walked the sidelines of college football for more than 46 years. His steely eyes have witnessed four national championships, two Super Bowls and now the growth of the Florida Atlantic football program. That leadership has guided the Owls to back-to-back bowl game titles, the only team in the state of Florida to accomplish this feat in 2007 and 2008. SENIORS SENIORS 2011 FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY The Owls took to the fi eld Aug. 29, 2000, with 164 players in attendance for the program’s fi rst practice. On Sept. 22, 2005, FAU hosted its fi rst-ever Sun Belt Conference game. More than 30 FAU football records, two-time bowl MVP, B.S. in information management systems, FAU’s fi rst NFL draft pick. Players and coaches rushed the fi eld following the overtime victory, 35-28, over perennial bowl contender Hawaii on Sept. 4, 2004. 2 GET READY... ‘CAUSE HERE WE COME! 3 SENIORS SENIORS 2011 FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY FAU became the youngest start-up program to earn a bowl berth in 2007. The Owls traveled to New Orleans where they defeated the University of Memphis. Just one year later FAU made a return trip to a bowl with an invitation to the Motor City Bowl in Detroit, MI. Once again the Owls prevailed becoming the first team in the history of the Sun Belt Conference to win back-to-back bowls. FAU was also the only team in the state of Florida to win bowls in both 2007 and 2008. The perfect streak is quite an accomplishment for a team that had competed in football for just eight seasons and only three as a full Bowl Subdivision member. What’s even more impressive is that Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s six bowl wins matched against no bowl losses gives him more bowl victories than any other active coach who holds a perfect bowl record. 4 GET READY... ‘CAUSE HERE WE COME! 5 FAU’s Board of Trustees approved construction for a 30,000-seat, open-air football stadium — the centerpiece of the University’s residence hall, retail and stadium complex called Innovation Village. The stadium’s completion is scheduled for 2011 and will overlook the newly constructed alumni center, campus recreation and fi tness center as well as offer a view of the Atlantic coastline from its skybox and press box seats. • 32 loge boxes • 4,000 Priority Club seats • 1,100 Premier Club seats • 24 suites FAU OWLS Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus was designated a burrowing owl sanctuary in 1971 by the Audubon Society. The bird found a safe home away from predators on the campus, which was once a U.S. Army air fi eld during World War II. The feisty bird, traditionally associated with wisdom and determination, serves as the University’s mascot. FAU Stadium FAU will open the on-campus stadium October 15, 2011 versus Western Kentucky. FAU Cheer Team The squad boasts a 1999 Pairs National Championship. FAU fi nished second at the NCAA 2001 and 2003 competitions. The 2010 co-ed team fi nished among the nation’s top-ten. The Shula Bowl FIU vs. FAU The “Shula Bowl,” named for legendary coach FAU Dance Team Don Shula, is the annual game between Sun In 2001, the team was ranked no. 10 nationally. In 2005, Belt Conference and South Florida rivals the team placed second in the nation in Open Dance at the Florida Atlantic and Florida International. The National Dance Association competition in Daytona Beach, FL. site of the Shula Bowl alternates between FAU Stadium and FIU Stadium. While Don Shula’s FAU Marching Band name is synonymous with professional football in South Florida, he has also had an impact on Florida Atlantic’s marching band took the fi eld in 2001, with the inaugural the two collegiate programs. FAU Head Coach football team. Beginning in 2006, Howard Schnellenberger served as Shula’s the band boasted a new look and a new energy. offensive coordinator with the Dolphins for two Super Bowl appearances and during the only perfect season in NFL history. Shula also coached Don Strock, FIU’s fi rst coach. The Owls lead the series, 8-1. FAU FOOTBALL Just 10 yearsyears old, Florida Atlantic ffootballootball hhasas estaestablishedblished tthehe tratraditionsditions bbyy which future players will be jjudged.udged. Each season, the bar hahass mmovedoved just a little hihighergher and eeachach season tthehe awarawardsds AWARDS AWARD ccontinueontinue to mountmount.. S In 2010, Rusty Smith became the fi rst FAU player to be drafted by an NFL team. Smith went to the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round. 5 seasons in Division I-AA – 5 All-Americans 5 seasons in Bowl Subdivision – 3 All-Americans Rob Housler became 3 players have earned National Player-of-the-Week honors the second FAU player An average of 18.7 football players, earn a 3.0+ GPA each semester drafted, and the highest FAU player taken, when The Ramon Rickards “Bone Award” is awarded each season to the player with the most “Big Hits” the Arizona Cardinals selected him in the third 18 players, have signed professional contracts round of the 2011 draft. 