Category: Sports

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Sunshine State Conference men’s cross country coaches name Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as the preseason favorite in 2022, tabbing the University of Tampa third. The Eagles are expected to win a third straight SSC title after receiving 33 points and five first-place votes in the ranking.

Saint Leo University places second in the voting with 31 points and the final two first-place votes. The Lions look to hoist their first trophy since 2019. The University of Tampa lands in third with 26 points, while Florida Southern College takes up the middle of the poll with 24 points. Lynn University (12 points), Palm Beach Atlantic University (12 points), and Nova Southeastern University (9 points) occupy the final three positions in the slate.

Last season, Embry-Riddle finished with 46 team points to capture the program’s third SSC championship, the second consecutive. Three Eagle runners finished Top-10, with Ryan Szklany finishing a team-best third-place. Saint Leo placed second with 50 points and three Top-5 finishers, while Florida Southern came in third with 55 points thanks to three runners within the Top-8. FSC’s Mason Jones repeated as the SSC Cross Country Individual Champion by finishing the 8,000-meter race with a time of 24:25.79.

Embry-Riddle will host the 2022 SSC Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 5th, in Daytona Beach. NCAA Division II regional competition will take place on Saturday, November 19th. The men’s national championship will be held at Chamber’s Bay in University Place, Washington, on Friday, December 2nd.

Below are the full results of the 2022 SSC preseason coaches’ poll. Coaches cannot vote for their teams (points: 6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).

2022 SSC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Previous SSC Men’s Cross Country Polls

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Sunshine State Conference volleyball coaches have selected the University of Tampa to repeat as league champions in 2022. With 100 points and 10 first-place votes in the preseason poll, the Spartans are expected to lift the league trophy for the 28th time in program history.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Nova Southeastern University finished tied for second in the ranking with 82 points. However, the Sharks picked up the final first-place vote from conference coaches. Lynn University sits alone in fourth at 68 points, while Palm Beach Atlantic University rounds out the Top-5 after receiving 60 points from league coaches.

Florida Southern settles in the middle of the poll with 58 points and is followed in the voting by Barry University (52 points) and Eckerd College (44 points). Saint Leo University (29 points), Florida Tech (15 points), and Rollins College (15 points) hold the final three positions in the ranking.

2022 SSC VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

Tampa paced the league during the SSC regular-season with a 19-1 record to win the program’s 27th conference title. The only team to take down the Spartans in conference play was a Nova Southeastern squad that finished as runners-up at 16-4. Five teams earned passage into the 2021 NCAA Division II South Region tournament. Tampa drew the #2 seed, NSU grabbed the #3 seed, Embry-Riddle and Lynn held positions #4 and #5, while Palm Beach Atlantic garnered the #7 spot. Tampa went on to win the regional, taking down host and #1 seed West Florida, 3-1. With the win, the SSC extended its streak of sending a team to the national quarterfinals to 28 consecutive seasons.

The Spartans earned the top seed and played host to the final eight teams of the 2021 NCAA tournament. UT took down Augusta, 3-1, in the national quarterfinals, and Gannon, 3-1, in the national semifinals. Tampa then capped the season by defeating Washburn, 3-0, to lift the national championship trophy for the fourth time.

SSC teams have reached the national semifinals 23 times, the championship final 14 times, and walked away with the title seven times. Barry and Tampa account for all seven of the conference’s titles.

The 2022 season opens on Thursday, August 25th, with Rollins playing a pair of neutral site matches in Idaho while the remainder of the league gets started the next day. Conference play begins on Thursday, September 8th, with Eckerd hosting Florida Southern and Florida Tech hosting Embry-Riddle. Tampa (No. 5) is the lone SSC representative in the 2021 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division II preseason poll, which was released on Monday, August 23rd.

Below are the full results of the 2022 SSC preseason coaches’ poll. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their teams (points: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).

 

 2022 SSC WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

 

  

TAMPA, Fla. – University of Tampa women’s basketball coach Tom Jessee has announced his eight newcomers for the upcoming 2022-23 season. The newest Spartans total five transfers and three incoming freshmen.

Among the newcomers are transfers Alani Gallagher (Saint Leo), Sarah Jones (Embry-Riddle), Sydney Kin (Findlay), Audra Leipold (Samford) and Bella Steidle (Loyola Maryland).

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The three freshmen include Adeline Kent (Becker, Minn.), Neri Moreau (St. Cloud, Fla.) and Emi Roberto (Trumbull, Conn.).

Following are full bios for each of the eight newcomers. 

6-0 | Graduate | F | Vestal, N.Y. | Saint Leo University/Vestal HS

As a Senior (SLU): Was the SSC leader in blocked shots (4th – 1.3/g) following the 2020-21 season…Started in all six games in the Covid-19 shortened season…Finished the season with 53 points, four steals, eight blocks and nine assists…40.0% (22-55) field goal percentage…56.3% (9-15) from the free throw line…Recorded her season-high of 15 points and six rebounds at Barry (3/3).

As a Junior (SLU): Played the 2019-20 season at Saint Leo…Named All-SSC Defensive Player of the Year…All-SSC Second Team…SSC leader in blocked shots (3rd – 1.1/g), rebounding (4th- 8.4/g), field goal percentage (9th – 46.9%), scoring (10th – 13.7/g)…SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll…Started all 30 games…Scored 411 points, grabbed 252 rebounds, earned 33 blocks, 25 steals and 48 assists…Earned 10 double-doubles…Recorded her season-high 23 points at Clark Atlanta (11/14)…Recorded four blocked shots at Rollins (1/2)…Three-time SSC Defensive Player of the Week and one-time SSC Player of the Week.

As a Sophomore (SLU): Appeared in 28 games with 28 starts for the Lions in 2018-19…Played 794 minutes and scored 219 points with 147 rebounds, 29 assists, 25 blocks and 26 steals…Reached double-figures in eight games with a season-high of 18 points and four rebounds playing Nova Southeastern (12/8).

