2006-07 PAC NEWS ARCHIVE

W&J, WESTMINSTER TRACK TEAMS HONORED BY USTFCCCA
The Washington & Jefferson and Westminster men's & women's track & field programs have been named 2007 All-Academic Track & Field Teams by the United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). To be nominated, a team must carry a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA. The W&J women posted a 3.240 GPA, while the Westminster women had a 3.197 GPA. On the men's side, the Titans posted a team 3.248 GPA while W&J checked in with a 3.160 GPA. Four PAC athletes were also named to the 2007 USTFCCCA Women's All-Academic Team after posting a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA while obtaining an NCAA qualifying mark in their respective event. Awardees were Kelli Gee, Lauren Weinheimer and Summer Baumgard of W&J and Kristen Van Sickel of Westminster.

GCC'S LEUENBERGER NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN
Recent Grove City College graduate Andrew Leuenberger has earned Men's Cross Country/Track and Field College Division First Team Academic All-America honors from ESPN The Magazine and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). It is Leuenberger's second straight Academic All-America citation. He earned Third Team Academic All-America honors as a junior in 2006. Leuenberger recently graduated with a cumulative 3.98 grade-point average while majoring in molecular biology,

NCAA POSTGRAD SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO W&J'S MANN
Washington & Jefferson College All-American pitcher Sam Mann was awarded a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship by the NCAA on June 26. Mann, who graduated as a political science and history double major, was one of 58 student-athletes (29 male, 29 female) from all NCAA divisions to earn the scholarship for the spring season.

THIEL MEN'S SOCCER COACH WILHELM RESIGNS
Kevin Wilhelm has resigned from his duties as the head men's soccer coach at Thiel College. Wilhelm coached both the men's and women's soccer programs for four seasons (2003-2006). A search for a replacement is underway.

BC NETTER MOWRER NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN
Bethany College men’s tennis player Greg Mowrer has been named an ESPN The Magazine At-Large College Division Second Team Academic All-American, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). In his first year playing for the Bison tennis team, Mowrer earned Second Team All-PAC at third singles and placed third at second doubles. In the classroom as a biology major, Mowrer finished with a 4.060 grade-point average.

PAC PLACES 11 ON ESPN THE MAGAZINE/CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS
Eleven PAC student-athletes have been honored on the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II College Division Men's & Women's Cross Country/Track & Field teams, released on June 7 by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The highlight came on the two women's teams, as nine of the 20 athletes honored (45 percent) represent PAC schools. First team honorees were seniors Sarah Bray (3.93 cumulative grade-point average (GPA), business management) and Cara Pierce (3.91 GPA, English/Spanish) of Grove City, junior Kelli Gee (3.92 GPA, biology) of Washington & Jefferson, and sophomore Megan Grover (3.96 GPA, biology) of Waynesburg. The second team included the Westminster duo of junior Leanna Stitt (3.96 GPA, English) and sophomore Kristen Van Sickel (3.89 GPA, biology), junior Mary Majchrowicz (3.81 GPA, marketing/management) and sophomore Julia Seward (3.95 GPA, English) of Grove City, and junior Lauren Weinheimer (3.76 GPA, business administration) of W&J. On the men's side, two Grove City runners - seniors Andrew Leuenberger (3.98, molecular biology) and Andrew Kloes (3.89 GPA, history) were also first team selections. The six first team honorees now move to the Academic All-America ballot.

W&J'S MANN NAMED MIDEAST REGION PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The postseason honors continued to pile up for Washington & Jefferson College senior pitcher/first baseman Sam Mann on May 31 as he was announced as the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings Mideast Region Player of the Year.

THIEL TO REINSTATE GOLF, CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAMS
One week after Thiel College announced its decision to reinstate both the Tomcat men's and women's golf programs in the fall of 2007, the school has announced that both men's & women's cross country will also return to the Greenville campus this fall.

TC's COLEY LEADS PAC CONTINGENT WITH SECOND PLACE IN 110 HURDLES AT 2007 NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Thiel College sophomore Dorran Coley earned All-America honors after finishing second in the nation in the 110 meter high hurdles at the 2007 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which took place May 24-26 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Coley advanced to the championship finals after posting a time of 14.51 in the preliminaries. He then finished second in the championship finals with a time of 14.83, trailing only national champion Jonathan Garcia of UMass-Dartmouth (14.58). Grove City senior Bob Perri of Grove City joined Coley as an All-American after placing eighth in the shot put with a toss of 51-11 (15.82m). Also in the 110 high hurdles, Bethany freshman Matt Cruse did not qualify for the championship finals despite breaking the Bethany school record while posting a preliminary time of 14.71. On the women's side, Summer Baumgard of Washington & Jefferson placed in a tie for 11th place in the high jump with a mark of 5-2 1/2 (1.59m), while Ashley Dodd of Waynesburg finished in a tie for 14th place in the pole vault after clearing 11-4 1/2 (3.47m).

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON MEN, WESTMINSTER WOMEN CAPTURE 2006-07 PAC ALL-SPORTS TROPHIES
The 2006-07 PAC All-Sports Trophies have been awarded to the Washington & Jefferson College men and Westminster College women. The Presidents captured PAC titles in football, baseball and golf to finish with 54.5 points, edging second-place Grove City (48.5). The Titans won league crowns in soccer and swimming & diving to post 52 points, ahead of second place W&J (44).

SIX TABBED TO ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT AT-LARGE TEAMS
Six PAC student-athletes have been named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District II College Division At-Large teams, released on May 24. Leading the way was a trio of conference standouts on the men's first team: Bethany senior tennis player Greg Mowrer (4.0 GPA, biology), Grove City sophomore tennis player Jeremy Dwyer (3.90 GPA, electrical engineering), and W&J junior golfer Michael Grasso (3.86 GPA, business administration). The three first team honorees now advance to the Academic All-America ballot. Three Westminster swimmers earned second team recognition, with senior Ryan Trunk (3.41 GPA, sociology-criminal justice) and sophomore Conor Simpson (3.87 GPA, political science) named to the men's team and senior swimmer Brittany Thomas (3.61 GPA, elementary education) tabbed to the women's squad.

NINE PAC PLAYERS NAMED TO ABCA ALL-REGION TEAMS
A total of nine PAC baseball standouts have been named to the 2007 NCAA Division III Rawlings/ABCA All-Mideast Region teams, released on May 23. Leading the way for the conference were first team selections P/1B Sam Mann of Washington & Jefferson as a utility player and Thomas More junior DH Brad Ketterer. Second team selections were Bethany C Brent Owens, Thiel C Andrew Howard, W&J 3B Shaun Pfeil, Grove City OF Brian Moran, and Thiel P Eric Wadowsky. W&J SS Nick Fiorilli and Thomas More P Brett Walter round out the honorees as third team selections.

