Search Results
Below are your search results. You can also try a Basic Search.
(09/15/03 4:00am)
Greg Burghardt
Sophomore Alisa Folk scored two goals as the field hockey team won at Cornell 3-1 for its first victory Sunday.
The win came after a 3-2 loss at Syracuse Friday.
Freshman goalkeeper Danielle Frank split her first two career starts, allowing only four goals during the weekend.
Folk and senior Tarah Trottier lead the team with four goals each this season.
“Alisa has done well scoring goals,” said Head Coach Cristy Freese. “This
is why we recruited her and she has really turned it on.”
Cornell’s Gina Testa opened the scoring Sunday before Folk scored two
unanswered goals. Junior Kristy Reed also scored late in the second half
on a penalty stroke to close the scoring. The Chippewas outshot Cornell 16-5,
and had a 7-4 edge in penalty corners.
Freese is happy with CMU’s win, but would like defensive improvements.
“We like to have at least two defenders back at all times, but we got
caught with none back and we can’t let that happen,” she said.
CMU dominated Syracuse statistically Friday, but could not beat goalkeeper
Betsy Wagner late in the game. Folk and Trottier each scored.
The Chippewas outshot the Orangewomen 18-9, and had five more penalty corners.
“Syracuse was happy just to get the win,” Freese said. “We had them on their heels, we just couldn’t get a goal.”
Freese said her team is starting to turn things around.
“Our game plan is to step up and steal balls, and to get fast breaks,”
Freese said. “We were able to do that last season, and we were able to do
that this weekend.”
Frank is the starting goalkeeper but seniors Laura Plese and Kerri Krasnow are in pursuit of the job.
“We’ve got three good goalkeepers, so if we have to make a change, I am confident in all our goalkeepers,” Freese said.
The team has turned things around from the first two games, Freese said.
“I am really proud of the team,” she said. “As well as we played Friday,
we still lost. But, we stayed focused and we didn’t just focus on our record
or let it get us down, and then came out and played well against Cornell.”
Up next for the Chippewas is a game at No. 8 Michigan State Thursday.
(09/12/03 4:00am)
Lynn Wloszek
Board of Trustees Chairwoman Melanie Reinhold Foster said a proposed athletics
fee will be discussed further at the December board meeting.
Foster’s comments came after Athletics Director Herb Deromedi proposed
a $300 fee to incoming freshman and $200 to transfer students at a Thursday
morning presentation in the Indoor Athletic Complex.
“I believe it merits more discussion and clarification of where the specific
fee would go,” Foster said. “Given the current economic conditions I can
see how a fee may be necessary to maintain Division I-A status.”
Deromedi said the fee would go to making improvements and keeping CMU at a Division I status.
“These are costs we can’t address —so with this fee we could address our needs,” he said.
Deromedi said the fee won’t affect anyone attending CMU right now.
He said the monies generated by the fee would mainly help deferred maintenance
to facilities along with adding a women’s sport in continuing to meet Title
IX requirements.
“These are dollars that the program needs to address the returfing of
the football field. Further down the road, both the indoor and outdoor tracks
need to be reconditioned.”
He said the estimated cost of replacing the Kelly/Shorts Stadium turf
and building a place for the field hockey team to play would be around $800,000.
Deromedi said the fee would able the department to replace facilities
without taking funds away from the Capital Improvement fund.
Adding another women’s sport would cost at least $450,000 but could rise, depending on what sport is added, he said.
“We have to show fact that we are making improvement (toward Title IX),” Deromedi said.
The athletics department has an upcoming NCAA certification starting with
a self review in April. At the start of the fall 2004 semester the NCAA will
then send in a group to perform a peer review of the department.
Derek van der Merwe, associate athletics director for compliance, said
the review, which will end in spring 2005, looks at gender equity, student-athlete
safety and other different components.
“The board has made a commitment that athletics will remain Division I A,” Foster said.
CMU is one of three schools without a fee in the Mid-American Conference.
The fee Deromedi proposed would generate around $1.3 million, placing CMU
11th in the MAC.
Eastern Michigan received $1.6 million from its athletics fee last year,
10th in the MAC. Miami University received $7.6 million from its fee. Western
Michigan University and Ohio University don’t have fees.
“This number is still well below other schools,” Deromedi said.
Trustees raised questions about the fee, when vice chairman James Fabino
Sr. suggest a $30 per student/semester fee. Foster said that would count
as a tuition increase.
