OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE TABLE OF CONTENTS 215 Centerview Drive, Suite 115 Introduction Brentwood, TN 37027 Media Information ...... 2 Phone - (615) 371-1698 OVC Style Guide ...... 3 FAX - (615) 891-1682 Conference History ...... 4-5 www.OVCSports.com OVC Honors/Awards ...... 6 www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com OVC Commissioner ...... 7 OVC Staff ...... 8-10 FCS Conference Alignment ...... 11 STAFF Division I Football Information ...... 12-13 2016 Season Preview/Notes ...... 14-15 Beth DeBauche, Commissioner 2016 Composite Schedule/2016 Schedule ...... 16 E-mail: [email protected] 2016 Team Information/Outlooks Kyle Schwartz, Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations Austin Peay ...... 17-22 E-mail: [email protected] Eastern Illinois ...... 23-28 Brian Pulley, Assistant Commissioner for External Affairs Eastern Kentucky ...... 29-34 E-mail: [email protected] Jacksonville State ...... 35-40 Murray State ...... 41-46 Stephanie Castera Assistant Commissioner for Institutional Services/SWA Southeast Missouri ...... 47-52 E-mail: [email protected] Tennessee State ...... 53-58 Tennessee Tech ...... 59-64 Heather Brown, Director of Media Relations UT Martin ...... 65-70 E-mail: [email protected] 2015 in Review Bryce Robinson, Director of Compliance and Digital Media 2015 All-OVC Teams ...... 71 E-mail: [email protected] Final 2015 OVC Standings/Statistics ...... 72-75 Lauren Berst, Director of Administration OVC Teams and Players in Final National Statistics ...... 76 E-mail: [email protected] 2015 OVC Players of the Week/Final FCS Top 25 polls ...... 77

Jon Kuka, General Manager - OVC IMG Sports Marketing OVC Records/History E-mail: [email protected] Year-by-Year OVC Final Standings ...... 78-79 Year-by-Year OVC Champions ...... 80 Jim Jackson, Coordinator of Football Offi ciating Year-by-Year All-OVC Teams ...... 81-85 E-mail: ovcfootball@epbfi .com All-Time OVC Player and Coach of the Year Winners ...... 86-87 OVC First-Team All-Americans ...... 88 Record Book - Individuals ...... 89-92 Record Book - Team ...... 93-94 Year-by-Year Statistical Leaders ...... 95-97 All-Time OVC Players of the Week ...... 98-103 All-Time OVC Preseason Polls ...... 104-105 MEMBERSHIP NCAA Division I Football Championship/Bracket ...... 106-107 OVC Postseason History ...... 108-109 Austin Peay State University - Clarksville, Tenn. Final FCS/I-AA Yearly Polls ...... 110-111 Member since 1962 Conference Series Game-by-Game ...... 112-113 OVC Schools vs. FBS Teams ...... 114 Belmont University - Nashville, Tenn. Largest Crowds in OVC History ...... 115 Member since 2012 Sgt. York Trophy Presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee .....116-117 Delta Dental of Tennessee ...... 118 Eastern Illinois University - Charleston, Ill. Member since 1996 DoubleTree ...... 119 All-Time Sports Network Award Winners ...... 120-121 Eastern Kentucky University - Richmond, Ky. NCAA Overtime Rules/OVC Overtime History ...... 122 Member since 1948 OVC Players in the NFL Draft ...... 123

Jacksonville State University - Jacksonville, Ala. OVC Digital Network...... 124 Member since 2003 Wilson ...... 125 Morehead State University - Morehead, Ky. Millennium Maxwell House ...... 126 Member since 1948 Composite Schedule Grid...... 127

Murray State University - Murray, Ky. Member since 1948 CREDITS Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau, Mo. This 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide was written, Member since 1991 designed and edited by Kyle Schwartz, Assistant Commissioner for Media Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - Edwardsville, Ill. Relations. Assistance provided by and a special thanks to the sports infor- Member since 2008 mation directors at the nine OVC football playing institutions for providing content and assistance. Tennessee State University - Nashville, Tenn. Member since 1986 The guide is available at OVCSports.com as a PDF download. Upon request Tennessee Technological University - Cookeville, Tenn. it is also available on CD. The CD also contains the PDF media guides of Member since 1949 all nine OVC football schools as well as a Logo/Headshot Library of the University of Tennessee at Martin - Martin, Tenn. Conference offi ce and member institutions. To request a copy, contact Kyle Member since 1992 Schwartz in the OVC offi ce.

2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide • 1 SCHOOL WEBSITES Ohio Valley Conference ...... www.OVCSports.com MEDIA INFORMATION Austin Peay ...... www.LetsGoPeay.com OVCSPORTS.COM TWO-WAY TIES Eastern Illinois ...... www.EIUpanthers.com The offi cial website of the Ohio Valley Confer- 1.) A two-way tie shall exist only if the tied Eastern Kentucky ...... www.EKUSports.com ence is OVCSports.com. The website is a direct teams have the same number of losses. Jacksonville State ...... www.JSUGamecockSports.com partnership with SIDEARM Sports. The website 2.) Should two teams have the same num- Murray State ...... www.GoRacers.com contains all the latest news on the conference ber of losses, and the two teams played each Southeast Missouri ...... www.GoSoutheast.com including releases, statistics and standings. other during the regular season, the winner of Tennessee State ...... www.TSUTigers.com the head-to-head contest shall be the league’s Tennessee Tech ...... www.TTUSports.com OVC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK postseason representative. UT Martin ...... www.UTMSports.com The OVC will name an Offensive, Defensive, 3.) If the two tied teams have the same Special Teams and Newcomer of the Week number of losses, but did not play each other each Sunday afternoon during the regular during the regular season, the following proce- OVC GAMES ON THE RADIO/INTERNET season. A full report featuring league stand- dure shall be utilized to break the tie: Austin Peay ings, statistics and weekly matchups will be a.) A comparison of each team’s head- On the Radio ..ESPN Clarksville (540 AM/100.7 FM) to-head record against the team occupying the On the Internet...... www.letsgopeay.com available on Monday afternoons. The release will be posted on OVCSports.com and emailed highest position in the regular-season standings Talent ...... Brian Rives, Van Stokes that each team has played. If one team won its Eastern Illinois to local and national media. If you would like to game against that team, the winning team shall On the Radio ...... Hit Mix 88.9 (WEIU) be added to the distribution list send an email be declared the representative. On the Internet...... www.weiuhitmix.net to [email protected]. b.) Should the procedure outlined in Talent ...... Mike Bradd, Jack Ashmore Item a. fail to break the tie, the process will Eastern Kentucky OVC COACHES TELECONFERENCES continue to the next-place team and beyond On the Radio ...... WCYO-FM 100.7 During the regular season a weekly teleconfer- until the tie is broken. On the Internet...... www.wcyofm.com ence featuring the league’s nine head coaches c.) When arriving at another group of Talent ...... Greg Stotelmyer, Jim Tirey will be held every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. tied teams, composite records between the ty- Jacksonville State Central Time. The first teleconference will ing teams shall be utilized to determine if one On the Radio ...... WLJS-FM 91.9 take place on Tuesday, August 30. A schedule of the tied teams has won more games against On the Internet...... www.jsu.edu/92j of what times coaches will appear weekly is Talent ...... Mike Parris, Ray Hammett the group of tied teams. below. For information on how to access the 4.) If the procedures described previously Murray State call, please contact Kyle Schwartz in the OVC On the Radio ...... WFGE-FM 103.7 fail to break the tie, the representative shall be Offi ce (615-690-6685 or [email protected]). On the Internet...... www.GoRacers.com determined by a coin fl ip. 10:00 - Mitch Stewart, Murray State Talent ...... Neal Bradley 10:07 - Marcus Satterfi eld, Tennessee Tech Southeast Missouri MULTIPLE TIES 10:14 - Kim Dameron, Eastern Illinois On the Radio ...... ESPN 92.9 FM (KLSC) 1.) A multiple tie (three or more teams) On the Internet...... GoSoutheast.com 10:21 - John Grass, Jacksonville State shall exist only if the tied teams have the same Talent ...... Erik Sean, Rick Wieser, Todd Bonacki 10:28 - Tom Matukewicz, Southeast Missouri number of losses. Tennessee State 10:35 - Will Healy, Austin Peay 2.) If all of the teams involved in the multiple On the Radio ...... 102.1 FM The Light 10:42 - Jason Simpson, UT Martin tie played each other during the regular season, On the Internet...... TSURadio.com 10:49 - Rod Reed, Tennessee State then the composite records among the tied Talent ...... Greg Pogue, Albert Dawson 10:56 - Mark Elder, Eastern Kentucky teams shall be compared to break the tie. Tennessee Tech 3.) If the process outlined in Step 2 reduces On the Radio ...... 98.5 Kiss FM OVC AND SOCIAL MEDIA the tie to a tie among two teams, the two-team On the Internet...... www.TTUSports.com Media and fans can get the latest updates on tiebreaker formula shall then be utilized. Talent: ...Roger Ealey, Buddy Pearson, Dylan Vazzano Ohio Valley Conference happenings by using 4.) If not all of the tied teams played each UT Martin the social media outlets of Twitter and Face- other during the regular season, or if step 2 On the Radio ...... WCMT-FM 101.3/WUTM 90.3 book. Followers and fans of the OVC on each does not break or reduce the tie, the following On the Internet...... www.UTMSports.com application will get breaking news fi rst and procedure shall be utilized: Talent ...... Tom Britt, Chris Brinkley have the chance to access special content and a.) A comparison of each of the tied receive special deals. The OVC can be found teams’ head-to-head record against the team Note: All above radio listings are Flagship stations only on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ovcsports occupying the highest position in the regular- and does not include radio network affi liates. and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ season standings that each team has played. If ovcsports. You can also check out the league’s one team won its game against that team, the YouTube Channel at http://www.YouTube.com/ winning team shall be declared the representa- OVC PRESS BOX PHONE NUMBERS ohiovalleyconference and the OVC’s Blog at tive. Austin Peay ...... (931) 221-7191 b.) Should the procedure outlined in Eastern Illinois ...... (217) 581-7770 OVCExtra.com. Item a. fail to break the tie, the process will Eastern Kentucky ...... (859) 622-2226 continue to the next-place team and beyond Jacksonville State ...... (256) 782-5585/5586 FCS PLAYOFFS/OVC TIEBREAKER Murray State ...... (270) 809-6811 The participants in the 2016 NCAA Football until the tie is broken. Southeast Missouri ...... (573) 651-2191 Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) c.) When arriving at another group of Tennessee State ...... (615) 565-4450 Playoffs will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 20. tied teams, composite records between the ty- Tennessee Tech ...... (931) 372-6030/6031 In the event of a tie for the OVC Championship, ing teams shall be utilized to determine if one UT Martin ...... (731) 881-7694/7632 the following procedures will be used to break of the tied teams has won more games against all ties and to determine the league’s NCAA the group of tied teams. playoff representative. 5.) If the procedures described previously fail to break the tie, the representative shall be determined by a blind drawing.

