Meet the Wildcats

Home , Berry Events Center, Hillsdale College, Superior Dome

Northern Michigan women's basketball 2008-09 yearbook www.nmu.edu/sports Quick Facts

Table of Contents 2008-09 Outlook...... 1 Head Coach Troy Mattson...... 2 Coaching Staff...... 3 2008-09 Roster...... 3 Player Profiles...... 4-9 2007-08 Game-by-Game Review...... 10 he Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Twas founded in June 1972. During the two years previous to the 2007-08 GLIAC Results, Standings...... 11 GLIAC’s founding, several attempts were made to create a new NCAA NMU Profile...... 12 College Division conference. In 1971, the Great Lakes Athletic Confer- 2008-09 Wildcat Women’s Basketball Schedule...... Back cover ence was formed, but plans for the new conference were put on hold, and several of the participating schools subsequently withdrew their support. The idea did not die, though, and since 1972-73 the GLIAC has been a leader in the advancement and promotion of intercollegiate athletics for men and women. Quick Facts Location: Marquette, Mich. The GLIAC features a membership of 12 schools: Ashland Uni- versity, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, University Nickname: Wildcats of Findlay, Hillsdale College, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Founded: 1899 Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Northwood Enrollment: 9,400 University, Saginaw Valley State University, Tiffin University and Wayne President: Dr. Leslie (Les) Wong State University. Affiliation: NCAA II Overall the GLIAC conducts championships in 20 sports, 10 for Conference: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men and 10 for women. The policy-making body is the GLIAC Execu- Home Court (capacity): Berry Events Center (4,000) tive Council, which is comprised of three representatives from each Colors: Old Gold and Olive Green member institution – its director of athletics, faculty representative and Director of Athletics: Ken Godfrey senior woman administrator. Final approval of all GLIAC legislation is required by the Council of GLIAC Presidents. Head Basketball Coach: Troy Mattson As GLIAC commissioner, Tom Brown is responsible for all confer- Alma Mater: Northern Michigan ’86 ence administration. He is beginning his 16th season as the conference’s NMU Record/Years: 24-54/3 fifth commissioner. Overall Record/Years: 24-54/3 Office Phone: 906-227-2643 Assistant Coach: Brigitte LaPointe Alma Mater: Finlandia ‘07 Office Phone: 906-227-2109 Head Trainer: Jim Winkler Office Phone: 906-227-2027 Equipment Manager: John Tesssaro Office Phone: 906-227-1110 Sports Information Director: David Faiella Office Phone: 906-227-1013 Home Phone: 906-226-8435 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 906-227-2492 Sports Hotline: 906-227-1014 Web Address: www.nmu.edu/sports

Team Information 2007-08 Overall Record: 9-17 2007-08 GLIAC Record/Place: 4-14/7th GLIAC North Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/2 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1

Northern Michigan University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, familial status, handicap/disability, sexual orientation or veteran status in employment or the provision of services and provides, upon request reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all programs and activities. 2008-09 NMU Preview

ourth-year coach Troy Mattson and his Sophomore Nicole Grengs, redshirt FNorthern Michigan University women’s freshman Carla L’Esperance and true fresh- basketball team will begin a season of devel- man Lauren Beeler provide great athleticism opment. The team has lost its leading scorer and energy at this position. Mattson says they from last year, Allison Carroll. Carroll was all bring a strong work ethic and are compet- named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate ing for some playing time. Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division All-Conference Second Team. Carroll led the Centers 2007-08 Wildcats in scoring with 389 points Junior Angie Leckson and sophomore Erin (15.0 ppg), rebounds with 148 (5.7 rpg) and Powers are strong on the inside and de- blocked shots with 24 (0.92 bpg). She was fensively. Last season Leckson appeared in also sixth in the GLIAC in blocked shots, 26 games and averaged 6.9 points and 4.2 ninth in scoring and 16th in rebounds. rebounds. She contributed points from the The Wildcats, who were selected sixth free throw line making 54 of the 77 attempts. in the GLIAC pre-season poll, will welcome Powers appeared in 22 games, averaged two back 12 players from last year’s squad. The points per game and blocked a total of eight team has four new players. NMU is coming shots. She also went 13 of the 19 at the free off a 9-17 overall and 4-14 GLIAC slate for throw line. the 2007-08 season. Junior Jaclyn Davey, who is 6-1, is expected to have a presence and contribute to Guards the team’s efforts. The Wildcats are looking to their experience on the perimeter to advance the team this Kelsey Deacon is the top returning scorer for the Schedule season. Senior Kelsey Deacon appeared in 2008-09 Wildcats. She averaged 12.3 ppg for the The Wildcats are looking forward to using 26 games last year, averaging 12.3 points per 2007-08 season. the home court to advantage. The 27 game game. With more time on the floor than any Also returning for the Wildcats are schedule includes 15 home games. The ’Cats of her teammates, averaging 32.3 minutes per sophomore Kellie Rietveld and juniors Natalie will face the North’s top seed Michigan Tech, game, she led the team in assists, 2.7 per game Larocque and Christa Erickson. Rietveld twice this season, in Houghton on Dec. 13 and had a three-point percentage of .332. appeared in 26 games last season and aver- and at home on Jan. 3. Last season the ‘Cats Sophomore Steffani Stoeger also returns. aged 5.2 points per game. She made 23 of 32 lost to Tech 74-61 in December and 54-52 in Stoeger appeared in 26 games, averaging 8.3 free throws and had 30 assists. Larocque February. points per game and she had 53 total assists. appeared in 26 games and garnered a field Northern will also face the South’s top She also led the team in steals with 60 per goal percentage of .366 and a three-point per- seed, Hillsdale twice, on Jan. 17 and Feb. 19. game. centage of .323. She had a total of 16 steals. Last year the ’Cats faced Hillsdale once and Erickson, who appeared in eight games, had a lost 65-46. Number two in the North, Grand field goal percentage of .500 and averaged 4.8 Valley State and No. 2 in the South, North- points per game. wood, will also face off with the ’Cats twice Mattson also has high hopes for fresh- this year. man Brynn Larson and senior Holly Cole, Although it will be a challenging season, who are expected to be major contributors Mattson is confident that his team will make off the bench. Cole was a member of the drastic improvements from the previous sea- NMU team in 2003-05. “Larson and Cole son. “I think we have 12 teams in the league have the capability of lighting the score boards that are good and truthfully it’s pretty tight. up,” said Mattson. If people come to watch us play, they will see a high-energy team,” said Mattson. “We are as good as anybody in the league. Every game Forwards will be a great game right to the end.” The Wildcats should be strong at the forward position. Senior Cassi Rushford appeared in 26 games last season and had a field goal percentage of .444, 71 total rebounds and a three-point percentage of .424. Also at the forward position are senior Cassie Hegbloom and sophomore Hillary Bowling. Hegbloom appeared in 25 games and had a field goal percentage of .459 with an average 4.4 rebounds. Bowling appeared in 19 games and had a field goal percentage of Cassie Hegbloom was second on the team in rebounds .350. Look for Hegbloom and Bowling’s num- during the 2007-08 season with 111 rebounds (4.4 bers to increase because of the hard work rpg). She is the top returning rebounder. both have put in last year and in practice, according to Mattson.

