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WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 1 801-398-2800 • LHMRiverdale.com CONTENTS STARTING LINEUP FEATURES

14 WORLD OF SUCCESS Mixing a strong group of internationals with a solid core of national and local players has led to three-straight Big Sky men’s tennis titles and a resurgence with the Wildcat women’s program. BY CORIE HOLMES

20 FAMILY AWAY FROM HOME Nearly 7,000 miles from her home in Israel, Yarden Danan has discovered a new family playing basketball at Weber State. BY CHRIS J. MILLER

28 TRACK TO SUCCESS Once an international track & field recruit for Weber State, Javier Chavez has called Ogden his home for nearly 40 years. BY JIM BURTON

33 FINDING WILDCATS AROUND THE GLOBE The practice of recruiting international student-athletes presents some unique challenges for Weber State’s coaching staffs, but it also comes with some great benefits for the program and the university. 28 BY DARIN HOGGE 40 DIGGING OUT A NEW LIFE Thamires Cavalcanti endured a tremendous amount of change from her club volleyball career in Brazil to collegiate volleyball in the U.S., but the junior libero is hoping for a new life in America after graduation. BY CORIE HOLMES

46 LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS Venla Makarainen and Pihla Hokkanen, a pair of distance runners from Finland, moved nearly 5,000 miles from home last year and experienced an amazing year of changes. 14 40 BY JUSTIN JOHNSON DEPARTMENTS 4 FROM THE A.D. 6 SNAPSHOTS 12 PLAYIN’ ON PURPLE with Jake Ness

19 COMPLIANCE CORNER

45 CREATE A LEGACY 52 NAME GAME 33 20 56 TOP TWEETS

2 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com uring our periodic planning who was a member of the 1982 meetings for each issue Women’s Golf Team that is of Bleed Purple Magazine enshrined and football’s Halvor over the last year, we Hagen, who was born in Oslo, Doften discussed doing stories Norway, but moved to Seattle at on one of the international stu- age nine, and the list expands to dent-athletes that is currently nine athletes. competing for Weber State. In this issue, you will be able to These athletes, coming from read a great piece on the story of THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF WEBER STATE ATHLETICS different countries around the Chavez, one of those Hall of Fame presented by world, and at times vastly different athletes, who came to Weber cultures, often have very inter- State from Mexico in 1977. esting stories about their path to After Javier’s great track career, Weber State and the adjustment he chose to make his home in that comes with moving to a Ogden, and he has gone on Volume 2, Issue 2 foreign country for school. to become a very successful As a few of these stories got businessman with a chain of Editor in Chief Darin Hogge added to our pool of ideas, we restaurants and has been a very Executive Editors Paul Grua decided to dedicate an entire issue philanthropic member of the Chris J. Miller to international student-athletes. community. Corie Holmes In addition to reading the Many other international Creative Director Darin Hogge stories of international student athletes have chosen to become -athletes from women’s basketball, part of the Ogden community as Contributing Writers Chris J. Miller Jim Burton tennis, track & field, cross country well. Compton and Ehrlin both Corie Holmes and volleyball, this issue features chose to stay in the local area and Darin Hogge Paul Grua an inside look at the process of are former Weber State head tennis Jerry Bovee recruiting internationally. The coaches. Tennis’s Brad Ferreira Becky Thompson Justin Johnson coaches that choose to look found his way to Weber State Will Pridemore outside of the U.S. for talent find from South Africa in the ‘80s and Photography Robert Casey that benefits to the program and opted to stay in Utah. Ferreira Darin Hogge the university come beyond just opened the Eagle Ridge Tennis Justin Johnson adding an additional source of Club in North Salt Lake and made Ad Director Dave Champlain talent to the roster. a positive impact on many local Weber State has not traditionally young athletes, including some recruited international players in who went on to become Wildcat EMAIL: [email protected] vast numbers, with the exception of tennis players themselves. Four WEBSITE: WEBERSTATESPORTS.COM tennis, but several of the interna- years ago, Ferreira made a move FACEBOOK: facebook.com/WeberStateAthletics TWITTER: @WeberState tionals that have plied their trade to make an even greater impact INSTAGRAM: WSUWildcats for the Wildcats have had great on Weber State tennis, taking careers. Seven of those players over the head coaching position are enshrined in the WSU Athletics of the men’s team, and eventually Hall of Fame in Carmen Garduno- becoming the Director of Tennis Berlinerblau (track), Wendy for the Wildcats. In Ferreira’s Compton (tennis), Javier Chavez tenure, the men’s squad has put (track), Jonas Ehrlin (tennis), together three-straight Big Sky Anna Gunnarsson (tennis), Conference regular season titles.

Carito Villaroman (golf), and Copyright © 2016 by Bruce Covernton (football). Add Weber State Athletics Publications to that list Elizabet Wahlquist, Darin Hogge All Rights Reserved Director of Digital Media and Publications Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 3 From the A.D. A Message from Jerry Bovee

new school year is are plenty of local or regional quickly approaching and students-athletes who could be thus the second year of given those same opportunities. The “Bleed Purple Magazine” ultimate consideration a coach is ready for distribution. determines in recruiting student- AThe 2015-2016 season was an athletes is can the recruit help the amazing one for Weber State program to be successful in Athletics as four of our teams won competition and in the classroom. Big Sky Championships and There are, however, other outcomes advanced to the NCAA Tournament. that add to the successful culture of In addition, nearly each of the 16 an athletics program from foreign teams participated or qualified for student-athletes. Having a diverse Big Sky Tournament play and 12 of group of students from different the 16 sports finished in the top five backgrounds and cultures improves in Big Sky Conference standings. the educational experience within Among some of the achievements I’m asked occasionally as to the the athletics program as well as the was the Wildcat women’s basketball reasons we would offer students of general student-body at Weber team setting a new school record in other countries scholarships to play State. It serves a vital role of the wins with 23 and earning a trip to a sport at Weber State when there overall mission of the university and the championship game in the improves the cultural diversity of Women’s Basketball Invitational; the educational experience for every Women’s Cross Country won their “Having a diverse group student. As you’ll see in some of the fourth Big Sky title in the last five of students from following articles, these student- years and had their third-highest different backgrounds athletes have made and continue to finish at the NCAA championships; and cultures improves make worthwhile contributions to and Men’s Tennis made their first our community. It is just another ever appearance in the NCAA Tour- the educational aspect of what truly makes Weber nament. These accomplishments experience within the State great, great, great! make us proud that the hard work, athletics program as well dedication and efforts of our as the general We’ll see you at the games, go student-athletes and coaches student-body at Weber Wildcats! translate into success. It’s been rewarding to see the community State. It serves a vital Until next time, go Wildcats! pride in the accomplishments of our role of the overall teams. mission of the This edition of “Bleed Purple” university and features the experiences of stu- improves the cultural dent-athletes who have come to Jerry Bovee Weber State from other countries diversity of the Weber State Director of Athletics looking for an opportunity to play educational experience their sport and get an education. for every student.”

4 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 5 6 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com The Weber State softball team celebrates following a home run by Aubrey Whitmer during the Wildcats’ 6-0 win over Idaho State in the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference championship tournament. (Photo by Robert Casey)

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 7 8 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Members of the Pittsburgh pep band filled in for Weber State at the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament after the Wildcat’s band was unable to attend the game due to a scheduling conflict. (Photo by Darin Hogge)

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 9 10 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Weber State’s Desirae Cruse clears the bar in the high jump and appears to be swallowed up by the mat during the team’s Twilight Meet in May. (Photos by Robert Casey)

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 11 with Jake Ness

Get to know men’s track’s Jake Ness, a freshman from Salisbury, England as Lexie Albi met up with him for the latest edition of Playin’ on Purple.

Playin’ On Purple: What is something Americans do that you think is weird? Jake Ness: Probably the way they talk is the weirdest thing.

P.O.P What is the biggest difference between here and home? J.N. The chocolate is really bad here compared to European Chocolate.

P.O.P. Walk us through your recruiting process and why you decided to come to Weber State. J.N. Well before last summer I was looking at places to go and I actually got a scholarship somewhere else, but my GPA dropped so they dropped my scholarship. The last month of the summer, I was in a mad rush to find a place and Coach Isaac Wood approached me and spoke to me and offered me a scholarship and so I came to Weber State.

P.O.P. If you could play any other sport collegiately what would you play and why? J.N. I’d play soccer because as British people we play soccer a lot. My childhood was all about soccer.

