The Mustang Connection September 2021

September 2021 vol.

The

MUSTANG CONNECTION

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A PUBLICATION of THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY

Dr. Ruta Bloomfield loves

fine art, classical music and baseball. And if you spend much time with the TMU professor, you probably will too.

WELCOME to THE MUSTANG CONNECTION. IT’S ONE OF THOSE CLASSES YOU DON’T FORGET. Not just because of what you learned, but because of who was teaching it and how they approached the subject. Dr. Ruta Bloomfield’s zeal for Essentials of Music & Art, a long-running general education course at The Master’s University, has impacted many of our students over the years. In this edition of the magazine, you’ll find that Bloomfield’s enthusiasm isn’t limited to the classroom (spoiler: the story involves a castle in Salzburg, Austria, and a Minor League Baseball team). In this issue, you’ll also find practical wisdom on stewarding your finances to the glory of God and a preview of the upcoming year in TMU Athletics.

You can subscribe to The Mustang Connection at masters.edu/the-mustang-connection.

Please share it with friends, family and anyone interested in the University.

C O V E R P H OT O BY M A R K F I N S T E R

CONTENTS

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Right Out of the Gate

M A S T E R’S I N M I N I S T RY:

Daniel & Heidi Schubert O F F I C E H O U R S:

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11

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God Calls Us to Financial Faithfulness — Here Are a Few Ideas

by D R. D W I G H T H A M

C O V E R S T O RY:

Harpsichord Hero

2021-22 TMU Athletics Preview

Alumni Job Board

Scholarship Highlight September

2021

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RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE

CAMPUS

HIGHLIGHTS 01

A S A LWAY S , D R . M A C A RT H U R I S A H I G H L I G H T O F THIS YEAR’S LINEUP OF CHAPEL SPEAKERS.

02 Late last month, TMU hosted its annual Week of Welcome! The school’s record-breaking incoming class of 415 students enjoyed both new and time-honored traditions like The Master’s Cup, a beach day, a Santa Clarita scavenger hunt and an open-air worship night. Returning students then arrived on Aug. 28, with classes beginning Aug. 30.

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The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

03 “The Man From Nowhere” – the first full-length feature film produced by The Master’s University – is now available on Pure Flix, one of the leading video streaming services for content with faith and family values.

This is an exciting development for TMU, which first released “The Man From Nowhere” in February.

Close to 50 TMU students received hands-on experience in everything from wardrobe to production design to acting in the film.

“For Christ & Scripture” isn’t just a tagline. It is a reflection of TMU’s enduring heart for keeping Scripture and the God who inspired it central to everything that happens on campus.

This year’s chapel theme, Salt & Light, is a reflection of that heart. Speakers like Paul Washer, Costi Hinn and John MacArthur will teach TMU’s students how to be winsome ambassadors for Christ in every area of life through a wholehearted commitment to the Word of God. As always, you can watch chapel via livestream at masters.edu/live. Most weeks, services take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:10 a.m.

04 It’s been a big month for TMU alumni playing professional baseball. On Sept. 4, Conner Menez helped the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate record a combined no-hitter. Menez threw three innings in what became the first nine-inning, no-hitter in the history of the Sacramento River Cats.

This season, Menez has split time between the Giants and the River Cats. He owns a 3.86 ERA in 14 major league innings in 2021. On Sept. 8, Aaron Shackelford hit for the cycle — recording a single, a double, a triple and a home run — and had seven runs batted in for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ High-A affiliate. Shackelford has hit 21 home runs on the year.

UPCOMING

EVENTS OCTOBER 1

On October 1 at 7:30 p.m., renowned concert pianist Dr. Sam Rotman will be performing a selection of Beethoven’s works in honor of what would have been the composer’s 250th year. Dr. Rotman is a longtime friend of TMU, having performed and served as guest faculty at the school for years. Tickets are available at masters.edu/music.

OCTOBER 21

Every semester, TMU’s Student Career Center hosts a career fair on campus, giving students the opportunity to engage with potential employers and community leaders. This fall’s event is scheduled for October 21. If you are an employer and would be interested in having a table at this event, reach out to careerservices@masters.edu.

OCTOBER 22

This semester, TMU’s Theatre Arts program is performing “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The first showing will be an alumni dinner theater event on October 21, and then there will be showings October 22–23 and 29–30. On-demand streaming options will also be available. To learn more about the production or to buy tickets, see masters.edu/ theatre-arts.

