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(02/22/06 5:00am)
Staff Reporter Larry Pietron grills soccer junior goalie Anne Decker on
her life, on and off the field.
Larry Pietron: How does it feel being the last line of defense
for the soccer team, knowing that if you don’t make the save you might
be the one blamed rather than the rest of your team?
Anne Decker: Pressure. I take it the same as I do in life. I’d much
rather take on challenges myself, rather than putting it on the hands
of others.
LP: So with all that pressure do you consider yourself the leader of
the soccer team?
AD: I may not be the captain of the team, but I still feel that I am
a leader in other ways. I feel I’m more of a vocal leader on the
field and in the locker room.
LP: Dating Wynn Michalak, the No. 1 wrestler in the country at
197-pounds, must be pretty intense don’t you think?
AD: Definitely. But when I began dating him he wasn’t number one, so
I would like to think that I may have some contribution to his success.
LP: Does Wynn know this?
AD: I’m not sure, I would want to think so.
LP: As the current record holder of most consecutive shutouts for
Central, do you ever battle Wynn for rights to best athlete in the
relationship in an American Gladiator style showdown?
AD: All day, every day. But I can always hit him with the fact that
he doesn’t hold any records yet. But we do get into some pretty heated
wrestling matches which usually ends my arguing.
LP: What’s your opinion on the winter Olympic games in Torino. Can’t
wait to see what the events are today? Or can’t wait till they’re over
with?
AD: I love watching the Olympics, especially women’s hockey. I was
so depressed when the U.S. lost to Sweden.
LP: What’s the worst job or job experience you’ve had?
AD: Honestly, I never really have had that many jobs. My life is
soccer and coaching soccer, so it’s pretty hard to give any bad
experiences.
LP: Name one thing that bothers you about CMU?
AD: Drivers. People just seem to have no idea how to operate motor
vehicles in Mount Pleasant.
LP: If you would compare yourself to any famous athlete who would it be?
AD: Terrell Owens. Maybe not every aspect of him like how he fights
with his teammates. But I think I can relate to the confidence of his
game. He just knows that he’s going to make the catch, put up
touchdowns and finish with an end zone dance.
LP: Do you have an end zone dance?
AD: No. But I think I put on a show for the fans.
LP: What do you think is the main reason why the U.S. economy has been
so poor the last few years?
AD: I really don’t know much about the economy.
LP: What if I allowed you to phone a friend, who would you call?
AD: Wynn. Because he’s really smart when it comes to politics.
LP: So why do you think that the American people mainly liked Bill
Clinton so much more than George Bush even though he was impeached but
not removed while in office?
AD: I think he related himself to the people in everyday life. Also
I think that President Clinton didn’t have to deal with 9/11 while in
office.
(02/06/06 5:00am)
Christine Molnar couldn’t have been happier to spend a day playing
sports with her 9-year-old friend.
Molnar is a mentor to Katherine Wilson, a Mount Pleasant
resident. They were just two of around 20 different pairs who attended
Girls and Women in Sports Day Saturday at the Student Activity Center.
“This was a great opportunity for us to hang out with each other,”
said Molnar, a Taylor senior.
The University Recreation and Athletics Departments co-hosted the
seventh annual event. National Girls and Women in Sports Day has
been held annually in February for the past 20 years.
Girls between the ages of 8 and 13, along with their mothers or
mentors, attended Saturday’s event. Each pair took part in sport
clinics taught by CMU coaches and athletes, in addition to area
coaches. The clinics included field hockey, soccer and volleyball.
Participants received a T-shirt, lunch and a free ticket to the
women’s basketball game against Ohio later that afternoon where CMU
handled the Bobcats 64-48.
Lindsie Posey, coordinator of programs and special events for
University Recreation, said the goal was for girls and their mothers to
have fun.
“My favorite part of today was seeing the mothers with their
daughters. They were laughing and having a good time,” she said.
“Developing awareness and showing that there are many different sports
available to young girls is important.”
Shepherd resident Lilly Maloney, 13, was one of many who were
laughing and having a good time. She said her favorite part of the day
was learning how to play field hockey.
