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Show SPORTS APRIL 15, 2013 4:1 UVU athletic director Mike Jacobsen retiring after 29 years Unfinished business By Kyle Spencer By Jonathan Boldt In Utah Valley University's bid to establish athletic legitimacy both locally and nationally, no one has been more instrumental in pushing Wolverine sports into prominence than athletic director Mike Jacobsen. But Jacobsen's 29 years of devoted service will come to an end this year; the university announced Monday that he will retire at the end of June. "Mike has nearly quite literally seen it all. It is becoming less and less common for someone to exhibit this kind of loyalty to one institution, particularly in the athletics profession, where things seem to change on almost a minuteby-minute basis," said President Matthew Holland. Jacobsen's loyalties don't appear to be fading anytime soon either. The 2012 baseball season ended in disappointment for the Wolverines. Their hopes had been crushed and they were forced to watch the NCAA tournament on TV. The Wolverines finished with the most wins in the NCAA (47), won 32 straight games (40 out of 41), beat then-No. 4 Arizona and were crowned regular season and tournament champions of the Great West Conference. The NCAA tournament committee apparently didn't see enough, which prevented the Wolverines from playing in June. "Well, it was gut-wrenching; it's the worst thing I've been a part of," said Head Coach Eric Madsen. "After such a great year and then having to deal with that, it's just a disappointment. In reality it is what it is. It was unjustifiable, and there wasn't anything anybody could say other than it turns into politics and people make all the reasons they want, but they're all refuted." Kickin' it new school — 1 1 • • • • • r• I % lag . • Air • : 14-14- From the bench to the court By Alex Rivera A new collegiate sport isn't often introduced to a four-year university. In fact, for UVU, it hasn't happened in 10 years. But Utah Valley announced, on the same day that it announced its entry into the Western Athletic Conference, that a men's soccer program will be created. Feb. 27, UVU took a giant leap forward, hiring Greg Maas, the head coach of the Real Salt Lake Utah U-17 team. It was quite a journey for Maas to get where he is now. "I started playing soccer at four to five years of age," Maas said. "I was also a two-sport athlete [in high school] with a heavy focus in baseball and soccer. I led the state my senior year in shutouts and was an all-state goalkeeper." By Weston Brierley Senior Zach Jones of the UVU men's basketball team, has played a role off the bench for the majority of his college career. After a season ending injury sidelined starting forward Alfon- zo Hubbard, Jones was given the opportunity to shine and he has done so in a big way. Averaging just 3.8 points and 22 rebounds while shooting a respectable 50 percent from the floor in 12 minutes per game this season, Jones still had to prove he was capable of being a starter when Hubbard went out with a torn ACL. "After [Hubbard] went down I didn't make the starting lineup right away," Jones said. "I just kind of worked myself in there and tried to help the team wherever I could." jatisfy your appetite forgYeatsmoked feasts at Wild c714ustang! Presented by Michael Martin Murphey WI Perfect for Graduation Celebrations HOURS: 11.10 Mon-Thur 11.11 Fri-Sat Closed Sunday Save room for pie! GOURMET PIES Just off 1-15 University Parkway Exit 1250 S 860 W, Orem, UT Phone 801 226 9067 8 HD SCREENS • BBQ RIBS n' WINGS • PIZZA • BURGERS • STEAKS • SANDWICHES ■ Like Us On Facebook for More Info facehook.cominmstanyhakery DRAFT ROOTBEER • GOURMET PIES |