Jeffery Caponigro asked if this was a fee that would need to be adjusted
in a year, or if it could be a set fee for several years.
“Maximize if we can. This would meet the various needs at this point and time,” Deromedi said.
He said charging students for games, as another way of revenue, wouldn’t be a success.
“Schools (in the MAC) have tried but have failed miserably,” he said.
The trustees didn’t specify if or when a vote would come.
“I think parts of it have merit but it is a major expense to the students,” Foster said.
Deromedi said the proposed fee and the way it is implemented is flexible.
“That figure can change,” he said.
Central Michigan Life’s Tony Lascari contributed to this story.
MAC support dollars 2001-02* (000’s)
Member
Institutional Support
Student Fees
Total Support
Western
$10,811
—
$10,811
Buffalo
$6,207
$4,246
$10,453
Eastern
$8,646
$1,598
$10,244
Kent
$2,961
$6,772
$9,733
Miami
$1,806
$7,615
$9,421
Ohio
$8,659
$8,659
N. Illinois
$3,454
$5,021
$8,475
Ball State
$2,729
$5,463
$8,192
CMU
$7,868
—
$7,868
Akron
—
$7,279
$7,279
Toledo
$1,243
$5,585
$6,828
Bowling Green
—
$6,538
$6,538
Marshall
$2,423
$1,718
$4,141
* Source of data is EADA Report. Report for 2002-03 is not yet available. Debt service is not included in CMU's Institutional Support.
Source: Athletics Department
(09/12/03 4:00am)
It will be similar to a home game this weekend when the field hockey team plays a pair of games in New York.
(09/10/03 4:00am)
Amanda PapkeAfter a first place tie in the MAC last season, the field hockey team wants to better itself in 2003.
“We want to finish first in the MAC in the regular season,” said senior
co-captain Tarah Trottier. “We also want to win the MAC Tournament to get
a bid to the NCAA Tournament.”
The Chippewas — 14-7 last season — need to replace key members from a
defense that gave up just 1.3 goals per game in MAC play. Departures Jeanette
Spero and Maria Neiswender left two back positions open, and goalkeeper Janel
Spero also graduated after starting 44 consecutive games.
Stepping in at center back is senior co-captain Katie Coccia, who has
started the past three seasons at midfield. Senior Laura Plese started the
first two games in goal, but Freese said freshman Danielle Frank could see
playing time.
Coaches
Cristy Freese (Head Coach, 130-182-6 overall, 18 years)
Kristen Manson (Assistant)
Ellie Provenzano (Grad Ast.)
Senior Allison Foland is playing left back, but Head Coach Cristy Freese would like to move her to midfield.
“We want to move (Foland) to midfield because she has speed and she is
a good passer,” Freese said. “Her playing defense kind of limits what she
can do offensively. However, right now we need her back on defense.”
The Chippewas have started the season 0-2 after dropping games to Big Ten foes Indiana and Northwestern.
“The older players like Tarah, Katie and Allison have all stepped up,”
Freese said. “Kristy Reed played well against Northwestern, but we want to
take her to the next level.”
Reed is the leading returning scorer in the MAC after last season’s 12-goal,
25-point performance. Trottier and sophomore Alisa Folk will replace the
graduated Meg Lewis to round out the forwards.
The Chippewas will have an experienced midfield in junior Michelle Fogle
and sophomore Erica Takach. Sophomore Kim Ferris also will see significant
playing time this season.
Despite some experience, the Chippewas have struggled in game situations.
“We have all the off-the-field stuff complete, now we just need to work
on the stuff on the field,” Coccia said. “It’s early in the season and you
don’t want to peak too early.”
A tough non-conference schedule should prepare CMU for MAC play.
Field Hockey Roster
N0.
Name
Pos.
0
Danielle Frank
GK
1
Laura Plese
GK
2
Alisa Folk
F
3
Jenny Rosen
B
4
Kattie Coccia
B
5
Kristy Reed
F
6
Kristy Seufert
B
8
Stasia Burroughs
B
9
Alicia Balanesi
F
10
Allison Foland
MF
11
Tarah Trottier
F
12
Amy Kauffman
B
14
C. Blanchard
MF
15
Laura Glaza
B
16
Kim Ferris
MF
17
Michelle Fogle
MF
21
Bryanna Nelson
B
23
Erica Takach
MF
24
Erin Dottery
MF
39
Kerri Krasnow
GK
“I would rather play Indiana and Northwestern and lose than play bad competition
and win,” Trottier said. “We have been waiting so long to play a conference
game, and our focus is to be MAC Champs.”
