THEFour ye arsM of hard work havAe transformCed Joel BoloHmboy from aI raw, NE athletic youngster into a double-double machine and a potential NBA first round draft pick.

PLUS... EVOLUTION OF A POWER HITTER MARCH 2016 MILESTONES FOR 2016 HALL OF FAME CLASS

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WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 1 801-398-2800 • LHMRiverdale.com CONTENTS STARTING LINEUP

FEATURES

14 EVOLUTION OF A POWER HITTER Coaching and confidence has guided Aly- son Kulp’s path to become one of the best hitters in the and to the top of the Weber State softball record books. BY JUSTIN JOHNSON

18 2016 HALL OF FAME CLASS Five former athletes and one former coach were recently inducted into the Weber State Athletics Hall of Fame, while a former ath- lete also became the Hall’s first-ever Life- time Achievement recipient. BY PAUL GRUA

26 RAHESING THE BAR Over the last 10 years, Randy Rahe has followed his recipe of running a program the right way, and in the process he has reached uncharted milestones in the ranks of Big Sky Confer- ence head coaches. BY CHRIS J. MILLER

36 THE MACHINE Four years of hard work have transformed Joel Bolomboy from a raw, athletic youngster into a double-double machine and a potential 26 NBA first round draft pick. BY JIM BURTON

43 MADE OF Over the last four years Regina Okoye has rewritten the WSU steals records while leading a turnaround in the success of the women’s basketball program. BY CORIE HOLMES

DEPARTMENTS

14 36 4 FROM THE A.D. 6 SNAPSHOTS 12 PLAYIN’ ON PURPLE with Jeremy Senglin 47 HIGH PERFORMANCE 49 COMPLIANCE CORNER 50 NAME GAME 52 TOP TWEETS

18 43

2 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com ver the past few months, program continued to add to its several current and for- storied list of achievements over mer Wildcats have been the past month as another pair rewarded with accolades, Ohonors, and/or records, all of the Purple and White. continuedSenior power to find forward success withJoel dedication to Weber State and Bolomboy became the school– theirwhich particular accurately sports. reflect their and Big Sky Conference–all-time On behalf of the staff of Bleed leader in rebounds, passing THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF WEBER STATE ATHLETICS Purple magazine, I would like to Sojourner’s long-held mark at presented by extend a congratulations to each WSU. and every one of them. Meanwhile, as the Wildcats’ In January, the No. 22 jersey men’s basketball team continued worn by Bruce Collins was lifted to to have success as a group, the the top of the Dee Events , wins continued to add up for Volume 2, Issue 1 taking its rightful place alongside head coach Randy Rahe. the No. 35 of Willie Sojourner. Rahe recently became the all- Editor in Chief Darin Hogge Bruce and his teammates helped time leader in Big Sky Conference Executive Editors Paul Grua open the arena with a pair of Chris J. Miller Big Sky titles and three NCAA week of the 2015-16 regular season Corie Holmes games won, and he enters the final Tournament appearances over needing just two more wins to Creative Director Darin Hogge his four years, and he established become Weber State’s all-time Contributing Writers Chris J. Miller a WSU career scoring mark that winningest coach. Jim Burton still stands today. Rahe’s decade at the helm of Corie Holmes Darin Hogge One of Bruce’s teammates, Weber State has been done the Paul Grua Richard Smith, became the last of right way, winning games with a Jerry Bovee the group nicknamed “McCarthy’s clean program, graduating players Julie Hansen Justin Johnson Kids” to be inducted in into the and preparing young men for life. Will Pridemore WSU Athletics Hall of Fame, tak- Weber State has been blessed Photography Robert Casey ing his place alongside Collins, to have had coaches like Rahe Darin Hogge David Johnson and Mark Mattos. and Blaisdell, who have guided Justin Johnson Smith joined former Wildcat student-athletes like Collins, Ad Director Dave Champlain athletes Bruce Covernton (foot- Smith, Howe, King, Thunell and ball), Crystal Howe (women’s Bolomboy. So to all of the recent- basketball), Wiley King (track/ ly honored Wildcats, congratula- EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: WEBERSTATESPORTS.COM football), and Meagan Thunell tions....and thank you. FACEBOOK: facebook.com/WeberStateAthletics (soccer), and former track & TWITTER: @WeberState INSTAGRAM: WSUWildcats Jim Blaisdell as the 2016 Hall of Famefield class and crosswas inducted. country coach Darin Hogge The Weber State men’s basketball Director of Digital Media and Publications

ON THE COVER

Four years of hard work has transformed Joel Bolomboy from a raw, athletic youngster into a double-double machine and a potential NBA first round draft pick.

THEFour ye arsM of hard work havAe transformCed Joel BoloHmboy from aI raw, NE athletic youngster into a double-double machine and a potential NBA first round draft pick. Feature on page 36. Copyright © 2016 by

PLUS... EVOLUTION OF A POWER HITTER MARCH 2016 Weber State Athletics Publications MILESTONES FOR RANDY RAHE 2016 HALL OF FAME CLASS

presented by Volume 2, Issue 1 WeberStateSports.com Photo by Robert Casey. All Rights Reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 3 From the A.D. A Message from Jerry Bovee

his is the 4th edition of made it clear that it was not my “Bleed Purple Magazine” place to tell a soul and he asked that and again I’m excited for you to explore a more I keep his secret in confidence. As in-depth understanding of Over time he informed his family difficult as it was, I did as he asked. Tthe people that contribute in a variety and just two weeks before his passing of ways to the success of the Weber he shared with his team and others State Athletics program. in the department and community In this issue you’ll learn more what he was dealing with, but again about Coach Randy Rahe, who this it was under the premise that it was year became the winningest coach “no big deal,” and that he was in Big Sky men’s basketball history responding well to the treatments. and is on the verge of becoming the I came to admire Smitty for the winningest coach in Weber State wonderful qualities he exhibited. I men’s basketball history. You will have not met many people in my life also learn more about men’s it would be a distraction to us to be that served others as he did! He is basketball all-conference player Joel spending any time worrying about truly an inspiration to all of us as to Bolomboy, senior women’s basketball how we should treat each other. standout Regina Okoye and softball “(Jeff Smith) inspired There is not time here to tell the senior all-everything Alyson Kulp; stories that could be told of his life. That and much, much, more in this all of us who knew him We will miss having Smitty around 4th installment of “Bleed Purple”. to be a little better each to pick us up when we fall down. day, a bit kinder, a bit His passing has left a void in our one as Weber State and the community department that cannot be replaced, This past month was a difficult more patient, a bit more of Ogden lost a great man in coach understanding and above but it has also inspired all of us who Jeff Smith who passed away February knew him to be a little better each 16th after a courageous battle of all a bit more of a servant day, a bit kinder, a bit more patient, Leukemia. “Smitty” as all who knew leader. ” a bit more understanding and above him called him, had served as the all a bit more of a servant leader. Head Women’s Golf Coach for 24 Jeff Smith epitomizes what being a years and was also serving as the to understand, if you really knew Wildcat really means. We’ll miss him. As difficult as that is for many Director of Weber State men’s and Jeff Smith, you grasp it completely him, but we’ll all be better for having women’s golf at the time of his passing. because that is just who he was at known him! I say courageous because in large the core. part, Smitty, fought the battle on his Coach Smith came to see me about Until next time, go Wildcats! own, just the way he wanted to do 18 months ago to let me know he it. Many were shocked to hear that was dealing with a “few” health he had battled this awful cancer, as issues, as he put it. I dug in a bit he truly did not want others to know deeper, and after some time he what he was dealing with. He did admitted it was cancer, but in his Jerry Bovee this primarily because, in his mind, words, “a no big deal cancer.” He also Weber State Director of Athletics

4 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 5

Simply Smarter Weber St Program Ad.indd 1 9/15/15 3:56 PM 6 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com Pole vaulter Shaelynn Wacaser clears the bar at the Weber State Indoor Invitational in WSU’s Stromberg Complex in January. (Photo by Robert Casey)

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 7 8 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com Joel Bolomboy throws down a dunk in a 74-62 Big Sky win over North Dakota on Jan. 7. The senior forward finished the game with 20 points and a career-high 23 rebounds. (Photo by Darin Hogge)

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 9 10 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com Weber State’s Austin Warner extends his lead foot over the final hurdle in the men’s 55 meter hurdles at the Weber State Indoor Invitational. (Photo by Robert Casey)

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 11 with Jeremy Senglin

Get to know men’s basketball’s Jeremy Senglin a little better as Corie Holmes met up with the star guard for another edition of Playin’ on Purple.