P.O.P. If you could witness any athletic event past present or future what would it by and why? J.N. I would go to the Bejing Olympics and watch Usain Bolt smash the world record.

POP: What is your favorite cereal and why? J.N. Weetabix, because you can eat a lot of it and it tastes good.

POP: What’s the best concert you’ve ever been too? J.N. Probably Five Finger Death Punch because it’s a metal concert and the more bruised you get the better it is and my buddy was covered so it was really fun. I actually crowd surfed up to the stage and had to get hauled off by security but as I was leaving the lead singer took off his shirt, signed it, and then gave it to me.

POP: Do you have any plans for after college? J.N. I’m going to go back home and hopefully work for a private sports clinic and hopefully use the degree that I’m getting here.

12 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Weber State University

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 13 Weber State University WORLD OF SUCCESS

Mixing a strong group of internationals with a solid core of national and local players has led to three-straight Big Sky men’s tennis titles and a resurgence with the Wildcat women’s program.

By CORIE HOLMES

ennis is a sport that’s Gdasnk, Poland, sophomore Domi- Plymouth, England, and sophomore known around the world, nique Beauvais from North Vancou- Hou-En Chen from Keelung City, a fact that is apparent by ver, Canada, sophomore Devi Hasan Taiwan. the nine international from Jakarta, Indonesia and freshman The nine international players student-athletes on the Morgan Dickason from Stellenbosch, had combined for 402 career wins Weber State tennis South Africa. over singles and doubles play, help- squads. These Wildcats are from all On the men’s side of tennis there ing the Wildcat tennis programs Tover the globe, from Poland to were five international student-ath- enjoy successful seasons as of late. Indonesia and all sorts of places in letes: seniors Jakub Gewert from The women’s program has finished between. Gnlezno, Poland and Todd Fought in the top four of the Big Sky Con- On the women’s team this past from West Vancouver, Canada, ference each of the last two seasons, season were four international ath- juniors Shao-Po Yin from Kaohsiung while the men’s team has won three- letes: senior Agata Bachanek from City, Taiwan and Stefan Cooper from straight conference regular season

14 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Todd Fought has been one of the top players for the WSU WORLD OF SUCCESS men’s tennis team for the past four seasons, and wrapped up his career this spring with nearly 100 wins.

titles, and this past year advanced “Before, it was either I was going go to school and play tennis at the to the NCAA tournament as a team to go pro or I wasn’t going to do same time, so I knew I wanted to for the first time in school history. anything,” Bachanek said. “I didn’t come to the states and get my degree Each of these athletes started realize there was a middle ground. and learn to speak English because playing tennis at a very young age I could only pick school or tennis, that’s pretty cool,” Hasan said. “Back and competed in varying tournaments but I couldn’t have both. Here in the home you can’t play tennis while you before getting recruited at Weber states it’s amazing that I can do both study, you have to choose one of State. at the same time.” them. Coming to the states and For Bachanek and Hasan one of Hasan agreed that coming to the playing college tennis is really cool.” the main reasons they looked at states and playing college tennis is Most of the international student coming to the United States was for an amazing experience. athletes for the tennis squad had the opportunity to be able to study “I heard about this program some type of connection to Weber and get a degree while competing. where you could go to the states and State that drew them here.

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 15 For Yin and Chen it was an assistant Beauvais was drawn to the athletics before,” Chen said. “Here we go see coach for the women’s team in 2014-15, program at Weber State and wanted a different state and it’s nothing like Annie Hwang. to continue her life as a student-athlete. Taiwan.” “Last year the assistant coach on “I was interested in Weber State “It’s cool to play matches and the girls team, Annie, and Hou-En based on the tennis program,” Beauvais travel. It’s one of my favorite things were here,” Yin said. “I was at Lewis said. “I’d heard it was really great because I would never get a chance Clark State in Idaho and my high and I really enjoy the aspect of like this at home,” Hasan said. “When school coach asked me if I wanted community they have within athletics. I look back at this moment from the to come and transfer to Weber State I get a lot of support through them future it’s going to be really cool to to be with them and I said yeah.” and that was something that I was see all I did with tennis and with Dickason’s connection to Weber drawn to.” school. It will be fun to look back State was the coaches in Brad Ferreira Being able to travel is another and see all the traveling I did and and Mark Roberts who are both opportunity that the international the places I’d been.” from South Africa as well. student-athletes aren’t able to take Road trips do more than just “I wanted to come to Weber State advantage of. expose student-athletes to the because both the coaches are from “Here we drive six or seven hours different states. The teams can bond my state and Utah looked like a cool and we’re in a different state that and come together on road trips. place,” she said. isn’t like anything we’ve ever seen “I look forward to all the road trips because the team gets closer and we gel together,” Cooper said. “It helps our team chemistry which helps us compete better as a team.” The concept of a tennis team is something that several Wildcat netters have had to adjust to as tennis is primarily an individual sport, but it’s something that has become one of their favorite things about being at Weber State. “My favorite part of being here at Weber State is just being part of the team,” Fought said. “Since my freshman year I’ve lived with the tennis team, I eat with the tennis team, I go out with the tennis team, I play with the tennis team. They have become family.” “Being a part of a team is completely different than individual tournaments,” Dickason said. “I really love it. I love that we cheer each other on and if someone is having a bad day then someone else can pull through and

Bachanek (right) has held the No. 1 singles spot for the Wildcats for the last three seasons. Her main doubles partner, Hasan (left) posted double-digit wins this past season across the 4-6 singles spots.

16 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 17 we can still get the win and that’s said. “Here if you get injured you it’s easier to access.” my favorite part of Weber State is have a trainer to help you and he’ll “Everything at Weber State is just the team environment.” give you 100 percent to take care of really great,” Bachanek added. “The Tennis at Weber State has also the treatment. In Taiwan athletics facilities and school are just really been a blessing for many. The easy aren’t that important and if you get awesome. There’s nothing like this access to facilities and injury treatments injured you probably just take a at home.” is not something many have. quick two hour rest and then go hit There are plenty of adjustments “The biggest difference between again.” that have to be made when uprooted tennis here and tennis in Taiwan is “The freeness and easiness of life from one culture and placed in the treatment to get healthy,” Chen here was the biggest difference for another. For most of the international me,” Cooper said. “On the tennis side students on the tennis squad the there’s not as many public courts food and language in America were Hou-En “Eddie” Chen recorded and it was hard to gain access to the biggest culture shocks. 19 wins for the Wildcats this past season, including a 7-2 those kinds of things. Over here “The food is very unhealthy here mark in Big Sky singles play. there are more tennis facilities and compared to back home,” Dickason said. “That is one thing I’ve had to get used to.” “The language is the biggest thing I’ve had to adjust to, and the land,” Yin said. “Everything is big here, big mountains, big rivers, lots of land. Everything in Taiwan is tiny.” “Learning English has been a big thing for me,” Bachanek said. “When I came I couldn’t really speak English at all. I couldn’t understand people and they couldn’t understand me, so it took a while before I even felt comfortable going out.” Hasan wasn’t so specific when she expressed her major cultural adjustments. “Everything is different,” Hasan said. “The food, the language, the people, everything. It’s just really different.” One thing all nine tennis athletes agreed on was how much they love being student-athletes at Weber State. “I love being a student-athlete at Weber State,” Beauvais said. “I’ve been a student-athlete all my life so I can’t really picture myself being anything else. I really wouldn’t change anything. I love being an athlete and it’s been an incredible opportunity to do that here.”

18 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Compliance Corner Occassional Meals

One of the missions of the Weber State Office of Athletics Compliance is to educate those who support our athletics programs. You may or may not know that NCAA rules control what a booster can and cannot do with recruits and current student-athletes. Improper interactions between a booster and a current or future student-athlete may jeopardize the student-athlete’s eligibility.

According to NCAA rules, you are a booster if you 1. Have participated in or have been a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution’s athletics program (e.g. Wildcat Club); 2. Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization; 3. Have assisted or been asked to assist by the athletics department in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete; 4. Assist or have assisted in provided benefits to student-athletes or their families; OR 5. Have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution’s athletics program.

