CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS
ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS
LETTER FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR...... 1
MEN’S BASKETBALL...... 2
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL...... 3
MEN’S SOCCER...... 4
WOMEN’S SOCCER...... 5
GOLF...... 6
VOLLEYBALL...... 7
BASEBALL...... 8
SOFTBALL ...... 9
TRACK & FIELD...... 10-11
MEN'S TENNIS...... 12
WOMEN’S TENNIS...... 13
FOOTBALL...... 14
CROSS COUNTRY...... 15
ACADEMIC SUCCESS & COMMUNITY SERVICE...... 18-19
SPONSORSHIPS, MARKETING & TICKETING...... 20
THE 49ER CLUB...... 21
ATHLETIC FOUNDATION...... 22 MISSION FINANCIAL REPORT...... 23 The mission of the athletic program at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is to operate within the BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF...... 24 perspective of the overall educational program of UNC Charlotte. With a balanced program that supports
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS...... 25 equitable opportunities for all students and staff, the department promotes a total person concept that prepares its student-athletes with the necessary tools to be successful in academic, athletic and social ...... 26-31 DONOR LISTING settings. The Department of Athletics supports the highest ideals of sportsmanship and is committed to NINER NATION GOLD...... 32 the highest ethical standards of the University and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
SPIRIT GROUPS...... 33 (Updated and Approved, Board of Trustees, 9/27/02)
CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 1 LETTER FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
2015-16 was an important year for our program and celebrated program and our athletic department was overwhelming and some important firsts. Our football program made the jump we saw firsthand just how strong the power of a tight-knit to the FBS level as a member of Conference USA — and won family can be. Thank you. its very first game against an FBS opponent. Men’s basketball Now — we look toward a new year with new goals, new coach Mark Price made an impressive debut that had Halton challenges and new expectations. We will get a chance to Arena buzzing. celebrate four of the program’s greatest successes: the 40th Meanwhile, several of our other programs gave us plenty of anniversary of our men’s basketball’s trip to the 1977 Final their own highlights. Our nationally-ranked men’s soccer team Four, the 20th anniversary of our men’s soccer program’s went back to the NCAAs, again. Our women’s basketball 1996 National Semifinalist finish, the 10th anniversary of our program returned to the WNIT, again. Our golf program was men’s golf program’s third-place showing at the 2007 NCAA represented in the NCAA Championships, again. Our track Championships and the 5th anniversary of the 2011 Men’s program crowned an all-American, again — this time sending Soccer National Championship game appearance. jumper Trey McRae all the way to the US Olympic Trials. We want to continue to put a strong product in front of you. Our softball team earned its first spot in the top-25 polls. Our We want to continue to excel in the classroom. We want baseball team delighted crowds uptown and on-campus and to continue to engage the community through any and all rattled off wins over top-25 foes. means possible. We also want to continue to count on your excellent support to help us meet all challenges head on. Along the way, it was announced that our student-athletes boasted a 92% Graduation Success Rate, which is the third Niner Nation is thriving and we can feel the excitement highest GSR in the state and in the top 50 of the nation’s 345 continuing to build. Division I schools. Any and all growth could not be possible without your belief Importantly, we saw growth in our overall fundraising efforts. in our program. Yet again, donations to our Annual Fund increased over the We talk a great deal about 49er Pride. We are grateful that previous year. Each of our special events: the “Let Me Play” you take such pride in our program, as well. Luncheon; the Golf Outing and the Great Gold Rush Auction surpassed their goals. We continue to require increased resources and Niner Nation continues to respond. We cannot thank you enough. With 49er pride, In addition, Niner Nation responded when the 49ers family needed it most – when we lost coach Phil Ratliff at the start of the season. While we will forever feel the effects of that loss, the support of our fan base for the Ratliff family, the football Judy Rose BRAXTON OGBUEZE M EN’SBASKETBALL
Under first-year head coach Mark Price, the 49ers made strides upthe Head Coach: Conference USA Standings, toppled Rice by double-digits in the first round MARK PRICE of the league tournament and stirred the excitement brewing around Overall Record: 14-19 his program. Graduate transfer Joseph Uchebo provided the muscle underneath and an array of young stars stepped into the spotlight as C-USA Record: 9-9; 7TH Charlotte made a splash in Price’s college coaching debut.