Playin’ On Purple: What’s your favorite memory or moment at Weber State? Jeremy Senglin: My favorite memory is when we won the Big Sky tournament and won conference. Just that memory, not too many teams do that or accomplish that and I was there for that my freshman year. That memory will never go away.

P.O.P Who is your favorite athlete of all time and why? J.S. My favorite athlete of all time is Michael Jordan and that’s probably everyone’s favorite athlete and it’s because of what he did. He was doing moves back then that people are just starting to do today so he was the future of basketball. And of course his shoes, I love his shoes and him as an athlete is just all good.

P.O.P. If you could have any super power what would it be and why? J.S. I would wanna be able to run super fast like Flash. Growing up he’s always been my favorite super hero. Not Superman, Superman is kinda like cheating to me because he’s unstoppable. So Flash, because I think I would wanna run fast.

P.O.P. Who is your celebrity crush? J.S. My celebrity crush is Beyoncé and it’s because growing up I always listened to her music with my sister and I loved her videos… The “Uh-Oh” dance, all those things she used to do. I always liked Beyoncé.

P.O.P. What is something that not very many people know about you? J.S. That I’m afraid of like insects, different kind of bugs, animals, creatures. I’m afraid of all those little things, snakes, everything. Except dogs, I like little dogs. That’s the only thing I’m not scared of is little dogs.

12 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 13 Weber State University EVOLUTION OF A POWER HITTER

14 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com EVOLUTION OF A POWER HITTER

Coaching and confidence has guided Alyson Kulp’s path to become one of the best hitters in the Big Sky Conference and to the top of the Weber State softball record books.

By JUSTIN JOHNSON

the box knowing that no pitcher can runs scored, doubles, and RBI, and That’s the word that beat me. Going up with that needs three more home runs and Alysononfidence. Kulp uses to best mentality really helped me to two more triples to become the describe her ascent believe that no matter what they Wildcats’ career leader in those two from a promising threw at me, I could hit it.” categories as well. freshman to becoming Kulp was the tip of the spear on a The program’s previous single- Wildcat offense that shattered season hits record was 59, set by Chistory of Weber State softball. record after record during the 2015 former Pacific Coast Softball the most prolific hitter in the brief season, culminating with a sweep Conference Player of the Year Lynsey to the plate,” said Kulp after recording of the Big Sky Conference tournament Minnich during the 2012 season. a school-record“I felt way more 78 confident hits to go at alonggoing Kulp passed that mark with nearly with a .396 batting average as a in the NCAA Regionals. She is the a month left in the season. junior in 2015. “I just stepped into Weberand the State program’s career first-ever leader in berth hits, “My mindset was different as I

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 15 came up to the plate last year,” Kulp White as she started 44 out of 46 wanted to work on things.” said. “Coach Amicone said when you games, recording 30 hits and 14 RBI. As a sophomore in 2014, Kulp hit get here, you want to have a routine It was the arrival of head coach .306 with 48 hits and 24 RBI, all at the plate; you want to do what Mary Kay Amicone in 2014 that saw double-digit percentage increases makes you comfortable and what Kulp turn that potential into power. makes you relax, and going in to my “It’s really all about who she is,” about more hits, but also the junior year, I really took her words Amicone said. “She is competitive improvementover her first season. in the powerIt wasn’t of justher of wisdom to heart, and it led me to hitting. that record.” to be the best. Any coaching point, As a freshman, Kulp had seven Kulp joined Weber State out of El shein nature. would She’s take infiery and and she’s she a wantsgifted Modena High School in Orange, athlete, so she would take in the triple, and a home run for a modest Calif., in 2013, and was immediately information and come in and stay .286extra-base slugging hits, percentage. with five Bydoubles, the end a an impact player for the Purple and late. She wanted to be coached. She of 2014, however, she was slugging

doubles. .484“I thinkwith fiveit was home mostly runs analyzing and nine quality at-bats and looking for situations she could be successful in,” Amicone said. “She worked on any area she could to be better. Her improvement was a combination of more experience, more information, and wanting to be the best.” With two years of experience under her belt, including a full season under Amicone, Kulp realized her full potential as a hitter in 2015 as she scorched the Wildcats’ single-season offensive record books for 78 hits, which, coincidentally, was the exact number as her combined

And it wasn’t just hits, it was pure power.hits total of her first two seasons. Of those 78 hits, 30 were for extra bases, with 20 doubles and nine home runs, as she slugged .645 with 49 RBI and 53 runs scored. A classic display of Kulp’s game-changing ability last season came in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship game

Kulp’s leadoff home run against Sacramento State in the Big Sky Championship game last spring helped the Wildcats to a dominating 13-1 win and the school’s first-ever conference title.

16 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com against Sacramento State. As the lead-off hitter, Kulp absorbed four

State’spitches beforeMiller smashingRanch Stadium, the fifth ignitingover the whatleft field would fence eventually at become a 13-1 win over the Hornets. “I got a lot stronger last year over winter break,” Kulp said. “I worked a lot harder, I worked out twice as much. (Assistant Strength and Con- ditioning Coach) Andi Pigeon really helped build me up. “Since my freshman year, I’ve grown to be a better leader, so coming in this year, as a senior, I know my role and want to be an example. I’m going to work just as hard and keep going forward. I’m not going to focus on last year’s record, because that’s a closed book.” As Kulp turns her attention to this, she points to what she feels is the mosther final critical season, part with of theher, Wildcats, and the teams’ success. “I think our chemistry starts from the top,” Kulp said. “We have a great coaching staff. I think they are doing a great job with the way they are coaching us. They are together as a unit, which builds our chemistry as a team to be together.” Weber State, after a record-setting 38-19 season in 2015, was picked poll and the Wildcats are 9-7 first in the preseason coaches straw season. through the first 16 games of the the polls changes anything,” Kulp said.“I don’t “Everyone think beingcan think picked what first they in want, but as long as we still come out going strong as a team, and working together as a team, we are a powerful unit, and if we stay together, we will be that much stronger.”

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 17 2016 ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME Five former athletes and one former coach were recently inducted into the Weber State Athletics Hall of Fame, while a former athlete also became the Hall’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement recipient.

By PAUL GRUA

From left to right: Meagan Thunell (Soccer), Jim Blaisdell (Track & Field/Cross Country coach), Crystal Howe (Basketball), Richard Smith (Basketball), Bruce Covernton (Football), Wiley King (Track & Field/Football).

ive former standout athletes Bruce Covernton (football), Crystal Athletics Lifetime Achievement and one former coach make Howe (women’s basketball), Wiley Award. up the 2016 class of inductees to the Weber State University Richard Smith (men’s basketball) Jim Blaisdell Athletics Hall of Fame. The andKing Meagan (men’s track Thunell and (women’s field and football), soccer). Jim Blaisdell spent 33 years inductees were honored at In addition, former Weber State (1981-2014) as the head coach of the annual event on February 26. men’s basketball player and longtime the Weber State women’s track and FThis year’s Hall of Fame inductees head coach Ben are: Jim Blaisdell (women’s track years of his career as the Director recipient of the Weber State offield Track program. and Field He spent for the the Wildcatslast eight Howland became the first-ever and field/cross country coach), 18 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com Jim Blaisdell won 18 Big Sky titles as the offensive line and became an head coach of the Weber State track & field and cross country teams. anchor to the Wildcat offense. His