W&J's MANN NAMED D3BASEBALL.COM ALL-AMERICAN
Washington & Jefferson senior baseball standout Sam Mann, the 2007 PAC Player of the Year, was named to the 2007 D3Baseball.com All-America honorable mention team on May 22. Mann led the Presidents to the PAC title by hitting .468 with four home runs and 34 RBIs, while posting a pitching mark of 7-4 with a 1.97 ERA and 59 strikeouts with only five walks.

BANK OF KENTUCKY SIGNS NAMING RIGHTS AGREEMENT FOR NEW THOMAS MORE COLLEGE ATHLETIC FACILITY
Thomas More College and The Bank of Kentucky announced a naming rights agreement for the new athletic field on campus on May 22, which will serve as the home for the Saint football and soccer programs as well as a future TMC track & field program. The first stage includes the installation of synthetic turf with a running track, new restroom facilities and the infrastructure for lighting in phase two.

W&J BASEBALL FALLS TO KEYSTONE IN ECAC TITLE GAME
The 2007 PAC Champion Washington & Jefferson College baseball team saw its season come to an end on May 18, after finishing in second place at the ECAC Division III South Region Tournament. The Presidents (32-12) opened the tournament with a 4-2 first round win over Wesley before falling to host Keystone 3-1 in the title contest.

W&J's GRASSO MISSES CUT, CONCLUDES PLAY  AT 2007 NCAA DIVISION III MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Washington & Jefferson College junior Michael Grasso missed the cut and finished in a tie for 122nd place after the first two rounds at the 2007 NCAA Division III Men’s Golf National Championship Tournament, held May 15-18 at the Hawthorns Golf and Country Club and Prairie View Golf Club in Anderson, Ind. Grasso, W&J’s first All-America golfer, was one of five players to earn at-large bids to the national championship event. 

2007 ALL-PAC BASEBALL TEAMS RELEASED
The 2007 All-PAC Baseball Teams were released on May 14. Conference Player of the Year honors went to Washington & Jefferson senior P/1B Sam Mann, while W&J's Jeff Mountain was tabbed the 2007 PAC Coach of the Year.

MITKO PITCHING GEM LIFTS WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON TO SECOND STRAIGHT PAC BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Senior P Ron Mitko fired a complete game two-hit shutout to lift top seed Washington & Jefferson to a 6-0 victory over third seed Thiel in the championship game of the 2007 PAC Baseball Championship Tournament on May 12 in Washington, Pa. The win marked the second consecutive PAC baseball title for the Presidents of fifth-year head coach Jeff Mountain. Earlier in the day, the Tomcats had forced a decisive third and final matchup between the two teams in the tournament with a 6-4 decision over the Presidents.

WESTMINSTER, W&J EARN BIDS TO 2007 ECAC DIVISION III SOUTH REGION SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
A pair of PAC teams have been selected to compete in the 2007 ECAC Division III Softball Championship Tournament, to be held May 10-13. Westminster (24-13) has earned the top seed and earns a bye to advance to the four-team, double-elimination weekend tournament beginning on Saturday at La Roche College in Pittsburgh at 2 p.m. against the winner of the play-in game between fourth seed Penn State-Behrend and fifth seed Neumann. W&J (19-14) is the third seed and will host sixth seed Kean in a play-in-game Saturday at La Roche at noon. The W&J-Kean winner will advance to open the weekend double-elimination tournament against second seed La Roche later on Saturday.

PAC PLACES 15 ON 2007 COSIDA/ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT II BASEBALL/SOFTBALL TEAMS
The PAC has placed a total of 15 players (11 softball, four baseball) on the 2007 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II College Division baseball and softball teams, released May 10. In softball, first team recognition went to W&J senior IF Stacey Bugle (3.71 GPA, Information Leadership Technology) and Grove City senior OF Paula Rice (3.86 accounting). Second team selections were IFs Rachael Risbon and Amy Fisher of Grove City and Melissa Cashell of Waynesburg, OF Amber Nichols of Thiel, and P Autumn Minor of Waynesburg. Third team laurels went to Grove City C Abby Greiner, W&J IF Valerie Schultz, W&J OF Amanda Howard, and Bethany P Heather Immesberger. In baseball, a pair of Washington & Jefferson players were tabbed to the first team: senior P Sam Mann (3.88, political science/history) and senior IF Chris Varacallo (3.45, biochemistry). Second team selections were Bethany C Brent Owens of Bethany and senior IF Ben Cobler of Thiel. The four first team honorees now move to the Academic All-America ballot for their respective sports.

THREE PAC SOFTBALL PLAYERS NAMED ALL-REGION
A trio of PAC softball standouts have been named to the 2007 NFCA All-Region softball teams, released on May 7. Thiel senior OF Amber Nichols and Washington & Jefferson sophomore IF Valorie Schultz were both tabbed to the East Region second team, while Thomas More senior Sommer Case was selected to the Central Region second team.

W&J'S BUGLE, BETHANY'S MOWRER NAMED PAC SAAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL 2007
The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) has selected Stacey Bugle of Washington & Jefferson College and Greg Mowrer of Bethany College as the PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for April, 2007.

SAINTLY PITCHING & DEFENSE LEADS THOMAS MORE TO 2007 PAC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP; ALL-PAC TEAMS RELEASED
Allowing just two runs in three wins, the Thomas More Saints swept their way to the school's first-ever PAC softball title at the 2007 PAC Softball Championship Tournament, which took place May 4-5 at top-seeded Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa. After topping W&J 1-0 in the opening round and dispatching Westminster 4-1 in the winner's bracket final Friday, the Saints clinched the title with a 3-1 championship win over the #2 seed and defending PAC champion Presidents on Saturday. The 2007 All-PAC Softball teams were announced at the tournament on Friday, with Westminster senior P/1B Jennifer Pancake earning MVP honors and Titan mentor Jan Reddinger garnering Coach of the Year laurels.

GROVE CITY MEN, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON WOMEN CAPTURE 2007 PAC TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Grove City College men and Washington & Jefferson College women each repeated as team champions at the 2007 PAC Track & Field Championships, hosted by Grove City at Robert E. Thorn Field in Grove City, Pa., on April 28. MVP honors went to Thiel sophomore Dorran Coley, while Thiel's Chavonne Green and W&J's Lauren Weinheimer shared the women's MVP award. Coach of the Year laurels went to Stan Keehlwetter of Grove City for men and Mark FitzPatrick of W&J for women. Complete results are now online.