It is important to remember that once you trigger booster status with an institution, you are always considered a booster.

n the world of athletics makeup or wording of the adver- before you act. The athletics compliance, we often hear of of tisement that the squad members, compliance office will work with business’s desires to somehow individually or collectively, or the you to determine that your actions work with student-athletes. institution endorses the product or do not jeopardize the eligibility of While it is impermissible for service of the advertiser; our student-athletes. Istudent-athletes to endorse 4. The student-athlete has not commercial product or services, signed a consent or release granting As always, please feel free to con- there is still a way that your business permission to use the student-ath- tact me if you have any questions. could be associated with student- lete’s name or picture in a manner athletes. NCAA rules permit a inconsistent with the requirements Sincerely, business to use a student-athlete’s of this section; and name or picture, or the group 5. If the student-athlete has picture of an institution’s athletics received a prize from a commercial squad, to appear in an advertisement sponsor in conjunction with Will Pridemore of a particular business, commercial participation in a promotional Director of Compliance product or service, provided that contest and the advertisement [email protected] several conditions are met. Those involves the announcement of 801.626.8552 conditions are: receipt of the prize, the receipt of 1. The primary purpose of the the prize is consistent with the advertisement is to publicize the provisions of Bylaw 12.5.2.3.3 and sponsor’s congratulations to the official interpretations. student-athlete or team; So, if your business would like to 2. The advertisement does not place an ad congratulating one of include a reproduction of the prod- our athletics teams for a Big Sky uct with which the business is asso- Conference championship, you can ciated or any other item or descrip- do so provided the above conditions tion identifying the business or are met. service other than its name or Should you or your business want trademark; to take advantage of this rule, please 3. There is no indication in the remember our motto of asking

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 19 20 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com FAMILY AWAY FROM HOME Nearly 7,000 miles from her home in Israel, Yarden Danan has discovered a new family playing basketball at Weber State.

By CHRIS J. MILLER

eaving her close-knit family her teammates,” said head basketball Life in Israel in Israel to come to the coach Bethann Ord. “Ya is someone Yarden is a basketball natural. United States may have that people gravitate to on campus.” Her first name is Hebrew for Jordan, been the toughest thing “Yarden is a student who likes to a significant river of Biblical fame, Yarden Danan has had to do learn and have fun at the same time,” but also one of basketball royalty. in her nearly 20 years of life. said instructor Maria Mortensen. She grew up in Ben Shemen, Israel, But the results have been rewarding “She has a good attitude about life where her father managed a zoo. Lto her, her family and the Weber and loves to play basketball, her true Her father and mother had State community as well. passion.” known each other since childhood, And guess what? Yarden has found out she has a wonderful big family here in Utah as well. Danan just finished up her freshman basketball season at Weber State, and after spring finals, anxiously prepared to leave for home in Rehovot, Israel, located just 20 minutes south of Tel Aviv. She was all smiles at the thought of seeing her siblings, hugging her parents, and connecting with the comforts of home. But after 10 months in Ogden, Danan will miss her friends here, and the great experiences she has gained as a student-athlete at WSU. “She always has a smile on her face. Ya has done a great job soaking up the whole college experience,” assistant basketball coach Matt Thune said. “It has been fun to watch her grow in her first year at Weber State, and we will be looking forward to seeing the player and woman she will become during the next three years.” “Yarden is a great kid who loves

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 21 “In Israel, I played with Asia Taylor, who had played for Coach Ord and Coach Thune at Louisville. She encouraged them to follow my career, and I am glad they did.’’ growing up in the same larger home, and stick with her on that,” Yarden in the United States, and I listened and were married after her father said. to her. I feel like I had an advantage, returned from his studies at Yeshiva While not all Israelis encourage in that my English is much better University in New York City. young women to pursue college and than many others, and it helps me. When she was 8 or 9, Yarden’s athletic goals, Yarden’s family and It’s not easy to be away from home.” father, Miko, became manager of a friends advised her to follow her Danan also was drawing attention collection of age-group basketball dreams. for her play with the Israel national teams in Rehovot, coaching three of She has some pretty knowledgeable U16 team, helping her squad win the 20 squads. advisers, for sure. the B Division title at the European “He was my first coach, but after One is Shay Doron, perhaps the Championships. one year (perhaps sensing her talent), most famous Israeli female basketball Finding Ogden he told me to go and join another player. She was a standout in high After deciding to pursue college team that would treat me differently school in New York City, played basketball dream, Danan received than he would,” Yarden remembers. college ball at Maryland, and a several offers from around the “It wasn’t long before I was living in enjoyed a short stint in the WNBA nation. a different city, in an apartment, before returning to her native country. Including Weber State. playing basketball and studying at “I played one season with Shay, “In Israel, I played with (WNBA Kiryat Sharet Holon. It was tough to and have known her for many years,” player) Asia Taylor, who had played be away from my family, but good Yarden said. “In fact, her pro women’s for Coach Ord and Coach Thune at for my basketball.” league team just beat our team for Louisville. She encouraged them to Danan’s family observes Shabbat, the Israel championship. follow my career, and I am glad they “my mother practices her religion “She advised me to go to college did,” Yarden said.

22 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com After Israel’s success at the European Championships, Danan had plenty of choices. “Coach Ord was persistent that they wanted me to come to Weber. I never visited Ogden, but she showed me around campus when we Skyped. Her father is Jewish, so I felt it would be good to be around someone who understood me and my customs,” she said. “It wasn’t too long before I decided to come to Weber.” “Asia had great character for us while we were at Louisville, and recommended we follow Yarden, because of her potential, but also After several down seasons, the Yarden came up big for the because of her character,” Ord said. Wildcats in the Big Sky Wildcats -- under Ord, Thune, J.D. Ord and the WSU staff saw lots Conference tournament, Gustin and Devan Newman – are averaging 20.5 points over of film of Danan competing in the starting to see results. WSU jumped WSU’s two games in Reno. European Championships and other out to a fast start on the season, then regional tournaments. after suffering a couple of key injuries, “We saw that Yarden had the regrouped and battled to one of desire to get better. She was good their best Big Sky campaigns in performances toward the end of the offensively, we saw she could shoot, many seasons. season and in tournament play. The but were impressed that her passing “The way this team came together Wildcats finished with a school-best was above and beyond.” this year was impressive,” Ord said. 23-12 record, and great optimism Still, recruiting an international “Even with the injuries and bumps for the future. player has its challenges. in the road, this season was a lot of “As the season went on, I got a “We want it to be the right fit – a great fun.” few more minutes. I felt great with opportunity for the student-athlete. As the ’Cats built some late-season my shot at the end of the season. It’s important to me to talk to Mom momentum, so did Danan. And I should spend more time at my and Dad and grandparents as well,” “I feel like the team worked hard, position next year,” Danan said. “I Ord added. especially after we lost Gina (Regina need to work hard on my shot this With the blessing of her parents, Okoye) and Joss (Jocelyn Adams). summer, so I’ll be ready to pick up Danan came to Ogden. Everyone picked up the slack and right where we left off in Reno. First season excitement did the best they could,” Danan said. “The coaching staff is amazing,” While Danan may not have “It was awesome at the end of the she said. “I love them. They are known much about the history of season.” always there if we need to work out.” WSU women’s basketball, her goal Awesome, as in nearly making New student-athlete was the same as with any other the Big Sky Conference semifinals, Danan remembers being homesick team. then stringing together three only once. “Before the season started, we straight victories in the Women’s “It was usually bad when it was said our goal was to win a champion- Basketball Invitational, before falling snowing,” she said. “I had one time, ship. I knew Weber was a small 87-85 in double overtime in the WBI when basketball wasn’t going well, team, but I was still surprised when championship in Lafayette, La. and I started thinking how I wanted I got here and found, that at 5-foot-10, For the season, Danan averaged to be with my friends and family, but I was one of the tallest players,” about 15 minutes a game, scoring I soon got over that.” Danan said. 5.3 points per contest with big While she didn’t enjoy Utah’s cold

