Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Jones, Director of Athletics June 1, 2013 - May 31, 2014
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Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Jones, Director of Athletics June 1, 2013 - May 31, 2014 I. INTRODUCTION In keeping with the mission statement of the college, the Mississippi College Athletic Department will provide an environment which will enable the student-athlete to successfully complete all requirements for that particular field of study and will provide extra-curricular activities that will be competitive and enhance the educational and social experience for all participants. The Athletic Department sponsors 17 varsity sports, 9 men and 8 women. Men’s sports include football, basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, cross country, track (indoor/outdoor) and golf. Women’s sports include basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, cross country, and track (indoor/outdoor). Mississippi College is classified as a Division III institution and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the American Southwest Conference (ASC). II. PERSONNEL CHANGES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE YEAR A. Personnel Changes: Chad Walker resigned as the Assistant Football Coach (Defensive Coordinator) in July 2013 Rod Smith was hired to replace Jeremy Desoto in July 2013 Zach Wilkerson was hired to replace Chad Walker as the Defensive Coordinator in July 2013 Norman Joseph resigned as the Head Football Coach in November 2013. John Bland was hired to replace Norman Joseph in January 2014. Michael Collins was hired to replace Zach Wilkerson (Defensive Coordinator) in January 2014 Jay Bright was hired to replace Mike Kelly in January 2014. Edgar Weiser was hired to replace Corky Houghton in January 2014. B. Accomplishments: Darryl Longabaugh - reached his 200th career coaching victory in Women’s Soccer, Nov 2, 2013 C. Professional Development: All Head Coaches are required to attend annual Gulf South Conference coaches meetings throughout the year and all coaching staff members were required to attend on campus compliance workshops twice a month during the 2013-14 year. Other professional development events attended by individual coaches are as follows: John Bland (Head Football) – John attended the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Convention, the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Convention, as well as the, Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Convention. John attended each of these conventions as well as served as a guest speaker. In addition, John also spoke at the MHSAA Athletic Directors meeting and was the Nike Coach of the Year speaker. Butch Ard (Head Cross Country & Track) – Butch attended the National Collegiate Christian Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Convention and the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches Convention. Don Lofton (Head Men’s Basketball) – Don attended the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) National Coaches Convention. Josh Brooks (Assistant Men’s Basketball) - Josh attended the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) National Coaches Convention. III. ORGANIZATIONAL MODIFICATIONS The Athletic Department was approved to reclassify from NCAA Division III back to NCAA Division II. Mississippi College will complete obligations to the American Southwest Conference and will rejoin the Gulf South Conference in the 2014-15 academic years. The transition will be a three year process as long as the institution meets the benchmarks required by the NCAA. If the process stays on schedule Mississippi College will become a full NCAA Division II member in the 2016-17 academic years. Susan Musselwhite’s title was changed to Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator. David Nichols’ title was changed to Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications & Sports Information. Grady Turman’s title was changed to Director of Transportation/Athletic Grounds and Special Events. An Assistant Compliance Officer & Academic Advisor for Athletics position was created and Whitney Vance was hired in March 2014 to fulfill this role. IV. GOALS/OBJECTIVES AND/OR SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE UNIT 1. The Athletic Department will demonstrate our student-athletes will excel academically. 2. The Athletic Department will improve fundraising 3. The Athletic Department will improve the student-athlete experience. 4. The Athletic Department will engage student-athletes into the surrounding community. 5. The athletic department will demonstrate that we are meeting the interests and abilities of our students and providing an equitable experience. All accomplishments are related to Strategic Goal II, which states that Mississippi College will prepare students for a lifetime of learning and instill basic skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for personal development and reasoned response to a changing world. 