As a Freshman (SLU): Enrolled at Saint Leo University and competed as a true freshman with the Lions in 2018-18…Played in 28 games with 27 starts…Scored 257 points, grabbed 165 rebounds and tallied 16 blocks, 15 steals and 12 assists in 703 minutes on the season…Scored in double-figures in 13 games including a career-high 26 points against Johnson & Wales (12/12) on 10-of-16 shooting from the field with a 6-for-7 mark from the free throw line…Notched two double-doubles vs Palm Beach Atlantic with 14 points and 11 rebounds (1/20/18) and vs Embry-Riddle with 18 points and 11 rebounds (1/27)…Grabbed double-digit rebounds in three games with a career-high 12 boards against Shaw (12/17)…Helped guide Saint Leo to a 13-16 record and an 8-12 SSC record including a trip to the SSC tournament.

High School: Attended and played basketball at Vestal Senior High School for Joe Reynolds and Micky Greenberg…Three-time sectional title winner…Named top four in Class ‘A’…Was a two-year team captain for the Golden Bears…Also played for BNY Select under coaches Rob Baxter, Reggie Hawkins and Mike Consintine.

Personal: Did community service at the Wesley Chapel Elementary and Middle School…Also volunteered at the Holy Name Monastery…Daughter of Chandra Gallagher…Has a brother, Donovan…Birthdate: 9/23/1999.

5-5 | Junior | G | Mason, Ohio | Embry-Riddle University/Lakota West HS

As a Sophomore (ERU): Returned to Embry-Riddle for the 2019-20 season…Earned Sunshine State Conference Honorable Mention recognition…named to the Sunshine State Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll…averaged a team-high 14.7 points per game…her 44.0 percent shooting clip was also a team best…led the SSC in total steals (65) and steals per game (2.41)…the Eagles’ leader from the three-point (36.9%) and free throw (89.8%) lines…knocked down at least three three-pointers in 26 of her 27 starts…currently ranks fourth all-time at ERAU in made three-pointers (88)…garnered SSC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Feb. 10 after leading the Eagles to back-to-back league wins, averaging 11.5 points, 4.5 steals and 3.4 assists…scored a career-best 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from the beyond the arc…shot 50% (9-of-18) from the field and 50% (5-of-10) from long range en route to a 23-point performance against Catawba (Dec. 16)…was a perfect 5-for-5 in free throws in a 21-point night against Tampa (March 3)…had six-steal outings against Barry (Feb. 8) and Florida Tech (Feb. 15)…matched her career-high performance with seven against Rollins (Jan. 29).

As a Freshman (ERU): Began her collegiate career at Embry-Riddle, playing for the Eagles as a true freshman in 2018-19…Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year…averaged 11.7 points, 3.8 rebounds 1.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.2 minutes per contest…shot 73.7 percent from the free throw line, 44.4 percent from the field, and 36.8 percent from behind the arc…became the first freshman to score 20 points in her ERAU debut…came off the bench to total 20 points, six rebounds and two steals against Clark-Atlanta (Nov. 10)…in her first game wearing the Blue and Gold…earned SSC Player of the Week honors on Nov. 11…scored a season-high 21 points against Eckerd on Jan. 19 and against Rollins on Jan. 30…had a pair of seven-rebound games against Saint Leo (Jan. 5) and Barry (Feb. 6).

High School: Graduated from Lakota West High School in 2018…Four-year letterwinner in basketball…Earned first-team All-League honors after tallying 11.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 steals, and 1.7 assists in her junior campaign…Helped the Firebirds to state and district titles…Named a 2017 AP Southwest Ohio Honorable Mention selection…Recipient of Lakota West’s Underclassman Award…Also played for Dayton Lady Hoopsters and Cincinnati Heat Premier under coach Matt Lykins…Helped team to second-place finish at nationals.
 
Personal: Member of honor roll…Volunteered with Hope for Kids, serving lunch bags to kids on streets with church…Also volunteered at Lakota West team camps…Also involved with Easter egg hunts through Solid Rock Church, where she helped put out the easter eggs into the grass and also worked register to sign guests in…Helped train kids in certain skill sets for basketball…Worked daycare in church…Helped clean kids daycare with ERU…Psychology major…Daughter of Brian and Jennifer…Has seven siblings…Birthdate: 9/4/1999.

5-7 | Freshman | G | Becker, Minn. | Becker HS

High School: Graduated from Becker High School…Was a three-time team captain who received 17 varsity letters…Played for coach Dan Baird…Named to all-state team for three years…Miss Basketball candidate…Helped Becker to state title…Set school record for most points in a single game…Also played for MN Stars and coach Matt Nelisen.

Personal: Recipient of Spotlight on Scholarship…Has volunteered coaching younger players…Undecided major…Daughter of Brandon and Julie Kent…Has four siblings, Josephine, Milan, Daisy and Harrison…Birthdate: 9/18/2003.

6-3 | Graduate | F/C | Carey, Ohio | University of Findlay/Carey HS

As a Senior (UF): Played for the fourth season at the University of Findlay in 2021-22…Appeared and started all 30 games…Named first-team all-Great Midwest Athletic Conference…Selected to G-MAC All-Defensive team… Averaged 17.3 points per game…Grabbed 9.3 rebounds per game…Averaged 1.3 blocks per game…Had 1.1 steals per contest…Grabbed season-high 16 rebounds against Cedarville (12/9)… Scored a season-high 30 points against Malone (2/1)…Ranks second in all-time scoring with 1,603 points.

As a Junior (UF): Appeared and started in 23 games…Named first-team all-Great Midwest Athletic Conference…Tied a school record by averaging 21.4 points per game, which led the conference…Scored in double figures in all but one game on the year…Had a season-high 31 points against Walsh on Jan. 10…Averaged 9.3 rebounds per game…Grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds against Ohio Dominican on Jan. 5…Had nine double-digit rebounding games…Averaged 1.3 blocks per game.

