PRAIRIE, TEXAS (April 30, 3009) On the baseball diamond, the Panthers battle Texas Southern in a critical match-up that has postseason implications on the line. With the final two postseason berths still up in the air in the SWAC West, this weekend’s showdown at MacGregor Park has all the makings of a classic affair as the winner of the series is guaranteed a spot in the 2009 SWAC Baseball Tournament three weeks away. The series begins on Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. followed by a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Prairie View A&M’s men’s and women’s track teams will participate in the 2009 SWAC Outdoor Championships held on the campuses of Texas Southern (running events) and Rice University (field events). The meet, which begins Friday, May 1 and concludes Sunday, May 3, will feature every SWAC school as they battle for the right to be crowned SWAC Champions. The Panthers look to defend their 2008 crown while the women’s squad set out to improve on last year’s sixth-place finish.
The meet begins at 8 a.m. on Friday and Saturday before shifting to 9 a.m. on Sunday. The final events are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Friday, 6 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. For a complete meet schedule and live results, log on to www.SWAC.org.
Admission to this weekend’s baseball games is free while the track events are $5 per day for adults and $3 per day for children under five and SWAC students with a valid school ID.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Women's Track Improves Marks Across the Board at J. Fred Duckett/Rice Twilight Meet
HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 29, 2009) The Rice Owls women's track and field squad had improved performances from several athletes at the J.Fred Duckett/Rice Twilight Meet held at the Rice Track Stadium.
Lennie Waite already holder of Rice's fastest times in the 3000m steeplechase and the 1500m added the 800m to the list with a winning time of 2:08.58. Three other Rice Owls posted season-best times. Vicki Walker was second at 2:10.26, freshman Sophie Peeters was third (2:11.62), while Keltie John finished fifth with a time of 2:13.82.
All four of Rice's competitors in the hammer throw also posted season-best marks. Brittany Brown was fifth (46.37m/152-1), Katie Dolliner placed seventh (45.44m/149-1), Tina Robinson finished 10th (42.43m/139-2) and Catherine Fitzsimmons posted a mark of 30.41m/99-9.
Brown, Robinson, and Fitzsimmons also posted season-best marks in the shot put. Robinson finished fifth with a mark of 12.85m/42-2, while Brown was seventh at 12.81m/42-0.5. Fitzsimmons placed 12th with a mark of 10.36m/34-0.Robinson placed fourth in the discus with a mark of 43.92m/144-1, while Brown set a season-best mark of 43.68m/143-4 to place sixth.
Tiffany Gill placed third in the high jump with season-best mark of 1.60m/5-3.Shannon Moran was eighth in the long jump with a mark of 5.42m/17-9.5. Jenny Glover, in the triple jump, placed second with a mark of 11.77m/38-7.5.
In the 100m, Shakera Reece was first with a time of 11.83, while she was third in the 200m (24.19). Luci Cincinatis was seventh in the 200m (25.16). Brittany Washington finished second in the 400m with a time of 55.46, just shy of her season-fast time of 55.40.
Rice runners finished 2-3-4-5-6 in the 1500m. Nicole Mericle was second (4:29.62), while Becky Wade (third) and Allison Pye (fourth) posted season-best times of 4:33.36 and 4:33.86 respectively. Britany Williams placed fifth (4:35.59) and Marie Thompson was sixth (4:39.32) with her season-best time.
Freshman Cleona Oliver posted a season-best mark in the pole vault with second place finish of 3.65m/11-11.75.
Lennie Waite already holder of Rice's fastest times in the 3000m steeplechase and the 1500m added the 800m to the list with a winning time of 2:08.58. Three other Rice Owls posted season-best times. Vicki Walker was second at 2:10.26, freshman Sophie Peeters was third (2:11.62), while Keltie John finished fifth with a time of 2:13.82.
All four of Rice's competitors in the hammer throw also posted season-best marks. Brittany Brown was fifth (46.37m/152-1), Katie Dolliner placed seventh (45.44m/149-1), Tina Robinson finished 10th (42.43m/139-2) and Catherine Fitzsimmons posted a mark of 30.41m/99-9.
Brown, Robinson, and Fitzsimmons also posted season-best marks in the shot put. Robinson finished fifth with a mark of 12.85m/42-2, while Brown was seventh at 12.81m/42-0.5. Fitzsimmons placed 12th with a mark of 10.36m/34-0.Robinson placed fourth in the discus with a mark of 43.92m/144-1, while Brown set a season-best mark of 43.68m/143-4 to place sixth.
Tiffany Gill placed third in the high jump with season-best mark of 1.60m/5-3.Shannon Moran was eighth in the long jump with a mark of 5.42m/17-9.5. Jenny Glover, in the triple jump, placed second with a mark of 11.77m/38-7.5.
In the 100m, Shakera Reece was first with a time of 11.83, while she was third in the 200m (24.19). Luci Cincinatis was seventh in the 200m (25.16). Brittany Washington finished second in the 400m with a time of 55.46, just shy of her season-fast time of 55.40.
Rice runners finished 2-3-4-5-6 in the 1500m. Nicole Mericle was second (4:29.62), while Becky Wade (third) and Allison Pye (fourth) posted season-best times of 4:33.36 and 4:33.86 respectively. Britany Williams placed fifth (4:35.59) and Marie Thompson was sixth (4:39.32) with her season-best time.
Freshman Cleona Oliver posted a season-best mark in the pole vault with second place finish of 3.65m/11-11.75.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
FROGS TO FACE TULSA IN NCAA FIRST ROUND
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (April 28, 2009) The TCU men’s tennis team was selected for its 18th NCAA Championships appearance in the last 19 seasons Tuesday, as the entire 64-team field was announced live on ESPNews. The 38th-ranked Frogs will travel to Tulsa, Okla, to square off with No. 30 Tulsa in the NCAA First Round on Friday, May 8, at the Michael Case Tennis Center.
TCU (12-11) and Tulsa (21-9) will join Baylor (23-5) and UMKC (14-6) in the
Tulsa Regional. The Bears earned the No. 6 overall seed for the NCAA
Championships. The winner between the Frogs and Golden Hurricane will play the
winner of Baylor and UMKC on Saturday, May 9. The regional champion will then
advance to compete in the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships held May
15-19 at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center in College Station, Texas.
The regional matches will be regulation dual matches with three (3) eight-game,
pro-set doubles played for one team point, followed by six (6) singles matches,
each valued at one team point, played best-of-three sets. Regular scoring will
be used and a 12-point tiebreaker will be played at eight games all in doubles
and at six games all in singles.
The Frogs received an at-large selection after reaching the final match of the
Mountain West Conference Championship last weekend in Albuquerque, N.M. New
Mexico earned the MWC’s automatic bid with a 4-3 victory over TCU. The Frogs won
the league’s regular-season title with a 5-1 conference record.
TCU and Tulsa will be meeting for the second time in the last three months. The
Frogs earned one of their biggest victories over the season with a 4-3 win over
the Hurricane back on Feb. 21 in Tulsa. Tulsa was ranked No. 17 at the time,
marking the highest-rated opponent the Frogs have defeated in the three-year
tenure of head coach Dave Borelli.
The Hurricane is led by senior Arnau Brugues, the top-ranked singles player in
nation, who currently owns a 40-3 singles record. Tulsa also boasts the
97th-ranked singles player in junior Philip Stephens, who is 18-12 on the year.
Individual fields for the NCAA singles and doubles championships will be
announced Wednesday afternoon.
TCU (12-11) and Tulsa (21-9) will join Baylor (23-5) and UMKC (14-6) in the
Tulsa Regional. The Bears earned the No. 6 overall seed for the NCAA
Championships. The winner between the Frogs and Golden Hurricane will play the
winner of Baylor and UMKC on Saturday, May 9. The regional champion will then
advance to compete in the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships held May
15-19 at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center in College Station, Texas.
The regional matches will be regulation dual matches with three (3) eight-game,
pro-set doubles played for one team point, followed by six (6) singles matches,
each valued at one team point, played best-of-three sets. Regular scoring will
be used and a 12-point tiebreaker will be played at eight games all in doubles
and at six games all in singles.
The Frogs received an at-large selection after reaching the final match of the
Mountain West Conference Championship last weekend in Albuquerque, N.M. New
Mexico earned the MWC’s automatic bid with a 4-3 victory over TCU. The Frogs won
the league’s regular-season title with a 5-1 conference record.
TCU and Tulsa will be meeting for the second time in the last three months. The
Frogs earned one of their biggest victories over the season with a 4-3 win over
the Hurricane back on Feb. 21 in Tulsa. Tulsa was ranked No. 17 at the time,
marking the highest-rated opponent the Frogs have defeated in the three-year
tenure of head coach Dave Borelli.
The Hurricane is led by senior Arnau Brugues, the top-ranked singles player in
nation, who currently owns a 40-3 singles record. Tulsa also boasts the
97th-ranked singles player in junior Philip Stephens, who is 18-12 on the year.
Individual fields for the NCAA singles and doubles championships will be
announced Wednesday afternoon.
Owls Fifth at Victor Lopez Bayou Classic
HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 28, 2009) The Rice Owls men's track and field team totaled 42 points to place fifth at the 27th Annual Victor Lopez Bayou Classic held at the Rice Track Stadium. Michigan won the event with 115 points, while Stephen F. Austin State was second with 87 points.
On day two of action, Chris Douglas placed fifth in the 100m with a time of 11.29 and Simon Bucknell was sixth in the 800m (1:56.48). Collin Shurbet placed third in the 400m hurdles with a personal-best time of 52.91.
The Owls 4x100m relay team of Douglas, Ahmad Sweeney, Michael Izuchukwu, and Blaine Bassler was fifth (42.77).
In the field events, Jack Spinks placed fourth in the high jump (1.95m/6-4.75) and Philip Adam (6.94m/22-9.25) and Clayton Chaney (6.88m/22-7) finished fifth and sixth respectively. Izuchukwu finished seventh in the triple jump with a mark of 14.22m/46-8.
In the shot put, William Meyers was fifth with a mark of 15.27m/50-1.25 and Clay Baker placed sixth (15.05m/49-4.25). Chaney also placed sixth in the javelin with a personal-best mark of 52.76m/173-1.
Rice now readies for next weekend Texas Relays in Austin, Texas.
Final Team Scores
1 Michigan 115
2 Stephen F. Austin 87
3 Houston 82
4 Harvard 61
5 Rice 42
6 Buena Vista 34
7 Trinity 33
8 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 25
9 Houston Baptist 21
10 Texas State 17
11 Incarnate Word 15
12 Sam Houston State 13
12 Api 13
14 Texas-Pan American 9
14 Elite PerformanceTC 9
16 Texas Southern 8
16 Texas Tech 8
18 Lamar 5
On day two of action, Chris Douglas placed fifth in the 100m with a time of 11.29 and Simon Bucknell was sixth in the 800m (1:56.48). Collin Shurbet placed third in the 400m hurdles with a personal-best time of 52.91.
The Owls 4x100m relay team of Douglas, Ahmad Sweeney, Michael Izuchukwu, and Blaine Bassler was fifth (42.77).
In the field events, Jack Spinks placed fourth in the high jump (1.95m/6-4.75) and Philip Adam (6.94m/22-9.25) and Clayton Chaney (6.88m/22-7) finished fifth and sixth respectively. Izuchukwu finished seventh in the triple jump with a mark of 14.22m/46-8.
In the shot put, William Meyers was fifth with a mark of 15.27m/50-1.25 and Clay Baker placed sixth (15.05m/49-4.25). Chaney also placed sixth in the javelin with a personal-best mark of 52.76m/173-1.
Rice now readies for next weekend Texas Relays in Austin, Texas.
Final Team Scores
1 Michigan 115
2 Stephen F. Austin 87
3 Houston 82
4 Harvard 61
5 Rice 42
6 Buena Vista 34
7 Trinity 33
8 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 25
9 Houston Baptist 21
10 Texas State 17
11 Incarnate Word 15
12 Sam Houston State 13
12 Api 13
14 Texas-Pan American 9
14 Elite PerformanceTC 9
16 Texas Southern 8
16 Texas Tech 8
18 Lamar 5
UH Baseball Evens Series Against Tulane With 4-1 Win
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA (March 28, 2009) The University of Houston baseball team put up three runs in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and take a 4-1 lead on their way to a win over Tulane, Saturday afternoon at Turchin Stadium, to tie the three-game series against the Green Wave.
After a solo shot over the left field fence from Caleb Ramsey in the fourth to knot the game at 1-1, the Cougars posted three runs in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead, one they would never relinquish.
Blake Kelso led off in the sixth with a double to right field. A sacrifice bunt from Zak Presley advanced him to second and Chase Dempsay hit a double down the left field line that plated Kelso to break the 1-1 tie. The Cougars added to their total when Dempsay scored on a single to right field from Ramsey. The Cougars, however, put three more runners on base in the inning but William Kankel was thrown out trying to steal third and Matt Murphy struck out to end the inning.
Tulane took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, off a Jeremy Schaffer single to right field, scoring Josh Prince who reached base on a double down the right field line.
Houston got a scare in the third inning when Tulane loaded the bases on two walks and a single with two outs but freshman pitcher Michael Goodnight struck out Jamie Bruno to end the inning and strand three runners on base. Goodnight's strikeout was one of six he recorded in the game. The six strikeouts tie a career-high. He also has six Ks against Cal Poly on March 8.
Goodnight pitched 6.0 innings on the night to record the win. He gave up just five hits, one run and struck out six.
In relief, Donnie Joseph entered the game in the seventh inning and struck out his first two batters and pitched into a ground out to the mound by the third batter. He ended the night with five strikeouts, while not giving up a run or hit for his second save of the season.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will close out the series against Tulane at 1 p.m. on Sunday. They will travel to San Antonio for a mid-week game against UTSA on April 1 at 6 p.m. before hosting a weekend series against UT- Pan Am on April 3-5.
After a solo shot over the left field fence from Caleb Ramsey in the fourth to knot the game at 1-1, the Cougars posted three runs in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead, one they would never relinquish.
Blake Kelso led off in the sixth with a double to right field. A sacrifice bunt from Zak Presley advanced him to second and Chase Dempsay hit a double down the left field line that plated Kelso to break the 1-1 tie. The Cougars added to their total when Dempsay scored on a single to right field from Ramsey. The Cougars, however, put three more runners on base in the inning but William Kankel was thrown out trying to steal third and Matt Murphy struck out to end the inning.
Tulane took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, off a Jeremy Schaffer single to right field, scoring Josh Prince who reached base on a double down the right field line.
Houston got a scare in the third inning when Tulane loaded the bases on two walks and a single with two outs but freshman pitcher Michael Goodnight struck out Jamie Bruno to end the inning and strand three runners on base. Goodnight's strikeout was one of six he recorded in the game. The six strikeouts tie a career-high. He also has six Ks against Cal Poly on March 8.
Goodnight pitched 6.0 innings on the night to record the win. He gave up just five hits, one run and struck out six.
In relief, Donnie Joseph entered the game in the seventh inning and struck out his first two batters and pitched into a ground out to the mound by the third batter. He ended the night with five strikeouts, while not giving up a run or hit for his second save of the season.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will close out the series against Tulane at 1 p.m. on Sunday. They will travel to San Antonio for a mid-week game against UTSA on April 1 at 6 p.m. before hosting a weekend series against UT- Pan Am on April 3-5.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Coaching Legend Frank Gansz Passes Away
DALLAS, TEXAS (April 27, 2009) - SMU assistant coach and coaching legend Frank Gansz passed away on April 27, 2009. He was 70. Gansz is survived by his wife, Barbara, and two children, Frank Jr., an assistant coach at UCLA, and Jennifer.