OCTOBER 28

The next View the U event at Master’s is October 28–29.

See masters.edu/visit/view-weekend for registration details.

OCTOBER 30

The date for TMU’s first-ever TheoTech conference has been changed to Oct. 30. This conference will explore technology from the standpoint of biblical theology and will take place at Placerita Bible Church (adjacent to TMU’s campus). For a full list of speakers and to register, visit masters.edu/theotech.

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FEATURE BEST OF

THE WEB MASTER’S IN MINISTRY

VIDEO

DANIEL & HEIDI SCHUBERT

Watch at masters.edu/tmu-media

GEOSCIENCE AT THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY

PODCASTS

Listen at masters.edu/tmu-media

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3 EP. 7: PROF. JO SUZUKI ON THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT ANIME

EP. 123: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHORS OF “WHEN WORDS MATTER MOST”

NEWS ARTICLES

EP. 20: ALL-DECADE MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM

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4

Read the full stories at masters.edu/news

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At record levels, generous men and women have partnered with TMU to equip the next generation of students for lives of faithfulness to Christ and Scripture. Master’s is incredibly grateful to the Lord and to the donors He has supplied.

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11 TMU's faculty loves the local church. On Sundays, the school’s professors can be found singing, teaching and otherwise blessing their church families — modeling the very way of life they so desire their students to follow.

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The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

DANIEL (TMU, ’10; TMS, ’13)

ANNABELLE - 5 ELLIOT - 3 R U T H PAT R I C I A - 2 M O N T H S

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Countryside Bible Church

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Cornerstone Bible Church

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Northlake Bible Church

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The Bridge Church

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250 Countryside Court, Southlake, TX 76092 Tom Pennington, Senior Pastor Daniel Schubert, Associate Pastor

2297 Litsey Road, Roanoke, TX 76262 John Watson, Pastor/Elder

821 Hawks Way (Lance Thompson Elementary School) Argyle, TX 76226 Dusty Burris, Senior Pastor Wade Grubbs, Lay Leader

1225 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX 75006 Andrew Kim, Lead Pastor

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Filipino American Alliance Church of Arlington

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Grace Church Denton

1618 W Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76013 Jimmy Golingo, Associate Pastor

AFTER SERVING IN THE BIBLICAL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT AT TMU FOR SEVEN YEARS, THE LORD OPENED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AT COUNTRYSIDE BIBLE CHURCH IN SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, AS THEIR COUNSELING PASTOR IN JUNE OF 2019.

809 S. Woodrow Ln., Denton, TX 76205 Michael Boydstun, Pastor-Teacher

The church is pastored by Tom Pennington,

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Christ Community Bible Church

who served at Grace Community Church

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Calvary Bible Church

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3300 Interstate 20 W, Arlington, TX 76017 Jerod A. Gilcher, Lead Pastor

4800 El Campo Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107 Daniel Kirk, Pastor-Teacher Jason Kruis, Senior Associate Pastor Randy Barlow, Associate Pastor

Living Hope Bible Church

1011 North St, Mansfield, TX 76063 Brent Osterberg, Pastor

10 Zoe Community Church

605 S. Greenville Ave, Allen, TX 75013 Eric Lau, Pastor/Elder Jesse Terasaki, Pastor/Elder

for many years before coming here. What drew us to consider Countryside was first a commitment to a high view of God and His Word, and secondly their need for someone to oversee the private person-to-person ministry of the Word and to train the church body to counsel one another. We have loved our time at Countryside thus far and are so thankful for the ministry at TMUS that equipped us to effectively serve our own family and our church body.

11 Grace Bible Church

201 E. Clifton Road, Granbury, TX 76049 Keith Palmer, Associate Pastor

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OFFICE HOURS

God Calls Us to Financial Faithfulness —

H E R E

by DR. DWIGHT HAM

A R E

A

F E W

I D E A S

T H E T I M E S T H AT W E L I V E I N A R E A N Y T H I N G B U T O R D I N A R Y, S E E M I N G LY M A K I N G I T A C H A L L E N G E T O PLAN AND BUILD FOR THE FUTURE. IT CAN BE TOUGH TO KNOW HOW TO BUDGET FOR TOMORROW WHEN I N C O M E A N D S E C U R I T Y A R E L E F T U N C E R TA I N B Y E C O N O M I C V O L AT I L I T Y D U E T O PA N D E M I C S , E M P L O Y E E L AY O F F S A N D C H A N G E S I N T H E P O L I T I C A L C L I M AT E .