PAC MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS A PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIR; W&J DOMINATES EN ROUTE TO SECOND STRAIGHT TITLE
For the second consecutive year, the PAC men's golf championship was a Presidential affair, with Washington & Jefferson dominating play en route to the team title. W&J fired a 36-hole total of 309-287-596 to easily outdistance the field, with junior Dave Richards firing a 76-70-146 to edge teammate Michael Grasso (75-71-146) for medalist honors via a scorecard playoff. Earning PAC Coach of the Year laurels was W&J mentor Peter Coughlin.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON CROWNED 2007 PAC WOMEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONS FOLLOWING DAY TWO WASHOUT
Rain was the story of the day on April 25 at the 2007 PAC Women's Golf Championships at Oak Tree Country Club in West Middlesex, Pa. The second round of the women's championship was washed out, leaving first round leader Washington & Jefferson the team champion and W&J freshman Leslie Walker as medalist with a 76 in the opening round. Washington & Jefferson coach Peter Coughlin was tabbed PAC Coach of the Year following the event.

GROVE CITY COLLEGE CAPTURES 17TH STRAIGHT LEAGUE CROWN AT 2007 PAC MEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Grove City Wolverine men's tennis team captured its 17th consecutive league title on April 21at the 2007 PAC Men's Tennis Championships, held at the Pennbriar Athletic Club in Erie, Pa. The Wolverines won eight of the nine flights to earn 52 of a possible 54 points, easily outdistancing second place Westminster (22). Veteran Wolverine mentor Joe Walters earned PAC Coach of the Year honors, while PAC MVP honors went to Thomas More senior Michael Selm after a thrilling three-set win at first singles. The draw sheets for singles and doubles flights are also online.

PAC SPRING 2007 COMPOSITE SCHEDULES NOW ONLINE
2007 PAC composite schedules for the spring sports of baseball, softball, men's tennis, men's & women's track & field and men's & women's golf are now online.

VETERAN BISON MENTOR RICK CARVER EARNS 300TH WIN
Bethany baseball head coach Rick Carver earned his 300th career coaching victory on April 17, as the Bison topped PAC rival Saint Vincent 14-4. Carver, now in his 17th season at the helm of the Bethany diamondmen, is the all-time winningest baseball coach in school history.

THIEL'S NICHOLS, WESTMINSTER'S TRUNK NAMED PAC SAAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH, 2007
The PAC has selected Amber Nichols of Thiel College and Ryan Trunk of Westminster as the PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for March, 2007.

TMC'S WEWE NAMED NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Thomas More sophomore pitcher Kyle Wewe was named Division III National Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 26 - April 1 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Wewe fired his first career complete game no-hitter for Thomas More on April 1, defeating conference rival Thiel College 6-0. He struck out seven batters in seven innings, improving to 3-0 on the season. Wewe was named the PAC Pitcher of the Week on Monday, April 2.  

GCC'S WALTERS EARNS 300TH MEN'S TENNIS COACHING WIN
Grove City College men's tennis head coach Joe Walters earned his 300th career win at the helm of the Wolverines program on March 30, as GCC posted a 9-0 non-conference victory over Penn State-Altoona. Walters is now 300-113 in 35 seasons as head men's coach at Grove City.

W&J'S KOCH NAMED TO NABC ALL-REGION FIRST TEAM
Washington & Jefferson senior guard Jon Koch has been named a Great Lakes Region first-team honoree by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC). Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, these student-athletes represent the finest basketball players across America. The 88 student-athletes, from eight districts, are now eligible for NABC Division III All-America consideration.  Koch, the PAC Player of the Year, averaged 17.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in his final season in a W&J uniform.

W&J BASEBALL EARNS FIRST-EVER NATIONAL RANKING; THOMAS MORE DIAMONDMEN GARNER REGIONAL SPOT
The Washington & Jefferson College baseball team received its first-ever national ranking on March 27 as the Presidents were voted as the No. 16 team in the American Baseball Coaches Association/ Collegiate Baseball Top 30 Poll. W&J (8-1, 3-0 PAC) received 114 points in the poll and was one of 11 teams to move into the national poll after not being ranked during the preseason list. In addition to the Presidents (ranked #2 in the region), the Thomas More (8-1, 3-0 PAC) baseball team is ranked eighth in the ABCA regional rankings.

WESTMINSTER'S THOMAS, W&J'S KOCH NAMED PAC SAAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY, 2007
The PAC has selected Brittany Thomas of Westminster College and Jon Koch of Washington & Jefferson as the PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for February, 2007.

BETHANY'S KAITLYN MCCORMICK NAMED FINALIST FOR
V FOUNDATION COMEBACK AWARD
Bethany College sophomore women’s basketball player Kaitlyn McCormick has been selected as a finalist for the seventh annual V Foundation Comeback Award, which is presented by the V Foundation for Cancer Research, in conjunction with ESPN. The annual award is open to men and women collegiate basketball student-athletes in all NCAA divisions. It is awarded to an individual or a team who has accomplished a personal triumph in the face of true adversity, be it in health, life or moral dilemma.

GCC'S COURAGE JOINS TEAMMATE AS NATIONAL CHAMPION, REPEATS IN 100 FREE; GCC PLACES 9TH, WESTMINSTER 20TH AT NCAA D-III MEN'S SWIMMING/DIVING
A stellar PAC swimming season came to an end on March 17, as yet another PAC swimmer captured a national championship. One week after W&J's Kaitlyn Orstein captured a pair of national crowns at the women's national meet and two days after Grove City teammate Tim Whitbeck captured the national title in the 50 freestyle , Grove City junior Caleb Courage repeated as national champion in the 100 freestyle at the 2007 NCAA Division III Men's Swimming & Diving Championships, hosted by the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. Courage, the 2006 national champion in the 100 free, posted a finals time of 44.36. He was trailed by Westminster senior Ryan Trunk, who tied for second in the event with a time of 44.93. In team competition, Grove City finished the championship in ninth place with 118 points, while Westminster was 20th with 57.5 points. Complete meet results for the NCAA Championship can be found here.

STERLING PACES TRIO OF PAC STANDOUTS ON D3HOOPS.COM ALL-REGION WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAMS
Westminster senior guard and 2007 PAC Player of the Year Desiree Sterling paces a trio of conference players named to the 2007 D3Hoops.com All-Great Lakes Region women's basketball teams, released March 15. Sterling was a first team selection and will now be considered for All-America honors. Joining Sterling was Thiel sophomore forward Amber Bodrick on the second team and Westminster junior guard/forward Emilee Ackerman on the third team.

