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Show /port/ B4 MONDAY'AUGUST 22*2005 A Year in Review In year two, UVSC athletics hit a homerun Morgan Vance Sports Editor Everything from the baseball team recording its first ever win against a ranked opponent, to women's basketball suffering through a 4-22 season. From Ronnie Price turning anything he touched into pure gold, to the struggles of a new program trying to make a name for itself in the world of NCAA; UVSC athletics continued to ride the rocky express train of division-one initiation throughout 20042005. Year-two brought both joys and pains, but if you ask UVSC Athletic Director Mike Jacobson, the joys have far out-weighed the other. "I was forewarned by many of the obstacles and roadblocks that would come our way," Jacobson said in response to the question if he was glad they decided to make the jump from junior college competition. "But I'd say, despite the challenges, it's the best thing for our school; the best thing for our community." And there seems to be enough evidence to support his conclusion. Year-one was a time where UVSC faced severe scheduling issues, often having to compete against NAIA and division II competition just to fill up a season. A year where many, including even some of its own student body, were not aware their own school had made the move into the highest realm of college athletics. That's not to mention struggling attendance and the failure to find an official conference to belong to. And though attendance and finding a conference are still issues that need to be addressed, year-two was quite the contrary. Among the schools to visit Orem, were Iowa St, Wyoming, Utah St, Utah, BYU and Washington; with the Wolverines making trips to all the in-state schools, UNLV, Nebraska, Missouri, Arizona, Arizona St, New Mexico, Oregon St, San Diego St, Fresno St, Washington-St and Gonzaga. Quite a jump from just over two years ago, where the highlight of the year seemed to be an annual rivaling visit from either neighbor Dixie St or Salt Lake Community College. Finding opportunities for post-season play and bringing in the best athletes may never come easy to UVSC, but many coaches rose above the obvious issue to field competitive teams last year. The highlights started with men's basketball. "People said men's basketball would be our hardest sport to compete in and really we've done our best job there," Jacobson said. A job that produced a 16-12 year, including an astounding 10-1 record at home. Just to put that into perspec- game for next, season. "It's because of the way we competed," said Jacobson. 'The win brought respect to the school." But despite also beating both BYU and Utah, the team still only managed to end up at 17-39, far below the team's projected goal. Women's basketball put together perhaps one of the toughest schedules of all, but couldn't manage anymore thaii two victories throughout the entire regular season. Despite the learning period, the Wolverines went out with a bang during their own postseason tournament, winning out their last two games of the year against both Savannah St and Texas Pan-American. 'That tournament illustrated how our team had been throughout the year," said Head Coach Cathy Nixon. "Every time we had a setback, the kids showed a lot of character and came back and competed." Volleyball, softball and ladies soccer all had their moments, but still couldn't manage winning seasons either after decent outings in their Chad Clark/NetXNews inaugural year. But all in all, UVSC's athletic director of The baseball team's upset over Arizona State provided the 23 years is happy with what athletic department with more publicity than they imagined. he's helped create. 'The attitude of players and coaches St failed to win a game alto- home opener, clobbering and people within the whole gether, and Longwood Uni- Boise St on November 27th realm of what we were trying versity only produced one of last year, a team that later to do, was quite impressive." total victory. Not even having yet menended up making a push in tioned golf, track and field and The Wolverines on the the Western Athletic Concross-country (roundother hand, went 9-1 in head- ference Tournament. : ing out the sports UVSC to-head play against the other The Broncos were only participates in) athletic one win away from an department officials see NCAA Tournament bid; last year as a building but for Utah Valley, the block for next year and win seemed to set a precthe future. Ronnie Price edent. Weber St. Cleveand a whole slew of other land St and Idaho St were seniors are gone, making among others to incur way for brand new rethe wrath of Wolverine cruiting classes who will dominance at home; the hopefully help bring the team's only loss being school even more promia buzzer-beating defeat nence and recognition. to then undefeated Oral Jacobson certainly isn't Roberts. done in that effort either. And of course you "We still need to raise can't talk much about the more money in our comteam, without bringing munity. We need to get up the aforementioned more financial support Price. "Ronnie was a from the private sector gem," Jacobson said. as well as create a bigger "The publicity we got Chad Clark/NetXNews fan base, specifically for from him we couldn't 3 men's basketball," he said. have bought. He's a bet- Mike Jacobsen is looking forward "I think if we do that, it will ter person than he was continued progress from athetics. cause a trickle-down effect a basketball player, and into are other programs." because of that he enamored Devils eventually made it all our whole community." the way to the top four before A challenge that is easier The wrestling program made being eliminated by the Uni- said than done, but will be a major leap when it coerced versity of Florida. well worth the effort as pro5th ranked Iowa St into comAnd believe it or not; the bationary year three out of ing to Orem. The Cyclones, win actually did other things, seven, begins to get underwho raised current UVSC including an upcoming- way. head coach Cody Sanderson scheduled men's basketball tive, the other current seven D-l independents had a combined record of only 59 wins and 142 losses last year. One of those schools. Savannah D-l newcomers, also owning anybody paying visit to the McKay Center, It started with UVSC making a bold statement in their and his undefeated brother Cael, have won seven national championships and are one of the most historic and successful programs of all time. UVSC was manhandled by the more physical and mature Cyclones, but the match couldn't have been anymore of a victory for Sanderson and the program he is trying to build. "The season was difficult at times with some of the circumstances and injuries that came upon some of our guys, but overall I was pleased with the transition from year-one into year-two," Sanderson said. Perhaps the biggest upset of the year, was generated by the baseball team. On May 4th, Coach Steve Gardner's club went into Tempe, AZ to face a hostile and nationally recognized Arizona St team. The result: a 9-6 Wolverine victory, and the school's first ever win over a ranked opponent (the Sun Devils were listed at #17 in the country at that time). "That was our biggest win, no question," said Jacobson. "We got a lot of press on ESPN when Arizona St eventually played in the College World Series." He was referring to the game-commentators making mention on national television that coaches from the PAC-10 school had said it was the UVSC loss that had ultimately turned their season around. The Sun FREE STUDY GROUP SOFTWARE 4 groups \ 10 group papers 50 documents with edits. TIME WASTED PULLING •*•• TOGETHER FINAL REPORT etyou anil your group organized and bring your documentstogethereasily! GET, WEBMMMEffi :J£J&9C&SM^W'*;VO :•;:> §.- m Free lifetime subscription when you register with your uvsc.edu e-mail address at: www.nextpage.com/uvsc Invite your friends to install ahd|^ceive $1 Amazon.com for every persoirttiat installs \ m Come see us at the UVSC Student Fa j^^fc?»SSS85 Sports Desk7flmt$3-8603 HEILTHQUE mmmmmMmm*^. ideas to smiggs86@hotmail.com |