AT H L E T I C S
Champions of Character Congrats to the 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees Five former athletes and a coach were permanently placed among Judson’s finest athletes and program contributors. This was the 14th class to be inducted in the Judson Hall of Fame. They include: Julie Anderson Schickert (Women’s Volleyball, 2001-2004); Jim Wallis (coach, Men’s Basketball, 1984-1993); Bob Pleticha (Weightlifting, 1972); Doco Wesseh (Men’s Soccer, 2002, 2004); Rick Williams (Men’s Basketball, 1998-2002); and Heather Kusch Johnson (Women’s Basketball, 1998-2000). The Judson Hall of Fame also honored the 1991 Men’s Soccer team this year.
New Coaches Matt TreDenick, Men’s Wrestling After more than 46 years, Judson is reinstating a wrestling team for the 2017-2018 season. “We are very excited to add wrestling to our department, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have a coach of Matt’s credentials,” added Athletic Director Chad Gassman. “He will do an outstanding job recruiting, but most importantly he will be an outstanding mentor to our wrestling team.” TreDenick brings an extensive list of coaching experience that spans 30-plus years in both the high school and collegiate levels. TreDenick has made an impact on numerous athletes having coached several successful wrestlers in the IHSA, IHSAA, MHSAA and National collegiate levels. Most recently, TreDenick was the assistant wrestling coach at Triton College. Steve Burmaster, Men’s Volleyball Men’s volleyball will officially be recognized as a varsity sport for the 2017-2018 season, and it is the 22nd sport to be added to the university’s growing list over the last three years. It will be led by new head coach Steve Burmaster. “To find a veteran coach like Steve to start our men’s volleyball program is a true blessing,” said Athletic Director Chad Gassman. “Steve brings a wealth of knowledge to our university, and he is a proven recruiter. We look forward to having Steve and his family be a part of the Judson University community.” Burmaster will be the first men’s volleyball coach hired in Judson history, and he will lead the first-ever men’s volleyball program set to start in the 2018 spring season. Burmaster brings in valuable coaching experience that spans 28 years that includes a middle school, three high school and two collegiate coaching stints.
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Judson University Athletics was recognized as a 2015-2016 Five-Star Institution achieving for the second year in a row the second-highest level of “Silver.”
Fall Postseason Awards Judson was honored with 17 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference honors! Women’s Cross Country: All-Academic Lindsey Rodig Amanda Zylstra Men’s Cross Country: All-Academic Nicholas Modlin Caleb Fletcher Mitch Mallary Jacob Wiese Women’s Soccer: All-Conference Second Team Margaret Rivera Men’s Soccer: All-Conference Second Team Sergio Bortolon All-Academic Joey Dutcher Women’s Volleyball: CCAC Champions of Character Team All-Conference First Team Grace Smith All-Conference Second Team Jennifer Donnell Natalie Ricca All-Academic Jennifer Donnell Natalie Ricca Brittany Huber Claire Speweik Cara Tyrrell