1. Baseball – Finished the season with an overall record of 21-19. The team finished 5th in the ASC with a conference record of 18-15. The team won 16 of their last 24 games. The team finished 5th in the ASC in ERA with a 4.16 team ERA. The team finished 1st in the ASC in fielding percentage (.971), which was a new school record. Blake McIIwain threw the teams 1st no hitter since 2009. Marty Stringfellow finished 2nd in the ASC in batting average. The ASC All Conference team members were: Brooks Fortenberry, Robbie Jernigan, Spencer Wilson and Blake McIIwain. NCCAA National Players of the Week were Jayme Monroe (2 times), Brooks Fortenberry and Blake McIIwain. D3Baseball.com National Players of the Week were Jayme Monroe, Chris Casto and Brooks Fortenberry. ASC Pitcher of the Week was Jayme Monroe (2 times), Brooks Fortenberry (2 times), Blake McIIwain (2 times). Hunter Bolin and Zach Evans were recognized as ASC Hitters of the Week and Kyle Blount, Brooks Fortenberry, Jayme Monroe and Caleb Morris were named NCCAA Scholar Athletes. 2. Men’s Basketball – Finished NCAA Division III play with an 11-14 record. The team was led in scoring (15ppg) by senior Lakin Ford. Lakin Ford was named the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player. Emanuel Ezejiofo was selected as the team’s Best Defensive Player and led the team in free throw percentage shooting 79%. Rayner Fredrick led the team in rebounding (7pg) and received the team’s Outstanding Rebounder Award. Jay Case received the team’s Best Shooter award for leading the team (46%). Lakin Ford and Emanuel Ezejiofo received Honorable Mention to the ASC All Conference Team. 3. Women’s Basketball – Finished the season with an overall record of 11-14. Cara Beverin received honorable mention to the All ASC team, Alexus Stirgus was an All ASC 3rd team member and Dominique Walker received Co-Newcomer of the Year recognition. 4. Cross Country – (Men) The men’s team was made up of mostly freshmen. The first part of the season they spent learning how to adjust to the longer distances from high school. They quickly improved and had one of the best seasons by an MC cross country team since becoming a DIII program.The team finished 18th in the National NCCAA Championships and Freshmen, Ryan Campbell finished 20th overall in individual competition. (Women) The women’s team was led by Meredith Johnson and Mallory Montgomery. Both of whom competed in the NCCAA National Cross Country Championship. Both finished in the top half of all finishers at the national meet. 5. Football – Finished the season with an overall record of 4-6 and an ASC record of 4-2. Jonathan Redd, Jaime Harris and Jake Weddle were named to the ASC All-Conference 1st Team. A.J. Antonescu, Matt Casanova and Zach Favre were named to the ASC All-Conference Offense 2nd Team. Doc Ward, Josh Williams, Dylan Klibert, Austin Gray and Mario Pun were named ASC All-Conference Defense 2nd Team. Sylvain Alarcon, Justin Sones and Willie Collard received honorable mention for the ASC All Conference Team. A.J. Antonescu and Jake Weddle were named to the D3Football.com All South Region Team. A.J. Antonescu was selected to play in the 2013 National Senior Bowl Game. Sylvain Alarcon, Matt Casanova and Doc Ward were selected to play in the Dream Bowl game. Austin Gray was named to the ASC Outstanding Sportsman Team of the Year and received MC’s Most Valuable Senior award. Jake Weddle was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award. Jake Weddle, A.J. Antonescu and Reginald Bennett were named to the All NCCAA Team. 6. Golf – Nine players participated in 5 events during the fall semester. Skye Mejia was selected to participate in the NCCAA’s Men’s Championship. Eight players returned for the spring semester and participated in 5 events. Ethan Doan was named to the All -Tournament Team at MC’s Spring Invitational held at Black Bear Golf Course. Team Awards consisted of the following: Ethan Doan received the “Captain’s Award”, Ethan Doan & Skye Mejia received the “Low Medalist” Award, Ethan Doan received the “Low Tournament Round” Award, Skye Mejia received “Freshman of the Year” Award, Matt Stinebaugh received the “Choctaw” Award and Hunter Gauntlett was recognized as the “Outstanding Senior Letterman”. 7. Men’s Soccer – Finished the season with an overall record of 11-4-5. The team repeated as the ASC regular season champions with a record of 6-0-3 in conference play. The team participated in the NCCAA National Tournament. Brian Vasquez was named NSCAA All West Region. Oscar Delgado was named NCCAA Honorable Mention All American. Brian Vasquez, Adrian Moreno and Adam Pittman made the ASC All Conference 1st Team. Francisco DeAnda and Harrison Russell made the ASC All Conference 2nd Team. Adam Pittman was named ASC Freshmen Defender of the Year. Jake Sims, Harrison Russell, Francisco Diaz, Rogelio Medel, Ryan Dunbar and Emerson Negrete made the ASC All-Academic team. 8. Women’s Soccer – Finished the season with a 13-6-1 overall record and a 6-3 conference record. The team hosted a NCCAA Mid East Regional Game and won 5-1 vs. Tennessee Temple before advancing to the final four where they lost to Campbellsville 5-4 on penalty kicks.