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 23 weather, she warmed up to everything else. “The basketball players lived together this past year, and it really helped us become friends and be close,” Danan said. “I have made friends with girls from other sports as well. It’s awesome that all the athletes get along. “Really, all I’d heard about Utah was that it was cold and there would be a lot of Mormons. I didn’t even know what that meant,” she joked. “But I found that Mormons like Jewish people, and it’s been great here.” “We are a diverse group. We tell our team that as a family we appreciated the differences everyone brings to the table and we have a lot to learn from one another,” Thune had a little bit of a difficult time Yarden volunteered at Dee added. Elementary School in Ogden as adjusting to the food choices when While Danan says her culture is part of a community class with she first arrived,” Thune said. “She Weber State. warm and friendly, she found probably ate 200 tunafish sandwiches. Americans need their space. It was unreal. “It took some time to get used to Professor Mortensen thinks “I’ll probably have one in her that. I have enjoyed going to some Yarden excelled despite the time locker when she gets back from of my friends’ homes.” challenges of college athletics. Israel,” Thune joked. Maintaining her kosher diet was “Teaching international students Danan’s family has visited as well. also a challenge. has been a great joy because they “My grandmother came to visit “That was hard, but I get kosher bring so much into the classroom. They me on Christmas break, and my meat from a store in Salt Lake and bring their traditions, languages, and parents were here for 10 days in it has really worked out,” Danan said. experiences into the classroom … February,” Yarden said. “When my “It was just a matter of adjusting. but they are also learning about mother Liat was here, she was freezing “People in Utah have been very American culture,” Mortensen said. the whole time. But she liked where respectful of my religion. Before I “Yarden knew there would I lived and who I had around me.” came to Ogden, my father checked always be homework waiting for her “We have some really sweet families out the synagogue in Ogden, where when she was away playing basketball, in Ogden,” said Ord, “they don’t care 30-40 people attend each Friday and but she managed to do all she what religion you are, the people of Saturday. Many of them have come needed to. I wish her well in the Ogden will welcome and support to my games and supported me. future.” you.” They have invited me for Shabbat For one class, Danan and the Danan earned academic honors and holidays too. other students had the opportunity during her first semester. “I have a lot of people around me to volunteer for 18 hours in a local “I am studying physical therapy that support me. A family from Salt elementary school. Mortensen said and wellness,” Danan said. “The Lake have also kind of adopted me. Danan really excelled in her efforts language has been tough to keep up It’s been great.” at Dee Elementary School. with the deeper we get into my “I think I’m going to start calling “I was told that at recess Yarden studying. I have put so much more her Tuna. Yarden eats kosher and was always surrounded by students, time into studying than in Israel.”

24 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com teaching them how to play basketball. the Israel U20 national team. to adjust over here, and my coach She loved tutoring the children who “I hope to spend some time with told me it will take a few weeks to were waiting for her every Friday my brothers (Yahali, 16, and Ori, 12) get back into the groove of how they and she had a great time.” and sister (Agam, 9). My sister is so play as well.” Ord’s fondest memory of Danan excited to see me,” Yarden said. Women’s basketball in Israel is this season involves her own father. “I’ll be working out at the main relatively new. “My father is Jewish, and my training center in Israel, and I hope “I hope we can get there in a few mother Catholic, so I was familiar to be able to stay at home during years. Women’s basketball improves with a lot of things,” Ord said. “I’d that time,” Danan said. “Our goal for a little bit every year,” Danan said. even asked Yarden to teach me a few this year is to make the top three in “We are excited to see her go words. the European B Division, which home and play for the national “My parents came to Ogden to would move us up to the A Division. team,” Ord said. “We’re glad to see see me, and Yarden was so sweet Then a top placement down the road her go home, and know she’ll be with my Dad. She would walk with gets you into the Olympic qualifying.” working hard.” him, and sing him songs in Hebrew Both Danan and the WSU staff Yarden would recommend Weber as they walked. It was wonderful.” knows the style of play is different State to other players. “I tell girls I Summer plans on each side of the Atlantic Ocean. play with in Israel, “ ‘Go for it. Get a Danan left Ogden on April 29. On “The style is much different in degree, combined with the basket- May 1, she began working out with Europe,” Danan said. “It took a while ball. It is great.’ ”

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 25 ‘Cat Tales Wildcat hoopsters make names around the world

by PAUL GRUA at Weber State, Arceneaux had a have changed his life. long professional career. From sum- Boyette grew up on the tough ven 17 years after he led mer leagues in the NBA to minor streets of Hammond, a suburb of Weber State to an upset professional leagues in the United Chicago. It’s an area known for its win over North Carolina, States, and to countries near and far, high crime and tough way of life. But Harold ”The Show” Arce- Arceneaux continued playing Boyette was given a chance to attend neaux is still recognized as basketball. He played for profes- college and spent three years as a one of the stories of March sional teams in Austrailia, France, star for the Wildcats, including Madness. But Arceneaux is not just Portugal, Argentina, South Korea, leading WSU to a perfect Big Sky Eknown in the United States; he truly Phillipines, Brazil and Mexico. In the record as a senior in 2002-03. That became a worldwide show, playing final few years of his career in season he was named Big Sky MVP professional basketball in just about Mexico, he spent time as a player and led the ‘Cats to the NCAA every corner of the globe. and a coach for Lechugueros De Tournament. Arceneaux is not alone. Over the Leon in Leon. Following his playing career with last several years, many former It’s a long way from Hammond, the Wildcats, Boyette set out to Wildcat men’s basketball players Indiana, to Ogden, Utah, and even continue his basketball dreams and have made a name for themselves farther to Poland and Japan, but someday play in the NBA. He had playing professionally on every basketball has taken Wildcat Hall of multiple summer league camps and continent. Famer Jermaine Boyette to lots of tryouts with NBA teams, including Despite not making it to the NBA places around the world. Basketball a couple of stints with the Utah Jazz after his standout two-year career and his experience at Weber State summer league team. He was the

26 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com last player cut one season with the Bamforth and his wife Kendra are Lindsey Hughey and Daviin Davis. Jazz. But his tryouts with the NBA raising their two sons, Kingzton and Former Big Sky MVP’s David did open opportunities for him to Jaxzton in Spain. Patten and Kellen McCoy and former play all over the world. One of Bamforth’s teammates at Wildcat Frank Otis also spent several “I went on to play in Poland,” he Weber State, Kyle Tresnak, has spent years playing professionally all over said. “I came back the next year to the last two seasons in Europe as the world. the summer league with the Jazz but well, first with Spain and last year While Damian Lillard has proven I had a thumb injury and wasn’t able in France. During the past season he himself as one of the best players in to play much. From there I went to led his team, GET Vosges, in scoring the NBA, and now Joel Bolomboy the CBA were I played for the Idaho at 12.2 points and grabbed 5.9 plans on joining him in the NBA, Stampede. Then a team in France rebounds per game. other former Wildcats have been wanted me so I went over there Other Wildcats still playing able to have great careers and visit midway through the CBA season and professionally overseas include all corners of the Earth. played two years in France. Then I went to Italy and played there for four or five years. I also played in Venezuela and Israel and spent the last few playing years in Japan.” Boyette, who this year was inducted into the Weber State Athletics Hall of Fame, had great experiences playing in those many places across the globe. A number of other Wildcats also continued or are still playing professionally across the world. After this three-year career at Weber State, Scott Bamforth signed to play professionally in Spain where he has played the last three seasons. He spent last season playing for BC Sevilla in the Spanish ACB league where he averaged 12.5 points and 2.4 assists per game. WSU’s career leader in 3-pointers also shot 44 percent from 3-point range. The ACB League is considered one of the most competitive leagues in all of Europe and Bamforth has played with and against some great competition. One of his teammates at BC Sevillia was Kristaps Porzingis, now with the New York Knicks.

Harold Arceneaux (opposite) and Scott Bamforth (right) are just two of the many players from the Weber State men’s basketball program to play professionally in foreign countries.

