2008softballguide

M E R E D I T H

C O L L E G E

2 0 0 8 S O FT B A LL

INAUGURAL SEASON

MEREDITH COLLEGE ATHLETICS HISTORY Meredith athletics took on a new life, with the completion of Weatherspoon Gymnasium in 1970. Weatherspoon is still the home of the basketball and volleyball teams, training facilities and athletics offices. The first full-semester golf team was launched in 1976.

The volleyball and tennis teams saw their first winning seasons during the 1970s.

Meredith College students have participated in athletic events on campus for more than 100 years. Athletics at Meredith College began in 1904 with the advent of Meredith’s Athletic Association. In addition to sponsoring other student activities around campus, the athletic association began to sponsor sports in 1937. The original sports at Meredith included basketball and tennis. Meredith’s basketball program began with two teams, the Reds and the Blues. The first competitive games against other schools were held in 1904 with two games against St. Mary’s College.

In the early years, Meredith athletic activities included swimming, soccer, horseback riding, tennis, baseball, basketball, golf, football and field hockey. The first events were primarily inter-class competitions. In November 1937, Meredith aligned with the Virginia Field Hockey Association and became a part of the United States Conference.

The 1940s and 1950s brought some big victories for the basketball team. In 1944, Meredith’s freshman-sophomore basketball team hosted the Peace Junior College (now Peace College) team. The outcome was a victory for Meredith, and the game marked the beginning of the heated cross-town rivalry between the two Raleigh women’s colleges. In 1952, the basketball team pulled out impressive victories against the University of North Carolina and Duke. The field hockey team continued this trend in 1952 by defeating both the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils.

Riding the wave of momentum built in the 1970s, Meredith athletics earned state and conference titles in the 1980s. In 1980, the golf team won the NCAIAW state championship while the tennis team took the conference title.

Also in that year, the Student Government Association adopted the angel as the school’s official mascot. The golf team finished second in the AIAW Division III national tournament in 1981, making it the first bid for a Meredith athletics team to compete for a national championship. Softball was added as a varsity sport during the 1985-86 academic year. The most recent varsity sports to be added were soccer in 1993 and cross country in 2005.

In recent years at Meredith, there has been an increase in the competitiveness of the athletics programs on a regional and national level in Division III. The program has had five NCAA tournament bids across three different sports since 2001 (basketball 2001, 2003; tennis 2003, 2007; and soccer 2007). During the summer of 2007 the name of the sports teams was changed to “Avenging Angels” to emphasize the prowess of Meredith athletes. The 2007-08 season marks the first year of competition in the USA South Athletic Conference.

Meredith is committed to blending intercollegiate athletics with a strong academic program.

Student-athletes follow the same academic requirements and standards as other students; they must maintain a good academic standing with the College, be full-time students, and follow the rules of the NCAA. The athletic program maintains the same high standards set for other departments and the same commitment to the education and personal development of student-athletes.

Contents History of Meredith Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover Table of Contents and Quick Facts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2008 Season Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2008 Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Coaching Staff / Previous Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Player Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6 Schedule and Opponents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 USA South / Media Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 About Raleigh, N.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 About Meredith College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 The Meredith Athletics Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover

Softball Head Coach: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Luckadoo Alma Mater/Yr.:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina State/1988 Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (919) 760-8734

Meredith College Quick Facts General Information Location: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raleigh, N.C. Founded: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1891 Enrollment: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,298 Nickname: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Avenging Angels Colors: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maroon, Black and White Affiliation:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NCAA Division III Conference: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USA South Athletic Conference President: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maureen Hartford Athletics Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jackie Myers (Elon/1978) Assistant Athletics Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Weaver (Virginia/2001) Senior Woman Administrator: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marie Chamblee Faculty Athletics Representative: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Novak Department Assistant: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suzette Lugo Athletics Department Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (919) 760-8205 Athletics Web Site: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.meredith.edu/athletics Mailing Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3800 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, N.C. 27607 Sports Information Director (SID): . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Jarvis (Virginia Tech/1994) SID Office Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (919) 760-8811 SID Email:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jarvisgr@meredith.edu

