INTRODUCTION Table of Contents
RADFORD 1
Quick Facts
2
2012-13 Schedule
3
MEET THE TEAM 2012-13 Roster
4
Meet the Highlanders
5
Head Coach Mike Anderson
6-7 8-21
Team History
22
THIS IS RU The Big South Conference
23
Radford University President Penelope Kyle
24
Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg
25
This is Radford University
26-27
The New River Valley
28-29
Campus Life
30
Student-Athlete Support Services
31
Strength and Conditioning
32-33
RU Tennis Complex
34-35
CREDITS The 2012-13 Radford University Men’s Tennis Guide was written and edited by Brian Cox and designed by the Radford University Office of Athletic Communications. The Publication was designed using InDesign and Photoshop CS5. Additional editing and historical research provided by The
Table of Contents
Returning Player Profiles
Big South Conference and Gene Hyde, archivist at Radford University’s McConnell Library. Photography: Tim Cowie, Todd Drexler, Lora Gordon and Athletic Communications.
MEN’S TENNIS
1
RADFORD UNIVERSITY FACTS
2012-13 Quick Facts
Location Radford, Va. Founded 1910 Enrollment 9,370 Nickname Highlanders Colors Red, White, Navy Blue Affiliation NCAA Division I Conference Big South President Penelope W. Kyle (Guilford College) Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg (Roanoke, 1991) Website www.RadfordAthletics.com
2
MEN’S TENNIS HISTORY
First Year 1974-75 Big South Regular Season Titles 6 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) Big South Tournament Titles 5 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012) NCAA Tournament Appearances 5 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012) Last Result L (0-4) at No. 6 Kentucky Big South Players of the Year 6 Freshmen of the Year 5 Coaches of the Year 7 Scholar-Athletes of the Year 2 All-Conference (Singles and Doubles) 69 All-Academic 17 Facility Radford University Tennis Complex
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach Mike Anderson (17th Season) Record at Radford (Years) 242-127 (16) Career Record Same Office Phone (540) 831-7173 Email mcanders@radford.edu Assistant Coach Igor Ogrizek Alma Mater Radford, 2012
2012-13 TEAM FACTS Players Returning/Lost 2012 Overall Record 2012 Big South Record (Finish)
ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
7/1 20-6 7-0 (1st)
Assistant Director (Men’s Tennis Contact) Brian Cox Office Phone (540) 831-5211 Cell Phone (540) 250-0624 Email bcox27@radford.edu Assistant A.D. Tom Galbraith Office Phone (540) 831-5726 Email tgalbraith@radford.edu Assistant Director Brian Stanley Office Phone (540) 831-6884 Email bmstanley@radford.edu Office Fax (540) 831-6095 Mailing Address P.O. Box 6913, Radford, Va. 24142 Overnight Address 101 Dedmon Center, Radford, Va. 24142
MEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD Sept. 22-24 • All Day UVA Ranked +1
Nov. 2-4 • All Day Big Jim Russell Inv.
Jan. 5 • 9:00 No. 34 Louisville
Jan. 6 • 10:00 at Florida Atlantic
Jan. 6 • 1:00 No. 22 Indiana
Jan. 20 • 10:00 at William & Mary
Feb. 16 • 10:00 at Old Dominion
Feb. 22 • 2:00 at Elon
Feb. 23 • 1:00 at Campbell
Feb. 24 • 1:00 at Coastal Carolina
March 3 • 10:00 EKU
March 10 • 11:00 at Lamar
March 12 • 2:00 at SMU
March 13 • 11:00 at UT-Arlington
March 15 • 12:00 at Rice
March 16 • 9:00 Texas A&M-CC
March 17 • 9:00 Oregon
March 22 • 2:30 DARTMOUTH
March 23 • 1:00 at UNC Asheville
March 24 • 1:00 at Winthrop
March 25 • 1:00 at S.C. State
March 29 • 2:00 PRESBYTERIAN
Apr. 3 • 3:00 at James Madison
Apr. 6 • 1:00 LIBERTY
MEN’S TENNIS Apr. 12 • 3:00 LONGWOOD
Apr. 13 • 1:00 GARDNER-WEBB
Apr. 14 • 12:00 GEORGE WASH.
Apr. 18 • TBA BSC Quarterfinals
Apr. 19 • TBA BSC Semifinals
2012-13 Schedule
Sept. 14-16 • All Day Fab 4 Tournament
Apr. 20 • TBA BSC Championship
3
2012-13 Roster
RADFORD
NAME Randall Carter Thomas Dehaen Stijn Meulemans Joe Mills Patrick O’Keefe Nicholas Sayer Javier Waase
HT. 6-0 5-9 6-2 6-2 5-11 5-8 5-9
HOMETOWN / PREVIOUS SCHOOL Abingdon, Va. / Abingdon Zwevegem, Belgium / Middenjury Belgium / KA2 Sportschool Hasselt Brighton, England / Cardinal Newman Catholic Salem, Va. / Salem Hong Kong, Hong Kong / Cams Hill School San Salvador, El Salvador / Escuela Americana
MEN’S TENNIS
Head Coach: Mike Anderson (17th Season)
4
YR. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. So.