ROSATELLI, KOCH NAMED ALL-GREAT LAKES REGION
2007 PAC Player of the year W&J senior guard Jon Koch and  Westminster senior guard Greg Rosatelli were named to the 2006-07 D3Hoops.com All-Great Lakes Region team on March 14.

W&J's ORSTEIN WINS SECOND NATIONAL TITLE IN THREE DAYS AT 2007 NCAA SWIMMING/DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Just two days after capturing her fourth career national title in the 200 individual medley, Washington & Jefferson College swimming standout Kaitlyn Orstein has added another national title to her impressive resume. The W&J junior earned her fifth national championship by capturing the 200 breaststroke in 2:17.36 (winning by over two full seconds) on March 10 at the 2007 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships, hosted by the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. On March 8, Orstein touched first in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:03.13 to edge Brittany Sasser of Amherst (2:03.78). It marked the second time in three years Orstein in the national champion in the 200 IM, as she also captured the title as a freshman in 2005. On March 9, Orstein saw her bid to "three-peat" as national champion in the 400 individual medley fall short, as she earned All-America honors by placing third in 4:24.34. Westminster junior Becky Giles and sophomore Megan Mier are also competing at the national championships. Giles and Mier placed 23rd and 49th, respectively, in Thursday's 200 individual medley with times of 2:10.17 and 2:14.29. On Friday, Giles swam the 400 IM with a 22nd-place time of 4:38.87 and Mier took 24th in the 100 backstroke at 1:00.46. Saturday, both competed in the 200 backstroke, with Meir placing 18th and Giles 27th. Complete meet results can be found here.

TMC, WESTMINSTER WOMEN FALL IN NCAA HOOPS FIRST ROUND; W&J WOMEN DROP ECAC SEMIFINAL CONTEST
The 2006-07 basketball season has officially come to an end for the PAC, as all three women's teams in the postseason suffered defeats on Friday, March 2. The opening round of the NCAA Tournament saw Thomas More drop a 53-38 decision to Calvin, while Westminster was defeated at Messiah 77-65. In the ECAC Division III South Region Tournament, fourth-seeded Washington & Jefferson was upended by top-seeded King's 68-62.

THIEL'S KYLE BROWN EARNS ALL-AMERICA HONORS AT 2007 NCAA DIVISION III WRESTLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Thiel College senior wrestling standout Kyle Brown earned All-America honors with an eight-place finish in the heavyweight division at the 2007 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, hosted by Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa., on March 1-3. Fellow Tomcat senior Corey Murphy competed at nationals as well at 165 pounds. Complete results can be found here.

LATE CHARGE COSTLY AS WESTMINSTER MEN FALL AT JOHN CARROLL, 87-83, IN NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND
The Westminster men's basketball team saw its season come to an end at 18-9 overall after falling at John Carroll 87-83 in the opening round of the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament. The Titans trailed by two and had the ball with six seconds to play, but a charging call in the closing seconds secured the win for JCU (20-9), which now advances to face Lake Erie (25-2) in the second round.

W&J WOMEN POST OPENING ROUND WIN OVER CABRINI; BETHANY, GROVE CITY MEN FALL IN ECAC FIRST ROUND
PAC basketball teams went 1-2 in the opening round of the ECAC Division III South Region basketball tournaments on February 28. On the plus side, fourth-seeded Washington & Jefferson advanced to the women's semifinal round with a 69-57 home win over #5 Cabrini. Both PAC men's teams suffered setbacks, however, as #5 Bethany fell 72-62 at #4 Juniata, while PAC champion and eighth-seed Grove City was defeated at top-seeded Penn State-Behrend 76-46.

PAC PLACES SIX HOOPS TEAMS IN POSTSEASON TOURNEYS
Three PAC basketball teams have been selected to compete in the 2007 NCAA Division III Men's & Women's Basketball Championship Tournaments, while three others were tabbed to compete in the ECAC Division III South Region Tournaments. The six combined postseason basketball bids is a new all-time high for the conference. On the men's side, Westminster (18-8) was one of four NCAA Pool B selections. The Titans will travel to Cleveland to face John Carroll (19-9) in a first-round contest on Thursday (March 1), with the winner advancing to a second round match-up at Lake Erie (25-2) in Painesville, Ohio on March 3 at 7 p.m. A pair of PAC women's teams were also selected to the NCAA tournament, as league champion Thomas More (22-4) and runner-up Westminster (22-6) captured two of the four available Pool B bids. The Saints will face Calvin (25-2) in a first round game on Friday, March 2 at Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio at 5:30 p.m. The Titan women will travel to Messiah (25-2) in Grantham, Pa., for an opening round game Friday at 7:30 p.m.. Complete men's & women's NCAA Tournament brackets are now online. Both Bethany (19-8) and PAC champion Grove City (16-12) were selected to the ECAC D-III South men's tournament, as the fifth-seeded Bison travel to #4 Juniata Wednesday at 7 p.m., while the #8 Wolverines will play at top-seeded Penn State-Behrend in Erie Wednesday (time TBA). On the women's side, Washington & Jefferson (19-8) will be the fourth seed for the ECAC D-III South Region Tournament and will host #5 Cabrini Wednesday at 7 p.m.

2007 ALL-PAC BASKETBALL TEAMS RELEASED
The 2007 All-PAC men's basketball teams and postseason award winners were released on Monday, February 26. Washington & Jefferson senior guard Jon Koch was named PAC Player of the Year, while Bethany mentor Aaron Huffman garnered PAC Coach of the Year laurels. The 2007 All-PAC women's basketball teams and postseason award winners were released on Friday, February 23 between semifinal games at the 2007 PAC women's basketball championship tournament. Westminster senior guard Desiree Sterling was selected PAC Player of the Year, while Westminster coach Rosanne Scott was picked for Coach of the Year recognition.

GCC MEN, TMC WOMEN CAPTURE 2007 PAC HOOPS TITLES
The Grove City College men and Thomas More College women captured the 2007 PAC basketball championships with title game victories on February 24. The fourth-seeded Wolverine men edged #3 Washington & Jefferson 60-58 before a raucous crowd in Washington, Pa., while the top-seeded Saint women held off a late rally by #2 Westminster to post a 59-50 victory in Crestview Hills, Ky. The All-PAC men's basketball teams and postseason honorees will be posted here Monday, February 26.

THIEL'S COREY MURPHY NAMED MOST OUTSTANDING WRESTLER AT NCAA D-III MIDWEST REGIONAL QUALIFIER
Thiel College senior wrestler Corey Murphy earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors while capturing the 165-pound title at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Qualifier, held February 17 at Manchester College in Manchester, Ind. Murphy was joined by Tomcat heavyweight Kyle Brown, who also captured his weight class as both qualified for the NCAA National Championships while leading Thiel to a seventh-place regional finish. Washington & Jefferson finished 12th at the event (paced by Patrick Wilson's third-place finish at 174 pounds) while Waynesburg was 15th.

