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September 1, 2010
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball to Host IPFW, Northeastern and Western Kentucky in Xavier Invitational
Xavier Invite First Home Contests of 2010 for Musketeers
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CINCINNATI - The Xavier Volleyball team will open its home campaign this Friday, September 3rd and Saturday, September 4th at Cintas Center with the Xavier Invitational. The Musketeers will play host to IPFW, Northeastern and Western Kentucky. This is a great opportunity see the new-look Musketeers and one of the best tournaments in the country! Come out and join us!
Schedule:
Friday 9/3/10
Western Kentucky vs. Northeastern @ 4:00 PM
Xavier vs. IPFW @ 7:00 PM
Saturday 9/4/10
Western Kentucky vs. IPFW @ 10:00AM
Xavier vs. Northeastern @ 1:00PM
IPFW vs. Northeastern @ 4:00PM
Xavier vs. Western Kentucky @ 7:00PM
Ticket Information:
Tickets can be purchased online at GoXavier.com, mail (download order form), fax or at the gate. The pricing is as follows:
$5 Adults
$3 Youth (17 & Under)
Group Rate (15+): $3/person (* Group orders must be done in advance)
There are special group opportunities including a tour of the Cintas Center facilities, autograph session, reserved ball kid spots, PA and video board announcement and a chance to be selected for intermission contests. For group ticket information contact Jeff Hehman @ 513-745-3378 or hehmanj@xavier.edu.
August 31, 2010
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's Soccer Set to Open Regular Season at Marshall
Kickoff Set for 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at MU's Sam Hood Field
Xavier first-year head coach Andy Fleming will be looking for his first win on Wednesday
CINCINNATI - The 2010 edition of the Xavier men's soccer team is set to open its regular season Wednesdaynight at Marshall. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Thundering Herd's Sam Hood Field.
The Musketeers recently completed the exhibition portion of their schedule, tallying a 2-1 mark in preseason action including a 2-1 win over then-20th ranked Indiana. XU also picked up a 1-0 win over No. 13 Ohio Wesleyan (DIII) at home and fell, 3-2, to visiting Oakland.
The Herd picked up two wins during its exhibition season. Marshall opened the preseason with a 2-1 win over Gardner-Webb and added a 1-0 win over Charleston (W. Va.) as well.
These two squads met last season in Cincinnati as the Musketeers recorded a 2-0 shutout of the Herd on Sept. 26, 2009.
Live stats will be available by clicking the GameTracker link on the front page of goxavier.com. Admission will be charged for at Sam hood Field. Adults are $5 and youth (under 13) are $3 per match. Groups above 20 fans can obtain a $2 group rate by calling the MU ticket office one day in advance at 1-800-THE HERD.
MEN'S SOCCER
In Last Exhibition of Preseason, Men's Soccer Drops 3-2 Decision to Oakland
Dieng and Walker Each Tally a Goal for the Musketeers
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 Freshman Nick Hagglund |
CINCINNATI - In its preseason finale, the Xavier men's soccer team dropped its exhibition contest Saturday night, 3-2, to visiting Oakland at the XU Soccer Complex. Senior El-Hadji Dieng and freshman Matt Walker each scored a goal for the Musketeers.
Xavier and Oakland played three 30 minute periods followed by one 20 minute session as well.
The Musketeers out-shot the Grizzlies 19-11 and took nine corner kicks to OU's four. Walker and classmate Nick Hagglund each tallied four shots on the day.
Makesi Lewis put the Grizzlies on the board first with a goal in the 18th minute but the Musketeers answered in with Dieng's successful penalty kick at 20:41 in the first period.
The score remained unchanged until the 77th minute when Vuk Popovic netted the ball for Oakland. Popovic struck again on with a header on a corner kick from Tom Catalano seven minutes later.
Xavier cut the Oakland lead to one, 3-2, when Walker found the back of the net in the 107th minute on a shot 10 feet out from the left side. Time expired before XU could strike again as the Grizzlies collected the win.