“I’m good at it and I like hitting things with a stick,” she said.
“If I could, I would come back next year.”
Kim Ferris, St. Louis senior and co-captain of the field hockey
team, helped teach the field hockey clinic.
“Some girls haven’t seen field hockey before and I think it’s
interesting seeing their faces when they learn about it,” she said. “I
think sports are really empowering and it’s nice to see these girls
have enthusiasm about sports.”
Ferris also said teamwork, self-esteem and friendship are really
important aspects for girls to learn. She said she believes girls can
do whatever they want.
“Just have some excitement with it,” Ferris said.
(01/13/06 5:00am)
The walls of Athletics Director Herb Deromedi’s office are now empty.
(01/13/06 5:00am)
Today will be the last time Athletics Director Herb Deromedi will walk
into his office in Rose Arena.
Why it matters
Deromedi has served CMU Athletics for the last 39 years.
It will be last time he sits at his deck and checks his messages.
And it will be the last working day for a CMU icon and legend.
A native of Royal Oak, Deromedi has been bleeding maroon and gold
since 1967. He was an assistant coach under Roy Kramer and helped lead
the Chippewas to a Division II national championship in 1974 – the only
national title in program history.
A fierce competitor, Deromedi is the Mid-American Conference’s
all-time winningest football coach and holds the record for overall and
conference wins.
Deromedi took over as AD in 1994 and was instrumental in the
expansion of Kelly/Shorts Stadium and the construction of the Indoor
Athletic Complex. He also saw the construction of new venues for the
baseball, track and field, soccer, field hockey and indoor track.
But Deromedi has anticipated his leaving, as he announced his
retirement in August.
“I’m very comfortable with the fact that knowing (today) is my last
day. It’s not like it’s something that is sudden,” he said. “I’m
comforted with knowing it’s time to pass the torch.”
Deromedi plans to spend time with his family and travel with his
wife, Marilyn. Also in the works for Deromedi is visiting college
football coaching staffs around the country “to be updated with what
that best techniques are.”
A return to football could be in the future for Deromedi.
However, he said he was not ready to make a statement about it one
way or the other.
When the lights are turned off and Deromedi closes the door to his
office, an era in CMU athletics will come to a close.
“I’ve always said its been a privilege to represent an outstanding
university,” he said.
So long Coach Deromedi. Thanks for the memories. It has been a
privilege.
(01/11/06 5:00am)
This is the third installment in a 10-part series about CMU athletes
and their lives after college.
(01/09/06 5:00am)
1. Herb Deromedi announces retirement after 12 years as Athletics
Director
August 17
His legacy will forever be etched in CMU history and his
accomplishments will be hard to match. His tenure spans five decades
after he was hired in 1967 as an assistant football coach. Deromedi is
the most successful coach in Mid-American Conference history with 110
wins from 1978 to 1993, and three MAC titles. He announced his
retirement Aug. 17.
Since becoming AD in 1994, 34 CMU teams have won MAC Championships,
including seven in 2004. Deromedi’s retirement is effective Jan. 16,
2006, and David Heeke, senior associate athletics director/chief of
staff at the University of Oregon, has been hired to take his post.
2. Football has first winning season since 1998
November 19
The 2005 football season did not get off to the best of starts on or
off the field. The team lost its star tailback Jerry Seymour before the
season started and then lost its first game at home against Indiana. A
few days later Seymour, tailback Spencer Lewis and defensive end James
Cooper were kicked off the team and out of school for their involvement
in the DeMarcus Graham beating death.
Still, coach Brian Kelly would not use that as a crutch and put his
team in contention for a MAC title up until the last three weeks of the
season. A pair of losses to Northern Illinois and Western Michigan
squashed those hopes, but a dramatic come-from-behind win at Ball State
Nov. 19 secured a 6-5 mark.
3. Wynn Michalak becomes first freshman All-American
March 19
Never before in the history of CMU athletics has a freshman been an
All-American. But Wynn Michalak changed that when he finished sixth at
the NCAA National Championships March 19 in St. Louis. He was the
highest national finisher for CMU in 2005. Seeded 12th, Michalak
finished the tournament 4-3. He beat UNC Greensboro’s Darren Burns 7-6
to earn the honor.
