Women’s Ice Hockey Team 2012 CHA Tournament Champions
Kiel Matisz 2012 NEC Player of the Year 2012 NEC Offensive Player of the Year 2012 USILA All-America Third Team
Kristen DiCiocco 2012 CHA Regular-Season Goaltending Trophy 2012 CHA Tournament MVP
Nicole Sleith 2012 NEC Pitcher of the Year 2012 NEC Rookie of the Year 2012 NFCA All-Region Team
1 First College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament championship for women’s ice hockey and the first Northeast Conference (NEC) regular-season championship for men’s lacrosse in 2011-12
3.30 Average grade point average (GPA) of RMU’s 23 Division I programs in 2011-12
6 Number of programs at Robert Morris that either tied or established a new school record for victories in 2011-12
11 Victories for the Colonial women’s soccer team in 2011, a school record and the program’s first winning season
13 Consecutive Northeast Conference Tournament appearances by the Robert Morris volleyball program, the longest active streak by any program at RMU
19 Wins by the RMU women’s ice hockey team in 2011-12, a school record and a 13-win improvement from the 2010-11 campaign, the largest turnaround in Division I
20 Number of athletic programs (out of 23) at Robert Morris that posted a team GPA of 3.0 or higher in 2011-12
24.13 Average points per game scored by the RMU men’s lacrosse team in 2012, which led Division I
26 Victories for the Robert Morris men’s basketball team in 2011-12, tying a school record
35 Wins by the Colonial softball squad in 2012, a new school record
51 Games for forward Artemis Spanou to reach the 500-rebound plateau for the RMU women’s basketball program, the second fastest in school history
4,384 Fans that attended RMU’s 45-14 victory over in-state rival Saint Francis at Joe Walton Stadium as part of the University’s Homecoming festivities, the largest crowd to witness a sporting event on campus
Dear Member of the RMU Athletics family,
We are pleased to present the 2011-12 Department of Athletics Annual Report. In the pages that follow, you will find a very long list of impressive accomplishments by our excellent student-athletes and coaches, supported by our superb staff. This marks the culmination of so much hard work by so many people, and we are proud of each and every accomplishment noted.   Of particular significance is that our student-athletes have proven once again that success in athletic competition can be accomplished without sacrificing excellent achievement in the classroom and while maintaining a commitment to community service. Our academic and community service record is also proudly outlined in these pages.   Finally, while this report outlines all of the tangible results attained by our studentathletes, coaches and staff, the long-term benefit to our student-athletes of their athletic experience can best be measured by their success in their careers and/or post-graduate studies.   Combined with the outstanding education and student life opportunities that Robert Morris University affords, the 500+ student-athletes at RMU are all winners! Sincerely,
Craig S. Coleman, M.D. Director of Athletics
★ As a department, Robert Morris posted an average cumulative team GPA of 3.30 among its 23 Division I programs in 2011-12, with a total of 20 of RMU’s 23 programs finishing with team GPA’s of 3.0 or higher. ★ RMU claimed the 2012 Northeast Conference (NEC) Institutional Academic Award for the first time in school history, as student-athletes that compete in 20 NEC sponsored sports combined to post a 3.279 GPA during the 2011-12 academic year to establish a new league record. ★ A total of seven teams from RMU were recognized by the NEC for compiling the best GPA in their respective sports. The Robert Morris women’s cross country squad led the way with an NEC-high 3.785 team GPA and was joined by both the women’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams (3.545), women’s volleyball (3.655), softball (3.650), women’s lacrosse (3.380) and men’s lacrosse (3.140). ★ Overall, nearly 70 percent of all of RMU’s 550 student-athletes posted a 3.0 or higher grade point average in 2011-12. ★ The 2011-12 academic year featured 105 Robert Morris studentathletes that were named to the 2011 NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, 51 to the 2011 NEC Winter Academic Honor Roll and 122 to the 2011 NEC Spring Academic Honor Roll. ★ Robert Morris placed 37 student-athletes on the 2011 NEC Fall Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, 20 to the 2012 NEC Winter Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and 42 to the 2012 NEC Spring Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. ★ A total of 14 student-athletes from the RMU women’s ice hockey team were named to the 2012 College Hockey America (CHA) Academic Team. ★ The Robert Morris men’s ice hockey squad featured 26 studentathletes tabbed to 2012 Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) All-Academic Team, a new conference record. ★ The Metro Atlantic Athletic Association (MAAC) named six studentathletes from Robert Morris to its 2012 Women’s Rowing All-Academic Team. ★ The NEC honored five of RMU’s student-athletes with the NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in their respective sport during the 2011-12 academic year, tied for the most in the conference with Mount St. Mary’s. ★ Senior Brianna Delaney and freshman Katelyn Scott were honored as the 2012 College Hockey America (CHA) Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year for women’s ice hockey.
nolan nearhoof
★ Freshmen Jeff Jones and Tyson Wilson of the men’s ice hockey program were two of 14 student-athletes earning Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) Student-Athlete of the Year accolades.