1 Coaches

Head Coach Troy Mattson Troy Mattson enters his fourth and women’s basketball coach at Lake Superior State University from season as NMU’s head women’s 1986-88. basketball coach. His three-year He began his coaching career at Munising High School, where he total is 24-54. He led the Wildcats was the boy’s basketball coach for the 1985-86 season. to a 6-19 mark in his inaugural A Milwaukee, Wis., native who grew up in Ishpeming, Mattson is a 2005-06 season, was 9-18 in 2006- 1981 Westwood High School graduate. He earned his bachelor’s degree 07 and 9-17 in 2007-08. from NMU in 1986, where he was a four-time letterwinner (1982-85) From 1994-2005, Mattson was as a point guard for the Wildcats. He was the 10th player in school his- the associate head coach of the tory to score 1,000 career points. NMU men’s basketball team and Mattson is currently 27th on the career scoring list with 1,018 assistant coach from 1988. He also points. He is third in career assists with 486 and is tied for third in served as the head NMU women’s most assists in a single season with 187, along with Doug Ingalls. During tennis coach from 1994-2003, his junior and senior years, Mattson helped lead the Wildcats to the where he was the GLIAC Coach NCAA II playoffs. He served as team captain his senior year. of the Year in 2000 and 2002. His Mattson and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, Kristina and Tory. teams made three straight NCAA II tournament appearances 2001-03. Prior to joining the Wildcat staff, he served as the assistant men’s

Troy Mattson’s Head Coaching Record Season School G Won Lost GLIAC Finish 2005-06 Northern Michigan 25 6 19 7th-North 2006-07 Northern Michigan 27 9 18 6th-North 2007-08 Northern Michigan 26 9 17 7th-North Totals 78 24 54

2008-09 Northern Michigan University Women’s Basketball Team Back row (left to right): Assistant Coach Ben Olsen, Holly Cole, Cassie Hegbloom, Cassi Rushford, Jaclyn Davey, Angie Leckson, Erin Powers, Carla L’Esperance, Lauren Beeler and Assistant Coach Brigitte LaPointe. Front row (left to right): Steffani Stoeger, Brynn Larsen, Nicole Grengs, Natalie Larocque, Head Coach Troy Mattson, Christa Erickson, Kellie, Rietveld, Hillary Bowling and Kelsey Deacon. 2 Assistant Coaches/Roster

Brigitte LaPointe Ben Olsen Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Brigitte LaPointe enters her second season Ben Olsen enters his second stint as an as assistant coach on the Northern Michigan assistant coach on the Northern Michigan University women’s basketball coaching staff. University women’s basketball coaching staff. Last year (2007-08) she was a student- He was a student-assistant in 2006-07. Previ- assistant. During her collegiate years, she ously Olsen coached basketball at Marquette was a four-time letterwinner for the Finlandia Senior High School. University program. At Finlandia, LaPointe A 2000 graduate of Iron Mountain High received the team’s Most Improved Player School, Olsen played three years of basketball award for 2004-05. As a senior, she received for the Mountaineers. He played as a guard Most Valuable Player honors and was a team captain. LaPointe averaged at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis. before transferring to NMU. He 12.0 ppg and 5.2 rpg while canning 54 three-pointers in her final season graduated from NMU with a bachelor’s degree in physical education as a Lion. and secondary education in 2005. He also has a teaching certification in As an assistant for the Wildcats, she helps with recruiting, film social studies from NMU. exchange and daily practice duties. Olsen and his wife, Amber, a registered nurse on the cardiac unit LaPointe received her degree as a physical therapist assistant in at Marquette Gerneral Hospital, have a daughter, Taylor. May 2007 and is currently working on another bachelor’s degree in sports science at NMU. A Baraga native, she now resides in Marquette.

2008-09 Northern Michigan University Women’s Basketball Roster

No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown/High School or College 3 Natalie Larocque G 5-7 Jr. Quebec City, Quebec/St. Patrick’s/Dawson College 4 Holly Cole G 5-9 Sr. St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle 10 Kelsey Deacon G 5-7 Sr. Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon 11 Steffani Stoeger G 5-7 So. Hortonville, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran 12 Angie Leckson C 6-1 Jr. Garden, Mich./Big Bay de Noc 14 Kellie Rietveld G 5-7 So. New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central 20 Christa Erickson G 5-9 Jr. Escanaba, Mich./Escanaba 22 Brynn Larsen G 5-8 Fr. Oconto Falls, Wis./Oconto Falls 24 Nicole Grengs F 5-10 So. Marquette, Mich./Marquette Senior 32 Lauren Beeler F 5-11 Fr. L’Anse, Mich./L’Anse 33 Carla L’Esperance F 5-9 Rfr. Brighton, Mich./Brighton 40 Cassie Hegbloom F 5-11 Sr. Ishpeming, Mich./Westwood/Michigan Tech 42 Cassi Rushford F 6-0 Sr. Rapid River, Mich./Rapid River 44 Jaclyn Davey C 6-1 Jr. Sterling, Ill./Sterling/Sauk Valley 45 Hillary Bowling F 5-10 So. Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove 50 Erin Powers C 6-1 So. Marquette, Mich./Marquette Senior