The MAC Preseason Coaches Poll tabbed CMU to finish in fourth place, after
being picked to finish fifth last season. Louisville was chosen to win the
regular season for the first time in school history. Kent State was picked
to finish second, and to win the MAC Tournament.
“It didn’t bother me to be picked fourth,” Freese said. “I didn’t assume
we’d be picked to win it because we lost five seniors. Other coaches don’t
expect much from us and I love that role. I have always said you have to
prove it on the field.”
Louisville Head Coach Pam Bustin agrees with Freese to some extent.
“I know that CMU lost their goalkeeper, and she was a big part of their
success last season,” Bustin said. “But, preseason polls don’t tell me very
much becaue this league is too competitive.”
2003 Field Hockey Schedule
Date
Opponent
Outcome / Time
8-30
at Indiana
L, 1-0
9-07
at Northwestern
L, 5-3
9-12
at Syracuse
7 p.m.
9-14
at Cornell
noon
9-18
at Michigan St
5p.m.
9-26
at Louisville
4 p.m
9-28
at Miami
1 p.m.
10-2
Kent State
2 p.m.
10-3
Ohio
3 p.m.
10-5
Iowa
1 p.m.
10-7
at Stanford
11 a.m.
10-11
at Ball State
TBA
10-13
Michigan
3 p.m.
10-17
Louisville
2 p.m.
10-19
Miami
noon
10-24
at Ohio
3 p.m.
10-25
at Kent State
1 p.m.
11-07
MAC Tournament
TBA
(09/10/03 4:00am)
Amanda PapkeSenior field hockey player Katie Coccia will do whatever it takes to win.
The co-captain has started 56 games at midfield, but decided to make the
move to center back to replace All-MAC player Jeanette Spero.
“I think her volunteering to change positions is a true example of being
a team player,” said Head Coach Cristy Freese. “Heading into their senior
year, players want to do what is best for them, and to have her switch from
offense to defense is very unselfish. That is what you want in a senior and
in a leader.”
Coccia is working hard in attempts to gel with the rest of the defense.
“The transition has been great, and I like center back a lot better,”
Coccia said. “I feel confident out on the field and with the people I am
playing with. All in all, I think it was a good move for me.”
That is about as much praise as Coccia will give to herself, as she focuses on team goals above personal ones.
“We want to do better than last year, and win the MAC outright,” she said.
“We would also like to win the MAC Tournament so we can get a bid to the
NCAA Tournament. Then, we want to be successful there.”
Senior forward and co-captain Tarah Trottier likes the energy Coccia brings to the field.
“She has been our sparkplug on defense,” Trottier said. “Coccia is like
a general on defense, and I don’t think anyone of us could handle the change
the way she has.”
Coccia wants the team to look to her when problems arise on the field.
“I just want to be a good leader so people can look up to me, and I want
my teammates to count on me in pressure situations,” she said. “When you
are an athlete at this level you have to be able to thrive on that type of
pressure.”
Although the team has started the season 0-2, Coccia is confident things will turn around.
“Right now we are just working off some kinks, but everyone is improving
each game,” Coccia said. “This team has great skills and we just have to
put them all together.”
(09/10/03 4:00am)
Amanda PapkeAs freshman running back Jerry Seymour shuffled his way through holes
Saturday, Herb Deromedi had to be cringing slightly, despite his glee over
the new star.
The CMU Athletics Director has to be thrilled about the emergence of the
tailback and the prospects of several years of a potent ground weapon.
But as Deromedi watches Seymour go to work on what should be his longterm
canvas, the former CMU coach knows that he has five more home games on the
outdated Kelly/Shorts field surface.
Five more games to watch would-be tacklers’ knees buckle and turn every
which way as their arms grab nothing but air. Five more games for Seymour
to cut and twist, juke and jive on the ancient surface.
“We certainly feel like this will be the final year (with the old surface),” Deromedi said.
The artificial turf was laid down on CMU’s football field in 1993 and
in its 11th season looks more like an antique up against football fields
of the new millenium.
The green of the turf is faded and inconsistent. The 'C' at midfield looks
silly and discolored. The endzones simply spell out “CENTRAL” in the same
out-of-place tone of yellow.