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend," said SMU Head Coach June
Jones. "Frank has been a second father to me for the past 30 years and he has
touched the lives of many, both at SMU and throughout the National Football
League. I was lucky to have known Frank, and not only was he a wonderful person,
but he was a father to everyone he has ever coached. He will live on with us. My
team will miss him as a coach and mentor, but most of all, I will miss him as my
best friend."
Considered perhaps the top special teams coach in the history of the NFL, Frank
Gansz was starting his second season on the Hilltop. Gansz was a veteran of 38
seasons of coaching - 24 in the NFL and 14 in the collegiate ranks.
"While we were only blessed with Frank's presence here on the Hilltop for 14
months, SMU is a better place because of his time here," said SMU Director of
Athletics Steve Orsini. "We will miss him."
Prior to coming to SMU in 2008, Gansz was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where
he was special teams coordinator in 2000 and 2001. Prior to his time with the
Jags, he served as the special teams coach of the St. Louis Rams for three
seasons, helping the team to its victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.
In 1986, Gansz's first year as the assistant head coach/special teams for Kansas
City, the Chiefs blocked or deflected an NFL-record 10 kicks and scored five
touchdowns. Because of his success with the special teams, Gansz was promoted to
head coach of the Chiefs, a role he served from 1987 to 1988.
He left the Chiefs to become the special teams coach of the Detroit Lions from
1989 to 1993, a period in which Mel Gray developed into the NFL's all-time
leader in combined kick return yardage. In 1989, Gansz was named NFL Special
Teams Coach of the Year by his peers. Gansz then spent three years as the
assistant head coach/special teams for the Atlanta Falcons from 1994 to 1996.
Gansz's NFL career began in 1978 as special teams coach for the San Francisco
49ers. He coached special teams and tight ends for Cincinnati (1979-80), Kansas
City (1981-82) and Philadelphia (1983-85).
After serving as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for nearly seven years, Gansz
began his coaching career at the Air Force Academy (1964-66). He also had
coaching stints at Colgate (1968), Navy (1969-72), Oklahoma State (1973, 1975),
Army (1974) and UCLA (1976-77).
Born November 22, 1938, in Altoona, Pa., Gansz attended Taylor-Allerdice High in
Pittsburgh, and was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
He played center and linebacker for the Naval Academy from 1957 to 1959 and
graduated in 1960.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend," said SMU Head Coach June
Jones. "Frank has been a second father to me for the past 30 years and he has
touched the lives of many, both at SMU and throughout the National Football
League. I was lucky to have known Frank, and not only was he a wonderful person,
but he was a father to everyone he has ever coached. He will live on with us. My
team will miss him as a coach and mentor, but most of all, I will miss him as my
best friend."
Considered perhaps the top special teams coach in the history of the NFL, Frank
Gansz was starting his second season on the Hilltop. Gansz was a veteran of 38
seasons of coaching - 24 in the NFL and 14 in the collegiate ranks.
"While we were only blessed with Frank's presence here on the Hilltop for 14
months, SMU is a better place because of his time here," said SMU Director of
Athletics Steve Orsini. "We will miss him."
Prior to coming to SMU in 2008, Gansz was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where
he was special teams coordinator in 2000 and 2001. Prior to his time with the
Jags, he served as the special teams coach of the St. Louis Rams for three
seasons, helping the team to its victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.
In 1986, Gansz's first year as the assistant head coach/special teams for Kansas
City, the Chiefs blocked or deflected an NFL-record 10 kicks and scored five
touchdowns. Because of his success with the special teams, Gansz was promoted to
head coach of the Chiefs, a role he served from 1987 to 1988.
He left the Chiefs to become the special teams coach of the Detroit Lions from
1989 to 1993, a period in which Mel Gray developed into the NFL's all-time
leader in combined kick return yardage. In 1989, Gansz was named NFL Special
Teams Coach of the Year by his peers. Gansz then spent three years as the
assistant head coach/special teams for the Atlanta Falcons from 1994 to 1996.
Gansz's NFL career began in 1978 as special teams coach for the San Francisco
49ers. He coached special teams and tight ends for Cincinnati (1979-80), Kansas
City (1981-82) and Philadelphia (1983-85).
After serving as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for nearly seven years, Gansz
began his coaching career at the Air Force Academy (1964-66). He also had
coaching stints at Colgate (1968), Navy (1969-72), Oklahoma State (1973, 1975),
Army (1974) and UCLA (1976-77).
Born November 22, 1938, in Altoona, Pa., Gansz attended Taylor-Allerdice High in
Pittsburgh, and was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
He played center and linebacker for the Naval Academy from 1957 to 1959 and
graduated in 1960.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Ninth Inning Rally Not Enough For Cougar Baseball, Fall 6-2 to Tulane
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA (March 27, 2009) The University of Houston baseball team loaded the bases, with no outs in the ninth inning, trailing 6-1, but was only able to convert one run as they lost the series opener to Tulane, 6-2, on Friday night at Turchin Stadium.
Rain hampered much of the game, twice halting play for several minutes. However, with no outs in the ninth inning, Houston loaded the bases, looking to chip away at the deficit in their final at bat. Chase Dempsay singled to short stop, Caleb Ramsey doubled down the left field line and William Kankel walked to put runners on all bases. Ty Stuckey struck out but Taylor White plated Dempsay with a walk. Unfortunately, that would be all the run support that the Cougars would be able to put together as the final two batters struck out and Houston would go home with the loss.
Houston scored their first run of the night in the first winning. After Blake Kelso flied out to left field to start the game, Zak Presley hit a double to right field and scored on a single from Chase Dempsay through the left side to give Houston the 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The Green Wave responded in the bottom of the inning scoring two runs to take a 2-1 lead.
In the third inning, Josh Prince of Tulane walked in his second at bat and after scoring both runners in the first on a double, Seth Henry scored both runners with a home run to left field in the third, extending their lead to 4-1.
They would add a lone run in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead over the Cougars.
Houston recorded at least one hit in every inning except for the seventh on their way to a 10 hit game. It marks the second consecutive game the Cougars have registered a double-digit hit game. They are 3-7 in those games.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will continue the series against Tulane tomorrow at 2 p.m. and it will conclude on Sunday at 1 p.m. Following this weekend's games, Houston will play a mid-week game at Texas-San Antonio on April 1 before a weekend series against Texas-Pan American on April 3-5.
Rain hampered much of the game, twice halting play for several minutes. However, with no outs in the ninth inning, Houston loaded the bases, looking to chip away at the deficit in their final at bat. Chase Dempsay singled to short stop, Caleb Ramsey doubled down the left field line and William Kankel walked to put runners on all bases. Ty Stuckey struck out but Taylor White plated Dempsay with a walk. Unfortunately, that would be all the run support that the Cougars would be able to put together as the final two batters struck out and Houston would go home with the loss.
Houston scored their first run of the night in the first winning. After Blake Kelso flied out to left field to start the game, Zak Presley hit a double to right field and scored on a single from Chase Dempsay through the left side to give Houston the 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The Green Wave responded in the bottom of the inning scoring two runs to take a 2-1 lead.
In the third inning, Josh Prince of Tulane walked in his second at bat and after scoring both runners in the first on a double, Seth Henry scored both runners with a home run to left field in the third, extending their lead to 4-1.
They would add a lone run in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead over the Cougars.
Houston recorded at least one hit in every inning except for the seventh on their way to a 10 hit game. It marks the second consecutive game the Cougars have registered a double-digit hit game. They are 3-7 in those games.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will continue the series against Tulane tomorrow at 2 p.m. and it will conclude on Sunday at 1 p.m. Following this weekend's games, Houston will play a mid-week game at Texas-San Antonio on April 1 before a weekend series against Texas-Pan American on April 3-5.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Texas State Football Season Tickets On Sale
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (April 26, 2009) The 2009 football season is fast approaching and it’s never too early to start making plans to watch the Bobcats in what is a highly-anticipated season. Texas State enters 2009 as the defending Southland Conference champions and the Bobcats are looking to go to the NCAA FCS playoffs for the second straight year and third-time in the last five seasons. This year’s team features a high-octane offense that includes record-setting quarterback Bradley George and two-time 1,000-yard rusher Karrington Bush.
This year’s list of six home games includes a family weekend and the 50-year reunion for the Texas State Strutters, an annual homecoming game, and home games against perennial Southland Conference powers McNeese State and Sam Houston State.
Bobcat fans can now purchase their season tickets to watch all the six games on this year’s home schedule for as little as $72 for general admission tickets. Adult Reserve tickets are available for $90, and child reserve seats are on sale for $60. Texas State faculty and staff can purchase reserve seats for $84 and groups of 10 or more can buy tickets for $81 each.
Texas State also encourages families to purchase Family 4-packages that include two adult and two youth reserved tickets for $274.
This year, Texas State is offering gold club seats outside the 35-yard line for $1500 and platinum club seats inside the 35-yard lines for $2000.
In addition, exclusive luxury suites are available as well. For more information on purchasing a luxury suite, please contact Travis Comer or Chris Park at 512-245-2110.
Fans can purchase the 2009 football season tickets by calling the Texas State Athletics Ticket Office at (512) 245-2272 during normal business hours and are available on line by logging on to the www.txstatebobcats.com/tickets website.
This year’s list of six home games includes a family weekend and the 50-year reunion for the Texas State Strutters, an annual homecoming game, and home games against perennial Southland Conference powers McNeese State and Sam Houston State.
Bobcat fans can now purchase their season tickets to watch all the six games on this year’s home schedule for as little as $72 for general admission tickets. Adult Reserve tickets are available for $90, and child reserve seats are on sale for $60. Texas State faculty and staff can purchase reserve seats for $84 and groups of 10 or more can buy tickets for $81 each.
Texas State also encourages families to purchase Family 4-packages that include two adult and two youth reserved tickets for $274.
This year, Texas State is offering gold club seats outside the 35-yard line for $1500 and platinum club seats inside the 35-yard lines for $2000.
In addition, exclusive luxury suites are available as well. For more information on purchasing a luxury suite, please contact Travis Comer or Chris Park at 512-245-2110.
Fans can purchase the 2009 football season tickets by calling the Texas State Athletics Ticket Office at (512) 245-2272 during normal business hours and are available on line by logging on to the www.txstatebobcats.com/tickets website.
Softball's Seventh-Inning Rally Against No. 13 Missouri Falls Short
HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 26, 2009) The University of Houston softball team dropped game two against No. 13 Missouri, 4-2 at Cougar Softball Stadium to fall to 13-16 overall, after notching the first hit of the game in the seventh inning for a come-back that fell short.
Junior Lindsey Olson made her first start this season, and recorded a strikeout against the first batter of the game for her first this season.
After three scoreless innings, the Tigers scored the first run of the game on a fielding error committed by leftfielder Katy Beth Sherman in the top of the fourth inning. On two outs, Megan Christopher hit a three-run homer over centerfield to take a 4-0 advantage of the Cougars. Sophomore Amanda Crabtree came in and struck out the final batter of the inning to move to the bottom of the fourth inning.
Sophomore Baillie Lott came in to pitch for Amanda Crabtree to eliminate the final two batters in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Senior Elaina Nordstrom produced the Cougars' first hit with a double in the bottom of the seventh inning to nix the no-hitter. Senior Haley Valis walked to give Houston two base runners, and Lott would come up and hit her first double this season to score Nordstom and Haley Valis for the two-out rally and cut the deficit to two. Sophomore Casey Willow struck out for the final out of the game for the 4-2 loss.
Olson is 0-1 after striking out four, and allowing four runs on four hits. Crabtree struck out three and allowed one hit, while Lott struck out two and allowed no runs or hits.
The Cougars will play Sam Houston Tuesday, March 31 in Huntsville, Texas for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
Junior Lindsey Olson made her first start this season, and recorded a strikeout against the first batter of the game for her first this season.
After three scoreless innings, the Tigers scored the first run of the game on a fielding error committed by leftfielder Katy Beth Sherman in the top of the fourth inning. On two outs, Megan Christopher hit a three-run homer over centerfield to take a 4-0 advantage of the Cougars. Sophomore Amanda Crabtree came in and struck out the final batter of the inning to move to the bottom of the fourth inning.
Sophomore Baillie Lott came in to pitch for Amanda Crabtree to eliminate the final two batters in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Senior Elaina Nordstrom produced the Cougars' first hit with a double in the bottom of the seventh inning to nix the no-hitter. Senior Haley Valis walked to give Houston two base runners, and Lott would come up and hit her first double this season to score Nordstom and Haley Valis for the two-out rally and cut the deficit to two. Sophomore Casey Willow struck out for the final out of the game for the 4-2 loss.
Olson is 0-1 after striking out four, and allowing four runs on four hits. Crabtree struck out three and allowed one hit, while Lott struck out two and allowed no runs or hits.
The Cougars will play Sam Houston Tuesday, March 31 in Huntsville, Texas for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Texas State Athletics Certified By NCAA
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (April 25, 2009) The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced today that Texas State University’s Department of Athletics has been certified as operating its athletics program in “substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.”
“It is gratifying to receive this certification because it demonstrates that we are operating our program according to the rules, and with the best interests of our student athletes in mind at all times. Our Department of Athletics is making great strides forward, and we believe this is another important measure of our success,” said Denise Trauth, president of Texas State.
The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in each institution’s athletics program and assist institutions in improving their athletics departments. NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993.
“I want to thank everyone involved in helping us to become certified,” Texas State director of athletics Larry Teis said. “I want to thank President Trauth, our faculty and staff, the athletic department staff and students who helped us. We are thrilled to be recognized by our peers for operating the athletic department in substantial conformity with NCAA operating principles.”
Texas State conducted a “self-study” of its Department of Athletics in advance of the NCAA certification. That committee was chaired by Debbie Thorne, associate vice president at Texas State.
“Our self-study was a thorough and complete examination of how we conduct our athletic program and we are pleased that we have received this recognition as a result. It recognizes the Texas State Department of Athletics for its many outstanding accomplishments,” said Thorne.
In addition to Thorne, Trauth and Teis, other members of the self-study steering committee were Jennifer Beck, Debra Boughton, Travis Comer, Donald Coryell, Roel Elizalde, Susan Day, Paul Gowens, Robert Gratz, Preston Grice, Michael Heintze, Lauren Hindson, Christopher Park, Oren Renick, Barbara Sanders, Jayson Santos, Tracy Shoemake and Holly Tipton.
Texas State was one of 35 Division I institutions that have undergone the NCAA’s second cycle of athletics certification. The other institutions were: Arkansas-Little Rock, Boston College, BYU, Cornell, Fresno State, George Washington, Hampton, Illinois, Indiana State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri-Kansas City, Morehead State, Murray State, New Mexico State, Norfolk State, Northern Arizona, Ohio, Prairie View A&M, Princeton, Providence, Rice, Sam Houston State, Stanford, Temple, Tennessee State, Texas Tech, Weber State, U.S. Military Academy, UAB, UC-Santa Barbara and Wisconsin. In addition, Grambling State and Howard were certified with conditions.
The second round of athletics certifications is being completed on a 10-year cycle rather than the five-year cycle used during the initial certification process. All 326 active Division I members participate in the certification process.
The certification process, which involves a self-study led by the institution’s president or chancellor, includes a review if these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; equity; and student-athlete well-being.
The Division I Committee on Athletics Certification preliminary reviews an institution’s certification materials and provides a list of issues identified during the evaluation. The University then host a visit by peer reviewers who file a report regarding the institution’s resolution of those issues before a final certification decision was rendered.