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lane
na de
brian
atisz
HANNAH VEITH
TYSON W
ILSON
kiel m
JACI TIMKO
CASEY FOLGA
NEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year Name
Sport
Casey Folga........................... Women’s Indoor Track & Field Kiel Matisz............................. Men’s Lacrosse Nolan Nearhoof...................... Football Jaci Timko............................. Softball Hannah Veith......................... Volleyball CHA Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year Name
Sport
Brianna Delaney..................... Women’s Ice Hockey Katelyn Scott......................... Women’s Ice Hockey AHA Scholar-Athletes of the Year Name
Jeff Jo
nes
katelyn
scott
Capital One District II Academic All-Americans
Sport
Name
Jeff Jones............................. Men’s Ice Hockey Tyson Wilson......................... Men’s Ice Hockey
Sport
Brad Banas............................ Football Kiel Matisz............................. Men’s Lacrosse * Logan Miles........................... Football Nolan Nearhoof...................... Football Leah Prentice........................ Women’s Soccer * At-large selection
Capital One Academic All-America Second Team Name
Sport
Nolan Nearhoof...................... Football
tice
Leah Pren
Logan M
iles Brad Banas
★ Three RMU women’s golfers were named to the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American Scholar Teams, including sophomore Anne Bozich and freshmen Sarah Weber and Tori Zachman, while junior Brock Pompeani of the RMU men’s golf squad was named a Cleveland Golf / Srixon All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
★ Robert Morris had five student-athletes named to their respective Capital One District II Academic All-America Teams by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
★
★ For the second consecutive year the Robert Morris volleyball program was awarded the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for posting a 3.655 team GPA during the 2011-12 year.
A total of 18 student-athletes from the RMU women’s rowing squad were named to the 2012 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Academic Honor Roll. Six of those student-athletes also were named to the 2012 MAAC All-Academic Team for women’s rowing.
★ Junior defensive lineman Nolan Nearhoof was named to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America Second Team, his second straight honor.
Mike McFadden
Andrew Toole
★ Robert Morris stretched its school record for consecutive winning seasons to seven in 2011-12, posting an overall record of 26-11 (.703), including a mark of 13-5 (.722) in the Northeast Conference. ★ RMU tied a school record for victories, matching a mark that was originally established by the 2007-08 Colonials. ★ Robert Morris has appeared in nine straight NEC Tournaments and has advanced to the championship game four consecutive years.
Russell Johnson
★ RMU accepted a bid to the 2012 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), marking the program’s fourth postseason appearance in the last five years. Over that span the Colonials have appeared in two NCAA Tournaments (2009, 2010) and the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) (2008).
Velton Jones
Anthony Myers
Lijah Thompson
Mid-Major Programs: A Five-Year Study School
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Overall
30-4
26-6
33-5
28-10
22-15
139-40 (.777)
2. Saint Mary’s (West Coast) 3. VCU (CAA)
25-7
28-7
24-8
24-10
28-6
25-9
27-6
133-34 (.796)
27-9
28-12
29-7
132-46 (.742)
4. Gonzaga (West Coast)
25-8
28-6
27-7
25-10
26-7
131-38 (.775)
5. Murray State (OVC)
18-13
19-12
31-5
23-9
31-2
122-41 (.748)
6. Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
25-9
20-13
19-12
30-5
27-8
121-47 (.720)
7. Old Dominion (CAA)
18-16
25-10
27-9
27-7
22-14
119-56 (.680)
8. Creighton (MVC)
22-11
27-8
18-16
23-16
29-6
119-57 (.676)
9. Robert Morris (NEC)
26-8
24-11
23-12
18-14
26-11
117-56 (.676)
28-7
19-15
24-10
25-12
21-12
117-56 (.676)
1. Butler (Horizon)
Kent State (MAC)
★ The Colonials earned road victories at Indiana State and Toledo in the 2012 CIT, the program’s first victories in a national postseason tournament since 1983.
★ Forward Lucky Jones became the second freshman in school history to eclipse 200 rebounds in a season in 2011-12, grabbing a team-high 213, an average of 6.1 per game.
★ Redshirt sophomore guard Coron Williams drilled a NEC Tournament single-game record eight three-pointers in an 87-68 win over Monmouth (3/1/12) in the quarterfinals en route to 87 three-pointers in 2011-12, the second highest single-season total in school history.
★ Redshirt junior guard Velton Jones established both single-season (207) and career (307) records for free throws and broke seven other junior class records.
★
Velton Jones became the 20th member of the Robert Morris 1,000-point club when he exploded for 35 points in an 81-73 victory @ Monmouth (1/21/12) and finished the 2011-12 season with 1,259 career points, which ranks 11th all-time at RMU.
Coron Williams
★ Since the beginning of the 2007-08 campaign, RMU has compiled an overall record of 117-56 (.676), with the 117 victories both a school and NEC record for a five-year span. ★ A total of 124 team or individual school records have been established over the last five seasons, including 43 in two seasons under head coach Andrew Toole.