S O, A S G O D ’ S P E O P L E , H O W S H O U L D W E T R E AT O U R F I N A N C E S A M I D S O M U C H U N C E R TA I N T Y ?

GOD’S VIEW First, we should ask our Creator what He has to say about the resources He has entrusted us with. Wisely handling our money begins by living a life obedient to God’s Word and by understanding that God owns it all — we are just stewards.

Not only does God own it all – “The earth is the Lord’s, and all that it contains” (Psalms 24:1) – but Scripture is clear as to the origin of all that we have. “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

Whatever we do, we are to glorify God. That includes the most mundane things, like eating and drinking, along with all that He has given us to manage: wealth, talent, family and possessions.

When we master money — instead of letting money master us — we position ourselves to be used by God. With our wealth, we can care for our families and plan for the requirements of the future. We also can graciously meet the needs of others, especially those within the body

of Christ (Galatians 6:10).

SET GOALS Poor financial decisions are often due to a lack of planning.

Handling money well includes creating financial goals and a budget to provide a valuable structure to our everyday spending. By establishing goals, we can differentiate between what qualifies as a “need” and what is simply a “want.” Financial goals should consist of saving for later life, as well as setting aside money for things like family trips, education, a new home, a rental property or launching a business. We should also plan to save for emergencies.

That last one is a struggle for many. According to Federal Reserve surveys, 12% of households do not have $400 in emergency savings. Millennials are slightly better with 16%, while Boomers are only 8%.

Things might be changing, however. According to data compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported in

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Gary Shilling’s “Insight,” households have been gradually increasing their savings rate since 2005 while reducing consumer debt.

One area people are generally keen on saving for is retirement. While the concept of retirement is not discussed in the Scriptures, it is wise to consider that there may come a day when working is not possible and, therefore, having a nest egg would be advisable.

It’s a good idea to start early. For example, how far would a savings goal of $1 million get you?

The key to any savings plan is patience and the consistent discipline of putting aside money in the appropriate investment vehicle. Consistently saving to your investment account will allow the earnings to compound over time and increase personal wealth.

BE WARY OF CREDIT CARDS AND DEBT Using a credit card for expenditures can be dangerous.

Most people spend more when using credit cards, so it’s easier for finances to spiral out of control. Be sure that whatever amount you charge, you’re able to pay the entire balance in full so no interest can accrue.

When you stop working, a $1 million investment account that earns a 2.5% return for less risky investments, paying $50,000 a year for living expenses, will last 28 years.

If you stop working at age WHETHER WE ARE 70, the accumulated savings S P E N D I N G, S AV I N G O R should last until age 98. If you think you will need PAY I N G D O W N D E B T more, such as $100,000 of income each year, double O B L I G AT I O N S, H O W W E the savings to $2 million S T E WA R D T H E M O N E Y T H E and the associated annual payments to the investment LO R D H A S P R O V I D E D U S account, and so on.

“

At age 35, what will it take to save $1 million by the age of 70? Assuming you earn an average rate of return of 7% on your

WITH IS CRUCIAL TO OUR

Some people should avoid credit cards altogether.

Proverbs 22:7 gives a warning that the borrower can become the lender’s slave. Debt can easily enslave people and cause unnecessary stress within the home.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

For this reason, Christians should view debt with caution. Going into debt A N D M AT U R I T Y. to take trips or to purchase items that will depreciate is money over the period, you will need to set aside $7,234 not advised. However, going into debt to acquire an asset annually, or about $603 a month. If you start at age 25 that will appreciate — like real estate — is. Moreover, and invest for 45 years, you will need to set aside $3,500 most people cannot pay cash for a home, and the money annually or $292 a month to accumulate $1 million by 70. they spend on a home would otherwise be paid as rent.

If you don’t start saving until age 50 and set aside $26,000 a year in a company 401(k) or a Roth 401(k) (the maximum amount you can put in a retirement account, including the catch-up amount of $6,500 in 2021), it will take nearly 16 years at 7% to amass $1 million at age 66. Making those payment contributions to the 401(k) another four years to age 70 builds the savings to over $1.6 million.

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The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

”

If you are in debt, make a plan to pay off the debt as soon as practical given your income and other important financial obligations such as food, utilities and rent.

Reducing debt will lower the interest costs and provide greater financial freedom once the debt is paid off.

