and to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

“Word spread to the folks wearing green and gold that the game was accessible on television in a bar area, which we took over,” said Greene.

“We made the best of a bad situation,” he said. “One day, when we’re playing Clemson or Alabama or Ohio State in a bowl game, this story will be fun to tell while tailgating—hopefully, somewhere in the continental U.S.”

How about that Bowl Game?

After trailing 17-0 at halftime, Charlotte scored in the third quarter when quarterback Chris Reynolds hit wide receiver Victor Tucker on a crossing route for a 51-yard touchdown pass. The historic touchdown was not only the 49ers’ first in a bowl game, but Reynolds’ single-season school-record 22nd passing TD of the year.

Earlier in the season, the 49ers staged dramatic second-half comebacks in wins over North Texas, UTEP and Marshall. In each of those games, Charlotte scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.

After a 2-5 start to the season, Charlotte won five in a row, the longest win streak in program history. Although they fell short against Buffalo, there were no losers.

“I told the guys in the locker room this is not the outcome that I expected or wanted,” said Healy. “But these guys have to realize what they’ve accomplished this year. You talk about a group that sat in the locker room the last time this had happened and we were 2-5 at WKU. The next thing you know, the guys responded and led us to playing in an unbelievable bowl game in the Bahamas.”

The team’s 5-3 record in Conference USA was a program best.

49ers Notebook

Patrick Hogan

Teddy Chaouche

Men’s soccer

The 15th-ranked Charlotte 49ers went toe-to-toe with the third-ranked Clemson Tigers (17-2-1) before falling 2-1 in overtime on the road in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 24.

It had been a great run for the 49ers, who ranked in the Top 20 all season— including as high as fifth in September.

Teddy Chaouche, who led the 49ers in goals, assists and points, ranked third in Conference USA with a career-high 23 points.

“I have extreme pride in our program and the players on how we responded,” coach Kevin Langan said following the loss. “Tough way to lose.”

The 49ers finished overall with a 12-4-4 record.

Three members of the team earned United Soccer Coaches Association All-Southeast Region honors. Earning the honors were goalkeeper Elliot Panicco (first-team), midfielder Teddy Chaouche (second-team) and defender Patrick Hogan (second-team).

This marks the 12th time in school history that at least three 49ers have earned All-Region honors in the same season. Hogan’s first-time inclusion makes a total of 54 players for the program’s history.

Panicco, Chaouche and Hogan, nationally ranked for the entire season, and played integral roles in advancing the 49ers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and the championship game of the Conference USA Tournament.

Panicco was voted Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year while claiming a third Conference USA Golden Glove Award. In addition, he was named first-team All-Conference USA for the second straight season and third-time in his career. He anchored one of the nation’s stingiest defenses as the 49ers ranked among the nation’s leaders in goals against average (0.66) and shutouts (8).

Chaouche, a senior midfielder, ranked third in Conference USA with a career-high 23 points. He finished tied for second in Conference USA with nine assists, and tied for third in Conference USA with a career-high seven goals.

Hogan earned first-team All-Conference USA honors and was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team for the first time. The junior defender finished second on the team with four goals, including game-winners against UAB and North Florida.

Megan Greene

Women’s soccer

In the Conference USA Championships Semifinals against top-seeded Florida Atlantic, the No. 4-seeded Charlotte women’s soccer team—facing a 3-0 halftime deficit—scored three unanswered goals in the second half to force overtime.

In the 49ers’ longest match of the season, the Owls scored the winner in the second extra frame for a 4-3 win over the Niners. The 49ers finished the season with a 13-6 record, including a streak of seven straight wins at one point.

“We’re very proud of the season, and how much this team evolved over the course of it,” head coach John Cullen said after the game. “There are a lot of great pieces to build upon and that bodes well for the future.”

Cross Country

The men’s cross country team posted its fourth Top 10 finish in the last four years. Charlotte 49ers senior Alex Cornwell carried the 49ers to their best-ever finish at the 2019 NCAA Southeast Regional meet in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Cornwell earned USTFCCCA all-Southeast Region honors with his 10th-place finish to lead the 49ers into fifth place, beating Charlotte’s previous-best finish in the (6th place) in 2017.

Cornwell posted a time of 30:12.6, the fifth-fastest 10K time in school history. Redshirt junior Paul Arredondo placed 32nd with a time of 30:51.3, while freshman Nick Scudder finished 35th (30:55.5). Senior Zach Marchinko (48th; 31:13.2) and redshirt freshman Daniel Vo (71st; 31:44.0) rounded out the 49ers’ scoring.

The women’s team matched its best finish since 2011 with a 14th-place showing among 34 teams.