Lawrence Bridges
Lucky Jones
★ Robert Morris posted its seventh winning season in the last eight years in 2011-12, compiling an overall record of 18-14 (.562), including a mark of 11-7 (.611) in the Northeast Conference.
april williams
★ RMU made its inaugural appearance in the Women’s Mid-Major Top 25 according to CollegeInsider.com, peaking at No. 24 in December. ★ The Colonials have appeared in eight straight NEC Tournaments, advancing to the semifinals seven times as well as three championship games.
artemis spanou
★ Robert Morris accepted a bid to the 2012 Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI), marking an appearance in a national tournament for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. Included in that stretch are a pair of NCAA Tournaments (2007, 2008), the preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament (2009) and the postseason WNIT (2010).
kelly hartwell
★ Sophomore forward Artemis Spanou led the Colonials in both scoring (16.8 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg) in becoming the second fastest player to reach the 500-rebound plateau, turning the trick in her 51st career contest. ★ Spanou enters the 2012-12 campaign just 68 points shy of becoming the 19th member of the Robert Morris 1,000-point club. ★ In 2011-12 Spanou recorded 20 double-doubles, which ranked fourth in Division I. mary durojaye
★ Senior forward Mary Durojaye became the 18th member of the RMU 1,000-point club in the program’s 2011-12 season finale and concluded her career with 1,009 points and 783 rebounds. She is one of only 12 players in school history to eclipse both 1,000 points and 500 boards. ★ Head coach Sal Buscaglia recorded his 150th career victory at Robert Morris thanks to an 85-78 win over Akron (12/21/11) at the Charles L. Sewall Center. Over his nine years with the program he owns an overall record of 160-117 (.578).
sal buscaglia
rebecca vint
brianna delaney
Paul colontino
★ Led by first-year head coach Paul Colontino, Robert Morris posted its first winning season in seven years as a Division I program with an overall record of 19-9-4 (.656), including a mark of 6-3-3 (.625) in College Hockey America (CHA). ★ RMU snapped Mercyhurst’s streak of nine straight CHA Tournament titles thanks to a 3-2 victory over the Lakers in the championship game of the 2012 CHA Tournament at the RMU Island Sports Center in March. ★
The Colonials posted a 13-win improvement from the 2010-11 campaign, the largest turnaround in Division I in 2011-12.
★
In addition to being named the 2012 CHA Coach of the Year, Colontino was named the National Coach of the Year by U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO).
★ Junior goalie Kristen DiCiocco, awarded the 2012 CHA Regular-Season Goaltending Trophy, was named the 2012 CHA Tournament MVP after tallying a career-high 45 saves in the win over Mercyhurst.
★ In 2011-12, DiCiocco established Robert Morris single-season records for goals against average (1.97), save percentage (.928) and victories (17). ★ Brianna Delaney scored the game-winning goal against Mercyhurst in the championship game of the 2012 CHA Tournament, a fitting end to the collegiate career of the senior forward, who became the program’s all-time leading scorer in 2011-12. ★ Delaney concluded her four years at Robert Morris with career records for goals (53), assists (68), points (121), game-winning goals (9) and powerplay goals (17). ★ Freshman forward Rebecca Vint, the 2012 CHA Rookie of the Year, established RMU singleseason records for points (44), goals (22) and assists (22) en route to being named to the 2012 USCHO All-Rookie Team, one of just six student-athletes to be named to the squad. ★ Vint ranked fourth nationally in points per game (1.38) among rookies and posted the longest point streak in school history at 12 games.
Men’s Cross Country
Field Hockey
★ Led by 2011 Northeast Conference Freshman of the Year Tip Worob, Robert Morris placed fifth at the 2011 NEC Championships in Holmdel, N.J., with 163 points.
★ Robert Morris established a school record for victories in 2011 with eight, battling to the final weekend of the regular season for a shot at its first Northeast Conference Tournament berth.
★ Worob finished eighth individually at the NEC Championships to garner All-NEC status, navigating the eight-kilometer course in a time of 27:05.30. He posted the highest finish for a Colonial at the NEC Championships since 1988.
★ Freshmen midfielders Jamie Hartley and Taleah Scott each scored 21 points, establishing a new single-season record in the category. Hartley produced an RMU single-season record for goals (8), while Scott did the same for assists (11).
Women’s Cross Country
Football
★ The Colonials finished sixth at the 2011 NEC Championships in Holmdel, N.J., by compiling a team score of 147 points.
★ Joe Walton signed a two-year contract extension to remain the head coach of the program through the 2013 season in September. At the same time of his extension, Walton also announced he will step down at the conclusion of the 2013 campaign and serve as a special assistant to the athletic director at Robert Morris.