HIGHLIGHTS
Tied for most league wins in the last 10 years Led Conference USA in 3pt FG% in C-USA games (40.8%) Joseph Uchebo led C-USA and ranked 5th in nation with 11.5 JOSEPH UCHEBO rebounds per game Joseph Uchebo broke C-USA single-season record with 380, 2nd- most in school history Junior Braxton Ogbueze led C-USA in three-pointers made (109) Andrien White set freshman record with 67 three-pointers made
AWARDS: JON DAVIS JOSEPH UCHEBO 2nd team all-Conference USA JON DAVIS Conference USA all-Freshman team ANDRIEN WHITE Conference USA all-Freshman team
2 CHARLOTTE 49ERS 2 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 3
EN’SBASKETBALL W OMEN’SBASKETBALL
The high-scoring 49ers continued their incredible streak of postseason Head Coach: appearances by advancing to the Women’s NIT. Charlotte has been to the CARA CONSUEGRA postseason 13 out of the last 14 years. This year, Charlotte earned one of the Overall Record: 19-12 league’s top 4 seeds on its way to a 19-win season. C-USA Record: 12-6; 4TH Post-Season: HIGHLIGHTS WNIT
Laia Raventós no-look behind-the-back pass earned an ESPN LEFTY WEBSTER Top 10 Play AWARDS: Alexis Alexander tied Halton Arena record with 12 FGM against AVS ALEXANDER Robert Morris on way to 30 points 2nd team all-Conference USA Kira Gordon, 21st member of the 1,000-Point Club LEFTY WEBSTER 2nd team all-Conference USA Lefty Webster, 22nd member of the 1,000-Point Club GRACE HUNTER Grace Hunter, Conference USA Freshman of the Week; a school- Conference USA all-Freshman Team record five times (32 points at UTEP) LAIA RAVENTÓS Grace Hunter, 2nd freshman in program history to score 20+ Conference USA all-Freshman Team points in three straight games CARA CONSUEGRA GSU Thanksgiving Classic Champions (Alexander Tourney MVP; Conference USA Coaches Circle Gordon all-Tourney) JON DAVIS 49ers led C-USA in scoring (74.7 ppg) and FG% (.455) CIARA GREGORY M EN’SSOCCER
The 49ers nationally-ranked men’s soccer team spent several weeks in the Head Coach: national polls before finishing 21st in the final poll following its 5th straight trip KEVIN LANGAN to the NCAA Tournament. Charlotte scored a 2-1 victory over Radford in the Overall Record: 11-6-3 NCAA first round before falling to top-seeded Wake Forest. The 49ers were led throughout the season by second team all-American Kyle Parker, who was C-USA Record: 6-1-1; 2ND BRANDT BRONCIO selected 31st in the MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew. Postseason: NCAA, 2ND ROUND HIGHLIGHTS 6th NCAA trip in the last 7 years
2nd place in C-USA with a 6-1-1 league mark MATEJ DEKOVIC Posted Top 20 wins over #14 FIU and #22 South Carolina and tied #10 Old Dominion MAX RODRIGUEZ AWARDS: Kyle Parker named C-USA Offensive MVP and winner of the Golden Boot with a league-best 12 goals KYLE PARKER 2nd Team NSCAA all-American Brandt Bronico named 1st Team all-C-USA with league-leading 10 assists KYLE PARKER Parker, Bronico and Matej Dekovic named all-Southeast Region College Soccer News 2nd Team all-American Max Rodriguez and Austin Pack joined trio in earning all-Conference KYLE PARKER USA honors 1st Team NSCAA all-Southeast Region Tommy Madden and Callum Montgomery named to C-USA all- BRANDT BRONICO Freshmen Team 1st Team NSCAA alll-Southeast Region Kyle Parker, 4th all-time in career goals (34); 7th in career points (83) MATEJ DEKOVIC 2nd Team NSCAA all-Southeast Region Austin Pack, 3rd all-time with 0.81 career goals against average; 5th with 15 shutouts
4 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 5
W OMEN’SSOCCER MARTHA THOMAS
Conference USA scoring leader Martha Thomas continued her attack on the Head Coach: record books for the 49ers women’s soccer team with a career-high 13 goals. JOHN CULLEN She led three 49ers on the all-Conference USA teams as the 49ers tied the Overall Record: 7-11-1 best five-game start under head coach John Cullen with wins in four of the first five games in 2015. C-USA Record: 3-6-1; 11TH KATIE O'NEAL
HIGHLIGHTS AWARDS: MARTHA THOMAS Martha Thomas, 1st Team all-Conference USA; NSCAA all-Central 2nd Team NSCAA all-American Region; C-USA all-Academic Katie O’Neill, 3rd Team all-Conference USA CONFERENCE USA: Back-to-back crowds of 1,000+ vs. #16/#17 South Carolina and USF MARTHA THOMAS 1st Team all-Conference USA Annika McHenry, all-Academic USA Academic Team KATIE O’NEILL Hannah Rempe, Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week, 3rd Team all-Conference USA Aug. 29 MEGAN MCCALLISTER Martha Thomas, 1st player in 49ers history to score double- All-Conference USA Freshman Team digit goals in her first two seasons and only third ever to do it in MARTHA THOMAS consecutive years Conference USA all-Academic Team 3-2 win over UAB Sept. 25 to improve to 10-2-1 in league openers ANNIKA MCHENRY in C-USA Conference USA all-Academic Team G OLF
THOMAS ROWLAND Head coach Ryan Cabbage had to do without all-American Riley Davenport Head Coach: during the spring season as the 49ers tried to continue a roll that had seen them RYAN CABBAGE win a 2015 NCAA Regional Title. With a pair of talented juniors leading the way, C-USA Finsh: T8TH OF 13TH Charlotte battled through the spring to an 8th-place finish at the Conference USA Championships and a tournament title at the Davidson Invitational while Postseason: SETH GANDY Seth Gandy earned an individual spot at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional. COMPETES IN With Gandy’s NCAA appearance, the 49ers have been represented in NCAA NCAAS AS AN postseason competition in each of the last 12 years. INDIVIDUAL
HIGHLIGHTS Junior Seth Gandy advances to NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional, finishes T36th Opened the season receiving votes in the Golfweek National Poll 49ers finished in the top half of three of their four events in the fall 49ers placed 3rd at the Rees Jones Invitational at Daufauskie Island in September 49ers claimed first place at Davidson Invitational in early March C-USA Golfer of the Week Thomas Rowland won individual title at SETH GANDY Davidson Invitational