The team finished 12th overall.
4. Softball upsets eventual national champion Michigan
April 6
Coach Margo Jonker accomplished many feats in her 26 seasons at CMU,
but she never beat a No. 1 ranked team.
Until April 6, that is.
No. 1 Michigan, the eventual national champions, came into the game
with a 35-2 record, but were upset 5-4 on a game winning hit in the
bottom of the sixth inning by senior Christin Sobeck.
It was Central’s first ever win against a top-ranked opponent.
The Wolverines only lost four more games the rest of the season,
while Central went on to win the MAC West Division before losing in the
MAC Tournament.
5. Adam Kieft and Eric Ghiaciuc get drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals
April 24
Adam Kieft and Eric Ghiaciuc both expected to be drafted somewhere
in the middle rounds of the 2005 NFL Draft. What they didn’t expect was
to be drafted to the same team. Ghiaciuc was drafted 119th overall by
the Cincinnati Bengals April 24. He was followed by Kieft when he was
drafted 153rd overall.
The duo became the first CMU players to be drafted since 1997.
Ghiaciuc played in four games for the Bengals this season, starting
one. Kieft did not play this season because of a season-ending knee
injury suffered in training camp.
6. Field hockey wins MAC Tournament
November 5
The field hockey team did not have the regular season it had hoped
for. The Chippewas returned nine starters, but struggled to a 5-5
record in the MAC and a fourth seed in the MAC Tournament. The
tournament, held in Mount Pleasant, signaled a new beginning for CMU
and it would not disappoint. The team won all three games, capped by a
3-1 win in the finals against Miami University Nov. 5.
Freshman Kelly Jordan scored all three goals to help CMU win its
first MAC Tournament championship since 1990.
The Chippewas lost to Boston University 5-3 in a NCAA Tournament
play-in game to end their season.
7. Chippewas’ upset of Toledo at Kelly/Shorts
October 29
CMU football fans held their collective breaths when Toledo
quarterback Bruce Gradkowski lobbed a pass to receiver Nick Moore on
the game’s final play. If the pass was completed, it would have won the
game for the Rockets. But lucky for CMU fans, the pass grazed the
fingertips of Moore and fell incomplete, and CMU won 21-17. CMU
coaches, players and fans sprinted toward the north endzone in
celebration.
The win put CMU atop the MAC West standings and in control of its
division championship destiny.
Senior quarterback Kent Smith was 20-of-36 passing for 189 yards and
rushed for 89.
Even better, the CMU defense held the high-powered Toledo offense in
check, holding Gradkowski to 262 passing yards.
8. Men’s track wins both indoor and outdoor MAC Championships; Wolf,
Friess All-Americans
February 27
May 14
Eastern Michigan had dominated the previous nine indoor MAC
championships, winning them all. So when CMU’s Steve Wezner crossed the
finish line of 4x400 meter relay to win its first ever indoor
championship Feb. 26, the CMU team was sent into a frenzy. His
teammates hoisted him into the air at Jack Skoog Track chanting “Whose
house? Our house!” Junior Pierre Vinson and senior Dave Ernsberger were
named the “Most Valuable Performers.”
CMU won the outdoor title in dominating fashion May 14, scoring a
MAC-record 220 points. Senior Steve Wolf scored 24 points to win the
“Most Valuable Performer.” The Chippewas crowned nine individual MAC
champions.
9. Gymnastics beats No. 3 Stanford before a crowd of 2,283 at Rose Arena
February 4
The 25-match home winning streak was in serious jeopardy when
preseason No. 3 Stanford came to Mount Pleasant Feb. 4. But a standout
performance by senior Kara Reighard, who posted a season-best 39.350
score in the all-around competition helped CMU upset the Cardinal
195.925 to 194.675 and extend the winning streak to 26.
Reighard also won the balance beam and floor exercise. Coach Jerry
Reighard called the win one of the most exciting of his career.
Freshman Rhiannon Banda-Scott won the vault competition as CMU
gymnasts swept the top three spots.