The members of the Committee on Athletics Certification are: Robert Bernardi, Nicholls State University; McKinley Boston Jr., New Mexico State University; Casey Comoroski, Missouri State University; Beatrice Crane Banford, Marshall University; Amy Folan, University of Texas; Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida; Joanne Glasser, Bradley University; Wendy Guthrie, West Coast Conference; Nathan Hatch (chair), Wake Forest University; Brian Linnane, Loyola College (Maryland); Barbara Luebke, University of Rhode Island; M. Dianne Murphy, Columbia University-Barnard College; Gloria Nevarez, University of Oklahoma; Sheila Patterson, Cleveland State University; Donald Pope-Davis, University of Notre Dame; Allison Rich, California State University, Fullerton; Mark Richard, Auburn University; and Jon Steinbrecher, Ohio Valley Conference.
“It is gratifying to receive this certification because it demonstrates that we are operating our program according to the rules, and with the best interests of our student athletes in mind at all times. Our Department of Athletics is making great strides forward, and we believe this is another important measure of our success,” said Denise Trauth, president of Texas State.
The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in each institution’s athletics program and assist institutions in improving their athletics departments. NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993.
“I want to thank everyone involved in helping us to become certified,” Texas State director of athletics Larry Teis said. “I want to thank President Trauth, our faculty and staff, the athletic department staff and students who helped us. We are thrilled to be recognized by our peers for operating the athletic department in substantial conformity with NCAA operating principles.”
Texas State conducted a “self-study” of its Department of Athletics in advance of the NCAA certification. That committee was chaired by Debbie Thorne, associate vice president at Texas State.
“Our self-study was a thorough and complete examination of how we conduct our athletic program and we are pleased that we have received this recognition as a result. It recognizes the Texas State Department of Athletics for its many outstanding accomplishments,” said Thorne.
In addition to Thorne, Trauth and Teis, other members of the self-study steering committee were Jennifer Beck, Debra Boughton, Travis Comer, Donald Coryell, Roel Elizalde, Susan Day, Paul Gowens, Robert Gratz, Preston Grice, Michael Heintze, Lauren Hindson, Christopher Park, Oren Renick, Barbara Sanders, Jayson Santos, Tracy Shoemake and Holly Tipton.
Texas State was one of 35 Division I institutions that have undergone the NCAA’s second cycle of athletics certification. The other institutions were: Arkansas-Little Rock, Boston College, BYU, Cornell, Fresno State, George Washington, Hampton, Illinois, Indiana State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri-Kansas City, Morehead State, Murray State, New Mexico State, Norfolk State, Northern Arizona, Ohio, Prairie View A&M, Princeton, Providence, Rice, Sam Houston State, Stanford, Temple, Tennessee State, Texas Tech, Weber State, U.S. Military Academy, UAB, UC-Santa Barbara and Wisconsin. In addition, Grambling State and Howard were certified with conditions.
The second round of athletics certifications is being completed on a 10-year cycle rather than the five-year cycle used during the initial certification process. All 326 active Division I members participate in the certification process.
The certification process, which involves a self-study led by the institution’s president or chancellor, includes a review if these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; equity; and student-athlete well-being.
The Division I Committee on Athletics Certification preliminary reviews an institution’s certification materials and provides a list of issues identified during the evaluation. The University then host a visit by peer reviewers who file a report regarding the institution’s resolution of those issues before a final certification decision was rendered.
The members of the Committee on Athletics Certification are: Robert Bernardi, Nicholls State University; McKinley Boston Jr., New Mexico State University; Casey Comoroski, Missouri State University; Beatrice Crane Banford, Marshall University; Amy Folan, University of Texas; Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida; Joanne Glasser, Bradley University; Wendy Guthrie, West Coast Conference; Nathan Hatch (chair), Wake Forest University; Brian Linnane, Loyola College (Maryland); Barbara Luebke, University of Rhode Island; M. Dianne Murphy, Columbia University-Barnard College; Gloria Nevarez, University of Oklahoma; Sheila Patterson, Cleveland State University; Donald Pope-Davis, University of Notre Dame; Allison Rich, California State University, Fullerton; Mark Richard, Auburn University; and Jon Steinbrecher, Ohio Valley Conference.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Jerry and Linda Fields donate $1 million to Texas State athletics
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (April 24, 2009) Jerry and Linda Fields of Houston have donated $1 million to support the Department of Athletics at Texas State University-San Marcos.
The gift was announced Friday, April 24, by Texas State President Denise Trauth.
“Jerry and Linda Fields are alumni, generous donors and dear friends of this university,” said Trauth. “Their support has helped us achieve new standards of excellence, and their continuing generosity and work on behalf of Texas State serve to further brighten our future.”
The Fieldses are among Texas State’s most generous benefactors. Their recent gift brings their total contributions to Texas State to approximately $3.8 million. They are co-chairs of Texas State’s Pride in Action fund-raising campaign. The campaign has five pillars: academic excellence, a new performing arts center, an alumni center, athletics and the university library.
In the past, they have donated $2.8 million in support of academic excellence, the alumni center and athletics.
"Our gift, along with the $1 million gift by Darren Casey, has enabled the university to make huge strides in its move to the Football Bowl Subdivision. Look at the new baseball, and softball complexes, and the records of our teams, and see the difference that these gifts have made. All one has to do is look at the progress of Bobcat Stadium, and see that the time is right for supporting our Athletic Department. It is a pleasure, and honor, to support Texas State and to lead the Pride in Action Campaign. I hope that our gifts will inspire others to follow in our actions and leave their lasting footprints on this university with their gifts as well," said Jerry Fields.
Larry Teis, director of athletics at Texas State, said the Fields’ gift will strengthen the university’s drive toward becoming a member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of collegiate competition in football.
“We are very appreciative of the Fields’ generosity. This is an exciting time to be involved in Bobcat athletics. We are seeing unprecedented success on the playing fields, our student athletes are excelling in the classroom, and we are making tremendous improvements to our facilities. This gift will help take all that positive momentum to new levels,” said Teis.
Jerry Fields, a 1969 business graduate of Texas State, is founder, chairman and chief executive officer of J.D. Fields & Co., a worldwide supplier of steel products headquartered in Houston, with regional offices in Dallas, Tulsa, New Orleans, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Guadalajara, Mexico.
His wife, Linda Gregg Fields, is a 1966 graduate of Texas State and a native of San Marcos.
Jerry Fields was a vice president of L.B. Foster Co. before leaving in 1985 to establish his own business. He and his wife are well-known philanthropists and are involved in a number of charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She is on the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors.
The gift was announced Friday, April 24, by Texas State President Denise Trauth.
“Jerry and Linda Fields are alumni, generous donors and dear friends of this university,” said Trauth. “Their support has helped us achieve new standards of excellence, and their continuing generosity and work on behalf of Texas State serve to further brighten our future.”
The Fieldses are among Texas State’s most generous benefactors. Their recent gift brings their total contributions to Texas State to approximately $3.8 million. They are co-chairs of Texas State’s Pride in Action fund-raising campaign. The campaign has five pillars: academic excellence, a new performing arts center, an alumni center, athletics and the university library.
In the past, they have donated $2.8 million in support of academic excellence, the alumni center and athletics.
"Our gift, along with the $1 million gift by Darren Casey, has enabled the university to make huge strides in its move to the Football Bowl Subdivision. Look at the new baseball, and softball complexes, and the records of our teams, and see the difference that these gifts have made. All one has to do is look at the progress of Bobcat Stadium, and see that the time is right for supporting our Athletic Department. It is a pleasure, and honor, to support Texas State and to lead the Pride in Action Campaign. I hope that our gifts will inspire others to follow in our actions and leave their lasting footprints on this university with their gifts as well," said Jerry Fields.
Larry Teis, director of athletics at Texas State, said the Fields’ gift will strengthen the university’s drive toward becoming a member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of collegiate competition in football.
“We are very appreciative of the Fields’ generosity. This is an exciting time to be involved in Bobcat athletics. We are seeing unprecedented success on the playing fields, our student athletes are excelling in the classroom, and we are making tremendous improvements to our facilities. This gift will help take all that positive momentum to new levels,” said Teis.
Jerry Fields, a 1969 business graduate of Texas State, is founder, chairman and chief executive officer of J.D. Fields & Co., a worldwide supplier of steel products headquartered in Houston, with regional offices in Dallas, Tulsa, New Orleans, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Guadalajara, Mexico.
His wife, Linda Gregg Fields, is a 1966 graduate of Texas State and a native of San Marcos.
Jerry Fields was a vice president of L.B. Foster Co. before leaving in 1985 to establish his own business. He and his wife are well-known philanthropists and are involved in a number of charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She is on the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
TCU MEN’S TENNIS EARN FIVE ALL-MWC SELECTIONS
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO (April 23, 2009) TCU received five selections on the All-Mountain West Conference Men’s Tennis Team, the league announced at its annual awards banquet Wednesday evening. The five selections were two more than those received by any other conference squad.
In addition to setting a high-water mark for the MWC this season, TCU also
notched a program-best in its four seasons as a member of the league. Frogs
previously earned four All-MWC honors in 2008 and three each in 2007 and 2006.
Three Frogs earned spots on the All-MWC Singles Team: senior Kriegler Brink,
sophomore Emanuel Brighiu and freshman Slah Mbarek. The tandems of Brink and
Mbarek and Brighiu and junior Adrian Simon were named to the All-MWC Doubles
Team.
Brink’s selection in singles marked his second straight appearance on the
All-MWC squad. The Gautang, South Africa, product leads the Frogs this spring
with a 16-3 overall record while playing primarily at the No. 3 singles
position. His 5-1 conference mark tied sophomore Christopher Price for the team
lead.
Brighiu was honored in singles for the second straight season after posting a
4-2 conference record. He is 9-8 overall this spring despite dealing with a
nagging injury that bumped him out of his usual No. 1 singles position for a
nine-match stretch midway through the season. Mbarek went 10-9 overall and 1-4
in MWC matches, and he filled in at the No. 1 position this spring during
Brighiu’s absence.
TCU’s two all-conference doubles tandems have helped give the squad a decided
advantage this season, pushing the team to the doubles point in 13 of 19
opportunities. Brink was named all-conference in doubles for the third straight
season, while the other three Frogs each earned their first such honors.
Brink and Mbarek lead the Frogs with a 13-2 record and are ranked No. 40
nationally, while Brighiu and Simon are the team’s highest-rated pairing at No.
29 with a 10-7 ledger. Both squads went 3-1 in MWC action this spring.
With the Mountain West Conference regular season championship already in hand,
TCU looks to complete a sweep of the league’s 2009 titles this weekend at the
MWC Championship in Albuquerque. The Frogs begin play as the tournament’s No. 1
seed in the semifinals Friday against the winner of Thursday’s BYU/San Diego
State quarterfinal match. The Frogs’ semifinals match begins at 11 a.m. CT.
In addition to setting a high-water mark for the MWC this season, TCU also
notched a program-best in its four seasons as a member of the league. Frogs
previously earned four All-MWC honors in 2008 and three each in 2007 and 2006.
Three Frogs earned spots on the All-MWC Singles Team: senior Kriegler Brink,
sophomore Emanuel Brighiu and freshman Slah Mbarek. The tandems of Brink and
Mbarek and Brighiu and junior Adrian Simon were named to the All-MWC Doubles
Team.
Brink’s selection in singles marked his second straight appearance on the
All-MWC squad. The Gautang, South Africa, product leads the Frogs this spring
with a 16-3 overall record while playing primarily at the No. 3 singles
position. His 5-1 conference mark tied sophomore Christopher Price for the team
lead.
Brighiu was honored in singles for the second straight season after posting a
4-2 conference record. He is 9-8 overall this spring despite dealing with a
nagging injury that bumped him out of his usual No. 1 singles position for a
nine-match stretch midway through the season. Mbarek went 10-9 overall and 1-4
in MWC matches, and he filled in at the No. 1 position this spring during
Brighiu’s absence.
TCU’s two all-conference doubles tandems have helped give the squad a decided
advantage this season, pushing the team to the doubles point in 13 of 19
opportunities. Brink was named all-conference in doubles for the third straight
season, while the other three Frogs each earned their first such honors.
Brink and Mbarek lead the Frogs with a 13-2 record and are ranked No. 40
nationally, while Brighiu and Simon are the team’s highest-rated pairing at No.
29 with a 10-7 ledger. Both squads went 3-1 in MWC action this spring.
With the Mountain West Conference regular season championship already in hand,
TCU looks to complete a sweep of the league’s 2009 titles this weekend at the
MWC Championship in Albuquerque. The Frogs begin play as the tournament’s No. 1
seed in the semifinals Friday against the winner of Thursday’s BYU/San Diego
State quarterfinal match. The Frogs’ semifinals match begins at 11 a.m. CT.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Texas State Women’s Tennis Team Publicly Recognized By NCAA
SAN MACROS, TEXAS (April 22. 2009) The NCAA announced Wednesday that the Texas State women’s tennis team was among 800 Division I sports teams who were publicly recognized for their top academic performance as part of the NCAA academic reform program.
This public recognition went to teams that were among the top 10 percent of their sport’s most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rates. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester or quarter by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention, and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport. High performing teams receiving public recognition awards this year posted APR scores ranging from 976 to a perfect 1,000.
In addition to Texas State, the other women’s tennis teams which received public recognition included Arizona State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Bradley, Brown, Bucknell, Butler, Coastal Carolina, Holy Cross, Cornell, Dartmouth, Davidson, DePaul, East Carolina, Fairfield, Fordham, Gardner-Webb, George Mason, Georgetown, James Madison, Lafayette, Lehigh, Long Island, Brooklyn-Longwood, Loyola (Maryland), Mercer, Monmouth, Mount St. Mary's, Penn State, Princeton, Rutgers, New Jersey, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Siena, St. Bonaventure, St. Peter's, Stanford, Stephen F. Austin, TCU, California-Davis, Connecticut, Delaware, Denver, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri- Kansas City, UNLV, New Mexico, North Carolina-Greensboro, Charlotte, Northern Iowa, Notre Dame, Penn, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Xavier and Yale.
This public recognition went to teams that were among the top 10 percent of their sport’s most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rates. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester or quarter by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention, and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport. High performing teams receiving public recognition awards this year posted APR scores ranging from 976 to a perfect 1,000.
In addition to Texas State, the other women’s tennis teams which received public recognition included Arizona State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Bradley, Brown, Bucknell, Butler, Coastal Carolina, Holy Cross, Cornell, Dartmouth, Davidson, DePaul, East Carolina, Fairfield, Fordham, Gardner-Webb, George Mason, Georgetown, James Madison, Lafayette, Lehigh, Long Island, Brooklyn-Longwood, Loyola (Maryland), Mercer, Monmouth, Mount St. Mary's, Penn State, Princeton, Rutgers, New Jersey, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Siena, St. Bonaventure, St. Peter's, Stanford, Stephen F. Austin, TCU, California-Davis, Connecticut, Delaware, Denver, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri- Kansas City, UNLV, New Mexico, North Carolina-Greensboro, Charlotte, Northern Iowa, Notre Dame, Penn, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Xavier and Yale.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Holland Signs With Owls
HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 21, 2009) After signing a pair of power forwards, a wing player and a combo guard during last November’s early signing period, Rice University rounded out its signing class Wednesday when the Owls inked 6-2 point guard A.J. Holland.
