M e n ’s L a c r o s s e
2010-2011
Men’s Lacrosse
Mat t LORD Dan Gaines
2011 Quick Facts General
School Name.........................................Wittenberg University Location............................................. Springfield, Ohio 45501 Founded..........................................................................1845 Enrollment......................................................................1,950 Nickname......................................................................Tigers Home Field.......................................... Edwards-Maurer Field Capacity.........................................................................3,000 National Affiliation...................................... NCAA Division III Conference.......................... North Coast Athletic Conference President................................................Dr. Mark H. Erickson Alma Mater...................................................Princeton, 1977 Athletics Director...........................................Garnett Purnell Alma Mater....................................................Cheyney, 1973 Athletics Phone............................................. (937) 327-6450
Coaching Staff
Head Coach...................................................... George Harris Alma Mater........................................................Ithaca, 1989 E-mail.............................................. gharris@wittenberg.edu Record at Wittenberg...........................35-30 (2006-present) Career Record........................52-51 (1993-95, 2006-present) Assistant Coach.................................................Mark Morrell Alma Mater................................................ Wittenberg, 2007 Men’s Lacrosse Office.................................. (937) 327-6451 Athletic Trainer................................................. Ellen Crosbie Assistant Athletic Trainer......................... Michaelyn Sebold Assistant Athletic Trainer...................................Allison Judy
Men’s Lacrosse History
First Year.......................................1968 (records begin 1983) All-Time Record.........................................................120-221 NCAC Conference Championships....................................1 NCAA Tournament Appearances........................................1 Last NCAA Tournament Appearance............................2010 Result................................ L, 4-15 at Roanoke (First Round)
MITCH COHAGAN
Team Information
2010 Overall Record........................................................10-5 2009 NCAC Record (Finish) . ............................... 4-1 (T-1st) Letterwinners Returning....................................................23 Adam Ansel, Elliot Avis, Spencer Baker, Brady Christensen, Michael Cocking, Mitch Cohagan, Lynn Crum, Mark DeOliveira, William Emery, Jim Ferris, Dan Gaines, George Gion, Chris Gipson, Tyler Hall, Charles Harreys, Danny Johnson, Matt Lord, Jimmy Luckino, Kevin Pfotenhauer, Alex Previte, Matt Snider, Ryan Spain, George Wentz
Letterwinners Lost...............................................................4 Jeff Boucher, Jeff Capella, Mike Derrenberger, Ted Winders
Starters Returning..............................................................10 Adam Ansel, Elliot Avis, Mark DeOliveira, Brady Christensen, Mitch Cohagan, Dan Gaines, Matt Lord, Alex Previte, Matt Snider, Ryan Spain
Starters Lost.........................................................................2 Jeff Capella, Ted Winders
Find the Tigers on www.facebook.com/wittenbergathletics
www.wit tenberg.edu
MARK DEOLIVEIRA
ABOUT THE COVER: Seniors Matt Lord and Dan Gaines. CREDITS: 2010-11 Wittenberg Men’s Lacrosse Recruiting Brochure written, edited and designed by Wittenberg Sports Information. Photography by university photographer Erin Pence ‘04.