And whether you’re making a purchase with a credit card or with cash, ask yourself the following questions

to evaluate the item’s necessity: Can you afford the purchase? Is this the best buy, or can you get a better deal with a little more research? Does it add or detract from your financial goals and obligations? Can you use it, or will it get stuffed into the closet or hung up in the garage?

And finally, is it a need? Or is it a want?

A SHORT READING LIST

on HYMNS The One Year Book of Hymns: 365 Devotional Readings Based on Great Hymns of the Faith

HAVE A FINANCIAL PLAN Mastering money isn’t always easy. But having a financial plan in the form of a budget will help reduce the misfortune of financial trouble in your future and help provide for emergencies. Sadly, some have no idea what they are spending and where their money is going. As earlier cautioned, this can lead to excessive reliance on credit card debt and personal loans.

I have used Quicken to track and manage my finances for well over 25 years. Through Quicken, you can create budgets for planned expenditures, such as home improvements or an investment strategy, while keeping a record of every dollar earned and spent. These records are available for me to look back on to see the money I have made and how I am investing, spending and giving the resources God has provided for our family. This history of income and expenses is invaluable in planning.

Having a tool like Quicken, or some other favorite software, will make it easier to manage your money and investments while helping to prepare tax returns at the end of the year.

WILLIAM PETERSON, ROBERT BROWN, MARK NORTON, RANDY PETERSON For each hymn, the text is given with a devotional including the background of the writing of that text and related Scriptures.

101 Hymn Stories KENNETH OSBECK This book includes inspiring, factual backgrounds and experiences that prompted the writing of each hymn, including information about the writer and the composer.

Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymns Stories ROBERT MORGAN This work provides an interesting background of the author of the text and how each hymn came to be written.

CONCLUSION Whether we are spending, saving or paying down debt obligations, how we steward the money the Lord has provided us with is crucial to our spiritual growth and maturity. As stewards of what God has provided in His Word, Paul admonishes the Corinthians, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Being faithful in all areas, including our finances, is essential to the entirety of our Christian walk.

DR. DWIGHT HAM Chair, Department of Business Administration

Sing with Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Hymnology HARRY ESKEW, HUGH MCELRATH A thorough book that would serve as a suitable text for college or seminary classes.

It explores the history of the hymns in various countries and church movements.

composed by DR. KEN MAYS Professor Emeritus, Piano

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p ar H COVER STORY

d or h c psi

by K A E LY N P E A Y

hero

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D r. Bloomfield’s passion for music,

art and a keyboard instrument that predates the piano has impacted countless students over the past three decades.

As a college freshman, Dr. Ruta Bloomfield barely knew what a harpsichord was.

But only two years later, Bloomfield was living in a castle in Salzburg, Austria, as an exchange student, majoring in harpsichord performance and falling even deeper in love with the keyboard instrument that would remain a major part of her life for years to come.

Some things never change.

To this day, Bloomfield has never been one to pursue her passions with half measures. Whether it’s the harpsichord, baseball or teaching, she has spent her life trying to experience as much of what she loves as she can. And this zeal has been the very thing that makes her classes — especially her famous Essentials of Music & Art course — so impactful for students at The Master’s University.

“Dr. Bloomfield is the most passionate person. So passionate! She just cannot contain it,” says Sheridan Louie, a 2019 TMU grad. “She’ll come into class wearing office clothes matched with running shoes. Then she’ll get excited about some musical cue and jump up on the desk and be like, ‘Do you hear this!?’” ***

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The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

Bloomfield grew up in the greater Detroit area as one of four sisters. In high school, she was introduced to the God of the Bible, and soon after, she placed her trust in Christ.

Around that time, another shift also took place. After being forced to take piano lessons for seven years (and hating it), Bloomfield finally started to enjoy playing. In fact, she loved it so much that she decided to major in music at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Her first year, on a whim, she started taking lessons on the harpsichord — a keyboard instrument invented centuries before the piano. “I didn’t even know what a harpsichord was before Bowling Green,” says Bloomfield, who was intrigued by the instrument’s unique sound. “I wasn’t intending for the harpsichord to become my life’s passion.”

Eventually, Bloomfield decided to double-major in music history & literature and harpsichord performance. And then she spent a year studying in Salzburg, a city famous for its classical music festivals and for being the birthplace of Mozart.

While there, she lived in the Schloss Frohnburg Castle, which appears in “The Sound of Music” as the first establishing shot of the von Trapp home. There was a harpsichord near her room, and Bloomfield relished pulling on slippers and walking over to practice whenever she wanted.