RILEY DAVENPORT Junior Seth Gandy tied for 4th at C-USA Championships AWARDS: Junior Victor Wiggins tied for 13th at C-USA SETH GANDY 1st Team all-Conference USA Wiggins team-high 7 Top 20 finishes
VICTOR WIGGINS Gandy team-high 3 Top 10 finishes 2nd-Team all-Conference USA Nicolas Manificier had Top 10 finishes first two outings of the year Gandy (73.19) and Wiggins (73.70) lead 49ers in stroke average 6 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 7
V OLLEYBALL
First-year head coach Karen Weatherington had a pair of standout seniors Head Coach: BRITNEY LEIGH HELD to lean on to try to make a mark with a large group of underclassmen. Sarah KAREN WEATHERINGTON McDonald led the 49ers attack, while Britney Leigh Held graduated as one of the program’s all-time top setters as Charlotte welcomed in a new era Overall Record: 8-19 of 49ers volleyball. C-USA Record: 5-11/10TH HIGHLIGHTS AWARDS: Sarah McDonald led the 49ers with 298 kills ABREIA EPPS Britney Leigh Held became 6th 49er to surpass 3,000 assists 2nd-Team all-Conference USA Sarah McDonald and Kaylyn Torain named all-Tournament at the BRITNEY LEIGH HELD Charlotte Invitational C-USA Spirit of Service MORGAN BARKER Britney Leigh Held named all-Tournament at Appalachian State Anna Henderson led the 49ers with 101 blocks Shelby Green led the 49ers with 38 Aces and 391 Digs Charlotte-led C-USA in service aces with 1.51 per set Britney Leigh Held earned a C-USA Spirit of Service Award Dig Pink Match attracted 1,647 fans vs. #22 WKU Had 13 players named to the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll SEAN GEOHEGAN B ASEBALL
Charlotte won four of its final six games, including the regular-season finale Head Coach: vs. UAB to claim the final spot in the Conference USA Tournament on the final LOREN HIBBS day of the season. The dramatics were set up by early-season win streaks of Overall Record: 23-32 five and four games, a series win at 12th-ranked FAU and a school-record tying three road wins over ranked opponents. The 49ers also posted a win over C-USA Finsh: 12-17/8TH Georgia at uptown Charlotte’s BB&T Ballpark and boasted an offense that saw four batters hit over .333.
HIGHLIGHTS Tied a school-record with three Top-15 road wins (Wins at #12 FAU 12-7; 7-6 (15) and at #15 Rice, 1-0) Topped Georgia, 10-5 uptown at Charlotte Knights BB&T Ballpark
ZACH JARRETT Brett Netzer cracks walk-off Homer in 7-6 win over Wake Forest Won four extra-inning games with walk-offs vs. Toledo, Fairfield and FIU DEREK GALLELLO Four 49ers batted over .333 led by Brett Netzer (.384) and TJ Nichting (.358) AWARDS: Logan Sherer led 49ers in HRs (12) and RBIs (52) BRETT NETZER C-USA Pitcher-of-the-Week Josh Maciejewski threw a one-hit shutout 2nd-Team all-Conference USA of Marshall T.J. NICHTIN Josh Maciejewski led 49ers in strikeouts (65) and shared lead in wins (5) with 2nd-Team all-Conference USA Holden Capps LOGAN SHERER 49ers led C-USA in doubles (105) with six players in double figures 2nd-Team all-Conference USA REECE HAMPTON Holden Capps and Drew Ober sweep C-USA Pitcher and Player-of-the- Conference USA all-Academic Team Week Awards after series win at #12 FAU Reece Hampton started career with a freshman-record 17-game hit streak 8 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 9
S OFTBALL
Charlotte used a near record-breaking hot start — winning each of their first Head Coach: 11 games and 12 of their first 14 — to earn votes in the national polls for the AIMEE DEVOS first time in school history. With one of the program’s all-time top pitchers and Overall Record: 32-23 some young bats making an impact, the 49ers put together the best winning percentage and recorded the most wins for the program since 2010. C-USA Finsh: GRACE BEATTY 11-13/T8TH LEXI BETANCOURT
HIGHLIGHTS AWARDS: 11-0 start is 2nd best in school history LEXI BETANCOURT 3rd Team CoSIDA Academic all-America Defeated #16 Kentucky, 5-3, for first ranked win since 2012 HALEY PACE Charlotte defeated Toledo 9-1 for its 400th home program victory 3rd Team CoSIDA Academic all-America Received votes in national polls for first time in school history HALEY PACE NFCA Second Team all-Region Enjoyed first three-game conference sweep since 2002; winning three straight at Marshall EMMA OCKER 1st Team all-Conference USA Added a three-game sweep at middle Tennessee, marking the first time in LEXI BETANCOURT program history the 49ers have swept two teams in the same C-USA season 2nd Team all-Conference USA Offense led by five underclassmen batting over .300 (Rhoney, Pace, Ocker, EMMA OCKER Birch, and Beatty) Conference USA all-Freshman Team Sophomore Haley Pace led the 49ers in HRs (9) and led Conference USA LEXI BETANCOURT with 49 RBIs Conference USA all-Academic Team Lexi Betancourt all-time career wins leader (72) HALEY PACE Conference USA all-Academic Team Lexi Betancourt ranks second all-time in strikeouts (749) and third in shutouts (22) HALEY PACE C-USA Spirit of Service Emma Ocker set a freshman record with 39 runs scored, and her 61 hits were 3 shy of that freshman record 1-2 punch of Lexi Betancourt and Haley Wiseman posted team’s best ERA in 5 years; 4th most shutouts in 30 years T RACK & FIELD
With a core group of seniors on the men’s side and a trio of standouts on Head Coach: the women’s, the 49ers recorded their best finishes at the Conference USA BOB OLESEN Outdoor Championships in program history. The men took fourth place with C-USA Finsh: program-best 96 points while the women finished fifth. The Niners reached MEN’S INDOOR: 6TH OF 10 WOMEN’S INDOOR: 5TH OF 13 the podium nine times (six on the men’s side, three on the women’s). Charlotte MEN’S OUTDOOR: 4TH OF 10 sent eight athletes to the NCAA East Preliminaries, where senior standout Trey WOMEN’S OUTDOOR: 5TH OF 13 McRae qualified for the NCAA finals in both of his events. During the indoor
TREY MCRAE season, five 49ers medaled at the C-USA Championships, and Charlotte broke eight school records on the season. The Niners also placed a league-high five athletes on the C-USA all-Academic teams, the most in school history.
