September 15, 2018 Vol. 19 Issue 1 Reservations Due for the th University of Toledo 19 Annual Meeting & Picnic Women’s

2018-2019 Schedule The players are back on campus and attending class, (Subject to change) and we now know whom the Rockets will be playing this season, so it must be time for the fan club’s annual NOV 3 FINDLAY (exhib.) Noon meeting and picnic. Time to catch up with the players, Nov 10 Maine 1:00 pm NOV 14 IONA 11:00 am coaches and fellow Igniters. The date is Sunday, October NOV 18 DUQUESNE 2:00 pm 7 , at 2:00 p.m. in the West Concourse of Savage Arena. A registration form is attached. Deadline for reserving Nov 21 Dayton 7:00 pm Nov 26 Valparaiso 8:00 pm your spot is September 24. Nov 29 Belmont Noon Dec 1 Memphis Noon Renew Your Membership Dec 5 Cleveland State 5:00 pm DEC 8 NOTRE DAME 1:00 pm Memberships expired August 31. If you have not renewed DEC 18 STONY BROOK 7:00 pm your membership, you can easily do so at DEC 21 DETROIT MERCY 7:00 pm https://give2ut.utoledo.edu/igniters.asp . Or you can go to DEC 30 TIFFIN (exhib.) 2:00 pm the www.toledoigniters.com website. Click on the “Join!” JAN 5 BALL STATE TBA Jan 9 Miami 7:00 pm tab at the top of the page and then you can either print out the enrollment form or sign up online. JAN 12 KENT STATE 2:00 pm Members who have renewed by September 24 attend the picnic for free. Jan 16 Western Michigan 7:00 pm

Jan 19 Bowling Green TBA JAN 23 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 7:00 pm Also in this edition of the Fuse: Jan 26 Akron TBA • Welcome the New Rockets, p. 2 FEB 2 BOWLING GREEN 2:00 pm • Toledo Women’s Basketball Tipoff, p. 3 Feb 6 Buffalo 7:00 pm • Message from Your Club President, p. 4 FEB 9 EASTERN MICHIGAN 2:00 pm FEB 13 OHIO 7:00 pm • New MAC Head Coaches, p. 4 Feb 16 Northern Illinois 2:00 pm • Coach’s Dinners Scheduled, p. 5 FEB 20 MIAMI 7:00 pm • Board Members, p. 5 Feb 23 Ball State TBA

FEB 27 WESTERN MICHIGAN 7:00 pm MAR 2 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2:00 pm Mar 6 Eastern Michigan 7:00 pm Fan Club Mission Mar 9 Central Michigan 1:00 pm

To promote the University of Toledo Home Games in Women’s Basketball program by building BOLD CAPS and retaining an enthusiastic, supportive All Times Eastern and loyal fan base. We provide opportunities for members to help fundraise and to interact with fans, players, coaches and staff in order to enhance the membership experience.

Welcome the New Rockets

Head Coach Tricia Cullop has added three freshmen #25 Jaela Johnson and a sophomore community college transfer to the 5’5” freshman guard roster. Make them feel welcome at this year’s picnic.

As a senior at DuPont #33 Nakiah Black Manual High School 5’10” sophomore guard (Louisville), averaged 17.1 points and 4.1 Averaged 14.1 points, rebounds. First-Team 2.2 assists and 3.7 All-Region and steals in her one season Academic All-State. at Tallahassee Com- Two time Third-Team munity College. Shot All-State and three-time 43.4% from the field and First Team All-Region. nailed 48 triples. Hit Scored over 1,700 78.6% from the foul line. Jaela Johnson career points. Planning Helped her team claim to major in pre- the National Junior psychology. Nakiah Black College Athletic Association Champ- ionship. Majoring in communication. #31 Lexi Lance

6’1” freshman forward

#21 Sophia Fortner As a senior at

5’5” freshman guard Wadsworth (Ohio) High School, averaged 9.6 As a senior at Wadsworth points and 6.2 rebounds, (Ohio) High School, earning First-Team All- averaged 7.7 points, 3.8 District honors. Helped assists and 2.1 steals in her team to the Division earning Second-Team All- I Final Four two of past State honors. As team three years and was captain, guided her team starting on state to the Division I Final Four championship team. Her two years in a row, and teams compiled a 75-8 her teams compiled a 75- overall record. Also a Lexi Lance Sophia Fortner 8 overall record. Planning letterwinner in volleyball. to major in exercise Undecided on major. science.

