2007 Cardinal & Gold by Willamette University Bearcats

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Cardinal Gold The official magazine of the Willamette University Department of Athletics • Volume 5, No. 1 • Summer 2007

CHUCK PINKERTON ’98 QUARTERBACK 1997 FOOTBALL TEAM

Bearcats at Their Best: 1997 Football Team p. 10

Alumni Spotlight: Liz Heaston ’99 p. 8

Coaches Corner: Mark Speckman p.1 9

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FROM THE DIRECTOR

STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR ATHLETICS FROM THE TOP DOWN Dear Friends, As we approach the start of the 2007–08 school year, much has happened since the last issue of Cardinal and Gold was in front of you. The coming year will be filled with much anticipation as we prepare a strategic planning document for Willamette Athletics. This strategic planning process began in February when the Board of Trustees approved President Pelton’s charge to examine the athletics program at Willamette. This charge, which is comprehensive in nature, created a Trustee Athletics Working Group (TAWG) comprised of trustees, administrators, faculty, staff and students. This group first met in April, then again in July, and will meet throughout the school year to develop its recommendations for presentation to the entire Board of Trustees at the May 2008 meeting. Trustee Bill Long ’59 chairs the group. As I mentioned earlier, this examination of Athletics will be thorough and comprehensive. Specific areas under examination include recruiting, facilities, funding, staffing and comparative analyses with peer and aspirant institutions. Further, the TAWG will establish a philosophy statement and clarify the role of athletics at Willamette. This process will ask the tough questions related to how we run our programs. Should we have goals to achieve athletics excellence? Should our teams and scholarathletes want to win conference championships and compete nationally within NCAA Division III? How do we recruit and retain the finest scholar-athletes who can help achieve such goals? What kind of experience should Willamette scholarathletes receive? Can aggressive academic and athletics goals work in concert at a small liberal arts institution? While there may appear to be some risk in asking those tough questions, they must be asked and appropriate answers and direction provided. And I, as a member of the TAWG, can say confidently that this group is thoughtful, creative, passionate and supportive of what athletics adds to the Willamette experience. Part of the TAWG’s work includes gathering data from our various constituent groups. To facilitate communication and to provide some transparency to this process, we have created a feedback vehicle on the athletics website. Alumni, parents, students and friends are encouraged to log on and provide thoughts, concerns and ideas. Simply go to the athletics home page at www.willamette.edu/athletics and follow the TAWG link. This historic process will help Willamette plan the direction for its athletics program for the next decade and beyond. I thank President Pelton for bringing this before the Board of Trustees for consideration, and thank all who are participating in this important process. Sincerely,

Mark Majeski Director of Athletics

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE

Cardinal and Gold • The official magazine of the Willamette University Department of Athletics

Contents 8

Departments 4

On the cover Quarterback Chuck Pinkerton ’98 is ready to throw the ball for Willamette’s 1997 football team. Photo by Lynn Howlett.

News and Notes

Student-Athlete Spotlight

Scholars and Champions

Honors and Awards

Coaches Corner

Hall of Fame

Bearcat Club

Features 8

Liz Heaston The first woman to play and score in a collegiate football game.

The Bearcats at Their Best 1997 Football Team Reaches National Championship Game

19 Cardinal and Gold is published by the Department of Athletics for Bearcat Club members and friends of Willamette athletics. For questions or comments, contact the Department of Athletics, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, OR, 97301 or 503-370-6420. Visit www.willamette.edu/athletics for updates, scores, statistics and more. Credits: Photos by Naomi Stukey — available for purchase at www.naomistukey.com, Lynn Howlett, Christopher Sabato, Frank Miller.

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ATHLETICS NEWS

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News Notes

ATHLETICS » Women’s Track and Field Team Wins NWC Title, Competes at NCAA Championships Willamette won its sixth consecutive Northwest Conference women’s track and field championship in 2007, while the Bearcat men’s team finished in second place. Senior sprinter and hurdler Andrea May was selected Athlete of the Meet. WU Head Coach Matt McGuirk was named NWC Women’s Track and Field Coach of the Year.

Andrea May competes in the 100-meter hurdles.

In the final women’s team standings, Willamette had 257.33 points. George Fox University was second with 124 points, and Linfield College finished third with 114 points. Linfield won the men’s team title with 211.83 points. The Bearcats took second place with 195 points, while Whitworth was third with 157 points. A total of eight teams participated in men’s and women’s competition. May won two events for the Bearcats. She took first place in the 100-meter dash in 12.80 seconds. She also finished first in the 100-meter hurdles in 14.97 seconds.

Julio Vieyra, a senior, also won two events. He outran the field in the 800meter run with a time of 1:55.05, then won the 1,500-meter run in 3:57.21.

Sarah Zerzan runs at the NCAA Championships.

Ian Batch, a junior, was Willamette’s third two-event winner. He was first in the 5,000-meter run in 15:16.27 and won the 10,000-meter run with a time of 31:52.95. Batch led the Bearcats to a Top 5 sweep in the 5,000. Overall, Willamette won 10 women’s events during the NWC Championships. The Bearcats took first place in four men’s events. At the NCAA Division III National Championships, the WU women’s team earned an 18th place finish. Sarah Zerzan led the way by taking second in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:51.18. Willamette earned fifth place in the women’s 4 x 400-meter relay, as May, Jennifer Luecht (Fr.), Lydia Marsalli (Fr.) and Mariah Hanson (Sr.) combined for a time of 3:47.42. Also, earning All-America status was Jordyn Smith (Jr.), who placed seventh in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:11.82. Three other athletes represented Willamette at the National Championships. For the women’s team, Katie Klein (So.) was an alternate. For the men’s squad, Vieyra competed in the 1,500-meter run and sophomore Grant Piros (So.) was entered in the javelin. In addition to running on the relay team, May participated in the 100-meter hurdles.

Symmonds Continues Running Success Former Willamette University runner Nick Symmonds ’06, who won a combined total of seven NCAA Division III national track and field titles in the 800-meter run and the 1,500-meter run, has continued his success since graduating last spring. In summer 2006, he caught the attention of runners, coaches and media at the national level when he took second place in the 800-meter run at the U.S.A. Track and Field Championships. He completed the race with a time of 1:45.83. Later, Symmonds broke the 4-minute mark in the mile when he clocked in at 3:56.72 at the University of Washington Indoor Preview. He won the 800-meter run at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games in January with a time of 1:48.15 in his first-ever race on a banked indoor track. His success in the 800-meter run continued June 10 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., as he defeated both Khadevis Robinson, who took first place at last year’s U.S.A. Track and Field Championships, and Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia, the defending Olympic champion. Symmonds set a personal best with a time of 1:44.54 to slip past Borzakovskiy, who finished second at 1:44.71. At the 2007 U.S.A. Track and Field Championships in June, Symmonds won his preliminary heat and semifinal heat in the 800-meter run. In the finals, he took second place behind Robinson for the second year in a row. Robinson won in 1:44.37, while Symmonds finished in 1:45.17. By placing in the top three, Symmonds earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Osaka, Japan. Symmonds also is considered one of the top contenders for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team in 2008. The Olympic Trials will be held in Eugene next spring.

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ATHLETICS NEWS

Ueno Finishes Second at NWC Championship On the strength of a solid second round, Willamette sophomore golfer Whitney Ueno tied for second place at the Northwest Conference Women’s Golf Championship, April 14–15 at the Aspen Lakes Golf Course in Sisters, Ore. Ueno shot a two-round total of 163, as she rallied from six strokes behind Emily Lau to tie the University of Puget Sound golfer for second place. Leslie Wheeler of Linfield College shot 156 to claim medalist honors. The top six golfers were named All-Northwest Conference. Puget Sound won the team title and also took first place in the final NWC point standings. Willamette finished fourth at the NWC Championship and fourth in the point standings. Wheeler led the field with a 77 on the first day. Lau was just one stroke back at 78, and Ueno held third place at 84. Ueno picked up two strokes over the front nine in the second round, as she carded a 40, while Lau finished the nine holes in 42 strokes. Over the back nine, Ueno made her final move, ultimately tying Lau by picking up four more strokes. Ueno and Wheeler tied for the low score of the second round at 79, while Lau shot 85.

HONORS AND AWARDS » Speckman Inducted into San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame Willamette Head Football Coach Mark Speckman was inducted into the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame on June 21. Speckman, who grew up in Belmont, Calif., just south of San Francisco, was one of 10 individuals inducted as the Class of 2007. Speckman has achieved a record of 48-41 (.539) in nine seasons as Willamette’s head coach. He guided the Bearcats to NCAA playoff berths in 1999 and 2004. He joined the WU coaching staff in 1995 as the offensive coordinator and helped the Bearcats reach the NAIA playoffs in 1996 and 1997.

Hall and Ralston Receive CRCA Scholar-Athlete Honors Two members of Willamette women’s rowing team have been named National Scholar-Athletes by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) for the 2006–07 season. Willamette’s selections were senior rower Adrienne Hall and senior coxswain Rebecca Ralston. Overall, 81 student-athletes from 24 NCAA Division III colleges and universities received the academic award.

Willamette went 13-1 in 1997, when the Bearcats remained undefeated until losing to Findlay (Ohio) in the NAIA Championship game. Including his three years as an assistant coach, Speckman has registered a 78-46-1 record (.622) since joining the Bearcats.

The CRCA chose the National ScholarAthletes based on several criteria. A rowing team member had to meet eligibility regulations, be at least a sophomore athletically, row a minimum of 75 percent of the spring races or race in a regional conference meet to qualify for the award. Also, each student-athlete had to achieve at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA through fall 2006.

Prior to Willamette, Speckman had a successful tenure as the head football coach at Merced High School in California (1986–93). His teams at Merced recorded consecutive 14-0 seasons in 1989 and 1990, after going 13-1 in 1988. The 1990 team was voted #1 in California, #5 in the nation by ESPN and #10 in the country by USA Today.

Hall majored in anthropology at Willamette. She owned a 3.67 GPA through the fall 2006 semester. Ralston majored in rhetoric and media studies and earned a 3.61 GPA in coursework completed through the fall semester.