RADFORD
Meet the Highlanders
MEN’S TENNIS
5
RADFORD
Mike Anderson
Coaching Profile
head coach ♦ SevenTeenth year Conference Regular Season Titles: 6 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) Conference Tournament Titles: 5 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 5 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012) Six-Time Big South Coach of the Year: (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) NCAA Singles Appearances: 7 (Martin Sayer, 2006-09 / Ivan Salec, 2010-11 / Nick Sayer, 2012) NCAA Doubles Appearances: 1 (Martin Sayer / Zack Watson, 2009) ITA Team National Rankings: 5 (2008 / #55, 2009 / #47, 2010 / #56, 2011 / #63, 2012 / #71) _____________________________________________ Mike Anderson, the most successful coach in the history of Radford University athletics, is in his 17th season as leader of the men’s tennis program. Since taking over in 1997, Anderson has put together one of the most dominant programs in the history of the Big South Conference. Though his 242-127 record and list of accomplishments is staggering, the six-time Coach of the Year will be the first admit that complacency isn’t an option. Over the last seven years, Anderson’s Highlanders are 127-36 overall and 41-3 in conference regular season matches, while winning six Big South regular season titles and making a school-record five NCAA Tournament appearances. In addition to its postseason resume, which includes a 17-3 record in Big South Tournament matches since 2006, Radford has won 53 of its last 55 home matches. Earning a reputation as a solid recruiter, Anderson has had several Highlanders over the years gain conference, regional and national recognition. In the past 16 years, Radford has garnered 45 All-Conference selections, 30 in singles and 15 in doubles. During Anderson’s tenure, Radford has produced five Big South Players of the Year (Martin Sayer, 2006-09; Nick Sayer, 2012) and four of the last eight Big South Freshmen of the Year (five overall). Along with the team’s success, Radford has been represented in the NCAA Singles Championships the last seven seasons. Martin Sayer earned the league’s automatic bid from 200609, while Ivan Salec (2010-11) and Nick Sayer (2012) advanced the last three years thanks to their national ranking. In 2009, Martin Sayer and Zack Watson became the first and only duo in school history to earn a doubles invite to the National Championships.
6
MEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
With Anderson, Martin Sayer helped Radford men’s tennis gain the national recognition and respect it has today. In the fall of 2008, he was the only active student-athlete named to the league’s “Best of the Best” as part of the Big South’s 25th Anniversary celebration. The all-time winningest player in Radford history with 114 victories, Sayer recorded NCAA Tournament singles wins in 2006 and 2007 before concluding his storybook career with a 17-13 mark against nationally-ranked foes. As for individual academic accolades, Mehdi Benhammou (2006-09) was a three-time member of the Big South All-Academic squad and was named the 2009 Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year, while current senior Igor Ogrizek was also tabbed the league’s top men’s tennis student-athlete in 2010. Anderson’s teams play hard on the court, but he believes that athletes should be willing to give something back to the community. His teams has been involved in numerous community service projects in the New River Valley and his motivation for doing so is simple: he wants his players to recognize how fortunate they are to play tennis at the major college level. His commitment to excellence has shown in his team’s success both on and off the court. It was recognized in 2007, earning Big South Sportsmanship Award, which is voted on by Big South student-athletes in their respective sports. Anderson was a long-time coach on the United States Tennis Association circuit, and has coached USTA adult league teams since 1985 in the New River area, in addition to coaching at several other levels of competition over the years. He was active in the Queen City Tennis League in Charlotte, N.C., from 1975-85, before moving to the New River Valley.
Anderson, who has two sons and a daughter that attended RU, resides in Radford with his mutt Hunter.
YEAR-BY-YEAR RESULTS Year
Overall
Big South
1997 12-7 1998 20-7 1999 16-10 2000 11-12 2001 15-10 2002 5-19 2003 11-13 2004 12-10 2005 13-7 2006 21-4 2007 17-6 2008 15-2 2009 20-3 2010 12-11 2011 22-4 2012 20-6
3-3 4-1 3-2 4-3 4-3 1-6 2-5 4-2 3-3 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-1 5-1 7-0
Finish 4th 2nd 3rd T-2nd T-3rd 8th 6th 4th T-4th 1st T-1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st
MEN’S TENNIS
Coaching Profile
Anderson’s favorite quote comes from Mark Twain: “Do the right thing, it will please a few and astound many.” As a coach he does the right thing and expects the same from his players.
7
RADFORD
Thomas Dehaen Senior
Returner Profiles
HONORS / AWARDS
2012 Big South All-Conference Singles 2012 Big South All-Conference Doubles 2011 Big South All-Conference Doubles 2011 Big South Doubles Flight Champion 2010 Big South All-Conference Singles 2010 Big South All-Conference Doubles 2010 Big South Doubles Flight Champion 2010 VaSID All-State 2nd Team Doubles Three-Time Big South Freshman of the Week (2010)
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
Named all-conference in singles and doubles... One of three Highlanders to hit the 20-win plateau for the second consecutive season... Third on the club with 22 singles victories... Entered the NCAA Tournament on a seven-match winning streak... Went 16-4 during spring play, including a 13-4 mark at the No. 4 singles position... Teamed with Nick Sayer to go 17-10 in doubles, including a 6-1 conference mark... Partnered with Sayer to win a doubles flight at the UVA Fall Classic.
2010-11 HIGHLIGHTS
Earned all-conference doubles honors for the second straight season… Posted a 20-3 record in the spring, including 17 straight wins to conclude the season… Ranked second in the Big South Conference in singles victories… Combined to go 18-0 at the final two singles positions… 16 of his 20 singles victories came in straight sets… Teamed with Ivan Salec to go 18-7 at the No. 1 doubles position… Led the league in doubles victories… Went undefeated in conference doubles matches for the second straight season.