As a Sophomore (UF): Appeared in 30 games…Made 25 starts…Named first-team all-Great Midwest Athletic Conference…Was named G-MAC Player of the Week three times…Grabbed 8.3 rebounds per game…Scored 16.4 points per game…Shot 56% from the floor…Led the conference in free throw percentage at 83.4%…Had 1.3 blocks per game…Scored season/career-high 33 points against Urbana on Dec. 17…Grabbed season/career-high 18 rebounds vs Walsh on Feb. 1.

As a Freshman (UF): Appeared in 26 games…Scored 3.8 points per game…Grabbed 2.9 rebounds per game…Scored season-high 11 points on Nov. 6 vs Ohio Wesleyan…Had season-high nine rebounds on Dec. 13 vs Ursuline…Had team-best four blocks on Dec. 15 vs Lake Erie.

High School: Graduated from Carey High School…Named all-Ohio twice…Was a two-time all-district pick…Named all-Northwest Ohio…Voted all-District 6…Finished her career ranked second in school history with 1,467 points…Ranks first all-time at Carey in rebounds (962) and blocked shots (285).

5-8 | Graduate | G | Seffner, Fla. | Samford University/Seffner Christian Academy

As a Junior (SU): Played in 14 games in 2021-22 with Samford…Started four games for the Bulldogs…Averaged 4.7 points per game, shooting 43.9 percent from the field…Also had 20 assists and eight steals…Scored a season-best 10 points in three games.

As a Sophomore (SU): Played the 2020-21 season at Samford, helping guide the Bulldogs to their second consecutive Southern Conference Regular Season Championship with an 11-2 record…Played in 24 games, making three starts at guard…Averaged 4.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 15.8 minutes on the floor…Shot 40.2 percent (43-of-107) from the floor…Scored a career-best 23 points versus Birmingham Southern on Jan. 4, 2021.

As a Freshman (SU): Saw action in nine games in the 2019-20 season at Samford…Shot 36.4 percent from the field…Scored in games against Alabama State and Florida.
 
High School: Attended Seffner Christian Academy…Played for coach Joe Cooper…Scored 2,754 career high school points…Dished out 762 career assists…Named all-state first team for two seasons…Hillsborough County Senior Game MVP…Won five District Championships…Also played for Tampa Thunder and Team Dupree under coach Jarrett Harvey.

Personal: Sports administration major…Daughter of Erich and Beth Leipold…Has one sibling, Dawson…Birthdate: 7/30/2000.

5-1 | Freshman | G | St. Cloud, Fla. | Gateway HS

High School: Graduated from Gateway High School, playing for coach Justin Marino…Four-time all-OBC selection…Honored by local newspaper as athlete of the year…Also played for Candice Dupree – Team Richardson under coach Justice Thigpen.

Personal: Recipient of high honors at Gateway High School…Volunteered tutoring freshmen in math and science…Nursing major…Full name is Nerishlyan Moreau…Born in Naguabo, Puerto Rico…Daughter of Betsy Ruiz…Has two siblings, Ren and Isyaan…Birthdate: 10/5/2004.

5-11 | Freshman | G | Trumbull, Conn. | Trumbull HS

High School: Attended Trumbull High School…Received five letters. Team captain for the Eagles in 2021-22…Named all-conference sophomore and junior year…Received all-state Honors…Selected for all-star summer league team…Also played for CT Supreme Elite under coach Kwame Burrell…Selected for the US Junior Nationals All-Tournament Team…Leading scorer averaging 14 ppg…Ranked 17th overall in New England for Class of 2022…Ranked second for shooting guards in New England for Class of ’22.

Personal: Member of the National Honor Society…Walked for ALS and Alzheimer’s…Worked basketball clinics…Coached basketball teams for elementary-aged players…Volunteers for wildlife rehab in Costa Rica…Helped Full Court Peace rehab courts in inner cities…Volunteered in soup kitchen for the homeless…Daughter of Scott and Kimberlee Roberto…Has two older siblings, Ryan and Julia…Father played basketball at UConn…Full name is Emilia Roberto…Birthdate: 10/31/2003.

5-10 | Junior | G Mullica Hill, N.J. | Loyola University/Clearview Regional HS

As a Sophomore (LUM): Returned to Loyola Maryland, where she saw action in 14 games…Had a season-high seven points against Lafayette (2/16), also grabbing two rebounds.

As a Freshman (LUM): Enrolled as a freshman for the 2020-21 season at Loyola University Maryland…Made six appearances in her debut collegiate season, playing a total of 24 minutes on the year…Grabbed two rebounds in eight minutes in Loyola’s season opener at Bucknell (1/2)…Played a season-high 13 minutes in the regular season finale against Lafayette (2/28), hitting her first 3-point attempt and totaling four points overall.

High School: Attended Clearview Regional High School…Also played AAU basketball for the Philadelphia Belles Breanna Stewart team, where she led the squad in both overall scoring and 3-pointers made across four seasons…Honored as a McDonald’s All-American nominee in 2020…Four-year varsity letterwinner in high school, contributing to three conference championships…First-team all-conference and first-team All-South Jersey as a junior…First team all-conference and first-team All-South Jersey Group IV as a senior…Three-year starter and a two-time member of the South Jersey Invitational All-Tournament team…Led team to its first-ever South Jersey Invitational Championship game…Totaled 1,271 points, 195 made 3-pointers, and 588 rebounds in her high school career…Leading scorer, captain and team MVP in each of her final two seasons…Recorded 21 double-doubles across final two years…Chosen as 2020 Conference Player of the Year…Member of the North-South All-Star and Al Carino All-Star teams in 2020…Two-time Atkinson Christmas Tournament MVP, leading team to championships both years…U.S. Junior National All-Tournament Team performer in AAU, winning multiple junior national championships…Spent first two high school seasons at Gloucester Catholic…Also a two-year letterwinner in lacrosse.

Personal: Member of honor roll…Psychology major, minoring in communications…Daughter of Michael and April Steidle…Has two siblings, Emma and JD…Mother was a member of Loyola’s women’s basketball program from 1990-94…Birthdate: 7/17/2002.