2 bowl appearances – 2 MVPs, 1 defensive MVP 2 NFL Draftees – Rusty Smith and Rob Housler Each spring, the Florida Atlantic Athletics Department hosts “Pro Day” — a day where nearly every National Football League organization descends upon the campus to evaluate 1 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year NFL hopefuls. The one-day “mini-camp” is an opportunity for scouts to gather detailed information and have a one-on-one look at every Owl that has aspirations to play professionally 1 preseason Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year at football’s highest level. The morning session is dedicated to those players who have completed their eligibility. 7.33 All-Conference selections each season, on average, since joining Sun Belt The afternoon session is for rising seniors and is limited according to NCAA rules. During the morning, scouts conduct thorough measurements, including weight testing in the FAU 1 Sun Belt Title Strength and Conditioning Center as well as the broad jump. Also, Owls show off their skills in the vertical leap prior to moving to the Track and Field Complex where the hopefuls use the opportunity to run the 40 and showcase their footwork through agility drills. ‘CAUSE HERE WE COME! 11 • Each semester, more than one-third of FAU student- Conference Championships and NCAA athletes earn at least a 3.0 GPA. Appearances by Team FAU joined its fi rst conference in 1993-94 • In Fall 2010, 44% of the FAU student athletes earned BASEBALL SOFTBALL a 3.0 GPA. or higher. Conference Championship Conference Championship 2004, 2010 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, • FAU Women’s Golf honored with the highest GPA NCAA Regional Appearances 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 1985, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, NCAA Tournament Play-in among SBC Women’s Golf Teams 2004, 2005, 2010 1997, 1998 NCAA Super Regional Appearances NCAA Tournament • FAU’s student-athlete graduation rate is greater than 2002 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 the graduation rate of the University’s general MEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S SWIMMING student body. Conference Regular-Season Title 2011 NCAA Championship Conference Tournament 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998 • Since 2008, 89 student-athletes have been inducted Championship WOMEN’S SWIMMING 2002 into FAU’s Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Conference Championship NCAA Tournament 2006, 2007 College Athlete Honor Society. 2002 NCAA Championship NIT 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 (3rd), • FAU athletic academic counselors work with student- 2011 1991 (2nd), 1992 (3rd), 1993, 1995, athletes to design individualized study plans including WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 1998, 2004, 2006, 2007 tutoring appointments, group-study sessions, Conference Championship MEN’S TENNIS 2006 academic mentor meetings, supplemental instruction Conference Championship NCAA Tournament 2001 and individual meetings with athletic academic 2006 NCAA Tournament counselors. FOOTBALL 2001, 2002 NCAA Playoffs WOMEN’S TENNIS • An objective-based approach is used in the 2003 Conference Championship development of the individualized study plans putting Conference Championship 2003, 2004 2007 NCAA Tournament the focus on task completion, acquisition of New Orleans Bowl 2003, 2004 2007 knowledge and specialized support for each student- WOMEN’S TRACK Motor City Bowl athlete. NCAA Meet 2008 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, MEN’S SOCCER 2008, 2009 • SA Affairs workshops are scheduled throughout the Conference Championship VOLLEYBALL year specifi cally for student-athletes. These 2007 Conference Championship workshops include topics such as resume writing, WOMEN’S SOCCER 1998, 1999, 2005 drug and alcohol awareness, fi nancial planning, public Conference Championship 1998 NCAA Tournament speaking, team building, gambling, sport psychology, 2005 1998, 1999, 2005 and health and wellness issues. NCAA Tournament 2005 12 GET READY... ‘CAUSE HERE WE COME! 13 2011 Dr. Steve Swanson (center)er) FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY and Rusty Smith (right) The Florida Atlantic University National Alumni Association (FAUNAA) represents FAU’s ever-growing alumni community. Building school David Brennen identity, spirit and loyalty through programs and services, the FAUNAAA The Owls Enjoyed a Nielsen Rating of 1.63 and its membership are dedicated to advancing the goals and missionss representing 1,561,000 million viewers for of the University and the Alumni Association. In nearly every walk of life you can fi nd FAU alumni. Visit www.faualumni.org. the 2007 New Orleans Bowl and a 2.49 rating reaching 2,443,368 million viewers Here are just a few of the more than 120,000 who have graduated from Florida Atlantic University. during the Dec. 26, 2008 telecast of the Dr.