Holland prepped at Paul W. Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he averaged 12 points, five rebounds and five assists as a senior. He also led the Stampede with 71 steals and 41 three-pointers made. Named his high school team’s captain, Holland also received the school’s top perimeter player award as a senior.
“A.J. is the consummate team player,” said Rice coach Ben Braun. “He is like a coach on the floor and he makes his teammates better.”
Among others, Holland was recruited by South Florida, Southern Cal, William & Mary, Air Force, San Diego and Boston University.
Holland was an honor roll student at Paul W. Bryant High School where he was a school Ambassador as well as a member of Key Club.
He is the son of a coach. His father, James Holland, has been a collegiate coach since the mid-1980s and has been a member of coaching staffs at South Carolina, Georgia, UTEP and Alabama.
Holland joins a signing class at Rice which includes 6-7 power forward Egheosa Edomwony (Princeton, N.J./The Hun School of Princeton), 6-5 wing Chris Eversley (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep), 6-8 power forward Arsalan Kazemi (Isfahan, Iran/The Patterson School) and 6-2 combo guard Tamir Jackson (Paterson, N.J./St. Benedict’s Prep).
“I feel our first recruiting class has excellent balance and diversity which should help us considerably next year,” Braun said. “In addition to being solid basketball players, this is also a class of outstanding young men. They will fit in very well at Rice.”
Holland prepped at Paul W. Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he averaged 12 points, five rebounds and five assists as a senior. He also led the Stampede with 71 steals and 41 three-pointers made. Named his high school team’s captain, Holland also received the school’s top perimeter player award as a senior.
“A.J. is the consummate team player,” said Rice coach Ben Braun. “He is like a coach on the floor and he makes his teammates better.”
Among others, Holland was recruited by South Florida, Southern Cal, William & Mary, Air Force, San Diego and Boston University.
Holland was an honor roll student at Paul W. Bryant High School where he was a school Ambassador as well as a member of Key Club.
He is the son of a coach. His father, James Holland, has been a collegiate coach since the mid-1980s and has been a member of coaching staffs at South Carolina, Georgia, UTEP and Alabama.
Holland joins a signing class at Rice which includes 6-7 power forward Egheosa Edomwony (Princeton, N.J./The Hun School of Princeton), 6-5 wing Chris Eversley (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep), 6-8 power forward Arsalan Kazemi (Isfahan, Iran/The Patterson School) and 6-2 combo guard Tamir Jackson (Paterson, N.J./St. Benedict’s Prep).
“I feel our first recruiting class has excellent balance and diversity which should help us considerably next year,” Braun said. “In addition to being solid basketball players, this is also a class of outstanding young men. They will fit in very well at Rice.”
Monday, April 20, 2009
Rice in Eighth at C-USA Championship
SORRENTO, FLORIDA (April 20, 2009) Rice University moved up a spot to eighth place and is within reach of a Top 6 finish following the second round of the Conference USA Championship being played at RedTail Golf Club (par 72, 7152 yards).
On Monday, rain showers delayed the finish of the second round just as the final groups headed toward the clubhouse. Played resumed later in the afternoon and tournament host UCF held onto the lead for the second straight day.
Rice shot a 300 as a team Monday and has a two-round score of 592 (+16). Just ahead of the Owls in sixth place is Tulsa (+13) while Houston is in seventh (+14) heading into Tuesday’s final round.
UCF’s Simon Ward had an eagle on the par-5 seventh and birdied three other holes en route to a four-under 68 and is part of a three-way tie atop the leaderboard following the championship’s second round. UCF’s Blayne Barber and UAB’s Zach Sucher both carded 69s on Monday and find themselves tied with Ward for first place after 36 holes.
Ward and Barber helped UCF stay out in front in the team standings after 36 holes. The Knights are currently 11-under par for the tournament, four strokes in front of SMU and eight strokes ahead of third-place UAB.
Rice sophomore Michael Whitehead remains in the Top 10 individually after two rounds. Whitehead was two-over par for his Monday round and is currently tied for ninth at 143 (-1). He is six strokes off the lead.
Rice teammate Christopher Brown also had a two-over par round Monday and is currently tied for 17th with a 145 (+1), two-round score.
Rice will once again tee off from No. 10 on Tuesday beginning at 9:15 a.m. The Owls will be paired with Houston and Southern Miss for the final round.
On Monday, rain showers delayed the finish of the second round just as the final groups headed toward the clubhouse. Played resumed later in the afternoon and tournament host UCF held onto the lead for the second straight day.
Rice shot a 300 as a team Monday and has a two-round score of 592 (+16). Just ahead of the Owls in sixth place is Tulsa (+13) while Houston is in seventh (+14) heading into Tuesday’s final round.
UCF’s Simon Ward had an eagle on the par-5 seventh and birdied three other holes en route to a four-under 68 and is part of a three-way tie atop the leaderboard following the championship’s second round. UCF’s Blayne Barber and UAB’s Zach Sucher both carded 69s on Monday and find themselves tied with Ward for first place after 36 holes.
Ward and Barber helped UCF stay out in front in the team standings after 36 holes. The Knights are currently 11-under par for the tournament, four strokes in front of SMU and eight strokes ahead of third-place UAB.
Rice sophomore Michael Whitehead remains in the Top 10 individually after two rounds. Whitehead was two-over par for his Monday round and is currently tied for ninth at 143 (-1). He is six strokes off the lead.
Rice teammate Christopher Brown also had a two-over par round Monday and is currently tied for 17th with a 145 (+1), two-round score.
Rice will once again tee off from No. 10 on Tuesday beginning at 9:15 a.m. The Owls will be paired with Houston and Southern Miss for the final round.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Dynamo seek first win in Sunday home match against Colorado
HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 19, 2009) – The Houston Dynamo will seek their first win of the season on Sunday when they host the Colorado Rapids at 2:00 p.m. at Robertson Stadium.
The Dynamo (0-2-2) are likely to face the Rapids (2-1-1) without new signing Ade Akinbiyi, whose visa paperwork is still being held up in England. Forward Brian Ching, however, has been more than capable of carrying the load against Colorado in the past, as he has netted nine goals in Houston’s 11 games against the Rapids all-time, helping the Dynamo to a 7-2-2 record against Colorado. The Dynamo will also have defender Andrew Hainault available for the first time, likely as a substitute.
The Dynamo will also pay tribute to fallen Houston firefighters Captain James Harlow and Damion Hobbs, who were killed in the line of duty last weekend. The Dynamo will honor them and their firefighting colleagues by admitting firefighters from departments around the Houston area for free. A moment of silence will be observed before kickoff, and the Dynamo will wear HFD patches on their jerseys.
Those jerseys will be auctioned off during Saturday’s game through Dynamo Charities, with the proceeds going to the Last Alarm Club. The Last Alarm Club was founded in 1977 by a group of concerned firefighters and friends to assist families of Houston firefighters killed in the line of duty.
Among the other tributes planned, the Dynamo will raise funds for the Last Alarm Club through a special ticket offer in which $5 from a $15 ticket will be donated in Harlow and Hobbs’ memory. Fans will be able to purchase these tickets by calling (713) 276-7500 or via HoustonDynamo.com, and the offer also extends to the Dynamo’s May 9 and May 23 games against FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first three seasons and represented the United States in three consecutive regional championships. The Dynamo will next face the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, April 19, for a 2:00 p.m. game at Robertson Stadium. Be sure to ask about the new Texas Children’s Health Plan Family Section. For more information, please log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.
The Dynamo (0-2-2) are likely to face the Rapids (2-1-1) without new signing Ade Akinbiyi, whose visa paperwork is still being held up in England. Forward Brian Ching, however, has been more than capable of carrying the load against Colorado in the past, as he has netted nine goals in Houston’s 11 games against the Rapids all-time, helping the Dynamo to a 7-2-2 record against Colorado. The Dynamo will also have defender Andrew Hainault available for the first time, likely as a substitute.
The Dynamo will also pay tribute to fallen Houston firefighters Captain James Harlow and Damion Hobbs, who were killed in the line of duty last weekend. The Dynamo will honor them and their firefighting colleagues by admitting firefighters from departments around the Houston area for free. A moment of silence will be observed before kickoff, and the Dynamo will wear HFD patches on their jerseys.
Those jerseys will be auctioned off during Saturday’s game through Dynamo Charities, with the proceeds going to the Last Alarm Club. The Last Alarm Club was founded in 1977 by a group of concerned firefighters and friends to assist families of Houston firefighters killed in the line of duty.
Among the other tributes planned, the Dynamo will raise funds for the Last Alarm Club through a special ticket offer in which $5 from a $15 ticket will be donated in Harlow and Hobbs’ memory. Fans will be able to purchase these tickets by calling (713) 276-7500 or via HoustonDynamo.com, and the offer also extends to the Dynamo’s May 9 and May 23 games against FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first three seasons and represented the United States in three consecutive regional championships. The Dynamo will next face the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, April 19, for a 2:00 p.m. game at Robertson Stadium. Be sure to ask about the new Texas Children’s Health Plan Family Section. For more information, please log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
TCU Drops Regular Season Finale to Baylor Friday
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (April 18, 2009) The No. 28 TCU women's tennis team dropped it’s regular season finale Friday at the hands of No. 5 Baylor, 4-1, at the indoor facility of the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center. With the loss, the Horned Frogs fall to 13-10 for the regular season.
In the last home match of their careers, seniors Macall Harkins and Anna
Sydorska claimed the opening doubles match by upsetting Baylor’s Csilla Borsanyi
and Lenka Broosova by the score of 8-4 from the top position. Entering the match
as the 31st-ranked duo in the country, the senior tandem jumped to an early 3-1
advantage, but the Bears would match TCU at 4-4 before Harkins and Sydorska
stole the final four games.
With the win, Sydorska picked up her 100th career doubles win, nabbing sole
possession of the second-most career doubles wins in TCU history. The Lviv,
Ukraine product surpassed former All-American Rene Simpson on the list and is
now five victories shy of matching Lori Nelson at the top of the rankings. Also
with the win, Sydorska moves into a three-way tie for the ninth-most career
combined wins with Paty Aburto and Saber Pierce with 173 total victories.
Baylor evened the doubles ledger with a win from the No. 2 position, as the
64th-ranked pairing of Taylor Ormond and Jelena Stanivuk teamed up to dismantle
the TCU squad of Katariina Tuohimaa and Idunn Hertzberg, 8-4.
With the doubles point hanging in the balance, all focus shifted to the No. 3
court for the matchup between No. 80 Nina Munch-Soegaard and Maria Babanova from
TCU and the Bear’s team of Nina Secerbegovic and Kasia Siwosz. The Frogs’ would
jump out to an early 3-0 lead and never relinquish their advantage. With the 8-6
win, TCU claimed the doubles tally and took an early 1-0 lead into singles
action.
Baylor picked up all four points in singles play, claiming wins from the Nos. 1,
2, 4 and 5 positions. No. 31 Broosova got it going with a 6-2, 6-3 win over No.
76 Harkins, followed quickly by Secerbegovic’s 6-2, 6-2 victory over Sydorska.
Munch-Soegaard dropped her first match since Feb. 22, falling to No. 46 Ormond
from the top position by the score of 6-2, 6-4. No. 44 Stanivuk’s clinched the
match for the Bears with a 6-3, 6-2 decision over TCU sophomore Idunn Hertzberg.
TCU will now prepare for the Mountain West Conference Championships in
Albuquerque, N.M., April 22-25.
#5 Baylor 4, #28 TCU 1
SINGLES
1. #46 Taylor Ormond (BU) def. #14 Nina Munch-Soegaard (TCU) 6-2, 6-4
2. #31 Lenka Broosova (BU) def. #78 Macall Harkins (TCU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU) vs. #64 Csilla Borsanyi (BU) 7-5, 3-2, unfinished
4. #44 Jelena Stanivuk (BU) def. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Nina Secerbegovic (BU) def. Anna Sydorska (TCU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Kasia Siwosz (BU) vs. Gaby Mastromarino (TCU) no result
Order of Finish: 2, 5, 1, 4*
DOUBLES
1. #31 Harkins/Sydorska (TCU) def. #8 Borsanyi/Broosova (BU) 8-4
2. #64 Ormond/Stanivuk (BU) def. Tuohimaa/Hertzberg (TCU) 8-4
3. #80 Munch-Soegaard/Babanova (TCU) def. Secerbegovic/Siwosz (BU) 8-6
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3*
In the last home match of their careers, seniors Macall Harkins and Anna
Sydorska claimed the opening doubles match by upsetting Baylor’s Csilla Borsanyi
and Lenka Broosova by the score of 8-4 from the top position. Entering the match
as the 31st-ranked duo in the country, the senior tandem jumped to an early 3-1
advantage, but the Bears would match TCU at 4-4 before Harkins and Sydorska
stole the final four games.
With the win, Sydorska picked up her 100th career doubles win, nabbing sole
possession of the second-most career doubles wins in TCU history. The Lviv,
Ukraine product surpassed former All-American Rene Simpson on the list and is
now five victories shy of matching Lori Nelson at the top of the rankings. Also
with the win, Sydorska moves into a three-way tie for the ninth-most career
combined wins with Paty Aburto and Saber Pierce with 173 total victories.
Baylor evened the doubles ledger with a win from the No. 2 position, as the
64th-ranked pairing of Taylor Ormond and Jelena Stanivuk teamed up to dismantle
the TCU squad of Katariina Tuohimaa and Idunn Hertzberg, 8-4.
With the doubles point hanging in the balance, all focus shifted to the No. 3
court for the matchup between No. 80 Nina Munch-Soegaard and Maria Babanova from
TCU and the Bear’s team of Nina Secerbegovic and Kasia Siwosz. The Frogs’ would
jump out to an early 3-0 lead and never relinquish their advantage. With the 8-6
win, TCU claimed the doubles tally and took an early 1-0 lead into singles
action.
Baylor picked up all four points in singles play, claiming wins from the Nos. 1,
2, 4 and 5 positions. No. 31 Broosova got it going with a 6-2, 6-3 win over No.
76 Harkins, followed quickly by Secerbegovic’s 6-2, 6-2 victory over Sydorska.
Munch-Soegaard dropped her first match since Feb. 22, falling to No. 46 Ormond
from the top position by the score of 6-2, 6-4. No. 44 Stanivuk’s clinched the
match for the Bears with a 6-3, 6-2 decision over TCU sophomore Idunn Hertzberg.
TCU will now prepare for the Mountain West Conference Championships in
Albuquerque, N.M., April 22-25.
#5 Baylor 4, #28 TCU 1
SINGLES
1. #46 Taylor Ormond (BU) def. #14 Nina Munch-Soegaard (TCU) 6-2, 6-4
2. #31 Lenka Broosova (BU) def. #78 Macall Harkins (TCU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU) vs. #64 Csilla Borsanyi (BU) 7-5, 3-2, unfinished
4. #44 Jelena Stanivuk (BU) def. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Nina Secerbegovic (BU) def. Anna Sydorska (TCU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Kasia Siwosz (BU) vs. Gaby Mastromarino (TCU) no result
Order of Finish: 2, 5, 1, 4*
DOUBLES
1. #31 Harkins/Sydorska (TCU) def. #8 Borsanyi/Broosova (BU) 8-4
2. #64 Ormond/Stanivuk (BU) def. Tuohimaa/Hertzberg (TCU) 8-4
3. #80 Munch-Soegaard/Babanova (TCU) def. Secerbegovic/Siwosz (BU) 8-6
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3*
Friday, April 17, 2009
PRAIRIE VIEW WOMEN’S TENNIS ELIMINATED BY JACKSON STATE
ALEXANDRIA, LOUSIIANA (April 17, 2009) The postseason dreams for the Prairie View A&M women’s tennis team came to an end on Friday afternoon as they fell 4-3 to Jackson State in the first round of the SWAC Tournament at Alexandria’s City Park Tennis Complex.
