WildcatTHE NEWSLETTER FOR ALL LINFIELD ATHLETICS

SOFTBALL Encore Performance

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Larry Brown ’96

Ryan Larson ’12 headlines a deep baseball pitching staff

Baseball: Armed and Dangerous Spring 2012 Devoted alumni pass away Linfield lost two beloved August went on to serve similar sports alumni in January. Both roles at Salem’s McKay High shared lengthy service to the School for seven seasons. As a college’s athletic programs. high school coach, he posted a Longtime volunteer career win-loss record of 183- Often I have wondered, as the Dr. Norman Goss died Jan. 18 at 75 while leading his teams to 16 Kingston Trio melodically pined in 1961, age 88, and former football player straight playoff appearances. “Where have all the young men gone?” and assistant coach Ron August In 1986, August led Dallas The passing of Dr. Norman Goss, passed away Jan. 28 at age 70. to the Oregon Class 3A state who selflessly pledged his support to A 2000 inductee into the Dr. Norman Goss ’46, ’54 championship and was selected as our athletic programs for a half century, Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame, Class 3A Coach of the Year. underscores the critical need for a Dr. Goss served as timekeeper at August spent 12 seasons as an new, younger generation of Linfield football and basketball games for assistant coach at Linfield, joining volunteers to step to the forefront. a half century. the staff in 1996 under then-head People such as Ezra Koch, Craig “Linfield has lost one of its coach Ed Langsdorf. He continued Singletary, Roald Berg, Steve Davis, and most faithful alumni,” said college to serve the college during the Tom McFadden have reliably donated sports information director tenures of Jay Locey and current their time for many years in the roles Kelly Bird. “Norm’s love of the coach Joseph Smith before of scoreboard operator, public address college and its athletic programs retiring following the 2007 season. announcer, concession stand manager, really is symbolic of an entire At Linfield, he carved an generation of people who have important niche as Linfield’s statistician, and so forth. Through their Ron August ’64 unwavering service to the athletic devoted themselves to serving special teams coordinator, a department, we have grown to depend and supporting Linfield for so many position seldom served in a full- on their attendance at every home game. years. We will miss him greatly.” time capacity at a NCAA Division III school. As There are many vital roles which Last year, when Bird asked Goss how old a result of his day-to-day guidance, Linfield’s our alumni and community supporters he was, Goss replied matter-of-factly, “I’ve special teams statistically ranked among the might serve. For those of you in the local celebrated my 29th birthday three times.” Northwest Conference and nation’s finest. area, we would love to have you ask Goss is survived by his wife, Phyllis Though retired, August continued to attend “What can I do to help?” (Cochrane) Martin ’46 of McMinnville, and as many Linfield football games as his health While most would say it’s fun to more than a dozen family members who permitted. be involved in college athletics and attended Linfield, including brothers, sisters, As a Linfield student, August participated have a hand in the smooth operation of cousins, children and grandchildren. in football under Hall of Fame coach Paul home events, the real challenge comes August devoted nearly his entire adult life Durham, though injuries prevented him from in finding people willing to devote to coaching football. He worked 25 years as a earning a varsity letter. themselves to be available for every teacher and coach in the Dallas School District, He is survived by his wife, Betty; three home date on the schedule, regardless his last 19 of which were spent leading the daughters, Denise, Dana and Dyan; and of when those events might occur. Dragons’ football program. numerous grandchildren. At Dr. Goss’ memorial, it was said that Norman was so committed to his service to Linfield athletics that he 2011 softball team honored at OSA planned his family vacation time around Linfield’s record-setting 2011 national champion softball team was among seven the college’s sports schedule so as to recipients of the George Pasero Team of the Year award, presented Feb. 5 at the annual avoid all possible conflicts. Oregon Sports Awards gala on the Nike World Headquarters campus. Truth is, Linfield needs a few good The 2011 Wildcats won a NCAA-record 51 games and hit a record-setting 103 home 20-somethings, 30-somethings and runs on their way to the Division III national title. 