★ For the second straight year a student-athlete from Robert Morris was named the Northeast Conference Freshman of the Year, as in 2011 Marissa Polk garnered the honor. Polk posted a time of 19:44.30 in the five-kilometer run to finish 17th overall and is the third student-athlete from RMU to be named NEC Freshman of the Year.
tip worob
marissa polk
jamie hartley
★ In front of the largest crowd in school history for a sporting event on RMU’s Moon Township campus as part of the University’s Homecoming festivities, the Colonials rolled to a 45-14 victory over in-state rival Saint Francis in the first night game at Joe Walton Stadium Oct. 8, 2011. Junior Jeff Sinclair tossed three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores in the win, becoming the first quarterback in school history to eclipse the 100-yard rushing plateau. He finished 10-for-15 passing for 155 yards and rushed five times for 110 yards.
taleah scott
joe walton
★ Senior tight end Shadrae King finished his career as the program’s all-time leading receiving, compiling 145 receptions over his four seasons. A three-time All-NEC selection, King finished with career totals of 145 receptions for 1,698 yards and 21 touchdowns. He eclipsed former wide receiver Tyjuan Massey (2002-05) in receptions in September, tied Massey’s career mark for touchdown catches and ranks second all-time in receiving yards. ★ Assistant head coach John Banaszak was announced as the program’s coach-in-waiting in January. A nine-year veteran of the Robert Morris coaching staff, Banaszak has served each of the last four seasons as the assistant head coach. Men’s Soccer
★ Robert Morris posted three consecutive wins early in the season en route to an overall record of 4-12-1 (.265) . The Colonials earned victories over Pitt and Duquesne in 2011, marking the first time since 2007 and third time overall RMU posted wins over both its crosstown rivals in the same season. Women’s Soccer
★ Robert Morris posted its first winning record in school history in 2011, compiling an overall record of 11-8-1 (.575), including a mark of 5-5 (.500) in the Northeast Conference.
john banaszak
★ Senior goalkeeper Jessica Olin established single-season records for wins (10) and goals against average (1.14) in 2011 and finished her career with Robert Morris records for victories (24), goals against average (1.39) and shutouts (18). Volleyball
★ The Colonials kept one of the longest streaks in school history intact in 2011, advancing to their 13th consecutive Northeast Conference Tournament. RMU finished with an overall record of 1517 (.469) in 2011, including a mark of 10-6 (.625) in the NEC.
★ The Colonials established school records for points (102) and assists (32).
★ Senior middle blocker Hannah Veith led the NEC and ranked 20th nationally in hitting percentage (.375) and became the first student-athlete in league history to earn National Player of the Week honors from CVU.com after hitting a cumulative .596 and posting 22 blocks over three matches in late September.
★ Senior forward Ayana Davis ranked second in the NEC in goals (11) and points (23), becoming just the fourth player in school history to score at least 10 goals in a season.
★ Veith became the just the third player in school history to eclipse career totals of both 1,000 kills and 400 blocks and was one of 30 semifinalists for the 2011 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
jeff sinclair
shadrae king
Ayana Davis
Jessica Olin
Hannah Veith
brooks ostergard
cody crichton
Men’s Ice Hockey
★ In 2011-12, Robert Morris produced an overall record of 17-17-5 (.500), including a mark of 13-9-5 (.574) in the Atlantic Hockey Association. The victory total was just one shy of the school record of 18, set in 2010-11. ★ The Colonials boasted the nation’s top penalty killing unit, leading Division I by successfully killing 89.9% of power plays by their opponents. ★ RMU put together an eight-game unbeaten streak, the longest in program history, to close out the first half, and also garnered program win No. 100 thanks to a 6-4 win over Canisius Feb. 3, 2012, at the RMU Island Sports Center. ★ An RMU Hockey Showcase record 4,927 fans filled CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh Dec. 30, 2011, to watch Ohio State slip by the Colonials, 3-2. Sophomore forward Colin South scored both goals for Robert Morris. ★ Senior forwards Cody Crichton and Trevor Lewis tied for team-high honors in scoring, as each produced eight goals and 21 assists for a total of 29 points. Lewis finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in games played (143) and ranks fifth all-time at Robert Morris in career points with 83. ★ Senior goaltender Brooks Ostergard concluded his career at RMU with a 2.73 goals against average, the top mark in school history. He finished with an overall record of 39-41-12 (.489) as RMU’s starting goalie and compiled 2,776 career saves. ★ Ostergard and freshman defensemen Tyson Wilson both took part in the Washington Capitals Development Camp in July, while during the same month the New Jersey Devils invited incoming freshman David Friedmann to the team’s 2012 Rookie Camp. ★ Lewis signed a contract with the Reading Royals of the ECHL in July, becoming the 34th Colonial in the program’s eight-year history to sign a professional contract.
trevor lewis
Men’s Indoor Track & Field
★ Robert Morris finished eighth at the 2012 Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Md., in February, compiling 28 points. yulia vasilyeva
★ Freshman Tip Worob established a new school record in the 5,000-meter run at the NEC Indoor Championships thanks to a time of 15:23.29. ★ In addition to Worob’s school record in the 5,000-meter, sophomore Dorian Rumble established the top two times in school history in the 800-meter, including the top time of 1:52.72 at the IC4A/ECAC Championships, while junior Brendan Morales broke the school record in the shot put thanks to a throw of 53’10.50” at Penn State. Women’s Indoor Track & Field
★ Robert Morris posted a finish of eighth at the 2012 Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Md., in February, finishing with 31 points. ★ Junior Casey Folga claimed the individual championship in the pole vault with a leap of 11'5", which established a new school record. ★ Tying her own school record in the high jump at the 2012 NEC Indoor Track & Field Championships was sophomore Yulia Vasilyeva, who finished with a leap of 5'7". Vasilyeva originally set the school record earlier in the year at Penn State. dorian rumble
★ Freshman Tara Van Schie became a force in the pentathalon for Robert Morris in 2011-12, posting the top three point totals in school history, including a school record 3,421 points at the IC4A/ECAC Championships.
tara van schie
casey folga
brendan morales
Brock Pompeani
Elizabeth Wenger
Men’s Golf
★
RMU finished fifth at the 2012 Northeast Conference Championships, which was played on the Champions Course at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.