2009-10 HIGHLIGHTS
5-9 ZWEVEGEM, BELGIUM MIDDENJURY
A three-time Big South Freshman of the Week selection… Named all-conference in both singles and doubles… No. 1 doubles Big South Flight Champion… Teamed with junior Ivan Salec to go a conference-best 18-1 in doubles… Closed the season with 14 straight doubles victories… Finished with a perfect 6-0 doubles mark against league competition… Posted a 13-9 overall singles record at the No. 2 position… Finished an impressive 5-1 in Big South matches… Recorded a 1-1 mark against nationally-ranked players.
JUNIORS
Under 16 number 2 junior player in Belgium ... Trained at Tennisval Valencia, Spain 2006-2008 ... Played the pro circuit obtaining numerous wins in qualifying ... Won three 1st division tournaments in Belgium in Summer of 2009.
MEN’S TENNIS PERSONAL
Son of Yves and Anne Dehaen ... Has one brother, Matthias.
8
RADFORD
Thomas Dehaen Senior
Returner Profiles
MEN’S TENNIS
9
RADFORD
Randall Carter Junior
HONORS / AWARDS
2012 Big South All-Academic Team 2011-12 Radford University Most Outstanding Student 2010-11 Radford University Most Outstanding Student
Returner Profiles
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
10
Served as the No. 7 player in the singles lineup... Recorded singles victories over Spartanburg Methodist, George Fox and Bluefield State... Also spent time at the No. 3 doubles position, recording a conference win over Gardner-Webb.
2010-11 HIGHLIGHTS
Recipient of Radford University’s Most Outstanding Student Award… Appeared in nine singles matches as a freshman… Went undefeated in the spring with straight-set wins over Newberry College and XULA… Teamed with Joe Mills to win his lone double match of the season.
PREP
Four-year letterwinner in men’s tennis and basketball… Twotime state doubles champion… Led Abingdon to the conference crown in tennis in 2008 & 2010… Also won the conference title in singles and doubles in 2008 & 2010… Won the Regional singles and doubles title as a freshman… Finished his career with a 128-4 record... Team MVP of the basketball squad… Named to the 2010 All-Star Basketball Team of Southwest Virginia… Named 2010 Army and Abingdon Athlete of the Year… A 2010 Poppy Thompson nominee.
6-0 ABINGDON, VA. ABINGDON
MEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Randall Carter Junior
Returner Profiles
MEN’S TENNIS
11
RADFORD
Stijn Meulemans Junior
Returner Profiles
HONORS / AWARDS
12
2012 Big South All-Conference Singles 2012 Big South All-Conference Doubles 2012 Big South Singles Flight Champion 2011 Big South All-Conference Doubles 2011 Big South Singles Flight Champion 2011 Big South Doubles Flight Champion Two-Time Big South Freshman of the Week (2011)
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
Named all-conference in singles and doubles... One of two Highlanders preseason nationally-ranked... Finished Big South play undefeated... Second on the team with 27 victories... Recorded his second straight 25-win season... Posted a 17-2 record at the No. 3 singles position... Tallied a pair of victories over opponents from Top-50 teams... Accounted for three singles points at the 2012 Big South Championships... Entered the NCAA Tournament on a seven-match winning streak... Partnered with Igor Ogrizek to go 14-11 in doubles, including a 5-2 conference record.
2010-11 HIGHLIGHTS
6-2 BELGIUM KA2 SPORTSCHOOL HASSELT
Earned all-conference doubles honors with partner Igor Ogrizek… No. 5 singles and No. 2 doubles flight champion… Two-time Big South Freshman of the Week… Led the Big South Conference in singles victories… Finished a team-best 21-3 in the spring… Concluded his first collegiate season with 20 straight victories… Clinched the deciding point against Winthrop in the 2011 Big South Championship… Was leading No. 3 Tennessee’s Matteo Fago (#80), 7-5, 4-3, when the NCAA opening round match was decided… Posted a 15-5 doubles record at the No. 2 spot.
PERSONAL
Son of Jan Meulemans and Marleen Dillen… Has one older brother, Tim (20)… Majoring in exercise-sport science at Radford University.
MEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Stijn Meulemans Junior
Returner Profiles
MEN’S TENNIS
13
RADFORD
Joe Mills Junior
HONORS / AWARDS
2012 Big South Singles Flight Champion Big South Freshman of the Week (1/18/11)
Returner Profiles
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
14
One of two Highlanders to go undefeated during Big South play... Teamed with Patrick O’Keefe to record three doubles victories at the 2012 Big South Championships... Entered the NCAA Tournament on a six-match winning streak... Partnered with Igor Ogrizek to capture the Elon Invite doubles title.
2010-11 HIGHLIGHTS
Named Big South Freshman of the Week (Jan. 18)… Eight of his 10 singles victories came at the No. 3 position… Each of his 10 wins came in straight sets… Won seven of his last 10 spring matches… Teamed with fellow freshman Nick Sayer to go 8-2 in doubles.
JUNIORS
Climbed as high as No. 1 in the United Kingdom U18 Rankings.
PERSONAL
Also lettered in soccer and cross country… Enrolled at Radford as a Dean Scholar…Son of Anthony and Julia Mills… Has an older brother, Sam (22)… Majoring in economics at Radford.