HIGHLIGHTS C-USA Outdoor Championships Top Performer Trey McRae wins the NCAA Regional in the high jump and ranks 3rd in the nation in the high jump and 12th in the long jump to qualify for nationals in both events Women placed 5th of 13 teams at the C-USA Indoor Championship • Taylor Carcella, 2nd in the mile, C-USA Indoor Championship • Victoria Merriweather, 3rd in weight throw, C-USA Indoor Championship Men placed 6th at the C-USA Indoor Championship NATHAN JEFFERS DEJAH HAYES • Stevan Veselinovic, 1st in weight throw, C-USA Indoor Championship • Anthony Campbell, 2nd in the triple jump, C-USA Indoor Championship • Keon Howe, 3rd in the pole vault, C-USA Indoor Championship
10 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 11
Stevan Veselinovic and Victoria Merriweather set school records in the indoor AWARDS: KEON HOWE weight throw and the outdoor hammer throw 1st Team all-Conference USA (Pole Vault) MEN'S INDOOR (Gold Medalist) New school records: Taylor Carcella (indoor 1,000m); Trey McRae (outdoor STEVAN VESELINOVIC high jump); Keon Howe (indoor pole vault); Michael Tamayo (outdoor 800m) 1st Team all-Conference USA (Weight Throw) STEVAN VESELINOVIC (Gold Medalist) 1st Team all-Conference USA (Hammer Senior class includes: all-Americans Trey McRae, Anthony Campbell, K’Vonte Throw) (Gold Medalist) Scott, NCAA Finalist Anthony Bynum and 5-time record-holder ANTHONY CAMPBELL Michael Tamayo 2nd Team all-Conference USA (Triple Jump ANTHONY CAMPBELL (Silver Medalist) 2nd Team all-Conference USA (Triple Jump) Women boast several performers ranked in 49ers all-time Top 5, including: (Silver Medalist) • Freshman Caroline Sang, 2nd in 3000 (ranks 2nd in C-USA); KEON HOWE ZACH GRETH Sophomore Tori Ebert, 2nd in shot put; Senior Alvonna Blakney, 2nd in 3rd Team all-Conference USA (Pole Vault) (Bronze Medalist) CoSIDA Academic all-District, Conference 100 hurdles; Junior Brittany Plummer, 2nd in pole vault USA all-Academic Team K’VONTE SCOTT Freshman triple jumper Markel Dalton, sophomore sprinter Kristen Williams DANIEL BEAMER C-USA Spirit of Service and freshman sprinter Kiana Lee qualify for the USATF Junior Conference USA all-Academic Team National Championships WOMEN'S INDOOR 49ers sent eight performers to the NCAA East Preliminaries in Jacksonville, WOMEN'S OUTDOOR FL, with McRae advancing to the NCAA National in Eugene, OR: TAYLOR CARCELLA VICTORIA MERRIWEATHER • Freshman Stevan Veselinovic (hammer throw, Senior Anthony Bynum 2nd Team all-Conference USA (Mile) 1st Team all-Conference USA (Hammer (Silver Medalist) Throw) (Gold Medalist), Conference USA (100m, 200m), Senior Anthony Campbell (triple jump), Senior Trey all-Academic Team McRae (high jump, long jump), Senior Michael Tamayo (800m), VICTORIA MERRIWEATHER Freshman Caroline Sang (10K), Junior Victoria Merriweather (hammer 3rd Team all-Conference USA (Weight Throw) ASHLEIGH HANDCHEN (Bronze Medalist) throw, discus), a Freshman Elizabeth Olesen (high jump) 2nd Team all-Conference USA (3,000m Steeplechase) (Silver Medalist)
MEN'S OUTDOOR KRISTEN WILLIAMS TREY MCRAE 3rd Team all-Conference USA (400m) C-USA High Scorer of the Meet, Conference (Bronze Medalist) USA Field Performer of the Meet, 1st Team all- TAYLOR CARCELLA Conference USA (Long Jump) (Gold Medalist), Conference USA all-Academic Team 1st Team all-Conference USA (High Jump) (Gold Medalist), 1st Team all-Conference USA (Triple KRISTEN WILLIAMS Jump) (Gold Medalist) Conference USA all-Academic Team ALEJANDRO MORENO
M EN’STENNIS
Highlighted by the record-setting performance of the 49ers newest all-time Head Coach: ace, the men’s tennis team put together a 12-8 season that earned them the JESSE TARR #6 seed at the C-USA Championships. Jordi Massalle-Ferrer completed his Overall Record: 12-8 career as the 49ers all-time leader in career singles and career doubles wins, breaking the 49ers 14-year-old records in both categories. C-USA Tournament Seed: 6 HIGHLIGHTS 49ers enjoyed a 8-2 record at Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex Enjoyed six-match win streak over likes of ECU, Davidson and App State Jordi Massalle-Ferrer led 49ers with 18 singles wins, including a 15-3 record at #2 singles Top