40-somethings to step forward now and A total of 40 school records fell as the Wildcats slugged their way to the Northwest say, “Yes, I love Linfield sports and I am Conference crown and the program’s second national title in five seasons. willing to serve.” Graduated seniors Kayla Hubrich and Claire Velaski accepted the Pasero award For example, if you love volleyball, onstage on behalf of the team. The pair thanked their teammates, fans and supporters, we could use your help keeping score. and members of the coaching staff. If your love is football, there are needs Coach Jackson Vaughan ’97 was among the finalists for the Slats Gill Sportsperson within the pressbox, concession stand, of the Year award, honoring the state’s top coach or athletics administrator. Linfield also ticket booth and on the chain crew. had four nominees in the running for the Ad Rutschman (’54) Small College Athlete of The primary requisites are a love the Year award, though none brought home top honors. Football’s Drew Fisher ’12 and for Linfield sports and a willingness to baseball’s Tim Wilson ’14 were finalists for the men’s award. Softball players Emilee Lepp pledge yourself to work every home and Staci Doucette, both ’12 were in the running for the women’s Rutschman award. event within a specific sports season. Where Are They Now? Larry Brown Baseball letterman Larry Brown, Those experiences a 1996 Linfield graduate, is a allowed me to put career military officer with the leadership theory into rank of Major in the U.S. Army. practice on a daily He makes his home in Bryan, basis. This exposure Texas, 100 miles northwest of not only broadened my It’s been nearly 15 years since Houston. understanding of human Linfield became a full-fledged member nature and action, but it of NCAA Division III after years of NAIA What’s your family life like? also inspired my current affiliation. What is unique about being I am married to the commitment to advanced a member of Division III and what do former Ms. Shannon study of leadership, student-athletes gain by attending a Rae of Bonners Ferry, leadership theories, and school such as Linfield? Recently, an Idaho. Shannon served in critical self-analyses through initiative was undertaken by the NCAA the Army as an Aviation the Master of Science to clarify the intentions and develop a Officer, flying both the UH- in Organizational Leadership at Norwich brand image for Division III. As such, 60 Blackhawk and UH-1 Iroquois helicopters. University. During my two deployments to three words came about to succinctly We do not have children yet, but we are using Iraq, I was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” describe the Division III experience: our time in Texas as an opportunity to begin device (Valor), two Bronze Stars, two Purple Discover, Develop and Dedicate. our family. We reside on a small ranch where Hearts, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and There are numerous opportunities Shannon trains horses. the Order of St Maurice-Centurion. for our student-athletes to “Discover” What’s your current position? Did you aspire to a career as an Army officer? throughout their four years at Linfield. Division III rules enable student-athletes I am employed as the Assistant Professor While attending Linfield, I did not have an to enjoy a well-rounded collegiate of Military Science (Army ROTC) at Texas interest in serving in the military. I was holding experience. Many Linfield student- A&M University. I have full responsibility for out hope that I would eventually be able to athletes are able to study abroad, the training and instruction of junior cadets hit for average and run faster, and in doing so, volunteer and be involved in numerous destined for eventual commissions as Second gain the attention of a professional baseball on-campus activities. Lieutenants in the U.S. Army. scout. Upon realizing that dream was not Division III student-athletes are Where has your career taken you? going to happen, I started to look at options allowed to “Develop” their athletic skills After graduating from Linfield, I enlisted in after college. Having been born to career- during their respective seasons. Coaches the U.S. Army in 1997 and served from 1998 Army parents, the idea to join the military expect a lot from their athletes while was not foreign to me, and after careful until 2002 as a Platoon and Company Senior in season. Outside of their competitive consideration, became reality. Medic, during which time I achieved the rank season, student-athletes can use their of Sergeant. I was commissioned through What are some of your fondest memories of time to engage in other interests and the Officer Candidate School as an Infantry playing baseball at Linfield? spend time with family and friends. Lieutenant in 2002. My first assignment