Coupled with the new age uniforms that the Chippewas have adopted, the combination looks awkward.
CMU athletics have explored two different kinds of playing surfaces, most
notably FieldTurf, a blend of sand and ground rubber. Think of it as artificial
soil around synthetic fibers that look like grass. Ford Field and Michigan
Stadium in Ann Arbor house the surface and the Chippewas and Wolverines raved
about the turf after its debut 11 days ago.
Deromedi estimates that the project will cost anywhere from $450,000-$550,000.
Central received a gate of $450,000 to open up in Ann Arbor this season.
While that money will not directly go into the project, it is still fitting
that the books will show a relative balance in the two figures when all is
said and done.
FieldTurf has a life expectancy of eight-to-15 years and is used by 17 NFL teams and several major college teams as well.
Part of the financing of the project would go toward removing the old
turf and using it for a seperate field hockey complex near the Student Activity
Center.
This solution also removes the awkward scene for the field hockey team.
When a 30,199-seat venue is sprinkled with scattered students and parents,
it provides an uncomfortable empty feeling, as the fans could never make
their presence felt.
Yes, CMU is getting hip with the times and they should be commended when
the plan of action is finialized sometime this winter. Deromedi and his staff
have submitted a plan that proposes the change to university administration,
and it is only a matter of time before the Chippewas literally begin burning
rubber on the field.
This change should allow Seymour and his teammates to rest easier as the
season continues. Provided, of course, that the old Kelly/Shorts surface
does not swallow them whole in the mean time.
(09/08/03 4:00am)
Greg Burghardt
The inexperienced defense could not hold an early lead as the field hockey team lost to Northwestern 5-3 Sunday.
After junior Kristy Reed opened the scoring with a goal off a penalty corner, the Wildcats scored four unanswered goals to close the half.
“We need to be a lot better defensively all over the field,” said Central Michigan Head Coach Cristy Freese.
The team replaced graduated starters Maria Neiswender and Jeanette Spero with Laura Glaza and Katie Coccia, who was a midfielder last season.
The Chippewas dropped to 0-2, while Northwestern improved to 2-1. Freshman Alicia Balanesi scored her first collegiate goal on a pass from sophomore Kim Ferris, and senior Tarah Trottier also scored for CMU.
Diane Provencher, Meghan Small and Candice Cooper all scored a goal and added an assist for Northwestern. Christine Nannicelli and Ellen Schlafly also added goals for the Wildcats.
The problem for the Chippewas was one-on-one situations, which Freese said her team handled poorly.
“We did not play one-on-one very well,” she said. “At this point, compared to where we were last year, we are not as aggressive as we need to be.”
Senior Laura Plese gave up four goals and was chased from the game in the first half. Freshman Danielle Frank allowed one goal on five shots in her first collegiate appearance.
The Chippewas will play in New York for a game with Big East foe Syracuse Friday. The Orangewomen are 0-3 after losing to Iowa 6-1 Saturday.
“We are going to work on our one-on-one play and our aggressiveness in practice,” Freese said. “We will play better in New York.”
(09/05/03 4:00am)
Amanda Papke
Senior co-captain Katie Coccia knows what it will take for the field hockey team to get its first win of the season Sunday.
“The key factor will be execution,” Coccia said. “We need to finish our plays whether we are on offense or defense.”
After a 1-0 loss at Indiana, the Chippewas are winless heading to Northwestern.
Head Coach Cristy Freese would like to see the Chippewas take over the game.
“I want us to control the game more with our passing,” Freese said. “We need to pick up the ball sooner and start attacking sooner.”
Northwestern is 1-1 after a win against Boston College and a loss to New Hampshire. Junior Candice Cooper is the top returning NU player with 19 points last season.
The last time CMU and the Wildcats played, the Chippewas cruised to a 3-0 home victory. The Chippewas are 2-5 all time against the Wildcats.
Prior to the start of this season, Northwestern Head Coach Marisa Dido announced she will step down after this season, her ninth.
Although CMU may have an inexperienced defense, Freese does not want to use youth as an excuse.
“We played a good game at Indiana, but we still lost,” Freese said. “This is the second game now and we need to go out and play even better.”
This is the second of five Big Ten opponents CMU will face, part of a tough non-conference schedule which should prepare the team for MAC play.