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Ariel Cummings Dismissed No apologies are offered for this newsletter’s biased nature. In August, Tricia Cullop announced that

freshman Ariel Cummings had been dismissed UT Women’s Basketball Fan Club from the team for violation of team rules. PO Box 352786 Toledo, OH 43635 Phone: 567.694.5925 E-mail: [email protected] Page 2 Website: www.toledoigniters.com

Head Coach of the coach from 1991-1996 (Larry Gipson). He Newly Crowned WNBA Champion will be the keynote speaker Tuesday, to Headline Toledo October 23, for the event to benefit Women's Basketball Tipoff University of Toledo women’s basketball. Festivities begin at 6:30 and will be held in the UT Student Union Auditorium again this year. Coach Hughes has coached more WNBA games than anyone in league history and won the third-most games. He was WNBA Coach of the year in 2001 with the and then won the award again in 2007 with the Stars. His teams have appeared in the postseason 11 times. This season marks his first WNBA Championship. was an assistant to Coach Hughes when he was in Cleveland. As another aside, one of the stars for the Storm in the final game of this year’s WNBA championship, Toledo native Natasha Howard, is the daughter of Anthony “Scoop” Williams who was a player for the Toledo Rockets when Coach Hughes was a men’s

basketball assistant at Toledo. It’s becoming a trend. Last year, two-time The cost for the fundraiser is $55 per WNBA Coach of the Year and Head Coach of person, $100 per couple and $10 per child the newly crowned WNBA Champion age 12 and under, with all proceeds going to , Cheryl Reeve, headlined the the UT women's basketball program. Cake, Rattle & Roll. This year, two-time Attendees can also reserve an eight-person WNBA Coach of the Year and Head Coach of table for $500 with name recognition or the newly crowned WNBA Champion Seattle purchase the MVP package for $1,000, Storm, Dan Hughes, headlines the Toledo which includes a reserved table for eight, Women's Basketball Tipoff (the event’s new name recognition and an autographed name). And this time around, it’s a coach with Toledo basketball. Toledo roots. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a buffet Coach Hughes served as an assistant dinner from local restaurants, with the Toledo women’s basketball coach in the 1996- program featuring Coach Hughes beginning 97 season (Mark Ehlen), and prior to that had at 7:15. Attendees will also enjoy live music been a Toledo men’s basketball assistant beginning at 8:00 while vying for numerous great giveaways. For more information or to reserve your spot/table for the event, please contact Director of Operations Lauren Flaum at (419) 530-2363 or [email protected].

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A Message from Mary Wahl, you to do the same. The team loves the Club President excitement the tunnel creates, and it is inspiring to see that fan support stretch the Where does the time go? Fall is just around entire length of the court. the corner, and before we know it, another Together, we will continue to provide exciting season of women’s basketball will be support and that extra spark of enthusiasm to upon us. We will be starting our fan club our team and coaching staff. Our role as fan festivities on October 7 with our annual club members is extremely valuable to the meeting and picnic. Don’t miss out on this success of our team. Let’s go Igniters and great opportunity to spend quality time with let’s GO ROCKETS! the players and coaches and to renew fan ______club friendships before the season begins. Be sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, New MAC Head Coaches November 18, for Igniter Day at our game against Duquesne. Be sure to wear your GOLD that day and show your enthusiastic support of our team. We want the fan club to be one you are proud to be a member of and one that provides outstanding loyal support to our team. This year, we will continue to inform you of matters of interest to you in the Fuse, on our website and Facebook page, and in special e-mail communications. We have three Coach’s Dinners planned for your enjoyment, a bus trip to an away game or two Jackson Fralick and we will find opportunities for tailgate and watch parties for out-of-town games. If you Mid-American Conference women’s have ideas for other events of interest to our basketball has two new head coaches for the fan club members, or if you would like to 2018-19 season. Jodie Kest, who had the become more involved, please let me know. longest conference tenure of current MAC I encourage you to invite your friends, co- women’s basketball head coaches, retired at workers and extended family to attend games Akron after 12 years as head coach. She and to join the Igniters. Let’s fill Savage Arena retires as the winningest head coach in Akron and increase the number of our fan club program history. She has been replaced by memberships. Please come down to the pre- Kest’s long-time associate head coach, game tunnel and invite those seated around Melissa Jackson. At Bowling Green, former