was Aside from the camaraderie and competition, Though Division III schools offer that of rifle platoon leader at Fort Hood, I will always remember that my grandparents no athletic scholarships, many of Texas. As a platoon leader, I was deployed attended every game during the season. our student-athletes are recipients to Operation Iraqi Freedom during 2003 Baseball was a passion that both my grandpa of academic scholarships. Thus, our and 2004. I then served as a Rifle Company and I shared. Being able to enjoy it with him student-athletes must truly “Dedicate” Executive Officer and Battalion Assistant S3. will always be one of the fondest memories of themselves to their academic work in Most recently, I served as Infantry Division playing at Linfield….and the time I hit the cycle order to maintain their scholarships. Assistant Operations Officer and commanded at Whitworth. Here are some interesting Division two armor regiments following redeployment III facts and figures from NCAA.org that from combat duties in Iraq. emerged as a result of the branding initiative: You completed two tours of duty in •About 40 percent of NCAA student- Iraq. What was that like? athletes compete at Division III Working in support of Operation institutions. Iraqi Freedom entailed conducting •19 percent of Division III institutions countless counter-insurgency are public, while 81 percent are private. operations, during which time I •Division III student-athletes report had the opportunity to interact greater involvement in volunteering. with Iraqi military, police, political •Division III student-athletes more likely and tribal leaders. My exposure to report “leadership potential” as an to unfamiliar cultures and new important consideration when choosing sociological paradigms proved a career. invaluable to me. Strong spring sports eye title runs With last season’s astonishing run to the NCAA Division III softball championship now just a memory, the Linfield Wildcats are again the team to beat this spring. A roster chock with three NFCA All-Americans only serves to stoke the Wildcats’ belief that they can capture a ninth straight Northwest Conference title and a third national crown in six seasons. Starting the season ranked No. 1 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for the second What are the biggest factors or straight year, Linfield returns three of its top four sluggers, plus a pair of dominating pitchers who reasons a team wins (or loses)? combined for 24 wins a year ago. Six starting position players are among 14 returning lettermen. Every championship team possesses In the pitching circle, veteran ace Lauren Harvey went 16-0 as a junior, posting a 1.70 ERA with great team unity. Allow me to quote 63 strikeouts and 15 walks. Sophomore Karina Paavola is also expected to be among the NWC’s top some championship coaches and players pitchers after going 8-1 with a 1.46 ERA in 2011. on why their teams won championships. Linfield should score in bunches via the home run, the club’s weapon of choice the last several Red Auerbach, the late coach of the seasons. Three-time All-American Staci Doucette knocked out 21 homers a year ago while hitting a Boston Celtics, who won eight straight school-record .532. Emilee Lepp, the NCAA Division III Catcher of the Year, appears ready to resume NBA titles: “Some say you have to use her offensive onslaught that included a Division III-record 29 home runs in 2011. Lepp hit a crisp .497 your five best players, but I have found and stole 21 bases to fuel an offense that scored an NCAA-best 484 runs. out you win with the five that fit together Karleigh Prestianni, a two-time All-American, combines with Doucette and Lepp to form one of best as a team.” the most potent lineups in Division III. Adding extra punch to the lineup card are senior Jaydee Baxter Bill Sharman, who coached ABA (.375, 14 doubles, nine home runs) and sophomores Ashley Garcia and NBA teams to championships: “The (.393, six doubles) and Hayley Watson (.358, two home runs). only way to win is to sacrifice for the BASEBALL good of the team.” Linfield fields an incredibly experienced, deep and talented Bill Russell, centerpiece on 11 NBA pitching staff that has the potential to carry the Wildcats to a third championship teams in 13 years, two of consecutive NWC championship and beyond. which he coached: “It’s simple. The team Led by preseason All-American Ryan Larson, the pitching staff that plays the best together, wins.” is easily one of the best in the league, if not the country. In addition Vince Lombardi, legendary Green to Larson, who recorded a team-high 71 strikeouts in 2011, the Bay football coach: “The Packers won ‘Cats also return a healthy Robert Vaughn and seasoned primarily because