Ever since, the harpsichord has been the focal point of Bloomfield’s musical career. She is involved with numerous music societies related to the instrument and is the vice president of the Historical Keyboard Society of North America. She has learned and performed famously difficult harpsichord pieces, including the instrument’s Mount Everest: the 75,730-note Goldberg Variations by Bach.

After finishing her bachelor’s degree, Bloomfield earned her master’s in musicology and harpsichord from Northwestern University. And years later, she earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in historical performance practices from Claremont Graduate University while teaching fulltime at TMU.

But before she had ever taught a college class, Bloomfield decided to go professional with another of her life’s passions: baseball.

America’s pastime — and particularly her lifelong team, the Detroit Tigers — has been a huge part of Bloomfield’s life since childhood. “And yes, they’ve been really lousy lately,” she admits. “But I’m loyal!” After her master's program, she decided to try working for a baseball team.

So, Bloomfield flew to Florida when she knew major and minor league teams would be in town for business meetings. After standing in a hotel lobby for four days introducing herself to people, she talked her way into being the assistant general manager of the Waterloo Indians minor league team in Iowa. The job involved tasks like selling advertising space and managing the souvenir shop.

During the 1982 season, Bloomfield happened to meet a man named Ken at a Christian singles group. One day he asked her to play catch. By September, they were engaged, and they got married in May of 1983.

Bach is my hero of connecting

music with faith, because he did everything to the of

glory God.

biological science degree, still vividly remembers taking Bloomfield’s Essentials class.

B loomfield has been teaching Essentials of Music & Art at TMU since 1989.

Ultimately, Bloomfield decided not to return for another season, instead turning her attention to teaching an introductory music course in Muscatine, Iowa.

She so loved the experience that when the Bloomfields moved to Palmdale, California, to escape Iowa winters, she reached out to a number of schools. One of these was The Master’s College.

“Ten days before the fall semester started, I got a call from Dr. (Ken) Mays,” Bloomfield says. “And he told me that their Essentials of Music & Art professor was leaving, and they needed someone to teach the class. So I came down for an interview, and the rest is history.”

That was 1989, and Bloomfield has been teaching Essentials of Music & Art, a general education course, ever since. Over time, she’s added classes in aural skills and music history to her repertoire. But most students still know her best for the sheer enthusiasm she brings to her Essentials class.

“I don’t naturally like art and classical music, and I think Dr. Bloomfield is aware that that’s how most students are,” Louie says. So instead of making the class all about memorizing dates and terms, Bloomfield instead focuses on observation, showing photos of art or playing pieces of music and pointing out important details. And because she enjoys what she teaches so much, Bloomfield tends to get excited.

That excitement doesn’t leave students unchanged. Louie credits learning about impressionist painters like J. M. W. Turner for inspiring her current watercolor hobby.

Bloomfield’s passion also means that she hasn’t stopped seeking out new experiences of her own. Decades after her time in Salzburg, she was granted a sabbatical semester during spring 2017. She used that time to take another trip to Europe — a 66-day tour where she performed four harpsichord concerts. One performance was in Paris, and another in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. In London, she performed in a house where Handel once lived.

She also performed in Leipzig, Germany, the city where her musical hero and favorite composer, Bach, spent the final 27 years of his life.

“He’s my hero of connecting music with faith, because he did everything to the glory of God,” Bloomfield says.

“Whether he was writing church music or the Goldberg Variations, it was always to the glory of God. And that’s what I try to do. Whether I’m teaching or practicing, or whatever I’m doing, I have that same goal.”

“I just love the topic,” Bloomfield says. “I think that comes through, and I think it rubs off on students.”

Sheridan Louie, who graduated from TMU with a

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The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

KAELYN PEAY is a writer in the marketing department at The Master’s University.

MASTER’S CONNECT This is where you’ll find a monthly alumni newsletter, a church directory, a job board, and the opportunity to network with other members of the TMU family.