Ashley Fowler

Women’s Golf

In only its second year, the Charlotte women’s golf team put up strong numbers in fall 2019.

In September, when the first national poll for women’s golf was released, the Charlotte 49ers were ranked No. 7 after their impressive performance in the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate.

Cecilie Finne-Ipsen played in all five fall tournaments, boosting the 49ers to their first team titles and an individual finish at the top. She started her sophomore year with a tie for 11th, finishing even with scores of 75-68-70 at the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate.

Her fall ended tying for medalist honors, the first of her career, at the Idle Hour Collegiate, where she finished seven-under for the tournament. She opened the Idle Hour with a round of 69.

Siarra Stout posted a two-under 70 round with a birdie on the first and adding two more on the back, erasing a lone bogey on nine. Ashley Fowler finished one back of Stout, starting with back-to-back birdies, a part of three on her day, to card a 71.

“This is certainly a great way for us to finish our fall season,” said Coach Holly Clark. “They absolutely went out on top and played really solid golf. They brought the energy and they all played well. I love having a group where you never know which five are going to count, and we had four finish in the top-10.”

The Niners are preparing for the 2020 spring season, which opens Feb. 24.

Yumi Garcia

Volleyball

Charlotte volleyball finished the 2019 season with an overall 16-15 record, after a 3-2 defeat to visiting Florida Atlantic. The team was 5-9 in Conference USA play.

In the final game, Yumi Garcia broke Charlotte’s all-time career digs record for 26 in the match. She finished her senior year with 725, making her Charlotte’s alltime leader with 2,023 digs during her three-year career. “To see us playing our best volleyball is so exciting,” said Coach Karen Weatherington. “We showed a lot of folks of what we’re capable of.”

THE POWER OF GIVING

Ciara Lilly’s UNC Charlotte experience left a lasting impression, inspiring her to give back to the University in a meaningful way. Lilly connected with the mission of the University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP) as a student and now, as a young alumna, created a scholarship to complement the great work being done in UTOP. “Going to college can be a difficult transition for many students, especially first-generation students that aren’t equipped with a blueprint for what the college experience should be like,” said Lilly. “UTOP gives students that blueprint, while empowering them to excel and connecting them to a strong support network, accessible throughout their collegiate journey.”

Lilly believes in giving back. “I encourage other young alumni to dismiss the notion that you have to donate millions to have a real impact. Start where you can, because every donation, no matter the size, counts.”

Lilly ’09 is director of business development and diversity for Environmental Service Systems. She also is founder of Higher Ground Consulting Group, a firm focused on helping small and diverse businesses build capacity, achieve sustainable growth and safeguard their contributions to the global economy.

> Exponential: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte celebrates the dramatic trajectory of growth of our University and our 144,000 alumni. This campaign offers all of us – alumni, business leaders and the University Community – the opportunity to shape a future that is even more exciting than our past.

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Class Notes

1980s

Bill Manson ‘80 will retire from AnMed Health, a comprehensive health system in Anderson, S.C., July 2020. Manson served as CEO since 2015 and has been part of the organization’s leadership team since 1981. During his tenure, the hospital developed several regional partnerships and built a hybrid operating room. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from UNC Charlotte.

Manson

1990s

Jennifer Brinson ’95, principal of Wolf Meadow Elementary School, is the 2019-20 Cabarrus County Schools Principal of the Year. During her tenure witha Cabarrus County Schools, she has served in a variety of roles including teacher, lead teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal of instruction and principal. Brinson moved to Wolf Meadow as assistant principal of instruction in 2013 and was named principal in 2016. She received bachelor’s degrees in reading and elementary education from UNC Charlotte.

Brinson

Daniel Carter ’94 joined the Baltimore office of Quinn Evans Architects as an architect. Carter’s past work includes renovations to historic buildings for the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Annapolis Post Office and the Ivy Hotel in Baltimore. He earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from UNC Charlotte.

Deana Lewis ’98, ’05, principal of Jackson Park Elementary School, was named Kannapolis City Schools’ 2019-20 Principal of the Year. Lewis became principal of Jackson Park in 2017. During her tenure, she has led Jackson Park to dramatic improvements in student achievement, increasing the school’s performance score a full letter grade and boosting the academic growth score to 93 percent each year. Student achievement also has risen more than 10 percent during her time as principal. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in reading education from UNC Charlotte.

Steven Mills ’98 joined Apollon Wealth Management as chief operating officer. Previously, Mills was a senior vice president at LPL Financial. He has more than 20 years of financial services industry experience. Mills received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in marketing from UNC Charlotte .