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa has announced its Hall of Fame inductees, including nine former student-athletes and two contributors who will represent the 2022 class of the University of Tampa Athletics Hall of Fame. The class will be inducted in a 7 p.m., ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 20 at UT’s Vaughn Center.

The inductees include former student-athletes Tiffany Boatwright (volleyball), Chelsea Hastings (women’s swimming), Shelby Kuni (women’s soccer), Missy Mack (women’s basketball), Lacinda Norman (softball), Ania Ruiz (volleyball), Ryan Thompson (men’s soccer), Joey Wardlow (baseball) and Joey Watts (baseball). Two contributors will also earn induction to the Hall of Fame in Fred Pollock and Gil Swalls.

Additionally, the Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented posthumously to former football player and alum Rick Gillis. The special category selection will honor the 2007 baseball team and the 2007 women’s soccer team, which both won national championships.

“I am thrilled to welcome another deserving and outstanding group of individuals who are also great ambassadors of the University,” says athletic director Larry Marfise. “The UT Hall of Fame includes a long list of highly decorated individuals, and this group will undoubtedly add to that prestigious list.”

Members selected will be honored at a banquet to be held at the Vaughn Center, beginning with a 6 p.m. reception followed by a 7 p.m. dinner and ceremony. For more information, please contact Hall of Fame chairman Tom Kolbe (tkolbe@ut.edu). Tickets are now available for purchase and are limited on a first-come basis.

Following are bios for the University of Tampa Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Inductees.

Tiffany Boatwright (1999-2002): Program’s all-time leader with 427 career block assists. Also ranks third all-time with 554 total blocks. Currently third in blocks per set, fifth in attack percentage and fifth in block solos. Finished career with 1,189 career kills, ranking fifth in program history when she graduated. Named first-team All-American in 2001. Three-time All-South Region. Named to 1999 NCAA National Championships all-tournament team. First-ever South Region Freshman of the Year for Tampa volleyball, earning award in 1999. Also named 1999 SSC Freshman of the Year. Three-time first-team all-SSC, and four-time all-SSC.

Chelsea Hastings (2005-06): Two-time All-American, earning honor in both 2005 and 2006. Five-time individual national champion, winning three in 2005 and two in 2006.In 2005, she won the national title in the 100 Back, 200 Back and 200 IM. The 200 IM also established an NCAA national record. She then won the 200 IM and 200 Free in 2006. Her five individual national championships are the most by any individual in program history.

Shelby Kuni (2005-08): Two-time All-American and member of 2007 national championship team who was the first player in program history to earn back-to-back first-team All-American honors. The 2006 South Region Player of the Year was also a two-time all-South Region selection. Remains the lone Sunshine State Conference Offensive Player of the Year in UT history, and was also the 2005 SSC Freshman of the Year. Four-time all-SSC selection was on the first-team for three years. Also a two-time member of NCAA South Regional all-tournament team and selected to 2007 NCAA Championships all-tournament team. Still ranks program’s all-time leading scorer with 152 points and 63 goals. Also ranks fifth all-time in assists and 10th with 83 games played.

Missy Mack (1996-1999): Three-time All-SSC, 1999 all-South Region, 1996 SSC Freshman of the Year. School career scoring leader with 1,782 points. Holds school single-game scoring record (43). Ranks second in school history in 3-point field goals made (211), fourth in scoring average (16.5), fourth in field goals made (623), ninth in free throws made (325), 10^th in 3-point field goal percentage (.356) and 10^th in steals (182).

Lacinda Norman (2001-03): Was Tampa’s first All-American selection, and remains lone position player to earn the honor. Was a second-team NFCA All-American in 2003. Named first-team all-South Region in 2003 and 2004. Three-time all-Sunshine State Conference selection, earning first-team honors in 2003 and 2004 and second-team in 2002. Ranks second in school history in games started (190), third in doubles (32), fourth in hits (166), seventh in runs (92) and seventh in triples (12). Finished career with .306 batting average, four home runs, 70 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

Ania Ruiz (2000-03): Fourth player in AVCA history to earn All-American honors four times. Second player (Danielle Faggion) in UT history to be four-time All-American. First player in UT history to be first-team All-American three times (was second team as a freshman). 2001 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. She ranks first in UT history in career kills and second in digs. Four-time all-South Region selection. 2000 SSC Freshman of the Year. Four-time first-team all-SSC selection.

Ryan Thompson (2006-09): Four-year starter who remains program leader with 251 career saves. Also ranks third in wins, third in save percentage and fifth in games played. Set season record with 105 saves in 2008. Named a first-team All-American in 2009 and was also an All-American in 2008. Two-time first-team All-South Region,. Two-time SSC Defensive Player of the Year, in 2008 and 2009. Named first-team all-SSC in 2008 and 2009 and was a two-time member of the SSC All-Championship team.

Joey Wardlow (1985-88): 1988 second-team All-American. Two-time first-team all-South Region (1987-88). Member of 1986 NCAA South Regional all-tournament team. First-team all-Sunshine State Conference selection in 1987 and 1988. Hit .343 in four seasons, including .406 clip in 53 games as a junior. Among all-time leaders, ranks fifth in triples (13), sixth in doubles (54), seventh in RBI (171), seventh in sacrifice flies (11), eighth in walks (108), eighth in sacrifice hits (13) and ninth in hits (263).

Joey Watts (2001-04): Named 2004 first-team all-South Region and 2001 second-team all-South Region. Member of 2001 NCAA South Regional all-tournament team and 2003 NCAA Championship Series all-tournament team. Honored as 2001 Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year. Was a Four-time all-SSC selection, who was a three-time first-teamer (2001, 2002, 2004) and second-teamer in 2003. Ranks first all-time with 65 career starts, first with eight shutouts, third in innings pitched (380.0), fourth in wins (35), fourth in strikeouts (302), and fifth in lowest batting average (.247). Concluded four-year career with 35-14 record and 3.22 ERA.