E-mail: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . luckadoo@meredith.edu Meredith record (Years): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-0 (0) Assistant Coaches: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peggy Ross 2007 Record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32 Field: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meredith College Softball Complex

CREDITS: The 2007-08 Meredith College Media Guide is a publication of the Meredith College Athletics Department in conjunction with the Office of Marketing and Communications. Editor: Meredith Sports Information Director Greg Jarvis; Editorial Assistance: Melyssa Allen, Karen T. Dunton, Kristi Eaves-McLennan, Gaye Hill; Layout and Design: Vanessa F. Harris; Photography: Greg Jarvis, David Timberlake, Steve Wilson and Meredith College Archives

2008 meredith avenging angels softball

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2008 Softball Season Preview Luckadoo’s roster will include seven freshmen who will be expected to step in and play right away, and to carry a heavy load in their first season with the program. The battery will include a pair of freshmen on the mound. Becki Roebock and Arielle Stout can expect to split time with the pitching duties. Freshman Val Sherrer could see time both on the mound and behind the plate. An all-freshmen infield is likely with Anna Beavon Gravely and McKenzie Caskey at the corners. Middle infielders include freshman Dana Higgins at shortstop and Jenn Towns at second base. Senior speedster Tamara Rhodes, a first-year player with the team, will see time in the outfield, and can be expected to make her mark on the base path as well.

“I have high expectations, not only for this season, but for the future of the program here at Meredith. We have a great nucleus of young, energetic, hard-working players who have a tremendous love for the game. As a coach, I couldn’t ask for a better foundation on which to build a successful program,” said Luckadoo.

Luckadoo will be assisted this season by Peggy Ross. Ross works in the Health, Exercise and Sports Science department.

The Avenging Angels will open the 2008 season at home hosting Lynchburg College on February 16. Other key matches include playing in Virginia Beach and Salem, Va., in preseason tournaments. A tough USA South Athletic Conference schedule will dominate the second half of the season.

The 2008 softball season begins a new era for the Meredith Avenging Angels softball program. This season will mark many firsts for the program and the College. This year will be the first in the program’s history to be played as a member of the USA South Athletic Conference. Meredith entered as the tenth conference member this fall, and will have its first conference softball game on Tuesday, March 18 at home against North Carolina Wesleyan.

On January 23, 2008, Meredith College marked another first in the program’s history by hiring its first full-time head softball coach. Robert Luckadoo, of Marion, N.C., was hired from his position as an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to lead the Avenging Angels program into this exciting new period. Luckadoo is thrilled about the future of his new team and the future of intercollegiate athletics at Meredith College.

“I am excited and honored to be the one chosen to lead this softball program to the next level. We have an outstanding group of young athletes in our softball program who have shown a tremendous amount of heart thus far in our season. This is one of the hardest working teams that I have ever had the opportunity to coach. Although we are a little behind the other members of our conference in time together, I am sure that our team’s work ethic, hustle and heart will more than make up the difference by season’s end. I am very excited about our team and the program’s future,” said Luckadoo.

Returnees to the program from last season include senior outfielder Amber Littesy, who batted .269 with 28 hits, catcher Jess Maurice, and junior outfielder Toni Tricarico, who batted .340 with 33 hits. Sophomore Beth Sprinkle, a utility player who expects to see time in the infield and outfield this season, is the only other returnee from last season’s roster.