Prairie View lost the doubles point but bounced back with wins in No. 1, 2 and three singles. However, JSU rallied with wins in No. 4, 5 and 6 singles to close out the match and move on to the next round.
For the latest Lady Panther tennis news, check out the official website of Prairie View A&M Athletics at http://sports.pvamu.edu.
Doubles
Britney Shy & Paulina Vargas (JSU) def. Melanie Brown & Bianca Simpson (PVAM), 8-4
Asha Saravana Mohan & Angela Rose (JSU) def. Margaret Banks & Munashe Makuni (PVAM), 8-5
Singles
Melanie Brown (PVAM) def. Paulina Vargas (JSU), 6-4, 2-6,6-3
Bianca Simpson (PVAM) def. Geneva Warren (JSU), 6-3, 6-2
Melissa Guerrier (PVAM) def. Asha Saravana Mohan (JSU), 6-2, 6-7, 6-1
Britney Shy (JSU) def. Munashe Makuni (PVAM), 6-1, 6-2
Angela Rose (JSU) def. Margaret Banks (PVAM), 6-1, 6-4
Valentina Prado (JSU) def. Charli Cooksey (PVAM), 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
Prairie View lost the doubles point but bounced back with wins in No. 1, 2 and three singles. However, JSU rallied with wins in No. 4, 5 and 6 singles to close out the match and move on to the next round.
For the latest Lady Panther tennis news, check out the official website of Prairie View A&M Athletics at http://sports.pvamu.edu.
Doubles
Britney Shy & Paulina Vargas (JSU) def. Melanie Brown & Bianca Simpson (PVAM), 8-4
Asha Saravana Mohan & Angela Rose (JSU) def. Margaret Banks & Munashe Makuni (PVAM), 8-5
Singles
Melanie Brown (PVAM) def. Paulina Vargas (JSU), 6-4, 2-6,6-3
Bianca Simpson (PVAM) def. Geneva Warren (JSU), 6-3, 6-2
Melissa Guerrier (PVAM) def. Asha Saravana Mohan (JSU), 6-2, 6-7, 6-1
Britney Shy (JSU) def. Munashe Makuni (PVAM), 6-1, 6-2
Angela Rose (JSU) def. Margaret Banks (PVAM), 6-1, 6-4
Valentina Prado (JSU) def. Charli Cooksey (PVAM), 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Rice Athletic Program Receives NCAA Certification
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (April 16, 2009) The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced Thursday that Rice University was one of 35 member institutions certified during the Association’s second cycle of athletics certification.
The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institutions athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletic departments. NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993. The certification process, which involves a self-study led by an institution’s president or chancellor, includes a review of four primary components – governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, equity, and student-athlete well-being.
Rice University’s designation of certified means the institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the NCAA’s Division I membership.
The second round of athletics certifications is being completed on a 10-year cycle rather than the five-year cycle used during the initial certification process. All 326 active Division I members participate in the certification process.
The Division I Committee on Athletics Certification preliminarily reviews an institution’s certification materials and provides a list of issues identified during the evaluation. The university then hosts a visit by peer reviewers who file a report regarding the institution’s resolution of those issues before a final certification decision is rendered. An institution’s failure to satisfactorily respond to the committee may negatively impact certification status.
The certification process is separate from the NCAA’s enforcement program, which investigates allegations of rules violations by NCAA member institutions. A decision of certified does not exempt an institution from concurrent or subsequent enforcement proceedings.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions may ask the Committee on Athletics Certification to review an institution’s certification status as a result of the completed infractions case.
The members of the Committee on Athletics Certification are: Robert Bernardi, Nicholls State University; McKinley Boston Jr., New Mexico State University; Casey Comoroski, Missouri State University; Beatrice Crane Banford, Marshall University; Amy Folan, University of Texas at Austin; Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida; Joanne Glasser, Bradley University; Wendy Guthrie, West Coast Conference; Nathan Hatch (chair), Wake Forest University; Brian Linnane, Loyola College (Maryland); Barbara Luebke, University of Rhode Island; M. Dianne Murphy, Columbia University-Barnard College; Gloria Nevarez, University of Oklahoma; Sheila Patterson, Cleveland State University; Donald Pope-Davis, University of Notre Dame; Allison Rich, California State University, Fullerton; Mark Richard, Auburn University; and Jon Steinbrecher, Ohio Valley Conference.
The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institutions athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletic departments. NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993. The certification process, which involves a self-study led by an institution’s president or chancellor, includes a review of four primary components – governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, equity, and student-athlete well-being.
Rice University’s designation of certified means the institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the NCAA’s Division I membership.
The second round of athletics certifications is being completed on a 10-year cycle rather than the five-year cycle used during the initial certification process. All 326 active Division I members participate in the certification process.
The Division I Committee on Athletics Certification preliminarily reviews an institution’s certification materials and provides a list of issues identified during the evaluation. The university then hosts a visit by peer reviewers who file a report regarding the institution’s resolution of those issues before a final certification decision is rendered. An institution’s failure to satisfactorily respond to the committee may negatively impact certification status.
The certification process is separate from the NCAA’s enforcement program, which investigates allegations of rules violations by NCAA member institutions. A decision of certified does not exempt an institution from concurrent or subsequent enforcement proceedings.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions may ask the Committee on Athletics Certification to review an institution’s certification status as a result of the completed infractions case.
The members of the Committee on Athletics Certification are: Robert Bernardi, Nicholls State University; McKinley Boston Jr., New Mexico State University; Casey Comoroski, Missouri State University; Beatrice Crane Banford, Marshall University; Amy Folan, University of Texas at Austin; Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida; Joanne Glasser, Bradley University; Wendy Guthrie, West Coast Conference; Nathan Hatch (chair), Wake Forest University; Brian Linnane, Loyola College (Maryland); Barbara Luebke, University of Rhode Island; M. Dianne Murphy, Columbia University-Barnard College; Gloria Nevarez, University of Oklahoma; Sheila Patterson, Cleveland State University; Donald Pope-Davis, University of Notre Dame; Allison Rich, California State University, Fullerton; Mark Richard, Auburn University; and Jon Steinbrecher, Ohio Valley Conference.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Texas State Athletics To Host the Vernon McDonald Roast On May 4
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (April 15, 2009) The laughs will be on Vernon McDonald when the Texas State Athletics Department roasts the longtime Bobcat and former men’s basketball coach on May 9 at the Embassy Suites.
The celebration will be part of a fun-filled evening in which coach McDonald will unveil and then autograph copies of his recently written book about the life of Milton Jowers and several decades of Texas State basketball history. Jowers is a former Bobcat basketball and football player, who later served as Texas State’s head basketball and football coach, and later was the school’s athletic director.
The book signing begins at 6:00 p.m., and will be followed by a dinner at 7:00 p.m. that includes a group of all-star roasters.
Costs for the dinner and roast are $50 with proceeds benefiting the “T” Association. Seating is limited so the Athletics Department is asking those planning to attend to please RSVP by May 4 by calling 512-245-2210.
In addition, books will be on sale for $25 and sales benefit the Vernon McDonald men’s basketball endowed scholarship at Texas State.
The celebration will be part of a fun-filled evening in which coach McDonald will unveil and then autograph copies of his recently written book about the life of Milton Jowers and several decades of Texas State basketball history. Jowers is a former Bobcat basketball and football player, who later served as Texas State’s head basketball and football coach, and later was the school’s athletic director.
The book signing begins at 6:00 p.m., and will be followed by a dinner at 7:00 p.m. that includes a group of all-star roasters.
Costs for the dinner and roast are $50 with proceeds benefiting the “T” Association. Seating is limited so the Athletics Department is asking those planning to attend to please RSVP by May 4 by calling 512-245-2210.
In addition, books will be on sale for $25 and sales benefit the Vernon McDonald men’s basketball endowed scholarship at Texas State.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
FROGS CONTINUE SURGE IN NATIONAL RANKINGS
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (April 14, 2009) TCU made a major jump in this week’s latest release of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) national team rankings from 45th to 36th.
The Horned Frogs, fresh off winning six of their last seven matches, claimed at least a share of this year’s Mountain West Conference regular season championship last weekend in San Diego, Calif. TCU went 5-1 in conference play over the last two weekends to earn the No. 1 seed for the MWC Championships, which will be held in two weeks.
TCU’s recent hot streak has been led by senior Kriegler Brink, TCU’s top-ranked singles player in the current ITA listings. Brink checks in at No. 73 this week, which is only one spot lower than his previous career-best position reached earlier this season. The Gautang, South Africa, native won all three of his matches last weekend to run his season record to a team-best mark of 16-4.
Joining Brink in the singles ratings is freshman Slah Mbarek, who slid from his previous spot at No. 62 to No. 77 this week. Mbarek dropped both of his matches this past weekend after suffering an injury during the previous weekend’s competition. Despite the recent setback, he still ranks tied for the team lead in victories at No. 1 singles with sophomore teammate Emanuel Brighiu with four.
Brighiu dropped out of the rankings this week after previously holding down the No. 110 spot. The Iasi, Romania, native has won four of his last five outings, but was forced out of the No. 1 singles position for TCU during a nine-match stretch while battling an injury of his own. He returned to the top spot during Saturday’s MWC-clinching victory over Air Force.
TCU continued to hold down two of the nation’s top doubles spots in the tandems of Brink/Mbarek and Brighiu/junior Adrian Simon. Brighiu/Simon fell this week from No. 20 to No. 25, while Brink/Mbarek, who have been playing in the top position for the Frogs during the last month, slid seven spots from No. 31 to No. 38. The two duos have helped the Frogs win the doubles point in 13 of 19 opportunities this spring, including four of the last five chances.
TCU returns to the court looking to defend its 2008 MWC Championships crown April 23-25 in Albuquerque, N.M.
The Horned Frogs, fresh off winning six of their last seven matches, claimed at least a share of this year’s Mountain West Conference regular season championship last weekend in San Diego, Calif. TCU went 5-1 in conference play over the last two weekends to earn the No. 1 seed for the MWC Championships, which will be held in two weeks.
TCU’s recent hot streak has been led by senior Kriegler Brink, TCU’s top-ranked singles player in the current ITA listings. Brink checks in at No. 73 this week, which is only one spot lower than his previous career-best position reached earlier this season. The Gautang, South Africa, native won all three of his matches last weekend to run his season record to a team-best mark of 16-4.
Joining Brink in the singles ratings is freshman Slah Mbarek, who slid from his previous spot at No. 62 to No. 77 this week. Mbarek dropped both of his matches this past weekend after suffering an injury during the previous weekend’s competition. Despite the recent setback, he still ranks tied for the team lead in victories at No. 1 singles with sophomore teammate Emanuel Brighiu with four.
Brighiu dropped out of the rankings this week after previously holding down the No. 110 spot. The Iasi, Romania, native has won four of his last five outings, but was forced out of the No. 1 singles position for TCU during a nine-match stretch while battling an injury of his own. He returned to the top spot during Saturday’s MWC-clinching victory over Air Force.
TCU continued to hold down two of the nation’s top doubles spots in the tandems of Brink/Mbarek and Brighiu/junior Adrian Simon. Brighiu/Simon fell this week from No. 20 to No. 25, while Brink/Mbarek, who have been playing in the top position for the Frogs during the last month, slid seven spots from No. 31 to No. 38. The two duos have helped the Frogs win the doubles point in 13 of 19 opportunities this spring, including four of the last five chances.
TCU returns to the court looking to defend its 2008 MWC Championships crown April 23-25 in Albuquerque, N.M.
Monday, April 13, 2009
MEXICO TO FACE PANAMA, GUADELOUPE, NICARAGUA IN FIRST ROUND OF 2009 GOLD CUP; USA TO PLAY GRENADA, HONDURAS, HAITI
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (April 13, 2009) Central American foes and World Cup hopefuls Costa Rica and El Salvador will face off to headline an opening doubleheader in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup™ on 3 July at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, highlighting the first day of the 10th edition of the 12-team championship.
The match will follow a clash between Canada and Jamaica that will open the tournament and play in Group A.
The two-time defending champion USA will play the following day, American Independence Day, in Seattle against Grenada in Group B, which also will include Honduras and Haiti.
Mexico will anchor Group C, which will begin in San Francisco on 5 July with Panama facing Guadeloupe and El Tri playing Nicaragua.
“We’re excited at having created these groups. They are well balanced and will provide very interesting matches,” CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said. “Given the variety of teams and the cities we’re going to, it offers something for everyone.”
After the openers, Group A will move on to Columbus, Ohio, on 7 July for a second doubleheader, and will conclude the first round in Miami at FIU Stadium on 10 July.
Group B will leave Seattle for a doubleheader in Washington on 8 July and finish in Boston on 11 July. Group C will play its second doubleheader in Houston on 9 July and then wrap up the first round in Phoenix on 12 July.
A two-week private pre-sale will begin today, Thursday, 2 April 2009. Fans can call the local stadium box office or local MLS team for further information. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, 17 April through www.Ticketmaster.com, www.Tickets.com (Oakland) and www.Completeticketsolutions.com (Miami).
The Gold Cup, which has seen record attendances and television ratings in each of the past two competitions (2005 and 2007), will be played coast-to-coast at an unprecedented 13 venues this year.
“We’ve been successful in the past creating entertaining match-ups and I think this year will continue that tradition,” Blazer said.
Each group has at least one representative from CONCACAF’s three geographic regions: North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals along with the two best third-place teams.
The winners of Groups A & B will head to Philadelphia for their quarterfinals on July 18 while the Group C winner will play in Dallas the following day.
The winners of the Philadelphia quarterfinals will face off in one semifinal on 23 July in Chicago’s Soldier Field, and the Dallas quarterfinal winners will contest the other. The semifinal winners will meet for the title Sunday, 26 July in Giants Stadium.
2009 CONCACAF GOLD CUP™
GROUP A: Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica
GROUP B: Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, USA
GROUP C: Guadeloupe, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama
SCHEDULE
First Round
Friday, July 3 – Los Angeles (The Home Depot Center)
Canada vs. Jamaica, 5 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT)
Costa Rica vs. El Salvador, 7 p.m. (10 p.m. EDT)
Saturday, July 4 – Seattle (Qwest Field)
Honduras vs. Haiti, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Grenada vs. USA, 6 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, July 5 – San Francisco (Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum)
Panama vs. Guadeloupe, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)
Nicaragua vs. Mexico, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Tuesday, July 7 – Columbus, Ohio (Crew Stadium)
Jamaica vs. Costa Rica, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
El Salvador vs. Canada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Wednesday, July 8 – Washington (Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium)
Haiti vs. Grenada, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
USA vs. Honduras, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Thursday, July 9 – Houston (Reliant Stadium)
Guadeloupe vs. Nicaragua, 7 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT)
Mexico vs. Panama, 9 p.m. (10 p.m. EDT)
Friday, July 10 – Miami (Florida International University Stadium)
Costa Rica vs. Canada, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
El Salvador vs. Jamaica, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Saturday, July 11 – Boston (Gillette Stadium)
USA vs. Haiti, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Honduras vs. Grenada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, July 12 – Phoenix (University of Phoenix Stadium)
Panama vs. Nicaragua, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)
Mexico vs. Guadeloupe, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, July 18 – Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up, TBD (x)
Group B winner vs. Group A/C third-place, TBD (x)
x-matches scheduled for 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. with order TBD
Sunday, July 19 – Dallas (Dallas Cowboys New Stadium)
Group C runner-up vs. Group A runner-up, TBD (y)
Group C winner vs. Group A/B third place, TBD (y)
y-matches scheduled for 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. local (4 p.m. and 7 p.m. EDT) with order TBD
Semifinals
Thursday, July 23 – Chicago (Soldier Field)
Philadelphia quarterfinal winners, TBD (z)
Dallas quarterfinal winners, TBD (z)
z-matches scheduled for 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. local (7 p.m. and 10 p.m. EDT) with order TBD
Final
Sunday, July 26 – New York (Giants Stadium)
Semifinal winners, 3 p.m. (3 p.m. EDT)
The match will follow a clash between Canada and Jamaica that will open the tournament and play in Group A.