10. Women’s basketball starts season 6-0 for first time in school history
December 9
Coach Eileen Kleinfelter had suffered through four consecutive
losing seasons to start her coaching career at CMU. A lack of
leadership and experience were contributing factors for the losing
seasons. For the first time, Kleinfelter had a senior-laden team who
had experience and it paid off. The team jumped out to a 6-0 record for
the first time in school history with a 55-49 win at home against
Valparaiso Dec. 9.
The start included a 79-57 thumping of Michigan Nov. 30.
(12/09/05 5:00am)
Visitors to the announcement of the new athletics director Thursday
might have thought they stepped off campus and into a segment of ESPN’s
Sports Center.
Why it matters
Heeke’s introduction was pure corny theatre
In the middle of Rose Arena was a stage, a 60 to 70-foot long black
curtain, a Chippewas back drop and four chairs, upon which sat
University President Michael Rao, retiring Athletics Director Herb
Deromedi, Field Hockey Coach Cristy Freese and Trustee Gail Torreano.
Once various CMU officials were finished with their self bloviating,
Rao announced new Athletics Director Dave Heeke, and then started the
true example of corniness.
Enter stage left, Heeke, to the blaring sound of CMU’s fight song,
which, of course, inspired the masses — about 100 CMU officials,
community members, students and media outlets — to stand up and clap
along with the music.
And there, on stage, was an Athletics Department patsy waiting to
dress the newly anointed director with his very own, custom-fit maroon
sports jacket, which coordinated well with Heeke’s maroon and gold tie.
(We are still not sure what happened to his more traditional black
suit jacket.)
“I feel a bit like Tiger Woods,” Heeke said, referring to the Green
Jacket given to the winner of The Master’s, a professional golf
tournament. “I got my jacket and I’m ready to go.”
The fortunate thing is that all this unnecessary pomp and
circumstance — which over dramatized a very routine process — did not
seem like Heeke’s style.
CMU’s new athletic director addressed the crowd, and with great
knowledge and directive, told of his plans for the program.
The most worthwhile, and reassuring, aspect of his speech came when
he described his philosophy for the student athlete, which he dubbed
the “championship experience.”
Heeke wants to provide athletes social, academic and athletic growth
while attending CMU — which he described with honest conviction.
While this goal may be on paper somewhere in the current Athletics
Department file cabinets, it seems that Heeke will actually put
this philosophy into practice.
And when that happens, CMU athletics will officially be set in a new
direction.
(11/14/05 5:00am)
There were only seven CMU teams in the history of the university to go
winless in the Mid-American Conference before the weekend.
But after a pair of 3-1 losses to Toledo Friday and Ball State
Saturday at Rose Arena, the volleyball team became the eighth team to
join the group, finishing 0-16 in the MAC.
The team joins the ‘88, ‘92 and ‘93 field hockey teams; the ‘95
men’s basketball team; the ‘82-83 wrestling squad and the ‘85 and ‘88
gymnastics teams to go winless.
It also became one of just seven MAC volleyball teams to go winless
since play began in 1983.
CMU finished the regular season 3-23 and lost 22 consecutive
conference matches dating back to last season.
“It’s just really disappointing,” said senior libero Ali McCrite.
“It’s very hard to think that I was this team’s leader and we couldn’t
accomplish more.”
CMU plays at Toledo for a rematch Tuesday in the opening round of
the MAC tournament.
The Chippewas won game three against BSU to force a fourth game
after losing the first two 30-25 and 30-20.
But in game four the Cardinals held CMU to a .022 hitting percentage
to win the match-clinching game 30-21.
“I think I got all that I could out of my physical talent this
season,” said coach Erik Olson. “We have talent, but we have to
understand that playing well for one or two games and then playing bad
for one or two games isn’t going to cut it. We didn’t seem to
understand that you can’t just show up. It’s a mental aspect that we’re
going to have to take to another level.”
CMU won the first game 31-29 against Toledo Friday, but lost the
last three 30-21, 30-22 and 31-29.
The Chippewas led game four 29-26 before succumbing to a five-point
Toledo rally to lose the match 3-1.