Head Coach: Troy Mattson Assistant Coaches: Brigitte LaPointe and Ben Olsen

3 Meet the Wildcats

Ho l l y Co l e selected by AP. Second-team Detroit News and Detroit Free Press dream Guard, 5-9 4 teams. All-U.P. first team. An academic all-state selection. Played on team that was Class C champion in 1999 and 2000. Team made final four Senior in 2001 and was runner-up in 2001. Played on a team that went 102-5 St. Ignace, Mich. during high school career. First-team all-conference in softball. Personal: Enjoys playing sports and riding wave runners. Majoring 2005-08: Did not play. in zoology. Daughter of Howard and Kathy Cole. Born on June 10, 2004-05: Lettered. Appeared in 28 games 1985. and started 20. Second on the team with 50 three-pointers. Scored a career-high 28 Cole’s Single-Game Highs points against Nebraska-Kearney (11/20) on Points: 28 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/20/04) 9-15 shooting. All nine field goals against Rebounds: 6 at Northwood (12/13/03) Nebraska-Kearney were three-pointers. Assists: 7 vs. Indiana University Pennsylvania (11/27/04) 2003-04: Appeared in 27 games and started one to earn first letter. Field Goals: 9 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/20/04) Scored a season-high 13 points against Rollins (11/21). Made four of Field Goal Attempts: 13 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/20/04) seven three-pointers against Concordia (11/22). Also sank four three- 3-pt Field Goals: 9 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/20/04) pointers against Ashland in GLIAC Tournament game. Named the 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 13 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/20/04) Outstanding Newcomer. Free Throws: 4, three times, most recently at Ashland (1/22/05) H i g h S c h o o l : Earned three letters at LaSalle High school under Dorene Free Throw Attempts: 5 vs. Rollins (11/21/03) Ingalls. Co-MVP of the Straits Area Conference. First-team all-state as

Cole’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2003-04 27 51 150 .340 12 14 .857 31 105 .295 57 2.1 26 44-0 145 5.5 2004-05 28 86 243 .354 21 28 .750 50 156 .321 50 1.8 35 34-1 243 8.7 Totals 55 137 393 .398 33 42 .785 81 261 .310 107 1.9 61 78-1 388 7.1

Ke l s e y De a c o n three-pointers against Ferris State (2/11) for a career high. Made all Guard, 5-7 10 nine free throw attempts against Lake Superior (2/9) for a career high. Played all 40 minutes in five games during the season. Senior High School: Lettered four times at Ashwaubenon High School under Green Bay, Wis. Kerry Janquart. Senior season was a second-team all-conference and all-state selection. Junior season was first-team all-conference, all-area 2007-08: Lettered. Appeared in and started all and all-state. Second-team all-conference and all-area selection. Team 26 games. Had a season-high 22 points against was conference champions all four years. Findlay (1/26). Second on team with 319 points Personal: Daughter of Barb and Paul Deacon. Majoring in public rela- (12.3 ppg). Led team in assists (70). Pulled tions. Born on March 13, 1987. down a career-high nine rebounds against Wayne State (1/19). Tied career high with five Deacon’s Single-Game Highs three-pointers against Lake Superior. Had 13 Points: 29 vs. Lake Superior (2/9/06) three-point attempts for a career-high against St. Cloud. Rebounds: 9 vs. Wayne State (1/19/08) 2006-07: Lettered. Started all 27 games. Second on the team in scor- Assists: 8 vs. Gannon (2/3/2007) ing with 326 points (12.1 ppg) and led the team with 74 assists. Had a Field Goals: 9 at Northwood (1/25/07) career-high nine field goals at Northwood (1/25). Connected on five Field Goal Attempts: 20 at Lake Superior (2/8/07) three-pointers to tie a career high against Grand Valley State (1/13). 3-pt Field Goals: 5, four times, most recently vs. Lake Superior Dished the rock eight times against Gannon for a career high (2/3). (2/23/08) Played every minute in six games. 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 13 vs. St. Cloud State (11/23/07) 2005-06: Lettered. Led team in assists (57). Had a career-high 29 points Free Throws: 9 vs. Lake Superior (2/9/06) on eight field goals against Lake Superior State (2/9). Made five of 11 Free Throw Attempts: 9 vs. Lake Superior (2/9/06)

Deacon’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2005-06 25 78 217 .359 51 59 .864 37 115 .322 70 2.8 57 34-0 244 9.8 2006-07 27 116 325 .357 51 73 .699 43 147 .293 77 2.9 74 40-0 326 12.1 2007-08 26 120 316 .380 18 26 .692 61 184 .332 96 3.7 70 36-0 319 12.3 Totals 78 314 858 .365 120 158 .759 141 446 .316 243 3.1 201 110-0 889 11.3

4 Meet the Wildcats

Ca s s i e He g b l o o m High School: Lettered three times in basketball at Westwood High Forward, 5-11 40 School under Tom Hammar. Third-team all-state. First-team all-conference. First-team all-U.P. Also, first-team all-conference in volleyball Senior and participated in track. Ishpeming, Mich. Personal: Likes to go to different sporting events. Majoring in biology with an emphasis in physiology. Daughter of Diane and John Hegbloom. 2007-08: Lettered. Started 22 games and Born on May 29, 1986. appeared in 25 games. Second on the team in rebounds (111). Tied a career-high with 11 Hegblooom’s Single-Game Highs points at Saginaw Valley (1/10). Had a career- Points: 11, twice, most recently at Saginaw Valley (1/10/08) high 12 rebounds at Northwood (1/12). Was Rebounds: 12 at Northwood (1/12/08) 3-4 in three-pointers at Saginaw Valley (1/10) Assists: 4, three times, most recently vs. Lake Superior State for a career high. (1/4/07) 2006-07: Lettered. Started all 27 games. Second on the team in rebounds Field Goals: 5, three times, most recently at Northwood (1/12/08) with 150 (5.6 rpg). Scored a career-high 11 points against MSU-Moorhead Field Goal Attempts: 11 vs. Marygrove (12/30/06) (11/18). Made six free throws against Northwood (2/17). Had a season- 3-pt Field Goals: 3 at Saginaw Valley (1/10/08) high nine rebounds at Wayne State (1/20). Had four assists in a game 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 4 at Saginaw Valley (1/10/08) three times. Tied for the team lead with 12 blocks. Free Throws: 6 vs. Northwood (2/17/07) 2005-06: Had to sit out the season because of transferring. Free Throw Attempts: 9 vs. Lake Superior State (1/4/07) 2004-05: Played at Michigan Tech.