★ The Colonials earned a trio of team championships during the 2011-12 season, winning the 23rd annual Leo Keenan Invitational in St. Bonaventure, N.Y., in September, the RMU Holiday Inn Colonial Classic at the Club at Shadow Lakes in Hopewell Township in October and the Mount St. Mary’s Spring Invitational in April.
jake hayes
talia waskowicz
sarah capp
★ The Colonials led Division I in points per game (24.13), scoring offense (14.33 goals per game) and assists per contest (9.8). ★ Senior midfielder Kiel Matisz, a semifinalist for the 2012 Tewaaraton Award and a finalist for the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, established a new single-season school record for points (64) thanks to 40 goals and 24 assists. He ranked sixth nationally in points per game (4.27). ★ Matisz finished his career second all-time at Robert Morris in points (166) and assists (72) and fourth in goals (94).
★ Junior Brock Pompeani paced the Colonials in 2011-12 by averaging 74.8 strokes per round, the second lowest total in single-season history. In three seasons, Pompeani has won a pair of tournaments and finished in the top 10 a total of nine times in 27 events.
★ In addition to being named both 2012 NEC Player of the Year and 2012 NEC Offensive Player of the Year, Matisz took home the highest honor in school history by being selected to the 2012 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-America Third Team.
Women’s Golf
★ Junior attack Jake Hayes paced the Colonials with 42 goals, the second highest total in RMU single-season history. He ranked ninth in Division I points per game (4.07).
★ Robert Morris placed fifth at the 2012 Northeast Conference Championships, which took place on the Champions Course at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla. ★ RMU tied Central Connecticut State for first place at the 2012 Mount St. Mary’s Spring Invitational at Quail Valley Golf Club in Littlestown, Pa., in April. ★ Senior Elizabeth Wenger averaged a team-best 82.2 strokes per round to lead the Colonials, finishing in the top 10 in three events, including one top five finish.
Men’s Lacrosse
★
RMU claimed its first Northeast Conference regular-season championship in 2012, posting an overall record of 11-4 (.733), including a perfect 5-0 mark in league play.
★ Robert Morris entered the national rankings for the second time in school history, peaking at No. 20 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll in May.
★
RMU was bestowed the 2012 NEC Team Sportsmanship Award.
Women’s Lacrosse
★ Robert Morris compiled an overall record of 7-10 (.412) in 2012, including a mark of 5-4 (.556) in the Northeast Conference. ★ Sophomore midfielder Talia Waskowicz led the Colonials in goals (38) and points (45), ranking sixth in the NEC in goals per game (2.53). ★ RMU paced the NEC in ground balls per game, averaging 21.06 per contest. ★ Senior midfielder Colleen O’Donnell concluded her career ranked sixth all-time at Robert Morris in goals (78) and seventh in points (108).
Women’s Rowing
Men’s Tennis
★ Competing in its first conference championship in school history, Robert Morris tied for fifth at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J., in April. The Colonials finished with 13 points, tying Canisius.
★ Junior Andre Coiro became the first Colonial to garner All-Northeast Conference honors in over a decade, as he was tabbed to the 2012 AllNEC Second Team. Coiro earned the honor at the No. 3 singles flight after posting a record of 8-2 in his final 10 singles matches of the 2011-12 campaign, including a perfect 6-0 mark against league opponents.
Softball
★
Robert Morris claimed its sixth Northeast Conference regular-season championship, posting an overall record of 35-22 (.614), including a mark of 15-5 (.750) in league play.
★ RMU’s 35 victories established a new program record, eclipsing the old record of 34 by the 1997 Colonials.
Women’s Tennis
★ Sophomore Carolina Mourao-Teixeira finished with an overall record of 12-10 in 2011-12, all at the No. 1 singles flight. Posting a record of 7-3 in her final 10 matches of the season, Mourao-Teixeria posted a perfect 5-0 mark against Northeast Conference foes and enters the 201213 campaign with a career record of 22-16 in singles play.
★ Senior first baseman Sarah Capp led the NEC in hits with 64 en route to a .366 batting average, which tied for fifth in the circuit.
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
★
★ Robert Morris earned seventh place at the 2012 Northeast Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held at Mount St. Mary’s, by compiling 47 points.
Senior outfielder Jaci Timko concluded her career with a .359 batting average, establishing a new school record in the category. She also established a Robert Morris career record for runs (130), breaking an 18-year record, and finished second all-time in career home runs (27) and hits (201) and fourth in RBI (92).
★ Freshman pitcher Nicole Sleith established single-season records for games (48), wins (25), innings pitched (247) and saves (5). ★ Sleith became just the second player in NEC history and first since 2000 to be named both the NEC Pitcher of the Year and the NEC Rookie of the Year in the same season. She also earned a spot on the 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region squad.