Mark Ehlen assistant coach Robyn Fralick

has succeeded Jennifer Roos as head coach. Roos was replaced after six years as head coach. Fralick joins the Falcons after three years as head coach of Division II Ashland University.

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Mark Down These Dates for This Last Fuse if You Haven’t Renewed Season’s Coach’s Dinners Last season’s fan club memberships expired Your board already has some event dates on August 31. If you haven’t renewed your fan worked out for this season, including three club membership, this will be your last Fuse, Coach’s Dinners. The dinners will be held in the and your name will be removed from the Grogan Room on November 5, January 21 and club’s e-mail and/or mailing list. We want you February 21. All are at 6:00 p.m. Mark the dates to stay a part of the Igniters and keep on your calendar, and watch for further details. “providing the spark,” so if you haven’t renewed, please do so today! If you have ______questions about your membership, contact the club at [email protected].

Meet Your Fan Club Board Members ______

Diane Ardner Dustin Cress Toledo Will Host Education Day Lynda Dolgin-Duda Terry Fell Dick Greenblatt Laura Jensen Versus Iona on November 14 Martita Lawson Joan Levitan Joel Levitan Diane Mieczkowski Sharon Ravin Dave Richardson Ron Shnider Dick Wahl Mary Wahl

Senior Associate Athletic Director Kelly Andrews serves as a board advisor, and Director of Operations Lauren Flaum is our basketball staff liaison.

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Thanks to UT Athletics for some of the photos and The University of Toledo will host Rocket information in this edition of the Fuse. Women's Basketball Education Day on Wednesday, November 14 in conjunction with its matchup against the Iona Gaels at 11:00 a.m. in Savage Arena. Tickets for this event are $3.00 per person when 15 or more tickets are purchased. Groups not meeting the 15- person minimum must pay regular price for tickets which are $7.00 for youth and $14.00 for adults. Seating for Education Day will be general admission and based on availability.

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UT Women’s Basketball Fan Club Annual Meeting & Picnic

Savage Hall West Concourse University of Toledo Main Campus Sunday, October 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.; Meal at 2:00 p.m.

Park in Lot #4 (off Douglas Road) Enter the building at the Rocket Plaza Entrance/Grogan Room Entrance

Who will be there: Fan club members, Coach Cullop and her coaching staff, and all of our Rocket players. Join us for an exciting program and the opportunity to buy raffle and 50/50 tickets.

Meal: Barbecue chicken, mac & cheese, vegetarian baked beans, garden salad with ranch and Italian dressing, chips, dinner rolls, cookies, ice water, hot coffee and iced tea.

Reservations are required no later than September 24 -- RSVP via mail to UTWBFC – P.O. Box 352786 Toledo, OH 43635 or e-mail at [email protected] ------Return your reservation slip below to the UTWBFC no later than September 24.

UTWBFC 2018 Annual Meeting & Picnic – October 7, 2:00 p.m. Price: FREE only for members who have joined or renewed by September 24 $20 for non-members

Reservations (and payment for guests) are required and MUST be received no later than September 24.

Please print the names of ALL those attending: ______

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_____ Total number of UTWBFC member reservations (Free)

_____ Total number of guest reservations ($20 each)

$______Total amount enclosed

Please return your reservation slip and payment for guests no later than 09/24/18 to UTWBFC – P.O. Box 352786 Toledo, OH 43635