the team had a lot of veterans Spencer Crepeaux and Casey Cameron. Even love for each other and this unity helped the relative youngsters – led by Zach Manley and Zach us hold up under pressure.” Brandon – have a wealth of experience, bolstered by John Wooden, the greatest coach last year’s playoff run. in the history of basketball: “Our titles In contrast to the familiar pitching staff, the would not have been possible without rest of the infield will look drastically different. the unselfishness displayed by all of our At catcher, Kyle Chamberlain and Jake teams. The team wins, not the individuals.” Wylie look to replace 2011 NWC Player of Wilt Chamberlain, the greatest the Year Cole Bixenman. Chamberlain is the offensive player in the history of more experienced of the two, but Wylie is basketball and member of two NBA considered to be one of the most improved championship clubs: “This is a team players in the program. game and one man doesn’t win and one Every other infield position sports a fresh man doesn’t lose. In the end the best face. The only returning starter, Kevin Allan, ‘team’ usually wins.” moves from shortstop to third base. Candidates John Havlicek, NBA MVP for his former position include Kenny Johnson, and member of several Celtics Jordan Harlow and Michael Hopp. The versatile championships squads: “We win because Tim Wilson, who spent most of last season playing we play together as a team.” in the outfield, returns to the dirt to cover second. It is amazing to me how much can The big story in the outfield is the return of be accomplished when no one cares who Zach Boskovich, sidelined with an injury just five gets the credit, and when an individual games into the 2011 season. An All-American two emerses themself in a cause they believe years ago, Boskovich adds both skill and leadership to to be far greater than their own personal an already solid crew that includes Jesse Boustead, goals and concerns. Kramer Lindell and Danny Urness. We have all seen teams with a Two All-Americans dot the batting order in wealth of individual talent fall short of Wilson and Boskovich. Wilson set a program record winning a championship…getting all for batting average (.490) last year. Boskovich looks participants to buy into the team concept to return to his 2010 form, when he hit .407 and had is essential. a single-season record 17 home runs. Jaydee Baxter ‘12 TRACK AND FIELD With strong long-range crews at the heart of both squads and a slew of gifted field competitors on the women’s side, the outlook the Wildcats is predominantly optimistic. Three obvious front-runners for the Linfield women are those who competed at the NCAA Championships a season ago: pole vaulter Catherine Street and throwers Anna LaBeaume and Kate Shear. This is Street’s last chance to claim what has been, for her, an elusive national crown. The In light of increasing interest three-time Northwest Conference champion is well on her way to achieving her goal after becoming in concussions and concussion the all-time leader in Division III indoor history earlier this year. management, the role of a certified The other returning NWC champion is LaBeaume, who won the shot put and also placed athletic trainer (ATC) at a collegiate seventh in the hammer as a freshman. Shear, who owns the Linfield record in the javelin, adds the sporting event, and athletic events in shot put and hammer throw to her skill set this year. general, has become more recognized With Shanna Peaden and Mimi Seeley leading the pack in the 5K and the 10K and Nelly Evans, and appreciated in recent years. Audrey Lichten, Katie Skinner and Madison Trowbridge doing the same in the 1,500 and 800 meters, We are frequently seen on the Wildcat distance squad is a force to be reckoned with. the sideline watching and waiting, Leading the way for the Linfield men are four senior distance runners – Arian Anderson, Scott sometimes called into action to manage Gage, Alex Van Slyke and Eric Weinbender – and sophomore Joe Gladow. Headlining the mid- an injury or address some in-game distance crew is Lester Maxwell, who finished third in the 800 at last year’s conference meet. need that may arise. ATCs provide daily medical care to student-athletes through WOMEN’S TENNIS open clinic time in the Treatment Center If all goes according to plan, the NWC tournament is coming to McMinnville in 2012. Winning (where students can be evaluated and the regular-season title and subsequent right to host the league tourney are two major steps in rehabilitate injuries), practice coverage Linfield’s quest to reach the NCAA regional playoffs for the second consecutive year. and also competition coverage. But there The Linfield lineup features new combinations at all three doubles