Coaching Staff Head Coach George Harris After three years as the first assistant men’s lacrosse coach at Harvard University, George Harris was selected as Wittenberg University’s new men’s lacrosse head coach in July 2005. In his first season in Springfield, Harris led the Tigers to a 6-7 overall record, the team’s highest win total in seven years. Four players earned AllNorth Coast Athletic Conference honors after the season, including a pair of first-team honorees, Wittenberg’s most in nearly a decade. He followed that with 6-6 marks in 2007 and 2008, the first time the Tigers have reached the .500 mark since 2000 and just the second time in school history in which the program has finished .500 or better in back-to-back seasons. The 2009 spring set the bar higher for Harris and his program as Wittenberg enjoyed their first winning season during his tenure. The 7-6 mark, the program’s first trip above .500 since 1999, also improved upon Harris’ winningest season for the Red & White. That set the stage for breakout 2010 campaign, in which the Tigers captured the first NCAC title in program history and reached the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time ever. Harris was named NCAC Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to their best record ever at 10-5, including a mark of 4-1 in the conference. Harris brought an impressive resume to Springfield, first as a studentathlete and later as a coach. A 1989 graduate of Ithaca College, Harris was a four-year starter for the perennial powerhouse Bombers, and he
served as team captain his final two intercollegiate seasons. He returned to his alma mater in 1992 and served as a graduate assistant coach for the Ithaca women’s lacrosse team the following spring, helping the Bombers to a No. 5 national ranking and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament quarterfinals. That experience earned Harris the men’s head coaching position at Skidmore College. After three seasons leading Skidmore, he took his 1620 record leading the Thoroughbreds to the Division I ranks as an assistant at Colgate University in 1996. Harris helped the Raiders to two East Coast Athletic Conference championship game appearances and the 1997 title while serving as the teams offensive coordinator and goalkeepers coach from 1996-2001. He then moved on to Cornell University for the 2002 season, helping the Big Red to an NCAA tournament appearance and a No. 6 national ranking as the teams second assistant coach. In his three seasons at Harvard as the first assistant, the Crimson posted a 17-24 overall record in the extremely competitive Ivy League. Harris served as the team’s offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, and he was recognized for his outstanding work with the 2004 Harvard University Department of Athletics Merit Award, which is given to one assistant coach among the university’s 37 varsity teams each year in recognition of professional commitment, dedication and overall program advancement. Harris, who has a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1989 and a master’s degree in physical education from Ithaca in 1993, resides in Springfield with his wife, Gerin.
Assistant Coach Mark Morrell Mark Morrell joined the Wittenberg men’s lacrosse program as a graduate assistant coach in 2008 after a four-year career as a defender for the Tigers Lacrosse team. He helped the team to an 6-6 record in his first year as a coach, including a 2-3 mark in the NCAC, which was good for fourth place - Wittenberg’s best conference finish in four years. Since then, he has played an important role in the Tigers’ emergence as an NCAC title contender, helping the Tigers to their first back-to-back winning
seasons, including a mark of 10-5 in 2010. That season included the program’s first-ever NCAC title and NCAA Division III Tournament berth. During his tenure as a student-athlete, Morrell scooped up a total of 89 ground balls, and he finished with a faceoff record of 78-152, good for a .540 winning percentage. At the end of his senior year, he was given the Coaches Award in 2007 for his outstanding work ethic. Morrell is from St. Louis, Mo., where he attended Christian Brothers College High School.
Head Coaching Ledger Name
Seasons
Tot. Seasons
G
W
L
T
Pct.
Steve Ritzenthaler
1983-93
11
109
28
81
0
0.257
Bruce Reid
1994-00
7
97
37
60
0
0.381
Vinnie Lang
2001-05
5
70
20
50
0
0.286
George Harris
2006-Present
5
65
35
30
0
0.538
2010-2011 MEN’S LACROSSE
Campus Wittenberg’s stunning 95-acre, rolling, wooded terrain is situated in the heart of Springfield, Ohio. An impressive blend of traditional European classicism and contemporary architecture is abundant amongst the 26 buildings throughout campus.
The University
ADMISSION Wittenberg consistently selects academically strong students. Of entering freshman, approximately 65 percent graduated in the top fifth of their high school classes. Each new class combines National Merit Scholars, Ohio Academic scholars and Lutheran Scholars. STUDENTS What strikes most people when they visit Wittenberg is the genuine friendliness and welcoming nature of the campus and its residents. There are more than 1,950 full-time students currently enrolled, representing more than 37 states and approximately 23 foreign countries. 45 percent of students are male; 56 percent are female. Faculty Wittenberg’s 195 outstanding classroom instructors all consider students their top priority. With an average class size of 20 and a student-faculty ratio of 12 to 1, Wittenberg faculty and students have numerous opportunities for meaningful interaction both in and out of the classroom. PROGRAMS OF STUDY Wittenberg has more than 60 majors, minors and special programs from which to choose. Among these majors are such outstanding interdisciplinary programs as East Asian Studies, Russian and Central Eurasian Studies and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology. OFF-CAMPUS STUDIES Wittenberg encourages off-campus opportunities that complement the classroom experience: pursuing an internship, studying abroad, and getting involved in the community through volunteer programs and community service.