★ Freshman Tip Worob continued his solid debut collegiate season by establishing a new school record in the 10,000-meter run thanks to a time of 31:45.49 at William & Mary in April. ★ Sophomore Chris Carper earned silver in the javelin at the IC4A/ ECAC Championships in May thanks to a toss of 65.44 meters (214'8"). Carper advanced to the NCAA East Preliminary Round in Jacksonville, Fla., in the event, finishing 26th thanks to a final tally of 61.38 meters (201'4"). Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
★ The Colonials placed sixth at the 2012 Northeast Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held at Mount St. Mary’s, finishing with 76.25 points. ★
Robert Morris garnered the 2012 NEC Team Sportsmanship Award.
★ Freshmen Bethany Ledford and Aubree Ray each claimed individual championships, with Ledford winning the pole vault and Ray the discus. Ledford posted a mark of 3.35 meters (10'11.75") in the pole vault to outduel junior teammate Casey Folga, while Ray posted a throw of 45.12 meters (148'00"). andre coiro
chris carper
★ A student-athlete from RMU has won the NEC individual championship in the pole vault four consecutive years thanks to the win by Ledford. She follows former Colonial Erica Schmidt (2006-10), who earned gold in 2009 and 2010, and Folga, who claimed the individual title in 2011. ★ Folga posted a leap of 11'5" in the pole vault at RMU’s annual home meet at the RMU Island Sports Center in April, allowing her to own both the indoor and outdoor school records in the event.
aubree ray
carolina mourao-teixeira
★ Freshman Marissa Polk established a new school record in the 1,500-meter thanks to a time of 4:40.12 at William & Mary in April, while sophomore Yulia Vasilyeva posted a school record leap of 5'7" in the high jump on a pair of occasions on the season.
samantha santillo
nick chiavetta
rebecca vint
Conference Legend: NEC – Northeast Conference • AHA – Atlantic Hockey Association • CHA – College Hockey America
MAJOR AWARDS
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE (NEC)
Men’s Cross Country
Men’s Basketball
Tip Worob – 2011 NEC Freshman of the Year
Velton Jones – All-NEC First Team Lucky Jones – All-NEC Rookie Team Velton Jones – All-NEC Tournament Team Coron Williams – All-NEC Tournament Team
Women’s Cross Country
Marissa Polk – 2011 NEC Freshman of the Year Men’s Ice Hockey
Women’s Basketball
Nick Chiavetta – 2012 AHA Best Defensive Forward
Artemis Spanou – All-NEC First Team
Women’s Ice Hockey
Men’s Cross Country
Kristen DiCiocco – 2012 CHA Regular-Season Goaltending Trophy Kristen DiCiocco – 2012 CHA Tournament MVP Rebecca Vint – 2012 CHA Rookie of the Year Paul Colontino – 2012 CHA Coach of the Year
Tip Worob – All-NEC
Men’s Lacrosse
Kiel Matisz – 2012 NEC Player of the Year Kiel Matisz – 2012 NEC Offensive Player of the Year Drew McMinn – 2012 NEC Coach of the Year Softball
Nicole Sleith – 2012 NEC Pitcher of the Year Nicole Sleith – 2012 NEC Rookie of the Year Samantha Santillo – 2012 NEC Golden Glove Award Robert Morris – 2012 NEC Coaching Staff of the Year
Field Hockey
Jamie Hartley – All-NEC Second Team Michelle Lewthwaite – All-NEC Second Team Erin McKenzie – All-NEC Second Team Football
Nolan Nearhoof – All-NEC First Team Brad Rodgers – All-NEC First Team Cameron Chadwick – All-NEC Second Team Anthony Coleman – All-NEC Second Team Shadrae King – All-NEC Second Team Logan Miles – All-NEC Second Team Men’s Golf
Brandon Pompeani – All-NEC First Team
michelle schiewe
kevin brownell
michelle lewthwaite
brad rodgers
lindsey monger
anthony coleman
ben lewis
brianna bell
Men’s Lacrosse
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Kyle Buchanan – All-NEC First Team Jake Hayes – All-NEC First Team Kiel Matisz – All-NEC First Team Casey Abbott – All-NEC Second Team Kevin Brownell – All-NEC Second Team Mike Grosz – All-NEC Second Team Ben Lewis – All-NEC Second Team Dave Morton – All-NEC Second Team Matt Bukovac – All-NEC Rookie Team Luc Magnan – All-NEC Rookie Team
Bethany Ledford – All-NEC First Team (pole vault) * Aubree Ray – All-NEC First Team (discus) * Casey Folga – All-NEC Second Team (pole vault) Rachael Kotula – All-NEC Second Team (javelin) Bethany Ledford – All-NEC Rookie Team (pole vault) Marissa Polk – All-NEC Rookie Team (1,500-meter) Aubree Ray – All-NEC Rookie Team (shot put, discus) Alexandra Zielinski – All-NEC Rookie Team (3,000-meter steeplechase)
Women’s Lacrosse
Hannah Veith – All-NEC First Team Lindsey Monger – All-NEC Second Team
* NEC Champion Volleyball
Colleen O’Donnell – All-NEC First Team Talia Waskowicz – All-NEC Second Team Erin Mossop – All-NEC Rookie Team
★
Women’s Soccer
ATLANTIC HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (AHA)
Brianna Bell – All-NEC Second Team Ayana Davis – All-NEC Second Team Haley Vincent – All-NEC Rookie Team
Men’s Ice Hockey
Cody Crichton – All-AHA Second Team Tyson Wilson – All-AHA Rookie Team
Softball
Nicole Sleith – All-NEC First Team Samantha Santillo – All-NEC Second Team Jaci Timko – All-NEC Second Team
★ COLLEGE HOCKEY AMERICA (CHA)
Men’s Tennis
Women’s Ice Hockey
Andre Coiro – All-NEC Second Team