tackle on the left side of the line, Coverntonfinal two seasons blocked foras anJamie offensive Martin From 1990-2007, a span of 50 won the Walter Payton Trophy in conference championships in cross 1991 as the nation’s top player. country, indoor, and outdoor track, In his senior season of 1991, Covernton earned First Team 42 times. All-American honors as he helped Weber State finished first or second Blaisdell was named Big Sky lead Weber State to an 8-4 record Conference Coach of the Year 18 and the Wildcats advanced to the times during his career at WSU and NCAA I-AA Playoffs for just the second was honored as the District VII time in school history. Martin led Coach of the Year four times. He the nation in total offense that year, and was also the women’s cross coached 28 All-Americans at Weber throwing for more than 4,000 yards country coach for 26 years. Blaisdell State and numerous All-Conference and 35 touchdowns. coached more than 1,000 athletes athletes. After leaving Weber State, during his time at Weber State. In those 33 years as a head coach, Bruce Covernton overall pick in the 1992 Canadian Blaisdell led the Wildcats to 18 Big Bruce Covernton played four FootballCovernton League was drafted Draft by with the theCalgary first Sky Championships in indoor track, years of football at Weber State from Stampeders. He played in 72 games outdoor track and cross country. He 1988-91 for Mike Price and Dave in seven years in the CFL. He was on has also guided the Wildcats to 31 Arslanian. Coverton came to WSU the offensive line for Stampeder out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, quarterbacks Jeff Garcia and Doug meets. He led WSU to nine Big Sky and originally joined the Wildcats Flutie. Indoorsecond placeChampionships, finishes in conference capturing titles in 1984, 1991, 1992, 2002, seasons were spent as a defensive Crystal Howe as a defensive lineman. His first two 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2012 Crystal Howe played four years for the Weber State women’s still holds the conference record by basketball team from 2000-03 and winningand finished four-straight second nine conference times. WSU was part of the Wildcat teams that titles from 2002-05. won two Big Sky titles and twice advanced to the NCAA Tournament. titles under his watch with wins in Howe, a native of Roy, joined head 1992,The 1993,Wildcats 1998, won 2000, five and outdoor 2002 coach Carla Taylor’s squad as a freshman when the Wildcats set a Big Sky in 1999-2000. As a freshman she record with 242 points in route to averaged 11.6 points and led the winning the conference title by 111 team at 7.7 rebounds per game. She points, also a conference record. In cross country, Weber State won percentage at 51.6 percent and was four titles under Blaisdell, 1993, namedalso led the the Big Big Sky Sky Freshman in field of goal the 1997, 2000 and 2006 and have Year, one of just two Wildcats to ever win the award. She averaged 14.4 points and 10.1 NCAAfinished Cross second Country 12 times. Mountain He led the linemen with the Wildcats and he rebounds a game as a sophomore RegionWildcats Championships to a top 10 finish in 25 in of the 26 started all 11 games as a sophomore. and earned All-Big Sky honors. As After his sophomore season, the a junior during the 2001-02 season, 14 times. player nicknamed “Tuna” moved to Howe averaged a career-best 15.2 meets, and finished in the top five

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 19 Wiley King Wiley King came to Weber State as a freshman for the Wildcat track

careerand field as and one football of the topteams athletes in 2002. in schoolFour years and conference later, he finished history. his King was a two-sport standout at Weber State, competing four years

football teams from 2002-06. He wasfor the honored Wildcat as trackthe 43rd and best field male and athlete in Big Sky Conference history. King ranks as one of the top track

Big Sky Conference history. King wonand field 13 athletesBig Sky inindividual Weber State titles, and winning six in indoor track and seven in outdoor track. He currently holds seven Weber State school records and is the Big Sky’s career points and 7.2 rebounds a game and blocks. leading scorer at both the indoor once again earned First Team All-Big She is one of just three players in and outdoor championships. Sky honors. That season she helped Weber State history to earn Big Sky In indoor track, King won Big Sky lead the Wildcats to an 11-3 conference Athlete of the Meet in all four Big three times. Sky Championships he competed in in school history. The Wildcats won All-Conference first team honors therecord Big and Sky their Tournament first Big Sky titleand advanced to the NCAA Tournament

As a senior in 2002-03, Howe averagedfor the first 12.4 time ever.points and 9.5 rebounds a game, once again earned the Wildcats repeated as Big Sky Championsfirst team All-Bigand once Sky again honors advanced and to the NCAA Tournament. Howe appeared in 119 career games at Weber State, the fourth most games played in school history. She started in 108 games and started

She still ranks sixth in scoring in schoolevery game history of her with final 1,597three seasons. career points. She is also third in WSU history in rebounds with 1,042 and in free throws and eighth in career ranks fourth in field goals made, fifth 20 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com and scored a conference record 115 jump and heptathlon and ranks in Tournament titles and three trips points in those four meets. As a the top 10 in four other events. to the NCAA Tournament. freshman in 2002, he scored 23 He not only starred on the track, He came to Weber State as a freshman points, won the long jump title and King also played 41 career games for the 1976-77 season out of Green helped the Wildcats to the team title for the Weber State football team River, Wyo. The 7-0 center was with a conference record 170.5 from 2002-05 as a wide receiver and joined that year by three other points. The following year, he scored kick returner, playing for Jerry Graybeal freshmen who, over the next four 26 points, won the 55 meter hurdles and Ron McBride. He still ranks third years, would form one of the in Weber State history in career strongest groups of players Weber and high jump. As a junior in 2004, kickoff returns with 98 for an State has ever seen. Smith joined Kingand finished set a then-conference second in the long record jump average of 20.7 yards per return. He freshman Bruce Collins from Rock with 35 points by winning the 55 is also ninth in school history in Springs, Wyo., David Johnson from meters and 55 meter hurdles and career all-purpose yards with 3,294. Loomis, Calif., and Mark Mattos from helped lead the Wildcats to the team Santa Barbara, Calif. Those four title. During his senior year of 2006, Richard Smith players, who would become known Richard Smith played four years as “McCarthy’s Kids”, combined to of basketball for the Wildcats from appear in 437 games in their four heHe scored also earned 31 points All-American and finished honors 1976-80 and was part of some of seasons as Wildcats. They won two first in the long jump and heptathlon. the best teams in school history. Big Sky titles, three Big Sky Tournament at the 2006 NCAA Indoor Champi- Under head coach Neil McCarthy, titles, went to three NCAA Tournaments, onships.by finishing sixth in the Heptathlon Smith helped lead the Wildcats to and formed a strong bond that In outdoor track he scored 108 two Big Sky titles, three Big Sky continued long after their careers career points in the conference meets, captured seven Big Sky titles and was twice named Athlete of the Meet. As a freshman in 2002 he won the triple jump as the Wildcats won the conference title with 215.5 points and in 2003 he won the title in the 110 meter hurdles. During his junior year of 2004, King set a conference record with 42 points, winning the title in the 100 meters, 110 meter hurdles and the 200 meters and the Wildcats won the team title. As senior in 2006 he won the title in the 100 meters and 110 meter hurdles. Under the coaching of Chick Hislop and Dan Walker, King was a teams and he still ranks as the only athletepart of infive Big Big Sky Sky Conference Championship history to score 100 career points in the indoor and outdoor championships. King still holds Weber State school records in the 55 meter hurdles, 60 meters, 60 meter hurdles, 100 meters, 110 meter hurdles, long

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 21 team All-Conference honors as a senior in 1980. During his four years the Wildcats posted a 90-30 overall record.

bestHe in finished scoring his in careerschool withhistory. 1,158 He nowcareer ranks points, 17th at thein career time the scoring fifth-

rebounding with 764 rebounds. andSmith is was fifth drafted all-time in the in seventh career round of the 1980 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. In 2013, he was named to the Weber State 50th Anniversary team along with his McCarthy Kids teammates Collins, Johnson and Mattos.