2 • 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE STYLE GUIDE Offi cial Institution Name Preferred Athletics Unacceptable Usages PMS Colors “Nickname” Reference

Austin Peay State University Austin Peay, APSU Austin Peay State, AP 200 Red “Governors” or “Govs” Lady Governors, Lady Govs

Belmont University Belmont Lady Bruins Red 186, Blue 281 “Bruins”

Eastern Illinois University Eastern Illinois, EIU Lady Panthers 2945 Blue, 422 Gray “Panthers” White

Eastern Kentucky University Eastern Kentucky, EKU --- 209 Maroon, 429 Gray “Colonels” White

Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State, JSU Jacksonville, Jack State 186 Red, 122 Gold “Gamecocks” Jax State Lady Gamecocks

Morehead State University Morehead State, MSU Morehead 286 Blue, 116 Yellow “Eagles”

Murray State University Murray State, MSU Murray, Lady Racers 123 Gold, 289 Blue “Racers”

Southeast Missouri State University Southeast Missouri State --- 186 Red, 05 Cool Grey “Redhawks” Southeast Missouri, Southeast Black

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville SIUE (preferred) Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 485 Red, 462 Dark Brown “Cougars” SIU Edwardsville SIU-E 7505 Brown, 465 Gold 7504 Light Brown

Tennessee State University Tennessee State, TSU --- Refl ex Blue “Tigers”, “Lady Tigers” (WBB only), “Tigerbelles” (W-Track only)

Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Tech, TTU, Tech Tenn. Tech, TT 266 Purple, 109 Gold “Golden Eagles”

The University of Tennessee at Martin UT Martin, UTM Tennessee-Martin 289 Blue, 151 Orange “Skyhawks” UT-Martin, Martin

Ohio Valley Conference Ohio Valley, OVC Valley 194 Maroon, 874 Gold Black

Above are the primary logos for the Ohio Valley Conference member institutions. All logos are trademarks of their respective universities.

This reference is intended only for media-related, non-commercial use. For more information or to request access to logos, contact Kyle Schwartz, Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations, at the Ohio Valley Conference at (615) 690-6685 or [email protected].

2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide • 3 ow in its 69th year, the Ohio Valley Conference continues to build on the suc- see). Following the 2011 season Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo retired after cess that has made it the nation’s eighth-oldest NCAA Division I conference. 25 years at the school (the last 16 as members of the OVC). In his time as an OVC N In May 2011 the Conference expanded for the second time in four years, coach he compiled 92 total victories (fi fth-most in league history) and 68 OVC wins adding Belmont University which began competition in the 2012-13 academic year. (fourth-most in league history) and was inducted into the OVC Hall of Fame in 2012. The addition of Belmont gave the OVC 12 members, the most the league has had In 2016 former Murray State head coach Frank Beamer (1981-86) was inducted into at one time in its illustrious history. The move added a second team in the city of the OVC Hall of Fame; he introduced his wide tackle six defense to the OVC and Nashville and was the fi rst addition to the league since Southern Illinois University compiled a 43-23-2 record with the Racers before leaving for his alma mater Virginia Edwardsville joined in 2008. Subsequently, the league has shown its stability over Tech where he won 280 games of 29 seasons. the past decade, seeing only one member institution depart over the past 16 years. A sampling of former OVC football stars, some of whom were All-Americans The 2009-10 school year saw a change in leadership as Beth DeBauche was during their collegiate careers before achieving stardom at the professional ranks, named the seventh full-time Commissioner in league history on July 28, 2009. The include Jim Youngblood and Larry Schreiber (Tennessee Tech), Phil Simms (Morehead last three commissioners of the OVC have moved onto jobs as the commissioner of State), Virgil Livers and Dale Lindsey (Western Kentucky), Myron Guyton and Chad the Big Ten, Big 12 and the Mid-American Conferences. Bratzke (Eastern Kentucky), Cortland Finnegan (Samford) and Tony Romo and Jimmy The OVC’s proud history dates back to 1948, but seeds for the new league Garoppolo (Eastern Illinois). In 2008, former Tennessee State standout Dominique were actually planted in 1941. It was then that Roy Stewart, the athletics director at Rodgers-Cromartie became just the fourth NFL First Round draft pick in OVC history Murray State, Charles “Turkey” Hughes, the athletics director at Eastern Kentucky, when he was selected 16th overall by the Arizona Cardinals. He would break into the and Kelly Thompson, the public relations director at Western Kentucky, fi rst broached starting lineup halfway through his rookie season and started at cornerback for the the idea of forming a new conference. Discussions were put on hold by World War II, Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. but reemerged February 27-28, 1948 at the Kentucky Hotel in Louisville as the three The 2007 season marked a return to scholarship football and the OVC for the original institutions combined with Morehead State, Louisville and Evansville to form Austin Peay Governors. Following the 1996 season the Governors dropped scholarship the OVC. football and competed as both an independent (1997-00, 2006) and as a member of In the 1950s, the OVC became a pioneer on a much more signifi cant scale the Pioneer Football League (2001-05). socially. During times of racial segregation, league member Morehead State became The 2007 season also brought new vernacular to the Ohio Valley Conference one of the fi rst non-traditionally black mid-southern institutions to accept a black and the division formerly known as I-AA. Beginning with the 2006 National Champion- student. In 1958 Marshall Banks earned athletically-related aid at Morehead, which ship game the term I-AA was changed to NCAA Football Championship Subdivision signed a second black athlete, Howard Murphy, a year later. In 1961 Murphy earned (FCS) in a decision by the Division I Board of Directors. The new label was chosen all-conference recognition as a halfback in football. With racial barriers broken, the to communicate in a positive and clear manner the unique differences between Divi- rest of the institutions in the league began to provide educational and athletic op- sion I football categories (chiefl y, the post-season opportunity) while still defi ning portunities to African-Americans. them within the Division I experience. The FCS includes programs that compete in After Title IX legislation passed in 1972, women’s athletics began a rebirth on an effort to participate in the NCAA championship postseason structure (one of 90 the national scene as the NCAA began sponsoring and marketing women’s sports. NCAA national championships) as opposed to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Recognizing the need to provide increased opportunities for female athletes, the which competes in an effort to participate in the postseason bowl system (the 41 OVC began formulating plans for women’s athletics in 1975 and established women’s NCAA-licensed events which includes the College Football Playoff). championships in the sports of basketball, tennis and track in 1977, with cross country In 2010 Southeast Missouri State, picked to fi nish seventh in the preseason and volleyball added over the next four years. Those sports were initially governed by poll, compiled a 7-1 Conference record on the way to its fi rst OVC Championship the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), but the overall strength since joining the league in 1991. Overall the Redhawks were 9-2 during the regular of women’s programs in the league was demonstrated by the automatic bids the season and earned a berth in the FCS Playoffs, its fi rst playoff berth at any level in OVC instantly received when the NCAA became the governing body in 1982. The the program’s 104-year history. Southeast would lose to eventual national champion conference added women’s golf and softball in 1994 and women’s soccer in 1998. Eastern Washington in the second round of the playoffs. Head coach Tony Samuel Through the past 68 years, 15 teams have won or shared the league’s football capped the year by winning the Sports Network’s Eddie Robinson Award, given to title. The list is led by Eastern Kentucky, winner of 21 outright or shared football the National Coach of the Year. Samuel was the second OVC coach to win the award crowns, which is tied for the most in Football Championship Subdivision history (with (joining Murray State’s Houston Nutt who won the award in 1995). Massachusetts). Among OVC teams, former member Middle Tennessee is next with For only the second time in league history in 2011, three teams shared the 11 titles, followed by Tennessee Tech with 10, and Murray State and former member OVC football championship, as Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Tennessee Western Kentucky with eight apiece. Eastern Illinois has claimed seven football crowns Tech fi nished with 6-2 records. The only other time in league history more than two and Jacksonville State has fi ve, while Morehead State, Tennessee State and former champions were crowned at the end of the year was 1962 (when four teams shared members Evansville and East Tennessee State have captured two apiece. Austin the crown). Peay, Southeast Missouri, UT Martin and former member Youngstown State have In 2012 Eastern Illinois became just the fourth football team in OVC history to one title apiece. go from worst-to-fi rst in winning the OVC Championship. The Panthers were led by Murray State and Evansville tied for the initial football championship, and the head coach Dino Babers who became just the fourth fi rst-year head coach to win an Racers participated in the fi rst-ever bowl game by an OVC team, tying Sul Ross OVC Championship (joining Boots Donnelly in 1977, Jason Simpson in 2006 and State 21-21 in the 1948 Tangerine Bowl. From 1948 to 1975, OVC teams played in Dean Hood in 2008 – Jacksonville State head coach John Grass would become the 15 bowl games, winning eight of them. Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky were fi fth coach to achieve that feat in 2014). During the year Eastern Illinois junior wide also participants in the NCAA Division II playoffs in the early and mid-1970s prior to receiver Erik Lora shattered the FCS single-season receptions record, hauling in 136 the NCAA’s reclassifi cation of football programs into Division I-AA. The term “I-AA” passes in 12 games; that mark was 13 more than the previous NCAA record and 44 lasted until the end of the 2006 season when it was changed to Division I Football more than the previous OVC mark. Championship Subdivision (FCS). In 2013 Eastern Illinois repeated as OVC Champions behind Walter Payton The fi rst Division I-AA/FCS football playoff was held in 1978 with only four Award winner Jimmy Garoppolo. The quarterback became just the second OVC player teams, which is the only year through present day that the OVC did not fi eld a playoff to earn the National Player of the Year Award, joining former EIU signal caller Tony representative. In 1979, four of the nation’s top teams were invited to the playoffs, Romo (2002). Garoppolo passed for 5,050 yards (second most in NCAA single-season and two of them - Eastern Kentucky and Murray State - were from the OVC. Murray history) and 53 touchdowns (fourth in NCAA history) in leading the Panthers to a 12-2 dropped its semifi nal game to Lehigh, but the Colonels nipped Nevada-Reno in double record and berth to the quarterfi nals of the FCS Playoffs. Garoppolo was drafted by overtime and claimed the national championship a week later with a 30-7 victory over the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, becoming just Lehigh. EKU was coached by former All-America quarterback Roy Kidd, who was the fi fth OVC player selected in that round and just the fi fth OVC quarterback ever in his 16th year at the helm of his alma mater and who skippered the Colonels to a selected (and fi rst since 1998). second national title three years later. Following the 2002 season, Kidd retired after The 2013 season saw the OVC snap a 19-game playoff losing streak dating 39 years at EKU; upon retirement, he ranked sixth all-time among Division I coaches back to the 2000 season. Tennessee State shutout Butler (marking the fi rst OVC with 315 victories, earning him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. EKU’s road playoff victory since 1986) to snap the streak while later that day Jacksonville now 21 FCS playoff appearances are the second for the most all-time (behind only State smashed Samford in the fi rst round. A week later Eastern Illinois beat Tennes- Montana’s 24 berths). see State while Jacksonville State won at McNeese State to each advance to the In addition to Kidd, other coaching legends in the OVC include Charles “Bubber” quarterfi nals; that marked the fi rst time the OVC put two teams in the quarterfi nals in Murphy, who coached at Middle Tennessee from 1947-1968, Western Kentucky’s Jimmy the same season since 1991. Overall the four total playoff wins in the same season Feix (1968-83), Wilburn Tucker (1954-67) and Don Wade (1968-82) of Tennessee established a new OVC record. Tech, Bill Ferguson (1967-77) of Murray State, Guy Penny (1959-67) of Morehead In 2015 Jacksonville State ascended to No. 1 in both major Top 25 polls, becom- State and Boots Donnelly (1977-78 at Austin Peay; 1979-1998 at Middle Tennes- ing the fi rst OVC team to be ranked No. 1 since the 1999 season. The Gamecocks FORMER COMMISSIONERS OF THE OVC