“When you play with the best you become the best,” Coccia said. “That is where our success has come from, by playing really good teams, and playing them well.”
Against Indiana, the Chippewas only had 10 shots and are looking for more Sunday.
“We have had the defense pressuring our offense more in practice,” Freese said. “In order to score a couple of goals a game, we want to take 15-20 shots.”
(09/03/03 4:00am)
Senior Laura Plese is trying to fill some big shoes as goalkeeper for the field hockey team.
(08/27/03 4:00am)
Field Hockey Head Coach Cristy Freese has a tough decision to make heading into Saturday’s opener.
(08/25/03 4:00am)
Greg Burghardt
CMU athletics capped a successful year by winning the Mid-American Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award.
The honor is presented to the MAC member that has the highest overall institutional GPA for student-athletes competing in MAC-sponsored sports.
This award comes on the heels of CMU winning a school-record six MAC team championships in 2002-03 MAC titles coming in mens’ cross country, field hockey, men’s basketball, gymnastics, wrestling and men’s outdoor track.
“It’s a tremendous statement that our program not only produced six MAC team champions but also had outstanding performances in the classroom,” said CMU Athletics Director Herb Deromedi.
The program also produced three All-Americans.
Pat Podoll, an assistant athletic director in charge of academics, takes great pride in the academic achievement of the student-athletes.
“I’m most proud of the attitude of our student-athletes to do their best in the academic end of things,” Podoll said. “It also shows the emphasis that the coaches put on academics.”
CMU shared the award in 1996-97 and won it alone the next three years before Bowling Green ended the run in 2000-01. The Chippewas have now won two in a row.
(08/25/03 4:00am)
Greg BurghardtThe first Monday class of the fall semester — as a collective hangover lingers over campus courtesy of Welcome Weekend, there is a positive undertone to these back-to-school festivities.
Come this weekend, CMU athletics will be in full swing, and if last year was any indication, excitement will abound in a number of 2003 sports.
Chris Kaman and the men’s basketball team thrusting CMU into the national spotlight was the biggest story line of last school year. The team accomplished something it hadn’t since 1975: winning a game in the NCAA tournament.
And, while most CMU students were spending the summer living with mom and dad, Kaman was shaking NBA Commissioner David Stern’s hand, as the No. 6 pick in the NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. Weeks later, the seven-footer signed a three-year, $6.46 million dollar contract.
Besides the basketball team, the Chippewas won MAC titles in five other sports. The men’s track team ended Eastern Michigan’s four year run atop the conference. Field hockey, wrestling, gymnastics and men’s cross country also were MAC titlests.
So what are the Chippewas going to do to repeat this showing? Some of the answers will be determined in the interesting fall storylines.
It is a make-or-break year for the football team. Head Coach Mike DeBord is in his fourth year, meaning the team is compiled chiefly of his recruits. Having improved by one win each of the past four seasons, a .500 season is imperative to DeBord and the program’s success. Kelly/Shorts Stadium will host six home games, including games against Toledo and NIU.
The men’s cross country team is looking to defend its title, but it will not be easy. EMU also boasts running talent, which should make for an interesting fall. It also will be interesting for the women’s cross country team, who will have to replace Head Coach Kathleen Raske.
An intriguing field hockey season also is in the cards, as the team must replace MAC Player of the Year goalkeeper Janel Spero.
The volleyball team looks to continue its building into a upper-tier MAC program, while the women’s soccer team hopes last season’s sub-par year was an uncommon blip.
And while he may be three time zones away, many CMU people will follow Kaman from afar. At this time last year, Kaman was that tall dude sitting next to you in math class. Now, he is that tall dude who will attempt to guard Shaq four times next season. While many expect big things from him, he has placed even bigger expectations on himself.
“I don’t want people to ever compare me to (Greg) Ostertag, (Bryant) Reeves or (Todd) MacCullough,” Kaman said before his drafting.
Which way will he go? In analyzing the No.6 draft picks of the past 10 years, stars like Antoine Walker and Wally Szczerbiak appear on the list. But so do busts like DerMarr Johnson, Sharone Wright and gulp, Reeves. If the prior track record means anything, Kaman’s success could go either way.
It should be an interesting year.
Life Sports Editor Jeremy Speer can be contacted at sports@cm-life.com
(08/21/03 4:00am)
Athletic excellence was achieved by many CMU teams this past calendar year.
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.