Hegbloom’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2006-07 27 55 134 .410 26 45 .578 1 9 .111 150 5.6 39 72-1 137 5.1 2007-08 25 45 98 .459 7 13 .538 5 18 .278 111 4.4 18 54-0 102 4.1 Totals 52 100 232 .431 33 58 .568 6 27 .222 261 5.0 57 126-1 239 4.5

Ca s s i Ru s h f o rd (12/29) and against Finlandia (11/29). Had four assists at Florida Southern Forward, 6-0 42 for a career high. High School: Lettered four times at Rapid River High School under Jon Senior Miller. Two-time all-state selection, first-team as a senior and fourth-team Rapid River, Mich. as a junior. Two-time all-U.P. first team selection. Scored over 1,000 points in high school. All-conference selection all four years. 2007-08: Lettered. Appeared in all 26 games Personal: Likes to go camping. Majoring in community health education. and started three. Scored a season-high 12 Daughter of Monica and Morley Rushford. Born on February 8, 1987. points against Minnesota-Duluth (12/4). Was 3-4 in three-pointers against UM-Duluth. Rushford’s Single-Game Highs Had a season-high eight rebounds twice dur- Points: 17 at Northwood (1/25/07) ing the season against St. Cloud (11/23) and Rebounds: 13 vs. Finlandia (12/29/06) Finlandia (12/29). Assists: 4 at Florida Southern (12/29/05) 2006-07: Lettered. Led the team with 160 rebounds (5.9 rpg). Scored Field Goals: 7 at Northwood (1/25/07) a career-high 17 points at Northwood (1/25) as she made seven shots Field Goal Attempts: 12 vs. Michigan Tech (2/25/06) from the floor. Grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds against Finlandia 3-pt Field Goals: 3, four times, most recently vs. Minnesota-Duluth (12/29). Made three three-pointers twice during the season for a career (12/4/07) high at Ferris State (2/10) and against Ferris State (1/11). 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 8 vs. Michigan Tech (2/25/06) 2005-06: Lettered. Scored a season-high 12 points against Michigan Free Throws: 4, twice, most recently at Grand Valley State (1/6/07) Tech (2/25) where she sank five field goals.Grabbed eight rebounds Free Throw Attempts: 6 at Findlay (12/2/06) for a season high against Northland College (1/9), at Florida Southern

Ru s h f o rd ’s Ca r e e r St a t s Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2005-06 25 42 98 .429 9 14 .643 3 19 .158 84 3.4 19 42-0 96 3.8 2006-07 27 71 169 .420 26 31 .839 16 62 .258 160 5.9 26 55-1 184 6.8 2007-08 26 32 72 .444 13 20 .650 14 33 .424 71 2.7 16 30-0 91 3.5 Totals 78 145 339 .427 48 65 .738 33 114 .289 315 4.0 61 127-1 371 4.7

5 Meet the Wildcats

Ja c l y n Da v e y was conference champions from 2002-06. Won the IBCA All-Star AA Center, 6-1 44 South Leadership Award in 2006. Member of the 4x800-meter school record relay team. Junior Personal: Likes outdoor activities. Majoring in criminal justice. Daughter Sterling, Ill. of Jan and Jeff Davey. Born on March 16, 1988.

2006-08: Played at Sauk Valley Commu- nity College. NJCAA Region IV MVP for 2007-08. High School: Lettered twice at Sterling High School under Bruce Scheidegger. Holds school record for blocks in a career with 210. Team

Chr i s t a Er i ck s o n ing in physical education/secondary education Daughter of Tracy and Guard, 5-9 Steve Erickson. Mom played basketball at Central Michigan. Born on 20 June 28, 1986. Junior Escanaba, Mich. Erickson’s Single-Game Highs Points: 11 vs. Michigan Tech (12/8/07) 2007-08: Appeared in eight games. Scored Rebounds: 3 at Mercyhurst (12/1/07) 11 points against Michigan Tech (12/8) for a Assists: None career high. Had three rebounds at Mer- Field Goals: 4 vs. Michigan Tech (12/8/07) cyhurst (12/1) for a career high. Made two Field Goal Attempts: 6, three times, most recently vs. Michigan three-pointers twice in a game: at Gannon Tech (12/8/07) (11/29) and Mercyhurst (12/1). 3-pt Field Goals: 2, three times, most recently vs. Michigan Tech 2006-07: Took a redshirt season. (12/8/07) H i g h S c h o o l : Lettered three times at Escanaba High School under Tracy 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 5 at Mercyhurst (12/1/07) Erickson. All-U.P. dream team pick. Greater Northern U.P. Conference Free Throws: 2 at Minnesota-Duluth (11/24/07) Player of the Year. All-U.P. first team. Free Throw Attempts: 2 at Minnesota-Duluth (11/24/07) Personal: Likes to go to the beach, read and watch movies. Major-

Erickson’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2007-08 8 13 26 .500 4 5 .800 8 18 .444 8 1.0 3 5-0 38 4.8

Na t a l i e La r o c q u e Tournament MVP. MVP of team. Conference first-team all-star. Guard, 5-7 3 High School: Played at St. Patrick’s High School under Raymond Shea. Two-time Female Athlete of the Year. Five-time team MVP. Five-time Junior league all-star. Quebec City, Quebec Personal: Likes to snowboard. Majoring in sports science. Daughter of Barbara Leger and Jean Larocque. Born on August 22, 1986. 2007-08: Lettered. Appeared in 26 games and started three. Scored a career-high 19 Larocque’s Single-Game Highs points at Concordia-St. Paul (11/17). Had six Points: 19 at Concordia-St. Paul (11/17/07) rebounds against Lake Superior (2/23) for a Rebounds: 6 vs. Lake Superior (2/23/08) career high. Assists: 5 vs. Northland College (1/8/07) 2006-07: Lettered. Scored nine points in a Field Goals: 5, twice, most recently at Minnesota-Duluth (11/24/07) game twice for season high: against Northwood Field Goal Attempts: 9 vs. Northland College (1/8/07) (2/17) and against Ashland (12/16). Made all six free throw attempts 3-pt Field Goals: 5 at Concordia-St. Paul (11/17/07) against Northwood (2/17). Had a career-high five assists against North- 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 7, twice, most recently vs. Wayne State land College (1/8). Had a season-high four rebounds against Minnesota (1/19/08) State-Moorhead (11/18). Free Throws: 6 vs. Northwood (2/17/07) 2003-06: Played at Dawson College in Montreal, Canada. Atlantic Coast Free Throw Attempts: 6 vs. Northwood (2/17/07)

Larocque’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2006-07 26 19 58 .328 21 30 .700 11 34 .324 29 1.1 34 21-0 70 2.7 2007-08 26 34 93 .366 5 7 .714 21 65 .323 50 1.9 35 15-0 94 3.6 Totals 52 53 151 .350 26 37 .702 32 99 .323 79 1.5 69 36-0 164 3.2 6 Meet the Wildcats