Art Guepe Paul Dietzel Bob Vanatta Jim Delany Dan Beebe Dr. Jon Steinbrecher (1963-75) (1975-76) (1976-79) (1979-89) (1989-2003) (2003-09)

4 • 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide would go on to complete its second-straight 8-0 Conference mark and won three The playing fi eld is not the only place where OVC athletes are working hard. playoff games to become the fi rst OVC team to advance to the Division I National The league also recognizes excellence in the classroom. Six Scholar-Athlete Awards Championship Game since 1982 (Eastern Kentucky). JSU lost to North Dakota State are presented yearly to male and female athletes, while others are commended for in the title game but fi nished the year 13-2 overall and ranked No. 2 in the fi nal Top their academic success by being Medal of Honor recipients or earning a spot on the 25 polls. Head coach John Grass became the fi rst OVC coach honored as the AFCA Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Additionally, the league annually presents one institutional National Coach of the Year while quarterback Eli Jenkins was named the FCS ADA Academic Achievement Award, as well as separate team awards in each Conference- National Quarterback of the Year, fi nishing the year with 2,788 passing and 1,161 sponsored sport. Since the CoSIDA Academic All-America program began, the OVC rushing yards (one of just three Division I quarterbacks – FBS or FCS - to achieve has had 250 student-athletes honored with the award. those numbers during the year). Through the early years of the league, administrators wrestled with fan behavior Football wasn’t the only sport in which the OVC was quickly gaining respect. due to the close proximity of the Conference members and the intense rivalries which In 1955, the OVC became only the second six-member league nationally to earn an developed. Just as it did decades ago, the OVC took the leadership role on what has automatic bid to the prestigious NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which, at that become a national issue. In 1995, the OVC implemented a fi rst-of-its-kind “Sports- time, was limited to only 24 participants. The Conference quickly proved worthy of manship Statement,” a policy which promotes principles of fair play, ethical conduct that bid, as Morehead State defeated Marshall (107-92) and Wayne State (95-84) in and respect for one’s opponent. The statement has become a model for others to the 1956 tournament. Fifteen years later, former OVC member Western Kentucky follow across the nation, and has answered the challenge of the NCAA Presidents became the fi rst and only Conference team to reach the Final Four. The Hilltoppers Commission to improve sportsmanship in collegiate athletics. defeated Jacksonville, Kentucky and Ohio State before losing to Villanova in double Additionally, the OVC annually presents the Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship overtime in the national semifi nals. WKU went on to fi nish in third place after beating Award, in honor of the former Morehead State student-athlete, coach and athletics Kansas 77-75 in the consolation game. director, to a junior or senior student-athlete with signifi cant athletic contributions who The league also had another historical moment in November 2008 when the best exemplifi es the characteristics of sportsmanship and citizenship. Most recently, NCAA awarded Nashville the 2014 NCAA Women’s Division I Final Four. The OVC the Conference has also implemented the OVC Institutional and Team Sportsmanship served as the host of the prestigious event, which is one of the biggest sporting Awards, which are presented to one institution and 18 sport-specifi c teams voted by events the city of Nashville can host. The event was held April 6 & 8 at Bridgestone their peers to have best exhibited the standards of sportsmanship and ethical conduct Arena in downtown Nashville and was played in front of sold-out crowds for both the as outlined by the OVC and NCAA. semifi nals and championship as UConn topped Notre Dame in a battle of undefeated The vision of leadership demonstrated by the Founding Fathers in 1948 remains teams to win its ninth national title. alive today as the Ohio Valley Conference prepares for the future. One example is in Over its 68 years, OVC teams have garnered national championships and bowl regard to the current trend in collegiate athletics administration for increased involve- games in football, along with national team or individual titles in the sports of rifl e, ment of university presidents in setting policies and making rules. The presidents cross country, track and golf. The OVC has also produced several Olympic athletes, of OVC institutions, however, have always governed the Conference, long before including Murray State’s Morgan Hicks, who was a member of the 2004 United States presidential governance became a national theme. Olympic Rifl e Team and Morehead State’s Brian Shimer who competed in fi ve Winter The Ohio Valley Conference sponsors the following sports: baseball, basketball, Olympics in bobsled (winning a bronze medal in 2002) and coached the 2010 United cross country, football, golf, tennis and track for men, and basketball, cross country, States bobsled team to its fi rst gold medal since 1948. In addition, some of the great- golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and volleyball for women. In addition, the OVC est players in professional sports were educated at OVC institutions. The list includes also sponsors the combined men’s and women’s sport of rifl e. former greats such as football’s Phil Simms (Morehead State), basketball’s Clem Now in its seventh decade of competition, the Ohio Valley Conference has Haskins (Western Kentucky) and Bubba Wells (Austin Peay) and two-sport star Steve grown signifi cantly from its humble beginnings while increasing the number of athletics Hamilton (Morehead State) to present-day standouts like basketball player Kenneth opportunities it provides for students. Current league representatives include charter Faried (Morehead State), football players Tony Romo (Eastern Illinois) and Jimmy members Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University and Murray State Garoppolo (Eastern Illinois) and baseball players A.J. Ellis (Austin Peay) and Shawn University, along with Austin Peay State University, Belmont University, Eastern Il- Kelley (Austin Peay). Hamilton is the only athlete to ever play in the NCAA Basketball linois University, Jacksonville State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Championship, a Major League Baseball World Series (New York Yankees) and a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Tennessee State University, Tennessee NBA Championship Series (Los Angeles Lakers). Technological University and the University of Tennessee at Martin. A LOOK AT THE OVC

Eastern Illinois Morehead State (Charleston, IL) (Morehead, KY)

SIUE SIU Edwardsville Eastern Kentucky (Edwardsville,(Edwardsville, IL)IL) (Richmond, KY)

Southeast Missouri State (Cape Girardeau, MO) Tennessee Tech (Cookeville, TN)

Murray State Tennessee State (Murray, KY) (Nashville, TN)

UT Martin Belmont (Martin, TN) (Nashville, TN)

Ohio Valley Conference Austin Peay (Brentwood, TN) Jacksonville State (Clarksville, TN) (Jacksonville, AL)

