LA SALLE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Dear Friends of La Salle Athletics: Our Explorers continued to be standouts in the classroom. A record 222 student-athletes were What an exciting time be an Explorer! named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and a total of 19 were Academic All-Conference A new era was ushered in during the 2017-18 year, honorees. Three programs earned distinction from resulting in a new wave of head coaches at La Salle the NCAA for their exceptional graduation success University. rates – men’s basketball, women’s basketball and men’s tennis. In April, Philadelphia native Ashley Howard was named head coach of our storied men’s basketball In the community, La Salle student-athletes program. Ash was an assistant at La Salle from 2004- participated in key initiatives throughout the city and 08 and most recently served as top assistant to Jay were an integral part of the beautification project Wright at Villanova, the 2018 national champion. at Logan Elementary School. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held a special fundraiser Also joining us this spring was new head women’s for Puerto Rico following a devastating hurricane basketball coach Mountain MacGillivray. Also a hit the area in the fall, and the athletic department native of Philadelphia, Mountain comes to us from continued its partnership with the largest 10-mile Quinnipiac, where he helped the Bobcats to four road race in the United States, the Broad Street Run. NCAA Tournament appearances. For the second consecutive year, combined revenues Brooke Darreff (softball), Chad Hamilton (men’s & reached all-time highs in the areas of corporate women’s tennis), David Miller (baseball) and Scott sales, athletic development and ticket sales revenue Yurgalevicz (men’s & women’s golf) all cut their teeth from men’s basketball. These numbers could not as first-year head coaches this past season, and have been reached without the undying support of Katie Rhodes (women’s lacrosse) and Tom Hyham our alumni, friends and fans. Our student-athletes, (men’s & women’s water polo) will begin their careers coaches and staff are thankful to have such a in 2018-19. loyal group that continues to give resources to our program. On the fields of play, the women’s soccer team was picked to finish 10th in the Atlantic 10’s Preseason As we move into the 2018-19 season, I would like Coaches Poll. Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Paul Royal to take the time to thank Dr. John Giannini for his had other plans, however, as the Explorers went 14-year tenure at La Salle University. John was a undefeated (9-0-1) in conference play to earn the consummate professional throughout his time program’s fourth regular-season title. In the league overseeing the men’s basketball program. He stood tournament, Royal led La Salle to a pair of thrilling for all that is right with intercollegiate athletics and overtime wins en route to an NCAA Tournament we wish him well in his future endeavors. appearance. GO EXPLORERS! Bill Bradshaw ‘69 Director of Athletics and Recreation BY THE NUMBERS 5 43 1 ATLANTIC 10 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS ATLANTIC 10 POSTGRADUATE SCHOLAR 4 1 8 ALL-PHILADELPHIA BIG 5 PLAYERS NCAA INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICA HONORABLE MENTION 1 3 TEAMS RANKED IN TOP 10% NATIONALLY ATLANTIC 10 TEAM CHAMPION IN NCAA ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE 2 LA SALLE UNIVERSITY NEW COACHES IN 2017-18 ASHLEY HOWARD MOUNTAIN MacGILLIVRAY Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Ashley Howard was appointed Philadelphia native Mountain the 19th head coach of the La MacGillivray was named the Salle men’s basketball program ninth head coach in La Salle on April 8, 2018. Howard spent women’s basketball history on the past five seasons as the top April 21, 2018. MacGillivray spent assistant coach to Jay Wright at the previous nine seasons at Villanova, winning two NCAA Quinnipiac, including the last three national titles. The former Drexel as associate head coach, helping basketball star was also an assis- the Bobcats to seven straight tant on the Explorers’ coaching 20-win seasons and a trip to the staff from 2004-2008. Sweet 16 in 2017. DAVID MILLER BROOKE DARREFF SCOTT YURGALEVICZ CHAD HAMILTON Baseball Softball Golf Tennis David Miller was named the Brooke Darreff, a former Scott Yurgalevicz was promoted Chad Hamilton was named 10th head coach in La Salle Atlantic 10 Player of the Year to Director of Golf/Head Men’s head coach of the La Salle baseball history on June 30, at Saint Joseph’s, was tabbed and Women’s Golf Coach on men’s and women’s tennis 2017 and completed his first the eighth head coach of the August 7, 2017 and completed programs on August 22, 2017 season at the helm in 2018. La Salle softball program on his first season at the helm in and finished his first season in Miller, a former All-American at June 29, 2017 and finished her 2017-18. Yugalevicz spent the 2017-18. Hamilton previously Clemson and MLB Draft pick, first season in 2018. Darreff previous two seasons as an served as the lead pro of the most recently served as head previously spent five seasons assistant coach for the La Salle high performance program varsity coach at William Penn on the Saint Joe’s coaching staff men’s golf team. at Legacy Youth Tennis & BY THE NUMBERS Charter School. in the A-10. Education in Philadelphia. 