INTRODUCTION Table of Contents Quick Facts 2012-13 Schedule
MEET THE TEAM 2012-13 Roster
RADFORD 1 2 3
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Meet the Highlanders Head Coach Bruce Harrison Newcomer Profiles Team History
8-13 14-19 20
THIS IS RU The Big South Conference
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Radford University President Penelope Kyle
22
Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg
23
This is Radford University
24-25
The New River Valley
26-27
Campus Life
28
Student-Athlete Support Services
29
Strength and Conditioning
30-31
RU Tennis Complex
32-33
CREDITS The 2012-13 Radford University Women’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
Table of Contents
Returner Profiles
5 6-7
Photoshop CS5. Additional editing and historical research provided by The Big South Conference and Gene Hyde, archivist at Radford University’s McConnell Library. Photography: Dyann Busse, Tim Cowie, Todd Drexler, Lora Gordon and
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Athletics Communications.
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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
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WOMEN’S TENNIS HISTORY
First Year 1974 (joined Division I in 1984) Big South Tournament Titles 1 (1990) Freshmen of the Year 1 Coaches of the Year 2 Scholar-Athletes of the Year 3 All-Conference (Singles and Doubles) 28 All-Academic 16 Facility Radford University Tennis Complex
COACHING STAFF Head Coach Alma Mater Record at Radford (Years) Career Record Office Phone Email Assistant Coach Alma Mater
Bruce Harrison (12th Season) Emory & Henry, 1985 88-128 (11) 165-177 (25) (540) 831-7174 bharrison@radford.edu Petra Dajevic Radford, 2012
2012-13 TEAM FACTS Players Returning/Lost 2012 Overall Record 2012 Big South Record (Finish)
ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
3/4 17-7 4-4 (4th)
Assistant Director (Women’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 Assistant Paul Cabrey Office Phone (540) 831-5752 Email pcabrey@radford.edu Office Fax (540) 831-6095 Mailing Address P.O. Box 6913, Radford, Va. 24142 Overnight Address 101 Dedmon Center, Radford, Va. 24142
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD Sept. 28-30 • All Day VT Fall Tourn.
Oct. 5-7 • All Day WFU Fall Tourn.
Jan. 19 • 1:00 PM at Wake Forest
Jan. 20 • 12:00 PM Elon
Jan. 21 • 9:00 AM East Tenn. State
Feb. 8 • 3:00 PM at Davidson
Feb. 9 • 2:00 PM at App. State
Feb. 15 • 3:00 PM at Washington & Lee
Feb. 23 • 5:00 PM at George Mason
Feb. 25 • 2:00 PM at Elon
March 1 • 4:30 PM Coastal Carolina
March 3 • 1:00 PM West Virginia State
March 9 • 11:00 AM at Campbell
March 12 • 7:00 PM Wesleyan
March 13 • 11:30 AM Augustana (SD)
March 13 • 6:00 PM Fordham
March 15 • 12:00 PM Gonzaga
March 25 • 1:00 PM at UNC Asheville
March 27 • 2:00 PM at Liberty
March 29 • 2:30 PM PRESBYTERIAN
Apr. 3 • 2:00 PM LONGWOOD
Apr. 5 • 2:00 PM GARDNER-WEBB
Apr. 6 • 1:00 PM CSU
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Apr. 10 • 2:30 PM JAMES MADISON
Apr. 14 • 1:00 PM at Winthrop
Apr. 16 • 2:30 PM N.C. CENTRAL
Apr. 18 • TBA BSC Quarterfinals
Apr. 19 • TBA BSC Semifinals
2012-13 Schedule
Sept. 14-15 • All Day Liberty Fall Tourn.
Apr. 20 • TBA BSC Championship
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2012-13 Roster
RADFORD
NAME Hana Babic Taylor Fay Allison Michael Meg Napolitano Taylor Newman Gemma Valls
YR. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. So. So.
HOMETOWN / PREVIOUS SCHOOL Zagreb, Croatia / Sportska Gimnazija Madison, Conn. / Daniel Hand McGaheysville, Va. / East Rockingham Charlottesville, Va. / Albemarle Bethesda, Md. / Chevy Chase Barcelona, Spain
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Head Coach: Bruce Harrison (12th Season - Emory & Henry ‘85)
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HT. 5-4 5-4 5-2 5-9 5-2 5-6
RADFORD
Meet the Highlanders
WOMEN’S TENNIS
5
RADFORD
BRUCE HARRISON head coach ♦ Twelfth year
Coaching Profile
Bruce Harrison, the 2012 Big South Coach of the Year, is entering his 12th season as the head women’s tennis coach at Radford University.