2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide • 5 OVC HONORS AND AWARDS The Ohio Valley Conference implemented a fi rst-of-its-kind “Sportsman- the only individual to have ever played in a NCAA Basketball Championship, ship Statement,” a policy promoting fair play, ethical conduct and respect for a Major League Baseball World Series (New York Yankees) and a National one’s opponent in 1995. The statement answered a challenge of the NCAA Basketball Association Championship Series (Minnesota Lakers). Presidents Commission to improve sportsmanship in college athletics, and In 2003-04 the League began awarding the Institutional Sportsmanship has become a model for others to follow across the nation. Award, given to the OVC member institution selected by its peers to have The development of the OVC sportsmanship statement began in June best exhibited the standards of sportsmanship and ethical conduct as outlined 1993 at the direction of the league’s presidents. A committee made up of by the OVC and NCAA. In 2005-06 the League expanded the sportsmanship athletics directors and faculty representatives drafted the initial statement, award program by adding the Team Sportsmanship Award. An award is given and all coaches and other administrators had the opportunity for input. The to each sport sponsored by the OVC and is voted on by the student-athletes statement sets forth expectations for spirit groups, offi cials and fans, as well and coaches of the respective sports. as the student-athletes and coaches. Here is a brief synopsis of each group’s expectations within the sportsmanship statement. OVC SPORTSMANSHIP HONOREES Administrators: Institutional administrators will create an environment of hospitality for visiting teams, particularly for those individuals at Conference Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award Winners institutions. Administrators will treat the visiting teams and its fans in the same 1998-99 Julie Virta (women’s basketball), Austin Peay manner that they would want their teams to be treated. 1999-00 Michael Turner (men’s basketball), Murray State 2000-01 Kelly Pendleton (women’s basketball), UT Martin Coaches: Coaches have the greatest amount of infl uence over whether 2001-02 Grant Swallows (football), Tennessee Tech young people in their programs are taught and follow the high principles of 2002-03 Brooke Armistead (women’s basketball), Austin Peay sportsmanship. The OVC has been benefi ted by coaches who have risked 2003-04 Kandi Brown (women’s basketball), Morehead State losing a contest by removing student-athletes who have demonstrated dis- 2004-05 Cassandra Peek (women’s basketball), Austin Peay respect for their opponents. This discipline measure educates that individual 2005-06 Zac Schlader (men’s basketball), Austin Peay about the importance of sportsmanship over participation and winning, and 2006-07 Adonia Bivins (women’s soccer), Austin Peay helps counteract the constant messages received from many professional 2007-08 Beth Boden (softball), Tennessee Tech athletes who demonstrate a lack of respect for opponents. 2008-09 Carrie Burggraf (track & fi eld), Austin Peay Student-Athletes: Student-athletes at OVC institutions will be expected to 2009-10 Carrie Burggraf (track & fi eld), Austin Peay treat opponents with sportsmanship, and there will be no tolerance for taunting 2010-11 Abby O’Connor (volleyball), Eastern Kentucky and baiting of opponents. OVC student-athletes must understand that they are 2011-12 Jon Clinard (baseball), Austin Peay perhaps the most visible representatives of their institutions and their behavior 2012-13 Sean Bailey (tennis), Austin Peay is observed and emulated by many who are younger. OVC student-athletes 2013-14 J.J. Mann (basketball), Belmont 2014-15 Alison Alcott (soccer), Belmont must honor the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of representing 2015-16 Dalton Screws (football), Jacksonville State our schools by behaving with dignity and class on and off the fi eld. Spirit Groups: Like our student-athletes, spirit groups are visible repre- Institutional Sportsmanship Award Winners sentatives of our universities, and they are expected to show decent behavior. 2003-04 Southeast Missouri State University Cheerleaders, bands and other spirit groups are admitted to contests to sup- 2004-05 Samford University port their teams and assist in creating a fun atmosphere, but they will not be 2005-06 Samford University allowed to disrupt or confront opposing teams. 2006-07 Morehead State University Offi cials: Offi cials will enforce the rules regarding sportsmanship without 2007-08 Austin Peay State University tolerance for abuse. Players and coaches will receive their only warning prior 2008-09 Eastern Kentucky University to the contest, and once the contest begins, penalties will be assessed for 2009-10 Eastern Kentucky University violations of unsportsmanlike conduct. 2010-11 Southeast Missouri State University Fans: We know all fans are embarrassed by the inappropriate behavior 2011-12 Tennessee Tech University of a few who may engage in confrontational and threatening actions towards 2012-13 Eastern Kentucky University 2013-14 Belmont University offi cials, visiting fans, players or coaches. Those individuals may be dismissed 2014-15 Belmont University to provide a better environment for others. 2015-16 Belmont University The Conference believes that the effort to meet the expectations outlined in the sportsmanship statement will increase the attractiveness at our athletics Football Team Sportsmanship Award Winners events by creating a healthy environment for competition. A complete copy 2005-06 Samford University of the sportsmanship statement can be obtained by calling the OVC offi ce at 2006-07 Eastern Illinois University (615) 371-1698. 2007-08 Austin Peay State University The OVC has a variety of awards to recognize sportsmanship by its student- 2008-09 Austin Peay State University athletes, coaches, administrators and teams. In 1998, the OVC established the 2009-10 Eastern Illinois University Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award, presented annually to a male or female 2010-11 Southeast Missouri State University junior or senior student-athlete who best exemplifi es the characteristics of the 2011-12 Austin Peay State University former Morehead State student-athlete, coach and administrator. Hamilton is 2012-13 Southeast Missouri State University 2013-14 Eastern Kentucky University 2014-15 Eastern Kentucky University OVC HALL OF FAME 2015-16 Tennessee Technological University The Ohio Valley Conference organized a Hall of Fame in 1977. Membership is limited to coaches, administrators, faculty and staff members who have been associated with the OVC for at least fi ve (5) years and have had extensive outstanding service to the Conference. Unless a tie in the selection procedure occurs, there shall be no more than three (3) inductees annually. Voting for the award is done in the spring and the induction takes place at the OVC Honors Luncheon, which is held annually at the end of May. Following the 2016 ceremony, the Hall of Fame now has 79 members. Dr. Joe Morgan, APSU (1977) Mr. Charles M. Murphy, MTSU (1982) Mr. John Stanford, MTSU (1997) Mr. Steve Newton, MUR (2007) Mr. Charles Hughes, EKU (1977) Mr. Malcolm P. Quillen, TTU (1984) Dr. Kala Stroup, MUR / SEMO (1997) Mr. Bill Worrell, TTU (2007) Dr. Robert Martin, EKU (1977) Mr. Ellis T. Johnson, MOR (1985) Dr. Margaret N. Perry, UTM (1998) Mr. Elvis Green, MUR (2008) Dr. Adron Doran, MOR (1977) Mr. John “Sonny” Allen, MOR (1987) Dr. Leon Bibb, APSU (1999) Mr. Joey Haines, SEMO/AP (2009) Mr. Roy Stewart, MUR (1977) Mr. Wilburn Tucker, TTU (1987) Mr. Cal Luther, MUR / UTM (2000) Mr. Larry Inman, EKU/MTSU (2009) Dr. W.E. Derryberry, TTU (1977) Mr. Johnny Reagan, MUR (1988) Mr. R.L. “Buddy” Patey, OVC (2000) Mr. Chuck Kimmel, APSU (2010) Mr. Hooper Eblen, TTU (1997) Dr. George Fisher, APSU (1988) Dr. Nolan Fowler, MOR / TTU (2001) Mr. David Mays, TTU (2010) Dr. Kelly Thompson, WKU (1977) Mr. John Oldham, WKU / TTU (1989) Dr. Angelo Volpe, TTU (2001) Mr. Ron English, OVC (2011) Mr. Ed Diddle, Sr., WKU (1977) Mr. Jimmy Earle, MTSU (1989) Mr. Jim Ward, EKU (2002) Mr. Bobby Nichols, TTU (2011) Mr. L.T. Smith, WKU (1977) Dr. Sam Ingram, MTSU (1990) Mr. Roy Kidd, EKU (2003) Mr. Bob Spoo, EIU (2012) Dr. Dave Aaron, APSU (1978) Mr. Bennie Purcell, MUR (1990) Dr. Bobby Barton, EKU (2004) Dr. Martha Mullins, EKU (2013) Mr. Bob Laughlin, MOR (1978) Mr. Donald G. Combs, EKU (1991) Mr. Wayne Martin, MOR (2004) Dr. Robert “Bob” Bell, TTU (2014) Mr. Ted Hornback, WKU (1978) Mr. Steve Hamilton, MOR (1991) Mr. Bill Cornell, MUR (2005) Margaret Simmons, MUR (2014) Dr. Quill E. Cope, MTSU (1978) Mr. James E. Delany, OVC (1992) Dr. David Larimore, TTU (2005) Dr. Rex Chaney, MOR (2015) Mr. J.D. Rayburn, MUR (1979) Mr. E.K. Patty, MTSU (1993) Mr. Karl Park, EKU (2005) Jim Skidmore, JSU (2015) Mr. Nick Denes, WKU (1979) Ms. Marynell Meadors, TTU (1993) Dr. Geri Polvino, EKU (2005) Dr. Doug Whitlock, EKU (2015) Mr. Raymond H. Brown, TTU (1980) Mr. Edward S. Temple, TSU (1995) Mr. Dan Beebe, OVC (2006) Frank Beamer, MUR (2016) Dr. Dero G. Downing, WKU (1980) Mr. John Ogles, APSU (1996) Mr. Paul McBrayer, EKU (2006) Dr. Gaines Hunt, APSU (2016) Mr. P.V. Overall, TTU (1981) Dr. Guy Penny, MOR (1996) Mr. Don Wade, TTU (2006) Dr. William Meehan, JSU (2016) Mr. Arthur L. Guepe, OVC (1982) Dr. Arliss Roaden, TTU (1996) Dr. Thurston Banks, TTU (2007)