single Vikram Hundal was 12-6 at #1 and had 15 singles wins Oriol Puig (16) and Sam Rice (14) also posted double-digit singles’ wins CARL SOLIK Jordi Massalle-Ferrer named to C-USA all-Academic Team for 3rd AWARDS: straight year JORDI MASSALLE FERRER Team earned APR NCAA Public Recognition Award VIKRAM HUNDAL 1st Team all-Conference USA Singles 49ers new all-time Singles Champion: Jordi Massalle-Ferrer, 96 career JORDI MASSALLE FERRER singles wins 2nd Team all-Conference USA Doubles 49ers new all-time Doubles Champion: Jordi Massalle-Ferrer, 90 career VIKRAM HUNDAL doubles wins 2nd Team all-Conference USA Doubles The doubles team of Jordi Massalle Ferrer and Vikram Hundal won four JORDI MASSALLE FERRER qualifying round matches to reach the main draw of the ITA all-American Conference USA all-Academic team Championships, October 2015
12 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 13
W OMEN’S TENNIS
VICTORIA PAHLETT Charlotte’s women’s tennis squad rallied to win each of its last five regular- Head Coach: season matches to take a 10-9 record into the Conference USA Championships. MICHAELA GORMAN Behind the strength of its top two singles Victoria Pahlett and Tai Martin as well as solid doubles’ play, the 49ers put together a stellar record at home in Overall Record: 10-10 the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex. C-USA Tournament Seed: 10 HIGHLIGHTS Faced three nationally-ranked opponents, including #66 Winthrop at home AWARDS: TAI MARTIN Victoria Pahlett earned a victory over a nationally-ranked opponent, topping 3rd Team all-Conference USA Singles Winthrop’s Alice Garcia MACY VONDERSCHMIDT Charlotte won the doubles point in 10 matches 3rd Team all-Conference USA Singles Senior Tyler Baker led the 49ers with 19 singles wins playing primarily at #4 Five players posted double-digit wins on the season (Tyler Baker, Victoria Pahlett, Tai Martin, Macy Vonderschmidt and Alexandra Lee) Tyler Baker and Macy Vonderschmidt teamed up for best doubles mark with 11 victories Posted a 6-2 mark at the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex
MACY VONDERSCHMIDT AUSTIN DUKE F OOTBALL
The 49ers broke onto the FBS scene in 2015 in the young team’s first season Head Coach: as a member of Conference USA. The upstart program picked up a win in BRAD LAMBERT their first FBS contest on the road at bowl-bound Georgia State thanks, in Overall Record: 2-10 part, to another historic defensive touchdown. The 49ers were led by DL Larry Ogunjobi and RB Kalif Phillips, the 49ers first all-Conference USA performers, C-USA Record: 0-8 as Charlotte took the next step in the program’s evolution.
HIGHLIGHTS URIAH LEMAY Topped bowl-bound Georgia State, 23-20, in season opener for first FBS win in the first FBS contest Terrance Winchester returned a fumble on the game’s first possession, sparking memories of the 49ers first-ever TD, two years earlier All-Conference USA Defensive Lineman Larry Ogunjobi (2nd in C-USA in tackles for loss; school-record 4.5 v. UTSA) KALIF PHILLIPS All-Conference USA Running Back Kalif Phillips (5th in C-USA in rushing; AWARDS: school-record 204 yards rushing at ODU) LARRY OGUNJOBI Played 5 games against bowl teams, including program’s first Power 5 2nd Team all-Conference USA matchup at SEC member Kentucky KALIF PHILLIPS Lee McNeill, Conference USA all-Academic Team 2nd Team all-Conference USA Blake Brewer, C-USA Special Teams’ Player of the Week (3-3 FG; 2-2 LEE MCNEIL PAT in win at Georgia State) Conference USA all-Academic Team Linebackers Nick Cook and Caleb Clayton-Molby led 49ers in tackles Cornerback Terrance Winchester school-record 4 INT to lead C-USA Austin Duke, 534 receiving yards; 5 TDs
14 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 15
C ROSS COUNTRY
The 49ers men’s and women’s cross-country teams both finished in the top Head Coach: BEN STERETT half of Conference USA and placed three runners on the all-Conference USA ALEX GIBBY teams to highlight the fall performances. Seven runners from each squad C-USA Record: M: 5TH OF 11 posted the personal-best times under head coach Alex Gibby as the 49ers W: 5TH OF 13 raced to their fifth-place finishes at the C-USA Championships.