40 4 8 NEW SCHOOL RECORDS ACADEMIC ALL-AREA PLAYERS NATIONAL TEAM ACADEMIC AWARDS 19 90% 222 ATLANTIC 10 COMMISSIONER’S ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE SELECTIONS HONOR ROLL MEMBERS 4 SENIORS WHO RECEIVED TOP STUDENT AWARDS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 3 MEN'S BASKETBALL Ashley Howard was announced as the 19th head coach in the storied history of the La Salle men’s basketball program on April 8, 2018. Senior B.J. Johnson earned Second Team All- Seniors B.J. Johnson, Pookie Powell, Johnnie Shuler and Tony Washington pose with Atlantic 10 and First Team All-Big 5 Accolades. Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw following graduation ceremonies. Members of La Salle basketball teams that were celebrating anniversaries of postseason play were invited back to campus for the men’s basketball game against George Mason on Feb. 17. The Explorers defeated the Patriots, 69-62. 4 LA SALLE UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S SOCCER WINS ATLANTIC 10 CHAMPIONSHIP Led by Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Paul Royal, the La Salle women’s soccer team dominated the Atlantic 10 throughout the 2017 season. The Explorers, who ranked in the Top 10 nationally in goals, assists and points, outscored A-10 opponents by a 30-6 margin throughout the regular season. In the A-10 Tournament, La Salle won a pair of thrilling overtime decisions to secure the program’s fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. “This is one of the most special groups I’ve ever coached in my entire life,” said head coach Paul Royal. “That’s why they’re finding ways to win.” Senior Larissa Zambelli was named the event’s Most Valuable Player after setting a tournament record with 14 saves against VCU, while five Explorers – Madison Bower, Kristin Haugstad, Paige McDowell, Maci Bower and Taylor Newhart – were named All-Atlantic 10. La Salle goalkeeper Larisa Zambelli tied an Atlantic 10 Championship single-game record with 14 saves in Sunday’s championship game to earn the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award. “We just had faith. When you keep believing in something, you achieve it at the end,” said Zambelli. “That’s what we did defensively, and we got the job done.” ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 5 POSTSEASON AWARDS Dylan Yurasits Men’s Diving A-10 Diver of the Year A-10 1-Meter Dive Gold Medal^ A-10 3-Meter Dive Gold Medal* ^A-10 Record *School Record Kristin Haugstad Bridget Ruskey A-10 First Team A-10 First Team Anthony Hawthorne Women’s Soccer Lacrosse Men’s Track & Field A-10 Outdoor 800m Gold Medal A-10 Outdoor 4x800 Gold Medal A-10 Indoor 1,000m Bronze Medal Fabian Bergman Men’s Swimming Madison Bower Abbey Meehan A-10 200 IM Gold Medal*^ A-10 First Team A-10 First Team A-10 100 Backstroke Silver Medal Women’s Soccer Lacrosse A-10 200 Backstroke Silver Medal* A-10 200 Medley Relay Silver Medal* A-10 400 Freestyle Relay Silver Medal* A-10 800 Freestyle Relay Silver Medal* ^A-10 Record *School Record Jessica Bryant Women’s Track & Field A-10 Outdoor Long Jump Gold Medal* *School Record Paige McDowell Grace Mancini A-10 First Team A-10 All-Conference Women’s Soccer Women’s Cross Country Nick Smart A-10 MAJOR AWARDS Nathan Gillis Chris Sanders Paul Royal Dylan Yurasits Anthony Hawthorne Women’s Soccer Men’s Diving Men’s Outdoor Track & Field A-10 Coach of the Year A-10 Diver of the Year A-10 Outdoor 4x800 Relay Gold Medal Steve Kuttruff Ryan James Men’s Diving Men’s Cross Country A-10 Diving Coach of the Year A-10 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer 6 LA SALLE UNIVERSITY POSTSEASON HONORS All-Conference Second Team All-Tournament Team Ben Faso 800 Freestyle Relay Larisa Zambelli Madison Bower Baseball Men’s Swimming A-10 Women’s Soccer A-10 Women’s Soccer B.J. Johnson Olivia Distefano Tournament MVP Maci Bower Men’s Basketball Women’s Swimming Kristin Haugstad A-10 Women’s Soccer Kendall Kreider Distance Medley A-10 Women’s Soccer Katherine Hennessey Field Hockey Men’s Indoor Track A-10 Women’s Soccer Maci Bower Grace Mancini Women’s Soccer Women’s Outdoor Track Taylor Newhart Ifetayo Taylor Philadelphia Big 5 Philadelphia Big 5 Women’s Soccer Women’s Indoor Track Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Fabian Bergman Jeff Brady B.J.