Fred Pollock: A 1970 graduate of the University of Tampa, Pollock’s support for his alma mater has never wavered. He has led several fundraising efforts for the athletics department as his support has helped UT’s facilities and teams ascend to the top of collegiate sports. He was also the recipient of the University’s 2011 Esse Quam Videri Award. Pollock taught history for 38 years in Newark, N.J., and served as an urban planning instructor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology Summer High School Urban Engineering Program.

Gil Swalls: Swalls joined the Spartans in 1989 as the Assistant Athletic Director and Sports Information Director. He was promoted to Associate Athletic Director in 1999. Since 2004, he managed the athletic department’s marketing efforts, which included sponsorships, event promotions and revenue creation in addition to other associate AD duties. Built a sports marketing team of 50 students, which has earned the University’s Outstanding Organization of the Year Award in 2012 and Most Spirited Organization in 2009 and 2018 while Swalls was named Student Organization Advisor of the Year in 2006. In 2007, the group earned a NACMA national third place award for NCAA II single-game promotion and in 2008 received NCAA Best in Conference for community engagement programs. He was among those who received the UT Unsung Hero award in 2003. Swalls also chaired the UT Athletic Hall of Fame committee, supervised the cheer, dance and mascot programs, has chaired or served on several UT athletic staff search committees, and was a member of UT’s Emergency Action and Orientation committees. He previously served on the UT Activity Committee and is an adjunct professor in the sport management program. He served from 2001-03 as a member of the NCAA II Baseball committee, was president of the Sports Club of Tampa Bay in 2009-10, and as a member of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce Sports Steering Committee CoSIDA and NACMA where he served on committees.

The 2007 national championship baseball team is one of two special category selections. The Spartans achieved back-to-back national titles following a 53-10 season under national coach of the year Joe Urso. A total of seven players from the team signed with Major League Baseball organizations as the team also had three All-American’s, six All-Region and 10 all-conference selections.

The 2007 national championship women’s soccer team also receives a special category selection. First-year head coach and UT Hall of Famer Gerry Lucey led the Spartans to a 20-2-3 season while also winning an SSC championship. The team had five All-Americans as Hall of Fame goalkeeper Shannon Aitken was recognized as the national player of the year. 2022 inductee Shelby Kuni was the leading scorer on this team, netting 26 goals.

Rick Gillis was chosen as the recipient of the Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented to an individual who continues their success post-graduation and continues to support the University of Tampa. 

Click here for UT Athletic Hall of Fame page

Click here for UT Athletic Hall of Fame member list

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference has announced its 2022 Hall of Fame class, including retired University of Tampa cross country coach Jarrett Slaven among the newest class. The league will usher in the nine newest members on Saturday, October 8th, during the SSC Hall of Fame brunch and celebration. The event will take place in Fort Lauderdale on the campus of Nova Southeastern University.

The inductees of the SSC’s 24th Hall of Fame class are Dr. Joan Davison (Rollins, Faculty Athletics Representative), Doug Gordin (Florida Southern, men’s golf), Dr. Katie (Heinz) Stowers (Saint Leo, softball), Bill Livesey (Eckerd, baseball), Dr. Danielle Robinson (Nova Southeastern, women’s basketball), Dr. George Samuel (Barry, tennis), Jarrett Slaven (Tampa, cross country), James Taylor (Lynn, men’s basketball), and Dr. Frank Webbe (Florida Tech, Faculty Athletics Representative).

The SSC Hall of Fame was founded in 1991 to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the league. Its purpose is to perpetuate the memory of those who brought distinction, honor, and excellence to the league. Conference officials selected a charter class in 1992, with 21 individuals honored. The 2022 class brings the number of SSC Hall of Fame inductees to 213.

Tickets are available for the SSC Hall of Fame Brunch and Celebration on October 8th at 11:00 am in Fort Lauderdale. Event space is limited, and you must purchase no later than Friday, September 30th. If you are interested in celebrating the SSC’s 24th Hall of Fame Class, email Maryanne Simkulak, Sunshine State Conference Senior Associate Commissioner, for more information. 

For the complete Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame, click here.

2022 SSC Hall of Fame Class

Dr. Joan Davison | Rollins College | Faculty Athletics Representative | 1992-2022

• President of the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative Association (2019-20)
• NCAA Division II SAAC 2020 Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award winner
• Served as Rollins’ Faculty Athletics Representative for 31 years
• She became the first woman inducted into the Wheeling University Athletics Hall of Fame, Graduating class of 1978, Hall of Fame class of 1987 (basketball)
• Former Professor of Political Science, specializing in international and comparative politics, including U.S. foreign policy and international law

Doug Gordin | Florida Southern College | Men’s Golf Coach | 1995-2018

• 4x GCAA National Coach of the Year
• 6x National Champion
• 6x Individual National Champions
• 2x GCAA National Players of the Year
• 7x SSC Championship Teams
• 6x Individual SSC Champions
• 3x SSC Coach of the Year
• GCAA Hall of Fame Class of 2001, Florida Southern Hall of Fame Class of 2007, Polk County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012
• Teams qualified for the NCAA postseason play in all 23 seasons in which he was head coach
• Coached eight SSC Male Athletes of the Year and 11 SSC Golfers of the Year

Dr. Katie (Heinz) Stowers | Saint Leo University | Softball | 2002 – 2006

• NFCA All-American in 2005 & 2006
• NFCA All-Region in 2004, 2005, & 2006
• First Team All-SSC 2005 & 2006, Second Team All-SSC in 2004
• SSC Sliver Anniversary Softball Team
• Holds the career strikeouts record for SSC and is 11th all-time in NCAA Division II  (1,209)
• NCAA Record for most combined strikeouts in a game (45)
• Student of the Year for Chemistry in 2003
• Saint Leo Board of Trustee student representative from 2004-2006
• Currently an Assistant professor of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