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2008 meredith avenging angels softball

2008 Softball Roster No

Name

Pos

Yr

B/T

Hometown/ High School

1

Tamara Rhodes

OF

SR

R/R

Colonial Heights, Va./Colonial Heights

2

Beth Sprinkle *

C/UT

SO

R/R

Raleigh, N.C./Broughton

4

Jennifer Towns

IF

FR

L/R

Louisburg, N.C./Franklinton

5

Dana Higgins *

SS

FR

R/R

Cary, N.C./Apex

6

Valerie Sherrer

P/3B

FR

R/R

Newport, N.C./West Carteret

8

Becki Roebock

P/1B

FR

L/L

Raleigh, N.C./Broughton

10

Toni Tricarico *

OF

JR

R/R

Thomasville, N.C./East Davidson

Head Coach: Robert Luckadoo

11

Amber Littesy *

OF

SR

R/R

Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook

Assistant Coaches: Peggy Ross

14

McKenzie Caskey

P/1B

FR

R/R

Cary, N.C./Green Hope

Athletics Director: Jackie Myers

18

Anna Beavon Gravely

P/UT

FR

R/R

Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount Academy

Assistant Athletics Director:Â Kelly Weaver

20

Arielle Stout

P/C/UT

FR

R/R

Siler City, N.C./Jordan-Matthews

21

Jessica Maurice

C

SR

R/R

Gloucester, Va./Gloucester

Athletic Trainer: Sharon Malley Sports Information Director: Greg Jarvis

* - team leaders

Seniors: Tamara Rhodes, Jessica Maurice, Amber Littesy

2008 meredith avenging angels softball

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Coaching Staff Robert Luckadoo Robert Luckadoo enters his first year as head coach of the Meredith College softball program. Luckadoo comes to Meredith from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he served under head coach Donna Papa as an assistant coach.

Luckadoo brings a wealth of experience from the Tar Heel softball program where he worked with pitchers and catchers, was responsible for video analysis of Tar Heel hitters, and assisted with practice planning and coordination of the Carolina Softball Camps and Clinics.

Luckadoo is entering his 14th season as a fastpitch softball coach and instructor and his 25th season as either a coach or a player. He has successfully coached at the 16U, 18U, high school and collegiate levels of play. In addition to UNC, previous collegiate experience includes Montreat College in Black Mountain, N.C., where he served as an assistant in charge of pitchers, catchers, outfielders and recruiting.

As a private pitching instructor, Luckadoo has worked with more than 200 young pitchers at the junior high, high school and collegiate levels of play. In addition to planning a summer softball skills camp geared toward the develop-

Peggy Ross

Coach Luckadoo is a native of Rutherford County, N.C., a 1983 graduate of East Rutherford High School (Forest City, N.C.) and a 1988 graduate of NC State University.

Luckadoo, a strong proponent of higher education, will complete a master’s degree in sports management in June 2008 from the United States Sports Academy. He is a North Carolina Certified Science teacher and has worked as an instructor of Physics and Physical Science in McDowell County and Burke County in North Carolina. Luckadoo and his wife, Paula, have two daughters, Lindsay, 18, and Sara,16.

Previous Records Peggy Ross enters her first season as Assistant Softball Coach at Meredith College.

The Pennsylvania native will serve on Head Coach Robert Luckadoo’s staff.

Ross has served in various softball capacities in at her time at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. She served as the Director of Softball Operation during the 2005-07 seasons. She also was the Head Coach from 2000-02 and Assistant Coach from 1995-1999. She also played two seasons for Geneva in 1979 and 1980. Additional coaching experience includes serving as Assistant Varsity Coach/Head JV Coach at Quigley Catholic High School in Baden, Pa. from 1983-1988.

Ross works in the Health, Exercise and Sports Science department.

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ment of softball skills for players from 10-18 years of age being held at Meredith College this summer, Luckadoo is scheduled to work 2008 summer camps at the University of Michigan, Michigan State and University of Texas.