MYERS HALL
STUDENT LIFE More than 150 campus organizations offer opportunities not only to have fun, but to gain management and leadership experience while at Wittenberg. These include 12 national fraternities and sororities, the Outdoors Club, WUSO radio station, Residence Life, Campus Ministries, Student Senate, Pre-Health Club and many more. ATHLETICS Wittenberg enjoys a long-standing reputation as an athletics powerhouse, fielding winning teams in many different sports. Wittenberg competes annually against the best competition that NCAA Division III has to offer. The athletics department offers 23 varsity intercollegiate athletic teams for men and women.
THE HOLLOW
RESIDENTIAL LIFE Wittenberg students live on campus in residence halls their first two years. Upperclassmen may choose to stay in the residence halls or move into Wittenberg’s campus housing, which includes apartments, houses and fraternity and sorority houses. FINANCIAL AID More than 98 percent of students are awarded financial aid at Wittenberg, thanks to the generosity and loyal support of more than 26,000 living alumni.
WEAVER CHAPEL
www.wit tenberg.edu
Athletics Facilities
ROSENCRANS FITNESS CENTER
EDWARDS-MAURER FIELD
Wittenberg Athletics Facilities The Wittenberg athletic facilities, a unique blend of old and new, provide opportunities for a wide variety of recreational and fitness activities. The Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center (HPERC) is the centerpiece of athletic activity. The main unit can be converted to three full-sized basketball courts, three volleyball courts or three tennis courts. It seats 3,000 spectators for intercollegiate athletic events, and 4,300 for concerts and other public events. A second unit houses six raquetball courts with an upper balcony for instruction and a 25-meter by 25-yard swimming pool with one- and three-meter diving boards, and a spectator viewing area. An athletic training room, locker rooms and team rooms are also located in the HPERC, which connects to the Wittenberg Field House, home of the Tigers since 1929, which houses offices and a state-of-the-art weight training facility. A 4,622-square-foot extension off the front of the HPERC opened in August 2005. The Bob Rosencrans Hall of Honor Fitness Center includes a wide range of weight training and cardiovascular equipment.
PAM EVANS SMITH ARENA
Edwards-Maurer Field and Earl F. Morris Track were renovated in 2005. EdwardsMaurer Field has a state-of-the-art artificial playing surface and Earl F. Morris Track is a 400-meter track outfitted with a similarly cutting-edge surface. The entire complex is lighted, and also serves as home to the Tiger football, track, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. The David and Georgianna Albright Tennis Complex, a $2 million project completed in 1997, houses 12 lighted tennis courts with a Dynaflex surface. Six of the courts are lighted, including two sunken center courts with space for seating. Situated a few blocks from campus are Bill Edwards Field, which offers playing and practice fields, and Betty Dillahunt field, home of the Tiger softball team. Less than two miles from campus Carleton Davidson Stadium, which opened in 2004, is the home of Tiger baseball. Owned and maintained by the City of Springfield, Carleton Davidson Stadium has seating capacity of 1,061, nearly half of which is under cover, a media center, locker rooms with showers and secured storage.