6-2 BRIGHTON, ENGLAND CARDINAL NEWMAN CATHOLIC
MEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Joe Mills Junior
Returner Profiles
MEN’S TENNIS
15
RADFORD
Nicholas Sayer
Returner Profiles
Junior
HONORS / AWARDS
2011-12 Radford University Male Athlete of the Year 2012 Big South Player of the Year 2012 Big South All-Conference Singles 2012 Big South All-Conference Doubles 2012 Big South Singles Flight Champion Four-Time Big South Player of the Week (2012) 2011 Big South Freshman of the Year 2011 Big South All-Conference Singles Four-Time Big South Freshman of the Week (2011)
2012-13 SEASON
No. 74 in preseason ITA Division I singles rankings (Sept. 7).
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
2012 Big South Player of the Year... Named all-conference in singles and doubles... Automatic qualifier for the 2012 NCAA Singles Championships... Radford’s Male Athlete of the Year… Member of Hong Kong’s Davis Cup team... Climbed as high as 62nd in the ITA Singles Rankings... Led the team and Big South with a 29-11 singles record, including a 16-5 mark at the No. 1 singles position... Posted a 5-6 record against nationally-ranked opponents, including an upset of then-No. 9 Jose Hernandez of North Carolina during the fall... Recorded 13 straight singles triumphs at one point... Teamed with Thomas Dehaen to 17-10 in doubles, including a 6-1 record in Big South play... Advanced to the finals of the UVA Ranked Plus One during fall play... Won both a singles and doubles flight at the UVA Fall Classic.
2010-11 HIGHLIGHTS
5-8 HONG KONG, HONG KONG CAMS HILL SCHOOL
Member of Hong Kong’s Davis Cup team… Second on the club with 30 singles victories… Posted an 18-3 spring record, including a 15-3 mark at the No. 2 singles position… Dropped just one conference match… Won his first nine matches of the spring… Concluded the season on an eight-match winning streak… Recorded singles wins over nationally-ranked Cornell, Maryland and North Florida… Was up a set on national runner-up and then-No. 3 ranked Rhyne Williams when the Highlanders NCAA match with No. 3 Tennessee was decided… Went 17-7 in doubles with three different partners.
JUNIORS
Climbed as high as No. 3 in the United Kingdom U18 Rankings.
MEN’S TENNIS PERSONAL
Younger brother of former RU men’s tennis standout and assistant coach, Martin Sayer… Son of Paul and Jenny Sayer… Has three siblings, Martin (24), Matt (22) and Natalie (15)… Majoring in finance.
16
RADFORD
Nicholas Sayer Junior
Returner Profiles
MEN’S TENNIS
17
RADFORD
Patrick O'Keefe Sophomore
HONORS / AWARDS
Three-Time Big South Freshman of the Week (2012)
Returner Profiles
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
18
Three-time Big South Freshman of the Week... Finished the spring 17-4 overall, including a 6-1 Big South record... Opened 2012 on a nine-match winning streak... Recorded a pair of singles victories and teamed with Joe Mills to win three doubles matches in the 2012 Big South Championships... Two of his triumphs came against opponents from Top-50 teams.
JUNIORS / PREP
Four-time VHSL State Player of the Year… Four-time Virginia State Singles Champion… Three-time Virginia State Doubles Champion… Three-time Timesland Player of the Year… Led Salem High School to the team state title as a senior… Finished with a 93-1 career record at Salem High… Posted undefeated singles records as a sophomore, junior and senior.
PERSONAL
Son of Mike and Chris O’Keefe… His mother is a member of the Radford Athletics Hall of Fame… Has one brother, Harrison (17)… Majoring in business.
5-11 SALEM, VA. SALEM
MEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Patrick O'Keefe Sophomore
Returner Profiles
MEN’S TENNIS
19
RADFORD
Javier Waase Sophomore
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
Saw action in three spring matches... Recorded singles victories over Spartanburg Methodist, George Fox and Bluefield State.
JUNIORS / PREP
Returner Profiles
Joined the team as a recruited walk-on.
20
PERSONAL
Son of Bernhard and Patty Waase…Has one sibling, Alejandra (17)… Plans to major in psychology at Radford University.
5-9 SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR ESCUELA AMERICANA
MEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Javier Waase Sophomore
Returner Profiles
MEN’S TENNIS
21
RADFORD
Players of the year 1994 2006 2007 2008 2009 2012
Rachid Benjelloun Martin Sayer Martin Sayer Martin Sayer Martin Sayer Nick Sayer
1999 2005 2006 2008 2011
Bartlo Oosthuizen James Lloyd Mehdi Benhammou Ivan Salec Nick Sayer
1992 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Bruce Harrison Mike Anderson Mike Anderson Mike Anderson Mike Anderson Mike Anderson Mike Anderson
Team History
FreshmEn of the year
Coaches of the year
2009 2010
S-A of the year
Mehdi Benhammou Igor Ogrizek
All-Conference Singles
1985 1994 1995 1996 1999
22
Greg Goodall Rachid Benjelloun, Maurad Fahim Faisal Syed-Haq Youseff Bouzidi Youseff Bouzidi, Faycal Rhalazi
2000 Faycal Rhalazi 2012 Nick Sayer (No. 1), 2004 Arthur Vasarevic Stijn Meulemans (No. 3), Joe Mills (No. 5) 2005 James Lloyd Flight champions Doubles 2006 Martin Sayer, James Lloyd, 2007 M. Sayer / Z. Watson (No. 1) Arthur Vasarevic, Brandon Johnson M. Benhammou / P. Metham (No. 2) 2007 Martin Sayer, James Lloyd, J. Lloyd / L. Rister (No. 3) Arthur Vasarevic, Brandon Johnson 2008 M. Sayer / Z. Watson (No. 1) 2008 Martin Sayer, Ivan Salec, I. Salec / M. Benhammou (No. 2) James Lloyd, Mehdi Benhammou P. Boslet / J. Lloyd (No. 3) 2009 Martin Sayer, Ivan Salec, 2009 M. Sayer / Z. Watson (No. 1) Mehdi Benhammou, Igor Ogrizek I. Salec / M. Benhammou (No. 2) 2010 Ivan Salec, Thomas Dehaen, S. Bojic / I. Ogrizek (No. 3) Igor Ogrizek 2010 T. Dehaen / I. Salec (No. 1) 2011 Ivan Salec, Nick Sayer 2011 T. Dehaen / I. Salec (No. 1) 2012 Nick Sayer, Stijn Meulemans, S. Meulemans / I. Ogrizek (No. 2) Igor Ogrizek, Thomas Dehaen NCAA History 2007 No. 6 North Carolina Flight Champions singles 2007 Martin Sayer (No. 1), L, 1-4 | First Round | Chapel Hill, N.C. James Lloyd (No.2), 2008 No. 5 Georgia Mehdi Benhammou (No. 4), L, 0-4 | First Round | Athens, Ga. Luka Rister (No. 5), Zack Watson (No. 6) 2009 No. 23 Duke 2008 Martin Sayer (No. 1), L, 0-4 | First Round | Durham, N.C. Ivan Salec (No. 2), 2011 No. 3 Tennessee Mehdi Benhammou (No. 4), L, 0-4 | First Round | Knoxville, Tenn. Zack Watson (No. 5) 2012 No. 6 Kentucky 2009 Martin Sayer (No. 1), L, 0-4 | First Round | Lexington, Ky. Ivan Salec (No. 2), Igor Ogrizek (No. 5) 2010 Igor Ogrizek (No. 3) 2011 Igor Ogrizek (No. 4), Stijn Meulemans (No. 5)
MEN’S TENNIS
Since its founding in 1983, the Big South Conference has matured into a competitive leader in college athletics, actively pursuing excellence on the field of play and in the classroom. The League’s growing presence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is evident by athletic accomplishments on the national stage, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages, and quality athletic competition while intentionally fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of each student-athlete. This has evolved into the Conference’s mission of “Developing Leaders Through Athletics.” The 2012-13 academic year features the Big South’s largest membership (12) and sponsored sports (19) in its 29 years of existence. The Big South Conference was formed on August 21, 1983, when Charleston Southern (then Baptist College) Athletic Director Howard Bagwell and Augusta President George Christenberry began recruiting members into the Big South, receiving initial commitments from Augusta, Charleston Southern, Campbell, Coastal Carolina and Winthrop. One month later, Dr. Edward M. Singleton was selected as the League’s first Commissioner and continued to solicit new members. His efforts led to the additions of Armstrong State, Radford and UNC Asheville, giving the Big South more than the required six members to constitute an official conference. The Big South’s first year of competition was in the Fall of 1984, and in September 1986, the Big South Conference was granted full-fledged NCAA Division I status. During its infancy and prior to securing automatic bids to NCAA Championships, the Big South made early strides in earning at-large berths in several national postseason events, including volleyball, women’s basketball and women’s golf. In 1989, George F. “Buddy” Sasser replaced the retiring Dr. Singleton as Commissioner, and in 1990, the League received its first automatic bid – receiving an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Baseball Championship. Under Sasser’s seven years of leadership, the Conference implemented its public relations and compliance programs, and introduced its first-ever men’s basketball television package, featuring the Big South competing among some of the finest teams in the nation. In August 1996, Kyle B. Kallander replaced Sasser as the League’s third Commissioner, and in his 16 years at the helm of the Big South, Kallander has been instrumental in aggressively promoting the Conference to new heights. The Conference has enjoyed record levels in marketing revenue during his tenure, he has brought television coverage to Big South women’s basketball, baseball, softball and men’s soccer for the first time in Conference history, as well as increased national television exposure to the League as a whole through aggressive and unique television packages. Under Kallander’s leadership, the Big South developed and initiated its first long-range strategic plan, re-affirming the League’s vision as a distinctive athletic Conference committed to the quality of institutional life through athletic competition. He also spearheaded the efforts to add football as a championship sport, which came to fruition in 2002, and oversaw the additions of men’s and women’s indoor track & field in 1997. The Conference’s 19th championship sport -- women’s lacrosse, begins play this season with eight members. At the same time, Kallander has solidified Conference membership, as an all-time high 12 member institutions comprise the 29-year old League. Recent additions include High Point, Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian College and Longwood, plus the return of charter member Campbell University. Kallander’s long range vision has also included technological advancements, as the Conference introduced its first live video streaming event in 2005 and has since expanded its video offerings to more than 700 events annually through a partnership with the member institutions, as well as the creation of several online and social media platforms. In the last 15 years alone, the Big South Conference has experienced monumental growth and success in nearly every sport. During this time, the Conference has had an individual National Champion six times, has had more than 280 All-Americans, has reached the “Sweet 16” in men’s soccer, women’s basketball and baseball, has received national Top 25 rankings in football, men’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, men’s outdoor track & field, and men’s golf, had an individual selected to play in the NCAA Singles Championship seven times in addition to the first men’s tennis doubles at-large selection, had the first women’s golf program advance to the national finals, had the No. 1 ranked men’s golfer in the country, had the nation’s top scoring men’s basketball team five consecutive years as well as the national men’s basketball scoring leader twice, received an at-large playoff berth in the Football Championship Subdivision in 2006, has had six NFL Draft picks, and has had two institutions finish in the top 10 in the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships -including the Conference’s highest-ever team finish in an NCAA event (fifth in 2007). In 2006-07, the Big South was the only Conference nationwide to have an at-large participant in the football playoffs (Coastal Carolina), a team in the Second Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (Winthrop) and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Baseball Regionals (Coastal Carolina). In fact, Coastal Carolina’s baseball program has been a No. 1 seed four out of the last eight years -- including a national seed for the first time in 2010, while the Chanticleers’ FCS playoff berth in 2006 came in just the fifth-year of the Big South’s football existence. The 2009-10 season saw Liberty’s Sam Chelanga win two NCAA National Championships (cross country, 10,000-meter run); Coastal Carolina’s baseball team reach the Super Regionals for the second time in three years as well as being ranked No. 1 in the national RPI and as high as No. 3 in the national polls;
and three women’s basketball teams reach the postseason for the first time in Conference history. In 2010-11, Chelanga won two more NCAA National Championships (cross country, outdoor 5,000-meter run), the Big South had its first automatic bid recipient in football (Coastal Carolina), UNC Asheville reached the Second Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Coastal Carolina’s women’s golf team was the first in Conference history to advance to the NCAA Championship out of Regional play, and a League-record 18 baseball players were drafted in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. This past season, the Big South had a record 41 student-athletes earn All-America distinction, while another 10 were named Academic All-Americans. The Conference also won its first football playoff game (Stony Brook), had the national women’s basketball Rookie Coach of the Year, had two men’s soccer teams reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade (Coastal Carolina, Liberty), and had a record five individuals selected for the NCAA Men’s Golf Regionals -- the most of any Division I conference in 2011-12. In addition, Liberty was the first men’s golf team in Conference history to win an NCAA Regional, and the Flames went on to finish 10th at the national event. Several former Big South student-athletes have also reached national prominence in recent years. Coastal Carolina’s Amber Campbell made the U.S. Olympic Team in 2008 and 2012, and was one of five former Big South athletes to compete in the 2008 Games; VMI’s Reggie Williams reached the NBA with the Golden State Warriors in 2010, UNC Asheville’s Ty Wigginton was named an American League All-Star in 2010, and Coastal Carolina’s Dustin Johnson has won six PGA Tour events since departing the Big South Conference in 2007. Three former Big South baseball players made their major league debuts in 2012, while Avery Warley became the third Big South women’s basketball player to play in the WNBA. The Conference’s tagline, “Developing Leaders Through Athletics” was unveiled in 2008-09 in conjunction with the Conference’s 25th Anniversary. The League also honored its heritage with the Top 25 “Best of the Best” moments in League history from 1983-2008, with Liberty University’s 10-year women’s basketball championship run from 1996-2007 being crowned the No. 1 moment in the Big South’s first 25 years. The Conference’s on-field accomplishments have been duplicated in the classroom. Annually, more than 40 percent of Conference student-athletes are named to the Big South’s Presidential Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average, and the League has had more than 100 Academic All-Americans in its 28 years of existence. Furthermore, the Big South has recorded double figure totals in NCAA Public Recognition Awards for APR progress the last three years.
MEN’S TENNIS
The Big South Conference
RADFORD
The Big South Conference
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RADFORD
Radford University President Penelope Kyle
President Penelope Kyle
Penelope Ward Kyle became Radford University’s sixth, and first female, president when she took office on June 1, 2005. She came to RU with more than 30 years of experience in state government, the corporate and legal worlds, and higher education. Upon assuming the presidency, President Kyle immediately focused on leading the university’s initiative to become one of the top 50 masters universities in the nation. The Radford University strategic plan “7-17”, completed in 2007 at her direction, identifies four strategic directives -- the investment in people, programs, global and local society and the future of Radford University. Under President Kyle’s leadership, the university also added its first doctoral program with an emphasis in rural mental health and launched an initiative to grow graduate college student enrollment by offering additional doctoral and masters level programs. She hired the university’s first provost and created two new vice presidential areas of responsibility, Information Technology and University Relations. The Radford University Board of Visitors, at President Kyle’s request, has increased its membership by four positions to provide an opportunity for more diversity and leadership innovation within the governing body. A native of southwest Virginia, President Kyle is a product of the Galax public schools system. She graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina and did her postgraduate studies in English at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law and later earned her MBA from the College of William and Mary. President Kyle served as Executive Director of the
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Virginia Lottery for 11 years, under three successive governors. First appointed by Governor George Allen in 1994, she was reappointed by Governor James Gilmore, and then reappointed once again by Governor Mark Warner. Previously, Ms. Kyle was employed by CSX Corporation, an international transportation company, where she became the company’s first female officer. Before joining CSX Corporation, she was an attorney with McGuire, Woods, LLP in Richmond. She also taught English for six years at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia. President Kyle serves in leadership positions on numerous educational, civic, cultural, professional, financial and volunteer organizations. She served on the Board of Visitors at James Madison University from 1984 until 1992 and on the JMU Foundation Board 1992 until 1994. She also served on the Virginia Commonwealth University Foundation Board from 1994 until 2000 and on the Board of Governors of Saint Christopher’s School from 1999 until 2005. President Kyle is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors of PRA, Inc., a publicly traded company. Ms. Kyle is married to Charles L. Menges, an attorney and partner with McGuire, Woods, LLC. They are the parents of three children, son, Kyle Ward Menges, and two daughters, Penelope Whitley Menges, and Patricia Lee Menges.
MEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg
MEN’S TENNIS
Robert Lineburg
Since being introduced as Radford University’s Director of Athletics in the fall of 2007, Radford native Robert Lineburg has helped usher in a new era of Highlander athletics, marked by unprecedented on-and off-field improvements and successes. In his short time with the department, Lineburg has been the catalyst for a number of changes, particularly in areas such as facilities, personnel and strategic planning. His most visible influences to date have been on the Dedmon Center and Radford University’s new 700-seat baseball stadium. Beginning in the spring of 2008, the Dedmon Center, the centerpiece of Highlander athletics, underwent transformations to the arena, including a new steel-supported roof, a new basketball floor, renovated athletic offices, a new-look natatorium, and improved athletic locker, training, and medical facilities. Along with the initial upgrades to the Dedmon Center, an improved state-of-the-art strength and conditioning room, new ticket office and Learning Enhancement Center (LEC), which houses student-athlete academic support, were completed/added in 2009. In 2010, facility upgrades included a new high-tech videoboard / sound system to the Dedmon Center as well as a new playing surface / irrigation system and dugouts to the Radford University Baseball Field. This past spring, Radford transformed its baseball program in April of 2011 by opening a brand-new stadium and making the first significant adjustment to its home park since opening in 1986. For the first time ever, the Highlanders have the capability to host night games. The stadium features lighting standards that meet the requirements of NCAA Regional Tournament host sites. In June, Robert Lineburg introduced Mike Jones as Radford University’s 7th head men’s basketball coach. Lineburg has also overseen the hires of six new head coaches as well as seven new athletic administrators. His other hires include women’s basketball head coach Taj Njongba, head volleyball coach Marci Jenkins, women’s head golf coach Jeff Beeler, head men’s soccer coach Marc Reeves and the promotion of track and field interim director Brent Chumbley to head coaches’ status. Among the administrators added in Lineburg’s tenure are executive associate A.D. Randy Butt, head athletic trainer Chad Hyatt, assistant A.D. for communications Joey Beeler, director of student-athlete support services/senior women’s administrator Stephanie Ballein and Director of Facilities Brad Epperley. As a result of the changes, Radford achieved a banner year in 2008-09: women’s soccer, men’s basketball, men’s tennis and softball claimed Big South conference crowns and advanced to NCAA Tournament play. Women’s soccer advanced to its fourth tournament, men’s basketball won the Big South regular-season and tournament title to advance to the NCAAs for the first time since 1998, men’s tennis made its thirdstraight appearance, and softball appeared for the first time and won Radford’s firstever NCAA tournament game in any sport. Lineburg and the Highlanders backed their success in 2008-09 with a men’s tennis and softball Big South regular season title in 2009-10. Mickey Dean’s softball team went on to win their second straight conference tournament crown before advancing to the Athens, Georgia Regional final with two more NCAA Tournament victories. The successes on the field continued in 2010-11 as Radford captured three more Big South titles. Women’s soccer and softball claimed regular season crowns, while men’s tennis advanced to the NCAA Tournament with their fourth league tournament championship in five years. Along with their competitive success, the Highlanders have defined the true meaning of “student-athlete” during Lineburg’s tenure. For the second consecutive year, Raford led all Big South institutions by placing 58.3 percent of its student-athletes on the conference’s Presidential Honor Roll. In 2008-09, the Highlanders had 57.9 percent of their students on the list. He and his staff have also been responsible for creating a five-year strategic plan for
the Radford athletic department and building an athletics facilities master plan. Additional achievements include ushering in a new athletics Internet site (RadfordAthletics. com), and helping implement a new ticket system (Ticket Return). Lineburg and his staff have also hosted top-level competition, with five Big South championships taking place on the Radford campus from 2008-11 (men’s basketball, track & field, softball, men’s tennis and volleyball). In addition to making an impact on Radford athletics, Lineburg is also involved in a number of different organizations and committees. He is the chairman of the Big South Conference Subcommittee on Basketball Improvement, a member of the Big South ad-hoc Committee on Basketball Issues, a member of the selection committee to select Radford University’s Vice President for Advancement, and most recently, was selected to serve on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Issues Committee Prior to becoming Radford’s third Director of Athletics, Lineburg’s corporate knowledge was groomed as a marketing associate with Peloton Real Estate Partners in Dallas, Texas. Along with his business experience, Lineburg spent 15 seasons as a college basketball coach, including time as Southern Methodist’s (Dallas, Texas) interim head coach. Prior to serving as the Mustangs interim head coach, Lineburg spent eight years as an assistant coach at SMU. Following his interim tenure, he served two more seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Methodist. Lineburg’s coaching resume also includes assistant coaching positions with the men’s basketball programs at James Madison University and Emory & Henry College, as well as with the Dallas Mavericks summer league team. His coaching experience also took him through the Big South, as he spent time on the sideline at UNC Greensboro. A 1991 graduate of Roanoke College, Lineburg started his collegiate basketball career as a Radford Highlander, where he was a two-year letterman before transferring to nearby Roanoke College to play his final two years. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in political science with a minor in history. In 1995, he received a Master’s Degree in education from Virginia Tech, where he was also a graduate assistant on the men’s basketball staff. “In addition to being a good candidate, Robert is a Radford native, something that will serve him well in his new role,” Kyle said at the time of his hire. “He has great family ties in the area and we’re excited he’s decided to come home to work with us.” Lineburg is the son of retired Radford High School football coach and athletic director Norman Lineburg and the brother of Dr. Mark Lineburg, the Superintendent of Bristol City Schools, Paul Lineburg, the Assistant Principal at William Byrd H.S. and Wayne Lineburg, who is the interim head football coach at the University of Richmond. He is married to the former Mary Parish, also a native of Radford.