2008 meredith avenging angels softball

Softball

Year

W

L

Coach

2007

6

32

Theresa Walker

2006

5

35

Theresa Walker

2005

8

28

Jim Smith

2004

NA

NA

Carl Hatchell

2003

17

10

Carl Hatchell

2002

18

9

Carl Hatchell

2001

16

11

Carl Hatchell

2000

21

5

Carl Hatchell

1999

22

8

Carl Hatchell

1998

15

8

Carl Hatchell

1997

4

20

Carl Hatchell

1996

12

12

Carl Hatchell

1995

8

17

Carl Hatchell

Player Profiles

#1

#2

#4

tamara rhodes

beth sprinkle

Jennifer towns

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OF Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colonial Heights, Va. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colonial Heights

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sophomore Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C/UT Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raleigh, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Broughton

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshman Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IF Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louisburg, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Franklinton

#5

#6

#8

Dana higgins

valarie sherrer

becki roebock

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshman Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SS Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cary, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apex

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshman Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/3B Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Newport, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Carteret

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshman Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/1B Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raleigh, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Broughton

2007 meredith avenging angels Volleyball

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Player Profiles

#10

#11

#14

toni tricarico

amber littesy

McKenzie caskey

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Junior Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OF Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomasville, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . East Davidson

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OF Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raleigh, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Millbrook

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshman Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/1B Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cary, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Green Hope

#18

#20

#21

anna beavon gravely

arielle stout

jessica maurice

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshman Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/UT Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rocky Mount, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . Rocky Mount Academy

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshman Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/C/UT Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Siler City, N.C. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan-Matthews

Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloucester, Va. High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloucester

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2008 meredith avenging angels softball

Softball Schedule and Opponents Date

Day

Opponent

Time/Result

FEBRUARY 16 Sat 23 Sat 24 Sun 29 Fri 29 Fri

vs. LYNCHBURG - DH vs. SWEET BRIAR - DH vs. PITT COMMUNITY - DH vs. Neumann (Pa.) + vs. York (Pa.) +

1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.

3:00 p.m.

MARCH 1 Sat 1 Sat 6 Thur 15 Sat 15 Sat 16 Sun 16 Sun 18 Tue 21 Fri 22 Sat 26 Wed 29 Sat 30 Sun

vs. Cabrini (Pa.) + 9:00 a.m. vs. Gwynedd-Mercy (Pa.) + 5:00 p.m. @ Randolph-Macon - DH 2:00 p.m. vs. Purchase (N.Y.) # 10:00 a.m. vs. Emory and Henry # 4:00 p.m. vs. Lycoming (Pa.) # 9:00 a.m. vs. TBD # TBD vs. N.C. WESLEYAN - DH * 2:00 p.m. - W vs. GUILFORD- DH 3:00 p.m. @ Mary Baldwin - DH 2:00 p.m. vs. METHODIST - DH * 2:00 p.m.- W vs. SHENANDOAH - DH * 12:00 p.m. - W vs. CHRIS. NEWPORT - DH * 1:00 p.m. - W

APRIL 2 Wed 3 Thurs 6 Sun 9 Wed 12 Sat 18-20 Fri-Sun

@ Greensboro - DH * 2:00 p.m. @ Chowan - DH 2:00 p.m. vs. AVERETT - DH * 12:00 p.m. - W @ Peace - DH * 3:00 p.m. @ Ferrum - DH * 1:00 p.m.

USA South Conference Tournament TBD

* USA SOUTH CONFERENCE GAME + - Virginia Wesleyan College Beach Blast, Va. Beach, Va. # - Ferrum Tournament, Salem, Va. W - webcast on Meredith Sports Network

AVERETT UNIVERSITY Location – Danville, Va. Enrollment – 900 (Co-Ed) Nickname – Cougars Colors – Blue and Gold Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) 10-25 (3-12) Head Coach – Stefanie Clayton (Averett) Record at School – 0-0 (0) Sports Information Director – Sam Ferguson Sports Info Phone – (434) 791-5876

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT Location – Newport News, Va. Enrollment – 4,800 (Co-Ed) Nickname – The Captains Colors – Royal Blue and Silver Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 34-10 (13-1) Head Coach – Keith Parr (CNU ’99) Record at School – 117-52 (4) Asst. to AD for Athletic Comm. – Wayne Block Sports Info Phone – (757) 594-7382