Timothy Sawyer ’97 was promoted to partner and principal as well as assumed the role of president of the architectural and interior design firm Brown, Lindquist, Fenuccio & Raber Architects in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts. He is a licensed architect with more than 20 years of architectural and project management experience, including more than 15 years at the firm. His expertise is in waterfront buildings and flood zone construction. Sawyer earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from UNC Charlotte.

Brandon Whelan ’99 joined Dewberry, a professional services firm, as an associate and the electrical infrastructure department manager in the firm’s Raleigh office. In this role, he will assist clients with evaluations and designs, and improve the reliability and flexibility of their medium voltage power distribution systems. His expertise covers electrical power system studies, electrical design, medium voltage electrical protection and control design, and project management. Whalen earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UNC Charlotte.

2000s

Russell Brown ’06 was named senior vice president of Acquisitions for National Storage Affiliates Trust. Most recently, Brown was senior vice president of Investments & Capital Markets for Flagship Healthcare Properties, where he was responsible for execution of the firm’s real estate investment trust (REIT) acquisition and investment strategy, risk management, portfolio optimization, financing and structuring. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in finance from UNC Charlotte.

Ana Collins ’09 was promoted to project manager for Wohlsen Construction Co. Collins previously served

Want to submit a Class Note? If you’re a proud 49er alum and have exciting news, we want to know. Join the Alumni Association’s online community to submit news and to stay engaged with the University by visiting 49erAlumni.uncc.edu. Additionally, you can submit news via email to 49erAlumni@uncc.edu. Accompanying photos are encouraged.

as project engineer. Collins began her career 10 years ago as a project engineer in residential construction and has since been working in commercial construction. She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UNC Charlotte.

Annette Keller ’00 was named a 2019 Top Women in Business by Business Today N.C. Keller is the director of communications for the city of Kannapolis. She oversees all public relations, communications and marketing activities, including resident outreach, business and economic development marketing, and implementing the city’s branding initiative. Previously, she served in the same role for the cities of Concord and Matthews. Keller earned a master’s degree in public administration from UNC Charlotte.

Lynn Myrick ’09 joined Sodoma Law as the firm’s first-ever divorce concierge. In this role, Myrick helps clients manage not only detailed logistics and access to trusted resources but their emotional landscape as well, enabling them to discover how to navigate moving forward. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC Charlotte.

Mary Ellen Naylor ’02 was named dean of Health Sciences at Cape Fear Community College. Naylor has been with the college since 2003, and also served as chair of the college’s curriculum committee. Previously, she worked as a dental hygiene instructor and rose to serve as the program director and department chair for Allied Health. She earned a master’s degree in health administration from UNC Charlotte.

Naylor

Craig Powers ’03 was promoted to director of public services for the city of Salisbury. He previously served as assistant director. He has been recognized locally and nationally for customer service and dedication to the profession. Powers earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UNC Charlotte.

Ryan Rogers ’08 was named commanding officer of the USS Russell, a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer. Rogers assumed command of the ship in accordance with the Navy’s Fleet-up Program after serving as executive officer. Since joining the Navy, Rogers has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Craftmaster badge. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from UNC Charlotte.

Allison Taylor ’09 was named director of education at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia. Previously, she was head of education and community engagement at Washington University’s Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum in St. Louis. She earned a master’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in museum studies from UNC Charlotte.

Taylor

Amy Wimbish ’04 joined Realty Executives of Hickory as a licensed real estate broker. In this role, Wimbish will specialize in marketing and sales of real estate in the Catawba Valley and Foothills areas. She is a member of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors and the national and state realtor associations. Wimbish earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC Charlotte.

Wimbish

Sheila Wright ’08 was named assistant principal of North Brook Elementary School in Lincoln County. At North Brook, she’s working in a combined role as the assistant principal and Title 1 interventionist. In regard to the latter, Davis will be working with teachers to determine the skills students need to be successful, and that their needs are met. She earned a master’s degree in reading education from UNC Charlotte.

2010s

Ramel Carpenter ’18 was named meteorologist and reporter at WFMJ in Youngstown, Ohio. Carpenter was previously a meteorology intern in Lexington, Kentucky, and Charlotte. He earned a bachelor’s degree in

meteorology from UNC Charlotte.

Carpenter

Sophie Guderian ’12, ’14 joined the department of Biology, Behavioral Neuroscience & Health Sciences at Rider University as a lecturer. Guderian recently completed a doctorate from the University of Delaware in applied physiology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in kinesiology from UNC Charlotte.

Cliff Daniels ’10 was named crew chief for Jimmie Johnson No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team. Daniels had been working in Hendrick’s competition systems group before rejoining the No. 48 team as race engineer. Previously, he served as race engineer for Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing. Daniels earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UNC Charlotte.

