2008 WIAC Football Headlines
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2008 WIAC Football Headlines UW-River Falls’ Witte Invited To Green Bay Packers Rookie Mini Camp RELEASED: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 RIVER FALLS, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-River Falls center Scott Witte has been invited to the Green Bay Packers rookie mini camp that will be held April 30 - May 3. Witte, a native of Cedarburg, Wis., was a four-year starter for the Falcons and claimed All-WIAC first team honors in 2008 after earning honorable mention status in 2006 and 2007. # # # # # Eleven Capture D3football.com All-America Honors, UW-Whitewater’s Rindahl Named Defensive Player of the Year and Leipold Named Coach of the Year RELEASED: Monday, December 22, 2008 MADISON, Wis.--Eleven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2008 D3football.com All-America Team. UW-Whitewater’s Jace Rindahl was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year, while Lance Leipold secured Coach of the Year honors. Rindahl was joined on the first team by teammate Mike Sherman (Sr., OL) and UW-Stevens Point’s Brad Vickroy (Sr., DL), while the Pointers’ Brad Kalsow (Sr., TE), the Warhawks’ Jeff Schebler (Jr., K) and UW-Stout’s Marcus Ball (Jr., DL) were second team selections. UW-Whitewater’s Levell Coppage (Fr., RB) claimed third team recognition and UW-La Crosse’s Drew Kiefer (Sr., LB), UW-Stout’s Dustin Tervelt (Sr., OL) and the Warhawks’ Troney Shumpert (Jr., DB) and Anthony White (Jr., DL) were honorable mention choices. This marked the second straight year that Leipold has claimed Coach of the Year honors, while Schebler was a first team pick a season ago and second team honoree in 2006. Rindahl’s selection as the Defensive Player of the Year marks the second time in the last three years that an individual from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has claimed the honor. UW-Whitewater’s Ryan Kleppe secured the prize in 2006. # # # # # UW-Whitewater’s Rindahl and Schebler Named To AP Little All-America Team RELEASED: Monday, December 22, 2008 MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Jace Rindahl and Jeff Schebler have been named to the 2008 Associated Press Little All-America Team. The team includes all players from NCAA Division II and III teams, as well as members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Rindahl, a senior linebacker, was a first team choice, while Schebler, a junior kicker, secured second team recognition. Schebler was also a second team pick following the 2006 season. Rindahl and Schebler were the only individuals from schools within the state of Wisconsin to be recognized on the team. # # # # # Warhawks Fall Short In National Title Contest RELEASED: Saturday, December 20, 2008 SALEM, Va.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater fell short in its attempt to defend its national championship with a 31-26 loss to Mount Union College (Ohio) in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on Dec. 20. The Warhawks and Purple Raiders were meeting in the national championship game for the fourth straight season. Mount Union finished the year with a 15-0 record and claimed the 10th national crown in program history, while UW-Whitewater completed the 2008 campaign with a 13-2 mark. UW-Whitewater was just the fourth team in NCAA Division III history to advance to four consecutive championship games, joining Augustana College (Ill.) (1982-86) and Mount Union (2000-03 and 2005-08). # # # # # UW-Whitewater’s Rindahl Claims AFCA All-America Accolades RELEASED: Thursday, December 18, 2008 MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Jace Rindahl has been named to the 2008 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) NCAA Division III All-America First Team. Rindahl, a senior linebacker from Cambridge, Wis., has registered a team-leading five interceptions this year and ranks second on the team with 98 tackles (51 solo). He has added 8.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks and one fumble recovery. Rindahl owns the school record with 60 career games played. UW-Whitewater has had seven individuals combine to secure nine AFCA All-America honors and Rindahl’s selection marks the 18 consecutive season that the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has been represented on the AFCA All-America squad. The AFCA honor is especially prestigious since it recognizes only a first team and is chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best – the coaches themselves. # # # # # UW-Whitewater Secures Fourth Straight National Title Game Appearance RELEASED: Saturday, December 13, 2008 BELTON, Texas--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater secured a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Division III national championship game with a 39-13 victory over University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) in a national semifinal contest played in Belton, Texas on Dec. 13. The Warhawks (13-1), the defending NCAA Division III champion, will face Mount Union College (Ohio) (14-0) for the fourth consecutive season in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Salem, Va., on Dec. 20. The game will be televised live by ESPN2 beginning at 11:00 a.m. (eastern). Mount Union earned a spot in the title game with a 45-24 triumph over Wheaton College (Ill.). # # # # # Seven Claim D3football.com All-West Region First Team Honors, UW-Stevens Point’s Vickroy Named Defensive Player of the Year RELEASED: Thursday, December 11, 2008 MADISON, Wis.--Seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2008 D3football.com All-West Region First Team, including UW-Stevens Point’s Brad Vickroy who claimed Defensive Player of the Year honors. Joining Vickroy on the first team were UW-Eau Claire’s Craig Polifka (Sr., DB), UW-La Crosse’s Drew Kiefer (Sr., LB), UW-Stevens Point’s Brad Kalsow (Sr., TE), UW-Stout’s Marcus Ball (Jr., DL) and UW-Whitewater’s Levell Coppage (Fr., RB) and Jace Rindahl (Sr., LB). Vickroy’s selection as the West Region Defensive Player of the Year marks the third straight season an individual from the WIAC has claimed the prize. UW-Whitewater’s Ryan Ogrizovich won the award last year, while the Warhawks’ Ryan Kleppe was the recipient in 2006. D3football.com also announced an all-region second and third team for the 2008 season. Second team choices included: UW-Eau Claire’s Brad Puls (Sr., OL), UW-Stout’s Dustin Tervelt (Sr., OL) and UW-Whitewater’s Mike Sherman (Sr., OL), Jeff Schebler (Jr., K) and Troney Shumpert (Jr., DB). Third team picks consisted of: UW-Eau Claire’s Dave Wicklund (Sr., DB), UW-La Crosse’s Jason Olejniczak (Sr., OL), UW-River Falls’ Scott Witte (Sr., OL) and Michael Zweifel (So., WR), UW-Stevens Point’s Brian Blum (Jr., DB) and Jared Jenkins (So., WR) and UW-Whitewater’s Anthony White (Jr., DL). The West Region includes players representing the WIAC, Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Midwest Conference, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Northwest Conference and Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The teams, selected in balloting by West Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 154 nominations by Division III member schools. A total of 75 players were chosen. # # # # # Warhawks Celebrate Win Over Wartburg RELEASED: Saturday, December 6, 2008 WHITEWATER, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earned a 34-17 victory over Wartburg College (Iowa) in a NCAA Division III Football Championship Quarterfinal game held Dec. 6 at Perkins Stadium. The Warhawks (12-1) will travel to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) (12-1) for a national semifinal contest at noon on Dec. 13. The Crusaders earned their semifinal appearance after rolling to a 63-7 triumph over Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.). # # # # # UW-Whitewater Advances To NCAA Football Quarterfinals RELEASED: Saturday, November 29, 2008 MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2008 NCAA Division III Football Championship with a 30-27 triumph over Willamette University (Ore.) on Nov. 29 in Salem, Ore. The Warhawks (11-1) will host Warburg College (Iowa) (10-2) in a quarterfinal contest on Dec. 6 at noon in Perkins Stadium. The Knights earned a trip to the quarterfinals with a 30-28 win at Monmouth College (Ill.) and also eliminated UW- Stevens Point by a 26-21 margin in the first round. # # # # # UW-Eau Claire’s Bielmeier Claims Academic All-America Football Recognition RELEASED: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Paul Bielmeier has been named to the 2008 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Football First Team. The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA players throughout the country and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), while being sponsored by ESPN The Magazine. Bielmeier, a senior from Edgar, Wis., boasts a 3.93 grade point average and is majoring in kinesiology. He becomes the fourth football student-athlete from UW-Eau Claire to earn first team distinction, joining Mike Anderson (1974), Mike Zeihen (1980) and Mike Bestul (2001 and 2002). Bielmeier is the first individual from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to earn first team accolades since UW-River Falls’ Jovin Kroll in 2006. # # # # # Warhawks Win and Pointers Fall In NCAA Football First Round Games RELEASED: Saturday, November 22, 2008 MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater won its opening game in the 2008 NCAA Division III Football Championship, while UW-Stevens Point was eliminated in contests played Nov. 22. UW-Whitewater began defense of its national championship with a 37-7 victory over St. John’s University (Minn.) at Perkins Stadium, while UW-Stevens Point dropped a 26-21 decision to Wartburg College (Iowa) at Community Stadium at Goerke Park. The Warhawks (10-1) will travel to Willamette University (Ore.) (11-0) for a second round contest Nov.