Meagan Thunell Meagan Thunell has been associated with Weber State women’s soccer for more than 15 years. She played four years for the Wildcats as a goalkeeper from 1998-2001, helping lead the Wildcats to two Big Sky ended. McCarthy’s Kids became seniors Championships. She has spent the Smith played in 18 games and for the 1979-80 season and that year past 11 years an assistant coach at started just one game as a freshman still ranks as one of the best in Weber State. but over the next three years, he Weber State history. The Wildcats Thunell joined the Wildcats as a started in all but two games as a freshman goalkeeper in 1998, the center for the Wildcats. As a sophomore third year of Weber State soccer. As in 1977-78, he averaged 10.1 points play.finished Weber 26-3 State and captured had an 18-game another a freshman that season she helped and 7.4 rebounds per game as winningBig Sky title, streak finishing during 13-1 the in season, league lead Weber State to a 17-3 record Weber State moved into the brand still a school record, and was ranked new, 11,500 seat . as high as 15th in the nation in the was named Big Sky Conference AP polls, the only season in school Newcomerand its first-ever of the BigYear Sky that title. season She in the regular season but won the history Weber State has been tournamentThat year the Wildcatstitle in Montana finished third and nationally ranked. The Wildcats goals-against average. She also set advanced to the NCAA Tournament. aand school finished record fourth with in 15the wins nation that in As a junior in 1978-79, Smith the NCAA Tournament at the Dee season and only allowed seven goals stared in all 34 games and averaged Eventshosted CenterLamar butin the lost first 87-86. round of during the year, a Weber State 14.4 points and led the team in Smith started all 29 games as a single-season record. senior and averaged 11.6 points and As a sophomore in 1999, she set a team-best 7.0 rebounds per game a school scoreless streak spanning 25-9,rebounding won the at 9.1 conference per game titleand fieldand that season. seven straight games without allowing againgoal percentage.advanced to the The NCAA ‘Cats Tournament finished For his career he played in 109 a goal. She allowed 23 goals that where they defeated New Mexico games for the Wildcats. He earned season and was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP, one of to Arkansas. junior in 1979 and earned second three players in school history to State in the first round before falling first team All-Big Sky honors as a

22 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com earn that honor. both seasons and helped the Wildcats and was 57-11 in his final two In her junior season she set a to the NCAA Tournament each year, seasons with the Panthers, including school record with 130 saves and playing alongside Hall of Famer being ranked as high as second in also was named to the NSCAA/adidas members Bruce Collins, David Johnson, the country. In 2002 he guided Scholar All-America team. During Mark Mattos and Richard Smith. Pittsburgh to a school-record 29 her senior year of 2001, she led the He graduated from Weber State wins and was named the National Wildcats to a 6-0 Big Sky record and in 1979 with a degree in Physical Coach of the Year. another conference title. Education. In 2003, he was named the head Thunell played in 67 games and Following his Weber State career coach at national powerhouse UCLA. started 65 games in her career and Howland went into the coaching In 10 seasons with the Bruins, he still holds Weber State’s career led UCLA to seven NCAA Tournaments, record with 31 wins. She is also the University where he became a graduate highlighted by three-consecutive career leader in saves with 411, assistantranks. His coach first stop in 1981, was Gonzagahelping Final Four appearances. He also led which is the second most in Big Sky coach future Hall of Famer John the Bruins to four Pac-10 titles. history. She also ranks third in shut- While at UCLA, he became one of outs with 19.5, fourth most in BSC coaching job at UC Santa Barbara three coaches in NCAA history to history. She earned Big Sky whereStockton. he Hespent got 12his seasons first full-time as an win at least 30 games in three assistant coach. consecutive seasons joining Adolph three times in her career and holds Rupp and . All-Conference first team honors in the Big Sky at Northern Arizona In 2015, he returned to coaching, She has spent the past 11 seasons His first head coaching job came becoming the head coach at Mississippi asfive an WSU assistant single-season coach underrecords. Tim and led the Lumberjacks to the 1997 State in the SEC. In his 19 years as Crompton with the Wildcats. As an Bigwhere Sky he Championship. spent five years In (1995-99) 1998, he a head coach Howland has more assistant she has been a part of three led NAU to the Big Sky Tournament than 400 career victories and has Big Sky Championship teams at title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament led his teams to the NCAA Tournament Weber State. Howland then became the head and the Final Four three times. coachfor the at first the Universitytime in school of Pittsburgh history. 10Howland times, to and the his Sweet wife 16 Kim, five a former times, in the . In his Weber State cheerleader, have two ever Weber State Athletics Lifetime four seasons (2000-03) at Pitt, children, Meredith and Adam, and AchievementBen Howland willAward. receive Howland the first- Howland compiled an 89-40 record one grandson. played two seasons of college basketball at Weber State and has since become one of the most successful college basketball coaches in the country. Howland played two seasons at Santa Barbara City College before joining coach Neil McCarthy for two seasons at Weber State from 1977-79. He played in 62 games in his two seasons with the Wildcats, started 39 games, and helped lead the Wildcats to Big Sky Championships in each of his two seasons. He averaged nine points and three assists per game and the Wildcats compiled a 44-19 record in his two seasons. He was named Team Defensive MVP

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 23 24 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com BIG SKY BASKETBALL 2016 TOURNAMENT MARCH 7-12, RENO EVENTS CENTER

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ROAD TO RENO FOR THE FIRST TIME, ALL 12 SCHOOLS FACE OFF FOR A BERTH IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT #ROADTORENO VISIT ROADTORENO.COM WeberStateSports.comFOR TICKETING AND LODGING INFORMATIONMarch 2016 Bleed Purple 25 26 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com RAHESING THE BAR Over the last 10 years, Randy Rahe has followed his recipe of running a program the right way, and in the process he has reached uncharted milestones in the ranks of Big Sky Conference head basketball coaches.

By CHRIS J. MILLER

ud Heathcote. . and the community. . Herb “I remember 10 years ago, telling “And have at least enough success Williams. Phil Johnson. Stew (then-WSU)with a fifth in President their sights. (Ann) Millner that they’ll want to keep you around Morrill. that we want to run a program doing it that way,’’ he added. Neil McCarthy. Larry where we can have it all. I think you “The key to Randy’s success, I Krystkowiak. . can have it all: Have kids that want think, is he’s not bigger than the Ben Howland. . to be here, get their education and program,” WSU Director of Athletics JThe Big Sky Conference boasts a graduate, have kids that represent Jerry Bovee said. “He supports the roll call of some of the coaching your university the right way, run a other teams and programs here at greats in college and pro basketball. program that’s NCAA compliant, and the University. He understands how Add Randy Rahe to that list, have success doing all those things,’’ whether he wants you to or not. he said. “Randy has been around winners Rahe coached his 313th game at While some programs around the inhe his fits career, in. and has taken positives Weber State University last week country skip some of those steps, from them and added them to his -- passing McCarthy for the most in Rahe is pleased with the character plan,’’ Bovee added. “He deserves school history -- and has now picked and integrity of his players, their all the milestones he’s achieving. I up his 204th victory in 10 years. relationship with the administration hope he’s around long enough to With two more wins, Rahe will become the all-time winningest coach at Weber State. With two victories at home on Feb. 11 and 13, Rahe surpassed and them all for the most wins ever in Big Sky play (128 and counting). “I don’t know all the milestones,’’

“IRahe really reflected don’t pay recently attention while to sitting them. in “Whathis office we at try the to Dee do is Events go about Center. our business every day, and try to work really hard, hopefully do it the right way and hopefully have some success.’’ Some success, indeed. In their 10th season, Rahe and his staff have won four Big Sky championships,