6 • 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide Beth DeBauche - Commissioner Elizabeth (Beth) DeBauche was named Commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference on July 29, 2009 and began her duties with the league in September 2009. DeBauche (pronounced De-BUSH) is the seventh full-time Commissioner in the 67-plus year history of the OVC. She follows Art Guepe (1963-75), Paul Dietzel (1975-76), Bob Vanatta (1976-79), Jim Delany (1979-89), Dan Beebe (1989- 2003) and Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher (2003-09). In May 2011 the league announced the addition of Belmont University to the OVC beginning in 2012-13. The addition of Belmont brought the OVC to 12 teams, the largest membership total in league history. DeBauche served as the Chair of the Nashville Local Organizing Committee (NLOC) for the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four; the OVC served as the host institution of the event held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. It was termed one of the most successful Women’s Final Four’s ever by the NCAA staff, bringing more than 30,000 people to the city and resulting in an estimated economic impact of more than 20 million dollars. It also left a long-term mark on the city and middle Tennessee through a variety of legacy programs. Under DeBauche the league started an extensive strategic planning and branding initiative which led to the development of the league’s fi rst tagline of “Inspiring Excellence Since 1948.” The project also produced the league’s fi rst 30-second PSA commercial in over a decade as well as a longer feature video highlighting the Conference. The league recently adopted an updated strategic plan that includes goals for the league through 2019. In October 2013 the League launched OVCExtra.com, a fan-focused blog which features compelling, offbeat, and so- cial media-sourced content from around the league. During the 2014-15 year the blog added a Campus Correspondents program that included students from each member institution contributing material to the blog highlighting each of their campus communities in a creative way. During the 2012-13 school DeBauche oversaw the switch of the league’s web streaming efforts to a free access model which was rebranded the OVC Digital Network (OVCDN). The new OVCDN included HD video for the fi rst time and was made available on any platform/device. The Digital Network focuses on both athletic competition as well as telling the story of OVC and its member institutions. After seeing extreme growth in viewership in its fi rst year as a free service, the OVCDN has increased its viewership in each of its four years, broadcast over 2,000 events and had a viewership of over one million. In October 2013 the league signed a new fi ve-year agreement with ESPN that runs through the completion of the 2017- 18 season and includes a seven-game men’s basketball package as well as an eight-game ESPN3 Game of the Week football package which is done through a partnership with WebStream Sports. DeBauche also secured a deal with the CBS Sports Network to produce a four-game men’s basketball package for the fi rst time in 2013-14. During the 2015-16 academic year the OVC had the largest national basketball television package in its history with three national partners in ESPN, CBS Sports Network and the American Sports Network (ASN). The package included 22 total games including at least one national appearance for each member institution. In her time with the league the OVC has seen postseason success in men’s basketball as Murray State topped Van- derbilt in the fi rst round of the NCAA Tournament in 2010, Morehead State beat Louisville in the second round in 2011 and Murray State bested Colorado State in the second round in 2012. The league won NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games in four-straight years (2009-12) which marked a fi rst in league history. In 2016 the league had a record six men’s basketball programs compete in national postseason tournaments. Overall the OVC has had at least one victory in eight-straight postseasons, an all-time league record. In 2013 the OVC qualifi ed three teams for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs for the fi rst time in league history, with each of those teams winning at least one game. Overall the OVC recorded a league-record four wins in the postseason and advanced two teams to the quarterfi nals in the same season for just the second time in league history. In 2015 Jacksonville State became the fi rst OVC team to be ranked No. 1 nationally since 1999 and fi rst OVC squad to advance to the Division I National Championship game since 1982. OVC student-athletes have continued to achieve high levels of success not only on the fi eld but also in the classroom. The league has consistently seen record number of honorees on the OVC Medal of Honor and OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll lists during her tenure. During her tenure 71 OVC student-athletes have been named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. DeBauche has also sponsored leadership programming for OVC student-athletes and coaches through comprehensive on-campus summits. In October 2014 the league held its fi rst Health and Safety Summit which was designed to engage team physicians and athletic trainers regarding national and conference issues. In 2012-13 DeBauche helped spearhead a year-long celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Title IX. As part of the celebration each of the OVC’s 12-member institutions identifi ed a pioneer in women’s athletics and gender equality from their school to be honored during the year and celebrated at a home athletic event on their campus. The celebration was capped in May when those honorees were recognized at a special luncheon as part of the OVC Spring Meetings. Throughout the 2014-15 academic year the OVC celebrated diversity with through the stories of pioneers and leaders from each of our member institutions who paved and continue to pave the way for future generations of student-athletes and administrators. DeBauche currently serves on the NCAA Committee on Institutional Performance, the Committee on Academics, the NCAA Division I Leadership Council, the Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee and is the FCS representative to the “Coalition to Protect the Student-Athlete Experience” communications steering committee. She also serves as the chair of the National Letter of Intent (NLI) Policy and Review Committee. From August 2002 through August 2009 DeBauche, along with the vice-president of Division I, was responsible for coordinating Division I initiatives through the NCAA governance structure, as well as helping to manage the Division I agenda. Her duties included developing agendas and providing leadership for the Division I Board of Directors, Presidential Advisory Group and the Leadership Council. DeBauche has overseen the entire Division I governance structure and worked directly with the Legislative Council, the six cabinets and the supporting communications and coordination committee. She was also a liaison to governance representatives, external constituent groups and NCAA staff regarding legislative and governance activities. That role required DeBauche to have regular interaction with the Collegiate Commissioner’s Association (CCA), the CCA Compliance Coordinators, the Division I-A Athletics Directors Association, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) and the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA). DeBauche also served as a liaison to the Women’s Basketball Issues Committee, the Presidential Oversight and Monitoring Group, the Men’s Basketball Academic Enhancement Group, the Presidential Task Force on Commercial Activity in Intercol- legiate Athletics and the Two-Year College Relations Panel. In 2008, DeBauche was named the NACWAA Conference/Organiza- tion Administrator of the Year. Prior to her work at the NCAA, DeBauche worked at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from November 1996 through August 2002. As an as- sistant and later associate commissioner, she managed all aspects of the SEC’s rules compliance program. DeBauche provided NCAA and SEC rules interpretations, developing rules education materials and programming, conducting compliance reviews and assisting member institutions with the NCAA certifi cation program. At times during her tenure, she also served as the league’s liaison to the faculty athletics representatives, the compliance coordinators, directors of academic support and Student-Athletes Advisory Committee (SAAC) as well as the sports liaison to the leagues women’s golf, women’s tennis and women’s volleyball coaches. From 1996 to 1998 DeBauche was the Director of the National Let- ter of Intent (NLI) Program for the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA). In that role she was the administrator in charge of issuing all NLI rules interpretations, creating rules education materials and providing NLI rules education presentations as well as being the primary information resource for parents, student-athletes and the media. DeBauche got her start in collegiate athletics at Vanderbilt University where she was the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance from August 1994 to November 1996. DeBauche received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and gov- ernment from Saint Mary’s College (Ind.) and earned her Master’s Degree in communications from Notre Dame. After completing the Concannon Program of International Law in London, England, DeBauche received her Juris Doctorate from the Notre Dame School of Law. A member of the Illinois, Wisconsin and Georgia Bar, following law school graduation DeBauche worked as an attorney in each Green Bay, Atlanta and Marietta, as well as serving as a Judicial Clerk to P. Harris Hines, who is currently serving on the Georgia Superior Court. DeBauche has been a member of the Notre Dame Club of Indianapolis Board of Directors, as well as a graduate of the Sports Management Institute and a participant in the Division I-A Athletic Directors Institute. She is a board member with the Nashville Sports Council and the Nashville YWCA, a member of the Nashville Catholic Business Women’s League, the women’s networking group CABLE, the Nashville Rotary, the International Women’s Forum of Tennessee and Leadership Nashville.

2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide • 7 Kyle Schwartz - Asst. Commissioner/Media Relations Brian Pulley - Asst. Commissioner/External Aff airs Kyle Schwartz joined the Ohio Valley Brian Pulley was named Assistant Com- Conference as Assistant Commissioner for missioner for External Affairs on August Media Relations in November 2006. He is in 7, 2007. charge of publicity efforts for the Conference Pulley’s duties include overseeing the and is the primary contact for football, men’s league’s web streaming efforts, which basketball, baseball, men’s and women’s included an overhaul and rebranding into cross country and men’s and women’s golf the OVC Digital Network in 2012-13. The among other duties. He also serves as the web streaming changed to a free model media coordinator for the OVC’s annual with HD-quality and availability across all basketball and baseball tournaments and platforms which dramatically increased is also in charge of coordinating special viewership and streamed a record number events for the Conference, including the of events over the fi rst three years. Pulley Honors Brunch and Hall of Fame. Begin- is the liaison to the OVC Digital Network ning in 2015 he took over as the staff liaison Assessment and Accountability Group. to the men’s and women’s golf coaches groups and serves as tournament He is the liaison for the Conference’s multimedia rights holder, IMG director for the OVC Men’s & Women’s Golf Championships. College, as well as the OVC Alumni Directors, the OVC Middle Tennessee In 2014 Schwartz served as the Local Media Coordinator for the 2014 Alumni Board and oversees the OVC Internship Program. Women’s Basketball Final Four which was held at Bridgestone Arena in Nash- Pulley helped develop and executive a comprehensive marketing plan ville. The year prior he had served on the Media Coordination Committee for for the OVC Basketball Championship as the event expanded and moved the Women’s Basketball Final Four in New Orleans. In 2012 he served as the to Municipal Auditorium in Nashville prior to the 2010-11 season. The 2012 Media Coordinator for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship OVC Basketball Tournament saw the second-highest attendance at a neutral Second/Third Rounds that the OVC hosted in Nashville. site in the event’s history. Schwartz served as a timeout coordinator for the 2009, 2010, 2011, Pulley served as the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments and worked and Youth Clinics liaison for the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball with the ConSIDA group at the Final Fours in Detroit, Indianapolis, Houston, Final Four in Nashville. New Orleans, Indianapolis and Houston. Pulley brought over fi ve years of sales experience to his current posi- Schwartz is active with the promotion of the Football Championship tion, including completing an internship with the Conference in 2005-06. Subdivision (FCS) and serves as a voter in the FCS Top 25 poll in addition to He has cultivated relationships for an array of business types and brings a also being a pollster in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association comprehensive knowledge of game day operations as it applies to corporate (NCBWA) Top 30 poll. activation. Schwartz came to the OVC after spending four and a half years at the Pulley came to the OVC after being an account executive with ISP Sports University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. There he served as in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was responsible for soliciting and cultivating the Assistant Director of Media Relations for two years, was promoted to corporate partners for Georgia Tech Athletics. He also helped develop and Media Relations Coordinator in July 2004 and served as Director of Media implement promotions for Georgia Tech football, baseball and men’s bas- Relations in his fi nal year. ketball as well as being responsible for managing advertising inventory for At Northern Colorado, Schwartz helped coordinate the media efforts of Georgia Tech. two NCAA, two conference and six independent championships, including Pulley, a native of Springfi eld, Tennessee, received his bachelor’s degree four during the 2005-06 school year. Schwartz was honored by Collegiate in public relations from Middle Tennessee State University in December 1998. Volleyball Update (CVU.com) with the fi rst RESPecting Volleyball (Recognition He completed his master’s of science degree in sports administration from for Excellence in Supporting and Promoting Volleyball) Award in 2005 and Belmont University in May 2006. was ranked the No. 3 soccer SID in the country by Soccer Buzz magazine in It was during graduate school that he served as an intern with the Ohio 2004. The 2003 Northern Colorado volleyball guide he wrote, designed and Valley Conference, helping establish a group sales base, formulating a edited won third place honors nationally in the CoSIDA publications contest. marketing plan and assisting with the OVC Basketball Championship among Schwartz also spent two years as a graduate assistant in the Southeast other duties. Missouri State sports information department (2000-02). It was at SEMO that Pulley is active with the Big Brother Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. Schwartz received his master’s degree in athletic administration, graduating He and his wife Ashley were married in April 2011 and became proud with honors. Schwartz received his bachelor’s degree in business adminis- parents to Ava Mae in July 2013. tration from the University of Kentucky in May 2000, graduating cum laude. As an undergraduate, he interned with the Host Communications publishing group and also worked with the Kentucky Thoroughblades minor league Stephanie Castera - Asst. Commissioner/Institutional Services hockey team. Castera was named Assistant Com- Schwartz, a native of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, is a member of the Col- missioner for Institutional Services on lege Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the United States November 22, 2013 and began her duties Basketball Writer’s Association (USBWA), the Football Writers Association with the OVC in January 2014. In February of America (FWAA) and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association 2015 she added the role of Senior Woman (NCBWA). He also serves on the NCAA Media Coordination/Statistics Advi- Administrator (SWA). sory Group. For 11 years (June 2003-2014) he was a member of CoSIDA’s Castera manages NCAA Division I Academic All-American committee, serving as a district coordinator for football governance, legislative and policy matters and the men’s at-large teams for the university division. on behalf of the OVC while overseeing Schwartz and his wife, Angella, were married in June 2004. They wel- legislative issues such as the OVC’s annual comed their fi rst child, Harrison Alexander, in August 2014. balloting on NCAA legislative proposals, rules interpretations and education and outreach initiatives. She also serves as a liaison to the OVC Senior Compliance Administrators, Faculty Athletic Representatives (FAR’s), Senior Woman Administrators (SWA’s), Academic Services Administrators and the NCAA Academic and Membership Affairs staff. Castera also manages the NCAA Student Assistance Fund Program on behalf of OVC membership, coordi- nates the nomination and selection process for OVC Academic Awards and serves as sport oversight administrator for the sport of women’s volleyball. Castera joined the OVC staff after spending six-plus years working at the