FERRUM COLLEGE Location – Ferrum, Va. Enrollment – 1,200 (Co-Ed) Nickname – Panthers Colors – Black and Gold Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 17-24 (2-11) Head Coach – Vickie Van Kleeck (VCU ’72) Record at School – 319-298-1 (16) Sports Information Director – Gary Holden Sports Info Phone – (540) 365-4306

N.C. WESLEYAN COLLEGE Location – Rocky Mount, N.C. Enrollment – 2,000 (Co-Ed) Nickname – Battling Bishops Colors – Navy Blue and Vegas Gold Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 22-13 (7-7) Head Coach – John Brackett (NC Wesleyan ’88) Record at School – 334-279 (16) Sports Information Director – Rikki C. Rich Sports Info Phone – (252) 985-5271

GREENSBORO COLLEGE Location – Greensboro, N.C. Enrollment – 1,300 (Co-Ed) Nickname – The Pride Colors – Green, White and Silver Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 32-10 (9-5) Head Coach – Kama Tucker (Barton) Record at School – 99-59 (4) Sports Information Director – Bob Lowe Sports Info Phone – (336) 272-7102 x279

PEACE COLLEGE Location – Raleigh, N.C. Enrollment – 650 (Women’s) Nickname – Pacers Colors – Green, Black and White Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 25-15 (7-7) Head Coach – Charlie Dobbins (Roger Williams) Record at School – 141-132-2 (8) Sports Information Director – Wendy Jones Sports Info Phone – (919) 508-2331

MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE Location – Staunton, Va. Enrollment – 806 (Women’s) Nickname – Fighting Squirrels Colors – Yellow, White and Green Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 7-23 (N/A) Head Coach – Christy Shelton (Mary Baldwin ’87) Record at School – 64-90 (4) Sports Information Director – Paul Yee Sports Info Phone – (540) 887-7153

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY Location – Winchester, Va. Enrollment – 3,000 (Co-Ed) Nickname – Hornets Colors – Red, White and Midnight Blue Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 19-21 (4-10) Head Coach – Marlena Kotynski Record at School – 47-72 (3) Sports Information Director – Scott Musa Sports Info Phone – (540) 665-5417

MEREDITH COLLEGE Location – Raleigh, N.C. Enrollment – 2,289 (Women’s) Nickname – Avenging Angels Colors – Maroon and Black Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 6-32 (N/A) Head Coach – Robert Luckadoo (NC State ’88) Record at School – 0-0 (0) Sports Information Director – Greg Jarvis Sports Info Phone – (919) 760-8811 METHODIST UNIVERSITY Location – Fayetteville, N.C. Enrollment – 2,255 (Co-Ed) Nickname – Monarchs Colors – Green and Gold Conference – USA South 2007 Record (Conference) – 33-10 (12-3) Head Coach – Ron Simpson (Texas Tech ’74) Record at School – 287-112-1 (9) Sports Information Director – Kirbie Britt Sports Info Phone – (910) 630-7172 2008 meredith avenging angels softball

7

gan

MA

New York

CT

RI

USA South Athletic Conference Pennsylvania Beginning with the 2007-08 sports season, Meredith College will compete in the USA South Athletic Conference.

NJ MD

Ohio

West Virginia

Delaware

Virginia

North Carolina South Carolina

Membership in the USA South Athletic Conference will increase the opportunities for sports team recognition and post-season play. Previously, Meredith College was a part of the Association of Division III Independents.

The USA South Athletic Conference is now home to 11 institutions, five in Virginia, five in North Carolina and one in Tennessee. Meredith College and Mary Baldwin College are the newest members of the Conference and join Averett University, Christopher Newport University, Ferrum College, Greensboro College, Peace College, Shenandoah University, Methodist University and North Carolina Wesleyan College to make up today’s Conference. The Tennessee institution, Maryville College, entered the conference in 2005 as a football-only member.

