Highlighting the Chippewas feats were six conference championships, two MAC Tournament titles, six MAC Coach of the Year awards, four All-Americans and three MAC Player of the Year awards.

The men’s basketball, wrestling, men’s track and field hockey, men’s cross country and gymnastics teams all won conference championships. Head coaches Craig Fuller, Tom Borrelli, Jay Smith and Jim Knapp were coaches of the year.

Tristen Perlberg and Jake Flynn (cross country), Jackie Bozin (indoor track) and Jason Mester (wrestling) were All-Americans and Janel Spero (field hockey) and Michelle Brander (softball) were MAC players of the year. Plus, a seven-footer from Wyoming brought CMU into the national spotlight.

The following is the Central Michigan Life sports staff’s listing of the top 10 CMU sports stories of the past year.

Kaman goes Hollywood

1 In a 2003 NBA Draft featuring phenoms LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, Central Michigan center Chris Kaman put Mount Pleasant on the map. Kaman was selected as the sixth overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers, making him the highest draft selection in CMU history. He is the first Chippewa to be picked since Dan Majerle was drafted in 1988 and the highest Mid-American Conference player to be selected since Miami University’s Wally Szczerbiak was also taken sixth in 1999. Kaman, the 2003 MAC Player of the Year, averaged 22.4 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks during his junior and final season at CMU.

Chippewas go dancing

2 Not only did the CMU basketball team qualify for the 2003 NCAA Basketball Tournament, but it made its presence felt once it got there. The No. 11 seed Chippewas defeated No. 6 seed Creighton 79-73 in the opening round of West Regional play in Salt Lake City. While No. 3 Duke ended the team’s successful run in the second round, CMU won its first tournament game since 1975.

Men's track ends Easterns run

3 The men’s track team foiled Eastern Michigan’s bid for its sixth consecutive outdoor championship, as the Chippewas won the MAC title in Mount Pleasant. CMU tallied 158 points, well ahead of the Eagles’ 137.25. Pat Walderzak (hammer throw) and Mike Sidlauskas (discus) took first-place finishes in the meet.

Basketball surprises MAC again

4 The men’s basketball team went from the Mid-American Conference’s worst to its first with a 2001 MAC Championship. Coach Jay Smith’s team completed a similar feat in 2003, going from 9-19 in 2002 to 22-7. The team defeated Kent State 77-67 at Cleveland’s Gund Arena to win its first ever MAC Tournament Championship, coupling with the team’s regular season MAC title. For the second time in three years, Smith was tabbed MAC Coach of the Year.

Mester named All-Star American

5 It is difficult to stand out on a team that has won five consecutive MAC titles. But 141-pound junior wrestler Jason Mester has separated himself as one of the nation’s best. Mester became the conference champion, advancing to the national competition in Kansas City, where he finished fifth. For his efforts, Mester earned Team MVP and All-American status. And the bad news for opponents is that Mester will return next season as a main component on one of CMU’s deepest teams ever.

Perfect 10s for gymnastics team

6 One of CMU’s most successful programs, the gymnastics squad arguably put together its most successful season, sending three athletes to nationals. Sarah Dame and Kara Reighard qualified in the all around, while Katie Teft made it in the bars. However, the highlight of the season was the team turning in a trio of perfect 10 scores. Teft (twice on the bars) and Michele Orloski (floor exercise) all achieved gymnastic perfection during the regular season.

CMU sports icon Dan Rose dies

7 The army of rowdy basketball fans bear Dan Rose’s name across their gold shirts. His namesake graces Rose Arena, home of CMU’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling squads. The popular former athletic director and coach passed away this spring at age 95. Rose spent 35 years in CMU athletics, beginning by coaching basketball in 1937, and retiring as athletic director in 1972. In addition to his accomplishments in Mount Pleasant, Rose coached former President Gerald Ford at Grand Rapids South High School and was the University of Michigan basketball coach from 1927-1930.

Cross country ninths at NCAA

8 Sophomores Jake Flynn and Tristen Perlberg earned All-America honors in the 10k national race in Terre Haute, Ind. It was the third time in school history that the team competed in the NCAAs. Seven Chippewas competed and only one was a senior, leaving MAC Coach of the Year Craig Fuller optimistic for a MAC Championship repeat in 2003.

Field Hockey earns co-championship

9 Last season was full of accomplishments for CMU’s field hockey team. The squad captured a MAC co-championship, winning a school-record seven conference games. Senior goalkeeper Janel Spero’s 1.45 goals against average earned her conference tri-player of the year. Head Coach Cristy Freese won her third MAC Coach of the Year award, becoming CMU’s winningest coach. Not a bad year’s work.

Jaksa continues baseball coaching tradition

10 As the all-time winningest baseball program in the midwest, the CMU squad has had its share of successful coaches. Legendary leaders Bill Theunissen, Dean Kreiner and Dave Keilitz have developed the CMU baseball tradition. With his permanent hiring, Steve Jaksa became the heir apparent of this lineage. Replacing Judd Folske, Jaksa spent one season as interim coach, guiding the Chippewas to a 24-24 season in 2003.