positions. Early signs point to is much more to an ATC than what one new No. 1 doubles partners Abby Olbrich and Caroline Brigham being a good match after the duo sees on the sideline, especially at Linfield. finished second at the USTA/ITA Pacific Northwest Fall Championships earlier this year. ATCs at Linfield pull double duty. Individually, Olbrich, a perennial NWC all-star and the only Wildcat with national tournament In addition to providing daily medical experience, should have another banner year competing at No. 1 singles. care to the student-athletes, Linfield’s Senior Kiana Nip pairs with her freshman sister, Kaila, in the middle doubles athletic trainers are also professors. All position. Rounding out the top six are Lexi Thomas and Kelly Watanabe, competing in four ATCs teach two or three classes the third doubles flight. per semester within one of the largest MEN’S TENNIS departments on campus, the department Senior Cody Levien (6-6 singles, 6-7 in doubles) returns in excellent shape of Health, Human Performance and and is a front-runner for one of the lead positions in the lineup. Junior Zach Athletics (HHPA). Linfield is one of only Lyons (7-7 in singles, 7-7 in doubles) also returns in solid form. The two three institutions in Oregon – and fewer veterans will be asked to shoulder the leadership burden for a team that than a dozen in the Northwest – that offer includes two sophomores and seven freshmen. bachelor’s degrees in Athletic Training. Two other players, Ian Rapport and Bryce Borland, have spent time in the In addition to teaching in the program, but remain unproven commodities. traditional setting, we also instruct and supervise our students in a hands-on WOMEN’S LACROSSE clinical setting. The athletic training Six starters are among 11 returning letterwinners for coach Tim Hart, who begins his third year. students work directly with the student- Pacing the attack are veterans Taylor Fisher (8 goals, 8 assists), Mariah Jones (24 goals, 5 assists) athletes, under the close supervision and Brittani Drost (7 goals). Key to the Wildcats’ success will be the play of the midfielders. Erika of an ATC. This allows them to refine Helm-Buckman returns with the most experience at the position. Letterwinners Lisa Ekstrom and and receive immediate feedback on Allison Journey join converted soccer players Tessa D’Alessandro and Megan Kearns on defense. their skills with live working models. As Tori Kraft moves from defense into the goal and should be a solid backstop for the Wildcats. students progress through the major, they are allowed to do more with the MEN’S GOLF student-athletes, but never without an The Wildcats look to continue the momentum of the fall season when they earned second place ATC nearby, ready to intervene if the at the NWC Fall Classic, one of three “major” tournaments which count toward determining the needs of the situation require it. conference’s team champion and automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament. Next time you see an athletic trainer Senior Alex Fitch looks to repeat as NWC medalist. Fitch won three fall tournaments and was a at a game, you may also see students top-five finisher in two others. with us. The ATCs at Linfield provide a service through medical coverage while WOMEN’S GOLF also working as instructors in our non- Linfield’s goal is to finish the season among the NWC’s upper echelon. Sophomore Hannah traditional classroom. This gives a whole Christianson is an emerging contender after sharing fifth place at the NWC Fall Classic. Junior Brinn new meaning to “daily double.” Hovde will also challenge for top honors this spring. High-scoring hoopsters brighten winter Doty nets 325th An apple who didn’t fall far from the tree, Larry Doty is now the winningest coach in Linfield men’s basketball history. On Jan. 24, Larry Doty ‘78 Doty notched career victory No. 325, surpassing Ted Wilson for most career victories. Linfield beat the Pacific Boxers 72-66 in the record- clinching win. For Doty, success has seldom been measured by wins and losses. His coaching principles – many of them honed while competing for Wilson – continue to resonate throughout his Brynna Fuller ‘12 Andrew Batiuk ‘15 graduated players. “Even through all the success our WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL teams had, I learned far more about life A year after Linfield posted its first winning On paper, the Wildcats were better than than basketball,” says Rob Emerson, a season since 2007, a surface-level analysis of the their 5-20 record showed. But the team’s public safety officer with the Bend Police Wildcats’ seventh-place finish in the Northwest inability to close out opponents in tight games Department whose career spanned Conference