SWEET REPEAT: WESTMINSTER MEN AND WOMEN SWEEP 2007 PAC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
For the second consecutive year, Westminster College has captured the PAC men's & women's swimming & diving championships, held Feb. 8-10 at Grove City College in Grove City, Pa. The Titan men posted 964.5 points to edge host Grove City (926), while the WC women recorded 865 points to top second-place Washington & Jefferson (708.5). The 2007 MVP awards went to Grove City junior Caleb Courage and W&J junior Kaitlyn Orstein, while Coach of the Year laurels went to Westminster's Rob Klamut on the men's side and W&J's Mike Orstein on the women's side. Complete results for the first, second and third days of competition, as well as a recap of the All-PAC honorees, are now online.

PAC PLACES SEVEN CAGERS ON CoSIDA ACADEMIC TEAMS
A total of seven PAC basketball players (five men, two women) have been selected to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II men's & women's basketball teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and released on February 8. Leading the way on the men's side was Bethany senior James Wallace (3.62 GPA, history education), who earned first team honors and now moves to the Academic All-America ballot. He was joined by senior teammate Chris Stephens (3.58 GPA, psychology/pre-physical therapy and Westminster senior Greg Rosatelli (3.56 GPA, business administration) as second team selections. Third team honorees were junior Ryan Gerber (3.67 GPA, electrical engineering) of Grove City and senior Marc Lodovico (3.76 GPA, business management) of Waynesburg. On the women's side, both senior Katie Lewandowski (3.68 GPA, athletic training) of Waynesburg and junior Emilee Ackerman (3.46 GPA, elementary education) of Westminster were third team selections.

THIEL ROLLS TO EIGHTH STRAIGHT PAC WRESTLING CROWN
The Thiel Tomcats continued their recent domination of Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) wrestling, as they captured their eighth consecutive PAC team title and 15th in the past 17 years on Feb. 7. The Tomcats captured five of the 10 weight classes en route to the victory. Freshman Damian Rose from Thiel was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament after capturing the 141-pound title with a pair of pin fall victories. Coach of the Year honors went to Tomcat head coach Craig Thurber for the fourth consecutive season.

BETHANY'S STANIECH, GCC'S RIDDELL NAMED PAC SAAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY 2007
The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) has selected Erin Staniech of Bethany College and Joe Riddell of Grove City College as the PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for January, 2007.

PAC TO PROVIDE VIDEO WEBCASTS OF HOOPS TITLE TILTS
The PAC will provide free video webcasts of its 2007 men's & women's basketball championship games through TRZ Communication Services. The games will be produced by local/campus television stations from PAC member institutions Thomas More, Waynesburg, and/or Westminster, depending on the championship sites. The PAC basketball title games will take place at 1 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men) on Saturday, February 24, 2007.

2006-07 WINTER COMPOSITE SCHEDULES NOW ONLINE
The 2006-07 PAC winter sports season officially got under way during the weekend of October 20-21. Complete league schedules for men's basketball, women's basketball, men's & women's swimming & diving and wrestling are now online.

PAC LANDS EIGHT ON HANSEN’S ALL-AMERICA GRID TEAM
Eight PAC football players were named to the Division III All-American Team by Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette. The PAC contingent was led by Thomas More senior LB and PAC MVP Mark Carlisle, who was a first team selection.

PAC PLACES 14 ON HANSEN'S ALL-SOUTH REGION TEAMS
Fourteen PAC football players have been named to the 2006 NCAA Division III All-South Region teams by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. Of the 14, five players earned All-Region first team recognition: RB Ryan Mendel, OL Chris Hickey and DB Nick Cherish of PAC champion Washington & Jefferson, as well as LBs Mark Carlisle and Brad Steinmetz of Thomas More.

HOMAS MORE NAMES HILVERT HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Jim Hilvert has been hired as the fourth head coach in the 16-year history of the Thomas More football program. He replaces Mike Hallett, who resigned on December 18 to become head coach at Heidelberg College. Hilvert is a Cincinnati native who has spent the last eight years as defensive coordinator at TMC rival Mount St. Joseph, including three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

ACKERMAN, BROWN NAMED SAAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES
The PAC has named Westminster women's basketball player Emilee Ackerman and Thiel senior wrestler Kyle Brown as PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for December, 2006.

WESTMINSTER'S KLAMUT EARNS 300TH CAREER VICTORY 
Westminster College head men's and women's swimming coach Rob Klamut registered his 300th career win Friday, January 5, as the Titan men (6-2) and women (2-6) picked up dual meet wins over Occidental by scores of 133-70 and 120-69, respectively. Now in his 22nd year of coaching at Westminster, Klamut boasts a 160-59-2 (.729) career record as the Titan men's coach and a 140-58 (.707) career record as the Titan women's coach for a combined career record of 300-117-2 (.716).

GALBREATH EARNS 600TH CAREER WIN IN GC VICTORY
Ron Galbreath, head women's basketball coach at incoming PAC member Geneva, earned his 600th career victory of his collegiate coaching career on Jan. 6 after leading the Golden Tornadoes to a 70-60 win over Notre Dame (Ohio).

THIEL ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO FOOTBALL STAFF
Following the departute of offensive coordinator John Marzka to become head coach at Albright, Thiel College has announced several changes to its football coaching staff.

PAC HOOPS SEASON READY TO ROLL; 2006-07 MEN'S & WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEWS NOW ONLINE
With the 2006-07 college basketball season ready to get underway on Nov. 17, you can find all the information of each PAC team in the 2006 PAC men's basketball and women's basketball season previews. The conference preseason poll, as well as composite schedules for both men's basketball and women's basketball, are also available.

SIX PAC PLAYERS NAMED ECAC FOOTBALL ALL-STARS
Six PAC football players have been named to the 2006 ECAC Division III Southwest All-Star team. Washington & Jefferson placed four of the five first teamers, as RB Ryan Mendel, OL Chris Teter, DB Nick Cherish and LB Aaron Bane were joined by Waynesburg DE Mike Czerwein. Waynesburg return specialist Eric Daniels was an honorable mention honoree.

HALLETT RESIGNS AS THOMAS MORE FOOTBALL COACH
Thomas More College has annouced the resignation of head football coach Mike Hallett, who has accepted the head coaching position at Heidelberg College. Hallett led the Saints to a 15-15 record over the last three seasons. The search for Hallett's replacement will begin immediately.