Sophomore Courtney Kersten set up junior hitter Kristen Wiloch to
put CMU up 29-26, but consecutive kills by Toledo senior hitter Chelsey
Poquette sparked the run.
The Chippewas never trailed in game one, as McCrite delivered the
win from the serving stripe.
Evers led CMU with 14 kills, nine blocks and a .344 hitting
percentage, while Fissel had 12 kills and freshman Erika Neumann had
eight kills.
Kersten tallied 47 assists and 14 digs, while McCrite had 28 digs.
“We talk about the losing streaks all the time,” Evers said. “It’s
real frustrating for us. Some how or some way, it would be nice if we
could find a way to win.”
(11/11/05 5:00am)
The volleyball team is on the brink of joining the ranks of a select
group of CMU teams — seven teams in the history of the university to go
winless in the Mid-American Conference.
The sad seven are the ‘88, ‘92 and ‘93 field hockey teams; the ‘95
men’s basketball team; the ‘82-83 wrestling squad and the ‘85 and ‘88
gymnastics teams.
In an ironic twist of conference statistics, CMU (3-21 overall, 0-14
MAC) could also become one of just seven MAC volleyball teams to go
winless since play began in 1983.
CMU hosts the Rockets Friday and Ball State Saturday at 7 p.m. at
Rose Arena in its final chances to win a MAC match.
Its entry into this all-university hall of shame looks like a
virtual lock since both Toledo and Ball State swept CMU once already
this season.
It has lost 20 consecutive conference matches dating back to last
season.
After being aced 12 times by No. 20 Ohio last weekend, CMU devoted
much of this week’s practice to serve and passing.
Each practice, assistant coaches Sara Wilcox, Becky Olson and Casey
Thompson keep tallies on each players performance on both defense and
offense.
“We worked on passing and statistically our numbers show that we
have improved,” said coach Erik Olson. “We also played with even teams
during practice, which makes us better all around.”
Toledo (15-11 overall, 8-6 MAC) had a season-high .421 attack
percentage when it swept CMU earlier this season.
The Rockets are led by junior outside hitter Kate Bean, who ranks
fifth in the MAC with 4.05 kills per game and 4.84 points per game.
Senior middle blocker Kelsey Culver has a .321 hitting percentage,
while sophomore setter Emi Holsclaw is fourth in the MAC with 12.03
assists per game.
“Central Michigan is going to be prepared to play us because they do
a good job of scouting,” Toledo coach Kent Miller said in a press
release. “We need to go in and take care of what we do on our side of
the court immediately and set the tone early in the match.”
Ball State (17-8 overall, 10-4 MAC) is led by senior hitter Sarah
Obras, who enters this weekend 22 kills away from breaking the all-time
MAC mark of 1,907. Senior hitter Rachel Refenes averages 4.49 kills per
game.
It will be the final regular season matches for Chippewa seniors Ali
McCrite and Jillian Bouchey.
McCrite moved into second place on the MAC’s career digs list after
tallying 31 digs in a 3-1 loss to EMU last weekend.
(11/09/05 5:00am)
Senior midfielder Erica Takach did all she could to prolong her field
hockey career.
(11/07/05 5:00am)
Junior goalkeeper Danielle Frank could take most of the credit for
CMU’s stellar defensive play during the Mid-American Conference Field
Hockey Tournament, but she won’t.
Frank made eight saves and allowed only one goal in three games,
leading CMU to its first tournament title in 15 years.
The lone goal came in CMU’s 3-1 championship game win against Miami
Saturday.
“I don’t think I elevated my play at all,” she said. “I think it was
all the defense. They stepped up so much and they played so awesome.”
Frank made four saves in the win against Miami, outplaying MU’s
All-MAC goalkeeper Kerri Orr who made three saves and allowed three
goals.
“It means everything (winning the tournament),” Frank said. “It’s
what we worked for all season.”
CMU didn’t look anything like a team poised to make a run in the MAC
Tournament following a 6-0 loss to Ball State Oct. 22.
The team finished the regular season 8-11 overall and 5-5 in the MAC.
However, Frank said she knew the Chippewas had it in them to
do something special in the post-season.