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 27 “I understand you have to win, but I want to have everything else at a high standard. I’m never satisfied. I always want to win more. I know we’ve got quality kids.’’ double all those records.’’ After working summer camps in him his break. Talented players, a strong philosophy the Midwest, learning to be a better “Coach , a man I got to and perseverance are the keys to coach as well as developing contacts know at Colorado State camps, got Randy Rahe’s decade of success. So, in the profession, Rahe was offered me on board with . And too, is Rahe’s support system. a position at Colorado College. Stew gave me the break my career Paying his dues “He told me the pay would be needed,’’ Rahe added. An Iowa native, Rahe loved playing $1,200. I thought, ‘I’m single, I can From 1990 to 2004, Morrill and baseball and basketball growing up live on $1,200 a month,’ ’’ Rahe Rahe found success at Colorado in Bancroft. “I thought I was going remembered. “He said, ‘No, the pay State and Utah State. In 2004-2005, to be a major league baseball player, is $1,200 a year.’ Rahe joined at the “But I wanted to give it a go, University of Utah, helping the Utes breaking ball,’’ he said. jumped to that, and one thing led to reach the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet untilRahe I figured was a two-sport out I couldn’t athlete hit at a another.’’ 16. A year later, Rahe was hired as Buena Vista College. He earned his Over the next few years, Rahe the Wildcats’ next head coach. bachelor’s degree in elementary worked on the staffs at the University Dynamic duo education. of Colorado and Denver University, As important as family and “I knew I wanted to be a coach, a was let go when one head coach was togetherness is to Rahe and his teacher and a coach – and did that basketball squad, it’s the foundation for a few years. I really loved coaching without a salary, and paid the bills of his own family, which includes high school, and still stay in touch byfired, working spent asummer season oncamps one staffand wife Laura and teenage sons Luke clinics. and Kade. It’s where the balance that said. “I kind of fell into college coaching.’’ makes Rahe successful developed. with kids I taught in fifth grade,’’ he Then a pair of influential men gave

28 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com “Family is the most important thing in my life, and I hope that’s made me a better coach,” Rahe said. “Laura brought balance to me, and helped me understand how important family and balance is. I love her to death for that.” the basketball court. She was coaching a girlsThe pairprep first game met, in ofColorado; course, onhe was there to scout a player in the following contest. “I was impressed with her, so being the courageous guy that I am, I went home and wrote her a letter,” Randy joked. But they did eventually get to know each other. The pair tapes, she puts her heart and soul Randy and his wife Laura have learned they both had Iowa roots always been very supportive of into it. When she’s working, she’s and similar goals. each other’s careers and the pair got great rapport with the coaches have found a nice balancing point “Thank God we met. To be the wife and kids on the court,” Randy offers. as head coach and referee, of a coach takes a special person. I husband and wife, and as “The big thing with me is she helps wouldn’t be coach of the year if it parents of two young boys. me see the game and understand the wasn’t for her,” he added. In truth, Laura Rahe might not be She’s educating me on what they’re here on campus. The Rahes represent lookinggame through for, whose an official’scall it is. She’s eyes. the University well. They’re great she is, if not for her husband. the talented college basketball official settled me down. Basketball’s an members of the community.” “Randy is so passionate about Randy’s eyes light up when talking coaching, he truly loves it. But he’s are trying to do the best they can.” about his sons, both adopted during always been a No. 1 support for me emotional“Laura has game, helped and Randy the officialsdevelop their time in Logan. that balance in life,” Bovee said. “She “Luke is a sophomore at St. Joseph tough game, I really appreciate his (as an official),” Laura said. “After a has achieved that balance as well Catholic High School, and his favorite love and support. He makes our sport is baseball, like his dad. We home complete. “Randy’s much better at folding with her officiating and her work laundry than me,” she joked. While Randy developed his coaching philosophy, Laura developed her

Westskills Conferenceas a top-notch as well hoops as official,several smallerworking leagues. chiefly She’s in the been Mountain fortunate to work a couple of NCAA Tournament games. “And she’s never missed a call,” Randy throws in. The two don’t often discuss where their two professions cross paths, but when they do, it’s productive. “Laura’s always watching game

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 29 have a batting cage out in the back Weber State built momentum in a said. yard and it’s fun to watch him. tough preseason, then got on a roll The ’Cats are coming off a subpar “Kade, the youngest, loves to play in Big Sky play. tennis, and is an old soul. They are An eight-game winning streak and a 13-17 overall record. Their season both adopted, but we are so blessed home dominance helped the Wildcats season in which WSU finished with to have them as part of our lives,” start Big Sky play in a strong manner. “We knew last year was going to Randy added. The ’Cats are 14-2 in league play beended tough. in the We Big had Sky to semifinals.remove some “Laura’s responsible for our boys turning out the way they are,” Randy following a home win over Montana. said. “I saw it coming and tried to said. “She understands coaching; (22-7Now overall), come the and dog are days in first of league place getkids some that didn’tjunior fit college our culture,’’ kids. We Rahe just how hard it is, but also how great it play, followed by the Big Sky didn’t have the right personnel. And is. I think she understands the emotions Conference tourney in Reno, and that’s my responsibility.’’ that I go through. I hope that’s made hopefully, postseason games. That doesn’t mean the 2014-15 me a better coach.” “We have some younger kids this season was a bust. “I wish people knew that Randy year, but I like where we are,’’ Rahe “I actually enjoyed coaching a lot loves to have fun with his family,” of fun if he didn’t work so much.” LauraBut hereflects. does, “Weand couldLaura havesupports a lot that drive. “Early on, he was so determined to become a coach. We had to put some boundaries on time; he would work 24/7 if he could. But he’s grown,” said Laura, who works at Weber State year-round as an instructor and supervisor of student-teachers in WSU’s education program. “We are both in tune to the coaching profession.” Laura, herself a former college basketball player as well, sees the growth in Randy’s coaching philosophy. “It’s actually become easier for him as a head coach, because of the repetitions. Randy has become good with the patterns of coaching, knowing which players to push hard, and which players to push differently,” she said. “Randy genuinely cares about these kids and wants to help them make an impact beyond the game.” Building the program This year’s Wildcat squad is similar to some of the most successful over the past decade. Led by league player of the year candidate Joel Bolomboy and Jeremy Senglin,

30 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com last year, because even though we Randy found success early in his didn’t have the right personnel; they career at Weber State, winning the Big Sky Championship his first tried really hard,’’ Rahe said. “I season. enjoyed coming to practice every day.’’ The last two seasons also illustrate and accountable for everything they Rahe’s philosophy, win or lose. do, even if they’re late a minute to “I understand you have to win, practice,’’ he added. but I want to have everything else Decade of memories at a high standard,’’ he said. “I’m Rahe believes the Big Sky Conference is as strong as ever. more. I know we’ve got quality kids.’’ “I think every program has gotten neverThe satisfied. development I always wantbegins to win in better. There have been some coaching recruiting. changes and better players. When I “We talk about it a lot then. We got here there were maybe 3-4 recruit players that have character teams you had to worry about, but and integrity,’’ Rahe said “It’s all it’s not like that anymore,” Rahe said. based on character, trust and “There has been great parity the last togetherness. We recruit to those 3-4 years. It’s not just us and Montana.” three areas.’’ Rahe remembers being a bit The process is the same with intimidated when he was hired. recruits when he took over the program, the job,” said Rahe. “They took a my name with that group,” Rahe toevery NBA student-athlete, All-Star Damian from Lillard, the first to chance“I wasn’t on me; the Imost didn’t qualified think there for said. “It’s been amazing.” the current roster. was any way I would get the job. The memories over the past 9½ “We recruit kids that have charac- ter and integrity, then it’s up to us coaches at Weber State (Motta, John- started with a huge challenge. to develop a relationship so that we son,Then Gene I looked Visscher, back, McCarthy, first at Abeg the- seasons come flooding back. It have trust,’’ Rahe said. “With trust glen, ). It really drove me surprise, had to sign 10 new kids,” and relationship, they’ll do what we to make sure I upheld that standard. Rahe“The recalled. first season “It was we April had 1 waswhen a want them to do. Then you can coach The staff feels like we have a respon- I got the job, and I told my wife we’ve them hard. When they know we love sibility of the tradition at Weber got three players on our roster. She them and trust them, that together- State.” ness comes and they mesh well.” Then there are the many outstanding So I said ‘I’ll see you in a month,’ and asked, don’t you need five to play.

“I’m an old school guy and believe that our main mission is to bring in kids and help them to understand how to grow into men and give ’em a chance to try to get them to be successful husbands and fathers and people when they walk out of here. That’s as important as anything.”