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 27 28 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Track to Success Once an international track & field recruit for Weber State, Javier Chavez has called Ogden his home for nearly 40 years. by JIM BURTON

s the story goes, Javier In fact, he was richer than most said, referring to that first year at Chavez arrived in Ogden people ever imagine. He had within Weber State. in 1977, a humble young in himself something more valuable He was far away from home, man from a farming than monetary wealth, because living in a different country and community in central money, gold and jewelry can be speaking a different language. He Mexico. Speaking squandered. In addition to the was running for longtime track almost no English and possessing clothes on his back and the things coach Chick Hislop, whose wife almostA no money, he showed up to in his duffle bag, Javier had an would give Javier English lessons. claim his Weber State track scholarship incredible work ethic, a will to compete And to make matters worse, with the clothes on his back and a and win, and most importantly, an there was snow on the ground. few other items stuffed in a duffle indomitable sense of positivity. “We had to run in the snow and bag. Poor? Not hardly. Javier was the cold,” he said. “I was missing my Yes, as the story goes, Javier never poor … ever. Not on his family. I cried.” Chavez – track champion, restaurateur, family’s farm in Mexico, not when A deeply religious man, Javier successful businessman, beloved he missed making Mexico’s 1976 said he turned to God then, and he philanthropist, WSU Hall of Famer Olympic track team by a fraction of continues to do so now. and distinguished alumnus – had a second, and certainly not when he “I said, ‘Why, why (did I come to) nothing when he first set foot on was running track at Weber State the United States,” he admitted. campus nearly 40 years ago. while trying to save up enough “Now I say, “Thanks God, thanks!” That’s the story, but it’s not money to buy his first restaurant. That story explains a lot about exactly true. Back then the inside of his wallet the man who grew up on a farm in The truth of it is, while Javier may have seemed as desolate as the a small Mexican village. There was arrived in Ogden with precious little Mojave Desert, but his innate ability no electricity, no running water. As in the way of monetary value, he to find the good in every situation the second of 12 children, he learned was as far from poor as Zacatecas, was as lively as the Amazon. the importance of hard work at an Mexico is from Mt. Ogden peak. “It was hard, tough, tough,” Javier early age. Whatever he got, he

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 29 “Javier is the gold standard of what the possibilities are for a student-athlete at Weber State. His story and life of never quitting and never giving in is what we hope is an outcome for all our student-athletes.” -- Jerry Bovee earned and he appreciated having it. evening we played and the moon, it has been so successful. “Imagine with no light, no power, was so beautiful.” Whether he’s thinking back on no gas, no nothing,” he said, grinning Seeing now that unstoppable his childhood or remembering those at the very memory of his childhood. combination of hard work, gratitude early days at Weber State, running “We loved the moon because in the and positivity, it’s no wonder Javier in the snow, learning English, going to school and working part time to earn a little extra money, Javier always manages a smile. “It was a challenge for me, but I made it,” he said. “It was hard, but I did okay.” He did more than “okay.” He became one of Weber State’s all-time great athletes and is a member of the school’s athletic hall of fame. Javier’s athletic career – as well as his subsequent career in the restaurant business – is well known to those who bleed purple, or who simply enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine. He was Mexico’s national champion in the 800 and 1,500 meters and was later recruited to Weber State where he won numerous track titles, including the Big Sky Conference’s indoor mile title in 1979, and the 1,500 meters in the conference’s 1980 outdoor track championships. Of course beyond the quantifiable things he did on the track, he has impacted the Ogden area in untold ways. Indeed, if his athletic career was special – and it was – his work as a business owner, a restaurateur, a coach and a mentor is world class. Walk into one of his Mexican restaurants in and around Ogden, and it’s easy to see what Weber State

30 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Javier’s daughter Amada carried on the Chavez track legacy, becoming a star middle distance runner for the Wildcats. has meant to him. It’s easy to see that he is proud to be a Wildcat. A closer inspection reveals a loyalty that runs both ways. Javier has a love for all things Weber State and it should come as no surprise that the Wildcats – students, faculty, staff and fans – feel a connection to him. First of all, because he’s one of them, and sec- ondly, the food served at his restaurants is first-rate. But the connection goes beyond alma maters and enchiladas; on a strictly human level, there is an appreciation for his happy smile, gregarious personality and unconquerable spirit. smile. “But I liked to run and steal a duffle bag. “Javier is the gold standard of bases.” Of course we know by now that what the possibilities are for a His baseball coaches encouraged he also carried within him the will student-athlete at Weber State,” him, but the track coaches coveted to compete, the strength to succeed WSU Athletic Director Jerry Bovee him and eventually they convinced and the power of positivity. said. “His story and life of never him he needed to become a runner. “In an era when we talk of closing quitting and never giving in is what Blessed with an athletic ability borders, dashing the hopes and we hope is an outcome for all our to make hard things look easy, Javier dreams of a better life here in the student-athletes. took his smooth stride and positive United States, Javier’s life would be “The experiences gained through disposition to the world of running. a case study in fulfilling those participation in intercollegiate He took to the sport quickly and hopes,” said former Weber State athletics at Weber State translate soon became Mexico’s national Sports Information Director Brad into real life settings that hopefully champion in the 800 and 1,600 Larsen. “He came to Weber State lead to the success that Javier has meters. That eventually led him to almost sight unseen to run for the earned.” the Olympic trials, which eventually track team. He left with numerous Javier’s backstory is very much led to the heartache of coming close honors, and is now a member of the a testament to the positivity of to his dream, only to come up a few WSU Athletics Hall of Fame.” perseverance. seconds short. Still smiling at the memories, And it’s very inspiring. A track coach at BYU told Javier Javier said he owes everything to He was drawn to baseball at an there were opportunities for him in Weber State. early age and he played the game the United States, and he pointed “I always will be Weber State,” with the same joy and competitive him toward Weber State. he said. fire he displayed as a runner. In fact, And that brings us back to 1977, And Weber State – and for that running was his favorite aspect of when Javier – who was 28 at the matter the entire state of Utah – is the game. time – showed up with nothing of richer for having Javier Chavez in “I was a good player, but I didn’t real monetary value, just a few the community. bat too good,” he said with his usual bucks, the clothes on his back and

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 31 32 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com FINDING WILDCATS AROUND THE GLOBE

The practice of recruiting international student-athletes presents some unique challenges for Weber State’s coaching staffs, but it also comes with some great benefits for the program and the university.

By DARIN HOGGE

idsummer means the at the college level. Successfully regionally and nationally around the offseason for all 16 recruiting talented student-athletes United States. With the exception of athletics programs who are a good fit for the program tennis, recruiting beyond the borders at Weber State, and translates into success on the field, of the United States has been rare with no games, making it a vital part of what goes at Weber State, but in recent years matches or meets to in to creating a winning program. the practice has grown, and nearly prepare for, the Wildcats’ coaching For the majority of the athletics every program has featured at least Mstaffs find more time to focus on programs at Weber State, the search one international student-athlete recruiting in this time of year. for those quality student-athletes on its roster over the past few years. Recruiting is what fuels success begins in the local area and expands The theory is simple: find the

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 33 highest quality of student-athlete “There is a lot of talent in the that you have been working with.” that is possible who will also be a state of Utah, but there are also a lot Director of Golf Scott Erling has good fit within the program, the of good college programs around found that recruiting international university and the community. that they can decide to go to,” said athletes removes an often inherent “The biggest reason I look out of Wood. “It’s nice to have some bias that is often found when the country is to try to find kids that national or international athletes recruiting locally or nationally. are better prepared for college than that you can kind of work with as “A lot of American kids view all we can get in-state or regionally,” the recruiting season goes on, so of college athletics through the said assistant coach Isaac Wood, that if you don’t land some of the major sports such as football and who has handled the bulk of the local athletes that you really wanted, men’s basketball,” said Erling. international recruiting for track & you can go after these foreign kids “Sometimes you go after kids that field and cross country under head coaches Dan Walker and Paul Pilkington. “If we can find an athlete out there that is better than what we can get here locally, then we are going to do our best to try and go get them.” The 2015-16 season saw 20 international student-athletes from 12 different countries competing for Weber State, led by men’s and women’s tennis, who combined for nearly half of the total with nine internationals. “With tennis being such an international sport, for us to be competitive we really have to go international with our recruiting,” said Director of Tennis Brad Ferreira. “Our preference would be to always take Utah kids, but the top Utah kids will often choose to go out of state or to one of the other Utah schools, forcing us nationally or internationally with our recruiting.” Track and Field has also made a push recruiting internationally of late, with four such student-athletes this past season, and is finding the foreign pool a great place to supplement a local-heavy roster.

Lee Shepherd, from Mans- field, England, is one of 20 international student-athletes that competed for Weber State athletics last season.