with a losing record (10-15, 4-12 and win on the road cost them the chance for a from 1997 until 2001 and included two NWC) is hard to swallow. But a deeper look winning record in 2011-12. Northwest Conference championships. at the team’s performance yields plenty of Senior Zach Anderson led the NWC in “‘Dotes’ always exposed us to his positive takeaways from coach Robin Potera- scoring at 21.6 points per game. family and shared struggles and triumphs Haskins’ second year at the helm. “To go from where Zach was last season with us. He made us an extension of his Easiest to spot is the play of Gretchen to leading the league in scoring was pretty family during a time when we were away Owens, who solidified her place as one of impressive,” said coach Larry Doty. “He was a on our own,” recalls Emerson. “I am a Linfield’s all-time greats by leading the league hard-working, dedicated player who improved father now as well. I try to emulate things in scoring for the second consecutive season all his percentages.” he taught me all the time.” at 21.4 points per game. A second team all- Freshman power forward Andrew Batiuk In today’s era of instant gratification, conference honoree, she climbed to No. 2 made the most of his debut season by averaging Doty has evolved into a hybrid of sorts. on the Wildcats’ career scoring ladder, a feat 14.1 points per contest, ninth-most in the His tenure straddles generations who accomplished in just three seasons. league. Center David Lee, who missed the grew up watching iron-fisted coaches Second-year forward Kaely Maltman team’s first 10 games with an injury suffered Vince Lombardi and John Wooden as followed up an outstanding freshman campaign before the season began, emerged as one of well as the ‘what-have-you-done-for- with a solid sophomore outing. Her 12.5 points the top big men in the NWC, averaging 11.3 me-lately’ generation that isn’t shocked ranked second overall and 10th in the NWC. points and 5.6 rebounds. when a coach is dismissed after one or Brynna Fuller was another senior who Inconsistent play from the backcourt was two bad seasons. went out on top, enjoying career highs in every the Wildcats’ glaring weakness, resulting in a As the years have ticked by, Doty’s statistic (6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 guard-by-committee approach that produced coaching style has softened. Where once assists) while splitting time between point and too few points and too many turnovers. he paced the sideline and constantly shooting guard positions. Linfield remained competitive on most ranted to officials, today he spends most With just four non-freshmen on the roster nights. The ‘Cats played NWC champion of the game seated on the bench. – Owens, Fuller, Maltman and junior Nicole Whitworth close in Spokane before falling by “I’m proud to have played for Ted Barton – a great deal of responsibility fell on the four points, and it took a miracle shot in the and to have been able to carry on some shoulders of 11 true freshmen. final seconds for Whitman to beat the ‘Cats in of the tradition he started,” said Doty. Two standouts from the Class of 2015 Walla Walla. With the season drawn to a close, included Katelyn Henson and Alex Christensen. Those two road losses typified the his career record stands even at 326 Henson finished as Linfield’s third highest- Wildcats’ struggles on the road. Linfield went wins and 326 defeats. All told, he has scorer, averaging 8.4 points, while starting all 1-13 away from Ted Wilson Gym, its only win taken the ‘Cats to NWC titles in 1999 25 games. Christensen worked her way into the coming on the final weekend at George Fox. and 2001, plus three more runner-up starting point guard role and posted the team’s “I’m proud of our team,” said Doty. “For finishes. highest assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5). the most part, we competed hard.” SWIMMING Linfield’s swim clubs peaked at the right time during the 2011-12 season, but their efforts were not nearly enough to seriously challenge the upper echelon of the Northwest Conference. Though nearly every Wildcat posted a season-best time at the league championship meet, only the men’s team was able to slightly improve upon its seventh-place team finish from a year ago, taking sixth this time around. The women’s squad, meanwhile, finished seventh of eight teams for the second consecutive season. Brandi Halemano, Kelcie Kimura, Maggie May and Tori Nickerson all reached at least the consolation finals of their respective events at the NWC championship meet. Kimura shared Visitors to newly named Del Smith Stadium will find the street side of the softball field’s press box honors for highest overall finish of the Linfield dressed up in honor of Smith, the