by Dan Teliski, Gannon Sports Information Director
Even the most successful programs have to rebuild from time to time. The Gannon intercollegiate athletic program was faced with that task during the 2004 fall season. One year after four of the five programs that compiled won-loss records finished with winning seasons, the majority of the fall programs were faced with new challenges and in need of replacing quality seniors in 2004. As a result, the winning percentages may not have been the highest, but the ground work for future success is now in place.
Football
The Gannon football team finished 4-7 during its initial campaign in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2004 season. Gannon opened the season with a thrilling 43-37 overtime victory against arch rival Mercyhurst. The local opponents renewed their football rivalry for the first time since 1997 and provided arguably the best atmosphere ever between the two schools on the football field. The Golden Knights overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half, scoring 10 points in the final 4:15 of regulation to force overtime. Junior Ron Bailey’s six-yard touchdown run with one minute left tied the game at 37. Senior quarterback Darmel Whitfield scored the game-winner in overtime with a one-yard touchdown run. Throughout the season, Gannon dispelled all rumors that it would not be ready for one of Division II’s best conferences. The Golden Darmel Whitfield Knights were involved in three overtime games, six games that were decided on the last play, and they lost in a close game to top-ranked Michigan Tech.
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Whitfield concluded one of the best football careers ever at Gannon. The senior quarterback was one of 26 finalists for the Harlon Hill trophy, the top national award in Division II. He was also named to the Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-Northwest Region third team. He led the GLIAC and ranked seventh in Division II with 322.8 yards of total offense per game.
Junior Sam Culberth and senior Eugene Padgett were named to All-GLIAC teams. Sophomore Joe Dipre, Whitfield, and Padgett also earned All-ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) accolades.
Volleyball
The Gannon volleyball team began a rebuilding process in 2004 following the loss of three graduating seniors (Jess Deemer, Mandi Altomari, LeAnn Byer). The Lady Knights finished 14-18 overall and 4-13 in the GLIAC. Head coach Michele Mason concluded the season with a 95-73 career record, moving into second place in Gannon history in coaching victories. Her .565 career winning percentage also ranks second all-time.
Katie Flower
Katie Flower was named to the All-GLIAC second team while senior Megan Heisler earned honorable-mention accolades. The sophomore shattered Gannon’s single-season dig record by 48 and produced the 15th-highest single-season kill total in school history. Flower also performed well in the classroom, being named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic College Division All-District II volleyball second team. The entire team showed brilliance in the classroom, producing a 3.61 team grade point average during the fall semester.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team followed its second GLIAC regularseason title in 2003 with a 6-12 record in 2004. The Golden Knights finished 1-4 in conference play. The biggest disappointment came in the knowledge that Khashayar Azizollahi would not play another match in a Gannon uniform. The senior concluded one of the best career seasons in school history as both a midfielder and defender. He was named GLIAC Defender of the Year and selected to the All-GLIAC first team. He was also named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II All-Great Lakes region third team, landing a spot on the all-region team for the second consecutive season.