W&J'S CHRIS TETER AND CHRIS HICKEY, THOMAS MORE'S MARK CARLISLE GARNER ALL-AMERICAN HONORS
Washington & Jefferson senior offensive lineman Chris Teter and Thomas More senior linebacker Mark Carlisle have been named to the 2006 AFCA Division III Coaches’ All-America Team, announced December 11. Teter anchored the Presidents offensive line that led the PAC in 12 statistical categories. Washington & Jefferson senior offensive lineman Chris Hickey was named Second Team All-American, while Carlisle gained Honorable Mention honors from D3football.com. In addition, Teter has been tabbed to the Little All-America Second Team by the Associated Press.

HINDS, PARKER GARNER PAC SAAC ACADEMIC HONORS
The PAC has named Waynesburg cross country runner Haley Hinds and Bethany football player T.J. Parker as PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for November 2006.

PAC PLACES SIX ON D3FOOTBALL.COM ALL-REGION TEAMS
Six PAC players have been named to the 2006 D3Football.com All-South Region Teams. Washington & Jefferson senior offensive linemen Chris Teter and Chris Hickey were both first team honorees. Second team honorees included W&J running back Ryan Mendel and safety Nick Cherish, as well as Thomas More linebacker Mark Carlisle. Third team honors went to Waynesburg defensive end Mike Czerwein.

TMC'S CARLISLE AND W&J'S TETER TO PLAY IN AZTEC BOWL
Thomas More linebacker Mark Carlisle and Washington & Jefferson offensive lineman Chris Teter have accepted invitations to play for the United States squad for the 2006 Aztec Bowl. The Aztec Bowl team is an all-star team comprised of the top Division III seniors from around the United States. The Aztec Bowl is traditionally the season-ending game on Mexico's college football schedule. and will see the 10th consecutive meeting between the United States Division III all-stars and Mexico's top college players. The 2006 Aztec Bowl will be the 10th consecutive meeting between the United States and Mexico. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on December 16, in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

PAC PLACES 14 SOCCER PLAYERS ON ALL-REGION TEAMS
14 PAC soccer players were named to the D3Kicks.com and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region Soccer Teams. For the men Grove City senior Bob McNees and Washington & Jefferson freshman Ryan McDonald made the D3Kicks.com All-Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team, while Bethany seniors Kosta Floros and Ramon Franklyn and sophomore Greg Lani, as well as Westminster sophomore Chris Ellwanger were Third Team selections. McNees and Westminster senior Todd Atwood were selected to the NSCAA All-Region Third Team. On the women's side Grove City sophomore Diana Pragel and freshman  Hannah Yang were both Second Team selections on D3Kicks.com's All-Great Lakes Region. Thomas More senior Kandice Eckerlin, Grove City senior Maia Siber, and Westminster senior Brittany McKee and junior Mallory Bugel were all named to the All-Region Third Team. Bugel was a Second Team NSCAA selection, while McKee and Washington & Jefferson senior Katie Orient were Third Team selections for the Great Lakes Region.

W&J FOOTBALL ENDS SEASON AT 10-2 FOLLOWING 30-27 LOSS AT UMH-B IN NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS
The Washington & Jefferson Presidents nearly overcame a 27-7 second half deficit in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, closing within three points before falling to Mary Hardin-Baylor 30-27 in a second round contest. UMH-B now advances to a quarterfinal matchup against Wesley. 2006 PAC football champion W&J, which returned a pair of Crusader fumbles for touchdowns in the loss, saw its season come to an end at 10-2 overall.

2006 ALL-PAC FOOTBALL TEAMS RELEASED
The PAC has released the 2006 All-PAC Football Teams. Thomas More senior linebacker Mark Carlisle was named 2006 PAC Player of the Year, while Washington & Jefferson head coach Mike Sirianni was tabbed 2006 PAC Coach of the Year.

W&J FOOTBALL EARNS NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFF BERTH; PRESIDENTS AT CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT SATURDAY
The PAC champion Washington & Jefferson football team has earned a Pool B berth to the 2006 NCAA Division III playoffs. The Presidents (9-1) will travel to Newport News, Va., for a first round game at Christopher Newport (8-2) Saturday at noon.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON CLINCHES 2006 PAC FOOTBALL TITLE; TMC UPSETS 9-0 MSJ; WAYNESBURG, GCC POST WINS
The 2006 PAC football season is officially in the books, as Washington & Jefferson (9-1, 6-0 PAC) captured its 19th league title in the past 23 years with a 54-0 shutout win at Bethany (4-6, 2-4 PAC). In other action, the upset of the day came in Kentucky where Thomas More (6-4) toppled previously unbeaten Heartland Conference champion Mount Saint Joseph (9-1) 21-17 at Dixie Heights Stadium in the 12th annual Bridge Bowl. Waynesburg (6-4, 5-1 PAC) secured sole possession of second place in the PAC race with a 21-9 win at Westminster (2-8, 1-5 PAC), while Grove City (3-7) closed the campaign with a 14-6 win at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. Thiel (5-5) suffered the only non-league loss, as the Tomcats battled unbeaten Carnegie Mellon (10-0) to the final buzzer before falling 14-7. Conference statistics through the end of the regular season and the conference weekly press release are now online.

SAINT VINCENT VOLLEYBALL CAPTURES ECAC D-II CROWN; OTHER PAC TEAMS FALL IN ECAC D-III TOURNEYS
The 2006 volleyball and soccer seasons have officially come to a close as Saint Vincent captured the ECAC Division II Volleyball championship match against Adelphi by a 3-0 count. Three PAC teams suffered setbacks in various ECAC tournaments on November 11. After posting a first round 3-0 win over Rutgers-Newark in the opening round of the ECAC Division III South Region Tournament in Jersey City, N.J., on Nov. 10, Westminster was defeated by Penn State-Behrend 3-1 in the semifinals. Grove City suffered a 2-0 setback to Gettysburg in the semifinal round of the ECAC Division III South Region Men's Soccer Tournament at Carnegie Mellon. In the ECAC Division III South Region Women's Soccer Tournament semifinals, host Westminster battled Gettysburg to a 1-1 double-overtime tie before succumbing 3-2 on penalty kicks.

GROVE CITY'S CARA PIERCE, THIEL'S MIKE STIMAC HONORED AS PAC SAAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
The PAC has selected Grove City senior Cara Pierce, and Thiel junior Mike Stimac as PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for October. Each month the PAC will select a male and female scholar-athlete who is currently in season, has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and actively involved in their campus community.