The two-time defending champion USA will play the following day, American Independence Day, in Seattle against Grenada in Group B, which also will include Honduras and Haiti.
Mexico will anchor Group C, which will begin in San Francisco on 5 July with Panama facing Guadeloupe and El Tri playing Nicaragua.
“We’re excited at having created these groups. They are well balanced and will provide very interesting matches,” CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said. “Given the variety of teams and the cities we’re going to, it offers something for everyone.”
After the openers, Group A will move on to Columbus, Ohio, on 7 July for a second doubleheader, and will conclude the first round in Miami at FIU Stadium on 10 July.
Group B will leave Seattle for a doubleheader in Washington on 8 July and finish in Boston on 11 July. Group C will play its second doubleheader in Houston on 9 July and then wrap up the first round in Phoenix on 12 July.
A two-week private pre-sale will begin today, Thursday, 2 April 2009. Fans can call the local stadium box office or local MLS team for further information. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, 17 April through www.Ticketmaster.com, www.Tickets.com (Oakland) and www.Completeticketsolutions.com (Miami).
The Gold Cup, which has seen record attendances and television ratings in each of the past two competitions (2005 and 2007), will be played coast-to-coast at an unprecedented 13 venues this year.
“We’ve been successful in the past creating entertaining match-ups and I think this year will continue that tradition,” Blazer said.
Each group has at least one representative from CONCACAF’s three geographic regions: North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals along with the two best third-place teams.
The winners of Groups A & B will head to Philadelphia for their quarterfinals on July 18 while the Group C winner will play in Dallas the following day.
The winners of the Philadelphia quarterfinals will face off in one semifinal on 23 July in Chicago’s Soldier Field, and the Dallas quarterfinal winners will contest the other. The semifinal winners will meet for the title Sunday, 26 July in Giants Stadium.
2009 CONCACAF GOLD CUP™
GROUP A: Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica
GROUP B: Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, USA
GROUP C: Guadeloupe, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama
SCHEDULE
First Round
Friday, July 3 – Los Angeles (The Home Depot Center)
Canada vs. Jamaica, 5 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT)
Costa Rica vs. El Salvador, 7 p.m. (10 p.m. EDT)
Saturday, July 4 – Seattle (Qwest Field)
Honduras vs. Haiti, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Grenada vs. USA, 6 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, July 5 – San Francisco (Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum)
Panama vs. Guadeloupe, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)
Nicaragua vs. Mexico, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Tuesday, July 7 – Columbus, Ohio (Crew Stadium)
Jamaica vs. Costa Rica, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
El Salvador vs. Canada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Wednesday, July 8 – Washington (Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium)
Haiti vs. Grenada, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
USA vs. Honduras, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Thursday, July 9 – Houston (Reliant Stadium)
Guadeloupe vs. Nicaragua, 7 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT)
Mexico vs. Panama, 9 p.m. (10 p.m. EDT)
Friday, July 10 – Miami (Florida International University Stadium)
Costa Rica vs. Canada, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
El Salvador vs. Jamaica, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Saturday, July 11 – Boston (Gillette Stadium)
USA vs. Haiti, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Honduras vs. Grenada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, July 12 – Phoenix (University of Phoenix Stadium)
Panama vs. Nicaragua, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)
Mexico vs. Guadeloupe, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, July 18 – Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up, TBD (x)
Group B winner vs. Group A/C third-place, TBD (x)
x-matches scheduled for 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. with order TBD
Sunday, July 19 – Dallas (Dallas Cowboys New Stadium)
Group C runner-up vs. Group A runner-up, TBD (y)
Group C winner vs. Group A/B third place, TBD (y)
y-matches scheduled for 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. local (4 p.m. and 7 p.m. EDT) with order TBD
Semifinals
Thursday, July 23 – Chicago (Soldier Field)
Philadelphia quarterfinal winners, TBD (z)
Dallas quarterfinal winners, TBD (z)
z-matches scheduled for 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. local (7 p.m. and 10 p.m. EDT) with order TBD
Final
Sunday, July 26 – New York (Giants Stadium)
Semifinal winners, 3 p.m. (3 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
New Web Page Devoted to the New York Yankees
By Chris Price
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications
PASADENA, TEXAS (April 12, 2009) Senior writer Robert Kelly has started a seperate website divited to his new found love for the New Yorl Yankees.
It is entiitled "A Yankees Fan Deep in the Heart of Texas".
Click here to read his current and upcoming articles.
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications
PASADENA, TEXAS (April 12, 2009) Senior writer Robert Kelly has started a seperate website divited to his new found love for the New Yorl Yankees.
It is entiitled "A Yankees Fan Deep in the Heart of Texas".
Click here to read his current and upcoming articles.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Tennis Match Against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Postponed
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (April 11, 2009) Due to rain and lightning in the San Marcos area on Saturday afternoon, the women's tennis match between Texas State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has been rescheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Friday, April 10, 2009
SBAS Swimmers Win Medals at Lone Star Triathlon, Louisiana Senior Olympics
(SBAS swimmer Derrick Mauk (left) combined with Rex Moses (cyclist) and Brett Riley (runner) to win the 2009 Lone Star Triathlon Half Iron Man Relay at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Photo by Robert Kelly, Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved)
By Chris Price
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications
PASADENA/DEER PARK, TEXAS (April 10, 2009) South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team (SBAS) members recently brought home many honors from two elite level competitions.
SBAS swimmer Derrick Mauk combined with cyclist Rex Moses and runner Brett Riley to win the Half Iron Man Relay at the 2009 Lone Star Triathlon at Moody Gardens in Galveston.
Mauk’s swimming time for the 1.2 mile open water course was 34 minutes 21 seconds. Moses rode the 56 mile bike leg in 2 hours 19 minutes 59 seconds and Riley ran the 13.1 mile leg in 1 hour 18 minutes 9 seconds. With transition time added in, their final time of 4 hours 15 minutes 14 seconds established a new course record. This was the second year in a row that Mauk and Moses have been on the champion relay. Last year, they combined with Carwyn Sharp to win the same relay
SBAS swimmer Lisa Hernandez competed in the women’s 25-29 year old sprint event, finishing in 8th place. Hernandez swam the 500 meters open water swim in 10 minutes 50.95 seconds, rode the 12.5 mile bike leg in 48 minutes 13.25 seconds and ran the 3.1 mile leg in 24 minutes 56 seconds. Her combined time, with transitions, was 1 hour 27 minutes 45.40 seconds.
SBAS swimming team coaches Robert H. and Darla S. Kelly also got into the action, competing in the Southwest Louisiana Senior Games at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The Kelly’s brought home seven gold and three silver medals. Darla went five for five, winning gold medals in the 50-54-year-old 50 yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle 50-yard backstroke, 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard breaststroke.
Robert, competing in the 55-59-year-old age group, won gold medals in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. He also took the silver medal in the 50-yard breaststroke, 100-yard breaststroke, and the 50-yard backstroke.
As a result, they both qualified for the Louisiana State Senior Games in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in October, 2009.
The next meet up for the SBAS swimmers will be the Cap 2K Open Water Race in Austin and the 1st Annual Roy and Jean Potts Masters Swim Meet in Belton. Both meets are in May.
The South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team is a select swimming team consisting of elite swimmers from the Deer Park, Pasadena, Pearland, Friendswood, Clear Lake and Houston South Belt areas.
By Chris PriceCopyright 2009 TexSport Publications
PASADENA/DEER PARK, TEXAS (April 10, 2009) South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team (SBAS) members recently brought home many honors from two elite level competitions.
SBAS swimmer Derrick Mauk combined with cyclist Rex Moses and runner Brett Riley to win the Half Iron Man Relay at the 2009 Lone Star Triathlon at Moody Gardens in Galveston.
Mauk’s swimming time for the 1.2 mile open water course was 34 minutes 21 seconds. Moses rode the 56 mile bike leg in 2 hours 19 minutes 59 seconds and Riley ran the 13.1 mile leg in 1 hour 18 minutes 9 seconds. With transition time added in, their final time of 4 hours 15 minutes 14 seconds established a new course record. This was the second year in a row that Mauk and Moses have been on the champion relay. Last year, they combined with Carwyn Sharp to win the same relay
SBAS swimmer Lisa Hernandez competed in the women’s 25-29 year old sprint event, finishing in 8th place. Hernandez swam the 500 meters open water swim in 10 minutes 50.95 seconds, rode the 12.5 mile bike leg in 48 minutes 13.25 seconds and ran the 3.1 mile leg in 24 minutes 56 seconds. Her combined time, with transitions, was 1 hour 27 minutes 45.40 seconds.
SBAS swimming team coaches Robert H. and Darla S. Kelly also got into the action, competing in the Southwest Louisiana Senior Games at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The Kelly’s brought home seven gold and three silver medals. Darla went five for five, winning gold medals in the 50-54-year-old 50 yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle 50-yard backstroke, 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard breaststroke.
Robert, competing in the 55-59-year-old age group, won gold medals in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. He also took the silver medal in the 50-yard breaststroke, 100-yard breaststroke, and the 50-yard backstroke.
As a result, they both qualified for the Louisiana State Senior Games in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in October, 2009.
The next meet up for the SBAS swimmers will be the Cap 2K Open Water Race in Austin and the 1st Annual Roy and Jean Potts Masters Swim Meet in Belton. Both meets are in May.
The South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team is a select swimming team consisting of elite swimmers from the Deer Park, Pasadena, Pearland, Friendswood, Clear Lake and Houston South Belt areas.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
SINGLES CARRIES TCU PAST LOBOS
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (April 9, 2009) The TCU men’s tennis team rode a 4-for-4 effort from positions No. 3 through 6 of its singles lineup Thursday to a 5-2 victory over No. 41 New Mexico at San Diego State’s Aztec Tennis Center.
The victory improved TCU’s overall season record to 9-10, including a 3-1 mark in Mountain West Conference play. New Mexico, which dropped its first conference match, fell to 15-4 and 2-1, respectively.
The 45th-ranked Horned Frogs suffered straight-set defeats at the top two singles positions, but a solid effort from the rest of its lineup, as well as a 2-of-3 showing in doubles, helped the squad bounce back from a loss to Utah in its latest outing last Saturday.
The squad squeaked out the doubles victory with sophomores Zach Nichols and Christopher Price earning a 9-7 win over UNM’s Ben Dunbar and Carl Ho in the deciding match. Junior Kriegler Brink and freshman Slah Mbarek, TCU’s top tandem that ranks 31st nationally, had defeated Miles Bugby and Johnny Parkes, 8-6, earlier following an 8-2 setback for the Frogs’ No. 2 pairing of junior Adrian Simon and sophomore Emanuel Brighiu to the Lobos’ Graeme Kassautzki and Joe Wood.
Brink, ranked 76th nationally in singles, clinched the team outcome for TCU at No. 3 singles with a tightly contested 7-6(6), 7-5 win over Kassautzki. Brink, who bounced back after seeing his 14-match winning streak between singles and doubles play end on Saturday, fought off two set points from Kassautzki in the opening set on his way to the victory.
Brink’s win led a parade of Frog victories in the bottom four singles positions. Price and Powers helped set up the clinching match with straight-set decisions at Nos. 5 and 6 singles over Phil Anderson (6-4, 7-5) and Joe Wood (6-1, 6-4), respectively. The two Frogs have given a nice boost to their team recently, with Powers having won five of his last six matches and Price winning four of his
last five.
Nichols added an additional point at the No. 4 spot after the team decision had been clinched by gutting out a 6-3, 6-7(8), 1-0 (10-8) victory over Wood.
Mbarek and Brighiu each fell playing the top-two singles positions. Mbarek, ranked 62nd nationally but battling through a recent injury, dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision to Parkes. Brighiu, the nation’s No. 110 player who also has dealt with an injury this season, fell to Bugby, 7-5, 6-4.
“I was really pleased with our effort today,” head coach Dave Borelli said. “The bottom of the lineup really carried the load for us. I thought Brink’s ability to come back in that first set was pivotal for us, and it’s great to see the bottom positions playing as well as they are.”
TCU continues is weekend-long trip to San Diego Friday, when it plays No. 38 San Diego State at 11 a.m. CDT. The Frogs will then play Air Force Saturday at 10 p.m. CDT to finish off its regular-season schedule.
Results
No. 45 TCU 5, No. 41 New Mexico 2
April 9, 2009
San Diego, Calif. (Aztec Tennis Center)
Doubles
1. #31 Kriegler Brink/Slah Mbarek (TCU) def. Miles Bugby/Johnny Parkes (UNM),
8-6
2. Graeme Kassautzki/Joe Wood (UNM) def. #20 Emanuel Brighiu/Adrian Simon (TCU),
8-2
3. Zach Nichols/Christopher Price (TCU) def. Ben Dunbar/Carl Ho (UNM), 9-7
Singles
1. Johnny Parks (UNM) def. #62 Slah Mbarek (TCU), 6-2, 6-1
2. Miles Bugby (UNM) def. #110 Emanuel Brighiu (TCU), 7-5, 6-4
3. #76 Kriegler Brink (TCU) def. Graeme Kassautzki (UNM), 7-6(6), 7-5
4. Zach Nichols (TCU) def. Ben Dunbar (UNM), 6-3, 6-7(8), 1-0 (8-6)
5. Christopher Price (TCU) def. Phil Anderson (UNM), 6-4, 7-5
6. Casey Powers (TCU) def. Joe Wood (UNM), 6-1, 6-4
The victory improved TCU’s overall season record to 9-10, including a 3-1 mark in Mountain West Conference play. New Mexico, which dropped its first conference match, fell to 15-4 and 2-1, respectively.
The 45th-ranked Horned Frogs suffered straight-set defeats at the top two singles positions, but a solid effort from the rest of its lineup, as well as a 2-of-3 showing in doubles, helped the squad bounce back from a loss to Utah in its latest outing last Saturday.
The squad squeaked out the doubles victory with sophomores Zach Nichols and Christopher Price earning a 9-7 win over UNM’s Ben Dunbar and Carl Ho in the deciding match. Junior Kriegler Brink and freshman Slah Mbarek, TCU’s top tandem that ranks 31st nationally, had defeated Miles Bugby and Johnny Parkes, 8-6, earlier following an 8-2 setback for the Frogs’ No. 2 pairing of junior Adrian Simon and sophomore Emanuel Brighiu to the Lobos’ Graeme Kassautzki and Joe Wood.
Brink, ranked 76th nationally in singles, clinched the team outcome for TCU at No. 3 singles with a tightly contested 7-6(6), 7-5 win over Kassautzki. Brink, who bounced back after seeing his 14-match winning streak between singles and doubles play end on Saturday, fought off two set points from Kassautzki in the opening set on his way to the victory.