8 • 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide NCAA in several different roles. She started as an intern in the NCAA Eligibility served a three-month internship in the sports information offi ce at The Ohio Center in June 2007 and was in that role for a year before being hired as a State University after a one-year stint as a student assistant in the Bowling coordinator in Academic and Membership Affairs. After nine months in the Green State University sports information offi ce. role as coordinator, Castera was promoted to assistant director, a position A 2003 graduate of BGSU, Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in sports she has held until joining the OVC staff. management with an emphasis in sports information. She is a member of In her role at the NCAA she was a member of the Division I legislation the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). team where she drafted proposals, editorial revisions and question and answer documents and assisted in NCAA Manual production. Castera is Bryce Robinson - Director of Compliance and Digital Media also a liaison to the NCAA Division I Amateurism Cabinet, the Amateurism Fact-Finding Committee and the Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Bryce Robinson joined the OVC staff Committee (SAAC), as she provided legislative, interpretive and membership full-time in June 2014 as the Director of expertise to each group. Compliance and Digital Media after serving She was also an internal liaison to the NCAA Eligibility Center’s as an intern for the 2013-14 school year. Amateurism Certifi cation Team, a member of the Interpretation Leadership In his role Robinson serves as the Development Team, a Rules Working Group member and the primary liai- primary contact for the National Letter of son to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Castera also Intent Program and for OVC fi nancial aid helped evaluate Division I APR Improvement Plans as well as analyzing and agreement and compliance forms while also processing Division I penalty waivers. Castera has extensive experience in serving as a secondary liaison to compliance academic issues, including initial-eligibility issues, and is a regular presenter administrators, faculty athletic representa- at NCAA regional rules seminars. tives and directors of academic services. Castera received her undergraduate degree in sport administration from Robinson will also serve as a secondary Ball State University in June 2006. At Ball State she was a student-athlete on liaison for OVC member institutions for the volleyball team. Following graduation she served a summer internship matters pertaining to the OVC Digital Net- with the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. work as well as the OVCDN Assessment and Accountability Group. He also Castera received her Master’s degree in sports administration higher produces video content from OVC Championships in addition to producing education from Ball State in December 2007. During that time she served ancillary content and video spots for the Conference. as a graduate assistant, teaching physical education/wellness classes in the In 2013-14 Robinson served as the league’s broadcasting and multimedia Ball State Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science Department. production intern. In that role he had oversight in producing, directing and A native of Remsen, Iowa, the former Stephanie Bacan and her husband fi lming six OVC Championships during the year, including baseball, men’s Luis Castera were married in March 2010. They welcomed their fi rst child, and women’s basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. Each of those cham- Luis Andrew, in May 2016. pionships were broadcast on the OVC Digital Network while the volleyball and women’s basketball championships were also streamed on ESPN3. In addition Robinson assisted in editing and developing multiple video series Heather Brown - Director of Media Relations for OVC platforms including “OVC Road Trip” and “What Inspires You” in Heather Brown is in her 12th year with addition to producing highlights of championship events. the Ohio Valley Conference in 2015-16. After Robinson, a native of Berea, Kentucky, obtained his bachelor’s degree the completion of a 10-month internship in telecommunications from the University of Kentucky in 2010. He completed with the OVC, she served in the position of his master’s degree in sport administration from Belmont in May 2014. Assistant Director for Media Relations until At Belmont Robinson served as a graduate assistant where he worked her promotion of Director of Media Relations directly with Belmont’s Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations as in December 2006. the Video Services Director, producing and directing OVC Digital Network Brown, the longest tenured member of broadcasts for home sporting events as well as other ancillary content and the OVC staff, is the primary contact for video spots. soccer, volleyball, women’s basketball, softball, men’s and women’s track and Lauren Berst - Director of Administration fi eld, men’s and women’s rifl e and men’s and women’s tennis. Berst joined the OVC staff in the fall She also serves at the Media Coordinator of 2015 moving to Nashville after living for the OVC Softball Championship which was held at a neutral site (Oxford, in New York 15 years. Alabama) for the fi rst time in 2016. She also serves as the Assistant Media When in New York, Berst worked Coordinator for the OVC’s Basketball and Baseball Championships, including primarily as an actor on stage and on serving as the Baseball Championships offi cial photographer. camera and voiced many commercials In 2014 she served as the Local Media Coordinator for the 2014 Divi- for television and radio. Berst has exten- sion I NCAA Women’s Final Four which was held at Bridgestone Arena in sive experience as an offi ce manager, Nashville. Along with that role she has served on the Legacy Committee for and worked for years as a personal and the event including working with Junior Journalism and Women’s Portryal professional organizer. She is also a in the Media. wine nerd, passing her Level 2 test with Brown has done extensive work with NCAA Championships, fi rst serving merit from the Wine and Spirits Educa- as the assistant media relations coordinator for the fi rst and second rounds tion Trust. of the 2005 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and the second Berst grew up around college athlet- and third Rounds of the 2012 Championship in Nashville. She has also worked ics – her father worked at the NCAA for 43 years and her brother builds the fi rst and second round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament in each 2004, sports arenas. 2006 and 2007 and the Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2008 and 2011. In A native of Kansas City, Berst got a B.F.A. in acting from the Uni- 2012 she worked the Women’s Final Four in New Orleans. versity of Evansville and an M.F.A. in acting from the National Theatre Brown was instrumental in getting the OVC started in the social network/ Conservatory. new media phenomenon, starting both Facebook and Twitter accounts for the league. In 2013 helped plan the OVC’s Title IX Celebration Luncheon, an event that capped off a year-long celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Title IX. Each of the OVC’s 12-member institutions identifi ed a pioneer in women’s athletics from their school to be honored during the year and celebrated at a home athletic event on their campus as well as the luncheon. Prior to working with the Conference, the West Liberty, Ohio, native

2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide • 9 Jon Kuka - General Manger, OVC IMG Sports Marketing Jim Jackson - Coordinator of Football Offi ciating Jon Kuka joined the Ohio Valley Con- Jim Jackson is in his 10th year as Coor- ference staff in April 2010 as the General dinator of Football Offi ciating for the Ohio Manager for OVC IMG Sports Marketing. Valley Conference in 2015. Jackson is in Kuka has over 15 years in sales and sports charge of recruiting, training and develop- marketing experience. ing the offi cials, as well the game selection, He joined the Conference staff as part assignment and evaluation of those offi cials. of the OVC’s agreement with IMG College During his tenure as Coordinator, he has represented the OVC at all functions of the which was signed in February 2008. With CFO Division I Coordinators. Jackson has the deal, IMG represents the OVC through attended the NCAA Football Rules Com- category exclusive corporate partnership mittee meeting, spoken at clinics in Baton sales, as well as multimedia rights for the Rouge, Houston, Reno, Oxford, Knoxville, men’s basketball championship and other Miami, Charleston, WV and Roanoke. He championship events. was the clinician at the annual convention In 2011 and 2012 Kuka was the recipient of the British American Football Referees of the prestigious IMG Chairman’s Cup Award. Association in Coventry, England. He developed the OVC Football Offi cials Prior to joining the OVC Kuka was the Director of Sales for Nelligan Website, which has become a model that has been duplicated by several Sports Marketing at Middle Tennessee State University for two years. In conferences. Jackson serves as Chair of the Technology Committee charged that position he managed corporate sponsorships and initiated multimedia with producing a platform to distribute training videos on a national level marketing rights for the Blue Raiders athletic department. through a Website authorized by the Board of Managers of College Football From 2001-07 Kuka worked in Knoxville with the Tennessee Smokies Offi ciating, LLC. He is on the review panel charged with viewing video of baseball club, the AA affi liate of the Chicago Cubs. He began as a group sales targeting hits and recommending action to the respective conference; the representative and was promoted to Director of Group Sales and eventually purpose of this review panel is to insure consistency in administering this rule Director of Sales. As the Director of Sales, Kuka oversaw ticket sales and nationwide. Jackson also served on the Editorial Sub-Committee to advise corporate sponsorships sales. the NCAA Football Rules Committee from 2010 through 2012. Kuka received his bachelor’s degree in sports administration from In 2009 an OVC crew offi ciated the Division I National Championship Game in Chattanooga that saw Villanova defeat Montana 23-21 in a game the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2000. While in school Kuka televised nationally on ESPN. In 2010 an OVC crew offi ciated the Division interned with the Chattanooga Sports & Events Committee that assisted in I National Semifi nal game in Cheyney, Wash., that saw eventual national marketing the city for attracting events such as the NCAA Division I Football champion Eastern Washington defeat Villanova in a game televised nationally National Championship. He was also a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, on ESPN. In 2014, an OVC crew offi ciated the Division I national semifi nal the university cycling club and a participant in the 1999 Collegiate Mountain game in Durham, New Hampshire between New Hampshire and Illinois State. Bike National Championships. Jackson came to the OVC after spending six years as a referee with Kuka completed his MBA from Ohio Valley Conference member Ten- the Sun Belt Conference. At the Sun Belt he was also the President of the nessee Tech University in 2009. SBC Football Offi cials Association (2001-03), Position Chief (2001-02) and A native of Chattanooga, Kuka resides with his wife, Alicia, daughter, winner of the Silver Whistle Award for being the league’s highest rated offi cial Leah, and son, Andrew, in the Greater Nashville area. (2002). He also worked a pair of bowl games, the Silicon Valley Bowl and the Alamo Bowl, during his tenure with the conference. From 1992 through 2000, Jackson was a referee in the Southern Conference, working a pair of playoff games, including the national semi-fi nal game in 1999. Jackson has also served as a head linesman in the Old Dominion Athletic Confer- ence (1986-89) and worked in the Southeast Tennessee Football Offi cials Association (SETFOA) for 18 years (1975-92). Jackson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1972. He retired after a 30-year career with Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Amherst, NY. During his career, he was an industrial engineer, plant manager and business analyst. Jackson lives in Chattanooga with his wife, Charlene; has two grown sons, Russ and Matt, and a grandson, Cooper.