Kristen DiCiocco – All-CHA First Team Rebecca Vint – All-CHA First Team Thea Imbrogno – All-CHA Second Team Rebecca Vint – All-CHA Rookie Team Kristen DiCiocco – All-CHA Tournament Team Brianna Delaney – All-CHA Tournament Team Kathryn Stack – All-CHA Tournament Team
Women’s Indoor Track & Field
Casey Folga – All-NEC First Team (pole vault) * Marissa Polk – All-NEC Rookie Team (mile) Aubree Ray – All-NEC Rookie Team (weight throw) Michelle Schiewe – All-NEC Rookie Team (5,000-meter) Tara Van Schie – All-NEC Rookie Team (shot put) * NEC Champion Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Chris Carper – All-NEC Second Team (javelin) Collin Ray – All-NEC Second Team (discus) Shane Witmyer – All-NEC Rookie Team (long jump)
tara van schie
rachael kotula
erin mossop
thea imbrogno
The Robert Morris Department of Athletics continues to be an active member of the community, both on a local and regional level. Some highlights of the 2011-12 academic year …
★ The Robert Morris University men’s and women’s basketball teams took part in the Battle for the Books campaign throughout the course of the 2011-12 season. Made possible by a grant from the Northeast Conference, the two programs provided over 10,000 local youth in RMU’s eight immediate public school districts the opportunity to experience NCAA Division I basketball while assisting their schools. As part of the Battle for the Books, students in 19 area schools were provided with “Admit 2” vouchers to every home regular season men’s and women’s basketball game in 2011-2012. The school with the highest number of vouchers redeemed received $1,000 for their school library. The school with the second highest percentage of vouchers redeemed received $500 for their library. Elementary schools in the Moon Area District took home the top two prizes, Hyde (first) and Brooks (second). A total of 479 vouchers were redeemed. ★ The RMU Adopt a Highway litter cleanup project is in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Robert Morris has been part of the program since 1996. Every year, Colonial student-athletes clean a two-mile stretch on I-376 in Moon twice. ★ The RMU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) collected over 100 non-perishable food items and, in conjunction with the Duquesne University SAAC, donated them at the Nov. 19, 2011, football game between the Colonials and Dukes at Rooney Field in Pittsburgh. Items collected by both groups were turned over to Jubilee Soup Kitchen in downtown Pittsburgh. Plans are for this to be an annual event at each team’s venue when the two schools meet on the gridiron. ★ For the fourth year in a row, the RMU Department of Athletics led oncampus efforts in support of Toys for Tots, which is organized by the United States Marine Corps. Robert Morris brought in a record haul of 123 new, unwrapped toys in 2011, and in addition to the toy drive the Robert Morris Band donated $225 to the Toys for Tots fundraising campaign. ★ Robert Morris continued its popular youth soccer clinics, which are held each spring at the Western Area YMCA and annually draws over 100 participants.
★ The Robert Morris women’s basketball team hosted its first “Elementary School Game”, an 85-78 victory over Akron at the Charles L. Sewall Center Dec. 21, 2011. More than 750 students from Hyde Elementary in Moon, State Street Elementary in Ambridge and Independence Elementary in Hopewell attended the game. ★ Throughout the course of the 2011-12 season, both the RMU men’s and women’s ice hockey teams held various community programs. Included this year were four “Skate with the Colonials” nights, which were free to fans that brought their own skates. Robert Morris also hosted Boy and Girl Scout Nights, giving free admission to scouts, and a Skate for the Cure. ★ For the second straight year the RMU softball program, in conjunction with the National Foundation of Cancer Research (NFCR), raised money with its “Beat Cancer with a Bat” campaign. The NFCR supports cancer research and public education relating to prevention, early diagnosis, better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for cancer. Robert Morris designated a game during its season to host the event, and during the contest distributed cancer education materials, sold “Beat Cancer with a Bat” t-shirts and fundraised through raffle ticket sales, concession sales and donations. The Colonials raised $2,000 for the NFCR. ★ The RMU football program took part in a special community service project by participating as volunteers in the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Special Olympics Bowling Sectional at AMF Lanes in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. A total of 21 student-athletes interacted with the Special Olympics bowlers in addition to serving as lane monitors and scorekeepers during the competition in March of 2012. ★ Free youth basketball clinics, which are sponsored by Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services Airport Office in the fall and Heritage Valley Health System in the spring, continue to be one of the highlights of RMU’s community service program. The clinics teach approximately 200 youths annually the game of basketball, and the 2011 fall clinic included a canned food drive that donated over 100 non-perishables to the West Hills Food Pantry.