AWARDS: HIGHLIGHTS MIKE TAMAYO Men finished 5th of 11 teams at C-USA Championships 3rd Team all-Conference USA DANIEL BEAMER Women finished 5th of 13 teams at C-USA Championship DANIEL BEAMER 3rd Team all-Conference USA Men: Charlotte Invitational Champions; Wake Forest Invite Runner-Up CAROLINA CASIN-SILVA Women: Charlotte Invitational Runner-Up 3rd Team all-Conference USA Michael Tamayo and Daniel Beamer earned all-Conference USA honors ZACH GRETH Conference USA all-Academic Team Carolina Casin-Silva earned all-Conference USA honors DANIEL BEAMER Tom Nobles, Charlotte Invitational Individual Runner-Up Conference USA all-Academic Team Tom Nobles and Ben Sterett finished 1-2 for the 49ers in the first three meets Carolina Casin-Silva led 49ers in four races Caroline Sang and Morgan Richards placed 1-2 for the 49ers at NCAA Southeast Regional
ACADEMIC SUCCESS & COMMUNITY SERVICE
ACADEMIC SUCCESS • The women’s cross-country team received USTFCCA Charlotte student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom. National all-American Recognition. The department achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.957 in the fall • Baseball had 53% of the team make the Athletic and 2.971 in the spring. For the fall 2015 semester, a record Director’s Honor Roll with a 3.0 or better semester 227 (56%) student-athletes received academic honors (3.0 and GPA for the fall semester and 56% of the team earned higher for the semester) and 195 (54%) earned honors for the a 3.0 or higher in the spring. spring 2016 semester. 50 student-athletes were named to the Chancellor’s List by earning GPAs of 3.8 and higher for the • Football had 45 team members make the Athletic fall semester and 43 made the list for the spring semester. 27 Director’s Honor Roll with a 3.0 or better semester student-athletes had a perfect 4.0 in the fall and 28 earned a GPA and 11 team members that graduated May 2016. 4.0 in the spring. Seven of the 15 teams had semester team • Golf had more than half of the team make the C-USA GPAs over 3.0 in fall 2015 and 6 of the 15 teams had semester Honor Roll for having at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in team GPAs over 3.0 in spring 2016. Nine of the 15 teams had the fall semester and earned a 3.07 cumulative GPA cumulative team GPAs over 3.0 after fall 2015 and spring 2016 in the spring semester. semesters. Of particular note, the following student-athletes • Men's basketball earned a 3.02 cumulative GPA in the and teams received special academic honors:this brochure and fall semester and had 5 team members graduate in this information is available upon request. May 2016. • Men’s soccer had over 53% of the team earn academic • Zach Greth (men’s cross-country/track & field) received honors for fall semester and 56% of the team earned a 2015 Fall Sports NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship a 3.0 or higher in the spring semester. Award. He also received the 2016 Provost Student- Athlete of the Year Award. • Men’s tennis had 86% of the team earn academic honors for fall 2015. • 2015-2016 CoSida Academic all-District: Lexi Betan- court, Haley Pace (softball); Jordi Massalle Ferrer • Men’s track & field had 27 of its team make the (men’s tennis-at-large). Athletic Director’s Honor Roll with a 3.0 or better semester GPA. • 2015-2016 C-USA Academic all-Conference: Lee McNeill (football); Zach Greth, Daniel Beamer (men’s • Softball recorded their highest semester GPA in cross-country); Brandt Bronico (men’s soccer); Martha program history with a 3.668 as well as their highest Thomas (1st team), Annika McHenry (2nd team) cumulative GPA in program history with a 3.495. (women’s soccer); Jordi Massalle Ferrer (men’s tennis); Both were the highest for the department for the Lexi Betancourt, Haley Pace (softball); Zach Greth, fall ‘15 semester. The spring semester GPA of 3.664 Daniel Beamer (men’s track & field); Taylor Carcella, continued to lead the department. Softball had 7 Victoria Merriweather, Kristen Williams (women’s Perfect Niners” (4.0 semester GPA) for the spring. track & field). • 18 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ACADEMIC SUCCESS & ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 19 COMMUNITY SERVICE
• Volleyball had 13 of the 15 student-athletes named COMMUNITY SERVICE to the Athletic Director's List for fall 2015 and 10 of • 3,371 hours of community service were donated 14 for the spring semester. by student-athletes to organizations in the Charlotte area. • Women's basketball placed 6 team members on the C-USA Honor Roll for earning a 3.0 cumulative • A record-breaking 4,722 life-skills credits were GPA or higher in the fall semester and had 2 team earned by student-athletes during the year. members graduate in May 2016. • 99.4% of student-athletes earned the minimum • Women’s soccer had 86% of their student-athletes number of required life-skills credits. earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher for fall 2015 and • AAC /Athletics sponsored 126 speakers, programs 79% of the team earned a 3.0 or higher in the spring. and life-skills opportunities. • Women's tennis had all 10 team members earn • Softball led all sports with an average of 19.45 life Athletic Director List honors by having a 3.0 semester skills completed per team member. GPA or better in the fall semester and posted a 3.55 semester GPA in the spring semester. • Men’s basketball led the men’s teams with an average number of credits completed per team • Lexi Betancourt won the C-USA 2016 Jim Castaneda member of 14.0. Postgraduate Scholarship Award • The Freshman Life Skills class leaders were • Women’s track & field earned their highest semester Meredith Harris (softball) and Conner Thomson GPA in program history and over 75% of the team (baseball) with 31 each. made the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll with a 3.0 or better semester GPA. • The Sophomore Life Skills class leaders were Rebecca Shipper (softball) and Kaylyn Torain • 2016 Arthur Ash Jr. Sports Scholars: Zhuvonte Wilson (volleyball) with 24 each. (men’s soccer); Martha Thomas (women’s soccer); Jordi Massalle Ferrer (men’s tennis); Christopher • The Junior Life Skills class leader was Jamal Boyd (men’s track & field); Ngozi Wedderburn Covington (football) with 25. (women’s track & field); Semen Sen (volleyball). • The Senior Life skills class leader was K’Vonte Scott (men’s track & field) with 20.