stadium’s lead benefactor, and Linfield’s championship seasons. women, placing sixth in the 100-yard freestyle. On the men’s side, true freshmen Ian Coker and A.J. Wagoner and transfer Chris Purdy emerged as the top newcomers. Purdy Hall of Fame nominations due April 15 placed in the top eight in two events – the Like filing your taxes, the deadline to submit nominations for 100 and 200 breaststroke – while Coker and the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame is April 15. Wagoner represented the Wildcats in the Any individual or team may be nominated for the Athletics consolation finals of a combined five events. Hall of Fame, but submissions must be in writing using the official Linfield’s veteran swimmers also nomination form. contributed a significant number of points Nomination forms may be downloaded at linfield.edu/sports. at the NWC Championships. Katie Main Select the “Fans” menu and then “Hall of Fame.” It is important was the only other Wildcat woman to place that all nominations include appropriate background information. in the finals, matching Kimura’s sixth-place Athletes, through athletic achievement, must have brought showing, Main’s event being the 200 butterfly. distinction and honor to themselves, to Linfield and to its intercollegiate program. Athletes Catherine Nakamura and Megan Sandall also are eligible for induction 10 years following their graduation class. scored points in the consolation finals of their Coaches, athletic administrators, or staff members must have served on the staff for at respective events. least 10 years. At the time of induction, they must no longer be active in that position. Standouts on the men’s side included Lee Individual non-athletes, who in some manner have made extraordinary contributions to Rivers and Seth Ruwitch, who scored points in the success of the intercollegiate athletic program, may be considered for a service award. a total of six events while reaching the finals in Eligibility of teams is based upon exceptional accomplishment at and above the confer- two races apiece. Miles Phillips also contributed ence level, with the team ranking among the nation’s elite. a finals finish, placing fourth overall in the 200 New nominations are actively considered across a five-year period. butterfly. For guidance with submitting a nomination, contact sports information director Kelly Bird (503-883-2439 or [email protected]).

Baseball, softball games streaming live Unable to attend home baseball or softball games but still want to stay connected with the action? Fans of Linfield’s baseball and softball teams can now keep up with the Wildcats via free audio webcasts. Student crews learning the finer points of sports broadcasting are collaborating to call the play-by-play of every home baseball game this spring. Recent graduate Darren Valenta ‘11 is covering every home softball doubleheader with a colorful audio webcast. To hear the games on your computer or mobile device, go to the Linfield Athletics website (linfield.edu/sports) and look for the audio links on the composite schedule. Brandi Halemano ’15 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID

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New coaches take reins 2012 Football Schedule Linfield graduates Chuck Bechtol ’92 and James Yen ’02 are new head coaches within DATE OPPONENT LOCATION the athletic department. Sept. 1 Menlo McMinnville Bechtol was named men’s soccer coach, succeeding Ian Lefebvre. Yen takes over Sept. 8 Hardin-Simmons McMinnville interim leadership of the women’s golf program from Brian Trowbridge ‘02, who Sept. 15 Cal Lutheran Thousand Oaks, Calif. resigned to devote more time to his business Sept. 22 idle Chuck Bechtol ’92 interests. A four-year soccer letterwinner at Linfield Sept. 29 pacific Lutheran puyallup, Wash. from 1988 until 1991, Bechtol spent the last four seasons as boys Oct. 6 idle soccer coach at McMinnville High School. He guided the MHS boys to Pacific Conference titles each of the past three seasons, two of Oct. 13 Whitworth McMinnville which he doubled as Grizzlies girls coach. He Homecoming has been honored as conference coach of the year three times. Oct. 20 lewis & Clark portland “This is a great opportunity, not only for me and for our current players, but for Oct. 27 Willamette McMinnville whomever we bring to Linfield as we work to Family Weekend take this program back to the top,” he said. Yen, a two-year letterwinner in football, Nov. 3 puget Sound tacoma, Wash. has spent the past eight years as receivers James Yen ’02 Nov. 10 pacific McMinnville coach for the Wildcats football team. A permanent women’s golf coach will be named after the AT&T Hall of Fame Game conclusion of the current competitive season.