34 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com “They really view this as a special opportunity to compete at a whole different level and they are just really hungry for the opportunity to come and get a chance to do that. And so sometimes you are getting a higher level talent-wise because they just want a chance to show what they can do here.” -- Scott Erling could really thrive in our environment, Utah, which I think is great and is can get to be a real nightmare keeping but they never give it a chance something that we will always try everything on the right track and because they don’t view us as being to do here, but when everyone’s communicating with them all the on the same level, even though we from the same place, their life things that need to be done. Especially are a Division-I program. And you experience can be a bit narrow if they don’t speak English as a never get a fair opportunity, I feel, sometimes. So I think it has been second language, they need to to change their mind. With international great getting some international understand that X, Y and Z need to kids, they don’t grow up watching kids in that they can show what be done before A, B and C. So that those sports, so there’s not that bias things are like in different parts of can be a little hard.” that’s built in.” the world. And it works both ways. “The International Student “Another thing that’s come to They get to have a different life Center on campus is very good to pass when I’ve talked with interna- experience too, so I think it’s deal with,” said Ferriera. “But we tional kids is that they are so eager beneficial to everyone involved.” have to worry about not just the for the opportunity,” added Erling. While recruiting outside of the school application process, but also “They really want to come to America, United States provides some great them being eligible to get a visa. get an American education, play in benefits, the process definitely They go through the application an American sport system. They comes with some challenges, the process here, then they have to get really view this as a special biggest of which is not having the a form submitted, and then they opportunity to get a chance to opportunity to go and watch them have to go to their embassies to try compete at a whole different level, compete and meet them in person. and get student visas to get here. and they are just really hungry for “Everything that we’re doing is Once they are in, we have to always the opportunity to come and get a kind of through email, through make sure they are on track with chance to do that. And so sometimes Skype, checking their progress in their studies in order for them to you are getting a higher level tournaments, things like that,” said keep their visas.” talent-wise because they just want Erling. “It’s missing that sit down, Technology has definitely made a chance to show what they can do face to face, actually getting to see an impact for the better in regard over here.” them. So that can present some to solving many of the difficulties In addition to providing a much challenges.” coaches encounter as it enhances larger pool from which to find quality Another challenge comes in the the process of research and commu- student-athletes to add to the roster, way of extra steps and paperwork nication. Coaches can view results mixing international athletes into a in the application process. Both of players online, watch videos program often enhances the program Wood and Ferreira noted the posted to YouTube to see playing in other ways. administrative obstacles that need styles and mechanics, and the use “Another thing I’ve enjoyed about to be navigated in bringing in an of Skype turns phone calls into face- recruiting international kids, and international athlete. to-face conversations. getting a couple on the team, is that “The paperwork is a huge chal- “A lot of our recruiting is Internet it really helps round out the lenge,” said Wood. “Trying to stay in based,” said Ferreira. “There is a experience,” said Erling. “We’re compliance and trying to get them Universal Tennis Rating that was predominantly made up of kids from into school and all those things. It developed about three years ago in

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 35 which the rating system is the same results services that help him be Internet research is helpful in for every kid in the world. That system efficient with his research. From that it can work both ways. Not only makes it very easy to compare talent there, he identifies athletes that he can coaches get to know potential between U.S. players and players can perform some targeted research recruits better without bringing from various foreign countries. So on. them on campus, but recruits can with YouTube videos of players, “Once I find an athlete with good check out the university, the campus, combined with the rating system, results from a particular meet, I try the athletics facilities, and the Ogden combined with talking with recruiters to find results from that athlete in area without making a visit. and other players who know the other competitions to make sure “A lot of the kids we contact get athlete we are looking at, you can that it wasn’t just a one hit wonder,” very intrigued by Ogden and Utah,” find a lot out about a kid before you said Wood. “After I solidify that they said Wood. “A lot of the research of even contact them.” are worthy to be recruited, I will what it looks like, and what the Coach Wood spends hours scouring typically find them on social media. environment is, and what it’s like track and field results from various Social media has changed the game here, they do it on their own. Which countries on the Internet, using on recruiting. I can just find an athlete is nice, so by the time I’m talking to national association sites as a starting we’re interested in on there and them a second time, they’re saying point. He also subscribes to various start a conversation.” ‘Ogden looks like a great place.’ A lot of the selling happens on its own, especially because Ogden is a great place to live and to train.” This situation is night and day from when Ferreira found his way to Weber State as a tennis player in the mid 80’s from his home in South Africa. Recruiting internationally was a crapshoot, with coaches often taking on a player based mainly on results and referrals. Often players sent letters to several schools, hoping to catch some interest. “In my case, I sent a letter to a player I knew who was at the University of Utah,” said Ferreira. “He wrote a letter back saying that the coach at Weber was looking for a player and he had a phone number. I ended up calling him, so I got here really on a referral basis. I was lucky that it worked out for me. I had sent about 60 letters and only got about four replies when I was applying for schools to play at. Weber wasn’t even

Internet technologies have vastly changed the international recruiting process since WSU Director of Tennis Brad Ferriera found his way to Weber State in the 1980’s.

36 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com WSU men’s golf head coach Scott Erling has primarily recruited places like England, Australia, and Canada, but has looked in places like Central America and South- east Asia, and admits that “There’s nowhere that we wouldn’t look for kids.”

on the list of 60 schools, because as how the NCAA eligibility process for a program. an international all we knew about works, what classes they need to “A lot of times, I can just deal with was California and New York or Florida. have in high school, and the best way one person at a service about Unless you know a place for some to be prepared to sign with a college multiple kids,” said Erling. “As you certain reason, no one knows where athletics program. build relationships with these guys, states like Utah are or what they are “Sometimes if an American high they learn what you’re looking for like.” schooler is lucky, there’s been a and they can begin to weed out players Recruiting services also help the counselor at school that’s had some that they feel just won’t be a good process greatly in that they can experience with other student-athletes fit with your program. That really assist in identifying players, get and can point them in the right helps, because then you don’t have coaches in contact with potential direction,” said Erling. “But I can’t to waste their time or your time recruits, and help navigate the tell you how many times I’ve talked trying to figure out if a player is eligibility process. with someone and they’ve never going to work here.” “There’s some really good services heard of the NCAA clearinghouse, While the use of technology and where all they do is work to get kids they’ve never heard of the core recruiting services have vastly placed, so they do a lot of the leg requirements in school, things like changed the practice from the way work for these kids and their families,” that. They just don’t know. No one it was done decades ago, one way it said Erling. “It’s really helpful in that has ever told them, and the recruiting hasn’t changed since Ferreira came they understand the NCAA and the services do a pretty good job of get- to Weber State is that the process is system. ting the foreign players going.” still helped greatly by referrals. Erling sees this as a benefit that Coaches can develop good rela- “Word of mouth helps tremen- a lot of American high school athletes tionships with the foreign recruiting dously,” said Ferreira. “For instance haven’t received, someone who has service personnel, and they can we have two Polish kids in Kuba sat down with them and explained often turn into an unofficial recruiter (Jakub Gewert) and Agata

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 37 (Bachanek) who just finished up community, it’s not real hard to find and we hope that when they look with us, and now we are bringing in someone who played at a particular back at their time here, it is something another Polish kid who was a referral school and ask them about their that really stands out as a really from Aga, and we have another Polish experience. If that player has had a impactful, great time in their life.” girl who we are looking at that Aga good experience, it goes so far in “It’s amazing to see how foreign is helping us with. convincing someone that this might athletes really find Ogden as such a “The Polish kid sent us information, be a good opportunity for them. wonderful place as we do,” said we said we were interested and “We try to point out that while Wood. “It’s why we love working started recruiting him. At one point, golf is a big part of coming here, it here and being here. To have them he had decided to go to a different is just a part. We want them to get a feel Ogden and Weber State is as school until Aga talked to him and great education and have a great neat as we do, and for them to said ‘Look, this is why Weber would university experience. So when a embrace the culture here and be a much better fit for you.’ So player gets home, they’re going to embrace what Ogden is all about is because we had Polish kids who get asked about the golf, but they’re awesome. When people in Finland could talk to him and tell him what also going to be asked about the or Austria or Spain can talk to people was good about Weber State and the school and the campus, all that stuff. about Weber State and Ogden and state of Utah, he changed his mind So they can do so much good for what a wonderful place it is only instead of signing with another everyone. We really work hard to does great things for the university school. make sure that every player has as and Ogden as a whole, so I think “We have a South African girl good of an experience as possible, that’s neat.” here now, and we’ve got three or four other South African girls that we are now recruiting, and we’ve got a South African boy coming in next year, all because of the girl that we have now. So good referrals really go a long way in not only finding good international players, but in helping out with the recruiting process along the way once we identify someone we would like to sign.” Erling feels that when someone from another country comes over here and has a really positive experience, they are the best salesmen for the university and for the program. “Someone who has had a great experience here is really invaluable, particularly for a program like ours,” said Erling. “Golf is such a tight-knit

Word of mouth referrals from players like Agata Bachanek, who have had positive experiences at Weber State, greatly help in the recruiting of international student-athletes and spreads the brand of the university across the globe.

38 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Ogden Courtyard by Marriott Official Wildcat Athletics Sponsor Make room for a little fun.