• Student-athletes reached the 4,000 total life skills earned mark for the 1st time in program history. SPONSORSHIPS, MARKETING & TICKETING
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS • Football attendance saw an increase of nearly 1,400 fans The Athletic Department has completed its fourth year of an per game in a year, while NCAA FBS programs saw a 11-year multimedia rights partnership with IMG College. The decrease of roughly 700 fans per game on average. three-member Charlotte IMG Sports Marketing Team includes a • The athletic department once again hosted Education Day general manager, senior account executive, and partner service in conjunction with a women’s basketball game welcoming coordinator who are charged with growing corporate and over 5,500 students from local Charlotte-Mecklenburg university relationships to help monetize the available marketing and Cabarrus County schools to participate in pregame assets within athletics. Charlotte IMG Sports Marketing built educational activities and cheer on the Charlotte 49ers. upon their growth from the inaugural season, currently managing over 80 partnerships. Most significant among these were: • Harris Teeter SOCIAL NETWORKING • OrthoCarolina Continued to grow social media numbers placing Charlotte • Carolinas Healthcare Systems in the top 5 in Conference USA in fans/followers including • Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated Facebook (2), Twitter (3), YouTube (2) and Instagram (1). • Bojangles’ • Facebook fans have grown to over 39,000 • UPS • Twitter followers grew to nearly 25,000 • Instagram followers grew to nearly 10,000 MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS • Introduced new student tailgating village providing access to tailgating closer to the stadium with overflow TICKETING area in Silver Lot, better incorporating students into the • The Charlotte 49ers welcomed over 249,000 fans to game-day experience. ticketed varsity sporting events during the 2015-2016 school year. • Implemented Pick Axe Points Student Rewards Program, allowing students to check-in to games via the Pick Axe • Charlotte men’s soccer finished 29th nationally in total Points App within a geo-fenced area, share check-ins attendance and 4th in average attendance among on social media, and take and post photos within the Conference USA for the 2015 season. app. The Pick Axe Points App also allowed for direct • Charlotte women’s soccer finished 58th nationally out communication via push notifications to students. of 333 NCAA Division I schools in attendance and 1st in • Served as a key campus partner in integrating the “Go Conference USA. Green and Wear Green Wednesday” campaigns to • Charlotte volleyball ranked third in attendance for encourage students, alumni, fans, and the Charlotte Conference USA during the 2015 season. community to proudly wear Charlotte green.
20 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 21 THE 49ER CLUB
For the 3rd straight year, annual donations to the Charlotte SPECIAL EVENTS 49ers Athletic Foundation have surpassed $2 million, coming in • Raised over $169,000 at the 12th Annual “Let Me Play” at over 2.2 million. Luncheon held in October at The Charlotte Convention Center. In its 12 years, this event has generated in excess Annual donations are received through four main entities: the of $1.4 million for our women’s athletics programs. Annual Giving Campaign, the "Let Me Play" luncheon, the 49er Theresa Drew, Managing Partner, Carolinas Practice of Club Golf Outing and the Great Gold Rush Auction. The spring Deloitte, served as chair and keynote speaker. Sponsors semester highlights the Athletic Foundation's efforts. The 49er included Deloitte, Bank of America, MetLife, Sealed Air, Club Golf Outing is held in April, the Great Gold Rush Auction Novant Health, Susan DeVore, Northwestern Mutual, is held in June and the Annual Giving Campaign concludes with Rodgers Builders, IMG Sports Marketing, The Robert & the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Annual donations do not Mariam Cannon Hayes Charitable Trust, OrthoCarolina, include monies raised through capital gifts or other restricted Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, Coca-Cola Bottling giving donations. Total contributions to the Athletic Foundation Company Consolidated, FFTC, Charlotte Knights, in 2015-2016 were $5.35 million. LandDesign, Hugh McColl, Duke Energy Foundation, Wells Fargo Company and Charlotte Hornets.