(08/21/03 4:00am)
CMU athletics endured another series of stringent budget cuts, as the university attempts to make up for lost appropriations.
Athletics Director Herb Deromedi said the cuts, which took effect July 1, totaled $464, 167.
“Our cuts were affected by salaries,” Deromedi said, referring to pay increases given to several of the coaches. “Obviously, the more revenue we can bring in will offset this deficit we had to make our cuts.”
The bulk of the reductions came from the elimination of 13 scholarships, which totaled $202,385.
Deromedi said every sport will have the same amount of scholarships it had previously.
“We’re not taking anything away from the team,” he said. “We’ve taken the value of 13 scholarships and reduced that amount. We’re taking scholarship dollars.”
The football team was hit hardest of all the sports by the budget setbacks, as $22,000 was taken out of its supplies and equipment category.
Head Coach Mike DeBord said they’re going to try to raise the lost money through various means, including alumni donations and fund-raising events. He said his main concern was that the cuts didn’t affect the players.
“We want it to be things we can do without. We don’t want to feed them a bologna sandwich before a contest,” he said.
Men’s Cross Country Head Coach Craig Fuller said his goal is to rely on alumni contributions to make up the difference left by the $5,000 cut from the cross country and track budget.
“If we don’t raise $5,000 to $8,000, we’ll have to take a step back and cut from our travel budget,” Fuller said. “I’m afraid of losing more than we’ve already lost because I can’t keep going back to the well.”
Fuller said he is confident the alumni will come through and help out.
Field Hockey coach Cristy Freese said she looked at many alternative ways to trim costs, but decided nothing would be cut from the athletes themselves.
“We weren’t going to do anything to hurt ourselves competing,” Freese said. “If we need new goalkeeping equipment, we’re going to get it.”
Freese said she cut a few recruiting trips, but the biggest thing was the players no longer stay in residence halls during the preseason.
Basketball Head Coach Jay Smith said the $14,000 supplies and equipment reduction is just another problem capable of solving.
“It will affect us, but you still have got to find a way to do your job,” Smith said. “I just look at it as a challenge to do a good job with the limited resources we have.”
Deromedi said one way the athletics department plans on helping the university is by generating revenue to cover the supplies and equipment costs.
“We feel if we can handle our deferred maintenance regularly, we won’t have to take from the university,” Deromedi said. “We’ve been operating up until this time with zero dollars in our budget for supplies and equipment.”
The deferred maintenance would include things like returfing the football field and fixing the track when it needs it, Deromedi said. CMU also plans on raising its ticket prices for sporting events. However, students still will not have to pay for events.
(07/16/03 4:00am)
Greg Burghardt
CMU athletics endured another series of stringent budget cuts, as the university attempts to make up for lost appropriations.
Athletics Director Herb Deromedi said the cuts, which took effect July 1, totaled $464,167.
“Our cuts were affected by salaries,” Deromedi said, referring to the pay increases given to several of the coaches. “Obviously, the more revenue we can bring in will offset this deficit we had to make to our cuts.”
The bulk of the reductions came from the elimination of 13 scholarships, which totaled $202,385.
Deromedi said every sport will have the same amount of scholarships it had previously.
“We’re not taking anything away from any team,” he said. “We’ve taken the value of 13 scholarships and reduced that amount. We’re taking scholarship dollars.”
The football team was hit hardest of all the sports by the budget setbacks, as $22,000 was taken out of its supplies and equipment category.
Head Coach Mike DeBord said they’re going to try to raise money through various means, including alumni donations and fund-raising events.
“What we’re going to do is make better use of the funds that we have,” he said. “We do purchase a lot of equipment for the year, so we’re going to have to reduce that a little bit.”
DeBord said his main concern was that the cuts didn’t affect the players.
“We want it to be things we can do without. We don’t want to feed them a bologna sandwich before a contest,” he said.
Men’s Cross Country Head Coach Craig Fuller said his goal is to rely on alumni contributions to make up the difference left by the $5,000 cut from the cross country and track budget.
“If we don’t raise $5,000 to $8,000, we’ll have to take a step back and cut from our travel budget,” Fuller said. “I’m afraid of losing more than we’ve already lost because I can’t keep going back to the well.”
Fuller said he is confident the alumni will come through and help out.
Field Hockey Head Coach Cristy Freese said she looked at many alternative ways to trim costs, but decided nothing would be cut from the athletes themselves.
“We weren’t going to do anything to hurt ourselves competing,” Freese said. “If we need new goalkeeping equipment, we’re going to get it.”
Freese said she cut a few recruiting trips, but the biggest thing was the players no longer stay in the dorms in the preseason.
Basketball Head Coach Jay Smith said the $14,000 supplies and equipment reduction is just another problem he is capable of solving.
“It will affect us, but you still got to find a way to do your job,” he said. “I just look at it as a challenge to do a good job with the limited resources we have.”
Deromedi said one way the athletics department plans on helping the university is by generating revenue to cover the supplies and equipment costs.
“We feel if we can handle our deferred maintenance regularly, we won’t have to take from the university,” Deromedi said. “We’ve been operating up until this time with zero dollars in our budget for supplies and equipment.”
The deferred maintenance would include things like re-turfing the football field and fixing the track when it needs it, Deromedi said. CMU also plans on raising its ticket prices for sporting events. However, students still will not have to pay for events.
Soccer Head Coach Mark Salisbury said his program is in a unique situation because it’s only been at CMU for five years, so alumni donations aren’t as plentiful.
“We need to get creative and find ways to tighten the belt a little bit,” Salisbury said.
Some of those creative means of generating money are camps and soccer clinics and a youth tournament in the Indoor Athletic Complex during the winter.
MAC Commissioner Rick Chryst said athletics programs across the country are facing similar budget reductions.
“If you surveyed all 117 athletics directors, finances are their No. 1 issue across the board,” he said. “It’s a really tough environment right now. Everyone is trying to manage diminishing finances.”
Sports budget cuts
Account name
Supplies & Equipment (in dollars)
Scholarships
$202,385
Football
$22,000
Men’s Basketball
$14,000
Baseball
$5,000
Men’s Track and Cross Country
$5,000
Wrestling
$3,000
Women’s Basketball
$9,000
Volleyball
$6,000
Softball
$5,000
Women’s Track and Cross Country
$5,000
Gymnastics
$3,000
Soccer
$6,000
Field Hockey
$4,000
Total from sports:
$289,385
Source: Public Relations and Marketing
(07/16/03 4:00am)
Last year’s success have some calling the 2002-03 season the best ever in CMU athletics history.
(06/18/03 4:00am)
Greg Burghardt
Allison Foland is entering her final season with the field hockey team, and
she doesn’t want to leave anything undone.
After three hard-fought seasons, the Springfield, Va. senior thinks the Chippewas
finally have what it takes to go the distance.
“I want to go to nationals and everything else that leads up to it, including
MAC champs and MAC Tournament champs,” she said. “And I don’t
want to just go to nationals and make it. I want a ring that says ‘I am
a national champion.’”
And she doesn’t think that is so far-fetched now.
Last year’s squad shared co-champion honors in the MAC with Louisville
at 7-3. They finished the season 14-7 overall.
That wasn’t enough for Foland, though.
The team lost in the semi-finals of the MAC Tournament to Kent State —
a team which they went to overtime with three times last fall, losing twice.
The loss cost them a bid in the NCAA Tournament.
“Kent State has become a big rivalry, and part of that is that they’ve
become good over the last three to four years and they’ve had some players
rise on their team,” said field hockey Head Coach Cristy Freese.
Foland said the rivalry is a result of how evenly matched the two teams are
in size, speed and playing style.
“Everything about us is the same and that’s why we always go into
double overtime with them,” she said.
Foland said there is one aspect in which Kent State differs from CMU: their
attitude.
“I can say I personally dislike a lot of people on that team and just
the way they carry themselves,” she said. “The first time when we
beat them in the season, they were dancing around in warm-ups and acting like
they were playing some high school team.”
The fall schedule calls for two games against Kent State in October, and Foland
said she is looking forward to gaining some respect.
“Through the whole team, there’s a lack of respect for us,”
she said. “After we beat them twice in the regular season and take away
any chance they have of a MAC Championship, then they’ll respect us more.”
Freese said CMU beat Kent State each time they played in the spring off-season.
“Maybe we had to take a baby step,” she said. “We’re going
to be hungry next year.”
Freese gives a lot of credit to Foland for last year’s success, when
she was moved from her defensive position to midfield.
“She gives us a lot in that midfield position. Once we moved her, we
just took a whole giant leap as a team,” she said. “That was really
the turning point this past fall.”
Foland said she likes her new-found position at midfield.
“There’s so much freedom there,” she said. “On defense,
it’s not that you’re stuck, but you’re the last thing before
the goal, and in midfield you feel you could do a little more.”
With five seniors graduated, Freese said she relies on Foland quite heavily
to be a team leader team this season.
“She brings a lot of game experience,” Freese said. “Our midfield
will be the strongest part of our team in terms of skill and experience next
season.”
Foland has been a starter since her sophomore year.
She was a MAC All-Tournament team member last season, as well as a member
of the Division I National Academic Squad for the third year in a row.
Foland hopes her team has the same desire to win as she does.
“I’m extremely dedicated to my teammates and winning,” she
said. “I’ll do anything for my teammates. I’ll get my face split
open for my teammates.”
Foland did just that last season, splitting open her face above her right
eye, where she still has a scar. She also has a double fracture in her left
cheek bone.
“I’m lucky I’ve never had a knee injury or anything, but I’ll
take a face injury.
“I’m not leaving anything on the field because this is my last season,”
she said. “I don’t want to leave anything undone.”
(06/18/03 4:00am)
Greg Burghardt
Senior Tarah Trottier isn’t satisfied with just one MAC championship in
her career.
The 22-year-old Ontario native is part of the MAC Championship team from last
season, which lost five seniors.
“This year we’re going to win it all and go to the (NCAA) tournament,”
said the confident forward.
The Chippewas took third place in the spring league this year, two places
better than last year’s spring team with all the talented seniors. Trottier
sees that as a sign of good things to come.
“That’s a confidence builder because people weren’t even playing
in their regular spots, since we were mixing it up,” Trottier said. “That
was very encouraging because we have such depth on this team, with our talented
freshmen and sophomores.”
Head Coach Cristy Freese likes the depth that her team has this upcoming season.
“Our depth is very valuable. We were able to avoid some injuries last
year and were also able to push the starters because we had so much talent
behind them,” Freese said. “I don’t see this as a rebuilding
year either. The offseason spring league helped us replace those seniors with
either seniors or juniors.”
Trottier has assured herself the offense has to do more for CMU to stay at
the top of the conference.
“From what I saw in the spring, I think the offense has to score more.
I think we need to do that to overcompensate for any defensive errors that
could be made with mostly girls back on defense with little game experience,”
she said.
While Trottier enjoyed being called a champion, she wanted an NCAA Tournament
bid just as bad.
“We were MAC champs and that was great, but ultimately we wanted to win
the MAC Tournament too,” Trottier said. “I know for me personally,
and the other seniors especially, it has just given us that much more determination
and drive.”
The co-captain said CMU has to prove last year wasn’t a fluke by going
out and accomplishing the team goals. Those goals are to win the regular season
title and the MAC Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
“I know how good we are and we’re coming off the championship, which
will carry us. We have such a good team,” she said.
Trottier has had to adjust to the American style of field hockey, the grade
system and the constant change in the exchange rate of currency.
“Back home, the game is not as physical as it is here. I’d say that
there is more finesse to it, and the rules are different too,” she said.
“Freshman year I hated it. I felt like I was drowning. But now I love
it.”
Trottier said she loves it here and is excited for the upcoming season to
start. She is looking forward to it, even though the team lost those five seniors,
including goalkeeper Janel Spero.
“When Janel was in there you just got so used to how good she was; you
didn’t even think about it,” Trottier said. “It’s going
to be tough to replace her, especially since we lost the core of our defense
too. It’s one of those wait and see things.”
Freese isn’t too worried about the youth coming in and stepping up.
“Certainly we’re going to be younger,” she said. “But
our young girls are extremely talented and they will get the job done.”
Trottier is poised to have a breakout season this year. She scored four goals
and had three assists last season, with 11 shots on goal. Every year Trottier
has improved individually, and her senior season is looking bright.
“She’s such a hard worker and she’s so talented,” Freese
said. “The conference doesn’t know her and they’re going to
get to know her this year.”
Trottier isn’t too concerned with her stats; she just wants another ring.
“I don’t even know how many goals I scored last season. I’m
just a team player. I’m not in it for myself; I just want to be remembered
as a great leader.”
(04/25/03 4:00am)
Chris Kaman
(04/23/03 4:00am)
Former CMU football standout Tedaro France signed a contract to play in the Canadian Football League next season.