Bill Livesey | Eckerd College| Baseball & Men’s Soccer Coach | 1972 – 1977

• He transformed the Eckerd baseball program from a .300 winning percentage (36-84) in the previous nine years to a .746 winning percentage during his tenure (184-62-2)
• Led the Tritons to a 1977 NCAA Division II National Runner-Up performance
• Coached Eckerd’s only 40-win season (1976)
• Coached eight ABCA All-Americans, including three First Team members.
• Cape Cod League Hall of Fame Class of 2002, University of Maine Hall of Fame Class of 2018, Eckerd Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2019
• Compiled a 43-9-1 (.821) record as Eckerd’s men’s soccer coach (1973-1976)
• He served as the Director of Scouting for the New York Yankees from 1991 to 1996, helping lay a new foundation for the Bronx Bombers with the signing of Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and Derek Jeter.
• Director of Player Development & Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Tampa Bay Rays (1996-2002), Toronto Blue Jays (2002-2003), New York Mets (2004-2005), and Yankees (2008-12). Senior Advisor to Pittsburg Pirates GM (2012)
• 2012 George Genovese Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation in 2012. Yankee GM Brian Cashman called him the “architect behind the architect” of the 1990s dynasty.

Dr. Danielle Robinson | Nova Southeastern University | Women’s Basketball | 2011-2015

• First Team All-SSC (2014-15)
• SSC Tournament MVP (2014-15)
• SSC All-Tournament Team (2013-14 & 2014-15)
• Second Team All-SSC (2012-13)
• SSC Defensive Player of the Year (2012-13)
• All-SSC Newcomer Team (2011-12)
• SSC Freshman of the Year (2011-12)
• NSU Women’s Basketball All-Time Leader in points (1,676), games played (125), and starts (123)
• Three-time NSU Women’s Basketball Team Captain
• Played professionally both overseas in Spain and semi-professionally for the Dade County Lady Bulls
• Member of NSU’s Multicultural Affairs Committee to share information, promote diversity and inclusion within the university and community

Dr. George Samuel | Barry University | Tennis Coach | 1990 – 2021

• 5x NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis National Champion
• 17x NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis Regional Champion
• 2x ITA Men’s Tennis National Coach of the Year
• 8x ITA Men’s Tennis Regional Coach of the Year
• 21x SSC Coach of the Year (17x in Men’s Tennis)
• 21x SSC Tournament Champions (17x in Men’s Tennis)
• 5x SSC Men’s Tennis Regular-Season Champions
• 587-138 (.810) career men’s record; 308-122 (.716) career women’s record

Jarrett Slaven | University of Tampa | Cross Country Coach | 1999 – 2021

• 10x NCAA Division II Women’s South Region Champion
• 16x SSC Champion (15x in Women’s Cross Country)
• 10x NCAA Division II South Region Women’s Coach of the Year
• 18x SSC Coach of the Year (16x in Women’s Cross Country
• 7x NCAA Division II Women’s All-Americans
• 13x SSC Runners of the Year (11x in Women’s Cross Country)
• SSC Silver Anniversary Team Top Women’s Coach
• SSC Women’s Cross Country 2010-19 Coach of the Decade

James Taylor | Lynn University | Men’s Basketball | 2001 – 2005

• Second Team All-SSC (2003-04 & 2004-05)
• Led the Fighting Knights to the program’s only SSC regular-season championship, conference tournament title, and NCAA Division II Elite Eight berth in 2004-05
• Division II Bulletin National All-Freshman Team (2001-02)
• SSC Freshman of the Year (2001-02)
• All-SSC Freshman Team (2001-02)
• Graduated as the program’s all-time leader in points scored (1,406 points), games started (98), field goals attempted (1,085)
• Ranks top-five all-time at Lynn for games played (113), field goals made (463), 3pt made (146), 3pt attempted (420), free-throws made (334), free-throws attempted (474), rebounds (512), assists (299), and steals (155).
• Lynn Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2011
• Former Professional Basketball Player (NBL- Australia, Belarus, and the NBA-Development League)
• Remains highly active in South Florida basketball through multiple organizations, including his company, Taylored Athletes, Inc.

Dr. Frank Webbe | Florida Tech | Faculty Athletics Representative | 1984 – 2020

• NCAA and Faculty Athletics Representative Association’s (FARA) 2018 David Knight Award recipient for outstanding service to collegiate athletics
• Appointed Division II FARA President, Vice President, and Representative during his tenure.
• Acted as Florida Tech’s Faculty Athletics Representative for 37 years, the only person to hold the until the time of his retirement
• Former Professor of Psychology and Behavior Analysis and Dean of the School of Psychology (1985 – 1993)
• Served on the organizing committee for the Division II Faculty Representative Fellows Institute, the Advanced Leadership Institute, and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Regional Selection Committee
• Held the office of President in the Society for Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology of the American Psychological Association
• Was the treasure, charter member, and executive board member of the Sports Neuropsychology Society

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Sunshine State Conference men’s soccer coaches have chosen Nova Southeastern University as the preseason favorite in 2022. With 96 points and seven first-place votes in the poll, the Sharks are expected to win the program’s first regular-season title.

The University of Tampa holds second place in the poll with 90 points and three first-place votes. Palm Beach Atlantic University garners the final first-place vote along with 84 points to land in third. Lynn University and Rollins College round out the Top-5 with 76 and 59 points, respectively.

2022 SSC MEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE 

Barry University touches down in the center of the poll with 49 points and is followed in the voting by Florida Southern College (45 points) and Florida Tech (41 points). Saint Leo University (31 points), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (18 points), and Eckerd College (16 points) occupy the final three positions in the poll.

Palm Beach Atlantic and Tampa shared a claim of the 2021 SSC regular-season title after both programs finished the season with 27 points in conference play. The Spartans now have 15 regular-season titles in program history, and the Sailfish own three league trophies. Nova Southeastern bested PBA in the conference semifinals and UT in the finals to capture the postseason crown. It was the first SSC title for NSU’s men’s soccer program.