The Musketeers will open the 2010 regular season on the road at Marshall on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - In its last match of the Lady Vol Classic, the Xavier volleyball team claimed a 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-23) sweep of Chattanooga Saturday night at UT's Thompson-Boling Arena. Sophomore Kaela Jo Freppon led the Musketeers with a match- and career-high 16 kills. Senior Shannon Voors tied her career high with 14 kills and also added four service aces and seven digs. Senior Claire Paszkiewicz set 38 assists and narrowly missed the double-double with nine digs to go with four service aces. Junior Michelle Matia was tough at the net with seven kills in 14 attempts and no errors while also recording two assisted blocks. Sophomore Stephanie Vorherr got under 22 digs for XU as well. Xavier (1-2) dispatched the Lady Mocs handily in the first two sets and never relinquishing the lead in the first frame. But Chattanooga (0-3) battled back in the third set forcing 15 ties and eight lead changed before eventually falling to the Musketeers, 25-23, on a kill from Freppon. The Lady Mocs were led by Courtney Barnes with five kills and Paula Passmore with a match-high 23 digs. The Musketeers return to action Sept.3-4 as they play host to IPFW, Northeastern and Western Kentucky in the 2010 Xavier Invitational.
August 28, 2010
VOLLEYBALL
Voors and Freppon Lead XU with Double-Digit Kills
Sophomore Kaela Jo Freppon
August 28, 2010 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Virginia Tech pushed the Xavier volleyball team to five sets, claiming a 3-2 (25-19, 19-25, 18-25, 26-24, 10-15) over the Musketeers Saturday morning in Tennessee's Lady Vol Classic at Thompson-Boling Arena. Sophomore Alex Smith recorded a match- and career-high 19 kills, hitting at a blistering .500 clip, to go along with four assisted blocks. Also for the Musketeers, senior Shannon Voors added 13 kills, two service aces, eight digs and a career-best two solo blocks in a stellar outing for the outside hitter. Sophomore libero Stephanie Vorherr got under a match-high 24 digs and senior setter Claire Paszkiewicz set 44 assists. Xavier (0-2) took the first set from the Hokies by a six-point margin, 25-19, but VTU claimed the next two frames to go up, 2-1. The four set was close throughout and tied at 24 apiece, Voors smashed out a kill and a Hokie attack error gave XU the four-set win, 26-24, to tie the match. Virginia Tech (2-0) was able to take the fifth set, 15-10, after pulling away in the second half of the game. VTU closed out the set with a 3-1 run which included back-to-back kills and an XU attack error. The Hokies were led by Cara Baarendse with 14 kills and Morgan O'Neill with 18 digs.
VOLLEYBALL
Virginia Tech Squeezes Out 3-2 Win Over Volleyball at Lady Vol Classic
Sophomore Stephanie Vorherr
August 27, 2010
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball Drops Season Opener, 3-0, at No. 19 Tennessee
Paszkiewicz Posts Double-Double for Musketeers
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 Freshman Kelsey Dunaway recorded six kills in her first outing as a Musketeer |
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Xavier volleyball team dropped its season opener Friday night, 3-0 (17-25, 15-25, 23-25), to No. 19 Tennessee in UT's Thompson-Boling Arena in XU's first match of the Comcast Lady Vol Classic. Senior setter Claire Paszkiewicz posted a double-double for XU with 27 assists and 10 digs.
Also for the Musketeers, senior outside hitter Shannon Voors led XU with a match- and career-high 14 kills while classmate Chelsea Campbell and freshman Kelsey Dunaway each added six kills as well. Sophomore Stephanie Vorherr got under a match-high 17 digs.
The Lady Vols were led by Nikki Fowler with 13 kills and Kelsey Robinson with 16 digs. Deedee Harrison was strong at the net with two solo blocks and three assisted blocks for Tennessee.