“We were a good team all season,” she said. “We just weren’t
consistent throughout the year.”
The Chippewas played their best field hockey at just the right time.
They started the tournament with a 4-0 win against Missouri State as
Frank only had to make one save.
In the semifinal, CMU upset top-seeded Kent State as Frank recorded
her second consecutive shutout, making three saves. It was the first
time since 2002 that it had beaten Kent State.
Then came the title game against Miami. Frank held the RedHawks off
the scoreboard in the second half after she allowed her only goal of
the tournament to Miami’s Taylor Florence.
Up Next
What: CMU vs. No. 18 Boston
Where: Jack Barry Field, Cambridge, Mass.
When: Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Winner advances to play in the NCAA Tournament
“Dani came up big all weekend,” said CMU coach Cristy Freese. “She
was very determined in the tournament and came up big in every game.”
CMU travels to Cambridge, Mass. to play No. 18 Boston University,
the America East Conference champions, in a play-in game for a bid to
the 16-team NCAA Tournament. Frank believes more than ever CMU is a
force to be reckoned with.
“We couldn’t get the MAC Championship in the regular season, so all
along our goal if we didn’t get that was to win the MAC Tournament,”
she said. “Now we did, so we’re on to Boston.”
Boston, who won its first tournament title since 2000, scored three
goals in a six minute span to beat Maine 3-1.
The Terriers are led by AEC Player of the Year Sarah Shute who has
10 goals and 24 points on the season. Goalkeeper Erin Prediger is 15-3
and sports a 1.08 goals against average.
CMU senior midfield Erica Takach is one of four seniors who played
on the 2002 team that won the MAC regular season title.
That team was consistent throughout the year, but lost in the
semifinals of the tournament.
“We just want to prolong our season,” Takach said. “Especially for
us seniors, this is it for us. It’s do or die.”
(11/07/05 5:00am)
Freshman Kelly Jordan’s hat trick against Miami Saturday gave the field
hockey team its first Mid-American Conference Tournament title since
1990.
(11/05/05 5:00am)
CMU students had a reason to storm the field for the second time in seven days.
(11/04/05 5:00am)
Allyson Doan gave the field hockey team's confidence a huge lift Friday.
(11/04/05 5:00am)
Regulation and two overtimes were not enough for the Miami and Ball
State field hockey teams Thursday.
The two teams remained tied after the overtimes, and finally in the
second shootout session, Miami’s Meredith Corradina flipped a goal past
BSU goaltender Jessica Malone to give MU the lead.
Miami senior goaltender Kerri Orr then stopped the next three
shooters as the Cardinals advanced to the second round of the
Mid-American Conference Tournament to win 5-4 at the CMU Field Hockey
Complex.
The RedHawks play Ohio in the semifinals today at 2:30 p.m.
“This game couldn’t be anymore dramatic,” said MU coach Jill Reeve.
“Kerri Orr played an outstanding game and we depend on her a lot, she
is just unbelievably tough to beat.”
In the first shootout the teams exchanged two goals apiece and were
tied at four.
“It was a very even game and Ball State played incredible,” Orr
said. “They were trying to get in my head, but I was getting in their
head.”
Miami led 2-1 before BSU senior forward Chantelle Isaac tied the
game at two with eight seconds remaining.
In the seven on seven overtime periods the Cardinals missed on
numerous scoring opportunities, but Orr kept them in the game.
“We started out a little slow but we found our rhythm,” Orr said.
“They are always a good competitor.; I had never beat them before
we beat them two weeks ago.”
The Cardinals scored first on a goal by junior Lacey Morgan with an
assist from Isaac.; Miami didn’t answer back until 2:37 left in
the first half on a goal by senior Jessica Saling.
“We played a good Miami team and it ended up being a great game,”
said BSU coach Annette Payne. “This team is made up of fighters and it
will always be.; We just have to use this game as motivation for
next year.”
(11/04/05 5:00am)
The Chippewas dominated Missouri State 4-0 in the opening game of the
Mid-American Conference Field Hockey Tournament Thursday at the CMU
Field Hockey Complex.