NSU, PBA, and UT earned a berth into the 2021 NCAA Division II Postseason Tournament. Nova Southeastern opened up the tournament with a 3-2 win against Coker before blanking PBA 1-0 in the second round. Next, the Sharks defeated Chowan, 1-0, to advance into the national quarterfinals. In the elite eight, NSU took down an Auburn – Montgomery squad (3-1) that had previously eliminated Tampa in the second round. Nova Southeastern was eliminated by the eventual national champion, Cal State Los Angeles, in penalty kicks following 110 minutes of scoreless play in the national semifinals.

Since 2010, eight men’s soccer teams have reached the national quarterfinals, and all eight have advanced to the national semifinals, including NSU in 2021. Six teams have advanced to the national title game, with three walking away with a championship trophy. Lynn (3), Tampa (3), Florida Tech (2), and Barry (1) boast all nine of the SSC’s men’s soccer national championships. The most recent of which came by way of Barry in 2018.

Ten teams open up the SSC non-conference season with matches on Thursday, August 25th. The conference schedule kicks off with four games on Saturday, September 10th. NSU (No. 3), PBA (No. 13), and Tampa (No. 21) represent the SSC in the 2022 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II preseason men’s poll. The ranking was announced Tuesday, August 2nd.

Below are the full results of the 2022 SSC preseason coaches’ poll. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their teams (points: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).

2022 SSC MEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL

See Also:SSC All-Americans | All-SSC Teams | SSC Champions | 2021 Standings

Previous SSC Men’s Soccer Polls

Year	Predicted Regular Season Winner	Regular Season Finish	Regular Season Champion	Predicted Finish	Tournament Champion	Predicted Regular Season Finish
2021	Lynn	3rd	Palm Beach Atlantic / Tampa	2nd / 5th	Nova Southeastern	3rd
2020	No Season Due to COVID-19
2019	Palm Beach Atlantic	3rd	Lynn	2nd	Lynn	2nd
2018	Palm Beach Atlantic	1st	Palm Beach Atlantic	1st	Palm Beach Atlantic	1st
2017	Lynn	3rd	Palm Beach Atlantic	2nd	Tampa	3rd
2016	Saint Leo	7th	Lynn	T2nd	Lynn	T2nd
2015	Lynn	T4th	Saint Leo	2nd	Rollins	4th
2014	Saint Leo	2nd	Lynn	3rd	Lynn	3rd
2013	Rollins	2nd	Saint Leo	5th	Barry	7th
2012	Lynn	1st	Lynn	1st	Rollins	3rd
2011	Barry	4th	Lynn	5th	Rollins	3rd
2010	Barry	T1st	Barry/Rollins	1st / T3rd	Tampa	T3rd
2009	Tampa	T1st	Rollins/Tampa	3rd / 1st	Barry	6th
2008	Tampa	2nd	Lynn	2nd	Lynn	2nd
2007	Lynn	1st	Lynn	1st	Tampa	4th
2006	Lynn	2nd	Rollins	4th	Tampa	5th
2005	Lynn	2nd	Saint Leo	5th	N/A	N/A
2004	Lynn	T3rd	Rollins	3rd	Lynn	1st
2003	Lynn	1st	Lynn	1st	Lynn	1st
2002	Barry	1st	Barry	1st	N/A	N/A
2001	Barry	3rd	Tampa	3rd	N/A	N/A
2000	Lynn	2nd	Barry	2nd	N/A	N/A

 

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Sunshine State Conference women’s soccer coaches select Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as the preseason favorite to win the 2022 regular-season championship. With 97 points and eight first-place votes in the poll, the Eagles are expected to win the program’s second regular-season championship. 

Rollins College lands in second place with 81 points from conference coaches. Florida Tech comes in third with 77 points and one first-place vote. The University of Tampa landed just ahead of Nova Southeastern University, 71-70, for fourth place. The Spartans also pulled in the remaining two first-place votes.

2022 SSC WOMEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE

Palm Beach Atlantic University sits in the middle of the poll (62 points) and is followed by a tie in the voting between Barry University and Lynn University (44 points). Saint Leo University (22 points), Eckerd College (18 points), and Florida Southern College (18 points) hold the final three positions in the ranking.

Embry-Riddle won both the regular-season title and tournament championship in 2021, marking the first regular-season and second postseason title for the Eagles. ERAU and Florida Tech represented the SSC in the 2021 NCAA Postseason Tournament. The Eagles fell to West Florida in the second round, 1-0. The Panthers survived penalty kicks against Mississippi College, Lee, and West Florida to reach the national quarterfinals. After a 1-1 tie at the end of overtime against Lenoir-Rhyne, Florida Tech’s season ended in PK’s.

Since administrators added women’s soccer as a league sport in 1998, SSC teams have reached the national quarterfinals 12 times, the semifinals seven times, and the national title game three times, winning it all twice: Lynn in 1998 and Tampa in 2007.

The 2022 season opens on August 25th with five teams in action, while four more teams get underway the next day. Conference play begins Saturday, September 10th with a four-game slate. Florida Tech ranks 18th, and ERAU is receiving votes in the 2022 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II preseason women’s poll, which was released on Tuesday, August 2nd.

Below are the full results of the 2022 SSC preseason coaches’ poll. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their teams (points: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).