Georgia

Media Information All inquiries about interviews, press credentials, broadcasting requests and other related sports information areas should be sent to Greg Jarvis, sports information director, at jarvisgr@meredith.edu, (919) 760-8811.

Florida

Averett University, Danville, Va. Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Va. Ferrum College, Ferrum, Va. Greensboro College, Greensboro, N.C.

www.meredith.edu/athletics Follow the Avenging Angels on Meredith’s official athletics web site at www.meredith.edu/athletics throughout the 2007-08 season. The site features game notes, schedules, rosters, player and coaches’ bios, game recaps and special news related to the program.

Broadcasting Information The 2007-08 sports season will feature at least 32 Meredith College athletics events to be broadcast live and archived on the athletics web site. Last season was the first time Meredith athletic events were available online. All broadcasts can be found on Meredith’s official athletics web site at www.meredith.edu/ athletics.

Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, Va. Meredith College, Raleigh, N.C. Methodist University, Fayetteville, N.C. N.C. Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, N.C. Peace College, Raleigh, N.C. Shenandoah University, Winchester, Va.

Meredith’s athletics broadcasting team is made up of (left to right) faculty member Dan Fountain, student Shiara Molina, and faculty member Michael Novak.

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Athletic Facilities Softball Meredith Softball Complex The softball complex has undergone several renovations in the last year. The addition of irrigation to the Bermuda field and infield improvements have stepped up the playing conditions to make it one of the best fields in the area.

New dugouts and a press box have also been added to increase comfort for the players and enhance the game atmosphere.

Tennis Meredith Tennis Complex The home of the Meredith tennis program includes six lighted tennis courts with windscreen. Over the summer of 2007, the courts were resurfaced with a new color scheme - a “US Open Blue” inner court surrounded by a green outer court. This new color scheme will help to heighten the visibility of the ball for players and fans.

Volleyball Weatherspoon Gymnasium The Weatherspoon Gymnasium is home to the Meredith College volleyball team. The volleyball team has full use of the facility during their season and the ability to set up two courts for special tournaments. The complex also includes locker rooms, athletics offices, a training room, a fitness center, a 5,000 square-foot dance studio, and a six-lane, indoor swimming pool. The volleyball team shares the gym with the basketball team.

Basketball Weatherspoon Gymnasium The Weatherspoon Gymnasium is home to the Meredith College basketball team. The facility provides up-close seating for over 500 spectators. The complex also includes locker rooms, athletics offices, a training room, a fitness center, a 5,000 square-foot dance studio, and a six-lane, indoor swimming pool. The basketball team shares the court with the volleyball team.

Cross Country Meredith College Campus The Cross Country team has plenty of room to run on the College’s 225-acre campus. The sprawling campus and the Reedy Creek Greenway provide a challenging place to train and hold meets.

Soccer New Complex to Come – 2007 games held at SAS Soccer Park, WRAL Soccer Center and Duke University’s Koskinen Stadium Meredith has played previous seasons on one of the best Bermuda surfaces in the South. Beginning in the 2008 season, the soccer team is slated to play in a new facility located on campus, which will improve the playing environment even further.

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About Meredith College

Academics and Special Programs: • Meredith offers 50+ majors and concentrations at the undergraduate level.

• Meredith awards Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Music; Bachelor of Social Work; Master of Business Administration; Master of Education with licensure in elementary education, English as a Second Language or reading; and Master of Science in Nutrition degrees.

• Meredith’s innovative undergraduate general education curriculum encourages students to be involved and concerned citizens of their community and the world.

• In 2001, Meredith became the first women’s college to adopt a campuswide laptop program as part of the Meredith Technology Initiative. Full-time students receive a ThinkPad® loaded with professional and educational software to use on Meredith’s wireless campus.

• The Undergraduate Research Program supports student/faculty partnerships in the pursuit of research and creative activity in all fields. College funds support these projects and underwrite travel costs for students presenting their work at conferences.

• Study abroad options include a summer program in Italy, Switzerland and England, plus a variety of semester and year-long travel opportunities throughout the world. Semester programs at the United Nations in New York City or in Washington, D.C. are also available.