Brink’s win led a parade of Frog victories in the bottom four singles positions. Price and Powers helped set up the clinching match with straight-set decisions at Nos. 5 and 6 singles over Phil Anderson (6-4, 7-5) and Joe Wood (6-1, 6-4), respectively. The two Frogs have given a nice boost to their team recently, with Powers having won five of his last six matches and Price winning four of his
last five.
Nichols added an additional point at the No. 4 spot after the team decision had been clinched by gutting out a 6-3, 6-7(8), 1-0 (10-8) victory over Wood.
Mbarek and Brighiu each fell playing the top-two singles positions. Mbarek, ranked 62nd nationally but battling through a recent injury, dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision to Parkes. Brighiu, the nation’s No. 110 player who also has dealt with an injury this season, fell to Bugby, 7-5, 6-4.
“I was really pleased with our effort today,” head coach Dave Borelli said. “The bottom of the lineup really carried the load for us. I thought Brink’s ability to come back in that first set was pivotal for us, and it’s great to see the bottom positions playing as well as they are.”
TCU continues is weekend-long trip to San Diego Friday, when it plays No. 38 San Diego State at 11 a.m. CDT. The Frogs will then play Air Force Saturday at 10 p.m. CDT to finish off its regular-season schedule.
Results
No. 45 TCU 5, No. 41 New Mexico 2
April 9, 2009
San Diego, Calif. (Aztec Tennis Center)
Doubles
1. #31 Kriegler Brink/Slah Mbarek (TCU) def. Miles Bugby/Johnny Parkes (UNM),
8-6
2. Graeme Kassautzki/Joe Wood (UNM) def. #20 Emanuel Brighiu/Adrian Simon (TCU),
8-2
3. Zach Nichols/Christopher Price (TCU) def. Ben Dunbar/Carl Ho (UNM), 9-7
Singles
1. Johnny Parks (UNM) def. #62 Slah Mbarek (TCU), 6-2, 6-1
2. Miles Bugby (UNM) def. #110 Emanuel Brighiu (TCU), 7-5, 6-4
3. #76 Kriegler Brink (TCU) def. Graeme Kassautzki (UNM), 7-6(6), 7-5
4. Zach Nichols (TCU) def. Ben Dunbar (UNM), 6-3, 6-7(8), 1-0 (8-6)
5. Christopher Price (TCU) def. Phil Anderson (UNM), 6-4, 7-5
6. Casey Powers (TCU) def. Joe Wood (UNM), 6-1, 6-4
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Baseball Wins Rubber Match at Stanford, 5-1
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA (March 8, 2009) The Texas Longhorns used a five-run fourth inning and Cole Green pitched seven strong innings to register a 5-1 win over the Stanford Cardinal at the Sunken Diamond.
The win moved Texas to 12-1 on the season and gave the Horns their third series win of the season.
Green (2-0) scattered three hits and two walks while striking out three and allowed just one run over his 7.0 innings. Austin Wood allowed just one hit over the last two innings to close out the contest.
The Horns did all of their damage in the fourth inning. With one out, Tant Shepherd singled to rightfield and David Hernandez drew a walk from Stanford starter Scott Snodgress. Brett Mooneyham came in to relieve Snodgress and gave up the seal-breaking hit to Cameron Rupp who singled up the middle to plate Shepherd. Kevin Keyes drew a walk to load the bases and after Connor Rowe struck out looking, Jordan Etier inflated the cushion with a two-run single up the middle and Brandon Loy capped off the rally with a two-run single down the rightfield line.
Stanford (3-7) scored its lone run of the game in the fifth inning when Kellen Kiilsgaard launched a leadoff shot into the trees in rightfield.
Etier and Loy each had two RBI to lead the Texas offense which logged six hits and nine walks on the afternoon.
Snodgress (0-1) was saddled with the loss. He allowed two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings.
Texas returns to action on Wednesday when the Longhorns host the Baylor Bears in a 6 p.m. contest at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
The win moved Texas to 12-1 on the season and gave the Horns their third series win of the season.
Green (2-0) scattered three hits and two walks while striking out three and allowed just one run over his 7.0 innings. Austin Wood allowed just one hit over the last two innings to close out the contest.
The Horns did all of their damage in the fourth inning. With one out, Tant Shepherd singled to rightfield and David Hernandez drew a walk from Stanford starter Scott Snodgress. Brett Mooneyham came in to relieve Snodgress and gave up the seal-breaking hit to Cameron Rupp who singled up the middle to plate Shepherd. Kevin Keyes drew a walk to load the bases and after Connor Rowe struck out looking, Jordan Etier inflated the cushion with a two-run single up the middle and Brandon Loy capped off the rally with a two-run single down the rightfield line.
Stanford (3-7) scored its lone run of the game in the fifth inning when Kellen Kiilsgaard launched a leadoff shot into the trees in rightfield.
Etier and Loy each had two RBI to lead the Texas offense which logged six hits and nine walks on the afternoon.
Snodgress (0-1) was saddled with the loss. He allowed two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings.
Texas returns to action on Wednesday when the Longhorns host the Baylor Bears in a 6 p.m. contest at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Tennis Defeats Southeastern Louisiana, 5-2
HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 8, 2009) The University of Houston tennis team defeated Southeastern Louisiana, 5-2 on Wednesday improving its overall record to 17-3.
In the doubles competition, the team of Jordan McCombs and Laura Ring at the No. 1 spot defeated Audrey Chelini and Iva Velokvska, 9-7. The pair is now 7-1 as a team and a perfect 3-0 at the No. 1.
At the No. 2 spot, senior Lynley Wasson and sophomore Joanna Kacprzyk paired to defeat Morgane Dadot and Ashley Longoria, 8-7, improving their doubles record to 12-5 overall and 4-1 at the No. 2.
With the wins, Houston picked up the final doubles point, while also winning the No. 3 spot by default.
The Lions captured two wins in singles play, with Velokovska defeating Ring, 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 1 spot, and Dadot defeating Kacprzyk in a hard-fought match, 7-5, 6-7 (8), 13-11.
At the No. 2 position, Wasson defeated Chelini, 6-2, 6-1 and senior Vicky Simpson captured the win at the No. 4 spot, downing her opponent Longoria, 6-0, 6-1 moving to 16-3 this season and 3-0 at the No. 4 spot.
Freshman Alix Young and senior Jordan McCombs captured default wins at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots, respectively.
"We are glad to get another win," head coach John Severance said. "We have one more match before we enter the Conference USA Championships, and Jo (Keene) and I look forward to honoring our three seniors during Friday's match against Prairie View A&M."
UP NEXT
The Cougars will play their final regular season match at John E. Hoff Courts on Friday at 1 p.m. and will honor the three seniors, Wasson, Simpson and McCombs as they take their home court for the final time in their UH careers.
Severance is also approaching a personal milestone as he needs just one more win to tie former UH coach Cathy Beene for the most coaching victories in school history.
The 2009 C-USA Tennis Championships, which will take place on the campus of Rice, will be held April 16-19.
In the doubles competition, the team of Jordan McCombs and Laura Ring at the No. 1 spot defeated Audrey Chelini and Iva Velokvska, 9-7. The pair is now 7-1 as a team and a perfect 3-0 at the No. 1.
At the No. 2 spot, senior Lynley Wasson and sophomore Joanna Kacprzyk paired to defeat Morgane Dadot and Ashley Longoria, 8-7, improving their doubles record to 12-5 overall and 4-1 at the No. 2.
With the wins, Houston picked up the final doubles point, while also winning the No. 3 spot by default.
The Lions captured two wins in singles play, with Velokovska defeating Ring, 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 1 spot, and Dadot defeating Kacprzyk in a hard-fought match, 7-5, 6-7 (8), 13-11.
At the No. 2 position, Wasson defeated Chelini, 6-2, 6-1 and senior Vicky Simpson captured the win at the No. 4 spot, downing her opponent Longoria, 6-0, 6-1 moving to 16-3 this season and 3-0 at the No. 4 spot.
Freshman Alix Young and senior Jordan McCombs captured default wins at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots, respectively.
"We are glad to get another win," head coach John Severance said. "We have one more match before we enter the Conference USA Championships, and Jo (Keene) and I look forward to honoring our three seniors during Friday's match against Prairie View A&M."
UP NEXT
The Cougars will play their final regular season match at John E. Hoff Courts on Friday at 1 p.m. and will honor the three seniors, Wasson, Simpson and McCombs as they take their home court for the final time in their UH careers.
Severance is also approaching a personal milestone as he needs just one more win to tie former UH coach Cathy Beene for the most coaching victories in school history.
The 2009 C-USA Tennis Championships, which will take place on the campus of Rice, will be held April 16-19.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Cougar Tennis Hits the Road for Southeastern Louisiana
HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 7, 2009) The 2009 season is entering its home stretch for the University of Houston tennis team as they hit the road on Wednesday to face Southeastern Louisiana at 1 p.m. in Hammond, La., before returning home Friday to host Prairie View A&M in their final regular season match, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
The Cougars enter the week with a 16-3 overall record and a 3-1 mark in Conference USA play as they make their final preparations for the upcoming 2009 Conference USA Tennis Championships, which will take place on the campus of Rice April 16-19.
The two matches this week will also give UH the chance to improve its seeding at the C-USA Championships and possible lock up an opening round bye.
After facing Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday, the Cougars return to John E. Hoff Courts on Sunday and will honor their three seniors on this year's roster. Jordan McCombs, Vicky Simpson and Lynley Wasson will all be taking their home court for the final time in their UH careers.
Head coach John Severance is also approaching a personal milestone as he enters the final few two matches of the regular season needing two coaching wins to tie former UH coach Cathy Beene for the most coaching victories in school history.
The Cougars enter the week with a 16-3 overall record and a 3-1 mark in Conference USA play as they make their final preparations for the upcoming 2009 Conference USA Tennis Championships, which will take place on the campus of Rice April 16-19.
The two matches this week will also give UH the chance to improve its seeding at the C-USA Championships and possible lock up an opening round bye.
After facing Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday, the Cougars return to John E. Hoff Courts on Sunday and will honor their three seniors on this year's roster. Jordan McCombs, Vicky Simpson and Lynley Wasson will all be taking their home court for the final time in their UH careers.
Head coach John Severance is also approaching a personal milestone as he enters the final few two matches of the regular season needing two coaching wins to tie former UH coach Cathy Beene for the most coaching victories in school history.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Limited Edition Commemorative Framed PhotoTo Celebrate David Robinson’s Hall of Fame Induction
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (April 6, 2009) He was born in Key West, Florida, the second child whose father was in the Navy. The family would move many times, to northern Virginia where he became a celebrated high school athlete.
But shortly before he made his Osbourn Park High School basketball team in Manassas, Virginia, the kid who was only 5 foot, 9 inches quit the game in junior high. Yes, David Robinson almost gave up on basketball. However, in the span of about four years, he suddenly grew to 6 foot, 7 inches. By his senior season, the coach added him to the team, where David earned all-area and all district recognition—but no college scholarships.
The rest is history. Robinson’s desire for an education (he had scored 1320 on his SAT) led him to the Naval Academy, where he majored in mathematics. But he also excelled in basketball and went on to become the greatest player in Naval Academy history.
Today, David Maurice Robinson is being recognized as one of the greatest basketball players ever. The Admiral, as he was known during his days with the San Antonio Spurs, will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA in September (10-12). The announcement was made today in Detroit, site of the NCAA Final Four.
A career that began with the Spurs during the 1989-90 season, and ended with a second NBA title after the 2002-03 season, found the soft-spoken lefty being named one of the NBA’s Top 50 Players of all-time. It also saw him become the only male basketball player to ever play in three Olympics, including the 1992 US Olympic Dream Team that won the gold medal in Barcelona.
To recognize David Robinson for his monumental achievements as a Spurs player, and for his on-going contributions to the San Antonio community, Nikco Sports is producing only 2,009 framed and double matted 15 x 17 inch photos of the Spurs giant for his Hall of Fame induction. These will be sold on a first-come basis for $89.95, with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas receiving a portion of the proceeds. This special promotion helps to raise funds for many youngsters who have life-threatening medical conditions and who look to their local Make-A-Wish Foundation for support to grant them wishes.
This historic limited edition item can purchased by calling 1-800-345-2868 or by visiting www.nikcosports.com. Each officially licensed photo will be individually numbered. In recent years, Nikco Sports has donated more than $1.7 million to children’s charities throughout the country.
“David Robinson exemplifies everything that is good about athletics and his accomplishments both on and off the court for the San Antonio Spurs makes this special commemorative even more meaningful,” said Nikco Sports CEO Craig Bidner, whose company has continued to give back to the community since its inception in 1992, including several projects in the San Antonio area connected to the Spurs NBA championships. “We’re very pleased to play a small part in this salute, and to tie in this historic moment with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
The framed color photo of Robinson features the Admiral finishing off one of his patented dunks. To the side of the photo, inset into the matting, is an engraved plate that lists just a few of the many highlights in his career, such as:
· NBA champion: 1999 and 2003
· NBA MVP: 1995
· NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1990
· NBA Rebounding Title: 1991
· NBA Blocked Shots Title: 1992
· NBA First Team: 4 times (1991-1992, 1995 and 1996)
· NBA All-Defensive Team: 4 times (1991, 1992, 1995 and 1996)
· NBA Top 50 All-Time Team
· Three Olympics: only male basketball player to ever play in as many Olympics
During the past several years, Nikco Sports has raised more than $1.7 million for charitable organizations across the nation with the issue of limited-edition sports memorabilia that has honored amateur and professional teams, as well as select athletes such athletes as Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger, along with Peyton Manning, Jim Kelly, Carson Palmer, Steve Young, John Elway, David Robinson, John Stockton, Lebron James, Magic Johnson, Roger Clemens, Don Larsen, Ryne Sandberg, Paul Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Edgar Martinez, Ichiro, Ozzie Smith, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken Jr.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 67 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 168,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception.
But shortly before he made his Osbourn Park High School basketball team in Manassas, Virginia, the kid who was only 5 foot, 9 inches quit the game in junior high. Yes, David Robinson almost gave up on basketball. However, in the span of about four years, he suddenly grew to 6 foot, 7 inches. By his senior season, the coach added him to the team, where David earned all-area and all district recognition—but no college scholarships.
The rest is history. Robinson’s desire for an education (he had scored 1320 on his SAT) led him to the Naval Academy, where he majored in mathematics. But he also excelled in basketball and went on to become the greatest player in Naval Academy history.
Today, David Maurice Robinson is being recognized as one of the greatest basketball players ever. The Admiral, as he was known during his days with the San Antonio Spurs, will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA in September (10-12). The announcement was made today in Detroit, site of the NCAA Final Four.
A career that began with the Spurs during the 1989-90 season, and ended with a second NBA title after the 2002-03 season, found the soft-spoken lefty being named one of the NBA’s Top 50 Players of all-time. It also saw him become the only male basketball player to ever play in three Olympics, including the 1992 US Olympic Dream Team that won the gold medal in Barcelona.
To recognize David Robinson for his monumental achievements as a Spurs player, and for his on-going contributions to the San Antonio community, Nikco Sports is producing only 2,009 framed and double matted 15 x 17 inch photos of the Spurs giant for his Hall of Fame induction. These will be sold on a first-come basis for $89.95, with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas receiving a portion of the proceeds. This special promotion helps to raise funds for many youngsters who have life-threatening medical conditions and who look to their local Make-A-Wish Foundation for support to grant them wishes.
This historic limited edition item can purchased by calling 1-800-345-2868 or by visiting www.nikcosports.com. Each officially licensed photo will be individually numbered. In recent years, Nikco Sports has donated more than $1.7 million to children’s charities throughout the country.