All in one place. stay connected at masters.edu/alumni

FEATURE

by T I M H E I D U K

MEN ’S CRO S S C OU N TRY

FALL

The Mustangs have won 11 straight GSAC titles, which is tied for the most consecutive conference crowns for any GSAC team, across all sports. Master’s entered the 2021 season ranked 14th in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

KEY RETURNERS Senior WESLEY METHUM (2020 NAIA All-American – 20th place) Senior DAVIS BOGGESS (2020 GSAC Individual Champion) Junior BRINT LAUBACH (2019 NAIA All-American – 30th place) KEY NEWCOMERS Freshman ANDREW CROSS (Christian Academy of Knoxville 5K record holder) Freshman CONNOR YBARRA (top five in Centennial HS history in the mile) LAST SEASON 1st at GSAC Championships 14th at NAIA Championships

MARIAH HILDEBRANDT

WOM E N ’ S CRO S S C OU N TRY

FALL

TMU is coming off its second-ever GSAC title and is looking to win back-to-back GSAC championships for the first time in program history. Master’s began the season ranked 15th in the NAIA. KEY RETURNERS Senior ARIANNA GHIORSO (2020 NAIA All-American – 27th place) Junior MARIAH HILDEBRANDT (2020 All-GSAC) KEY NEWCOMERS HANNAH FREDERICKS (All-CIF, Foothill League cross country champion) EMMA NELSON (top 15 at Montana state championships) LAST SEASON 1st at GSAC Championships 17th at NAIA Championships

MEN ’S G OLF

JOSH KEHL

FALL-SPRING

A painful ending at last season’s GSAC Championships, falling one stroke short of the title, has reigning GSAC Coach of the Year Jacob Hicks and his No. 21-ranked squad motivated heading into the year.

KEY RETURNERS Senior JACK DUDECK (2021 GSAC Individual Champion) Senior JOSH KEHL (2020-21 All-GSAC) KEY NEWCOMERS Freshman DONDON BUMACOD (CIF individual runner-up, 2x CIF team champion)

WOM E N ’ S G OLF

FALL-SPRING

TMU returns the entire roster from its inaugural 2020-21 season. The Mustangs also added a pair of incoming freshmen who should help the team take a step forward in year two.

KEY RETURNERS Sophomore BELLA HUFF (13th at 2021 GSAC Championships) Senior SIERRA PILGRIM (14th at 2021 GSAC Championships)

Freshman SAM SEWELL (won district team title at Guyer HS in Texas)

KEY NEWCOMERS Freshman NICOLE SOUTHARD (2x all-conference pick at Norco HS)

LAST SEASON Tied for 2nd at GSAC Championships

LAST SEASON 5th at GSAC Championships

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MEN ’S S O C CE R

WOM E N ’ S S O C CE R

FALL

After an injury-plagued spring 2021 season, TMU hopes to stay healthy this fall and compete for a spot in the GSAC Tournament. The Mustangs were picked to finish seventh in the GSAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

KEY RETURNERS Midfielder MICHAEL NACHFOERG (2020 All-GSAC)

Defender PAYTON WILLIAMS (2020 All-GSAC)

Defender PETER MACKAY (team captain) KEY NEWCOMERS Forward CADEN ZIERENBERG (Idaho Olympic Development Program) Defender CAMERON BERKWITT (Arizona semi-pro experience)

Defender LEXI BAKER (2020 All-GSAC) KEY NEWCOMERS Goalkeeper ARIANA ROMERO (NCAA Division I transfer, Seattle University) Midfielder KATE MERICAL (undefeated season with Windsor HS)

LAST SEASON 4th in GSAC East 3-6-2 overall (2-5-1 GSAC)

EMILYE GRACE WILLIAMS

WOM E N ’ S FALL

Coming off a GSAC East Division title, the Mustangs began the 2021 season receiving votes in the NAIA’s preseason poll. And with reigning GSAC Co-Coach of the Year Annett Davis entering her second season, TMU was predicted by conference coaches to finish second in the GSAC. KEY RETURNERS Middle Blocker JESSI SWENNING (2020 All-GSAC) Outside Hitter EMILYE GRACE WILLIAMS (2020 team leader in kills) Libero KARLI STULTS (2020 team leader in digs) KEY NEWCOMERS Opposite Hitter EMILY CLARK (all-conference pick at Bakersfield College) Defensive Specialist BROOKE SCOTT (2x all-league selection at Eagle HS) LAST SEASON 1st in GSAC East NAIA Opening Round qualifier 10-4 overall (8-2 GSAC)

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TMU fielded a young squad last season. That group gained valuable experience and is ready to contend in the GSAC. The Mustangs were picked fourth in the GSAC Coaches’ Preseason Poll and they received votes in preseason national rankings.

KEY RETURNERS Forward KYNDEL BORMAN (2x All-GSAC selection)

Midfielder/Forward AIDAN ROHDE (2020 team leader in goals)

VOLLEYBALL

FALL

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

LAST SEASON 3rd in GSAC East 7-6-2 overall (4-3-1 GSAC)

MEN ’S SWI M M I N G & DI VI N G

WINTER

Master’s has added the first male diver in program history, and the team returns all but one swimmer from a season ago. So, with its combination of returners and talented newcomers (some of whom hold personal-best times that would set TMU records), the Mustangs continue to take steps toward becoming a top program.