The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics honored its student-athletes for the 2011-12 school year at its 18th annual All-Sports Banquet, held at the Charles L. Sewall Center April 22, 2012. Led by master of ceremonies Chris Shovlin, the radio play-by-play voice of Colonial athletics for the last 25 years, Robert Morris presented most valuable player plaques to each of its 23 intercollegiate sports, while eight individuals and one team were also honored, respectively, with the Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award, Most Outstanding Senior Female and Most Outstanding Senior Male Awards, the RMU Athletic Department Appreciation Award, the Susan K. Hofacre Student Fan of the Year Award and the fourth annual Female and Male Strength & Conditioning StudentAthlete of the Year. Garnering the Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by Robert Morris University president Dr. Greg Dell’Omo, was senior Alexa Bryson of the softball team and senior Kiel Matisz of the men’s lacrosse squad. Bryson posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.86 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education major and was a two-time All-Northeast Conference Second Team selection. Matisz concluded his four-year collegiate career the recipient of a Bachelor of Science degree as a double major of economics and marketing. He posted a GPA of 3.75 and is the first student-athlete in school history to be named a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. The Robert Morris women’s tennis team earned the Team GPA award, presented by Robert Morris Assistant Director of Athletics Ryan Fleischer. The Colonials posted a 3.63 team GPA during the 2010-11 academic year, the highest of RMU’s 23 Division I programs. Taking home the RMU Athletic Department Appreciation Award, handed out by RMU Associate Athletic Director Sean Simmons, was the RMU Center for Student Success. Awarded annually to an individual or individuals from outside the athletic department that displays exemplary service, the trio of Tracy Gorrell,
Nicole Hammond and Cassandra Oden consistently help studentathletes at Robert Morris to help them achieve their potential away from competition. They are also present at many athletic events throughout the course of a season and are ardent supporters of Robert Morris athletics. Earning the 2012 Susan K. Hofacre Fan of the Year was Lee Kunkel. The president of the Colonial Crazies, a student run organization that is present at many athletic events throughout the year, Kunkel is a native of York, Pa., and a communication major. Director of Athletics Craig Coleman, M.D., who awarded Kunkel with his award, also passed out the honor of Outstanding Senior Female to Hannah Veith of the volleyball squad and the Outstanding Senior Male to Shadrae King of the football team. The winners of the fourth annual Strength & Conditioning StudentAthletes of the Year, presented to a male and a female by RMU head strength & conditioning coach Todd Hamer, were awarded to three different individuals. Junior Ben Ridgeley of the football team earned the male honor, while the female award was shared by Veith and senior Colleen O’Donnell of the women’s lacrosse team. A total of 27 student-athletes were honored with MVP plaques at the 2012 All-Sports Banquet.
Colonial Leadership Academy
Two-Year Members
Created three years ago as a way for studentathletes to have an opportunity to succeed and grow as leaders in the community, the Colonial Leadership Academy (CLA) was developed. Having seen amazing growth and potential since its inception, the objective of the CLA is to develop and maximize the leadership abilities of studentathletes who show leadership potential.
Liran Braun............................................ Men’s Tennis Kyle Cooper............................................ Football Sanchez Faugue..................................... Football Gretchen Gailey...................................... Women’s Rowing Zach Hervato.......................................... Men’s Ice Hockey Tyler Hinds............................................. Men’s Ice Hockey Maritza Jimenez...................................... Softball Kiel Matisz.............................................. Men’s Lacrosse Mike Meagher........................................ Men’s Lacrosse Igor Neves.............................................. Men’s Tennis Isabella Novella....................................... Women’s Tennis Debra Ostrander..................................... Women’s Track & Field Ben Ridgeley.......................................... Football Jaci Timko.............................................. Softball Hannah Veith.......................................... Volleyball
Name
One-Year Members Sport
Name
Sport
Geena Badolato...................................... Softball Brian Bohn............................................. Men’s Lacrosse Toba Bolaji.............................................. Men’s Soccer Peyton Burns.......................................... Women’s Soccer Alexandra Deines.................................... Volleyball Cobina Delaney....................................... Women’s Ice Hockey Hillary Gutherie....................................... Women’s Lacrosse Kelly Hartwell.......................................... Women’s Basketball Velton Jones........................................... Men’s Basketball Jennifer Kindret...................................... Women’s Ice Hockey Courtney Langston.................................. Women’s Ice Hockey MacKenzie Lawler................................... Women’s Lacrosse Anthony Myers........................................ Men’s Basketball Dayna Newsom....................................... Women’s Ice Hockey Leah Prentice......................................... Women’s Soccer Lauren Roberts....................................... Women’s Lacrosse Alexa Sarsfield........................................ Women’s Soccer Heather Schultz...................................... Women’s Soccer Cassie Show........................................... Softball Kylie St. Louis......................................... Women’s Ice Hockey Emily VanDyne........................................ Women’s Lacrosse Chantz Wain........................................... Men’s Track & Field