Rahe relies on a strong group of coaches who spent time in the Big went recruiting. assistant coaches, including Eric Sky. “We signed 10 kids and that group Duft, who has been with the Wildcats “Every year, you want to make set the tone of how we want to run for 10 seasons as well. sure you are where you want to be,” a program. I have great admiration “I have wonderful assistants. We the four-time BSC coach of the year for that team. They set a foundation.” hold the players to a high standard said. “It’s not possible for me to put Led by Big Sky MVP David Patten,

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 31 “Coach Rahe had so much energy and enthusiasm. He inspired us from our very first meeting. I really enjoyed the experience.” --David Patten

the Wildcats won 20 games and would do it,” Patten added. “My about anything beyond that.” advanced to the NCAA Tournament, senior year with him was a great While they ran similar systems something they’ve done three times experience.” and use some of the same play sets, since. “You look back to the years we “Randy’s teams had a little more “Coach Rahe had so much energy won championships (2007, 2009, freedom to improvise,” Burton said. and enthusiasm,” Patten recalled. “But they both are extremely the 30-win season (2012-13, 30-7) meeting. I really enjoyed the was2010, a 2014),”fun year; Rahe we hadreflects. a really I thought good led the country in shooting percentage experience.”“He inspired us from our very first team. For the kids to bounce back atefficient. different USU andtimes Weber when State I eachwas Patten remembers the Wildcats from the (Big Sky tournament covering them.” were overmatched in their NCAA championship) loss – was special.” “Stew and Randy are both game against UCLA, an eventual Former Standard-Examiner obsessed with preparation, which Final Four squad that season. sports writer Roy Burton has Stew says comes from being a world “A lot of his coaching principles followed Rahe’s career for more class worrier,” Burton said. “Randy than a dozen years, starting with his once told me he wanted to hire an year,” said Patten, now the color USU years under Morrill. assistant who was ‘nervous,’ someone commentatorare the same as for they WSU were basketball that first “I was always intrigued by the who would see things before they on the radio. “But he’s always seeking similarities between Stew and Randy’s happened and take care of a problem coaching styles and personalities before it became a problem.” to do. I certainly have a lot of respect – and their differences,” Burton said. Bovee agrees. forto refine him. them, just like he taught us “One thing they had in common was “Randy has a way of keeping his “If he told me to run to the end of an intense focus on ‘win our next players on edge. He’s grown in his the room and back right now, I game’ and no interest in talking understanding of how each athlete can be motivated,” Bovee said. “I think he really loves the process of bringing guys in and developing them. For Randy, it’s not about the outcome but staying involved in the process. He really believes the results will take care of themselves.” There are a decade of other memories for Rahe. And players, including league MVPs like Lillard, Patten, McCoy and . All-leaguers like Scott Bamforth,

Many of the Wildcats that have come through the program over the last decade continue to remain in close contact with their former coach, including NBA star .

32 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com Dezmon Harris and Kyle Bullinger. he added. “There are some fond of the coaching stuff, but really Patten recalls an impromptu dunk memories for sure.” everything. These are life-long “The things that really jump out relationships.” year in a pre-game shootaround. are the kids that come in to your “I’m always glad to see him,” Patten contest“Coach the Rahe Wildcats said staged he wanted that first to program as 18-year old kids and added. dunk it, so Steve Panos and I tossed walk out as men. “I’m proud of the winning, but also him toward the basket, expecting he “I’m an old school guy and believe the kind of kids we have,” Rahe would hang on the rim after he was that our main mission is to bring in concluded. “We have a great done,” Patten said. “Unfortunately, kids and help them to understand administration here at Weber State, he dropped from 10 feet straight how to grow into men and give ’em from Jerry Bovee to (Vice-President onto his back. a chance to try to get them to be for Administrative Services) Norm “But Coach jumped right up, successful husbands and fathers and Tarbox, to University President excited to be part of the contest,” he people when they walk out of here,” (Charles) Wight and President Millner added. “That’s the kind of guy you Rahe said. “That’s as important as before him. Jerry has been very want to play for.” anything. instrumental in helping me stay here “I think the years when Damian “Damian is an obvious one, but and we want to be here as long as I was with us (2009-2012), and to see I’m proud of them all. I stay in touch can. Ogden is a blue-collar community how he grew as a player and with all of them. I get texts from all and I like to think that’s who I am, a everything he did for our program of the guys when I get a big win -- blue-collar guy. was pretty special,” Rahe remembers. from Brody van Brocklin, who “I wake up every day and know “Then two years ago, to win the started with me, to Damian to Kyle how lucky and blessed I am to be championship with a team I wasn’t Bullinger and the others. the head basketball coach at Weber sure could win it was pretty special,” “We talk about the wins and some State.”

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 33 Jeff Smith Memorial Golf Scholarship Fund

Jeff Smith was the Director of Golf at Weber State for 24 years. Smitty’s positive attitude and genuine selflessness made a lasting impression on everyone that came to know him. Please join with us in honoring his memory by donating to the Jeff Smith Memorial Golf Scholarship Fund, which will benefit both the men’s and women’s golf programs at Weber State. Visit WeberStateSports.com, click here, or contact the Wildcat Club at 801-626-6576 to contribute.

34 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 35 36 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com THE MACHINE Four years of hard work have transformed Joel Bolomboy from a raw, athletic youngster into a double-double machine and a potential NBA by JIM BURTON first round draft pick. oel Bolomboy is making a lot from Kiev, Ukraine – his birthplace remarkably humble. of noise these days, which is – Bolomboy isn’t a big talker. As He’s also really, really good. sort of strange considering evidenced by the above comments, So good, in fact, that he’s all over the 6-foot-9, 235-pound he is very loyal – he declined offers the NBA radar. Weber State basketball star to play for more high-profile His name has begun appearing in is as soft spoken as he is programs because Weber State mock drafts all over the Internet, humble. showed early interest in him – and and in much the same way former JThe senior power forward from Fort Worth, Texas is one of the top players in the Big Sky Conference and he currently ranks third nationally in rebounding, averaging better than 13 boards a game for the Wildcats. Although he was not considered a great offensive player when he came to play for coach Randy Rahe, Bolomboy’s hours of hard work in the gym have transformed him into a two-way player. This season he is averaging nearly 18 points a contest, which puts him among the Big Sky’s top 10 scorers. “I think the second I stepped on - ing) visit, I knew from that moment Ithis wanted campus, to commit on my official and come (recruit here one day,” Bolomboy said. “Everything that the coaches have promised me has come true. I’ve had to put in the work, but I’ve had great success just because of the coaching staff here. The teammates I’ve been around, they’re great people. They push me, they challenge me to be my best everyday ” Because his personality is as far from obnoxious as Fort Worth is

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 37 “He brings those things that translate. He’s tough, he’s athletic, he rebounds. And the best thing about him is, he still has a long ways to go. He can still get so much better.” -- Randy Rahe

Wildcat and current Portland Trail certainly possesses the measurable his coaching staff. He credits them Blazer Damian Lillard drew NBA things the scouts look for, namely for making him into the player he is scouts and executives to the Dee good size and strength. now. And yet Rahe, on the other Events Center, Bolomboy has been But, Rahe said, Bolomboy also has hand, practically beams when attracting attention of his own. the intangible skills that can’t talking about Bolomboy, crediting “There’s a lot of (NBA scouts) who necessarily be coached. his transformation to strong come watch him,” Rahe said. “He brings those things that trans- character and good work ethic. “Obviously he’s getting some attention, late,” he said. “He’s tough, he’s ath- The truth, of course, lies in the the NBA guys are coming through. letic, he rebounds. And the best thing middle. Bolomboy came to Ogden I’m sure everybody’s looking at him about him is, he still has a long ways with a tremendous upside. He had and trying to evaluate him right now. to go. He can still get so much better.” great athleticism and a natural knack I think if he keeps playing the way It’s interesting to note the obvious for rebounding that cannot be he’s been playing, I think he’ll get an affection Bolomboy has for Rahe and taught. But he was still raw, skinny opportunity. I really think he can and lacking in an offensive skillset. play at that level.” Knowing that Bolomboy already had Rahe is quick to point out exactly Bolomboy will leave Weber State with a strong work ethic, Rahe and his more rebounds than any other player in why he believes Bolomboy can make Big Sky Conference history, having pulled assistants pushed their young pupil the jump to the next level. He down over 1,200 boards.

to refine his skills.