KEY RETURNERS XAVIER GUTIERREZ (200 freestyle champion at 2021 GSAC Championship) SPENCER GRUBB (200 butterfly, 500 free champion at 2021 GSAC Championship) KEY NEWCOMERS DARBY CULVER (first diver in program history, state title winner in trampoline & tumbling) JT SEARS (CIF sectional finalist) NILTON DOS SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (3x state qualifier) LAST SEASON 7th at Pacific Collegiate Swim & Dive Conference Championships

WOM E N ’ S SWI M M I N G & DI VI N G

WINTER

The Mustangs welcomed 11 new athletes to campus this fall as the program continues to expand entering its fourth season. TMU graduated only two seniors in May, so with the experience from last year, Master’s should continue to trend in the right direction.

KALEB LOWERY

MEN ’S BA S K ETBALL

WINTER

Despite a young team, which at times started three freshmen, TMU surpassed 20 wins for the fifth straight season in 2020-21. The Mustangs didn’t graduate any seniors, so they’re expected to compete once again for a GSAC title.

KEY RETURNERS Guard JORDAN STARR (2020-21 All-GSAC)

KEY RETURNERS COURTNEY SIMPSON (2020 NAIA All-American in 1M & 3M diving) KEY NEWCOMERS TYLER COFFMAN (second diver in program history, third place at Alaska state championships) DELANEY PHILLIPS (USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program Zone Team) LAST SEASON 11th at Pacific Collegiate Swim & Dive Conference Championships

Forward KALEB LOWERY 2020-21 All-GSAC) KEY NEWCOMERS Freshman guard TIAGO SOARES (younger brother of decorated alumnus Tim Soares) Freshman forward ANTHONY PEOPLES JR. (2021 CIF champion with Centennial HS) LAST SEASON 4th in GSAC East 21-5 overall (5-5 GSAC)

BA S E BALL

REBEKAH THRONS

WOM E N ’ S SPRING

In May, after narrowly missing out on winning a GSAC East Division title, TMU graduated a record number of players. Nevertheless, Coach Monte Brooks has reloaded his roster for what appears to be a promising 2022 season.

BA S K ETBALL

WINTER

The Mustangs enter the Lisa Zamroz era, as the former Mustang point guard takes over as head coach. Zamroz inherits a talented roster, one that is expected to once again challenge for a GSAC title.

KEY RETURNERS Outfielder WILL BATZ (.365 batting average, 23 stolen bases last season)

KEY RETURNERS Forward STEPHANIE SOARES (2019-20 NAIA Player of the Year)

Catcher JOE TERLIZZI (.371 batting average last season)

Forward REBEKAH THRONS (2020-21 All-GSAC)

KEY NEWCOMERS Pitcher MASON MADALINSKI (graduate transfer from Olivet Nazarene University)

KEY NEWCOMERS Guard GIANI WIMBISH-GAY (Area and District MVP at Victoria East HS)

TOMMY GWINN (2x all-league selection at Santa Clarita Christian School)

Forward LEXI HERNANDEZ (2x state champion at Lynden Christian HS)

LAST SEASON 2nd in GSAC East 30-17 record overall (8-8 GSAC)

LAST SEASON 3rd in GSAC East 7-5 overall (5-3 GSAC)

September

2021

20

MEN ’S OU TD O OR TR ACK & FI E LD

SPRING

TMU’s program has continued to grow, particularly in field events like the long jump and pole vault. Those events will now benefit from a new on-campus practice area. Overall, TMU track and field hopes to compete for multiple conference individual titles and high finishes at NAIA nationals.

KEY RETURNERS WESLEY METHUM (2021 NAIA All-American – fourth place in the 5K) DANIEL RUSH (GSAC Champion in the 5K)

ARIANNA GHIORSO

WOM E N ’ S I N D O OR /OU TD O OR TR ACK & FI E LD

WINTER-SPRING

A relatively young TMU squad impressed at last season’s conference and national championships.

After graduating only two athletes, the Mustangs hope to build on those successes.