An g i e Le ck s o n School under Angie LaLonde. Two-time all-U.P. selection. Special men- Center, 6-1 12 tion all-state as a senior. All-conference all-defensive team. Three-time all-conference selection including a first-team pick as a senior, second Junior team as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore. Garden, Mich. Personal: Likes to golf. Daughter of Joyce and George Leckson. Major- ing in special education. Born on February 11, 1988. 2007-08: Lettered. Appeared in 26 games and started 18. Had a season-high 18 points Leckson’s Single-Game Highs against Michigan Tech (12/8). Tied a career-high Points: 20 vs. Northwood (2/17/07) 11 rebounds against Northland College (1/7). Rebounds: 11, twice, most recently vs. Northland College (1/7/08) Was a perfect two of two in three-pointers Assists: 3 vs. Mercyhurst (2/1/07) against Saginaw Valley (2/16). Sank 10 of 11 Field Goals: 6, three times, most recently vs. Grand Valley (1/3/08) free throws against Michigan Tech (12/8). Field Goal Attempts: 11 vs. Ashland (12/16/06) 2006-07: Lettered. Tied for the team lead with 12 blocks. Had 110 re- 3-pt Field Goals: 2 vs. Saginaw Valley (2/16/08) bounds (4.1 rpg) and 160 points (5.9 ppg). Scored a career-high 20 points 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 3, twice, most recently vs. Finlandia against Northwood (2/17) where she was 6 of 10 from the floor. Was (12/29/07) 11-14 from the free-throw line against Mercyhurst (2/1). Pulled down a Free Throws: 11 vs. Mercyhurst (2/1/07) career-high 11 rebounds against Northland College (1/8). Free Throw Attempts: 14 vs. Mercyhurst (2/1/07) High School: Lettered three times in basketball at Big Bay de Noc High

Leckson’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2006-07 27 39 105 .371 82 115 .713 0 4 .000 110 4.1 14 67-2 160 5.9 2007-08 26 60 135 .444 54 77 .701 6 20 .300 109 4.2 16 72-2 180 6.9 Totals 53 99 240 .412 136 192 .708 6 24 .250 219 4.1 30 139-4 340 6.4

Hi l l a r y Bo w l i n g played softball. Forward, 5-10 Personal: Favorite team is the Indianapolis Colts. Played AAU basketball 45 for the Indiana Elite. Daughter of Maureen and Phil Bowling. Majoring Sophomore in marketing. Born on July 25, 1989. Greenwood, Ind. Bowling’s Single-Game Highs 2007-08: Lettered. Appeared in 19 games. Points: 6 vs. Northland College (1/7/08) Scored a career-high six points against North- Rebounds: 4, four times, vs. Lake Superior (2/23/08) land College (1/7). Had four rebounds in a Assists: None game four times during the season for a career Field Goals: 2, twice, most recently vs. Findlay (1/26/08) high. Made two of three three-pointers against Field Goal Attempts: 4, twice, most recently vs. Northland College Northland College (1/7). Went three of four (1/7/08) at the line against Lake Superior (2/23). 3-pt Field Goals: 2 vs. Northland College (1/7/08) H i g h S c h o o l : Lettered three times at Center 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 3 vs. Northland College (1/7/08) Grove High School under Joe Lentz. Johnson County Player of the Year Free Throws: 3 vs. Lake Superior (2/23/08) after her senior campaign. MVP and all-conference selection. First team Free Throw Attempts: 4 vs. Lake Superior (2/23/08) All-Johnson County. Team was regional and sectional champion. Also

Bowling’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2007-08 19 7 20 .350 8 14 .571 2 5 .400 32 1.7 11 17-0 24 1.3

7 Meet the Wildcats

Ca r l a L’Es p e r a n c e Ni c o l e Gr e n g s Forward, 5-9 33 Forward, 5-10 24 Redshirt Freshman Sophomore Brighton, Mich. Marquette, Mich.

2007-08: Took a redshirt year. 2007-08: Squad member. H i g h S c h o o l : Lettered twice at Brighton High 2006-07: Took a redshirt season. School under Jason Piepho. Second team all- High School: Lettered three times at Mar- conference selection. Chosen to receive the quette Senior High School under Karla Strand. unsung hero award. Team was conference and As a senior year named to all-state fourth district champs twice, regional champs once. team, all-conference first team and all-U.P. Also played volleyball and soccer. first team. Selected all-conference first team Personal: Majoring in management of health and fitness. Daughter three times. Also participated in softball. of Julie and Ron L’Esperance. Played AAU basketball for the Livingston Personal: Likes to be active. Majoring in community health education. Sting. Born on February 19, 1989. Daughter of Michelle Grengs and Nick Grengs. Born on August 30, 1987.

Er i n Po w e r s Selected to the BCAM Academic All-State Team in 2006. Broke school Center, 6-1 50 record for career rebounds (789). Personal: Likes to stay active. Majoring in biology/physiology. Daugh- Sophomore ter of Jayne and Steve Powers. Both parents were student-athletes at Marquette, Mich. Augustana College. Played AAU basketball for the Marquette Magic. Born on October 27, 1988. 2007-08: Lettered. Appeared in 22 games. Scored a career-high nine points against Mary- Power’s Single-Game Highs grove (12/30). Pulled down a career-best 12 Points: 9 vs. Marygrove (12/30/07) rebounds against Northland College (1/7). Rebounds: 12 vs. Northland College (1/7/08) From the free throw line against Finlandia Assists: 3, twice, most recently vs. Grand Valley (1/3/08) (12/29) went six of eight. Field Goals: 3, twice, most recently vs. Grand Valley (1/3/08) High School: Lettered four times at Mar- Field Goal Attempts: 5, twice, most recently vs. Marygrove quette Senior High School under Karla Strand. Named the 2006 Great (12/30/07 Northern Conference Player of the Year. Selected as the 2006 Upper 3-pt Field Goals: None Peninsula Class A-B-C Player of the Year. Three-time first team All-GNC 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 2 vs. Augustana (11/16/07) selection. Named to Class A all-state fourth team and was Basketball Free Throws: 6 vs. Finlandia (12/29/07) Coaches Association of Michigan Class A honorable mention in 2006. Free Throw Attempts: 8 vs. Finlandia (12/29/07)

Power’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2007-08 22 16 39 .410 13 19 .684 0 5 .000 61 2.8 14 20-0 45 2.0