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WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 39 DIGGING OUT A NEW LIFE

40 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com DIGGING OUT A NEW LIFE Thamires Cavalcanti endured a tremendous amount of change from her club volleyball career in Brazil to collegiate volleyball in the U.S., but the junior libero is hoping for a new life in America after graduation. by CORIE HOLMES “Volleyball, volleyball, volleyball. to come to Weber State. It’s my life. I’ve never really done Volleyball became a huge part of her anything but volleyball.” life around the age of seven. She had Thamires Calvacanti, a junior family members encourage her to play on the Wildcat volleyball team, and volleyball and soccer. Once she started a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is playing volleyball at a local club, volleyball Jthe first South American volleyball player quickly became her passion.

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 41 “I kind of just want to get a job and live a normal life. After college I want to stay here in America. I want to make money and be rich and be happy. I want to give a better future to my parents and family.”

“My parents got divorced when play collegiate volleyball. “In Brazil we have clubs, we don’t I was five or six.,” Cavalcanti said. “I told him I couldn’t because I have college volleyball like this,” “My mom and I went to live with my was just a junior,” Cavalcanti said. Cavalcanti said. “You can go to school grandma. There was a park outside “He told me they would wait for me and play volleyball at the same time right by our house and I would go and for the next two years he stayed but it’s really hard. The professors play volleyball every day.” in touch with me and I just couldn’t are not understanding. They don’t When she was a junior in high say no.” care if you miss class because you school she was playing in a tournament Having the opportunity to play had to travel because it has nothing when former Weber State assistant volleyball and go to school is something to do with the school. It’s hard, and coach Brian Scott first approached she was excited about and something once you hit age 21 in a club you her about coming to the states to that influenced her decision. have to stop playing or you have to go play professional. There’s no other option.” At first it was hard to adjust. Cavalcanti spoke Portugese and knew very little English and the food was very different than what she was used to. “When I first came here from Brazil I gained almost 20 lbs” Cavalcanti said. “I was freaking out. In Brazil I don’t even eat half of what I eat here. It was a big adjustment for sure.” “I had no idea how to cook anything because at home my grandma would cook for me,” she said. “Now I know how to cook and I can even make some Brazilian things which helps a lot.” Competitive volleyball is a little different in America than in Brazil and it was an adjustment Cavalcanti wasn’t expecting. “The biggest difference between volleyball in Brazil and volleyball in America is how much they like to run and work out,” she said. “We never did that in Brazil. I would just play volleyball. We never worked out or ran. If I wanted to I could, but

42 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com it wasn’t a requirement. If you were training,” she added. “It definitely different competitive levels. good enough you played even if you helps in games. If a game goes into “Honestly, in Rio we don’t have a weren’t in shape. That was the biggest five sets and you weren’t in shape lot of teams,” she said. “We play the difference for me and it’s still hard you’d be too exhausted to function.” same three teams every year over for me to adjust too.” After coming to Weber State she and over again. Which sucks cause “I understand now the need for was excited for the opportunity to you want to play different people all the conditioning and weight play so many different teams at all and here you play so much and you play so many different teams and you play way better teams. That excites me and it’s always different.” Cavalcanti is majoring in business administration and hopes to be successful enough to support her family in the future. “When I was young I wanted to be a professional volleyball player but now I’ve been playing for 14 years and I don’t know if I want to play professional,” she said. “I kind of just want to get a job and live a normal life. After college I want to stay here in America. I want to make money and be rich and be happy. I want to give a better future to my parents and family.” One of her biggest inspirations in life is her family. Which is why she wants to give back to them for everything they’ve done to support her. “My grandma is my favorite person in the world,” she said. “She’s my second mom. She took care of me, she took me everywhere with her, she cooks for me, she calls me everyday to make sure I’m ok, she’s just amazing and her past was not easy and she overcame so much and is just so inspiring.” She isn’t getting ahead of herself “My grandma is my favorite person in the though she’s excited for her final two seasons as a Wildcat. world. She’s my second mom. She took care “This spring season for volleyball of me, she took me everywhere with her, she was so good,” she said. “Our team cooks for me, she calls me everyday to make has grown so much as a team and it’s made me so happy. It’s really fun sure I’m ok. She’s just amazing and her past was to see how much our team has not easy and she overcame so much and is just changed since last fall and I’m so so inspiring.” excited for this fall I can’t even tell you.”

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 43 “My scholarship has given me the opportunity to play Division I college volleyball, and to get a degree in the United States. I am so grateful for this great opportunity.”

Thamires Cavalcanti - Volleyball Rio de Janiero, Brazil Class of 2018

Join the Wildcat Club and help support WSU Student-Athlete Scholarships Call 801-626-6576 or visit WeberStateSports.com for more information or to join. 44 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com Create a Legacy Parties with a Purpose

undraising events are a at 801-626-6576 for more informa- This promises to be an event the great way to raise money, tion. community will talk about all year raise awareness and just On May 16th the Wildcat Club long; you don’t want to miss it! have fun! The Wildcat hosted the Crompton Golf Classic, Please call us at the Wildcat Club, Club hosts several fund- at the Ogden Golf and Country Club. 801 626 6576 if you would like to raising events each year. It was a great day of renewed friend- serve on the Cat Bash committee or Consider this your invitation to ships, great food, fun prizes, oh and donate auction items. Fjoin us for an opportunity mingle with fellow Wildcats and support a little golf! Proceeds from this event our great student-athletes and supported the WSU student-athlete programs. scholarship fund. Special thanks to February 16th, 2016, we lost our America First Credit Union for spon- beloved Coach Jeff Smith. His sudden soring the event. The Ogden Eccles death left a huge void at Weber State, Conference Center, Sonora Grill, in our community and certainly in Swire Coca Cola of Ogden and the hearts of so many. The Jeff Smith Golden Beverage Co, LLC made sure Memorial Golf Scholarship Fund was all the participants were well fed. established in his name. So far, Thank you to all who sponsored and $21,000 has been raised, and we are supported this great event, click hoping to raise $35,000 to reach an here to see a full list of sponsors endowment level. On Friday, August Next year the Crompton Golf Classic 26, 2016, the first annual Jeff Smith will be held on Monday May 15, Memorial Golf Tournament will be 2017. held in his honor, at The Barn Golf Exciting news…the annual Cat Course. If you have ever received a Bash Dinner and Auction is on the Golf City bucket of balls, a golf tip, move! New date, new venue, join us Director, on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the golf lesson, a pat on the back, or that Wildcat Club Athletic Fund famous “Hey, Hey, Hey” from Smitty… Marquardt Field House, (located here is your chance to pay it back. west of the Dee Event Center). All Join us as we remember and honor proceeds from this event benefit the the legacy of a golf great and our student-athlete scholarship fund, friend “Smitty.” Call the Wildcat Club last years’ event raised over $70,000.

For more information on becoming a Wildcat Club Athletic Fund member, please call us at 801-626-6576 or visit WeberStateSports.com

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 45 LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS

Venla Makarainen and Pihla Hokkanen, a pair of distance runners from Finland, moved nearly 5,000 miles from home last year and experienced an amazing year of changes. by JUSTIN JOHNSON

46 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS eaving familiar surroundings I thought that the best way to learn to Utah to join the Wildcats last fall. is never easy. a language is to live in the target “At the beginning, the different Adding in thousands of country.” language was the biggest step to me, miles, language, and cultural While Makarainen had previously and it took some time before I felt differences, and it becomes briefly visited the United States as okay,” Hokkanen said. “My first mem- Leven more of a challenge. a youth, new teammate Pihla ory was when my coach (assistant “I hadn’t been in the United States before I came to Weber. I was interested in running and studying in the U.S. It was a good opportunity to go abroad. My first year was amazing and I really enjoyed it.” -- Pihla Hokkanen

It was, however, an opportunity Hokkanen’s first experience in the track and field coach Isaac Wood) for a pair of Finnish athletes, to country came when the two traveled picked us up from the Salt Lake realize a sought after dream. “I had dreamt of studying and doing my sport abroad for a long time,” said Weber State distance runner Venla Makarainen. “Some of my running friends attended an American school, and their positive experiences, especially about competing and group training, fed my interest. “I wanted to grow as an athlete and see if training in the United States could bring something new into my running. Also, I have always had a vast interest in languages, and

Right: Pihla and Venla take time for a quick selfie together.

Opposite: Venla running during the cross country season and an aerial shot of the 15th century Olavinlinna castle in Pihla’s hometown of Savonlinna, Finland.