KEY RETURNERS ARIANNA GHIORSO (11th at nationals in the 1,500)

KEY NEWCOMERS CALEB POULIOT (Field Athlete of the Year and Valley Champion at Buchanan HS)

MICAIAH SCOTT (first in program history to compete in a throwing event at nationals)

LAST SEASON 3rd at GSAC Championships

KEY NEWCOMERS HANNAH FREDERICKS (All-CIF honoree, Foothill League cross country champion) EMMA NELSON (top 15 at Montana state championships) LAST SEASON 4th at GSAC Championships

WOM E N ’ S BEACH VOLLEYBALL

SPRING

Entering its third season, TMU has added several new players after graduating its top pairing from a year ago. After finishing middle of the pack in the conference in 2021, Master’s hopes to take the next step and join the GSAC’s top teams.

KEY RETURNERS Senior KASIE SPENCER (member of team’s No. 2 pairing last season) Senior TARA DELK/JUNIOR CHLOE JOHNSON (team’s No. 3 pairing last season) KEY NEWCOMERS Junior KASSIDY WILSON (second-team all-conference at Ventura College) EVI YATES (Arizona’s 2A Offensive Player of the Year at Chandler Prep) LAST SEASON 3rd in GSAC, 3-12 record overall (3-4 GSAC)

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The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

MEN ’S VOLLEYBALL

SPRING

The combination of a strong recruiting class and a talented group of returners has positioned the Mustangs to continue climbing toward the top of the GSAC in the program’s third year.

KEY RETURNERS Outside hitter BRANDON BOTDORF (2021 All-GSAC) Opposite hitter BEN HERB (second on team in kills, blocks and digs last year) KEY NEWCOMERS Libero/outside hitter DIEGO LOPEZ (transfer from Pepperdine University) LAST SEASON 3rd in GSAC East 2-8 record overall (2-6 GSAC)

TIM HEIDUK is TMU’s assistant athletic director for events and communications.

THE MASTER’S WAY MISSION STATEMENT: Athletics at The Master’s University exists to train God glorifiers (Is. 43:7; 1 Cor. 10:31), gospel ambassadors (Mt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 9:23; 2

Therefore, in recognition of this mission, we call each athlete and coach to model The Master’s Way: To prepare and perform as an act of WORSHIP (Rom. 12:1).

Cor. 5:14-21) and kingdom influencers (Mt. 25:14-30) For Christ & Scripture.

This means that intercollegiate athletics at The

Demanding the best effort of yourself and each other – Col. 3:23; Mal. 1.

Master’s University endeavors to train studentathletes that, as an expression of love toward God, they are to glorify God through their preparation, practice and performance. This is accomplished by competing for God so people see Him and not

Dealing with difficulty with confidence, perseverance and wisdom – Js. 1:1-8.

them, by competing to God as an act of worship, by competing through God in dependence on Him, and by competing with a view to the imperishable reward coming from God.

Owning your role and owning it when you fail – Mt. 25:14-30; Gal. 6:4-5; Ro. 14:12.

Further, this means that The Master’s University endeavors

to

train

student-athletes

to

be

ambassadors of the gospel by prioritizing and promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ on each team and by displaying exemplary speech and conduct.

Finally, this means that TMU trains student-athletes

Serving and sacrificing out of love to make your team and teammates better, even at your expense Phil. 2:5-8; Lk. 10:30-37; 1 Jn. 3:16; 2 Cor. 12:15.

to become leaders and influencers who love God by impacting the world in which they live, work and minister so that the kingdom of God is advanced, Jesus Christ is honored, the church is benefited and people are blessed.

THIS IS HOW WE DEFINE WINNING AT MASTER’S. THIS IS OUR GOAL AND THE MEASURE OF OUR

Competing and behaving so people see Him and others, not you – 1 Cor. 4:7; Dan. 4:28-37; Mt. 18:1-4; Ps. 131:1-2.

Being honorable in and out of competition and on and off campus – 1 Th. 2:10.

SUCCESS. THE REAL SCOREBOARD WILL BE DEFINED BY THIS, AND WHAT WE APPLAUD AND REWARD WILL REFLECT IT. To learn more, visit gomustangs.com.

Competing all in, all on and all out 1 Cor. 9:24; Col. 3:23; Mt. 12:30.

JOB BOARD

ALUMNI

JOB BOARD Director of Finance A P P LY N O W

Senior Pastor A P P LY N O W

Operations Manager A P P LY N O W

Varsity Boys Soccer Coach A P P LY N O W

Varsity Girls Soccer Coach A P P LY N O W

For a full list, visit alumni.masters.edu/jobs.

September

2021

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SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHT