EAGLE

Vol. 8 No. 1 OUTLOOKUniversity of Southern Indiana Fall 2006 New Athletic Hall of Fame to recognize USI’sbest

Nominations for charter class due October 7 include up to 10 individuals. The selec- The charter class of inductees into “The Hall of Fame also will be a tion committee will vote on the nomi- the new USI Athletic Hall of Fame will way to help our current student athletes nees. A Hall of Fame class will have a be recognized February 3 during home- understand why we have such pride in minimum of four student athletes and coming festivities. Nominations are due our athletics program.” a maximum of one October 7. Any Eagles fan is eligible to nomi- coach/administrator, USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark nate student athletes or teams on the special individual, Hall feels that after 36 years of sponsor- 10th anniversary of their last season of or team. ing intercollegiate athletics the time is competition or a coach/administrator A nomination right to establish a Hall of Fame. who has been separated from the form is included in this “Athletics at USI has established a Department of Athletics for two years. issue of Eagle Outlook. strong history,” said Hall. “The Hall of Special individuals (e.g., Varsity Club Nomination forms also Fame will be a mechanism to recognize members) also are eligible for nomination. are available online and reconnect with those student athletes, The USI Athletic Hall of Fame at www.usi.edu/sports/halloffame/ or by coaches, administrators, and supporters selection committee will be appointed calling the Department of Athletics at who created many memorable moments. by USI President H. Ray Hoops. It will 812/464-1846.

In PAC, every seat has a back; new floor, renovations make arena a showcase Both fans and players will gain from Center. The old plastic chairback seats cushioned chairback seats and four rows improvements made over the last few and hard wood bleachers in the arena of bleachers with backs. months in the Physical Activities have been replaced with 20 rows of “In essence every seat has a back,” said Jon Mark Hall, director of Athletics. Gone are the old rubbery-tartan sur- face and the raised wood court, replaced by a high-grade wood floor from wall to wall. “Student athletes will be proud of the place they call home this fall,” Hall said. “The new surface will provide a tremendous upgrade for all programs, especially volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball.” The improvements were funded by a portion of the estate gift from Henry W. Ruston, who died last year. He was one of the University’s closest friends and a fan of USI basketball.

See PAC, page 2 Rick Herdes (standing center) holds basketball camp on the PAC’s new wood floor. Athletic view Mesker to lead Varsity Club Board Donna Mesker ’86 will chair the Worthington ’92, second vice chair; Jon Mark Hall 30-person Varsity Club Board of Directors Troy Tornatta ’93, treasurer; and Lynn Director of Athletics in 2006-07. Mesker has been a Varsity Reed, secretary. This is the first year that Club member for eight years and on the four of the five officers are USI alumni. Summer accomplishments board for four years. New to the benefit Athletics program For the past two years, board are John she has chaired the Outback Campbell ’00, Pam hat a busy summer Luncheon, setting records McCullough, Paula USI Athletics has had! both years and raising more Nurrenbern, and WIt began with a great run than $19,000 during that Melissa Richardt ’95. by our women’s softball team com- time. Jim Fleck, who is a peting for a spot in the College The objective of the past chair of the World Series. Varsity Club is to provide Varsity Club and Construction scholarship money to meet served previously on on the wood the needs of the Department the board, was reap- floors in the of Athletics. Mesker said pointed to the Physical that one goal this year is to board. Activities Center increase Varsity Club mem- Serving renewed was completed in bership to the level that New Varsity Club chair Donna or continuing terms early June. membership dues will cover are Jason Fleck, Hall Mesker awards an attendance The Varsity the scholarship amount. prize at the annual Outback Darrell Ragland (last Club golf scram- “If we can reach our Luncheon. This baseball jersey year’s chair), Bill ble at Cambridge Golf Course was scholarship goals with mem- was worn by Varsity Club Wilson, Tim Barnes, a huge success. I appreciate all the bership donations, a student board member and former All- Bart Gander ’91, work Ray Wright and his team at athlete gets a chance to suc- GLVC performer Todd Bill Henderson, Cambridge did to make that event ceed at USI, and the Varsity Niemeier during his playing Terri Herrenbruck, happen. Mark Altstadt, Rick Herdes, Club will have the option of days at USI. Jeff Jewell ’89, and Sandy Hatfield spent endless using dollars raised from our George Macon, hours preparing for it. special events like Steak Fry, Outback Jack Marr, Andrea Miller ’97 ’99, Tom Improvements to the PAC Luncheon, and the Golf Scramble for Fleenor, Mark Head ’88, Todd Niemeier continued in July with the instal- special projects,” she said. ’95, Steve Oliver, Carolyn Ruminer, lation of new chairback seating Other board officers are Kent John Stephenson, David Stevens, Matt along with upgrades in our hall- Kleiman ’97, first vice chair; Jeff Wannemuehler, and Bryan Zeller. ways and restrooms. The PAC will become one of the most enjoyable places in our region to watch bas- ketball or volleyball. We appreci- PAC ate the support of our administra- Continued from page 1 tors during this project. Fans are already eager for the 2006- Work on a USI Athletic Hall Hall said PAC renovations are a 07 athletic seasons in the renovated of Fame also began in the summer bonus for all varsity and intramural pro- PAC. “I’ve had tickets since the building with the first class of inductees grams. It is not unusual to have four or opened and have seen a lot of great bas- planned for February. five teams practicing during an after- ketball,” said Bruce Baker, chair of the We have named a new base- noon, followed by intramural basketball USI Board of Trustees. “The renovation ball coach and head trainer (see and volleyball at night. gives our student athletes a facility that opposite page). Head Women’s Basketball Coach matches their excellence on the court.” The most important news is Rick Stein said the improvements give David Herrenbruck ’86, former that our coaching staff continues teams more practice space and allow chair of the USI Varsity Club and to attract top-notch student ath- for more flexible practice schedules. former president of the Alumni letes. The academic success of Head Volleyball Coach Leah Association, added, “The PAC has these students continues to impress Mercer said the wood floors provide always been a great place to watch a me, and their athletic ability will more flexibility with practices and tour- game, but now it will be one of the help bring more championships to naments and will help with recruitment. premiere arenas in the conference. our University. Come and check Head Men’s Basketball Coach Rick Eagles tickets have always been available out our fall sports! Herdes thinks the PAC will be the best and that will be changing once people place to play and see a game in the GLVC. see the new look.”