Ke l l i e Ri e t v e l d Team was conference and regional champion. Also played soccer. Guard, 5-7 14 Personal: Likes to hike, swim and be outside. Majoring in psychology. Daughter of Valerie and Bill Rietveld. Born on June 17, 1989. Sophomore New Lenox, Ill. Rietveld’s Single-Game Highs Points: 18 vs. Marygrove (12/30/07) 2007-08: Lettered. Appeared in 26 games Rebounds: 6 vs. Marygrove (12/30/07) and started five. Scored a career-high 18 Assists: 4, twice, most recently at Grand Valley (2/9/08) points and grabbed a career-high six rebounds Field Goals: 9 vs. Marygrove (12/30/07) against Marygrove (12/30). From the arc went Field Goal Attempts: 15 vs. Marygrove (12/30/07) three of seven against Finlandia (12/29). Was 3-pt Field Goals: 3 vs. Finlandia (12/29/07) five of six from the free throw line against 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 7 vs. Finlandia (12/29/07) Findlay (1/26). Free Throws: 5 vs. Findlay (1/26/08) H ig h S c h o o l : Lettered three times in basketball at Lincoln Way Central Free Throw Attempts: 6 vs. Findlay (1/26/08) High School under Ryan White . Two-time MVP. Player of the Year in 2007.

Rietveld’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2007-08 26 49 135 .363 23 32 .719 13 45 .289 50 1.9 30 43-2 134 5.2

8 Meet the Wildcats

St e f f a n i St o e g e r 2006-07. Honorable mention all-state. Also participated in volleyball, Guard, 5-7 11 cross country and softball. Personal: Played AAU basketball for Team Wisconsin Select. Majoring Sophomore in sports science. Daughter of Kathy and Ed Stoeger. Born on February Hortonville, Wis. 22, 1989. : Lettered. Appeared in 26 games 2007-08 Stoeger’s Single-Game Highs and started 23. Scored a career-high 27 points Points: 27 vs. Saginaw Valley (2/16/08) against Saginaw Valley (2/16). Fourteen of her Rebounds: 8 vs. Saginaw Valley (2/16/08) points against the Cardinals came from the free Assists: 5 at Northwood (1/12/08) throw line in 16 attempts. Was 9-13 from the Field Goals: 9 at Lake Superior (1/31/08) floor against Lake Superior (1/31). Pulled down Field Goal Attempts: 13, twice, most recently at Lake Superior a career-high eight rebounds against Saginaw (1/31/08) Valley (2/16). Led team in steals (60). 3-pt Field Goals: 3 at Lake Superior (1/31/08) High School: Lettered three times at Fox Valley Lutheran High School 3-pt Field Goal Attempts: 6, twice, most recently vs. Saginaw Val- under Rev. David Wenzel. Named to Valley 8 all-conference first team ley (2/16/08) team three times. Valley 8 Player of the Year as a senior. Two-time all- Free Throws: 14 vs. Saginaw Valley (2/16/08) area first team selection. Appleton Post Crescent Player of the Year for Free Throw Attempts: 16 vs. Saginaw Valley (2/16/08)

Stoeger’s Career Stats Year G FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct 3PFG 3PFGA Pct Reb Avg Assists PF-D TP Avg 2007-08 26 80 202 .396 41 67 .612 15 60 .250 60 2.3 53 51-2 216 8.3

La u r e n Be e l e r Forward, 5-11 3 Freshman L’Anse, Mich.

High School: Lettered four times at L’Anse High School under Shawn Hendrickson. All- conference first team in 2006 and 2007 and was conference MVP in 2007. Honorable mention all-conference in 2005. First-team all-U.P. in 2006 and U.P. Dream Team pick in 2007. Honorable mention all-U.P. in 2005. All-state honorable mention in 2006 and first team pick in 2007. Scored 1,115 points in high school. Personal: Played AAU basketball for the Marquette Magic. Undecided on major. Daughter of Janelle and Mark Beeler. Born on December 5, 1989.

Br y n n La r s e n Guard, 5-8 22 Freshman Oconto Falls, Wis.

High School: Lettered four times at Oconto Falls High School under Duane Rogatzki. Four- time all-conference first teams in basketball, volleyball and softball. Two-time all-state in volleyball. Bay Conference Player of the Year for volleyball. Four-time all-state for softball and 2008 state MVP. Two-time conference Player of the Year for softball. Green Bay Press Gazette Girl’s Athlete Steffani Stoeger led the 2007-08 Wildcats with 60 steals. of the Year. Personal: Likes to downhill ski and sled. Majoring in physical education/secondary education. Daughter of Dawn and Todd Larsen. Born on August 11, 1989.

9 2007-08 Game by Game Review

Date W-L Opponent NMU-Opp Leading Scorer Leading Rebounder 11/16 L Augustana 57-67 Carroll (17) Carroll (11) 11/17 L Concordia-St. Paul 66-86 Larocque (19) Powers (7) 11/23 Lot St. Cloud State 77-81 Carroll (24) Carroll (9) 11/24 W Minnesota Duluth 70-53 Carroll (16) Leckson, Carroll & Powers (5) 11/29 L Gannon University* 79-80 Carroll (25) Leckson (8) 12/1 W Mercyhurst College* 76-69 Deacon (16) Leckson (7) 12/4 W Minnesota Duluth 62-58 Deacon (18) Deacon (7) 12/8 L Michigan Tech* 61-74 Leckson (18) Leckson (9) 12/15 L Ashland* 53-56 Carroll (14) Hegbloom (7) 12/29 W Finlandia 91-42 Carroll (21) Leckson & Powers (10) 12/30 W Marygrove 88-20 Rietveld (18) Rushford & Carroll (8) 1/3 L Grand Valley State* 61-63 Deacon (21) Carroll (7) 1/7 W Northland College 92-33 Carroll(19) Powers (12) 1/10 W Saginaw Valley State* 47-39 Carroll (13) Powers & Carroll (7) 1/12 Lot Northwood* 62-63 Carroll (16) Hegbloom (12) 1/19 L Wayne State* 56-64 Carroll (24) Hegbloom (10) 1/20 L Hillsdale* 46-65 Carroll (13) Hegbloom (7) 1/24 L Ferris State* 66-81 Carroll (16) Bowling, Lambert & Stoeger (4) 1/26 W University of Findlay* 74-65 Deacon (22) Carroll (7) 1/31 L Lake Superior State* 59-73 Stoeger (22) Carroll (5) 2/7 L Ferris State* 59-64 Carroll (24) Carroll (5) 2/9 L Grand Valley State * 50-63 Deacon (17) Lambert (9) 2/14 Lot Northwood 70-71 Carroll (18) Carroll (9) 2/16 W Saginaw Valley State* 79-68 Stoeger (27) Stoeger( 8) 2/20 L Michigan Tech* 52-54 Carroll, Lambert & Lambert (8) Rietveld (10) 2/23 L Lake Superior State* 64-79 Deacon (19) Carroll & Larocque (6)

* Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Game Rebounds Player GP-GS FG-FGA Pct 3FG-FGA Pct FT-FTA Pct Off Def Tot Avg A TO Blk Stl Pts Avg Larocque 26-3 34-93 .366 21-65 .323 5-7 .714 10 40 50 1.9 35 40 2 16 94 3.6 Deacon 26-26 120-316 .380 61-184 .332 18-26 .692 6 90 96 3.7 70 45 1 39 319 12.3 Stoeger 26-23 80-202 .396 15-60 .250 41-67 .612 18 42 60 2.3 53 72 0 60 216 8.3 Leckson 26-18 60-135 .444 6-20 .300 54-77 .701 40 69 109 4.2 16 38 9 11 180 6.9 Rietveld 26-5 49-135 .363 13-45 .288 23-32 .719 20 30 50 1.9 30 34 0 17 134 5.2 Erickson 8-0 13-26 .500 8-18 .444 4-5 .800 4 4 8 1.0 3 5 1 0 38 4.8 Grengs 1-0 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 Carroll 26-26 153-326 469 5-19 .263 78-102 .765 55 93 148 5.7 19 64 24 35 389 15.0 L’Esperance 1-0 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 1 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 Lambert 19-4 36-94 .383 3-13 .231 10-14 .714 21 45 66 3.5 5 23 2 12 85 4.5 Hegbloom 25-22 45-98 .459 5-18 .278 7-13 .538 49 62 111 4.4 18 24 7 9 102 4.1 Rushford 26-3 32-72 .444 14-33 .424 13-20 .650 21 50 71 2.7 16 23 3 11 91 3.5 Bowling 19-0 7-20 .350 2-5 .400 8-14 .571 7 25 32 1.7 11 21 1 15 24 1.3 Powers 22-0 16-39 .410 0-5 .000 13-19 .684 23 38 61 2.8 14 14 8 10 45 2.0

NMU 26 645-1556 .415 153-485 .415 274-396 .692 311 647 958 36.8 290 417 58 235 1717 66.0 Opponents 26 592-1408 .420 123-362 .420 324-457 .709 252 667 919 35.3 370 460 66 226 1631 62.7

NMU Team Honors Most Valuable Player Outstanding Defensive Player Free Throw Award Playmaker Award Allison Carroll Cassie Hegbloom Allison Carroll Kelsey Deacon

Outstanding Newcomer Outstanding Rebounder Coaches Award Steffani Stoeger Allison Carroll Erin Powers

10 2007-08 Results

2007-08 North Division Standings 2007-08 South Division Standings

Team GLIAC Overall Team GLIAC Overall Michigan Tech 13-4 23-8 Hillsdale 15-2 23-5 Northwood 13-5 18-9 Gannon 10-7 16-12 Ferris State 11-7 17-12 Ashland 10-7 19-11 Grand Valley State 11-7 16-12 Wayne State 9-8 15-12 Lake Superior State 7-10 12-14 Findlay 3-14 9-17 Saginaw Valley State 5-13 12-15 Mercyhurst 2-15 7-20 Northern Michigan 4-14 9-17

2007-08 North Division First Team 2007-08 South Division First Team Rachel Folcik Ferris State University Katie Cezat Hillsdale College Catherine Rottier Michigan Technological University Kristina Freeman Gannon University Megan Starnes Northwood University Jasmine McCall Wayne State University Katie Wysocky Michigan Technological University Julie Slot Hillsdale College Crystal Zick Grand Valley State University Kim Vargas Gannon University

2007-08 North Division Second Team 2007-08 South Division Second Team Shalyn Beauchamp Lake Superior State University Amy Achesinski Mercyhurst College Allison Carroll Northern Michigan University Lisa Graue Ashland University Erin Cyplik Grand Valley State University Ashley Lowdermilk Gannon University Jodi Ostergren Northwood University Betsy Morrison Ashland University LaTille Ross Saginaw Valley State University Brittany Wells University of Findlay

2007-08 North Division All-Defensive Team 2007-08 South Division All-Defensive Team Shalyn Beauchamp Lake Superior State University Claire Aubrey Hillsdale College Nicole Carr Grand Valley State University Katie Cezat Hillsdale College Rachel Folcik Ferris State University Kristina Freeman Gannon University Megan Starnes Northwood University Lisa Graue Ashland University Lena Widman Michigan Technological University Joy Nash Wayne State University

Player of the Year Katie Cezat Hillsdale College

Freshman of the Year Amy Achesinski Mercyhurst College

Coach of the Year Jeff Curtis Northwood University

2008 GLIAC Tournament Saturday, March 1 Saturday, March 8 GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinals GLIAC Tournament Championship (4S) Wayne State 67, at (1S) Hillsdale 64 At MTU-Houghton, Mich. At (1N) Michigan Tech 63, (4N) Grand Valley State 58 (3S) Ashland 70, at (2S) Gannon 45 Championship Game (3N) Ferris State 93, at (2N) Northwood 89 (at) #1 Michigan Tech 81, #3 Ashland 53

Friday, March 7 2008 GLIAC Women’s Basketball All-Tournament Team GLIAC Tournament Semifinals MVP: Catherine Rottier Michigan Tech At MTU – Houghton, MIch. Team: Katie Wysocky Michigan Tech Lindsey Gaut Ashland Semifinal #1 Tara Ferris Michigan Tech (at) #1 Michigan Tech 83, #4 Wayne State 62 Betsy Morrison Ashland Semifinal #2 Monique George Wayne State #3 Ashland 56, #2 Ferris State 45 11 NMU Profile

Edge graduate receives a student Life on Campus achievement transcript along with their academic transcript. NMU he University: A regional public, coeducational university founded grads with proven experience, in 1899, Northern offers learning opportunities to approximately T initiative, ethics, integrity, multicul- 9,400 undergraduate and graduate students. Each full-time student is tural awareness and motivation to issued a notebook computer as part of tuition and fees. make a difference gain an edge in the job market and admission to grad schools.