CINCINNATI - With 1:23 left in the first half, freshman Matt Walker found the back of the net for the Musketeers for what proved to be the game-winning goal as XU men's soccer blanked Ohio Wesleyan in exhibition action at Xavier Soccer Complex Thursday night. The Musketeers improve to 2-0 in preseason contests with one exhibition contest remaining. Freshman Adar Cohen was credited with the assist on XU's lone goal of the evening. Senior El-Hadji Dieng led the Musketeers' offensive attack with three shots while Walker added two, both on goal. Six other Musketeers each had a shot in the game as well. Overall, Xavier and Ohio Wesleyan were even in the shot department with 11 apiece. Sophomore Justin Marshall collected three saves for XU in 32 minutes of action in goal. Sophomore Andre Bezerra grabbed three saves as well in 41 minutes while junior Ryan Engelmann tallied two over 13 minutes. Sophomore Pete Montgomery saw action in goal as well, contributing four minutes. The Musketeers return to action on Saturday evening as they close out their exhibition season against Oakland. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Xavier Soccer Complex.
August 26, 2010
MEN'S SOCCER
With First Half Goal, Men's Soccer Blanks Ohio Wesleyan in Exhibition
Matt Walker Nets Game Winner in 44th Minute
Freshman Adar Cohen
August 26, 2010
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Women's Basketball Launches Community Caravan
First Stop to be CYO Basketball Tourney at All Saints 
CINCINNATI - Building upon the momentum of last season’s Elite Eight run, Xavier University’s women’s basketball team is starting a series of community ‘caravan’ stops to a number of events around Greater Cincinnati to meet basketball fans and promote the upcoming season.
The first stop will be the CYO basketball tournament at All Saints School, 8939 Montgomery Road. Xavier women’s basketball staff and players will be at the tournament from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 4. Players will sign autographs and pose for photos, and fans can register for raffle items and Xavier gear as well as purchase tickets for the upcoming season.
“We are looking forward to having our fans meet our players as we get ready for another season,” said head coach Kevin McGuff. “Our fans’ support is important for our continued success at Xavier.”
The women’s basketball team will be making a number of stops throughout the community, including a cookout in October on the Xavier University campus. Those dates and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Xavier women’s basketball team is coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history, with 30 wins and an Atlantic-10 conference title, along with the Elite Eight. Four of that team’s starters return, including All-Americas Amber Harris and Ta’Shia Phillips. Xavier’s non-conference schedule this season includes Stanford, Duke, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, Southern California, Michigan, South Carolina and Louisville.
Season tickets are available now by clicking here. You can follow Xavier athletics on Facebook at Xavier Musketeers, on Twitter @XUAthletics and YouTube at xaviermusketeers.
August 25, 2010
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Xavier 1 Butler 0
CINCINNATI-- The 2010 home opener ended with a positive result as the Xavier women’s soccer team earned its first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Butler at the Xavier Soccer Complex Wednesday evening. Freshman Lauren Heap scored the lone goal of the match.
With the win, the Musketeers improved to 1-2-0 on the season while the Bulldogs fell to 0-2-0.
“Ten minutes in it didn’t look like likely that we would get the win,” said XU head coach Woody Sherwood. “Butler knocked the ball around pretty well but we made an adjustment around ten minutes into the game and I thought the game went in our favor from there. I think this will go down as one of the best results that this team has gotten in four or five years.”
Heap’s goal came in the 26th minute when she drove home a corner kick from Leslie Boersma. The strike marked Heap’s second goal of the season.
“Lauren (Heap) has played very well for us and earned a starting spot tonight,” said Sherwood. “She gives us composure on the ball, she’s dominant in the air, and she’s great of free kicks.”
The win marks Sherwood’s first win at Xavier, and it came against a school where he coached for seven seasons.
Heap finished the match with a pair of shots including the game winning goal. She was second in shooting to junior Jessica Brooks, who led XU with four shots in an aggressive offensive performance.