(11/02/05 5:00am)
CMU and the Mid-American Conference are confident the MAC Field Hockey
Tournament will run smoothly this weekend in Mount Pleasant.
The tournament starts Thursday and ends Saturday. CMU plays Missouri
State at noon Thursday and Miami plays Ball State at 2:30 p.m.
Danielle Whitmore, MAC media relations assistant, said CMU has shown
it is qualified to host the event.
“CMU will be a great host,” she said. “The coaches are looking
forward to it. There is no doubt in my mind they will do a good job.”
Whitmore said MAC officials will be sent to Mount Pleasant,
including Krista Plummer, director of administration.
Assistant Athletics Director Paul Seestedt, who is serving as
tournament director, said CMU has been preparing for the tournament for
months.
“I have held several meetings starting back in July,” he said. “We
have about 15 people on our committee that attend these meetings.”
CMU has not hosted the tournament since 1997.
“The challenge is to put on a tournament and still cover the many
other events we have this week,” Seestedt said.
Seestedt is in charge of a variety of things, including hiring
workers, ball chasers and officials.
“It just takes a lot of planning,” he said. “I’m the check list guy
and I make sure everything is covered by our committee.”
Seestedt also has to arrange extracurricular activities such as a
banquet for the teams, practice times and the rest of the needs the
teams have.
He said the process is going accordingly and CMU is merely waiting
for the teams to show up today.
“It’s moving along fine,” he said. “We’ve had all the meetings.
We’re ready to go.”
(11/02/05 5:00am)
Post-season conference tournaments can either solidify a team’s season
or salvage it.
This week’s Mid-American Conference field hockey tournament in Mount
Pleasant is no different as only a few teams can say they are satisfied
with their seasons.
CMU begins its quest for a title Thursday at CMU’s Field Hockey
Complex as the No. 4 seed against No. 5 seed Missouri State at noon.
The Chippewas beat the Bears twice in the regular season. Freshman
Kelly Jordan scored two goals in a 4-0 win Sept. 24. They followed it
up that with a 3-2 overtime win the next day.
“The thing I talked about Thursday is to take things one game at a
time,” said coach Cristy Freese. “Missouri State is going to be tough.”
Senior Erica Takach scored the game-winning goal just 54 seconds
into overtime. The wins put CMU atop the MAC standings, but it didn’t
stay there for long after losing five of its final eight MAC games.
Kent State and Ohio occupy the top two seeds for the tournament and
have byes in the opening round.
The other four teams (CMU, Miami, Missouri State and Ball State) are
looking at the tournament as a chance to redeem themselves.
MAC Tournament
Thursday
CMU v. MSU, noon
Miami v. BSU, 2:30 p.m.
Friday
KSU v. CMU/MSU winner, noon
Ohio v. MU/BSU winner, 2:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 2 p.m.
The Golden Flashes were the regular season champions with an 8-2
record. They have won eight straight conference games after losing
their first two.
“Certainly I think Kent State is on a roll,” Freese said. “It’s very
close after that. This season has shown teams can beat other teams. For
(Kent State) to be an overwhelming favorite they would have to go 10-0
in my mind.”
No. 3 seed Miami plays No. 6 seed Ball State after the CMU game at
2:30 p.m.
The semi-finals are Friday, and the championship game is Saturday at
2 p.m.
The winner of the tournament advances to a NCAA Tournament play-in
game against the winner of the American East Conference.
While everyone is gunning for the Golden Flashes, most teams are
still concerned with only their next game.
Ohio coach Neil Macmillan said his team has aspirations of beating
Kent State, but also isn’t looking too far ahead.
“We are looking to accomplish a semifinal win,” he said. “If we look
to the final right now we will be getting ahead of ourselves and so we
are reviewing the two teams we may face and how we are going to play
against them.”
The MAC’s two worst teams, Ball State and Missouri State, are
approaching this week as an opportunity to make up for their
disappointing seasons.
Missouri State coach Dawn Porter said the tournament serves as a
second season for her team, which finished 4-14 overall and 3-7 in the
MAC.
“It gives everyone a clean slate,” she said. “It’s almost a second
chance. It will be interesting to see how we’ve improved.”
