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Show Monday UVU July 23-29 July 20, 2009 Wolverines officially join NCAA ranks competing with full Div. I w Thursday, July 23 Orem Owlz: vs.Idaho Falls Chukars 7:05 p.m. Friday, July 24 Orem Owlz: vs.Idaho Falls Chukars 7:05 p.m. RSL: vs; FC Dallas 7:00 p.m. Sat-Mon, July 25-27 Orem Owlz: vs. Casper Ghosts 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 29 MLS All Star Game at Rio Tinto Stadium 7:00 p.m. The Utah Valley University athletics department was notified Tuesday by NCAA Membership Services of its unanimous approval to lift the school's provisional status and accept it as an official member of NCAA Division I. The move completes the University's unprecedented move straight from NJCAA to NCAA athletics. Full membership now permits all of UVU's athletic teams and individual athletes to be eligible for NCAA postseason events. "The lightning speed by which UVU moved from junior college to become an official member of NCAA Division I is a magnificent tribute to the entire university," said Utah Valley University President Matthew Holland. "We are especially proud of the administrators, coaches and student-athletes who have worked so hard and with such excellence to make this happen." "This is another great day for Utah Valley University and Wolverine Athletics. This has literally been a nine-year process with the final seven being mandated by the NCAA," said UVU Director of Athletics Mike Jacobsen. "1 could not be happier for our coaches and student-athletes. They have been the heroes throughout this provisional period. We look forward to what the future will bring." UVU's seven-year provisional period began with an exploratory year in 2002-03, its final season in junior college athletics. In 2003-04, teams began competing with partial Div. I schedules and a year later all of UVU's teams were slates. • In November of 2007, an NCAA Peer Review team made up of other NCAA Div. I member administrators, made an on-campus visit to assess the progress of the school's transition. The group's response was overwhelmingly positive. On May 29, 2008, UVU received notification from the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification that the school successfully completed its first NCAA certification peer review. That notification coincided with the school's official switch to university status on July 1,2008. The process then became complete with official word on Tuesday. Utah Valley's athletics have truly excelled at a greater rate than expected during the transition.. The men's basketball team has a record of 109-62 over the last six seasons, while the women's volleyball program has gone 91-74 with three Independent Championships during the same time frame. Utah Valley helped produce and develop numerous star athletes during the transition to Division I. Ronnie Price has spent the past four years in the NBA, two with the Sacramento Kings and the last two with the Utah Jazz. Kam Mickolio became the first UVU baseball player to play in the Major Leagues when me made his debut with the Baltimore Orioles in August 2008. Also, former track and field athlete Noelle Pikus-Pace became the first American JayArcansalin/UVU Review woman to win the Overall UVU president Matthew Holland, along with director of athletics Mike Jacobsen, anWorld Cup title in the sport nounced in a press conference that the Wolverines have officially been accepted as a of skeleton. member of the NCAA. www.wolverinegreen.corn Price re-signs with Jazz The Utah Jazz announced that the team has re-signed guard .Ronnie Price to an undisclosed contract extension. "Keeping Ronnie on our roster was important to us," said Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor. "He is someone who knows our system and has proven ca- pable of stepping in when. ever called upon. Over the last two seasons he has shown a commitment to working hard and improving his game, and as a result, we expect his growth to continue." A four-year NBA veteran, Price appeared in 52 games for the Jazz in 200809, averaging 4.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 14.2 minutes per game. He also doubled his point (8.2) and assist (4.2) averages as a starter, filling in for an injured Deron Williams early in the season. "Ronnie Price is the consummate professional," said Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby. "He is always prepared when Coach Sloan calls on him and we are looking forward to his energy and toughness next season." The only player in Jazz franchise history to wear jersey number 17, Price was originally signed as a free agent on July 26, 2007 and has appeared in a total of 113 games (20 starts) in t\Vo seasons with Utah, averaging 3.8 points and 1.6 assists in 11.7 minutes per game. Price spent his first two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, where he became only the second Utah Valley graduate to appear in the NBA, and the first to advance directly from the university to the NBA. Despite not being selected in the 2005 NBA Draft, Price has played in 200 career games (21 starts) over four NBA seasons with the Jazz and Kings, owning career averages of 3.4 points and 1.2 assists in 10.2 minutes per game. Owlz fight to stay afloat Almieda striking out the side in the top of the ninth inning to secure the win afIt took all six of the ter the Voyagers cut a fiveOwlz' runs to close out their run deficit to just one the inseries with the Great Fails ning before. Voyagers "We weren't waiting for in winning the ninth to use him," said fashion. A Orem manager Tom Kotchbomb of man after the win.," The the score- game was on the line in the board in eighth so we had to go from left center there." In game one of the threeby Orem's Justin Bass in the fifth, along with Casey game affair the Voyagers Hearther's two extra base escaped with a 7-6 win after hits led the Owlz to the 6-5 the Owlz had opened up a win in the final game of the 6-1 lead early in the game. runs three-game series. Still, it Four unanswered was Orem reliever Yeison doomed the Owlz including Sports editor JayArcansa!in/UVU Review Owlz shortstop John Karclch dives back to first base In a victory over the Voyagers last week. .,,..• two in the ninth sealed the deal for Great Falls. The roles were reversed in game two, 'as the Voyagers were the ones that jumped out to the early lead. It took three runs in the bottom of the eighth in order to revive the Owlz and tie the series at one game apiece. Following Orem's extended home stand in which they went 4-3 with wins over Billings and Great Falls, the Owlz head out on the road for seven games. Orem returns to Brent Brown Ballpark on July 23 against the Idaho1 Falls Chukars. |