49ER CLUB ANNUAL GIVING • Raised $68,000 at the 39th Annual 49er Club Golf Outing • Raised $1,373,434 in gifts to the Annual Fund. presented by Mecklenburg Valve Source and held in April • Received $322,190 through in-kind gifts including but not at Pine Island Country Club. Mike Carlisto served as chair limited to, lodging, food, paper, printing, medical and for this year’s event where 32 teams participated. dental services. • Raised over $267,000 at the 33rd Annual Great Gold • A record 1,709 individuals/companies made a gift to the Rush Auction held in June at the James H. Barnhardt Annual Giving Campaign and over 2,600 made a gift to Student Activity Center and Dale F. Halton Arena. any foundation fund. Krista Long served as chair for this year’s event where more than 600 people bid on over 1,700 items in the • Membership in Niner Nation Gold, the student equivalent silent and live auctions. The Compass Group served as of the 49er Club, reached 127 members and raised presenting sponsor. $2,624.00. Brian Pearlman served as president and president-elect was Johnathan Blue. • The Annual Green Jacket Reception was held at the home of Larry and Ginger Griffin. More than 200 donors • Bill Whittaker served as chair of this year’s annual attended the reception, which was catered by Chartwells. fundraising drive. • The annual Endowment Donor Dinner was held at Quail Hollow Club in April to honor those who have made endowment gifts to the Athletic Foundation.
• Conducted Coaches Caravan Tours in Concord, the Triad and Ballantyne. ATHLETIC FOUNDATION
PURPOSE TAX IMPLICATIONS The Charlotte 49ers Athletic Foundation provides scholarship All contributions to the 49er Club are considered gifts to the Charlotte The following is an example of how the Priority Point assistance to over 400 male and female student-athletes in 17 varsity 49ers Athletic Foundation and are credited at full value for purposes System is applied: A 49er Club member has donated sports. Established in 1969, the Athletic Foundation has developed of the member’s University gift record. However, a contribution to the $1,000 per year for 8 consecutive years, purchased 4 into a vitally important support group, pursuing excellence, integrity 49er Club, which entitles the donor to priority assignment of men’s Green Tier FSLs and has purchased men’s basketball and pride in the University’s athletic program. The 49er Club, the basketball or football season tickets is 80% deductible for income season tickets for 5 consecutive years. Athletic Foundation’s official booster organization, offers membership tax purposes, according to Internal Revenue Code, Section 170 (I). In to both individuals and businesses. addition, the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that this 80% portion 8 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP...... 4 X 8 of your gift is only tax deductible to the extent that it exceeds the value 32 POINTS of the benefits you receive. The Athletic Foundation has estimated the METHODS OF CONTRIBUTION $1,000 DONATED DURING THE Alumni and friends of the Charlotte 49ers support athletic and fair market value of the benefits described in this brochure and this CURRENT FISCAL YEAR...... 3 X (1000/100) academic excellence through a variety of annual and special gifts. information is available upon request. 30 POINTS Each donor can elect to give in a way that best suits his or her personal $8,000 DONATED DURING THE MEMBER’S HISTORY...... 2 X (8000/100) preference. The most common methods of giving are listed below: PRIORITY POINT SYSTEM 160 POINTS Athletic Foundation donors receive priority seating assignments in • Cash and Other Gifts: Includes company and personal checks, $4,000 FSL PAYMENTS MADE DURING the Charlotte 49ers football stadium for football season tickets and American Express, VISA and MasterCard, as well as the THE MEMBER’S HISTORY...... 2 X (4000/100) in Halton Arena for men’s basketball season tickets. The Priority Point 80 POINTS donation of stocks, securities and real estate. System also applies to seating for regular-season road games and 5 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF PURCHASING • Employer Matching Gifts: Doubles or triples the impact of post-season tournaments/championships/bowl games. Priority points SEASON TICKETS...... 1 X 5 5 POINTS your gift, and increases your membership level and associated are assigned as follows: benefits. Contact the Athletic Foundation for more information TOTAL = 307 POINTS • 4 points for each consecutive year of 49er Club membership on matching gifts. • 3 points for each $100 donated during the current fiscal year • Athletic Scholarship Endowments: Can be named in honor BECOMING A MEMBER of individual or organization. Provides annually for a student- • 2 points for each $100 donated during the donor’s To become a 49er Club member, simply visit www. athlete’s tuition, room, meals, books and fees. membership history charlotte49ers.com and click on the 49er Club tab. Select Online Giving and create an account if you • In-Kind Gifts: Includes any professional service, product or • 2 points per $100 for FSL Total Paid do not already have one. Anyone who has given equipment which is of use to the Athletic Foundation. • 1 point for each consecutive year of purchasing men’s in the past will already have an account. Your tax- • Planned and Estate Gifts: Includes life income arrangements basketball season tickets as a current 49er Club member deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of from trusts, annuities, pooled income funds, etc. as well as life • 1 point for each consecutive year of purchasing football season Charlotte student-athletes. For questions, please insurance policies and individual estate bequests, such as cash tickets as a current 49er Club member contact the Athletic Foundation at (704) 687-4950. or real estate.
22 CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 23 FINANCIAL REPORT
$35M
32.7 $30M
29.5 27.8
$25M
$20M 20.5 20.3
17.4 17.2 16.3 $15M 15.6 15.6
13.5 12.7 11.7 $10M 11.4 9.7 9.5 8.5 8.3 7.1 7.4 $5M
$0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
T E T A
100% 155.2 121.1 248.8 245.8 293.6 332.2 303.3 90% 417.0
163.7
80% 707.4
70%
60%
50% 625.2 4,105.5 2,624.1 2,867.1 3,269.1 2,187.5 1,839.0 1243.2 40% 1,625.2
385.9
30% 959.6
20%
10%
0% 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015