(10/31/05 5:00am)
Lot 68 will be closed throughout November as the public broadcasting
towers undergo maintenance work.
The work includes replacing some of the tower components and
landscaping the area surrounding the towers to improve drainage.
Painting and other miscellaneous tasks also will be done.
“The implementation, oversight and inspection of the work currently
in progress will cost $210,000,” said Linda Slater, director of plant
engineering and planning.
Lot 68, located north of the Grounds/CHIP building off West Campus
Drive, will be closed through early December if the weather permits.
Roads closed
Maintenance on CMU’s Public Broadcasting towers has forced
Facilities Management to close the following roads and parking lots at
least through Wednesday:
The CHIP Facility/Grounds building
West Campus Drive between Theunissen Stadium and University Park
Drive
Denison Drive between Three Leaves Drive and West Campus Drive
A portion of Lot 64
The soccer practice field and the pathway that originates along the
south edge of the hockey field
Lot 68 near the CHIP Facility remains closed through early December
as previously stated
Other campus lots and streets will be closed during construction as
well. The Grounds/CHIP building, West Campus Drive between Theunissen
Stadium and University Park Drive, Denison Drive between Three Leaves
Drive and West Campus Drive, a portion of Lot 64 and the pathway near
the field hockey area and the soccer practice field, also are all
closed off until construction is finalized.
CMU Police Chief Stan Dinius has worked in accordance with the
people who park in Lot 68.
“We have moved some vehicles to Lot 64 for the time being,” Dinius
said.
Dinius said the parking moves will not be a big problem, since Lot
68 only holds nine parking spaces that are assigned to CMU faculty and
staff.
“The parking lot is being closed to support site safety during the
execution of this work,” Slater said.
Lot 68, located west of Lot 63, is a popular tailgating spot prior
to CMU football games. Lot 69, which is located just south of Lot 68,
will not have to close down for the current construction taking place.
Lot 69 holds 37 vehicles.
(10/31/05 5:00am)
Senior back Laura Glaza couldn’t have picked a better time to score her
first career field hockey goal.
Coach Cristy Freese sent the senior to attempt a crucial penalty
stroke with 14:03 remaining in the second half Saturday against Ohio.
Glaza faced off against Bobcats goalkeeper Jennifer Cote with a chance
to put CMU ahead.
She had not attempted a penalty stroke all season, but it didn’t
show as she beat Cote on her right side, giving CMU a 3-2 lead and the
eventual win.
“Laura’s our best stroker,” Freese said. “She’s good at it and as
far as I’m concerned it’s a tough pressure situation. She’s on defense
the whole time so that’s a little change of pace for her. We have a
great deal of confidence in Laura’s stroke.”
CMU improves to 8-11 overall and 5-5 in the Mid-American Conference
with the season ending win.
The win sends it into the MAC Tournament on a winning note after
losing six of seven games prior to Saturday.
“It’s a great way to end the regular season and head into the MAC
Tournament,” Freese said. “It proves we can beat (the top teams in the
MAC).”
Ohio forward Torrie Albini, the MAC’s leading scorer, put her team
up 1-0 with her first of two goals off a deflection from back Amanda
Arnold.
The Chippewas answered when senior forward Alisa Folk netted her
eighth goal of the season off a deflection from senior Erica Takach.
Junior Alicia Balanesi gave CMU the lead on an unassisted goal.
The lead didn’t last long before Albini struck again with 16 minutes
left, setting the stage for Glaza’s game-winner.
Kent State clinched the MAC title with Friday’s 2-1 win. CMU came
out aggressive as freshman forward Kelly Jordan scored on a pass from
Takach.
The Golden Flashes picked up their play after that, outshooting the
Chippewas 18-8 despite not registering a shot the first 25 minutes of
the game.
Kent State midfielder Liz Fettrow scored both goals. CMU junior
goalkeeper Danielle Frank made a season-high 13 saves in the loss.
“We had to adjust our game plan in the second half in order to win
this game,” said KSU coach Kerry DeVries. “We had to move some
attacking players into the backfield.”
CMU hosts the MAC Tournament Thursday.