PAC PLACES 12 ATHLETES ON ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT FOOTBALL/VOLLEYBALL TEAMS
A dozen PAC student-athletes have been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II College Division football and volleyball teams, released on Nov. 9 by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). In football, nine PAC players were honored, including three on the first team in junior RB Matt Weil and junior LB Garret Choby of Grove City as well as senior DB Cory Walsh of Washington & Jefferson. Second team football honorees included OLs Chris Teter and Matt Huoy of W&J, DLs Jordan Johnston and Richard Welch of Grove City, senior WR T.J. Parker of Bethany, and senior RB Danny Reed of Waynesburg. In Volleyball, Saint Vincent senior Emily Ecoff was a first team honoree, while Grove City standouts Kim Walsh and Heather Fraiz garnered second team laurels. All first team selections in both sports now move to the Academic All-America ballot, with teams slated to be released in December. Academic All-District nominees must be a sophomore starter or significant reserve with a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade-point average (GPA).

BETHANY MEN'S SOCCER FALLS TO DENISON 1-0 IN NCAA DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST ROUND CONTEST; GCC WINS; WESTMINSTER FALLS IN ECAC FIRST ROUND
The Bethany men's soccer team (14-4-3) saw its 2006 season come to an end following a 1-0 loss to Denison in the opening round of the 2006 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament in Bethany, W.Va., on Nov. 8. Denison scored the lone goal of the contest off a corner kick at the 47:55 mark. In the ECAC Division III South Region Tournament, Grove City advanced to the semifinals as the eighth- seeded Wolverines upset top-seeded Swarthmore, tying 1-1 through two overtimes before advancing via a 3-1 margin in penalty kicks. Westminster was not as fortunate, as the seventh-seeded Titans dropped a 3-0 decision at second seed Carnegie Mellon in the ECAC First Round. Grove City will now advance to the semifinal round against an opponent TBA in Pittsburgh this weekend.

2006 ALL-PAC SOCCER TEAMS RELEASED
The 2006 All-PAC teams and postseason award winners for both men's soccer and women's soccer were released on November 6.

WESTMINSTER TOPPLES THOMAS MORE IN PENALTY KICKS FOR 2006 PAC WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Top seed Thomas More (2005 PAC champion) battled second seed Westminster (three-time PAC champion from 2002-04) for 120 minutes of action without a goal or a victory on Nov. 4, sending the 2006 PAC Women's Soccer Championship to penalty kicks. The Titans came away with the PAC crown by nailing all four of their PK attempts (including the eventual game-winner by Kristen Martin), while the Saints sandwiched a pair of misses around three successful PK attempts.

NO COACH? NO PROBLEM! SAINTS CONCLUDE STUNNING RUN WITH SWEEP OF W&J FOR PAC VOLLEYBALL TITLE
Fourth seed Thomas More concluded its stunning run through the 2006 PAC Volleyball Championship on Nov. 4, as the fourth-seeded Saints posted their second upset in as many days with a 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 win over second seed and defending PAC champion Washington & Jefferson in the title match in New Wilmington, Pa. It was the first-ever PAC volleyball title for the Saints, who upset both of the tournament's top seeds despite being without head coach Jenny Fette, who missed the tournament after giving birth to her first child on Tuesday. The 2006 All-PAC volleyball teams were announced following the title match.

WESTMINSTER RALLIES TO SHOCK TOP-SEEDED BETHANY 4-3 IN 2006 PAC MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Second seed Westminster rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to top-seeded Bethany to tie the match 3-3 at the half, then posted a goal by Steve Hogya in the 69th minute to post a 4-3 upset win in the championship contest of the 2006 PAC Men's Soccer Tournament. The win marked the second PAC men's soccer title for Westminster, with the first coming in 2002.

PAC PLACES RECORD 11 SOCCER PLAYERS ON COSIDA/ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT II TEAMS
PAC soccer players were rewarded for academic and athletic excellence in record numbers on November 2, as 11 conference soccer players were named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II Soccer Teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Grove City led the way with four honorees. On the men's side, Sean Esterbauer of Bethany and Ian Lamborn of Grove City were first team selections, while Waynesburg players Brad Davis and Ross Phillips joined GCC's Jonathan Breese on the second team. On the women's side, Westminster's Mallory Bugel and Grove City's Alix Flowers were tabbed to the first team. Grove City's Jessica Van Sickel and Thomas More's Kirstin Leininger were second team honorees, while both Sarah Calderone of Westminster and Katie Orient of Washington & Jefferson were named to the third team. All nominees must have a 3.2 grade-point average or higher. All first team honorees will now move to the Academic All-America ballot, with the teams being named next month.

W&J FOOTBALL MOVES INTO AFCA TOP 25 POLL
The Washington & Jefferson football team has moved into the weekly Top 25 Division III football poll by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) at #25.

GROVE CITY SWEEPS 2006 PAC CROSS COUNTRY TITLES
The Grove City Wolverines continued their conference title streaks on October 28 at the 2006 PAC Men's & Women's Cross Country Championships, hosted by Waynesburg College at Waynesburg, Pa. The GCC men easily posted their 16th straight title after recording seven of the top 10 conference finishers, including 2006 MVP Dan Spaulding. The Wolverine women had a tougher time, as GCC edged Waynesburg 32-35 to post its 18th consecutive women's team title. Kristen Carter of Grove City ran away with PAC MVP honors. Waynesburg head coach Blair Zimmerman was voted Coach of the Year on both the men's and women's sides.

WAYNESBURG MEN, THOMAS MORE WOMEN PICKED FIRST IN 2006-07 PAC BASKETBALL MEDIA DAY POLL
The Waynesburg College men and Thomas More College women were picked to capture 2006-07 basketball championships in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, according to the preseason poll released at the 2006-07 PAC Basketball Media Day at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh today. Voters in the polls included conference head coaches, sports information directors, and members of the media present at the conference media day. News releases from Bethany, Thiel, Thomas More, Washington & Jefferson, Waynesburg men and women, and Westminster are now online, while the Westminster Cable Network has streaming video clips from Media Day online.

GROVE CITY CAPTURES 20TH CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE TITLE AT 2006 PAC WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Twenty years of dominating tennis culminated today at the 2006 PAC Women's Tennis Championships at the Pennbriar Athletic Club in Erie, Pa., as the Grove City Wolverines rolled to their 20th consecutive PAC women's tennis team title. The Wolverines of head coach Cathy Jacobs finished with 52 of a possible 54 team points, easily outdistancing second-place Westminster (32 points). GCC freshman Nicole Andreini was named PAC Player of the Year, while Westminster head coach Scott Renninger was selected for PAC Coach of the Year honors. The complete 2006 draw as well as complete team and individual results are now online.