38 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 39 sounds relatively easy, but in Rahe said it all became a process of much (on offense),” Rahe said. “He’d actuality, it can be a painstaking seeing Bolomboy make incremental turn“His firstthe ball year over or two left he and couldn’t right.” do process. progress along the way. The key to Bolomboy’s improvement, “What he needed to improve on was “Now to see him where he’s gotten Rahe said, was getting a better feel his feel for the game and his skill a lot better at scoring on the , for the game. That’s something that level – passing, ball-handling … all he’s gotten better at shooting the that stuff,” Rahe said. “Obviously (he ball on the perimeter (it’s gratifying),” needed) low-post work because he Rahe said. “He feels the game much couldn’t score with his back to the better, I mean he sees it coming. His Bolomboy has added the Weber State all-time blocked shots record basket and he couldn’t shoot to his list of accomplishments, with jumpers.” him because when you’re a guy that over 170 in his career. doesn’tfirst years really the gamefeel the was game so fast very for well, guys are moving (around the court) and you don’t know why they’re moving where they’re moving. Now he sees the game much, much better. It’s been fun to watch him.” Bolomboy’s commitment to the Wildcats, and to himself, was evident in how hard he worked to get better. He stayed in Ogden during most the offseason, returning to Texas only

gym. “Backbriefly, to before the basket, getting driving, back passing, in the

rattling off a list of skills he worked on.shooting, “Everything finishing,” you Bolomboy can think said, of. Conditioning, rebounding … everything.” His workouts were often broken up

skills and other days spent taking jumpshotsinto days spent … lots focusing of jumpshots. on specific “On the shooting days, the minimum would be, like, 400 (shots),” he said. When asked about the personal

all that hard work turn into somethinggratification special, that comes Bolomboy from offered seeing a slight grin and a typically quiet response.

response one might expect from a manIndeed, who the is sort more of comfortablequiet-but-confident letting his game make all the noise.

it paid off.” “Yeah,” he said. “I can definitely tell

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WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 41 Friends. Football. Food.

Feed Your WildCats! GameDayGreats.com 42 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com MADE OF STEAL Over the last four years Regina Okoye has rewritten the WSU steals records, and in the process has led a turnaround in the success of the women’s basketball program.

By CORIE HOLMES egina Okoye is a senior brothers on our street when we When she hit middle school and captain on this were kids,” Okoye said “We got one Okoye realized basketball could year’s women’s basketball of those little standard rims and help provide a future for her. team at Weber State. we would drag it out and play in “When I reached middle school Okoye’s love for the road. We would get all of our is when I was on a competitive basketball started long neighbors involved and we’d just team,” Okoye said. “Just from there before her time at Weber State. play. After a while I thought, “Ok, I played more and more and fell in R“I was always playing with my maybe I’m alright at this.” love with it. I tried to get on little

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 43 AAU teams and build up my skills beginning and things will turn stole her way through the record and it was fun. around for us. books. Okoye led the nation in “Playing basketball in college “That’s what really drove me steals averaging 3.68 per game and was always something I wanted to even through all the hard times. I had 107 on the season. With her do. My coaches told me I had the wanted to give up a lot. I wanted outstanding defensive efforts, skill sets to go to college and then to transfer to a different school but Okoye broke every steals record I kept working on it. I wanted to I saw the brighter picture. I saw in the Weber State record books. be able to look back and say that the light at the end of the tunnel She had 10 steals against San I was a college athlete.” and it has gotten progressively Diego on December, 5, 2014 Weber State wasn’t the only better every year. breaking the single game steals program that wanted Okoye. She As a junior in 2014-15 Okoye record and her 107 season total received several letters from different schools and she was excited at all the future possibili- ties. “I saw the one from Weber State and thought, “What is Weber? What is Utah?” she said. “I totally put it to the side but Coach Ord kept calling me and calling me and coming to my games and I finally broke and decided to look into it. I came on a visit and I fell in love with it. I loved the mountains, they were green and colorful. The coaching staff and players really sold it for me.” The 2012-13 season was a rough season in Wildcat history. The women’s basketball team ended that season with a 0-29 record. That was also Okoye’s freshman year. “As we started losing it got really hard for me and the rest of my teammates,” she said. “I knew coming in it wouldn’t be easy and that we were trying to build up our program. I kept looking toward the future. I had to keep telling myself “this will get better, this is just the

In addition to becoming the Weber State all-time steals leader, Okoye has been a consistent threat on the offensive end of the floor for the Wildcats and recently joined the 1,000-point club.

44 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com broke the single season steals the fourth ever athlete to break me, it was a team effort.” record. By the end of her junior 300 in the Big Sky Conference. In January of 2016, Okoye year Okoye had amassed 267 “Leading the nation in steals was became the 17th Wildcat in school becoming the all-time career one of the greatest feelings I’ve history to hit 1,000 career points. leader in steals. ever experienced in my life,” she She is currently the team’s top This year Okoye has amassed 45 said. “Once I was on a roll, I got scorer averaging 16.9 points a steals averaging 2.64 per game. hungry for it and wanted more and game. She has reached 300 career steals, more. I definitely attribute my “I was really excited when I the first athlete in Weber State success to my teammates that put heard I broke 1,000 points,” Okoye men and women’s basketball me in a good position to do what said. “That is a big accomplishment history to hit the milestone and I needed to do. It never was just and I was happy for myself. My teammates helped me get to that point. I felt honored and proud to hit the milestone. It actually felt like I’d done something with my life.” Okoye started out averaging 7.9 her freshman year and now averages over 16 points a game and has scored 20 or more points six different times this season. “I’ve continued to work hard and build on past years,” Okoye said. “I don’t want to underachieve, I want the best for myself and my teammates. By making myself better I make my team better. So I will probably keep building on that.” Okoye has hit big milestones in her career for the 2015-16 seasons but she still has big goals before her senior season comes to an end. “My next big goal is to win the Big Sky Championship,” she said. “It’s not just something I want for my self but for my team. We started out rough, losing all the games my freshman year, it’s the least I could do my senior is to get the Big Sky Conference championship.” In the game against Idaho State at home, Okoye went down with a knee injury with just two minutes left in the game. She has been rehabbing the injury but has been unable to compete in the last 10 games for Weber State.

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 45 46 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com High Performance WSU Strength & Conditioning - Nutrition

Dried Fruit - A Power Snack for Athletes

By JULIE HANSEN, MS, RDN, CSSD, CD • Weber State Athletics Team Dietician

ried fruits are an ideal snack for athletes because they are a nutritious, convenient, palatable, low-cost source Dof carbohydrates. Dried fruits like

and apricots are loaded with raisins, craisins, dates, figs, mangos magnesium and potassium, nutrients athletes need for performance and recovery. Dried fruits are calorically dense with a serving providing 110 calories and 24-30 grams of Wild Rice and Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries carbohydrate. This size serving is This is a very easy salad to put together and keeps for several days.. ¼ cup which is equivalent to the size Recipe by Julie Hansen, MS, RDN, CSSD, CD and volume of a golf ball. Dried fruit can be consumed during exercise to provide important carbohydrate fuel and studies have found this form of fruit compares favorably to other high cost supplements such as gels or GU’s. Athletes do need to experiment to make sure dried fruit does not upset • 2 cups cooked wild rice, cooled (2/3 cup dried, cooked according to the package directions) their stomach during competition. • 2 cups cooked, diced chicken (can use rotisserie chicken) Dried fruit also makes a great • 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries recovery snack to help replace • 4 or 5 green onions chopped (1/3 cup) • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, or to taste carbohydrate stores used during • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste exercise and help athletes get ready • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste for their next training session. This • Freshly ground black pepper, or to taste • Optional but really good: Add ½ cup feta cheese and 1/3 cup walnuts snack is a great travel and tournament food! Directions: Combine the wild rice, chicken, cranberries and green onions in a large bowl; mix Try adding dried fruit to salads to well. Sprinkle the vinegar, oil, salt and pepper to taste over the salad and toss to boost the nutrient content. Here is combine thoroughly. Taste, and adjust the seasoning and oil as needed. Add feta a great easy recipe to try and makes cheese and nuts as desired. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. a nice lunch or evening meal.