“David Robinson exemplifies everything that is good about athletics and his accomplishments both on and off the court for the San Antonio Spurs makes this special commemorative even more meaningful,” said Nikco Sports CEO Craig Bidner, whose company has continued to give back to the community since its inception in 1992, including several projects in the San Antonio area connected to the Spurs NBA championships. “We’re very pleased to play a small part in this salute, and to tie in this historic moment with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
The framed color photo of Robinson features the Admiral finishing off one of his patented dunks. To the side of the photo, inset into the matting, is an engraved plate that lists just a few of the many highlights in his career, such as:
· NBA champion: 1999 and 2003
· NBA MVP: 1995
· NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1990
· NBA Rebounding Title: 1991
· NBA Blocked Shots Title: 1992
· NBA First Team: 4 times (1991-1992, 1995 and 1996)
· NBA All-Defensive Team: 4 times (1991, 1992, 1995 and 1996)
· NBA Top 50 All-Time Team
· Three Olympics: only male basketball player to ever play in as many Olympics
During the past several years, Nikco Sports has raised more than $1.7 million for charitable organizations across the nation with the issue of limited-edition sports memorabilia that has honored amateur and professional teams, as well as select athletes such athletes as Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger, along with Peyton Manning, Jim Kelly, Carson Palmer, Steve Young, John Elway, David Robinson, John Stockton, Lebron James, Magic Johnson, Roger Clemens, Don Larsen, Ryne Sandberg, Paul Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Edgar Martinez, Ichiro, Ozzie Smith, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken Jr.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 67 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 168,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Softball Sweeps Three-Game Set Against UAB
HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 5, 2009) The University of Houston softball team took the final game of the weekend series, 3-2, to sweep UAB at Cougar Softball Stadium and to improve to 18-16 overall and 7-4 in C-USA.
UAB took an early lead in the top of the second inning when Kayla Harris hit a single to right center to score Mandy Lowman, and Cameron Skates would score on a throwing error by senior third baseman Christa Raley. It would be the last time UAB would score.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Cougars cut the deficit in half, with a double by freshman Melissa Gregson to score senior Haley Valis, who reached first base on a single.
With two outs, the Cougars loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning, and with a walk by senior Haley Valis, sophomore Katy Beth Sherman, who reached base on a bunt, scored to tie the game at two.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cougars took a 3-2 lead with a SAC fly by Raley to score senior Jessica Valis, who reached base on a triple. That would be all the runs the Cougars would need to take the victory.
Sophomore Baillie Lott moved to 9-6 this season after striking out one, walking one and allowing only two runs. With a single hit by senior Katie Bush in the first inning, her hitting-streak extended to five games. Sherman went 2-for-2 with a walk, while Jessica Valis went 2-for-3.
Next Up
The Cougars will travel to Memphis, Tenn. to play C-USA rival Memphis for a three-game series April 10-11.
UAB took an early lead in the top of the second inning when Kayla Harris hit a single to right center to score Mandy Lowman, and Cameron Skates would score on a throwing error by senior third baseman Christa Raley. It would be the last time UAB would score.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Cougars cut the deficit in half, with a double by freshman Melissa Gregson to score senior Haley Valis, who reached first base on a single.
With two outs, the Cougars loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning, and with a walk by senior Haley Valis, sophomore Katy Beth Sherman, who reached base on a bunt, scored to tie the game at two.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cougars took a 3-2 lead with a SAC fly by Raley to score senior Jessica Valis, who reached base on a triple. That would be all the runs the Cougars would need to take the victory.
Sophomore Baillie Lott moved to 9-6 this season after striking out one, walking one and allowing only two runs. With a single hit by senior Katie Bush in the first inning, her hitting-streak extended to five games. Sherman went 2-for-2 with a walk, while Jessica Valis went 2-for-3.
Next Up
The Cougars will travel to Memphis, Tenn. to play C-USA rival Memphis for a three-game series April 10-11.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
FRENCH OPEN CHAMPION IN US MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING
HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 4, 2009) Gaston Gaudio, the 2004 French Open Champion, has entered the qualifying field for the 2009 US Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club. Gaudio, who owns eight career clay court titles, will face Dusan Vemic in the opening round of qualifying in the third match from 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Seventeen Americans are in the qualifying draw, and are six of the eight seeds for the qualifying event. Also participating are three Houston-area teens: Harry Fowler, Ben Chen and Daniel Whitehead. Fowler is ranked No. 41 in the world for juniors. Chen is the No. 1 Boys 18 player in Texas, and Whitehead is No. 3. They have both committed to the University of Texas to play tennis next fall.
The first round of qualifying takes place on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. The second round will take place Sunday and the final round will take place Monday. Admission to the qualifying matches is free!
While the qualifying action is taking place over the weekend, many of the main draw players will also be around the River Oaks Country Club preparing for next week’s tournament.
“This opening weekend is a great opportunity for tennis fans to not only see some of the next generation of tennis stars but it also offers a rare chance to see today’s stars as they get ready for an event,” Tournament Director Van Barry said. “Qualifying always has a unique feel to it because the chance to play in a big league event is so important to a player as they try to break through.”
Seventeen Americans are in the qualifying draw, and are six of the eight seeds for the qualifying event. Also participating are three Houston-area teens: Harry Fowler, Ben Chen and Daniel Whitehead. Fowler is ranked No. 41 in the world for juniors. Chen is the No. 1 Boys 18 player in Texas, and Whitehead is No. 3. They have both committed to the University of Texas to play tennis next fall.
The first round of qualifying takes place on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. The second round will take place Sunday and the final round will take place Monday. Admission to the qualifying matches is free!
While the qualifying action is taking place over the weekend, many of the main draw players will also be around the River Oaks Country Club preparing for next week’s tournament.
“This opening weekend is a great opportunity for tennis fans to not only see some of the next generation of tennis stars but it also offers a rare chance to see today’s stars as they get ready for an event,” Tournament Director Van Barry said. “Qualifying always has a unique feel to it because the chance to play in a big league event is so important to a player as they try to break through.”
Friday, April 03, 2009
FORMER CHAMPION TOMMY HAAS ACCCEPTS FINAL WILD CARD
HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 3, 2009) Tommy Haas, the 2004 US Men’s Clay Court Championship winner, has accepted the final wild card for the 2009 event that begins Monday at River Oaks Country Club. Haas joins Americans Taylor Dent and John Isner as the wild card entrants into the 32-player draw.
Haas is fourth among active players for both match wins and winning percentage at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship, having a 13-5 record and a .722 winning percentage. He will be making his seventh appearance at the event in Houston, with his best result coming in 2004 when he beat Andy Roddick for the title. Haas, who has been ranked as high as No. 2, owns 11 career titles.
“Adding a third former champion to our field is a great bonus, especially so close to the start of the event,” said Tournament Director Van Barry. “We couldn’t be happier with the depth of the field that will be playing at River Oaks this year. Top to bottom it should be a great draw, and there are some very dangerous floaters in the field who could cause trouble for the seeds right away.”
With the addition of Haas to the field, the 28 direct acceptances for the 2009 US Men’s Clay Court Championship are set (four more players will be added by way of the qualifying tournament that begins Saturday at River Oaks).
The seeds are also now set for the tournament, with Americans holding down the top seeds – two-time River Oaks International champion James Blake and 2005 USMCC champion Mardy Fish. Other seeds include former Clay Court finalist Jurgen Melzer, defending champion Marcel Granollers and American Sam Querrey.
Haas is one of several notable unseeded players in this year’s draw, including former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewiit, former finalist Guillermo Canas and 2008 semifinalist Wayne Odesnik.
The No. 1 doubles team in the world, Bob and Mike Bryan, will headline the doubles event at this year’s US Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club from April 6-12.
Any patron holding tickets for any session during the tournament who is unable to use them is encouraged to return those tickets before the session begins to the River Oaks ticket office so they can be resold to benefit the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund. River Oaks will resell those tickets at face value with the entire proceeds then being donated to the Greater Houston Community Foundation’s hurricane recovery effort.
Haas is fourth among active players for both match wins and winning percentage at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship, having a 13-5 record and a .722 winning percentage. He will be making his seventh appearance at the event in Houston, with his best result coming in 2004 when he beat Andy Roddick for the title. Haas, who has been ranked as high as No. 2, owns 11 career titles.
“Adding a third former champion to our field is a great bonus, especially so close to the start of the event,” said Tournament Director Van Barry. “We couldn’t be happier with the depth of the field that will be playing at River Oaks this year. Top to bottom it should be a great draw, and there are some very dangerous floaters in the field who could cause trouble for the seeds right away.”
With the addition of Haas to the field, the 28 direct acceptances for the 2009 US Men’s Clay Court Championship are set (four more players will be added by way of the qualifying tournament that begins Saturday at River Oaks).
The seeds are also now set for the tournament, with Americans holding down the top seeds – two-time River Oaks International champion James Blake and 2005 USMCC champion Mardy Fish. Other seeds include former Clay Court finalist Jurgen Melzer, defending champion Marcel Granollers and American Sam Querrey.
Haas is one of several notable unseeded players in this year’s draw, including former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewiit, former finalist Guillermo Canas and 2008 semifinalist Wayne Odesnik.
The No. 1 doubles team in the world, Bob and Mike Bryan, will headline the doubles event at this year’s US Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club from April 6-12.
Any patron holding tickets for any session during the tournament who is unable to use them is encouraged to return those tickets before the session begins to the River Oaks ticket office so they can be resold to benefit the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund. River Oaks will resell those tickets at face value with the entire proceeds then being donated to the Greater Houston Community Foundation’s hurricane recovery effort.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Cougar Diving Club to Host Junior National Championships April 3-5
HOUSTON,TEXAS (April 2, 2009) The Cougar Diving Club, coached by Houston head diving coach Jane Figueiredo, will host the Spring West Junior Olympic National Championships on April 3-5 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
This weekend over 250 of the nation’s best divers, ages 11-18, will be in Houston to compete at the Championships.
Friday’s competition will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the Opening Ceremonies scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. The meet will continue at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday at 11 a.m.
An autograph session will be held from 3-9 p.m. on Friday night where fans can get the chance to meet Olympic Gold Medalists Laura Wilkinson, Yulia Pakhalina, Vera IIyina and Olympic Silver Medalist and current Cougar diver Anastasia Pozdniakova.
Various raffle items will also be available. Tickets cost $2 and the winners will be announced on Sunday.
Admission to the Championships is $6 per day or $15 for a weekend pass.
This weekend over 250 of the nation’s best divers, ages 11-18, will be in Houston to compete at the Championships.
Friday’s competition will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the Opening Ceremonies scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. The meet will continue at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday at 11 a.m.
An autograph session will be held from 3-9 p.m. on Friday night where fans can get the chance to meet Olympic Gold Medalists Laura Wilkinson, Yulia Pakhalina, Vera IIyina and Olympic Silver Medalist and current Cougar diver Anastasia Pozdniakova.
Various raffle items will also be available. Tickets cost $2 and the winners will be announced on Sunday.
Admission to the Championships is $6 per day or $15 for a weekend pass.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Wallace Guides Baseball to 14-7 Win over UTSA
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (April 1, 2009) The University of Houston baseball team won their third-straight game Wednesday night, defeating UTSA 14-7 at Roadrunner Field. Chris Wallace guided the Cougars to the win hitting two home runs with six RBIs in his first action since sustaining an injury against on March 1 at the Houston College Classic.
Wallace's two home runs mark the second time this season that he has hit two home runs in a single game. Incidentally, the last time he hit two home runs in a game was against UC Irvine on Feb. 28, his last full game before missing 18 games for injury. He also set a career-high with his six RBIs.
With the two home runs, Wallace now has a team-high four home runs.
The Cougars put together five runs in the first inning. Zak Presley scored the Cougars first run of the game on a single to left field by Caleb Ramsey after reaching base on an error by the Roadrunners second baseman. William Kankel followed that up with a single to right center plating Chase Dempsay who singled to right field.
Wallace would hit his first home run of night, a three-run bomb over the center field fence to give Houston the 5-0 lead.
After holding UTSA scoreless the first two innings, Houston gave up four runs on four hits in the third inning to allow the Roadrunners to pull within one run, 5-4.
But the Cougars would pull away once more taking a 6-4 lead in their next at bat. Zak Presley scored his second run of the night on a wild pitch by UTSA pitcher Andy Benedict after singling up the middle to reach base.
Houston had another strong inning in the fifth, posting three runs to take a 9-4 lead. Wallace led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a single from David Murphy. Wallace would go on to score on a Taylor White double. With two outs, a Presley single scored two more Cougar runs, plating Murphy and White to extend their lead.
UH followed up a strong fifth inning by scoring two runs in the top of the sixth off a two-run home run from Wallace, scoring Ramsey who led off with a single to third base.
UTSA added one more run to their total in the seventh inning, while scoring two runs in the eighth.
With the lead at four, 11-7, Ty Stuckey led off with a walk in the ninth and scored on a triple to right center from Blake Kelso and he would score in the next at bat off a single through the middle by Dempsay. Ramsey advanced Dempsay to third on a ground out to second base and scored on a double from Wallace to give Houston their final run total.
On the night the Cougars recorded 18 hits for their 11th double-digit game this season. The Cougar pitchers also combined for 12 strikeouts, the third consecutive game that Houston's pitchers have struck out at least 10 batters.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will return to Cougar Field for a three-game series against UT Pan Am this weekend. The first game of the series is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start on Friday and Saturday and will conclude at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Wallace's two home runs mark the second time this season that he has hit two home runs in a single game. Incidentally, the last time he hit two home runs in a game was against UC Irvine on Feb. 28, his last full game before missing 18 games for injury. He also set a career-high with his six RBIs.
With the two home runs, Wallace now has a team-high four home runs.
The Cougars put together five runs in the first inning. Zak Presley scored the Cougars first run of the game on a single to left field by Caleb Ramsey after reaching base on an error by the Roadrunners second baseman. William Kankel followed that up with a single to right center plating Chase Dempsay who singled to right field.
Wallace would hit his first home run of night, a three-run bomb over the center field fence to give Houston the 5-0 lead.
After holding UTSA scoreless the first two innings, Houston gave up four runs on four hits in the third inning to allow the Roadrunners to pull within one run, 5-4.
But the Cougars would pull away once more taking a 6-4 lead in their next at bat. Zak Presley scored his second run of the night on a wild pitch by UTSA pitcher Andy Benedict after singling up the middle to reach base.
Houston had another strong inning in the fifth, posting three runs to take a 9-4 lead. Wallace led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a single from David Murphy. Wallace would go on to score on a Taylor White double. With two outs, a Presley single scored two more Cougar runs, plating Murphy and White to extend their lead.
UH followed up a strong fifth inning by scoring two runs in the top of the sixth off a two-run home run from Wallace, scoring Ramsey who led off with a single to third base.
UTSA added one more run to their total in the seventh inning, while scoring two runs in the eighth.
With the lead at four, 11-7, Ty Stuckey led off with a walk in the ninth and scored on a triple to right center from Blake Kelso and he would score in the next at bat off a single through the middle by Dempsay. Ramsey advanced Dempsay to third on a ground out to second base and scored on a double from Wallace to give Houston their final run total.
On the night the Cougars recorded 18 hits for their 11th double-digit game this season. The Cougar pitchers also combined for 12 strikeouts, the third consecutive game that Houston's pitchers have struck out at least 10 batters.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will return to Cougar Field for a three-game series against UT Pan Am this weekend. The first game of the series is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start on Friday and Saturday and will conclude at 1 p.m. on Sunday.