10 • 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION (FCS) CONFERENCE ALIGNMENT

BIG SKY (13) MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL (10) SOUTHERN (9) Cal Poly Illinois State Chattanooga Eastern Washington Indiana State Citadel Idaho State Missouri State East Tennessee State Montana North Dakota State Furman Montana State UNI Mercer North Dakota South Dakota Samford Northern Arizona South Dakota State VMI Northern Colorado Southern Illinois Western Carolina Portland State Western Illinois Wofford Sacramento State Youngstown State Southern Utah SOUTHLAND (11) UC Davis NORTHEAST (7) Abilene Christian* (eligible in 2017) Weber State Bryant Central Arkansas Central Connecticut State Houston Baptist BIG SOUTH (6) Duquesne Incarnate Word* (eligible in 2017) Charleston Southern Robert Morris Lamar Gardner-Webb Sacred Heart McNeese State Kennesaw State St. Francis (Pa.) Nicholls Liberty Wagner Northwestern State Monmouth Sam Houston State Presbyterian College OHIO VALLEY (9) Southeastern Louisiana Austin Peay Stephen F. Austin CAA FOOTBALL (12) Eastern Illinois Albany Eastern Kentucky SOUTHWESTERN (10) Delaware Jacksonville State East Elon Murray State Alabama A&M James Madison Southeast Missouri Alabama State Maine Tennessee State Alcorn State New Hampshire Tennessee Tech Jackson State Rhode Island UT Martin Mississippi Valley State Richmond West Stony Brook PATRIOT (7) Arkansas-Pine Bluff Towson Bucknell Grambling State Villanova Colgate Prairie View A&M William & Mary Fordham Southern* Georgetown Texas Southern IVY (8) Holy Cross Brown Lafayette INDEPENDENTS (1) Columbia Leigh Coastal Carolina* (moving to FBS) Cornell Dartmouth PIONEER (11) *Not eligible for postseason play Harvard Butler Pennsylvania Campbell Princeton Davidson Yale Dayton Drake MID-EASTERN (11) Jacksonville Bethune-Cookman Marist Delaware State Morehead State Florida A&M* San Diego Hampton Stetson Howard* Valparaiso Morgan State* Norfolk State North Carolina A&T North Carolina Central Savannah State* South Carolina State

2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide • 11 12 • 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide

PRESEASON ALL-OVC HONORS 2016 OVC SEASON NOTES/PREVIEW Predicted Order of Finish Let’s Get It Started: The 69th season of Ohio Valley Conference football will get 1. Jacksonville State (16 fi rst-place votes) 128 underway on Thursday, September 1 when three OVC squads take to the gridiron; the 2. Eastern Kentucky 100 other six schools will start action on Saturday, September 3. The OVC is made up of 3. Eastern Illinois (2) 97 nine football-playing schools in 2016. Since its beginning, 15 of the 18 total schools 4. UT Martin 96 that have played football in the league have claimed at least one championship. 5. Southeast Missouri 66 6. Tennessee State 55 7. Tennessee Tech 45 Recent Playoff Success: Beginning with the 2001 season the OVC went until 2013 8. Murray State 43 without a FCS Playoff victory. But over the past three seasons OVC teams have 9. Austin Peay 18 performed well in the playoffs. In 2013 the OVC placed three teams in the fi eld for the fi rst time and each won at least one game with Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville For the fi fth time in seven years Jacksonville State has State advancing to the quarterfi nals (the fi rst time that had happened in the league been picked the preseason favorite in the Ohio Valley since 1991). This past season Jacksonville State (who during the year became the Conference. The Gamecocks, who were a perfect 8-0 in fi rst OVC team ranked No. 1 in the Top 25 since 1999) won three playoff games to league play for the second-straight year in 2015, received become the fi rst OVC team to advance to the National Championship game since 16 of a possible 18 fi rst-place votes in a poll of league head 1982. Along the way JSU set an OVC record for points in a playoff game with 58 coaches and sports information directors. against Charleston Southern in the quarterfi nals, and then broke the record a week Preseason All-OVC Team later in a 62-10 victory over Sam Houston State in the semifi nals. QB Eli Jenkins, Jacksonville State RB Tremane McCullough, Southeast Missouri The FCS Playoffs: In 2010 the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff RB Devin Church, Eastern Illinois fi eld expanded to 20 teams, up from 16 previously, and in 2013 the fi eld increased to WR Josh Barge, Jacksonville State 24 for the fi rst time. The expansion in 2010 to 20 teams was the fi rst since the fi eld WR Patrick Smith, Tennessee State grew from 12 to 16 teams in 1997. The 24-team fi eld is comprised of 10 automatic WR Brock McCoin, Tennessee Tech bids and 14 at-large berths. There are eight fi rst round matchups (16 total teams), TE Jesse Blackburn, Murray State while eight (8) teams receive a bye into the second round. For the seventh time in C Casey Dunn, Jacksonville State 2016, the championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas at Toyota Stadium, OG Jessamen Dunker, Tennessee State a 20,500-seat multi-purpose stadium. The Southland Conference will serve as the OG Garret Baker, Southeast Missouri host of the championship, which will be held on Saturday, January 7. OT Justin Lea, Jacksonville State OT Dylan Cline, Jacksonville State OT Justin Adekoya, Eastern Kentucky OVC on ESPN3: For the fourth-straight year the OVC is producing a “Game of the Week” package that will air on ESPN3 this fall. The eight-game schedule is once DL Ebenezer Ogundeko, Tennessee State again in conjunction with WebStream Sports, an Indianapolis-based company which DL Darius Jackson, Jacksonville State is a proven leader in video production, streaming video and content creation Kevin DL Damani Taylor, UT Martin Ingram, host of “The Wake Up Zone” on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, will handle DL Desmond Owino, Jacksonville State play-by-play duties while Bob Belvin, on-air talent and contributor at 100.7 FM/AM LB Roper Garrett, Southeast Missouri 540 (ESPN Clarksville), will provide analysis. The duo has worked together each LB Joel McCandless, Jacksonville State of the past four years in the league’s TV package. The OVC Football Game of the LB Seth McDonald, Eastern Illinois Week package is part of an overall fi ve-year agreement with ESPN which was an- DB Maleek Hall, Tennessee Tech nounced in October 2013. DB Mike Ford, Southeast Missouri Sept. 19 - Southeast Missouri at Murray State, 6:00 p.m. CT DB Bradley Dewberry, Eastern Illinois DB Jaylen Hill, Jacksonville State Sept. 26 - UT Martin at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. CT DB Eriq Moore, Southeast Missouri Oct. 8 - Tennessee Tech at Jacksonville State, 1:00 p.m. CT Oct. 15 - Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee State, 6:00 p.m. CT K Lucas Williams, Eastern Kentucky Oct. 29 - Wildcard Selection P Keith Wrzuszczak, Eastern Kentucky Nov. 5 - Wildcard Selection RS Lawon DeBardelaben, Jacksonville State Nov. 12 - Wildcard Selection Nov. 19 - Wildcard Selection Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Eli Jenkins (QB), Jacksonville State Sgt. York Trophy Presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee: Beginning in 2014 Delta Dental of Tennessee became the presenting sponsor of the Sgt. York Trophy. Preseason Defensive Players of the Year The trophy (founded in 2007 by the Nashville Sports Council and OVC) goes to the Darius Jackson (DL), Jacksonville State winner of the quadrangular season football series between the four OVC football- Jacksonville State senior quarterback Eli Jenkins and playing schools located in the state of Tennessee (Austin Peay, Tennessee State, senior defensive lineman Darius Jackson were named Tennessee Tech and UT Martin). The award is only the second traveling trophy that the 2016 OVC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Play- involves more than two teams in college sports; the other is the Commander in Chief’s ers of the Year. Trophy which has been contested between Air Force, Army and Navy annually since 1972. The award is named in honor of Alvin C. York, the most noted Soldier of World Jacksonville State led the way with 10 total preseason War I. As a corporal in the 2nd battalion, 328th Infantry, in the Battle of the Meuse selections. Southeast Missouri had fi ve picks, followed by River-Argonne (Oct. 8, 1918), York and seven other soldiers captured 132 prison- Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State ers, was promoted to sergeant and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the with three selections apiece. Tennessee Tech had two French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra of Italy selections while Murray State and UT Martin each had and the War Medal of Montenegro. Upon his return to the United States in 1919, he one player selected. was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor. Returning players who were fi rst-team All-OVC selec- tions last year (8 in total) were automatic selections to A Look at the Coaches: Six of the nine OVC coaches from last season return the preseason team this year. The squad also included to their respective teams in 2016. The new coaches include Austin Peay’s Will 12 players who were second-team picks in 2015. Of the Healy, Eastern Kentucky’s Mark Elder and Tennessee Tech’s Marcus Satterfi eld. 28 total selections, 17 were seniors and 11 were juniors. Jacksonville State’s John Grass and Tennessee State’s Rod Reed are currently the only two OVC coaches who are coaching at their alma mater. The longest tenured coach in the league is UT Martin’s Jason Simpson who enters his 11th season with