• Post-baccalaureate certificate programs at Meredith include the Paralegal Program and the Dietetic Internship Program.

• Meredith offers numerous opportunities for coeducational graduate and professional study, and lifelong learning programs.

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Faculty • The undergraduate student-faculty ratio is approximately 10:1. The average class size is 16.

• There are 141 full-time and 120 part-time teaching faculty members and 90% of full-time professors have earned doctoral or terminal degrees.

Sixty-nine percent of the full-time faculty is female and 31% is male.

Campus and Facilities • Meredith College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital city. Meredith students are part of the more than 108,000 college students who reside in the Research Triangle Park area, the country’s premiere research and development hub.

• Meredith’s 225-acre campus includes a 1,200-seat amphitheater on a lake, seven residence halls, a music library, art galleries, a research greenhouse, music practice rooms, auditoriums, a theater, concert halls, a student center, computer labs, a child care lab, a learning center, an autism lab, an astronomy observation deck, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a dance studio, lighted tennis courts, a putting green, a soccer field and two miles of greenway connecting our campus to the community.

Outcomes and alumnae satisfaction

Campus Life • Total enrollment for 2006–07 was 2,138, which included 1,989 undergraduate degree students and 149 graduate-level. One hundred and seventy eight non-degree students also took undergraduate courses.

• Meredith has more than 18,000 alumnae living in all 50 states and abroad.

With 31 chapters, the Alumnae Association continues to build relationships between alumnae and the College.

Academic Programs Undergraduate Degrees Offered Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Majors and Concentrations Accounting American Civilization Art

Graphic Design

Studio Art Biology

Environmental Science

Health Science

Molecular Biology Business Administration Chemistry Child Development Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Mass Communication Computer Information Systems Computer Science

Dance Performance and Choreography Private Studio Teaching Economics English Environmental Studies Exercise and Sports Science

Health and Wellness Family and Consumer Sciences Fashion Merchandising and Design

Design

Merchandising Foods and Nutrition French History Interior Design International Studies Mathematics Music

Musical Theatre

Music Performance

Piano Pedagogy

Political Science

Law and Justice Psychology Public History Religion Social Work Sociology Spanish Theatre

Musical Theatre

Theatre Performance Women’s Studies Licensure Programs Birth – Kindergarten (B-K) Elementary Education (K-6) Middle Grades (6-9)

Communication Skills,

Mathematics, Science,

Social Studies Secondary Grades (9-12)

Comprehensive Science,

English, Mathematics,

Social Studies

Special Subject Areas (K-12)

Art, Dance, English as a

Second Language, French,

Music, Physical Education,

Spanish, Theatre Workforce Development (7-12)

Family and Consumer

Sciences Pre-Professional Programs Dentistry Law Medicine Pharmacy Physical Therapy Physician’s Assistant Veterinary Medicine Dual Degree Program Engineering Master’s Degree Programs Master of Business Administration Master of Education Master of Science in Nutrition

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About Raleigh, N.C.

Urban Life With an energy all its own, Raleigh blends city life with Carolina charm. A population of more than 350,000 enjoys shopping, arts and culture, and outdoor recreation—all within the city limits. And with an annual average high of 70 degrees, Raleigh buzzes with activity year-round including springtime strolls in Cameron Village, summer concerts in the park, fall at the North Carolina State Fair and sledding in the occasional light snow.

• The capital city of North Carolina with a population of more than 350,000 • Raleigh is located 150 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean and 190 east of the Great Smoky Mountains • Raleigh has an annual average high of 70 degrees and low of 47 • The mean annual temperature is 59.8 • Diverse population—1/3 of Raleigh’s population is made up of minorities • Home to three state museums of art, history and natural sciences • Three hospitals within the city • Raleigh is a true college town; in addition to Meredith College, Raleigh is home to a variety of higher learning institutions: North Carolina State University, Peace College (women’s college), St. Augustine’s College, Shaw University.