HEINZEN STRENGTH CENTER
CARLETON DAVIDSON STADIUM
2010-2011 MEN’S LACROSSE
SCHEDULE/RESULTS Feb. 20 vs. Sewanee + W, 16-1 Feb. 27 at Washington & Lee L, 4-10 March 3 at Mount St. Joseph W, 14-9 March 8 vs. Potsdam State% L, 5-6 March 12 vs. Moravian% W, 15-3 March 20 ST. VINCENT W, 18-8 March 27 ADRIAN W, 14-13 April 3 at Kenyon* W, 12-8 April 10 at Oberlin* W, 14-5 April 13 DENISON* W, 9-8 (OT) April 18 COLORADO COLLEGE L, 5-9 April 24 WOOSTER* W, 11-4 May 1 OTTERBEIN W, 15-4 May 5 at Ohio Wesleyan* L, 6-12 May 12 at Roanoke # L, 4-15 * NCAC Game + at Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville, Tenn. % Spring Break Trip to Clearwater, Fla. # NCAA Tournament
North Coast Athletic Conference regular season champions
2010 Season
DANNY JOHNSON
POSTSEASON AWARDS NCAC Newcomer of the Year: Alex Previte NCAC Coach of the Year: George Harris All-NCAC First Team - Mitch Cohagan, Mark DeOliveira, Dan Gaines, Danny Johnson, Matt Lord Second Team - Ryan Spain, Ted Winders Honorable Mention - Adam Ansel, Jeff Capella, Brady Christensen, Alex Previte
ALEX PREVITE
In 2009-2010, the Wittenberg Tigers... • Won six North Coast Athletic Conference regular season championships in field hockey, football, volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s golf and men’s lacrosse • Finished in the top five in the final North Coast Athletic Conference standings in 18 of 22 sports • All en route to the school’s second NCAC Dennis Collins Memorial All-Sports Trophy • Earned five NCAC Player/Performer of the Year trophies • Earned four NCAC Coach of the Year trophies • Placed 109 student-athletes on All-North Coast Athletic Conference teams • Placed 19 student-athletes on all-region teams and seven on All-America teams • Earned 10 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District awards and two Academic All-America awards • Finished 58th in the NACDA Director’s Cup (all-sports comparison) thanks to postseason appearances by seven teams and three individuals
www.wit tenberg.edu
2011 Season 2011 Men’s Lacrosse Schedule Feb. 19
at Washington & Lee
1 p.m.
Feb. 26
vs. Sewanee (in Nashville, Tenn.) 1 p.m.
March 2
MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
7 p.m.
March 5
CONCORDIA (WISC.)
3 p.m.
March 12
vs. Birmingham Southern #
March 19
FONTBONNE
7 p.m.
March 26
at Adrian
1 p.m.
April 2
KENYON*
1 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
RYAN SPAIN April 9
OBERLIN*
1 p.m.
April 16
at Denison*
1 p.m.
April 22
at Wooster*
7 p.m.
April 27
OHIO WESLEYAN*
7 p.m.
April 30
at Washington & Jefferson
1 p.m.
May 3
at Otterbein
7 p.m.
*NCAC Game
# Spring Break in Clearwater, Fla.
To schedule a home game visit, contact Coach Harris at gharris@wittenberg.edu or 937-327-6451
BRADY CHRISTENSEN
Wit tenberg MEN’S LACROSSE
2010-2011 MEN’S LACROSSE
Statement of Responsibility for Balance Between Academics & Athletics
Wittenberg Athletics Philosophy
Student-athletes are primarily responsible for balancing academics and athletics. However, recognizing the pressure that studentathletes face from competing time demands placed upon them by both professors and coaches, we establish the following statement of responsibility. The statement assumes that the student’s primary responsibility is to academic coursework and that practice sessions are always subordinate to class attendance. Students should work with advisers to schedule courses so that practices and contests are not in conflict with academic courses. Student-athletes are expected to contact professors in advance in order to resolve conflicts between class attendance and participation in athletic contests. It is recommended that student-athletes miss not more than four sessions of any class in a semester for regular season athletic contests. Permission of a Faculty Athletic Representative is required before additional excused absences will be permitted. Coaches will, as necessary, establish and maintain communications with the professors of team athletes regarding academic progress. Professors should feel free to contact coaches regarding the academic responsibilities of student-athletes.
The Wittenberg Athletic Department is an integral part of the university that strives to achieve the same standards of excellence that exist within various academic disciplines at the university. Further, the athletic department embraces the concept that the student-athletes are first and foremost students, possessing individual rights, academic abilities, personal interests and ambitions comparable to those of other members of the general student body. Wittenberg University is committed to the principles and practices of amateurism, student-athlete welfare, gender equity, sportsmanship and fair play, cultural diversity and overall athletics excellence, and this commitment shall reflect in every aspect of the athletics departmental operations.
TIME TO CELEBRATE
www.
.edu
The North Coast Athletic Conference and Wittenberg University work together to encourage good sportsmanship on the court, on the field and in the stands. The Wittenberg Athletics Department expects all competitors and spectators to help maintain an open, accepting and competitive environment in order to promote positive, enjoyable experiences for all involved with Division III athletics.