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RADFORD
This is Radford University
Nestled in the New River Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Radford, Va., Radford University is student-centered and focused on providing outstanding academic programs for its more than 9,000 students. Well known for its strong faculty/student bonds, innovative use of technology in the learning environment and vibrant student life on a beautiful campus, Radford University offers many opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom. Radford University welcomes students from the Commonwealth of Virginia, across the country and around the world. Here, you will find inspiration in the surroundings – the manicured green lawns on campus, the steady roll of the New River, the wonders along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the stately university buildings and a quaint downtown. Radford’s 153 undergraduate and graduate programs offer every student the opportunity to discover new talents, develop leadership skills and experience personal growth. Radford University serves the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation through a wide range of academic, cultural, human service, and research programs. First and foremost, the university emphasizes teaching and learning and the process of learning in its commitment to the development of mature, responsible, well-educated citizens. Radford University develops students’ creative and critical thinking skills, teaches students to analyze problems and implement solutions, helps students discover their leadership styles, and fosters their growth as leaders. Toward these ends, the university is student-focused and promotes a sense of caring and of meaningful interaction among all members of the University community. Research is viewed as a vital corollary to the teaching and learning transaction as it sustains and enhances the ability to teach effectively. Radford University believes in the dynamics of change and has a strong commitment to continuous review, evaluation, and improvement in the curriculum and all aspects of the university, so as to meet the changing needs of society.
Fast Facts
- Located in the New River Valley of Southwest Virginia - 177-acre main campus; 78-acre RU West campus - 9,370 Students (58% female, 42% male) - 1,020 Graduate enrollment - Students originate from 39 states and Washington D.C.; 57 countries - Student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1 - 83% of faculty hold doctorate or terminal degrees in their fields - 93% of RU students obtain employment or continue education within 3-8 months of graduation
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UNIVERSITY
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NEW RIVER The NRV is home to one of the oldest rivers in the world: the New River. It’s also one of the few rivers in the world that flows south to north. The NRV hosts the largest research park in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The NRV is comprised of the following counties- Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd, Giles and the Independent City of Radford. The NRV is home to approximately 165,145 residents. The NRV hosts Radford University, Virginia Tech, and New River Community College.
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THE NEW RIVER
DOWNTOWN RADFORD
CASCADE FALLS
BISSET PARK
VALLEY
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CAMPUS LIFE
Want to get involved? You can start with more than 200 clubs and organizations, including academic clubs, outdoor clubs, national honor fraternities and Greek associations. Join a team -- RU has club and intramural sports and NCAA Division I athletics, which includes eight men’s and 11 women’s sports. If that’s not enough, there are campus lectures, movies, performances, festivals (pictured below) and concerts from big names like Third Eye Blind, Outkast, Matchbox 20 and Fuel.
HIGHLANDER FESTIVAL
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CLIMBING WALL
Student-Athlete Support Services The mission of the Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) office for Radford University Athletics is to promote, assist, and provide counsel to all student-athletes. Its primary, constant goal is to develop graduates and outstanding citizens who have contributed in the areas of athletic competition during their tenures of education. Located in the Dedmon Athletic Center, the newly established Learning Enhancement Center is equipped with computers, tutorial rooms, and a study lounge. The Learning Enhancement Center provides direction for student-athletes via academic counseling in conjunction with advisors from the respective colleges at Radford University. Academic support services such as tutoring and supervised study hall are provided, as well as career planning, monitoring of eligibility status, and a host of other guidance and advisory services.
2011-12 Athletic Academic Accomplishments 3 Scholar-Athletes of the Year 3 Most Outstanding Students 40 All-Academic Selections 6 All-State Academic Selections 1 CoSIDA Academic All-America 4 Academic All-District Selections 5 Team Academic Awards
ATHLETICS
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STRENGTH Strength & Conditioning A component that is vital to Radford student-athletes is the strength and conditioning program directed by Strength and Conditioning Coach Michael Shumaker. Highlander Athletics has long been recognized as one of the leaders among Mid-Atlantic schools in its conditioning and strength training. It has been an instrumental part in the success of Radford University sports through the years. Under the direction of Shumaker and Assistant Strength and Conditioning coaches Tim Ridley and Michele Huffman, the program is designed to help each student-athlete reach his or her full potential in their respective sport. Each Radford University student-athlete has strength and conditioning programs unique to their goals as a player. This program, developed by Shumaker, helps prepare Radford student-athletes for the long and rigorous in-season schedule. The Strength and Conditioning staff at Radford University is committed to excellence in competition and in life.
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CONDITIONING
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RADFORD UNIV. Radford University Tennis Complex Often considered one of the best outdoor tennis facilities in the region, the Radford University Tennis Complex features 12 regulation courts, six of which are lighted. The complex has hosted several championship events, including Big South Conference Championships and Virginia High School League Championships. There are four sets of three courts each, divided by a versatile pavilion area that can be arranged to host spectators, hospitality areas or scoring venues. Long term plans call for the addition of covered courts, either over the existing courts or at a nearby site. Covered courts would give Radford the ability to play year-round.
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TENNIS COMPLEX
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