Residence Halls: NMU’S 10 residence halls are organized into living groups called “houses,” which include 40-45 students who actively shape their own living environments. Four students share a suite (two bedrooms and a bathroom) and all residence halls have great locations within five minutes of eating, learning and studying areas.

Extracurricular: There are about 300 clubs and organizations on campus, including academic, service, social, professional, religious and special Location: NMU is located in an environment unrivaled by any other, interest groups. We also have a full program of club and intramural on the south shore of Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan, voted one athletics. of “America’s Most Livable Communities,” with breathtaking vistas and 20,000 lucky residents. Intercollegiate Athletics: NMU is a member of the National Col- legiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Campus: Named one of the “Most Unwired” campuses in the United Athletic Conference (GLIAC), and the Central Collegiate Hockey States, we’re completely connected with the latest technology. We’re Association (CCHA). Varsity teams for women include basketball, cross large enough to offer scenic spaces and 50 quality facilities. There are country, Nordic skiing, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field and high-end specialty computer labs, a learning resource center, a theater, volleyball. Varsity teams for men include basketball, football, golf, hockey a speech and hearing and Nordic skiing. All sports are NCAA Division II, except men’s ice clinic, a student art gal- hockey, which is Division I. lery and university art museum, a student radio Olympic Education Center: NMU is designated as the only United station, public radio and States Olympic Education Center by the U.S. Olympic Committee. TV stations, the Jaco- Olympic athletes in five sports train for elite international competitions betti Center for technical while pursuing their educations at NMU and Marquette Senior High programs, an ice rink, a School. swimming pool and diving tank, a rock climbing wall, Accreditation: NMU is accredited by the Northern Central Asso- an all-events center and ciation of Colleges and Secondary Schools (30 North LaSalle Street, the Superior Dome, an Number 2400, Chicago, Illinois, 60602; 312-263-0456). More than 20 8,000 seat stadium (the academic programs are accredited by additional professional agencies. largest wooden dome in the world). But we’re still small enough to keep everything within walk- ing distance, which is especially nice in the winter.

Faculty: NMU has talented faculty members and a low student-to-faculty ratio of 22-to-1. Our average class size is 23, our average lab size is 16 and our average seminar size is 10. Of all entry-level courses, 70 percent are taught by career faculty.

The Superior Edge: Learn to live a life that matters. Other universities have leadership programs, but NMU is the only university in the country that packs leadership, community engagement, diversity awareness and real-world experience into one life-changing program. In the Superior Edge, students design their own volunteer, work and learning activities (up to 400 hours). Any NMU student regardless of class status or major is eligible to participate for free. Each Superior

12 Athletic Facilities

orthern Michigan University boasts one of the finest collections of Physical Education Instructional Facility Nathletic facilities in NCAA Division II, if not the country. The PEIF, as it is more commonly called, was opened in 1976 and houses A connected unit of three first-rate facilities - the Superior the PEIF Pool, home of NMU swimming and diving team, and Vandament Dome, the Physical Education Instructional Facility (PEIF), and the Arena, where the Wildcat volleyball team plays. Berry Events Center - are used by NMU for the majority of its athletic The PEIF pool features eight lanes and a diving tank with one- and events. three-meter spring- boards, as well as a Superior Dome 20-meter platform. The Superior Dome has been home to the Wildcat football team Vandament Arena, since 1991 and is the finest opened in 1995, is a football facility in the Great 1,500-seat volleyball- Lakes Intercollegiate Ath- only facility, one of the letic Conference, if not all of finest in Division II. NCAA Division II. The facility houses The Dome stands 14 an auxiliary gymnasium stories high, and encompass- that the Wildcat men’s es 5.1 acres under its roof. and women’s basketball teams use for practice. Constructed of 781 Douglas The PEIF also houses a two-level Recreation Center, which was fir beams and 108.5 miles of opened in December 1999. It is complete with a climbing wall, weight fir decking, the Dome has a room, cardiovascular area, two basketball courts, a tennis court, two permanent seating capacity of 8,000, but the building can hold as many lounge areas and a conference room. Also located in the PEIF are seven as 16,000 people. The facility features a diameter of 536 feet, and has racquetball courts, a dance studio, athletic training facilities, locker the ability to withstand 60 pounds per square foot of snow and 80 mile rooms, classrooms and staff offices. per hour winds. The Dome features a retractable artificial turf carpet, the largest of its kind in the world. When it is extended, the turf has the ability to Other Facilities accommodate football, soccer and field hockey. Underneath the carpet Soccer fields is a synthetic playing surface that features three basketball/volleyball Four fields are located behind the Superior Dome, along Lake Superior. courts, two tennis courts and a 200-meter track. The carpet is ex- Two are home to the NMU women’s soccer team; the other two tended over a cushion of air and takes 30 minutes to retract powered are practice fields for the NMU football team. They are equipped with by 12 computerized winches. Full setup of the turf is completed in bleachers and a scoreboard. approximately two hours. Cross country skiing Northern’s men’s and women’s teams have two designated practice Berry Events Center locations, with lighted trails: the Al Quaal 3K and 5K ski trails in nearby The home of the NMU hockey and basketball teams, the Berry Events Ishpeming and the four 5K loops at Blueberry Ridge in Sands Townsship, Center opened its doors in October 1999. a few miles south of Marquette. The facility provides individual seating for approximately 3,800 fans, in addition to 16 luxury Golf boxes, which includes a The official Wildcat course is the Wawanowin Country Club in Ishpem- president’s suite. Along the ing. The 6,487-yard, 18-hole course has a three-star rating from Golf perimeter of the arena are Digest. It has two practice greens and a driving range. four large concession areas, as well as standing room for approximately 400 fans. When used for hockey, the Berry has an Olympic- size ice sheet measuring 200 feet by 100 feet. When rigged for basketball, the court sits on a protective flooring, which is placed over the ice, and seating for 500 fans is available courtside. Con- version from hockey to basketball can be completed in approximately five hours. The Berry also features locker rooms and support areas for the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the United States Olympic Education Center’s short track speedskating team along with four general-use locker rooms. In addition, skate rental and changing areas are located on the lower level of the complex. The hockey area includes a weight room, athletic training room, meeting rooms, locker room and support area. Also designed to host concerts and community events, the Berry Events Center is equipped with moveable theatrical rigging and lighting. Northern Michigan Wildcat basketball