2 University of Southern Indiana Eagle Outlook Three named to posts in Athletics Eagle eye The Department of Athletics has announced three Calendar appointments. Tracy Archuleta, new head August baseball coach, comes to USI 15 Women’s soccer at Indiana after five seasons that featured State (Exhibition game) a pair of NCAA Division II 20 Mayor’s Cup Tournament appearances and USI vs. University of Zolner a pair of 40-win seasons at the Archuleta Irwin Evansville in men’s soccer University of Wisconsin-Parkside. (Exhibition game) Michelle Irwin joins the women’s championship teams. 27 USI All-Sports Picnic basketball staff as an assistant after two Brian Zolner was named the head September years as a graduate assistant at Ashland athletic trainer after three years as an 21 Varsity Club Steak Fry ’n University in Ohio. Irwin played for USI assistant at USI. Prior to joining the Auction Head Coach Rick Stein from 1999-2002 department under Chris Johnston, October and was part of the Screaming Eagles Zolner was a trainer at Lindenwood 1–7 West Side Fall Festival back-to-back GLVC Tournament University. 14 Basketball Midnight Madness 15 Men’s and women’s soccer Golf Scramble and Outback Luncheon set records Senior Day and Varsity Club Day The Varsity Club had record-setting fund-raising days at the Outback Luncheon November and the annual Golf Scramble this spring 2 Meet the Eagles (Invitation and summer. only) The Outback Luncheon raised a 4 Men’s basketball vs. University record $9,576, breaking last year’s record of Evansville (Exhibition game) by nearly $100. The event has raised nearly $40,000 since 2002. Dates are subject to change. Call the Varsity Club office at 812/464-1973 for confirmation. Watch The Golf Scramble had a tremendous for additions to calendar. year, beginning with the switch to Cambridge Golf Course. The new setting drew a record 61 foursomes (22 in the morning Walk for Women’s Athletics and 39 in the afternoon) and is expected Carlen Gant attaches mulligans to his golf to net $24,000. cart at the Varsity Club Golf Scramble at moves to spring calendar The Varsity Club thanks Outback’s Cambridge Golf Course. USI hopes to put a spring in Mike Fink and Cambridge’s Ray Wright everyone’s step by moving the Walk for making their facilities available for these events. for Women’s Athletics to April 15. The second annual event will raise money to support USI female stu- Steak Fry ’n Auction, Fall Festival top Varsity Club calendar dent athletes. “Red, white, and blue” is the theme for the Varsity Club’s annual Steak Fry ’n Last October’s walk—co- Auction, the highlight of each year’s membership drive. The annual fundraiser is chaired by Marilyn Johnson, wife of scheduled for September 21 at Burdette Park’s Discovery Lodge. USI team orthopaedic doctor Alan Tickets are $25 each with proceeds benefiting USI student athletes. Call the Johnson, and Diane Douglas, WIKY USI Varsity Club Office at 812/464-1973 for reservations. morning host—celebrated the 30th Attendees are encouraged to show their colors in support of student athletes. anniversary of women’s athletics at Prizes will be awarded for best spirit and enthusiasm. USI, raising $15,000 and drawing The live auction, conducted by Bill and Andrew Wilson, will have some of the more than 250 fans and student best bargains around, including vacation condominium packages, autographed sports athletes. paraphernalia, and a Marx Barbecue pig roast for 140 people. “Moving the fundraiser to the Over the last 10 years, the annual Steak Fry ’n Auction has raised more than spring will give the staff and the $211,000. It has averaged nearly $22,000 each of the last five years. student athletes additional time to The Varsity Club finishes its fall fund raising October 1-7 with a booth at the raise awareness and funds through- West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. The booth will feature Varsity Club members and out the year,” said Director of student athletes cooking steaks and pork-chop sandwiches. Volunteers and student Athletics Jon Mark Hall. athletes raised $14,881 last year and nearly $87,500 the last six years.

Fall 2006 3 Vectren Community Classic coming up Varsity Club membership

The Varsity Club benefits USI intercollegiate athletics with financial support and fan partici- pation. Five membership levels are available with special benefits at each level. Silver Eagle ($125)—Admission to Varsity Club Room hospitality events, name on Varsity Club Roster in Physical Activities Center, Eagle Outlook newsletter, invitations to fan trips/special events and All-Sports Picnic, basketball season ticket priority Golden Eagle ($250)—Above benefits plus invitation to basketball pre-season events Regal Eagle ($500)—Above benefits plus pregame event at University Home All-American Eagle ($1,000)—Above benefits plus reserved parking for basketball games, post-season ticket priority Men’s basketball will play UE on November 4 Screaming Eagle ($2,000)—Above benefits plus personal parking place for basketball Screaming Eagles vs. Aces (Game 2) games The USI Screaming Eagles and the University of Evansville Purple Aces will play November Call Sandy Hatfield in the Varsity Club office at 4 at Roberts Stadium. The USI-UE game two years ago (above) drew the largest crowd in 812/464-1973 for information. 10 years to Roberts Stadium with 12,441 fans turning out for the first-ever meeting between the two men’s basketball teams. Tickets for the Vectren Community Classic go on sale in Giving to USI was never easier! October through Ticketmaster, the University of Evansville Athletics Department, or the https://www.usi.edu/onlinegiving Roberts Stadium Ticket Office. This will be the second of a three-game series over five years between USI and UE. Information about the USI tailgate party will be announced in September. University of Southern Indiana is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity institution.

EAGLE 10001-02000 Office of Athletics University of Southern Indiana 8600 University Boulevard A publication of the OUTLOOK Evansville IN 47712 Office of Athletics P06-5001 University of Southern Indiana

Jon Mark Hall, Director of Athletics Ray Simmons, Director of Sports Information Sandra A. Hatfield, Administrative Assistant, 812/464-1973