After graduating from high school, Speckman played football at Menlo College, which was a junior college at the time. He played his final two seasons as a linebacker at Azusa Pacific University. He was named Honorable Mention NAIA All-America as a senior.

The Bearcats ranked third in the Northwest Region of NCAA Division III in the women’s varsity eights and were ranked first in the Northwest Region in the women’s varsity fours. Willamette took second place in the Petite Final of the WV8 at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships and placed seventh at the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference (NCRC) Championships. WU also placed fifth in the Grand Final for women’s varsity fours at the WIRA Championships.

To find out more about Speckman, see the Coaches Corner feature in this issue.

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ATHLETICS NEWS

Franchi Chosen Third Team All-West Region Sophomore right-handed pitcher and designated player Nikki Franchi was named Third Team NFCA Division III All-West Region for the 2007 season. The All-Region Team, selected by the region’s head coaches, honored a total of 45 players. Eight players were selected from the Northwest Conference. Franchi, who was chosen All-West Region as a utility player, was Willamette’s top pitcher this spring with a 10-8 record and 144 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings. She set the Willamette record for strikeouts in a season, breaking the old record of 101, set by Brittney Tachara in 2005. Franchi also was chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference as a utility player. In addition to leading the WU pitching staff, she achieved a .390 batting average with a school-record 15 doubles. She led the Bearcats with 29 RBIs for the third-highest RBI total in Willamette history. She recorded a total of 41 hits during the season and scored 14 runs. In two seasons at Willamette, Franchi has struck out 198 batters. Her strikeout total ranks second on Willamette’s career list. She needs just 11 more to reach the school record of 209, set by Tausha White from 1990–93. On offense, she has a career batting average of .379 to go with 22 runs scored and 38 RBIs.

Eight WU Runners Named USTFCCCA All-Academic Eight Willamette University cross country athletes, six women and two men, were named to the 2006 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III AllAcademic Cross Country Teams. Leading the way was junior Sarah Zerzan, who was chosen All-Academic Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year. The All-Academic Athlete of the Year is awarded to the highest finisher at the NCAA DIII Championships who meets the qualifications for All-Academic honors (3.5 cumulative GPA or higher). Zerzan won the DIII Cross Country title on Nov. 18, 2006.

Zerzan and Harris Earn ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Honors Distance runners Sarah Zerzan (Jr.) and Travis Harris (Sr.) have received national honors for their successful efforts in academics and athletics at Willamette. Zerzan, who competes in track and field and cross country, was named First Team ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-America for 2006-07. Harris, who ran for the WU cross country team in the fall of 2006, was chosen Second Team ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-America. Zerzan, Harris and four other Willamette student-athletes were named ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District VIII in 2006-07. Willamette placed two football players, one swimmer and three athletes from cross country and/or track and field on the Academic All-District teams. The Academic All-America and Academic All-District selections were chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). In cross country, Zerzan took first place at the Northwest Conference Championships, claimed the NCAA West Region title and won the NCAA Division III individual national championship. As a track and field athlete, she won the 2007 NWC title in the 1,500-meter run and finished second in the 5,000-meter run at the NCAA Division III National Championships. Harris earned Second Team All-NWC honors with a 14th place at the NWC Meet. He was named All-West Region with a 10th place finish at the Regional Meet. Athletes nominated for the Academic All-America and Academic All-District teams were starters or key reserves with cumulative GPAs of 3.2 or higher (4.0 scale). The College Division includes players in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA. ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America: Cross Country, Travis Harris (Sr.) 3.99 GPA, Chemistry Track and Field/Cross Country, Sarah Zerzan (Jr.) 3.93 GPA, Chemistry (Biochemistry track) ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District: Football, Kevin Dean (Sr., FB) 3.63 GPA, Chemistry (Also Academic All-District in 2005-06) Swimming, Cason Schmit (Sr., FB) 3.75 GPA, Mathematics and Psychology Football, Ben Weyerhaeuser (Sr., SS) 3.54 GPA, Psychology Track and Field/Cross Country, Lucas Nebert (Jr.) 3.80 GPA, Biology and Chemistry

Dean and Weyerhaeuser Named to Inaugural NFF National Honor Society

Other WU women honored on the All-Academic Team were senior Elizabeth Hart, junior Katrina Brett, and sophomores Maddie Coffman, Ali Maki and Jena Winger.

Willamette University football players Kevin Dean (Sr., FB) and Ben Weyerhaeuser (Sr., SS) have been named to the inaugural National Football Foundation National Honor Society, comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who were seniors in 2006–07 and maintained at least a 3.2 GPA or better. A total of 345 players from 195 colleges earned recognition in the inaugural class.

With six runners earning All-Academic status, the WU women tied Grinnell College for the most student-athletes honored. The Bearcat women’s cross country team also was recognized for its 3.578 team GPA.

Dean graduated in December with a 3.63 grade point average, while majoring in chemistry with a minor in classical studies. On the field in 2006, he carried the ball 45 times for 303 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry.

Willamette was represented on the DIII All-Acadmic Men’s Cross Country Team by senior Travis Harris and junior Lucas Nebert. The Willamette men’s team received All-Academic status with a 3.332 team GPA.

Weyerhaeuser ranked third on the 2006 Willamette team with 44 total tackles, including 23 unassisted tackles. He recorded six tackles for losses, broke up three passes and recovered one fumble. He graduated with a 3.56 GPA and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

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ATHLETICS NEWS

FACILITIES »

SPECIAL EVENTS »

McCulloch Stadium Gets State-of-the-Art Scoreboard

Willamette to Host Women’s Football Clinic The Willamette football team and coaching staff will host their first women’s clinic at Sparks Field and Kaneko Auditorium late this summer to help women in Salem and the surrounding community learn more about the game in a hands-on teaching and coaching environment. Women who register for the clinic will have a chance to learn and play football. The curriculum will include a rules seminar, equipment demonstration, drills and position instruction, as well as offense, defense and special teams strategy sessions. The day will culminate with a friendly competition and a social hour across the street at The Ram Restaurant & Brewery.

WU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Sponsors Third Annual Bearcat Day

Spectators at Willamette home football games and track meets will enjoy a new state-of-the-art scoreboard, set for installation at the end of August. The board, built by Daktronics, will include a new, larger football scoreboard as well as an 8-foot by 17-foot video display, capable of live camera feeds as well as pre-recorded video and graphics. The video display will interface with the track and field team’s timing software, enabling real-time posting of results, lane assignments and photo finishes. The cost of the scoreboard project is being completely paid through Bearcat Club Business Partnerships.

Swimming Pool Re-Opens at Sparks Center The swimming pool in the Sparks Center is open once again following repairs to fix the cement bottom and pumping system. When the pool was emptied last summer for routine maintenance, water from beneath pushed its way up through the cement. It was determined that one of the underground pumps that prevents ground water from building up had malfunctioned. While repairs were underway, the WU men’s and women’s swimming teams swam every meet on the road during 2006–07. As a result, the Bearcat swimmers were perhaps the most happy group when repairs were completed this spring. In addition to new cement at the bottom of the pool, renovations also included new tile near the top of the pool, plus new paint. A new scoreboard with lane-by-lane results was added, along with two new record boards listing the Willamette men’s and women’s school records. The Bearcats look forward to returning to the Sparks Center pool for practices and home meets in 2007–08.

The Willamette University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) sponsored the Third Annual Bearcat Day on April 24 to provide an opportunity for area youngsters to learn about athletics. SAAC members invited 150 students in the third, fourth and fifth grades at Bush Elementary School in Salem to participate in the two-hour field day at McCulloch Stadium in Bush’s Pasture Park. The elementary school students learned about a variety of sports and participated in a number of athletic activities. At the same time, Willamette athletes were able to discuss their athletic experiences with the youngsters. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee includes representatives from each of Willamette’s intercollegiate athletic teams. The SAAC works to provide community service opportunities such as Bearcat Day and serves as the liaison between WU athletes and the Department of Athletics, the University’s administration and regional and national governing organizations.

Willamette Unveils New Athletics Website Willamette athletics has an updated website that is more dynamic, attractive and user friendly. On Willamette’s new website, www.willamette.edu/athletics, you can find information about all 20 varsity sports teams, plus a staff directory, statistics, photos and information about WU athletic facilities and the Bearcat club, rosters, player profiles, etc. There are links to the Northwest Conference, the NCAA, WU athletics photographer Naomi Stukey and much more. As time allows for additions to the website, there will be more player information, an increased use of video, more offerings from LiveStats and more Internet broadcasts of Willamette athletic events.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Liz Heaston ’99 Gets Kicks in more than One Sport

First Woman to Score in a College Football Game By Jamie Timbrell ‘06

t started in early September when she first stepped into the Coaching Football and Soccer classroom. It culminated in mid October when she kicked her first extra point for Willamette University’s football team. Now, 10 years later, she still hasn’t seen the end of it.

The star of the soccer team was soon stopping by the football field to kick field goals. On October 18, 1997, with three weeks of practice under her belt, Hawkins was ready to put her into a conference game against Linfield College. One problem: She had to get to the game first.

She is Elizabeth Heaston Thompson—the first woman to play and score in a college football game. In 1997, she was a 20-year-old junior from Richland, Wash., who had no idea what to expect when she first walked into football coach Dan Hawkins’ class that September. She never in her wildest dreams imagined the gender barrier-breaker she would soon become.

Heaston had a soccer match against Linfield at noon at Willamette’s Sparks Field. The football game was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. After the last second ticked off the clock, she rushed off the soccer field into her family van, changing en route while her father drove her to Willamette’s football field. The van pulled up to the edge of field. She hopped out and joined her teammates on the sidelines.

Starting kicker Gordon Thomson was the catalyst. He injured his hip flexor. The backup kicker was a freshman with limited experience, and the men’s soccer players weren’t available because their games were scheduled at the same time as the football games. What was a coach to do? The answer: the 5-foot-5inch, 135-pound soccer star sitting right in front of him. Heaston thought Hawkins was joking when he first asked her. He wasn’t, and he had no reason to.

Television crews and reporters lined the track. An overcapacity crowd of 3,600 packed the 2,400-seat McCulloch Stadium. Two of her sorority sisters propped up a sign that read “Sorority girl scores with the team.” A few minutes later, just short of halftime, Heaston kicked her first extra point. The crowd went wild. Her teammates patted her helmet. She started jogging off the field. Then suddenly everyone started frantically yelling. What was the matter?

Heaston was an NAIA Honorable Mention AllAmerica selection in soccer in 1996 and 1997. She led the team to four conference titles and a 75-11-6 (.848) record from 1995 to 1998. During her senior year, the team reached the NCAA Division III semifinals.

A flag lay on the field. Could it be? Could her recordsetting moment be naught? The ref announced the penalty: It was against Linfield. Heaston’s place in history was secure. She added one more extra point to her bio in the fourth quarter to secure Willamette’s 27-0 victory.

“Liz was one of four players who I have coached over the last 15 years who [significantly] helped us continue our success here at Willamette,” women’s soccer coach Jim Tursi said.

One week later, #39 played in her second football game. She went 0 for 2 on extra points in a 41-27 victory over Southern Oregon. The Bearcat football team ended the

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

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Don’t be afraid to try anything, especially for women, young girls. Anything is possible. You can do whatever you want to do. You just have to try.

Liz Heaston shares a moment with her family after kicking two extra points against Linfield College during the 1997 season. Pictured (L to R) are Karen Marie Heaston, Dale Heaston, Elizabeth (Liz) Heaston Thompson and Susan Heaston.

– LIZ HEASTON ’99

season 13-1 and went undefeated until losing in the NAIA National Championship game to Findlay (Ohio), 14-7. The women’s soccer team also had an outstanding season, finishing 18-3-1 after qualifying for the NAIA Regional Tournament. Heaston’s feats garnered her an appearance on the Today Show and a call from David Letterman. She was the one who kicked the ball through the goal posts, but she thanked her teammates and the coaching staff for getting her there. “Everyone was very supportive,” she said. “Having a coaching staff invite you to come out and play is a lot easier. You’re not trying to break through other people’s prejudices. The support was there from the top down.” What did Heaston learn from her whirlwind semester? “Don’t be afraid to try anything, especially for women, young girls. Anything is possible,” she said. “You can do whatever you want to do. You just have to try.” Heaston went on to graduate school to get her doctorate in optometry at Pacific University, where she met her husband, Trent Thompson. She resides in Richmond, Wash., with her husband and baby, Isabella. She moonlights as an assistant women’s soccer coach at Richland High School and plays soccer in a non-competitive women’s league. Now 10 years after her historic accomplishments, she rekindles her football glory days with a steady stream of interviews and finds that her experiences make great party anecdotes. She was someone special on two very special teams. And she was an inspiration to young women to pursue dreams and seek opportunities beyond the normal boundaries they faced.

THE

AT THEIR BEST

1997 FOOTBALL TEAM REACHES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

he 1997 Willamette University football team mowed down most of its competition, scoring 40 or more points seven times and holding seven opponents to a touchdown or less. The Bearcats won 13 consecutive games to start the season and did not lose until they were playing for the NAIA National Championship. It was WU’s most successful season ever and set a tremendous standard for future teams.

Not surprisingly, the team is likely headed toward the Willamette University Athletics Hall of Fame, where its stellar accomplishments will be permanently honored. It will be a just reward for a team that won a conference title, advanced to the playoffs, reached the National Championship game and achieved outstanding statistics. Six players earned NAIA All-America recognition, including a pair of first team selections.

“Everyone had the same vision, the same goal, the same passion,” said Dan Hawkins, head coach of the Bearcats in 1997 and current head coach at the University of Colorado. “The Willamette experience is another example that when you have administrators and coaches and players on the same page, you can accomplish wonderful things.” “It was great to see the differences from our first year,” said Bob Gregory, former Willamette defensive coordinator who is now defensive coordinator at the University of California. “There were all these people coming through the stands. There were students with their bodies painted. It really was a college football atmosphere.” As the team continued to gather victories, the community became even more involved with the Bearcats. Willamette’s accomplishments on the field gradually gained attention throughout the region.

Willamette was considered a strong team when the season began, but at #17 in the NAIA poll, the Bearcats weren’t expected to reach the title game. They surprised the prognosticators by winning the Northwest Conference championship at 5-0, finishing the regular season at 10-0, then moving through the playoffs until meeting Findlay University (Ohio) in the finals. Findlay edged Willamette, 14-7, in the National Championship game played in Savannah, Tenn.

“There was a lot of support and there was a lot of excitement in and around Salem,” said Mark Speckman, current head coach at Willamette and offensive coordinator for three years under Hawkins. “It was really good for the school. It was a lot of fun.”

All of the pieces fell into place for a very special season. From WU administrators to Athletics Department staff to the Bearcat coaches and players, everyone focused on helping the team be successful.

“It was just a combination of great coaches and players… esprit de corps, continuity, chemistry, experience … It was really special,” Hawkins said. “You could coach for 50 years and never have the same depth of experience.”

A tremendous group of athletes were at the center of the developing drama. Those players were the ones who made good things happen on the field.

THE BEARCATS AT THEIR BEST

“We had really a great bunch of kids on the team as a whole,” Gregory added. “We had a great defensive line that put pressure on the quarterback. From front to back, it was a good group of guys. Our offense was so productive and they ran the ball so well ... our offensive time of possession was skewed in a lot of games. We really weren’t on the field very long (on defense).” “We had a really good team,” Hawkins said. “There’s no way to pinpoint one person over another. Everyone had a unique contribution ... They were awesome to be around. That was a special group of guys.” Speckman added succinctly, “It was one of those magical years.” Along the way, there were a number of impressive, outstanding and unusual accomplishments. The Bearcats, led by Hawkins and his coaching staff, featured just the right mix of skill, experience and teamwork. “It takes a special chemistry to get to the championship game,” Hawkins said. “It involves talent, depth and experience. It involves some maturity and understanding the process. It’s not so much you’re shooting at winning a national championship as you are doing the things that will enable you to win a national championship.” Willamette opened the season with a 42-14 victory over Humboldt State University. Quarterback Chuck Pinkerton scored on a 70-yard run. The Bearcats followed up with a 40-6 win at Chapman one week later. Pinkerton and running back Danny Osborne each scored two touchdowns, while the WU defense held the Panthers to just 117 yards of offense.

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Stadium. Willamette scored in each quarter to gradually pull away from the Wildcats. One week later, the ’Cats downed Southern Oregon University, 41-27. Rideout gained 302 yards of total offense. WU routed the University of Puget Sound, 54-0, to start the month of November. WU pounded out 433 yards of total offense while holding the Loggers to just 131 yards. Eight Bearcats scored during the game. The team added two more lopsided wins to end the regular season undefeated for the first time in school history. WU defeated Pacific Lutheran University, 43-6, on Nov. 8, and outscored Whitworth College, 47-7, on Nov. 15. In the win over PLU, the ‘Cats limited the Lutes to just 135 total yards. Defensive ends Eric Thomson and Aaron Lawson each sacked the PLU quarterback twice. Against Whitworth, the Bearcats amassed 606 yards of offense, including 338 rushing yards.

We had a really good team… there’s no way to pinpoint one person over another. Everyone had a unique contribution... they were awesome to be around. That was a special group of guys.

The Bearcats improved to 3-0 with a come-from-behind win at Central Washington. Osborne added two more touchdowns for Willamette on runs of six and 68 yards. In the fourth game, WU edged Eastern Oregon, 13-7. Jon Franco forced a fumble and Chris Smith recovered the ball at the Eastern 19-yard line late in the game with the score tied 7-7. Smith’s fumble recovery set up the winning touchdown, which was scored by Osborne on a 6-yard run with 1:42 left.

The Bearcats were ranked #2 in the Final NAIA Poll, which was released prior to the playoffs. Willamette led the NAIA in total defense, allowing just 189.5 yards per game, and ranked first in scoring defense, after allowing only 10.2 points per game. Willamette began the NAIA Playoffs by hosting Western Oregon University. The Bearcats won the game, 26-20, in overtime. Brandon Folkert intercepted a pass in the extra period to secure the win. Tim Blair, who played flanker, scored the winning touchdown on a 3-yard sweep.

In the quarterfinals, Willamette played Montana Tech on the – DAN HAWKINS artificial turf at Parker Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. The artificial surface worked well for the Bearcats, who responded with a 50-24 rout. WU rushed for a school record 554 yards (the record still stands). Pinkerton ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns, Rideout added 133 rushing yards and two TDs, and Blair gained 114 yards and scored three times. Montana Tech entered the game as the top offensive team in the NAIA with 521.6 yards per game.

In Willamette’s next contest, the Bearcats downed Lewis & Clark College, 34-14. Pinkerton and Rich Rideout each rushed for more than 100 yards. WU’s defense stifled L&C’s ground game, holding the Pioneers to minus-23 yards rushing.

WU drove up I-5 to Civic Stadium in Portland, Ore., for its semifinal game against Sioux Falls. Willamette earned a 17-7 triumph, with all of the scoring in the first half. Pinkerton left the game in the second quarter with a broken leg. Reserve running back Stephen Person threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Blair to complete the scoring with 3:13 remaining in the half.

WU’s 1997 Homecoming Game followed on Oct. 18. The Bearcats shut out their nearby arch rivals from Linfield College, 27-0, in front of 3,600 fans at McCulloch

Even with Pinkerton sidelined, the Bearcats provided a solid challenge to top-ranked Findlay in the championship game. WU trailed 7-0, but Blair scored on a 72-yard run 11

THE BEARCATS AT THEIR BEST

to tie the game. Findlay recorded the go-ahead touchdown on a 60-yard run by quarterback Bo Hurley late in the third quarter. Willamette grabbed local media attention throughout the season. The national media took notice partway through the year, when Liz Heaston, a junior and a women’s soccer player, became the first female to score in a college football game. She kicked two extra points in Willamette’s 27-0 Homecoming win over Linfield on Oct. 18. Heaston also saw action against Southern Oregon the following week. Less than three weeks after Willamette’s appearance in the championship game, Hawkins resigned to become the assistant head coach at Boise State of NCAA Division I.

NO. NAME

During his five years as head coach at Willamette, the Bearcats achieved a 40-11-1 (.779) record. After three years as assistant head coach at Boise State, Hawkins became BSU’s head coach. In five seasons leading the Broncos, he earned a 53-11 (.828) record. He became head coach at the University of Colorado prior to the 2006 season. When Hawkins left for Boise State, Speckman was promoted to head coach. He is now preparing for his 10th season leading the Bearcats. In 1997, Willamette averaged 426.9 total yards per game during the regular season to rank ninth in the NAIA. The Bearcats ranked sixth in the NAIA in rushing offense, with 283.3 yards per game.

POS.

YR.

POS.

YR.

POS.

YR.

COACHING STAFF

Tim Blair

FL/K

So.

Danny Osborne

Sr.

NO. NAME 66

Josh Moeai

So.

Head Coach:

Israel Speer

So.

Nick Shein

So.

Nathan Ho

Fr.

Dan Hawkins

Matt Wilmot

Fr.

Andy Eckley

Fr.

Nick White

Fr.

Josh Jackson

Sr.

Kevin Schriber

Fr.

Jeff Steeprow

Jr.

Burke Eathorne

Jr.

Chris Smith

So.

Pete Osborne

Sr.

Ardell Bailey

Jr.

Liz Heaston

Jr.

Nick Pemberton

So.

Jay Douglass

Jr.

Andy Lewis

Fr.

Mike Pointer

So.

Bill Jones

Jr.

Brandon Folkert

Jr.

Jackson Baures

Sr.

Mike Colpitts

Fr.

Rai Washington

So.

Justin Callender

Fr.

Assistant Coaches:

Coordinators: Mark Speckman (Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line) Bob Gregory (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)

Chuck Pinkerton

QB/P

Sr.

Kevin Scharer

Jr.

Mike Bullert

Sr.

Matt Brittan (Linebackers)

Joey Kennedy

Sr.

Dave Richardson

Sr.

Jeremy Markiewicz

So.

Mike Cooper (Running Backs)

Travis Hollifield

Fr.

Sean Harvey

Fr.

Gerrit Wood

So.

Glen Fowles (Offensive Line Assistant)

Kamell Eckroth-Bernard

So.

Cory Folkert

Fr.

Zaki Rucker

Fr.

John Horner (Linebackers)

Josh Scott

Jr.

Ben LaFerriere

Jr.

Erik Christofferson

SR.

Mike Keizur (Sweepers)

Gordon Thomson

Sr.

Albert Dexter

Fr.

Eddie Anderson

Sr.

Rudy Kovalik (Wide Receivers)

Jason Chatterton

K/P

Fr.

Chuck McCutchen

So.

Mike Bernatz

Fr.

Dan Miller (Outside Linebackers)

Reagan West

Fr.

Chris Hoekstra

Sr.

Jimmy Gilchrist

Fr.

Scott Mimnaugh (Tight Ends)

Kyle Banks

So.

Mica Dayborn

So.

Andy Miguel

Fr.

Trey Mott (Defensive Line)

Eddie Rainford

Sr.

Ryan Gold

Jr.

Steve Nass

Fr.

Chris Prange (Defensive Backs Assistant)

Rich Rideout

Sr.

Jason Niedermeyer

Fr.

Kevin Dix

Sr.

John Rushing (Defensive Backs Assistant)

Rob Schoepper

Fr.

Geoff Hulbert

Jr.

Joe Rogers

Fr.

Robert Tucker (Defensive Line Assistant)

Ben Boyle

So.

Brian Greer

Jr.

Greg Jackle

Jr.

Jared Short

Jr.

Radley Ott

Jr.

James Jensen

Fr.

Paul Colby

Fr.

Brian Kaufman

So.

Adam Dittman

Fr.

Tim Ledford

Fr.

Phil Friedrich

Sr.

Aaron Lawson

So.

Kyle Carlson

Fr.

Reno Brown

So.

Kelly Labeau

So.

Chris Calaycay

Sr.

Adam Porath

So.

Eric Thomson

So.

Jeremy Senn

Jr.

Ben Hudson

Fr.

Greg Nolan

Sr.

Stephen Person

Jr.

Jake Neal

Sr.

Nate Rice

Fr.

Joe Franco

Sr.

Dante Holloway

Fr.

Rodney Wood

Sr.

Support Staff: Team Trainer: Russ Cagle Team Doctor: Malcom Snider Manager: Gar Willoughby

THE BEARCATS AT THEIR BEST

Overall, the Bearcats put the pieces in place and took the football team as far as they could for as long as they could. Willamette had many talented athletes who played with great effort as they worked together each week. “In all three phases [offense, defense, special teams]… we had a really well-oiled football team,” Hawkins said. “And although running was the primary thing, we could really throw the football.” Pinkerton completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 1,268 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed for 614 yards and averaged 33 yards per punt. Rideout led the rushing attack with 1,064 yards on 174 carries (6.1 avg.). He scored 13 rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Blair caught 27 passes for 500 yards and three touchdowns, as he averaged 18.5 yards per catch. Blair was named First Team All-America. “It was an impressive group,” Speckman said. “It was great to have that many weapons.” In addition to finishing the regular season ranked first in the NAIA in scoring defense and total defense, the Bearcats also ranked third in rushing defense. The ’Cats limited opponents to just 68 rushing yards per contest (2.1 yards per carry). Folkert, a junior linebacker, led the defense with 96 tackles (49 solo). He also grabbed a team-high five interceptions, including the key interception in WU’s overtime win over Western Oregon. He was named First Team All-America. The tremendous defensive effort allowed Kamell Eckroth-Bernard to return 40 punts in 13 games. He averaged a solid 10.6 yards per return.

“

“The Fly,” in which the flanker goes in motion on nearly every play, works at its best when there are multiple offensive threats and plenty of misdirection. Pinkerton ran the offense to near perfection. The defense also had its share of standout players. Leading the way were starting defensive ends Eric Thomson and Aaron Lawson and starting defensive tackles Jack Baures and Rodney Wood. Thomson led the team with 12 quarterback sacks and recovered two fumbles. “We had four great defensive linemen,” Gregory recalled. “It was really hard for teams to double team us. We were able to get lots of pressure on the quarterback with just four guys. One of those guys was going to come free.”

We had four great defensive linemen. It was really hard for teams to double team us. We were able to get lots of pressure on the quarterback… – BOB GREGORY

Starting place-kicker Gordon Thomson, a senior, made 8 of 12 field goals and hit 21 of 27 extra points. Heaston finished 2 of 4 on PATs. Her status as the first woman to score in a college football game is commemorated at the College Football Hall of Fame. For the season, the Bearcats scored 470 points and allowed opponents just 167 points. WU registered shutout wins over Northwest Conference rivals Linfield and Puget Sound, as the Bearcats allowed only 27 total points in five NCIC games. Everyone had a role to play, but some performances were more noticeable than others. “We had a great quarterback,” Speckman said. “Chuck Pinkerton was as productive a guy as we’ve had. He was the catalyst.” With Pinkerton at the helm, the Bearcats and “The Fly” offense caused havoc for opposing defenses.

Willamette’s defense was incredibly strong against opposing running attacks. The Bearcats simply would not give the other teams’ runners enough space to move up the field. Although the season featured many outstanding accomplishments, Hawkins said the work of coaches and players over several years to develop the Bearcats into a nationalcaliber team was most important. It is what continues to be his focus when the 1997 team is mentioned. “What I remember is all the steps it took to get there,” Hawkins said. “I remember telling the 1993 team that sometime we would win the national title and they would be the foundation. I just think about the tremendous bond, the tremendous camaraderie the team had.” WU didn’t win the national championship, but on Dec. 19, 1997, Willamette was one of only two teams with a chance to claim the NAIA title. Although Findlay prevailed, the Bearcats had an unbelievable season with many fantastic memories.

“Getting on a charter plane and going to Tennessee — it was so great for the kids to experience that,” Gregory said. “It was a great reward. We stayed in a neat hotel. There was a large group of our fans.” Even 10 years and two more playoff teams later, Speckman says that “the National Championship game stands out. Montana Tech was one of the highlights since I’ve been here. The Western Oregon game was probably the toughest of the year.” Challenges and difficulties didn’t slow down the Bearcats. They were always ready for a hard-fought struggle against another talented team. “The bigger the game, the better they played. They were very good,” Hawkins said. 13

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STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Sarah Zerzan

Distance Runner Wins National Title, Thanks Fellow Bearcats

By Ryan Borde, Assistant Athletics Communications Director n today’s world of “me-first” athletes, it is refreshing to come across an athlete such as Willamette University cross country and track runner Sarah Zerzan. Athletes such as the humble and team-oriented Zerzan have become rare in a society that places an emphasis on winning at all costs. Considering everything she accomplished during her junior season, Zerzan could easily boast, yet she often deflects the praise to her teammates and coaches.

illness much of the time. As a result, she entered last fall weaker than normal. This summer, Zerzan is at home in San Carlos, Calif., where she is doing an internship with biotech company Genecor in Palo Alto. After taking a few weeks off, Zerzan will start training for her senior season, and she has a great training partner in her own house. Zerzan’s father, Terry, was a standout distance runner for Willamette in the mid-70s.

Last November, Zerzan burst onto the national scene when Terry Zerzan ’78 was a two-time conference champion in she battled through a wet and muddy course to win the cross country (1974 and 1977) and still holds the Willamette women’s individual title at the 2006 NCAA Division III men’s record for the marathon. Cross Country National Championships, held at Voice of “Running is something we have always shared and always will America Park in West Chester, Ohio. She completed the share,” said the younger Zerzan. “It 6-kilometer course in 22:31 to win by 20 makes running that much more special to seconds over the second-place finisher. She Sarah Zerzan at a glance: me, and it makes me closer to my dad. defeated 278 other entrants. Age: 20 I hope we have it for the rest of our This spring, she placed second in the 5,000Major: Chemistry (Biochemistry track) lives.” meter race at the NCAA Division III Track Sports: Cross Country, Track and Field Terry was one of 12 siblings, four of whom Events: Distance and Field National Championships at graduated from Willamette. Their parents, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Her Top Awards: Charles and Joan, met at Willamette time of 16.51.18 was less than two seconds and graduated in 1948. Despite the strong off the lead. Nominated for the NCAA Division III family tradition, Sarah never felt any Athlete of the Year Award, 2006-07; But if you ask Zerzan about her accomplishpressure to attend WU after graduating All-America honors in cross country, ments, she will comment on how her teamfrom Notre Dame High School in 2004. 2005, 2006; All-America honors in track mates and coaches helped her succeed. and field, 2007; First Team ESPN The “I never felt any pressure to go here,” said Magazine Academic All-America, 2006“My teammates and coaches were very Zerzan. “It was always an option for me 07; First Team ESPN The Magazine Acainstrumental in getting me to where I am,” but never forced on me. It has just meant demic All-District VIII, 2006-07; NCAA Zerzan said. “A big part of being able a lot to be able to run at the same Division III West Region Cross Country to run at the top is believing you can run university as my dad.” Athlete of the Year, 2006; NCAA Divithat fast. By myself I never could have sion III West Region Track Athlete of the Zerzan will graduate in May 2008 with a thought I would do something like that. Year, 2007; First Team All-NWC Cross degree in chemistry (biochemistry track) But my coaches and teammates believe in Country, 2004; 2005, 2006; First Team and a minor in Spanish. Then, she will me and tell me I can do those things, and All-NWC Track and Field, 2007. apply to medical school, with her sights that makes a huge difference.” set on either Stanford University or the Top Athletic Accomplishments: By finishing 25th as a sophomore at the University of California-San Francisco. She 2005 NCAA Cross Country Championships NCAA Division III individual national plans to become a pediatrician. champion in cross country, 2006; NCAA and taking 11th place in the 5,000-meter In the meantime, though, she has one last Division III second place at national run at the 2006 NCAA Track and Field championships in track and field, year of eligibility in a Bearcat uniform. True Championships, Zerzan served notice that 5,000-meter run, 2007; NWC individual to her character as an athlete and a person, she would be a contender on the national cross country champion, 2006; NCAA she talks about the team having a great level her final two seasons. But even she Division III West Region individual season. “We had a lot of young runners didn’t expect to win a national title last cross country champion, 2006; NWC last year at nationals,” Zerzan said about year after entering the season in less-thanindividual champion in track and field, the cross country and track and field perfect condition. 1,500-meter run, 2007; Helped WU win teams. “It was a really good feeling to be NWC and West Region team titles in Recently named NCAA Division III West on a team that was so young and did that cross country in 2004, 2005 and 2006; Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, well. The future is very promising. Contributed to Willamette winning Zerzan spent six weeks of summer 2006 NWC team titles in track and field in “Ideally, I would like to do as well as last in Costa Rica doing research in the field of 2005 and 2007 (missed 2006 NWC meet year, but the most important goal for me ethnobiology. She ran every day, but battled due to injury). is to contribute to a good team performance,” she said.

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STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Brandon Bennett All-American Offensive Tackle Prepares for Senior Season

By Ryan Borde, Assistant Athletics Communications Director t was a warm, sunny June afternoon in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Brandon Bennett was lying by a pool enjoying some down time. It’s not as if Bennett, a senior-to-be on the football team, spent most of his summer days by a pool, but on this particular day the rest is well deserved.

Bennett is doing something this summer that the vast majority of other NCAA Division III football players are not doing: training five to six hours a day with a personal trainer. On June 2, Bennett moved from Salem, Ore., to Thousand Oaks to attend the Parisi Speed School in nearby Westlake Village, Calif.

we were very cocky. We thought we had earned our right to be a good team and to win. But at the same time we didn’t train to be champions or have that killer instinct.” As last season wound down, Bennett knew what needed to happen for the Bearcats to return to their winning ways in the future: for the team to get back to training on a consistent basis. As an All-American, Bennett knew he had to lead by example. “I’m really excited for next season,” said Bennett, who earned All-America status from four organizations last year. “This is the only team I have been on that has the right attitude and knows that we have to train hard to win. The mindset and work ethic I saw this spring is a total 180 from last spring.”

Bennett will be spending eight weeks of the summer working out at Parisi’s indoor facility in hopes of increasing his chances for a shot at Brandon Bennett at a glance: professional football after next season at Age: 22 Willamette. Not too many Division III Major: Economics football players even get a look from NFL Sport: Football scouts, but Bennett could be one of the Position: Offensive Tackle few. At 6'2" and 300 pounds, he has the size professional scouts look for, but Top Awards: he knows he must improve his speed and American Football Coaches Association agility to increase his chances. That is All-America, 2006; Associated Press where the Parisi Speed School comes into Little All-America Third Team, 2006; the picture. Bennett started training June 4 and will train twice a day, five days a week. He spends the morning focusing on his speed and agility before taking the afternoon off. In the evening, Bennett and his trainer work on core strength and stability. “It’s always been a goal of mine to play at the next level,” said Bennett, who is a two-time First Team All-Northwest Conference selection at offensive tackle. “And this training is only going to help me to achieve my goal.” The Parisi program isn’t cheap. Bennett and his family believe the money is well spent, especially if it helps him get into the pros.

D3Football.com Honorable Mention AllAmerica, 2005, 2006; D3Football.com Second Team All-West Region, 2006; D3Football.com Third Team All-West Region, 2005; First Team All-Northwest Conference, 2005; 2006; Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference, 2004. Top Athletic Accomplishments: Played on Willamette’s NCAA Tournament team in 2004 that finished the year 7-4 overall; Helped the Bearcats earn 380.8 total yards and 278.4 rushing yards per game in 2004; Contributed to WU gaining 359.0 total yards and 238.7 rushing yards per game in 2005; Helped Willamette achieve 294.4 total yards and 173.3 rushing yards per game in 2006.

While Bennett could enjoy the summer more by training less, he knows that it will make him a better football player for the Bearcats during the 2007 season. Bennett enters his senior year as one of the most decorated offensive linemen to ever wear a Willamette uniform, yet he isn’t satisfied, especially after the Bearcats went 2-7 last year and suffered their first losing season since 2001.

“It was a very disappointing season,” Bennett said. “We were a team that was coming off an above-average season, and

“I know as a senior that I need to be more outspoken, both on and off the field. The younger guys look up to me, and I need to help them out and be the best teammate possible.” Bennett, who walked with his class in May, but will return in the fall to complete a degree in economics, enters next season as one of the top offensive linemen in all of Division III. Last year he was an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-America selection. Many consider the AFCA honor to be the most prestigious of the AllAmerica awards. What makes the award unique and prestigious is that the AFCA chooses only a first team, while most organizations selecting All-America teams choose a first team and a second team, plus a third team or honorable mention squad. After this fall, Bennett plans to pursue his dream of playing professional football, but he has given himself a timetable to reach his goal. If he doesn’t end up at the next level, he may pursue a career as an accountant or possibly join the military.

“Whether it’s the NFL, or in Canada, or Arena ball, I just want to keep playing as long as possible,” Bennett said. “But I plan on working toward that goal for a three-year period, and I’m giving myself a timeline because I don’t want to chase that dream forever.”

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SCHOLARS AND CHAMPIONS

ACADEMIC AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

SCHOLARS

16 BOOTH AWARD

Kevin Dean, Sr. Football Kei Otawa, Sr. Men’s Swimming WILLIAMS AWARD

Andrea May, Sr. Women’s Track and Field KEMPER SCHOLAR (2006)

Ben Bryant, So. Men’s Golf KEMPER SCHOLAR

Chris Platano, Fr. Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR

Greg Henselman, Jr. Men’s Swimming/Rowing CARSON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANT

Melissa Ostermick, Jr. Women’s Cross Country DATATEL SCHOLAR (2006)

Audrey Squires, Sr. Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field TUG MCGRAW SCHOLAR (2006)

Audrey Squires, Sr. Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA First Team

Sarah Zerzan, Jr. Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field Second Team

Travis Harris, Sr. Men’s Cross Country ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT VIII First Team

Kevin Dean, Sr. Football, Running Back Ben Weyerhaeuser, Sr. Football, Linebacker Cason Schmit, Sr. Men’s Swimming Travis Harris, Sr. Men’s Cross Country Lucas Nebert, Jr. Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field Sarah Zerzan, Jr. Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field CRCA NATIONAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE

Adrienne Hall, Sr. Women’s Rowing Rebecca Ralston, Sr. Women’s Rowing NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Kevin Dean, Sr. Football, Running Back Ben Weyerhaeuser, Sr. Football, Linebacker

Dean, Otawa Win Booth Award, May Earns Williams Award Senior running back Kevin Dean and senior swimmer Kei Otawa shared the J.H. Booth Award, while senior track and field athlete Andrea May received the Jean Williams Award, during Willamette’s Athletic Awards Night April 30. The awards went to the senior male and female athletes who best exemplified outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism. Dean played four seasons on the Willamette football team and majored in chemistry. He achieved a 3.64 GPA and was named First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District in 2005 and 2006. Dean and fellow football players Alex MacKenzie and Wesley Randall traveled by bicycle from San Diego, Calif., to Miami, Fla. (about 3,000 miles) to honor the memory of their fraternity brother, Kalan Morinaka. “Coast 2 Coast 4 Kalan” also raised money for the ALS Society to fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease. Otawa competed for the Willamette men’s swimming team for four seasons. He majored in mathematics and earned a 3.54 GPA. He finished in the Top 10 at the Northwest Conference Championships a total of 11 times with eight Top 3 finishes. He was a leader as WU played the entire 2006–07 season on the road due to repairs at the Sparks Center pool. Otawa was president of the local chapter of the Circle K philanthropic organization. He was a volunteer worker helping reconstruct Bogalusa, La., following Hurricane Katrina. May ran for the WU women’s track and field team all four years. She majored in biology and earned a 3.6 GPA. She received All-America honors three times in three trips to the NCAA National Championships. She also won a total of seven NWC individual titles. May set the WU record of 14.84 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles in 2007 and helped set the 4 x 400-meter relay record of 3:47.85 in 2006. She served an internship at Salem Hospital and was a Summer Events and Conferences Coordinator at Willamette.

Willamette Places 92 Bearcats on NWC Scholar-Athlete Teams Willamette University placed a total of 92 student-athletes on the Northwest Conference Scholar-Athlete Teams for 2006–07. Twenty-two of Willamette’s selections were two-sport athletes (114 total awards). To qualify for an NWC ScholarAthlete Team, each athlete had to earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 and had to participate in a full season with his or her varsity team.

A total of 49 athletes from Willamette’s men’s teams earned NWC Scholar-Athlete honors (11 two-sport athletes, 60 total awards). An additional 43 athletes from WU’s women’s teams received NWC Scholar-Athlete status (11 two-sport athletes, 54 total awards). The NWC announced scholar-athlete teams in 18 conference sports, plus a men’s at-large team and a women’s at-large team to cover non-conference sports.

Henselman Receives Presidential Scholarship Greg Henselman, a member of the swimming and rowing teams who is majoring in mathematics and classical studies, is one of two Willamette University students selected as Presidential Scholars for 2007. Each Presidential Scholar receives a $2,500 stipend to assist with research during the summer. Recipients also earn a tuition waiver for one semester or $5,000 toward graduate school expenses. Henselman’s summer research focuses on “Extending the Diagnostic Applications of Graph Representations.” Erin McNicholas, assistant professor of mathematics, sponsors Henselman’s research.

Platano Named Kemper Scholar Willamette track and cross country runner Chris Platano knew before coming to Willamette that he was interested in world affairs, but an experience in one of his first-year courses cemented his thoughts about seeking a career in international development or policy. The class was “Global Health: Crises in Context,” a College Colloquium course taught by assistant anthropology professor Joyce Millen. The College Colloquium program allows firstyear students to pick a class topic that mirrors their interests. “We talked about AIDS and bird flu and other diseases that are prevalent in impoverished nations,” Platano said. “We discussed ways they could be relieved and prevented. I thought I knew about the world before taking this class, but it completely opened my eyes…” Platano will have extra chances to gain skills for his future career thanks to a national scholarship. He is one of two Willamette students named Kemper Scholars, a program sponsored by the James S. Kemper Foundation for first-year college students interested in business or management careers. Platano will receive an annual scholarship of $3,000–$8,000 during his sophomore, junior and senior years. He also will receive stipends for two summer internships — one at a nonprofit organization in Chicago following his sophomore year, the other in a location of his choice after his junior year. He went to South Africa this May as part of a Willamette postsession course. “It’s a great opportunity for me to meet people who can give me the tools I need to go into the business field,” says Platano, who plans to major in economics with a possible double major in politics.

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SCHOLARS AND CHAMPIONS

CHAMPIONS Great Year for Sarah Zerzan NCAA Cross Country National Champion, Second Place in NCAA at 5,000 Meters Sarah Zerzan, a junior on the Willamette cross country and track and field teams, had an outstanding year for the Bearcats in 2006–07. She won the NCAA Division III Cross Country individual national championship (22:31, 6K) and was chosen West Region Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year and National Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year. In track and field, she took second place in the 5,000-meter run (16:51.18) at the NCAA Division III National Championships. She was named West Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year. She also was nominated for the NCAA Division III Women’s Athlete of the Year Award. Just 12 athletes nationwide were nominated, with one selected in each of a dozen women’s sports. Zerzan was nominated for her efforts in cross country. Zerzan won the NWC and West Region individual titles in cross country. She also claimed the NWC championship in the 1,500-meter run (4:33.87). Her performances during the year helped Willamette win NWC and West Region team titles in cross country as well as the NWC team title in track and field. She holds the Bearcat track and field records in four events. She has earned WU’s fastest time in the 1,500-meter run (4:31.52), 3,000-meter run (9:39.01), 5,000-meter run (16:28.54) and 10,000-meter run (35:20.17).

McGuirk Selected National Track and Field Coach of the Year Matt McGuirk, head coach of track and field and cross country at Willamette, has been named NCAA Division III Women’s Track and Field National Coach of the Year for 2007, as selected by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). McGuirk was selected NCAA Division III Men’s Track and Field National Coach of the Year in 2004. McGuirk led the Willamette women’s track and field team to its sixth consecutive NWC championship this spring, as the Bearcats took first place at the NWC meet by more than a twoto-one margin. Ten athletes (plus a relay alternate) competed for the Willamette men’s and women’s teams at the NCAA Division III Track and Field National Championships, May 24–26, in Oshkosh, Wisc. Six of Willamette’s runners on the women’s team earned All-America status as the Bearcats took 18th place. McGuirk also was named NCAA Division III West Region Women’s Track and Field Coach of the Year for the third time. He previously was chosen West Region Coach of the Year in both men’s and women’s track and field in 2004 and 2005.

This year, he guided both of Willamette’s track and field teams to national rankings. At the end of the regular season, the women’s team was ranked fourth in the USTFCCCA Poll for NCAA Division III, while the men’s team was ranked 19th. In fall 2006, McGuirk was chosen NCAA Division III West Region Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year and was named NWC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. Both of Willamette’s teams won NWC West Region championships. The women’s team placed 20th and the men’s team finished 27th at the NCAA Division III National Meet.

Endrikat Earns NWC Coach of the Year Honors Willamette University men’s tennis head coach Jon Endrikat was chosen Northwest Conference Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year. He guided the Bearcats to the NWC Tournament, including a stretch in which Willamette won five consecutive NWC matches and six of seven matches overall. Willamette ended the season with a 10-12 overall record after taking fourth place at the NWC Tournament. Endrikat, who coached the Bearcats for two seasons, completed a master of business administration in management this spring. He has resigned as head coach of men’s tennis to pursue business opportunities.

Jones Selected for U.S. Rowing Team Camps Rowing team member Laura Jones, a junior, was selected by U.S. Rowing to attend two national team camps this summer. She participated in the month-long National Team Development Camp at Gonzaga University and gained additional experience at the Women’s National Team Freshman Camp at the University of Wisconsin. Jones was a member of Willamette’s varsity four and varsity eight crews last season. Jones was one of 22 rowers and two coxswains invited to attend the Women’s National Team Freshman Camp. She was one of just two NCAA Division III athletes selected. The Freshman Camp is for rowers who have the potential to join the U.S. National Team program. “Laura is a natural leader by her actions,” Willamette head rowing coach Susan Parkman said. “She is able to row in any seat from the stroke seat to bow.” Jones also was named Second Team All-America in NCAA Division III by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA). Jones helped the WU women’s varsity eight take first place at the Governor’s Cup Regatta in Salem and also helped the WV8 achieve a #20 ranking in the cMax rankings released on May 15.

NATIONAL ATHLETIC HONORS

17 NCAA POSTSEASON

Men’s Cross Country (27th) Women’s Cross Country (20th) Women’s Soccer (National Tournament) Men’s Track and Field (Nationals) Women’s Track and Field (18th) National Champion

Sarah Zerzan

Jr. Cross Country 22:31 6,000-m run

USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year

Matt McGuirk

Women’s Track and Field

Honda NCAA Division III Athlete of the Year Nominee

Sarah Zerzan

Jr.

Cross Country

USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Year

Sarah Zerzan

Jr.

Cross Country

CRCA All-America

Laura Jones

Jr.

Rowing

U.S. Rowing Team Camps

Laura Jones

Jr.

Rowing

NSCAA WOMEN’S SOCCER ALL-AMERICA Third Team

Susan Butler

Sr.

Midfielder/Forward

USTFCCCA CROSS COUNTRY ALL-AMERICA

Sarah Zerzan

Jr.

National Champion

USTFCCCA TRACK AND FIELD ALL-AMERICA

Sarah Zerzan Andrea May Lydia Marsalli Jennifer Luecht Mariah Hanson Jordyn Smith

Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr.

2nd 5th 5th 5th 5th 7th

5,000-m run 4x400-m relay 4x400-m relay 4x400-m relay 4x400-m relay 800-m run

AFCA FOOTBALL ALL-AMERICA

Brandon Bennett Jr.

Offensive Tackle

NORTH-AMERICAN INTERFRATERNITY CONFERENCE FOOTBALL ALL-AMERICA First Team

Brandon Bennett Jr.

Offensive Tackle

ASSOCIATE PRESS FOOTBALL LITTLE ALL-AMERICA Third Team

Brandon Bennett Jr.

Offensive Tackle

D3FOOTBALL.COM ALL-AMERICA Honorable Mention

Brandon Bennett Jr.

Offensive Tackle

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AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL NWC/REGIONAL HONORS AND AWARDS OREGON SPORTS AWARDS SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

(Calendar Year 2006) Nick Symmonds ‘06 Sarah Zerzan Jr.

Track and Field Cross Country, Track and Field

NCAA WEST REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS

Women’s Cross Country Men’s Cross Country

1st Place, Score of 75 1st Place, Score of 63

NCAA WEST REGION WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION

Sarah Zerzan

Jr.

Cross Country (6K)

USTFCCCA WEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR

Matt McGuirk

Women’s Cross Country Women’s Track and Field

USTFCCCA WEST REGION ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Sarah Zerzan

Jr.

Cross Country, Women’s Track and Field

USTFCCCA CROSS COUNTRY MEN’S ALL-WEST REGION

Ian Batch Travis Harris Lucas Nebert Tristan KnutsonLombardo Josh Clough Kyle Kotaich

Jr. Sr. Jr.

8th 10th 15th

So. So. Fr.

24th 25th 35th

USTFCCCA CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN’S ALL-WEST REGION

Sarah Zerzan Jena Winger Maddie Coffman Ali Maki Elizabeth Hart Katrina Brett Edith Polanco

Jr. So. So. So. Sr. Jr. So.

Regional Champion 15th 17th 18th 20th 22nd 29th

D3FOOTBALL.COM FOOTBALL ALL-WEST REGION Second Team

Brandon Bennett

Jr.

Offensive Tackle

NSCAA WOMEN’S SOCCER ALL-WEST REGION First Team

Susan Butler

Sarah Zerzan Ian Batch

Jr. Jr.

Cross Country Cross Country

NWC ATHLETE OF THE MEET

Andrea May

Sr.

Track and Field

NWC CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION

Sarah Zerzan

Jr.

Women’s Champion (6K)

NWC CROSS COUNTRY MEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION

Ian Batch

Jr.

Men’s Champion (8K)

NWC TRACK AND FIELD WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION First Team All-NWC

Melinda Fahey Mariah Hanson Jennifer Luecht Andrea May

Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr.

Jordyn Smith Jena Winger Sarah Zerzan

Jr. So. Jr.

Discus 400-meter dash 200-meter dash 100-meter dash 100-meter hurdles 400-meter hurdles 3,000-meter steeplechase 1,500-meter run

NWC TRACK AND FIELD WOMEN’S RELAY CHAMPIONS First Team All-NWC

Willamette 4 x 100-meter relay team (Autumn Schmeck, Fr.; Lydia Marsalli, Fr.; Kaitlin St. John, Fr.; Katie Klein, So.)

Brandon Bennett Matt Bicocca Ryan Hernandez

Jr. Jr. Sr.

Offensive Tackle Place-kicker Flanker

Mitchell MacCready Jr. Wesley Randall Sr. Phil Sweet Jr.

Defensive Tackle Cornerback Linebacker

Second Team

Honorable Mention

Tony Davis Kevin Dean Ben Fennimore Tyler Gill Taylor Hermes Mike Plank

Whitney Ueno

Meghan Anderson Susan Butler Kelsey Rogel Laura Uhlmansiek Kari Woody Selena Levy Jessica Lammers

Liz Gilgan Geneva Hale

Julio Vieyra

Sr.

ALL-NWC BASEBALL Honorable Mention

Grant Yamaguchi Matt Rasmussen Kelly Gilmore Colin Young Jarrid Summers

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So.

First Base (IF) Shortstop (IF) Right Fielder (OF) Left Fielder (OF) Pitcher (P)

Mary Butler

Sr.

Midfielder/Forward

Fr.

Forward

Sarah Zerzan

Jr.

1st

So. So. Sr.

9th 11th 12th

Second Team

Sr.

Midfielder

Third Team

Jessica Lammers Sr. Meghan Anderson Fr. Kelsey Rogel So.

Midfielder Midfielder/Forward Defender

NFCA SOFTBALL ALL-WEST REGION Third Team

So.

Pitcher

NWC CHAMPIONS

Women’s Cross Country (Score of 50) Men’s Cross Country (Score of 40) Women’s Track and Field (Score of 257.33)

Maddie Coffman Jena Winger Elizabeth Hart

ALL-NWC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY First Team

Ian Batch Josh Clough

Kevin Dean Kari Woody

Kyle Kotaich Alex Jimenez Steven Millard Lucas Nebert Travis Harris

Third Baseman (IF) Pitcher/DP (UTIL)

Jr. Jr.

Shortstop (IF) First Baseman (IF) Center Fielder (OF)

So.

Middle Blocker

Sr. Sr.

Football Women’s Soccer

Jr. Jr.

Men’s Cross Country Women’s Cross Country

Sr. Sr.

Men’s Swimming Women’s Cross Country

Fr. Fr.

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball

Sr. Sr.

Men’s Basketball Women’s Swimming

Jr. Jr.

Baseball Women’s Tennis

So. Sr.

Men’s Track and Field Softball

Sr. Sr.

Men’s Track and Field Women’s Track and Field

So. Jr.

Men’s Track and Field Women’s Track and Field

October, 2006

Kei Otawa Sarah Zerzan December, 2006

Dan Nugent Keilyn Fujioka January, 2007

Rob Andrus Becca Fischer February, 2007

Tye Sundlee Alaine Anderson

Jr. So.

1st 6th

March, 2007

Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr.

10th 11th 12th 13th 14th

April, 2007

Second Team

Sr. So.

WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY ATHLETE OF THE MONTH September, 2006

November, 2006

ALL-NWC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY First Team

Goalkeeper Defender Midfielder

ALL-NWC VOLLEYBALL Honorable Mention

Dan Nugent

Keilyn Fujioka

Sr. So. Sr.

LaShawna Holcomb So.

Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder/Forward

Wing/Post

Midfielder/Forward Midfielder/Forward Defender Midfielder

Honorable Mention

Ian Batch Sarah Zerzan

Fr.

Fr. Sr. So. Sr.

Second Team

ALL-NWC MEN’S BASKETBALL Honorable Mention ALL-NWC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Honorable Mention

2nd (tie), 163 for 36 holes

ALL-NWC SOFTBALL First Team

NWC TRACK AND FIELD MEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION First Team All-NWC

5,000-meter run 10,000-meter run 800-meter run 1,500-meter run

So.

Second Team

Molly Barnes Nikki Franchi

Jr.

Tight End Fullback Free Safety Rover Linebacker Wide Receiver

ALL-NWC WOMEN’S SOCCER First Team

Willamette 4 x 400-meter relay team (Mariah Hanson, Sr.; Jennifer Luecht, Fr.; Andrea May, Sr.; Jordyn Smith, Jr.)

Ian Batch

Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

ALL-NWC WOMEN’S GOLF First Team

Defender

D3KICKS.COM WOMEN’S SOCCER ALL-WEST REGION First Team

Nikki Franchi

NWC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ALL-NWC FOOTBALL First Team

So.

Jessica Lammers Sr. Laura Uhlmansiek Sr. Meghan Anderson Fr.

Laura Uhlmansiek

Jon Endrikat

Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Track and Field Men’s Tennis

Midfielder/Forward

Third Team

Susan Butler

Matt McGuirk

Sr.

Second Team

Kelsey Rogel

NWC COACH OF THE YEAR

Drew Lackman Molly Barnes Julio Vieyra Andrea May May, 2007

Grant Piros Sarah Zerzan

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COACHES CORNER

An Inspirational Leader

Mark Speckman Motivates On and Off the Field

By Ryan Borde, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

t was May 1981 and Mark Speckman had just been hired for his first head football coaching position at Livingston High School in Livingston, Calif. While Speckman had been around the game most of his life as a player and assistant coach, most of his knowledge rested on the defensive side of the ball. Coming up with an offensive scheme, Speckman knew, would require thinking outside the box. “I thought to myself, ‘As a defensive coordinator, what do I hate to see?’” The answer was a series of plays that had been dubbed the “fly series,” a set of three plays that Speckman had seen run at North Monterey County High School in Castroville, Calif. “Those three plays always seemed to get yards,” Speckman said. Fast-forward to 2007, and Speckman is the head football coach at Willamette University and is widely regarded as the guru of “The Fly” offense. Over the years, he tinkered with those three plays and wound up with an offense that opposing teams despise. Speckman regularly makes trips across the United States to talk about the unique offense that even has its own video series now. “The thing I like about The Fly is that it isn’t dependent on one type of athlete,” said Speckman. “A variety of athletes have been featured at Willamette over my years here. From big running backs to small running backs, to throwing quarterbacks to running quarterbacks, you can change the offense subtly and feature different people.” Speckman has always been one to think outside the box. He had to. Born without hands in Belmont, Calif., he has always had to think of different ways to do day-to-day tasks. Whether it’s driving a car, talking on his cell phone, or throwing a football, Speckman has always found a way to do the tasks that people with hands take for granted. Yet Speckman never felt sorry for himself. Instead, he used his disability as extra motivation to become the person he is today: a football coach in high demand across the country as a motivational speaker. Speckman spends much of the off-season traveling and speaking to a variety of businesses, athletic teams, schools and organizations about life and leadership. In April, he was a keynote speaker at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business Leadership Conference. He sees his speaking engagements as a double-win scenario for the people he addresses and for Willamette. “Anytime I’m out on the road speaking, I’m representing Willamette University and our football program,” he said.

“Not only do I get to impact the people I’m talking to, but I also get to tell people about our story at Willamette. It’s good for the profile of the University and our team.” Speckman has been successful in football wherever he has been. That success started in college, where he was an All-American linebacker at Azusa Pacific University. It continued at Merced High School in Calif., where he served as head coach and led the Bears to national prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Speckman’s 1989 and 1990 Merced squads each went 14-0, after going 13-1 in 1988. His 1990 team was voted #1 in California and was ranked #5 in the nation by ESPN. In 1995 Speckman brought his winning ways to Willamette, where he was hired as offensive coordinator by then head coach Dan Hawkins. “I must have been his 30th choice,” joked Speckman about how he landed the job at WU. Speckman spent three seasons as offensive coordinator under Hawkins, helping the Bearcats go 28-5-1, including a trip to the 1997 NAIA National Championship. Shortly after the 1997 season, Speckman was hired to succeed Hawkins, who left to become assistant head coach at Boise State University. During Speckman’s nine seasons at the helm, he has guided the team to a 48-41 record, one Northwest Conference title and two trips to the NCAA Division III National Playoffs. Last year was just Speckman’s third losing season as head coach at Willamette, as the Bearcats went 2-7. While the season was challenging for Speckman and his staff, they see the difficulties of 2006 as motivation to return the program to its winning ways. “Anytime you have a season that you don’t think your program should have, then it motivates you to get better,” said Speckman. “I actually view last season as positive because it made me re-evaluate the program from top to bottom. It was a healthy process for me and the staff, and it gives us a lot of optimism heading into 2007.” Anyone who knows Speckman knows he and his team will rebound from the disappointment. Speckman doesn’t stay down. For those who dare to think otherwise, he will prove them wrong by once again thinking outside the box. “I’ve always wanted to prove people wrong,” Speckman said about his disability. “I have a very strong desire to succeed, especially when people tell me I can’t do something. It might be a childish instinct, but it has helped me in life.”

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BEARCAT CLUB

Hall of Fame Nominees Sought With the Willamette Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2007 set for induction on Oct. 27, it’s time to start thinking about athletes and coaches to consider for Hall of Fame induction in the future. As a result, Willamette is seeking nominations from throughout the WU community. It is the intent of the Hall of Fame to honor and preserve the memory of athletes, teams, coaches and others whose achievements have brought recognition and distinction to the University and its athletic program. Criteria for selection include achievements while at Willamette, plus accomplishments in the sports world later in life. Nominations should include the person’s name and graduation year, sports played and supporting evidence justifying the nomination. When nominating a team, the year and sport should be identified, along with supporting evidence.

Guidelines for submitting nominations for the Willamette Athletics Hall of Fame: CATEGORIES 1. Athletes 2. Coaches 3. Teams 4. Athletic Staff 5. Meritorious Service

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION A. An athlete, through athletic achievement, must have brought distinction and honor to himself or herself, to Willamette University, and to its intercollegiate athletic program. The athlete must be a degreed alumnus or alumna and must have graduated from the University a minimum of ten years before becoming eligible for induction. B. Coaches, athletic administrators, or other athletic staff must no longer be a member of the Willamette University staff to be eligible for induction. C. If a non-athlete, the candidate shall be an individual who, in some manner, has made an extraordinary contribution to the success of the intercollegiate athletic program at Willamette University.

Nominations may be submitted at any time, either by mail or through the on-line nomination form at www.willamette.edu/athletics/hall_of_fame. Mailed nominations should be sent to Willamette Athletics Hall of Fame, Sparks Center, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301.

D. The records of the person(s) considered shall be so outstanding that there will be little question as to the qualifications necessary for induction.

Save the date:

E. Eligibility for teams shall be based upon exceptional accomplishment at and above the conference level, with the team ranking among the nation’s elite. Teams will become eligible ten years after the season of accomplishment. F.

October 27, 2007 Join us for the Willamette Athletics Hall of Fame Induction

Consideration will be given to personal conduct in sports and to personal contributions to the ideals of amateur athletic competition.

G. A candidate’s athletic accomplishments after leaving Willamette University may be considered. H. A candidate may be chosen posthumously.

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BEARCAT CLUB

How can I support “My Team?” MAKING A GIFT TO BEARCAT ATHLETICS Giving to Willamette University accomplishes several things. It allows you to invest in the future of this University while providing you and your family with significant financial planning opportunities. Gifts provide the donor with tax benefits and Willamette with critical resources to fulfill our educational mission. We encourage you to contact the Department of Athletics at 503-370-6420 or the Office of University Relations at 503-370-6552 with your questions. You can simply return the attached envelope with your gift or pledge. GIFT OR PLEDGE You can choose to enclose a check or credit card payment for your gift, or you can designate a pledge amount to be fulfilled by the end of our fiscal year, which is May 31. Pledge reminders will be sent on the schedule that you determine.

BEARCAT CLUB (ANNUAL FUND) The Bearcat Club fund is a critical component for our annual operating budget. Funds are used to assist with department-wide needs, including awards, receptions, special equipment needs, printing and mailing expenses.

UNRESTRICTED GIFTS TO THE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT These gifts are used at the discretion of the Director of Athletics and may be used for special projects, travel, uniforms or other department needs.

ENDOWMENT Currently, endowed funds have been established for football and rowing, and contributions can be made to these funds. Endowments may be established with a minimum gift of $50,000, and can be established for specific teams or programs as well as for general Athletic Department use.

DESIGNATED GIFTS Any gift may be designated to a specific team or program. These “restricted” gifts will be used only for the designated team or program. Each sport program has its own gift fund and we also have a designated fund for women’s athletics, which provides resources to our women’s teams.

Examples of how your support helps •

$50 provides practice gear for one student-athlete

•

$100 provides a new uniform for one student-athlete

•

$500 provides team travel costs for one athlete to California

•

$1,200 provides a new computer for coaching staff

We encourage you to contact the Department of Athletics at 503-370-6420 or the Office of University Relations at 503-370-6552 for more information. You can simply return the inserted envelope with your gift or pledge.

Bearcat Business Partners 24 Hour Fitness Adam’s Rib & Smokehouse Applebee’s American Family Insurance Best Little Roadhouse Cold Stone Creamery Comfort Suites Commercial Business Furniture Dan Miller Painting Domino’s Pizza Enchanted Forest Glen Creek Dental Hotel Vintage Plaza Jackson Jewelers Los Baez Maps Credit Union Marco Polo Global Restaurant McMenamins McNary Golf Club Mission Mill Museum Mole’s Appliance Moonbaker Myrtle Creek Golf Club Naomi Stukey Photography Ned Baker Real Estate Oaks Photo & Digital Océ Imagistics Olive Garden PT Northwest Quiznos The Ram Restaurant & Brewery Red Lion Hotel Roly Poly Roth’s Fresh Market Salem Emblem Shop Subway Super 8 Motel Traeger Pellet Grills LLC VaNatta Public Relations Venti’s Café The Willamette Store Withnell Car Rental Yellow Book Willamette University Athletics would like to thank the Bearcat Business Partners. The support provided by these businesses helps enhance our athletics program, while providing quality experiences for our student-athletes.

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BEARCAT CLUB

FORE Willamette 2007 Monday, September 10 • Langdon Farms Golf Club • Aurora Schedule of Events 10:30 am 11:30 am 12:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:45 pm

Registration / Range / Lunch Long Drive Contest Shotgun Start Cocktails Dinner, Awards, Auction

FORE SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

FORE proceeds benefit the athletics program at Willamette University. Travel, equipment, uniforms and other needs are supported through your participation in FORE Willamette. Willamette sponsors 20 NCAA Division III programs serving over 500 scholar-athletes.

Dinner Sponsor — $2,000 Dinner sponsor will receive signage on each table, newspaper ad and website recognition, 4 playing spots.

SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION An array of silent auction items will be available for bidding throughout cocktails and dinner. Selected items will be presented during the live auction. The featured live auction item includes a two night, all-inclusive golf weekend for two at La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs, Calif., complete with round trip airfare, lodging and unlimited golf. If you have an item you wish to contribute for the auction, please contact Megan Johnston at 503-370-6219.

LANGDON FARMS GOLF CLUB

Lunch Sponsor — $1,500 Lunch sponsor will receive signage at lunch buffet, newspaper ad and website recognition, 3 playing spots. Corporate Foursome — $1,200 Program recognition and one tee or green sponsorship, 4 playing spots. Hole-in-One Sponsor — $1,000 Includes signage on all par 3’s, program recognition, 2 playing spots. Beverage Cart Sponsor — $750 Includes signage on beverage cart at event, program recognition.

Located just 15 miles south of downtown Portland and just off I-5, Langdon Farms offers a championship golf course woven into the beautiful Willamette Valley countryside. For more information visit langdonfarms.com or call 503-678-4653.

Cart Sponsor / Long Drive Contest Sponsor — $500 Includes signage at long drive contest or signs in every cart, program recognition.

One half of participant registration fees are tax deductible. Tournament will be limited to first 132 players. Please register as soon as possible, but not later than September 6, 2007.

The preferred registration vehicle is our on-line website. You can pay safely and easily with your credit card on our secure site, and you can register your entire team, purchase sponsorship packages or make a gift to FORE if you cannot participate this year. Simply go to www.willamette.edu/athletics.

Tee / Green Sponsorship — $250 Includes one tee or green sponsor sign.

FORE more information: Phone: 503-370-6420 FAX 503-370-6379 Email: bearcatclub@willamette.edu Web: www.willamette.edu/athletics

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BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Mission Mill Museum An American Treasure

ission Mill Museum preserves and interprets the structures and artifacts related to the 1834 Methodist Mission to Oregon and the 19th century industrialization of Oregon’s wool industry. The mission and mill stories are woven together by the use of water — water that sustained life and powered industry. The museum acquaints our visitors with early Oregon figures — missionary and industrialist — who shaped Oregon, leaving a legacy that continues to enrich our lives. Composed of 14 historic structures including 1841 Mission houses and the historic Thomas Kay Woolen Mill, and designated an American Treasure by the National Park Service, Mission Mill Museum has become one of Oregon’s most remarkable heritage resources. The history of Oregon interpreted at Mission Mill Museum is closely linked with that of Willamette University. We are proud to partner with the University for programming, facilities and promotions. Come see us. We are your history.

Mission Mill Museum’s Interpretive Timeline 1834 — Jason Lee settled the Methodist Mission at Mission Bottom 1840 — The “Great Reinforcement” arrived, the largest group of emigrants to arrive in Oregon country prior to 1842 1841 — Willamette Methodist Mission was moved to Chemeketa, presentday Salem, Oregon’s State Capital 1841 — Jason Lee House and Methodist Parsonage constructed with lumber hewn at the Mission’s water-powered saw mill 1842 — The Oregon Institute founded for the education of emigrant children and later became Willamette University 1843 — Willamette Valley settlers, including the Methodist missionaries, ratified the Provisional Government for Oregon (July 5, 1843) 1844 — The Willamette Mission effectively closed 1845 — John Boon emigrated over the Oregon Trail with his family 1847 — John Boon built his house near the location of the Lee House 1851 — John Boon appointed Territorial Treasurer 1856 — The Salem Ditch was completed, drawing water from the Santiam River to Mill Creek and enhancing power for Salem’s earliest manufacturing 1859 — John Boon elected first State Treasurer 1889 — Thomas Kay Woolen Mill incorporated 1895 — The woolen mill’s main structure burned to the ground in less than one and a half hours 1896 — The woolen mill was rebuilt with support from the Salem community 1958 — The Methodist Parsonage was moved to the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill site 1962 — Woolen Mill ceased operations 1964 — Mission Mill Museum Association formed 1965 — Jason Lee House moved to Mission Mill Museum site 1972 — John Boon House moved to Mission Mill Museum site 1984 — Pleasant Grove Church moved to Mission Mill Museum site 1989 — Mill building opened to the public 2003 — Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Building designated an America Treasure

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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SALEM OR PERMIT NO. 152