PAC SCHOOLS TO COLLECT FOR FUENTES RECOVERY FUND
Over the next several weeks, student-athletes at PAC schools will be collecting funds to support the Julio Fuentes Recovery Trust Fund. Fuentes, a football player at Alfred University, suffered a serious neck injury in the Saxons game against PAC member Thiel College on September 9. PAC fans wishing to contribute to the fund can send donations to: Friends of Saxon Athletics, in care of University Relations, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 14802. Checks should be clearly marked “Julio Fuentes Recovery Trust Fund.”

TMC'S VALERI KUHN, W&J'S CORY WALSH HONORED AS PAC SAAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
The PAC has selected Thomas More junior Valeri Kuhn, and Washington & Jefferson senior Cory Walsh as PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for September. Each month the PAC will select a male and female scholar-athlete who is currently in season, has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and actively involved in their campus community.

WESTMINSTER ADDS FEATURES TO ATHLETIC WEBSITE
Visitors to the Westminster College Athletic website can now access live and archived audio broadcasts of Titan athletics, and for the first time video highlights of Titan football games. The debut video feature includes highlights of Westminster's double-overtime win over Adrian College on September 23.

NFL COMMISSIONER, MAYOR OF PITTSBURGH RETURN AS HONORARY CO-CAPTAINS AT W&J HOMECOMING
Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League, and Luke Ravenstahl, mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, will be at Washington & Jefferson College's Homecoming festivities this weekend. Goodell and Ravenstahl will serve as honorary co-captains at the Presidents' football game against Westminster.

HINERMAN HIRED AS SOFTBALL COACH AT SAINT VINCENT
Saint Vincent College has announced that Nicole Hinerman has been hired as the school's head softball coach. Hinerman, a 2004 SVC graduate who was one of the finest players in the history of the Bearcat softball program, served as an assistant coach for Kristen Zawacki at Saint Vincent in 2006. Zawacki will retain her duties as assistant athletic director and head women's basketball coach.

SUE HOZAK, LADY BEARCATS GET 400TH WIN
With a 3-0 victory at Waynesburg on Sept. 27, the Saint Vincent Lady Bearcat volleyball team secured the 400th victory in program history, as well as in the career of coach Sue Hozak.

FORMER W&J KICKER SWORN IN AS PITTSBURGH MAYOR
Luke Ravenstahl, a 2003 Washington & Jefferson graduate and the youngest person ever elected to Pittsburgh City Council, is now the youngest mayor in the city’s history. Ravenstahl was a starting placekicker for the President football team during his college years.

THOMAS MORE'S HOELSCHER EARNS AVCA HONOR
Leslie Hoelscher, a middle blocker from Thomas More College, has been named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division III National Player of the Week.

PAC FALL COMPOSITE SCHEDULES NOW ONLINE
With the fall sports season fast approaching, you can plan your fall travel schedule in advance via the 2006 PAC composite schedules for football, volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, women's tennis and men's & women's cross country.

2006 PAC WOMEN'S TENNIS/CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEWS
The final previews of the 2006 PAC fall sports season, for the sports of women's tennis and both men's cross country and women's cross country, are now available.

MOURATIDIS NAMED BETHANY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Bethany College has named Kosmas Mouratidis, current head men’s soccer coach, as its new athletic director. The announcement came Tuesday from Bethany president Dr. G.T. “Buck” Smith.

2006 PAC MEN'S & WOMEN'S SOCCER PREVIEWS ONLINE
The Grove City men and Thomas More women each captured PAC soccer championships despite not being top seeds in 2006, then had to watch as the Washington & Jefferson men and Westminster women each earned berths to the NCAA playoffs. Which teams will be the ones to beat in 2006? The answers can be found in the the 2006 PAC Men's Soccer and Women's Soccer previews.

JOE KUREY RETIRING FROM BETHANY COLLEGE
Now in his 45th year of devoted service to his alma mater, Senior Vice President and athletic director Joe Kurey is retiring from Bethany College, as announced August 24 by Bethany president Dr. G.T. “Buck” Smith.

2006 PAC FOOTBALL, VOLLEYBALL PREVIEWS ONLINE
The 2006 fall season is ready to get underway in a matter of weeks. Get the latest information on your favorite school, and the rest of the league teams, in the 2006 PAC Football Preview and 2006 PAC Volleyball Preview. Previews for the other fall sports will be online prior to September 1.

GROVE CITY ESTABLISHING ATHLETIC HALL
Grove City College will establish a new Athletic Hall of Fame beginning in the 2006-07 academic year.

PAUL SKROK NAMED W&J TENNIS COACH
Washington & Jefferson has announced the hiring of Paul Skrok as men's & women's tennis coach. Skrok is a 1997 graduate of Edinboro University, where he was a three-time team MVP.

WESTMINSTER MEN'S BASKETBALL COMPLETES SUMMER TOUR OF BELIZE WITH 3-1 MARK
The Westminster College men's basketball program posted a 3-1 record during a summer tour of Belize in Central America from June 23-29.

THIEL, W&J FOOTBALL TEAMS EACH EARN PRESEASON NATIONAL RANKINGS
A pair of PAC football teams have been ranked in preseason Top 25 polls by national publications. Defending PAC champion Thiel is ranked 14th in the nation by Lindy's National College Football 2006 Preview. Washington & Jefferson, which joined Thiel as an NCAA playoff participant in 2005, is ranked seventh in the country by both Lindy's and Street & Smith's College Football Preview. The Presidents are also ranked 17th in the preseason poll by USA Today Sportsweekly. The 2006 PAC composite football schedule is now online.

GENEVA SELECTED TO BEGIN NCAA DIVISION III PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP IN 2007-08
Incoming PAC member Geneva College has received official notification from the NCAA that it has been selected to begin its four-year Division III provisional membership period in the 2007-08 academic year. The Golden Tornado athletic department will also begin playing a full PAC athletic schedule in 2007-08. Upon successful completion on the provisional membership period, Geneva is scheduled to receive active NCAA Division III membership status in the 2011-12 academic year.

BROWNLEE TABBED AS PAC INTERN FOR 2006-07
The PAC has hired Ben Brownlee as the conference intern for the 2006-07 academic year. Brownlee is a 2006 graduate of PAC member Bethany College, where he was a four-year member of the Bison swimming team.

PAC UNVEILS SPORTSMANSHIP INITIATIVE FOR 2006-07
The Presidents' Athletic Conference is proud to join the Division III Commissioners Association and 31 Division III conferences in the nation by supporting the PAC Sportsmanship Initiative in 2006-07. The conference encourages all students and fans to Be Loud! Be Proud! Be Positive! at PAC sporting events this year.

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