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 47 “My scholarship means a lot to me because not a lot of people get the chance to play at the collegiate level. So I thank God every day.”

Richaud Gittens - Basketball Tempe, AZ Class of 2017

Join the Wildcat Club and help support WSU Student-Athlete Scholarships Call 801-626-6576 or visit WeberStateSports.com for more information or to join. 48 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com Compliance Corner Occassional Meals

One of the missions of the Weber State Office of Athletics Compliance is to educate those who support our athletics programs. You may or may not know that NCAA rules control what a booster can and cannot do with recruits and current student-athletes. Improper interactions between a booster and a current or future student-athlete may jeopardize the student-athlete’s eligibility.

According to NCAA rules, you are a booster if you 1. Have participated in or have been a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution’s athletics program (e.g. Wildcat Club); 2. Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization; 3. Have assisted or been asked to by the athletics department in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete; 4. Assist or have assisted in provided benefits to student-athletes or their families; OR 5. Have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution’s athletics program.

It is important to remember that once you trigger booster status with an institution, you are always considered a booster.

n the world of NCAA athletics free variety. compliance, I think there’s a You might not know that NCAA Athletics Compliance before the meal stereotype that the favorite word rules allow Weber State boosters to mayapproved occur. by OurWeber occasional State’s Office meal of of people in my position is “no.” provide an occasional meal on infre- request form may be found here. While we do have to say “no” at quent and special occasions to a stu- If you have questions about the I dent-athlete or group of student-ath- permissibility of an occasional meal, to a “yes” or a “no, but you can do this letes. Not surprisingly, NCAA rules or any other rules question, please instead…”times, we will response. try to find In thisa way space, to get I place a few restrictions on these feel free to contact me. want to highlight as many things that meals: are permissible under NCAA as is 1. As a booster, you can provide an Until next time, possible. In the August 2015 issue of occasional meal to student-athletes Bleed Purple, I covered the rules on at your home or at an on-campus permissible student-athlete facility. It is not permissible for employment. This time, I want to boosters to provide an occasional cover a topic that is on every college meal to student-athletes in a restaurant. student’s mind- food, especially the 2. Any occasional meal must be

Will Pridemore Director of Compliance [email protected] 801.626.8552

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 49 Name Game Women’s Basketball Treats Local Youth

By CHRIS J. MILLER bar as well as junior Deeshyra with some impressive trick shots Thomas. courtesy of sophomore guard Kail- t’s a busy time of year at Weber The WSU women’s squad has also lie Quinn. Here are links to a couple State, with basketball in full picked up some national attention of the shots, via CBS Sports: swing, and many other sports just starting their 2016 seasons. WSU women’s basketball is Ienjoying one of its best seasons in recent memory, building an 8-3 preseason mark before starting Big

SkyA highlightConference every play season with forfive Coach wins Bethannin their first Ord seven and outings.her team is the midday game at the Dee Events Cen-

Dee and loyal fans treat the Wildcats toter a when big crowd. local schoolchildren fill the The fans didn’t disappoint this year, as 3,200 fans watched the Jan. 14 game against Portland State. The ‘Cats did their part as well with a 102-73 victory over the Vikings. Ord’s squad is led by senior Regina Okoye and Brittney Dun-

50 Bleed Purple March 2016 WeberStateSports.com The Wildcats (18-7 on the season) records, and is a member of WSU’s seasons of professional basketball have already surpassed last season’s 50th Anniversary Team. During his in Asia. win total, and are on pace for their four years with the Wildcats, Collins After retirement he returned to led Weber State to two Big Sky Wyoming and worked for many 2007 campaign. Championships, three Big Sky Tour- years for the city of Rock Springs in first winning season since the 2006- High praise for Hi-C nament titles and three trips to the a family recreation center. He also Before Damian Lillard and has continued to do basketball Davion Berry and Joel Bolomboy team All-Big Sky honors three times, camps for boys and girls. NCAA Tournament. He earned first came along, Weber State’s most Hall of famers storied basketball star just might ever to do so. In his four seasons Congratulations to the six induct- one of just five Weber State players have been Bruce Collins. with the Wildcats, Collins helped ees that make up the 2016 class of Collins led the Wildcats to impres- lead Weber State to a 90-30 overall the Weber State University Athletic sive heights during the late 1970s, record. He was named the 44th Hall of Fame. and left the school as WSU’s all-time greatest athlete in Big Sky Confer- The group includes former track leading scorer. Recently, Weber State ence history in 2013. Jim Athletics announced the school will “I still can’t believe it. I’m in awe,” Blaisdell, football player Bruce retire Collins’ jersey, where his No. Collins said when told of the Coverntonand field/cross, women’s country basketball coach 22 will join Willie Sojourner’s No. announcement. “When I went to player Crystal Howe, track and 35 high above the Dee Events Center Weber I was just trying to make the Wiley King, team. I didn’t even know if I would men’s basketball player Richard Collins was honored during start. To now have this honor is Smithfield/football, and women’s player soccer player Weberfloor. State’s home game on Feb. really a dream to me.’’ Megan Thunell. 13 against Portland State. Collins, nicknamed “Hi-C,” came Additionally, former WSU basket- Collins played four seasons for to Weber State out of Rock Springs, ball player Ben Howland will Coach Neil McCarthy, from 1976 to Wyo. After graduation, Collins was 1980. He still ranks as Weber State’s drafted in the second round of the Lifetime Achievement Award. all-time leading scorer with 2,019 1980 NBA Draft by the Portland receiveThe group the first-ever will be inducted WSU Athletics at the points, and holds four school career Trail Blazers. He also played three Hall of Fame banquet on Feb. 26,

WeberStateSports.com March 2016 Bleed Purple 51 and honored at the Feb. 27 at the staff lost a couple of key members Trinchero played for coach Sark WSU-Montana basketball game. For after the season as Oregon State Arslanian in the late 1960s. He now banquet ticket information, call the hired defensive secondary coach is a successful businessman in the Wildcat Club at 801-626-6576. Cory Hall, and BYU hired offensive wine industry in . … Crowd pleaser coordinator Steve Clark away from Randy Rahe’s successful decade- WSU guard Dusty Baker played the ’Cats. … WSU coach Jay Hill long run at WSU has had one constant, well in the ’Cats’ 67-point victory promptly promoted Fesi Sitake as assistant coach Eric Duft. For a great over Multnomah University (8 offensive coordinator, and Jason read on Duft’s contributions, see points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds) on Dec. Kaufusi as the defensive coordinator. … Brandon Garside’s story in the 28, but saved his best for last by Junior soccer player Chansi Standard-Examiner here ... proposing to girlfriend Maddi Udall Compton was named to the National Finally, ex-’Cat Damian Lillard at halfcourt after the contest. Soccer Coaches Association of says he wants to spend his entire The crowd cheered when she said playing career in Portland. yes. The couple plans to be married team. ... Senior center Joe Hawkins America All-Pacific Region third in early May. was named to the Walter Camp 2015 one to do something,’’ Lillard told FCS All-America Team. … WSU’s SportsNet“It’s always Northwest’s good to Jasonbe the Quick first Tidbits We note the passing of Weber 22md at the NCAA championships to tally 40 points and 10 boards in State Director of Golf Jeff Smith, inwomen’s November. cross country… squad finished theafter Moda he became Center. the “Especially first Trail Blazer being who died on Feb. 16 after a battle Former WSU linebacker Roger J. part of an organization I plan on with leukemia. Smitty, who was the Trinchero was the commencement being a part of for my entire career.” women’s golf coach at WSU for 24 keynote speaker for the University’s years, was 61. He will be missed but 146th graduation in December. Chris J. Miller, a 1986 graduate of Weber never forgotten. … WSU’s men’s State, is a former Weber State Signpost tennis team was tabbed No. 1 in the sports editor and editor in chief, as well as a former longtime sports editor at the Stan- preseason Big Sky Conference polls. dard-Examiner. He can be reached at Eric Duft has been alongside men’s bas- The WSU women were picked sixth. [email protected]. Follow him on ketball coach Randy Rahe for his entire Twitter at cjmsports. . … Weber State’s football coaching career at Weber State.

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