The 2011-12 Radford women’s tennis team enjoyed one of its most successful seasons since 1990, concluding the season with a 17-7 mark and a trip to the Big South Tournament semifinals. In addition to Harrison’s best record since taking over the program, a number of accolades came his program’s way - Petra Dajevic was named to the Big South’s All-Academic Team, Taylor Newman earned ITA Scholar Athlete Honors, freshmen Hannah Crawford (twice) and Gemma Valls earned Freshman of the Week honors in the Big South, and Mia Drobnjak and Dajevic turned in Player of the Week performances. Along with success on the court, Harrison’s program is also defined by off-court recognition. Academically, Harrison’s teams and players have stood out. The cumulative program GPA on a yearly basis has been tops among all RU teams and in 2006, Harrison’s Highlanders earned team ITA academic honors. Former player Cassandra Price was an Academic All-America pick in 2008, while both Price (2008) and Ally Spector (2009) earned the Big South’s prestegious Christenberry Award for academic achievement. His teams have earned the Big South’s Team Sportsmanship Award three times, including 2012, which is an honor voted on by league’s student-athletes. In addition to his decade of work with the women’s tennis program, much of Harrison’s collegiate coaching experience has been with Radford University and its tennis programs. Harrison led the men’s tennis program from 1990-96 before taking the head job at the Virginia Military Institute, where he coached for five years. Harrison’s time with the women’s tennis program has produced plenty of highlights. The Highlanders finished 2010 with an overall record 13-7 and 3-4 in the Big South. This marks the first season over 12 victories since 1995 (14-6). Radford went on a nine-match winning streak, including going undefeated in March. Radford had impressive wins over Appalachian State (7-0), Longwood (6-1) and George Mason (5-2). In 2009, the Highlanders recorded a 12-10 overall record and 2-5 in the Big South. They had a stretch in the month of March where they won seven straight matches. They defeated in-state foe George Mason and Big East opponents Connecticut and Seton Hall. The 2008 season saw the Highlanders finish with a 9-11 overall record and 1-5 mark in the Big South. They had impressive wins over in-state rival James Madison and on the road against Lehigh. In 2007, the Highlanders posted an 11-10 overall record. It was their first time over .500 and the most victories since the 1993 season (11-8). They also posted road wins over in-state rivals James Madison and George Mason.
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WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
YEAR-BY-YEAR RESULTS
Year
Overall
Big South 1-6 2-5 1-5 1-6 1-6 2-5 1-5 2-5 3-5 2-5 4-4
Finish 8th 7th 7th 7th 7th T-5th 7th 6th 5th 6th 4th
During his time at VMI, he earned the Athletic Director Coaching Award for his outstanding recruiting at VMI in 2000. In 1998, he was the tournament director of the Division III Women’s National Tournament. In his first go-around at Radford, he took a men’s team that won just one match in 1990 and turned them around completely. He compiled a 77-59 record in six years at the helm. His 1991 team finished 18-10 and fifth in the Big South. Just a year later, he was named 1992 Big South Co-Coach of the Year. The 1993 season saw his team post what was the most wins in school history when the Highlanders finished 19-7.
Coaching Profile
2002 2-13 2003 3-11 2004 3-12 2005 5-16 2006 7-16 2007 11-10 2008 9-11 2009 12-10 2010 13-7 2011 6-15 2012 17-7
He was also responsible for recruiting Radford’s first nationally ranked Division I tennis player and the No. 1 ranked junior players from Morocco and Bangladesh. In 1995, he was the director of the Big South Tournament. Before his collegiate coaching career, Harrison spent time as head tennis professional at the Sports Racket in Lynchburg, Va. from 1986-89. Prior to that, he was the assistant professional at Hidden Valley Country Club in Roanoke in 1985-86. He has also worked as a visiting pro with Van De Meer Tennis Center’s World Class Program and the Moroccan Tennis Federation in Casablanca. During that time, he worked with many nationally and world ranked players.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Harrison graduated from Emory and Henry University in 1985 with a degree in business management and economics. Harrison only lost two matches in his first two years of college play. He graduated from Emory and Henry as the top seeded player with a career record of 68-15. Still an active player, the Highlanders’ coach teamed with former RU player John Barker to win the Virginia state doubles title in the 45 and Over division. He currently resides in Radford.
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RADFORD
Meg Napolitano
Returner Profiles
Sophomore
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2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
Compiled a 22-7 overall ledger, which includes a 20-3 mark for the spring and an 8-1 record in Big South action... Competed at No. 6 singles for the majority of the season... Posted a 9-1 mark in her last 10 matches in singles... Partnered with Hannah Crawford in doubles; finished 20-8 overall, including 15-3 in the No. 2 slot.
5-9 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. ALBEMARLE
PREP / PERSONAL
Ranked No. 4 in the state of Virginia for the class of 2011... Four-time team MVP of her high school squad… Two-time Central Virginia’s Player of the Year… Captured the regional title in singles and doubles her junior campaign… Also lettered in volleyball… Led the Patriots to a state volleyball title in 2008, while earning first-team all-district her junior and senior year… Daughter of Mike and Maureen Napolitano… Has one sister, Molly (15)… Undecided on her academic major.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Meg Napolitano Sophomore
Returner Profiles
WOMEN’S TENNIS
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RADFORD
Taylor Newman Sophomore
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
Posted a 17-12 overall record, including a 14-9 mark in spring action... Played the majority of the season at No. 5 singles... Finished 8-2 over her final 10 singles’ matches... Teamed with Mia Drobnjak at No. 1 doubles for a 7-13 overall record.