2022 SSC WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL

 

See Also:SSC All-Americans | All-SSC Teams | SSC Champions |2021 Standings

Previous SSC Women’s Soccer Polls

 

Year	Predicted Regular Season Winner	Regular Season Finish	Regular Season Champion	Predicted Finish	Tournament Champion	Predicted Regular Season Finish
2021	Embry-Riddle	1st	Embry-Riddle	1st	Embry-Riddle	1st
2020	No Season Due to COVID-19
2019	Barry	1st	Barry/Rollins	1st/3rd	Embry-Riddle	5th
2018	Nova Southeastern	2nd	Barry	2nd	Barry	2nd
2017	Barry	2nd	Nova Southeastern	3rd	Florida Tech	7th
2016	Tampa	5th	Saint Leo	5th	Saint Leo	5th
2015	Barry	1st	Barry	1st	Barry	1st
2014	Rollins	2nd	Barry	2nd	Rollins	2nd
2013	Tampa	3rd	Barry	7th	Rollins	2nd
2012	Rollins	1st	Rollins	1st	Tampa	3rd
2011	Florida Tech	T3rd	Saint Leo	5th	Tampa	2nd
2010	Rollins	5th	Florida Tech / Nova Southeastern	2nd / T7th	Tampa	6th
2009	Saint Leo	4th	Rollins	2nd	Rollins	2nd
2008	Tampa	3rd	Rollins	4th	Saint Leo	3rd
2007	Tampa	1st	Tampa	1st	Tampa	1st
2006	Tampa	1st	Tampa	1st	Tampa	1st
2005	Barry	2nd	Tampa	2nd	N/A	N/A
2004	Barry	1st	Barry	1st	Tampa	2nd
2003	Barry	1st	Barry	1st	Barry	1st
2002	Barry	1st	Barry	1st	N/A	N/A
2001	Barry	1st	Barry	1st	N/A	N/A
2000	Barry	1st	Barry	1st	N/A	N/A

 

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass., — The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association announced the 2022 Academic Honor Roll. 

The IWLCA honored 517 student-athletes from 68 different institutions on the 2022 IWLCA Division II Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible for this honor, student-athletes must be a junior, senior, or graduate student and have earned a cumulative academic GPA of 3.50 or greater.

This year’s recipients includeed three seniors; Hannah Bush, Lizzie Pierpont, Erin Sistek, and juniors; Riley Coleman, Cece Colombo, Emma McLoughlin, Abby Selhorn and Alex Walling. 

 

INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Tampa baseball program was honored by the NCAA as the 2022 NCAA Division II Baseball National Statistical Champion in team ERA.

Associate head coach and pitching coach Sam Militello led his staff to a 2.98 team ERA, finishing the season as the lone team in the nation with a sub-3.00 ERA. Additionally, the Spartans came in .25 points lower than second-place Point Loma, who concluded the season with a 3.23 ERA.

Capturing the program’s 22nd Sunshine State Conference championship, the Spartans finished the season with a record of 44-13. UT would win the Tampa regional and finish the season as a regional finalist.

The 2022 Spartan pitching staff had several top performers, led by All-Americans Haden Erbe and Braydon Nelson. Erbe would establish himself as the team’s Friday night starter, and would finish the season with a record of 12-2. In 94.1 innings of work, Erbe had 117 strikeouts to go with an ERA of 2.77.

Nelson spent the season as the ace reliever, finishing with 11 saves and the ability to lock down games in multiple innings of work. Also 6-1, Nelson‘s ERA of 1.79 came in 60.1 innings. He would finish with 63 strikeouts.

Overall, Militello had 10 pitchers with sub-4.00 ERA’s, as true freshman Alex Canney led all Spartans with a 1.60 ERA. Starting seven games, Canney pitched down the stretch in high-leverage situations. He would throw 39.1 innings with 43 strikeouts.

Michael Paul also received all-SSC honors as the starter pitched to a 3.26 ERA while going 8-5. Nick Long started 14 games with a 6-1 record and 2.54 ERA. Lefty relievers Michael D’Emo and Cameron Sereda turned in 1.93 and 2.96 ERA’s, respectively, as Sereda led UT with a .178 batting average against.

TAMPA, Fla. – Following a national search for the successor to retired head coach Jarrett Slaven, the University of Tampa has selected Logan Wells as its new head coach for women’s cross country and track.

“First of all, I want to thank Larry Marfise and everyone on the search committee at the University of Tampa for giving me this opportunity,” says Wells. “I’m ecstatic to be taking over a program that I believe has the talent and resources to be a perennial contender on the national stage. I can’t wait to build on the foundation of success that coach Slaven and others have laid for years, and I fully expect to carry on that tradition.”

Wells brings collegiate coaching experience from four institutions, as this marks his third head coaching position. A lifetime runner, Wells comes from a coaching family, where his father and grandfather also served as coaches. His father, Brady Wells, is currently the head men’s and women’s cross country coach at Hanover College.

Wells previously served as the head cross country/track and field coach at NCAA Division III Spalding University, since March 2021. He led the program to three school records in track. He also coached two SLIAC individual conference champions with two SLIAC Newcomer of the Year awards.

Among his accomplishments during his short stint at Spalding include 14 top-five program finishes among cross country, track, and field events. He also coached his runners to 14 SLIAC all-conference awards, including five first-teamers and nine on the second team.

Prior to Spalding, Wells spent two years as the head cross country and assistant track field coach at Bluffton University. In his inaugural season, he guided the Beavers women’s team to a fourth-place finish in the HCAC Championships and placed two runners on the HCAC All-Conference First Team. In addition, the men’s team placed 6^th and both teams were recognized by the USTFCCCA for their performance in the classroom making the Academic All-America list. On the track, Wells helped guide his runners to seven all-conference performances, including a conference champion in the women’s 10,000m run.

Prior to his time at Bluffton, Wells spent two years at Otterbein University and his alma mater of Hanover College. As an assistant coach, Wells helped coordinate practices, recruit athletes and manage on-campus events. Wells also has a background in hosting events through helping Hanover College host the 2013 NCAA DIII Cross Country National Championships, as well as through coordinating races with Columbus Running Company in Columbus, Ohio.

As an athlete, Wells is ranked fifth all-time in Hanover school history over the 8-kilometer distance. He has also trained and raced with the CRC (Columbus Running Company) Elite team from 2015-18 and owns a personal best in the marathon distance of 2:26:18. In addition, he competed in the 2016 USATF half-marathon championships.

Wells holds a USATF Level 2 Coaching Certification in addition to an endurance specialist certification from the USTFCCCA. Wells has a Master’s from Ohio University, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree from Hanover College.