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 47 airport, and I didn’t speak English process to become eligible to very well. I remember wanting to compete at the NCAA level. talk with my coach, but I didn’t “My hometown, Kuopio, “It’s really exciting for me to because Venla spoke English more. like my whole county, is recruit and find talent internationally,” We listened to Ed Sheeran’s (song) known for its thick said Wood, who serves as the Photograph on the drive. forests and thousands Wildcats’ recruiting coordinator for “I hadn’t been in the United States both cross country and track and before I came to Weber. I was of lakes. I’m a huge field. “It’s great to have our interested in running and studying nature lover and the university’s name out there in in the U.S. It was a good opportunity forest is my therapy different areas of the world, as it to go abroad. My first year was establishes a pipeline so to speak. amazing and I really enjoyed it.” place. In Ogden, I love to It’s great to learn about the culture With thousands of miles and an hike in the mountains and lifestyles the athletes come from ocean between their home country instead. There are no and to watch them live and learn in and Weber State’s campus nestled the wonderful culture and expecta- in the heart of the Wasatch mountains in Finland; we tions we have set here at Weber Mountains, both Makarainen and live almost at sea level.” State.” Hokkanen relied on Facebook and One of the challenges that both Skype to keep in touch with Coach --Venla Makarainen runners mentioned was going Wood as they went through the through the paperwork process,

48 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com which included applying for a Visa mountains instead. There are no Finland, so I got exhausted at first to come to the United States, NCAA mountains in Finland; we live almost because I didn’t drink enough water paperwork, transcripts, and finding at sea level. to handle the temperatures here in a place to live. “Winter is usually long, cold and Utah. “The whole American college dark (there is only about four hours “I remember clearly the long run system is very different from the of daylight during the darkest time), that we had on my first day in Utah,” system in Finland,” Makarainen. and we love to do winter sports, she added. “We started at seven in “Back home, we do sports in clubs especially cross-country skiing.” the morning, and I had arrived very and competitive sports have nothing Hokkanen and Makarainen late last night. I was quite a bit jet to do with school. One major arrived at the height of Utah’s lagged, but excited as well because difficulty for me was that I had scorching summer heat, which I saw my team for the first time. I already studied two years in a presented yet another early was adjusting to the altitude and felt Finnish university, and it was unclear challenge for the two. like the speed of my teammates was at the beginning how long I would “It was surprisingly hot and dry killing me. But I survived and fell be eligible for NCAA.” in Ogden,” Makarainen said. “It’s immediately in love with Ogden Hokkanen said it took about three very humid and quite cool in trails.” months for her to go through the process and admitted it was a stressful time, but both enjoyed their first season with the Purple and White. Going from one of the world’s smallest countries, both by total population (113th) and by land area (64th), was also a challenge. Another difference that both mentioned was that in Finland, where the distances were smaller, more people used public transpor- tation and bicycles to get around. “My hometown (Savonlinna) is so small,” Hokkanen said. “One difference between Utah and my home town is definitely that people use more public transport to get around.” Much of Finland is at or near sea level, which was another initial challenge for both runners. “My hometown, Kuopio, like my whole county, is known for its thick forests and thousands of lakes,” Makarainen said. “I’m a huge nature lover and the forest is my therapy place. In Ogden, I love to hike in the

Right: Pihla gets in some cross country skiing at home in Finland.

Opposite: Venla’s hometown of Kuopio, Finland.

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 49 Friends. Football. Food.

Feed Your WildCats! GameDayGreats.com 50 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 51

Simply Smarter Weber St Program Ad.indd 1 9/15/15 3:56 PM Name Game Smitty called an ‘angel’ on many friends’ shoulder.

By CHRIS J. MILLER

eber State Director of Golf Jeff Smith has been accorded many tributes Wthe past few months as his many friends and colleagues have sought ways to express their grief over his sudden passing. Smith, ‘Smitty’ to everyone he came in contact with, died on Feb. 16 following a two-year battle with leukemia at the age of 61. An Ogden native, Smith graduated from Weber State in 1980, and spent 24 years as the head women’s golf coach at his alma mater. But he was a friend to all WSU athletes, fans and coaches. Former Wildcat star Damian Lillard #WeAreWeber #WeberFamily posthumously, unanimously voting tweeted his thoughts as soon as he #BleedPurple” him the 2016 Coach of the Year. It heard of Smith’s passing. Members of the current WSU was the third time he had received “R.I.P. Smitty... When I talk about basketball squads dedicated the the honor. those people I crossed paths with remainder of their seasons to Smitty, Fellow Ogden native and WSU at Weber State that impacted my life wearing patches with his name on graduate Guy Yocom, now a senior it’s people like this guy that I’m their uniforms. Both teams earned writer for Golf Digest, visited Ogden talking about. Great Person and a postseason berths. shortly after Smith’s death. He spoke great Golf coach... You will be missed In late April, fellow Big Sky to the golf teams, recalling how he my friend... #ThankYouForTheSupport Conference coaches honored Smith met Smitty and appreciated his friendship. “I felt like Jeff was an ‘angel on my shoulder.’ All who got to know Smitty felt that way,” Yocom said. New Big Sky boss The Big Sky Conference announced on April 29 the appointment of Andrea Williams as its new commissioner. Williams, who will replace outgoing commissioner Doug Fullerton, comes to Ogden from the Big Ten Conference headquarters, where she most recently worked as associate commissioner. Williams, who will

52 Bleed Purple Summer 2016 WeberStateSports.com be the Big Sky’s sixth commissioner, takes over on July 1. Fullerton will be completing his 20th year as Big Sky boss in June. Familiar faces Jeff Linder was named the 19th head coach of the Northern Colorado men’s basketball program on May 1. Linder coached on Randy Rahe’s Weber State staff during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Linder immediately hired current WSU assistant Steve Smiley as the Bears’ associate head coach. Smiley spent the past two season on Rahe’s staff. Another former WSU basketball assistant, Phil Beckner, recently took an assistant coach job at Boise State. Band on the run The Weber State pep band was unable to attend the Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament game against Xavier in March due to a scheduling conflict. But WSU Director of Athletics Jerry Bovee reached out to an old friend, Scott Barnes. Barnes, the current AD at Pittsburgh, spent several seasons as athletic director at Utah State. So after the Pitt band played their during their tough loss to Xavier. The WSU athletic department hearts out during the Panthers’ The group gave it their all, and and band later sent a big thank you tough loss to Wisconsin on Friday, nailed the WSU fight song. to Barnes and the band. the band put on black WSU golf See what you think: YouTube. Tidbits shirts and supported the Wildcats com/watch?v=OQk8dzrxMZwm. Lillard was invited to the join USA Basketball’s pool of 31 players under consideration for the 2016 Olympic men’s team in Rio de Janeiro, but ultimately pulled out of the games, choosing to rest and rehab a left foot injury that he played through during the 2015-16 NBA season. Weber State defensive back Devonte Johnson has signed a free agent rookie contract with the Atlanta Falcons. … Congratulations to the Weber State men’s tennis team, which

WeberStateSports.com Summer 2016 Bleed Purple 53 threepeated as Big Sky Conference season champions, then punctuated the performance by beating Idaho State 4-3 in the championships match and earn the school its first team trip to the NCAA Tournament. WSU will meet UCLA on May 13. … 34 Weber State athletes in winter sports earned Academic All-Big Sky Conference honors earlier this year. … WSU softball coach Mary Kay Amicone recently coached her 600th victory as the Wildcats closed in on a Big Sky conference title repeat. … WSU senior golfer Michael Johnson was named Playmaker of the Month coordinated a card-making night for athlete whose father was suffering for March by the National Consortium 200 Wildcat student-athletes, who from a fatal brain tumor. … for Academics and Sports. Johnson made the cards in support of a fellow Weber State play-by-play radio announcer Steve Klauke, who calls baseball games for the Salt Lake Bees during the summer months, recently got the call-up to work three games for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in early May. The Angels are the parent club of the Bees. Hear the call on the video link above… The University of Idaho announced its plans to join the Big Sky Conference in football, completing its return to the league after 20 seasons. Idaho was a charter member of the Big Sky in 1963, and on its July 1 return, will become the 12th member of the conference.

Chris J. Miller, a 1986 graduate of Weber State, is a former Weber State Signpost sports editor and editor in chief, as well as a former longtime sports editor at the Stan- dard-Examiner. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at cjmsports.

Coach Mary Kay Amicone (left) recently reached 600 career wins and led the Wildcats to their second-straight Big Sky Conference title.

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