Returner Profiles
PREP / PERSONAL
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Regional champion and state runner-up as a senior… Finished with a perfect 16-0 mark at the No. 2 singles position as a junior… Daughter of Paul and Debbie Newman… Has one sibling, Willlow… Plans to major in journalism/broadcasting at Radford.
5-2 BETHESDA, MD. CHEVY CHASE
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Taylor Newman Sophomore
Returner Profiles
WOMEN’S TENNIS
11
RADFORD
Gemma Valls Sophomore
2011-12 HIGHLIGHTS
Returner Profiles
Recorded a 17-6 overall record, including a 6-3 ledger in Big South play... Competed the majority of the season at No. 4 singles... Compiled an 8-2 mark over her final 10 singles matches... Teamed with Petra Dajevic at No. 3 doubles for a 14-5 overall record... Went 16-7 in 23 doubles matches.
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5-6 BARCELONA, SPAIN
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Gemma Valls Sophomore
Returner Profiles
WOMEN’S TENNIS
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RADFORD
Hana Babic Freshman
PREP / PERSONAL
Newcomer Profiles
Daughter of Dubravko and Tanja Babic... Has one brother, Karlo (17).
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5-4 ZAGREB, CROATIA SPORTSKA GIMNAZIJA
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Hana Babic
Freshman
Newcomer Profiles
WOMEN’S TENNIS
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RADFORD
Taylor Fay
Newcomer Profiles
Freshman
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PREP / PERSONAL
Ranked No. 261 according to tennisrecruiting.net... All-Area (New Haven, Conn.) selection for 2010 and 2011 seasons... MVP during the 2011 season... Two-time all-state honoree... Three-time AllSouthern Connecticut Conference... Played at No. 1 singles her junior year, only losing one match in the regular season... Played at No. 2 singles her sophomore season, going undefeated... Fueled her team to win the SCC championship in 2009 and 2010... Trained at Chris Evert Tennis Academy... Daughter of Rick and Krista Fay... Sister of Brooke (15) and Kyle (13).
5-4 MADISON, CONN. DANIEL HAND
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Taylor Fay Freshman
Newcomer Profiles
WOMEN’S TENNIS
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RADFORD
Allison Michael Freshman
Newcomer Profiles
PREP / PERSONAL
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Third-ranked Virginia prospect according to tennisrecruiting. net... Three-time state champion at ERHS... As a freshman, led the Eagles to their first state title in program history... Went undefeated in her junior season, en route to the singles and doubles state championships... Daughter of Mark Michael and Lisa Holland... Has two brothers: Luke (19) and Ben (4).
5-2 McGAHEYSVILLE, VA. EAST ROCKINGHAM
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Allison Michael Freshman
Newcomer Profiles
WOMEN’S TENNIS
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RADFORD
Freshman of the year 1995
Patti Gryfakis
1995 1998
Coaches of the year 1990 2012
Tom Hondras Bruce Harrison
ScholaR-Athlete of the year
Team History
1997 2006 2007
Heskia Dil Cassandra Price Cassandra Price
All-Conference Singles
1988 1989 1990 1995 1997 1998 2008 2009 2010
Cynthia Price Rose Vanderpal, Michelle Miano Ann Marie Paterno Rose Vanderpal, Michelle Miano Ann Marie Paterno Catrin Baecker, Nina Kapitan Safaa’ Nadji Safaa’ Nadji, Lamia Alami Ashton Downs Petra Dajevic, Mia Drobnjak Mia Drobnjak
All-Conference Doubles 1987 1988 1989 1990
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Sue Shoemaker / Tammy Ponder Tammy Ponder / Katherine Storch Carla Rollins / Michelle Miano Carla Rollins / Michelle Miano
Catrin Baecker / Nina Kapitan Safaa’ Nadji / Lamia Alami
All-Academic
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Heskia Dil Jill Archer Jill Archer Erin Dawe Sidney Lindsey Jihane Najdi Jihane Najdi Amy Costello Caroline Downs Cassandra Price Cassandra Price Cassandra Price Ally Spector Ivana Tomaic Petra Dajevic Petra Dajevic
2012
Taylor Newman
ITA All-Academic Team
2006 Radford
Christenberry award 2008 2009
Cassandra Price Ally Spector
Sportsmanship Award 2007 Radford 2008 Radford 2011 Radford 2012 Radford
Flight champions singles 2008
Ashton Downs
CoSida acad. all-america 2008
Cassandra Price
ITA Scholar-Athlete
WOMEN’S TENNIS 2006 Antonietta Iosue, Camila Noldin Cassandra Price, Alexandra Spector
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.
WOMEN’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.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
RADFORD
Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg
WOMEN’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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