14 • 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide the Skyhawks in 2016; Simpson is the ninth-winningest coach in OVC history (65 RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS total victories). Following are a look at the top statistical returners this season based on their production during the 2015 season (current year Preseason Forecasts: Jacksonville State has been tabbed the favorite heading of eligibility indicated in parenthesis). into the 2016 season. But is being picked fi rst in the preseason poll necessarily a good thing? In the past 37 years of preseason polls (all that were available), the Passing Comp.-Att. Yds. TD/Int. preseason predicted champion has only gone on to win the OVC Championship 16 KD Humphries, MUR (Sr.) 330-532 3,778 22/7 times (43.2%). Only four times in the past 10 years as the preseason favorite gone Bennie Coney, EKU (Sr.) 225-367 2,471 23/8 on to win the OVC Championship, although it has happened each of the past three Eli Jenkins, JSU (Sr.) 227-374 2,788 21/8 Dante Vandeven, SEMO (So.) 155-250 1,568 11/7 years. Those years were in 2011 (when three teams claimed the regular season title Ronald Butler, TSU (Sr.) 62-115 813 8/7 including preseason favorite Jacksonville State), 2013 (Eastern Illinois) and each of the past two years (Jacksonville State). Rushing Att. Yds. TD’s Eli Jenkins, JSU (Sr.) 192 1,161 15 Year Predicted Champion Actual Champion Tremane McCullough, SEMO (Sr.) 170 1,028 5 2006 Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois/UT Martin Roman Clay, MUR (Sr.) 190 935 11 Devin Church, EIU (Sr.) 167 743 9 2007 Eastern Illinois Eastern Kentucky Kendall Morris, APSU (So.) 142 690 5 2008 Jacksonville State Eastern Kentucky 2009 Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois Receiving Rec. Yds. TD’s 2010 Jacksonville State Southeast Missouri Josh Barge, JSU (Sr.) 92 1,145 11 2011 Jacksonville State Eastern Kentucky/Jax State/Tennessee Tech Patrick Smith, TSU (Jr.) 54 996 10 2012 Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois Caylon Weathers, UTM (Jr.) 62 726 8 2013 Eastern Illinois Eastern Illinois Brock McCoin, TTU (Jr.) 61 747 4 Jesse Blackburn, MUR (Sr.) 48 612 5 2014 Jacksonville State Jacksonville State 2015 Jacksonville State Jacksonville State Tackles UT AT Total 2016 Jacksonville State ? Seth McDonald, EIU (Sr.) 57 52 109 Roper Garrett, SEMO (Sr.) 42 64 106 OVC Digital Network: The OVC launched the OVC Digital Network (OVCDN) in Chris Collins, TSU (Jr.) 38 41 79 August 2012. The OVCDN is the exclusive home for live web streamed athletic Jonathan Jackson, MUR (Sr.) 35 44 79 Bill Dillard, TTU (Sr.) 34 33 67 contests involving OVC schools. Overall 2016-17 marks the 11th year the OVC has streamed live events. Starting with the re-branding of the streaming in 2012- Sacks Sacks Yds. 13, events were offered free of charge and in an HD format and featured improved Darius Jackson, JSU (Jr.) 7.0 30 quality thanks to an investment in new equipment conference-wide. Fans also fi nd Damani Taylor, UTM (Sr.) 5.5 33 it easier to log onto OVCDigitalNetwork.com to access the streams and can do so Ebenezer Ogundeko, TSU (Jr.) 5.0 40 without any registration. The events are available on any computer, tablet or smart John Popovich, SEMO (Sr.) 5.0 32 phone as well as the Roku streaming media player. Approximately 37 OVC football Latrelle Lee, TSU (Jr.) 4.5 34 games will be available on the OVCDN this season. Interceptions Int. Yds. TD’s Mike Ford, SEMO (Jr.) 5 21 1 Jaylen Hill, JSU (Sr.) 4 59 0 Bradley Dewberry, EIU (Jr.) 4 9 0 Roderick Owens, APSU (Sr.) 3 32 0 Kiante Northington, EKU (Sr.) 3 0 0

ALL-TIME COACHING VICTORIES Following the 2011 season Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo retired after compiling 92 wins while EIU was a member of the OVC, the fi fth-most in Conference history. In total 89 coaches have led programs while a member of the OVC from 1948 to the present.

Coach Years Record 1. Roy Kidd (EKU) 1964-02 315-123-8 (.715) 2. Boots Donnelly (AP/MT) 1977-78, 79-98 154-94-1 (.620) 3. Charles Murphy (MTSU) 1952-68 117-53-5 (.683) 4. Jimmy Feix (WKU) 1968-81 99-43-5 (.690) 5. Bob Spoo (EIU) 1996-11 92-82 (.529) 6. Don Wade (TTU) 1968-82 81-78-3 (.509) 7. Jack Crowe (JSU) 2003-12 73-39 (.652) 8. Wilburn Tucker (TTU) 1954-67 70-66-5 (.514) 9. Jason Simpson (UTM) 2006-present 65-49 (.570) 9. Bill Furgerson (MUR) 1967-77 60-49-4 (.549) 23. Rod Reed (TSU) 2010-present 36-33 (.522) 40. John Grass (JSU) 2014-present 23-4 (.852) 62. Kim Dameron (EIU) 2014-present 12-12 (.500) 68. Tom Matukewicz (SEMO) 2014-present 9-14 (.391) 79. Mitch Stewart (MUR) 2015-present 3-8 (.273) - Will Healy (APSU) 2016-present 0-0 (.000) - Mark Elder (EKU) 2016-present 0-0 (.000) - Marcus Satterfi eld (TTU) 2016-present 0-0 (.000)

Note: Wins are in all games while team has been a member of Eli Jenkins was named the 2016 OVC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after taking home that the Ohio Valley Conference. award following the 2015 season. A year ago he was named the FCS ADA National Quarterback of the Year in helping Jacksonville State to the FCS National Championship Game. Jenkins fi nished the year with 3,949 yards of total offense, the second most in a season in OVC history.

2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide • 15 2016 COMPOSITE OVC SCHEDULE 2017 OVC SCHEDULE

Thursday, September 1 Saturday, October 29 September 23 North Alabama at Jacksonville State, 6:00 p.m. *Eastern Kentucky at UT Martin, 1:00 p.m. Austin Peay at Murray State Western Illinois at Eastern Illinois, 6:00 p.m. *Austin Peay at Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. Southeast Missouri at Eastern Illinois UT Martin at Cincinnati, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3) *Eastern Illinois at Jacksonville State, 2:00 p.m. Tennessee Tech at Eastern Kentucky *Tennessee State at Murray State, 3:00 p.m. Wofford at Tennessee Tech, 6:00 p.m. Tennessee State at UT Martin

Saturday, September 3 Saturday, November 5 September 30 Eastern Kentucky at Purdue, 11:00 a.m. (ESPNews) *UT Martin at Eastern Illinois, 1:00 p.m. UT Martin at Austin Peay Murray State at Illinois, 2:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network) *Jacksonville State at Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. Arkansas Pine-Bluff at Tennessee State, 6:00 p.m. *Tennessee State at Austin Peay, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Southeast Missouri at Memphis, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3) *Murray State at Eastern Kentucky, TBA Eastern Kentucky at Southeast Missouri Austin Peay at Troy, TBA Tennessee Tech at Tennessee, TBA Jacksonville State at Tennessee Tech

Thursday, September 8 Saturday, November 12 October 7 Pikeville at Eastern Kentucky, 6:00 p.m. *Jacksonville State at Murray State, 1:00 p.m. Jacksonville State at Austin Peay *Southeast Missouri at UT Martin, 2:00 p.m. Tennessee Tech at Eastern Illinois Saturday, September 10 *Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State, 3:00 p.m. Tennessee State at Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois at Miami (Ohio), 2:30 p.m. (ESPN3) *Eastern Kentucky at Austin Peay, 4:00 p.m. Murray State at UT Martin *Tennessee Tech at Austin Peay, 6:00 p.m. Southeast Missouri at Southern Illinois, 6:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19 Missouri State at Murray State, 6:00 p.m. *UT Martin at Jacksonville State, 1:00 p.m. October 14 Tennessee St. vs. Jackson St., 6:00 p.m. (Memphis, TN) *Tennessee State at Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. Austin Peay at Tennessee State Jacksonville State at LSU, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU) *Murray State at Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. Eastern Illinois at Murray State UT Martin at Hawaii, 11:00 p.m. *Eastern Illinois at Eastern Kentucky, TBA Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State Austin Peay at Kentucky, TBA Tennessee Tech at Southeast Missouri Saturday, September 17 Saturday, November 26 Coastal Carolina at Jacksonville State, 1:00 p.m. October 21 Eastern Illinois at Illinois St., 2:00 p.m. (CSN Chicago) FCS Playoffs First Round (campus sites) Southeast Missouri at Austin Peay Bacone College at UT Martin, 2:00 p.m. Jacksonville State at Eastern Illinois Eastern Kentucky at Ball State, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN3) Saturday, December 3 UT Martin at Eastern Kentucky Tennessee State at Bethune-Cookman, 3:00 p.m. FCS Playoffs Second Round (campus sites) Tennessee Tech at Mercer, 5:00 p.m. Murray State at Southern Illinois, 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 9/Saturday, December 10 October 28 Indiana State at Southeast Missouri, 6:00 p.m. FCS Playoffs Quarterfi nals (campus sites) Eastern Illinois at UT Martin Eastern Kentucky at Murray State Saturday, September 24 Friday, December 16/Saturday, December 17 Southeast Missouri at Jacksonville State *Austin Peay at Eastern Illinois, 1:00 p.m. FCS Playoffs Semifi nals (campus sites) Tennessee State at Tennessee Tech *Tennessee Tech at UT Martin, 2:00 p.m. *Southeast Missouri at Murray State, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3) Saturday, January 7 November 4 Jacksonville State at Liberty, 6:00 p.m. Division I National Championship, TBA (Frisco, Texas) Austin Peay at Tennessee Tech Eastern Kentucky at Eastern Illinois Saturday, October 1 * - Denotes OVC contest *UT Martin at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN3) All Times CENTRAL Murray State at Jacksonville State *Murray State at Austin Peay, 4:00 p.m. Dates and times subject to change UT Martin at Southeast Missouri *Eastern Illinois at Southeast Missouri, 6:00 p.m. *Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee Tech, 6:00 p.m. All Conference games and home non-conference November 11 games featuring OVC schools will be available live Austin Peay at Eastern Kentucky Saturday, October 8 on the OVC Digital Network at OVCDigitalNetwork. Jacksonville State at UT Martin com. *Tennessee Tech at Jacksonville St., 1 p.m. (ESPN3) Tennessee Tech at Murray State *Austin Peay at UT Martin, 2:00 p.m. Southeast Missouri at Tennessee State *Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois, 6:00 p.m. ESPN3 Game of the Week Wild Card Dates *Southeast Missouri at Eastern Kentucky, TBA 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19 November 18 Saturday, October 15 Eastern Illinois at Austin Peay *Austin Peay at Jacksonville State, 1:00 p.m. Tennessee State at Jacksonville State *UT Martin at Murray State, 6:00 p.m. Murray State at Southeast Missouri *Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee St., 6 p.m. (ESPN3) UT Martin at Tennessee Tech *Eastern Illinois at Tennessee Tech, 6:00 p.m. All Future Schedules Are Subject to Change Saturday, October 22 *Murray State at Eastern Illinois, 1:00 p.m. *Southeast Missouri at Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. *Jacksonville State at Eastern Kentucky, 2:00 p.m. Mercer at Austin Peay, 4:00 p.m. UT Martin at Georgia State, TBA Tennessee State at Vanderbilt, TBA

16 • 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Guide