• NC Central University, UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University are located within 30 minutes of Meredith’s campus

Arts And Culture There is always something to do in Raleigh, thanks to a wide variety of cultural and entertainment options. Major venues include: RBC Center; the Walnut Creek Amphitheatre; and the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, a four-theatre complex minutes from Meredith. Major performance companies are: North Carolina Symphony, the North Carolina Theatre, the Carolina Ballet and the A. J. Fletcher Opera Institute. Major museums located in Raleigh include:

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North Carolina Museum of Art; the North Carolina Museum of History; the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences; the African American Cultural Complex; and Exploris, a global learning museum. Raleigh is also home to movie theaters, music and dance clubs and a lively theatre and gallery scene.

Sports And Leisure The area offers a variety of restaurants, specialty shops, clubs and galleries in bustling neighborhoods. Professional sports teams include the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), the Carolina Mudcats (AA baseball) and the Durham Bulls (AAA baseball). Raleigh has 46 miles of greenways, including two miles of greenway connecting our campus to the community, as well as 150 parks and lakes. #1 Best City for Women Entrepreneurs (Raleigh-Cary, NC)- Allbusiness.com, November 2006 #1 Best Place to Get a Job – Forbes Magazine, February 2007 #1 Hottest Job Market – Business 2.0, March 2004 #1 City with the Happiest Workers – Hudson Employment Index, March 2004 #2 Most Educated City – U.S. Census Bureau, May 2004 #2 Best Place for Business and Careers – Forbes Magazine, 2006 #4 City That Rocks – Esquire Magazine, April 2004 #4 Best Big City – Money Magazine, 2006 #4 Best City for Singles – Forbes Magazine, 2005

MEREDITH COLLEGE ATHLETICS PROGRAM THE DIVISION III EXPERIENCE Meredith athletics teams participate in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Meredith College fully supports the Division III experience that allows the student athlete to enjoy competitive sports and other activities throughout their college years. Division III athletics offers student-athletes the opportunity to become well-rounded individuals who successfully integrate athletics and academics while experiencing all aspects of college life. Division III athletics feature athletes who can receive only academic financial assistance and athletics departments that are staffed and funded like any other department in the College.

ACADEMICS Meredith College’s commitment to academics is exemplified by its athletics teams. Each year, the USA South Athletic Conference recognizes its student-athletes’ hard work in the classroom by naming an Academic All-Conference team. A studentathlete must have earned a 3.0 GPA in each of the two semesters of a given year to be eligible. The athletics department also offers a special Athletics Director’s List that recognizes the athletes that receive a 3.5 each of the two semesters. During the 2006-07 season, 51% of Meredith’s student athletes finished with a 3.0 or higher and 25% received the Athletics Director’s award with a 3.5 or higher.

MEDICAL SERVICES In addition to the academic and fitness programs available, the athletic training staff provides excellent care for participants. The athletic training support staff consists of head athletic trainer, Sharon Malley, student athletic trainers from the University of North Carolina and on-call physicians. Some of the services and equipment provided in the Weatherspoon Gymnasium include a whirlpool, hydrocollator, ultrasound, injury ice and electrical stimulation. Meredith College serves as a clinical site for the UNC-Chapel Hill Undergraduate Athletic Training Program.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING The program is headed

by Meredith’s Strength and Conditioning Coach David Zinn who is a certified personal trainer and sports conditioning specialist.

An instructor in the Department of Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences at Meredith, Coach Zinn assists in the development and implementation of conditioning and weight training programs for all of Meredith sports.

COMMUNITY SERVICE The student athletes at Meredith College are committed to much more than sports. Members from each team are elected to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee that organizes support for each sport and also coordinates community service. Some of their past volunteer work includes Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchens, Service Raleigh, and the USA South Athletic Conference canned food drive.

3800 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-5298

www.meredith.edu/athletics 07-186