Jordan Irvan ’16 was named senior accountant of the James Moore & Co., Gainesville office, a fullservice regional accounting firm. In this role, Irvan will focus on personal, corporate and partnership tax returns. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in accounting and finance from UNC Charlotte.

Jake Johnson ’16 joined the North Carolina General Assembly, becoming its youngest member. In assuming this role, Johnson resigned from his seat on the Polk County Board of Commissioners, where he was notably among the state’s youngest elected officials. Outside of his public service, he works for the Berkshire Hathaway real estate office in Hendersonville. Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in political science and minors in human rights and economics from UNC Charlotte.

Johnson

Martha Motley ’18 was named principal of Forest Park Elementary School in Kannapolis. Motley began her education career as a teacher at Forest Park in 1999, teaching second and fourth grade until she left in 2014 to serve as Kannapolis City Schools’ district instructional math coach. She went on to serve as assistant principal at A.L. Brown High School and Kannapolis Middle School before returning to Forest Park as assistant principal. Motley received a master’s degree in school administration from UNC Charlotte.

Cameron Niedermayer ’15 was named assistant city manager of Montpelier, Vermont. Previously, Niedermayer served as senior assistant to the county manager for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Prior to that she worked as an analyst for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Niedermayer earned a master’s degree in public administration from UNC Charlotte.

Jessie Parris ’15 was named finance director of the city of Morganton. Previously, she served as finance manager at the civil engineering company WithersRavenel. Parris’ experience includes budget management, fund financial analysis, capital improvement planning, fund strategy and other finance-related roles. She is a certified public accountant and serves as treasurer on the board of the Family Care Center of Catawba Valley. Parris received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UNC Charlotte.

Andrew Platek ’18 was named assistant principal for Central Cabarrus High School. Platek joined the leadership team at Central Cabarrus in 2018 as dean of students. He started his career in education in 2006 as a high school math teacher and has held positions at Jay M. Robinson and Northwest Cabarrus High Schools. He earned a master’s degree in school administration from UNC Charlotte.

Platek

Charles Rodriguez ’12 joined the men’s soccer coaching staff at Yale University as an assistant coach. Previously, Rodriguez served as an assistant coach at Stanford University, where he helped lead the team to back-toback NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2017. Prior to Stanford, Rodriguez spent three seasons on staff at Xavier. Following his collegiate career, he was drafted in the third round of Major League Soccer’s 2012 Supplemental Draft by D.C. United. He later moved on to the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Pro League. Rodriquez earned a bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice with minors in political science and sociology from UNC Charlotte.

Calendar Niner Nation Events • Winter • 2020

MARCH thru 3/27 “Palimpsest: Ceramic Works by Carlos Estévez” UNC Charlotte, Storrs Gallery Receptions: 2/20, 6-8 p.m.; 2/21, 12:30-1:30 p.m. coaa.uncc.edu/events-exhibitions 12 Black Alumni Chapter Night at the Museum Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 5:30 p.m. 49erAlumni.uncc.edu 19-22 Spring Dance Concert Belk Theater, Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts 3/19-21, 7:30 p.m.; 3/22, 2 p.m. https://coaa.uncc.edu/events/spring-dance-concert-6 24 Alumni Association/Uptown Baseball (Charlotte 49ers vs. N.C. State) BB&T Ballpark, 7 p.m. 49erAlumni.uncc.edu 24 Personally Speaking: “How Cities Vie for Political Conventions” Suzanne Leland, Department of Political Science and Public Administration UNC Charlotte Center City, 6 p.m., reception; 7 p.m., lecture clas.uncc.edu/engagement 27 TEDxUNCCharlotte Speakers address “Thinking Future. Thinking Forward.” Cone University Center, 12:30 p.m. tedx.uncc.edu

APRIL 4-5 Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope Halton Theater, Central Piedmont Community College 4/4, 7:30 p.m.; 4 /5, 2 p.m. coaa.uncc.edu/events/intonations-songs-violins-hope 16-19 “Pippin” Belk Theater, Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts 4/16, 4/19, 7:30 p.m.; 4/18, 2 p.m. coaa.uncc.edu/events/pippin 24 2020 Alumni Awards Celebration The Westin Charlotte, 11:30 a.m. 49erAlumni.uncc.edu 24 2020 Green Tie Gala The Westin Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. 49erAlumni.uncc.edu 30 UNITED: A Remembrance Concert Belk Theater, Blumenthal Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Don Dahler ‘91, CBS News; proceeds benefit April 30 Remembrance Fund blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/united-aremembrance-concert

MAY 8-9 Spring Commencement Halton Arena, Barnhardt Student Activity Center commencement.uncc.edu

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