BATTER UP!

Construction on Carthage’s new varsity softball stadium wrapped up this spring, giving the Firebirds and their fans a vastly improved home field for NCAA Division III competition starting in 2024.

Most notably, crews installed a synthetic turf surface that enables the team to practice and play reliably when weather conditions fluctuate. The stadium remains at the northwest corner of campus, but the batter’s box is now positioned roughly where the left field foul pole previously stood.

The work also included upgrades to the scoreboard, bullpens, batting cages, dugouts, and sound system. With a superior on-field and spectator experience, Carthage should be in consideration to host future postseason tournaments.

Longtime College supporters Glenn and Barbara Madrigrano provided a substantial $250,000 starting gift that set the project in motion. They were joined by other donors whose lives have been touched by Carthage Athletics.

A dedication and naming ceremony for the stadium will be scheduled during the 2023 Homecoming weekend, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

Men’s Basketball Djurickovic makes state Hall of Fame

The Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association will induct former Carthage coach Bosko Djurickovic into its Hall of Fame this fall. He retired in 2020 after 34 years of coaching, including a school record 371 wins in 24 seasons at Carthage. The ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 24 in Wisconsin Dells.

Top conference newcomer

Voters selected Julian Campbell ’26 as First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. The center from Lansing, Illinois, averaged 12.1 points per game and grabbed 113 rebounds during the season.

Women’s Bowling CCIW champs twice over

In their third year of competition, the Firebirds rose to the top of the CCIW. They went 12-2 to share the 2022-23 regular season title with Marian (Wisconsin) University, then defeated the Sabres to win the conference tournament and advance to the NCAA regional in Lansing, Michigan. The National Tenpin Coaches Association honored Carthage’s Katelyn Zwiefelhofer as Division III Coach of the Year.

Men’s Lacrosse National scoring leader

Wrapping up an impressive college career, Colin Poitras ’23 led the country with 4.93 goals per game in 2023. The senior from Winnipeg, Manitoba, totaled 86 points (71 goals, 15 assists) for the season to earn honorable mention on USA Lacrosse magazine’s All-America list.

Tarble Arena The Fire Pit student section

To boost the game-day experience for both spectators and competitors, Carthage created a more defined student section in the arena. Students attending games are encouraged to sit in the bleachers on the east side of the court, branded The Fire Pit. The Pep Band now performs at the north end.

Men’s Volleyball Pair of All-Americans

The American Volleyball Coaches Association selected Carthage middle blockers Zach Bulthuis ’23 (first team) and David Markes ’24 (second team) for NCAA Division III All-America honors. A third-time honoree, Zach led the team in blocks (75) and was third in the nation with a .472 hitting percentage. David’s 64 blocks ranked fourth in the conference.