Defensively, the Musketeers held firm. Sophomore Brett Sweeney blocked two Bulldog shots while goalkeeper Jennifer Perri earned four saves in 90 minutes of shutout action.
Bulldog keeper Olivia Walter pulled down two saves on the night. Butler finished the match with seven total shots.
Xavier will look to extend the win streak to two games as they travel to Bowling Green State University for a 1 p.m. matchup on August 29.
August 24, 2010
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Get Tu The Point: Xavier’s All-Star Point Guard Now Officially Listed As Tu Holloway
CINCINNATI --- Junior Terrell Holloway is no longer on the Xavier basketball roster on GoXavier.com; Xavier’s leading returning scorer and assist man is now officially known as Tu (pronounced “two”) Holloway. “Coach Mack said I had to earn the right to make the change.”
“I had the nickname Tu Tu beginning when I was about four years old,” said the 6-0 Holloway. “It changed to just Tu when I was in high school. Nobody calls me Terrell anymore. Everybody calls me Tu.”
“Tu has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches,” said Xavier head coach Chris Mack. “His name is as unique as his talent and potential. I think he is one of the best point guards in the nation. For us to be as good as we want to be, he has to embrace the responsibility and work that comes with those expectations. I know he is ready for the challenge.”
Tu Holloway, a candidate for the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard, is Xavier’s leading returning scorer (12.1 ppg.) and assist man (3.9 apg.) from a team that won its fourth straight Atlantic 10 Conference Regular Season Championship and advanced to the 2010 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. XU also advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in Holloway’s freshman season of 2008-09.
August 23, 2010
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's Soccer's 2010 Recruiting Class Ranked 40th in the Nation
College Soccer News Lists XU in Top-40
CINCINNATI - College Soccer News has named the 2010 Xavier men’s soccer recruiting class the 40th best in the nation as announced today on the organization’s web site, collegesoccernews.com. College Soccer News carefully analyzed the available information regarding the 2010 recruiting classes throughout the country to arrive at the top forty rankings. CSN annually applies the same criteria to determine its recruiting class rankings in an effort to objectively and consistently rank recruiting classes.
Head coach Andy Fleming arrived at Xavier with a successful track record as a recruiter as an assistant coach at Northwestern and Boston University. With only five wins over the past two seasons the Musketeers need an infusion of talent. Fleming fared well in the Buckeye state but reeled in his biggest hauls by going outside of Ohio to land several newcomers who add athleticism to the attack and will likely serve as a pied piper of sorts in the future.
The criteria utilized applies a lot of weight to the extent to which a recruiting class meets the perceived gaps a team needs to fill and the overall potential of the recruits to increase the competitiveness of the team. Individual players were evaluated based on a combination of their club, high school, ODP, and regional and national team experience and playing experience against top level competition was also a key factor. Transfers were taken into consideration in rating classes. The rankings factored in extra credit if a class signaled a significant step upward for the program. Programs that overachieved, as several did in 2010, are reflected in the rankings. The exceptions make things interesting and are an early indicator of shifts in conference races as well as standing on the national scene.
The final rankings included input from very knowledgeable individuals in the soccer community throughout the country. The recruiting class rankings were delayed until August to help ensure that they were based on the best possible information.
The College Soccer News Top-40 Recruiting Classes:
1. UCLA
2. Akron
3. Wake Forest
4. Indiana
5. Maryland
6. Northwestern
7. UC Santa Barbara
8. North Carolina
9. Notre Dame
10. Michigan
11. Connecticut
12. St. John’s
13. George Mason
14. SMU
15. California
16. South Carolina
17. Virginia
18. Duke
19. North Carolina State
20. Dayton
21. Harvard
22. South Florida
23. Saint Louis
24. Creighton
25. Evansville
26. Boston College
27. Louisville
28. Boston University
29. San Diego State
30. Michigan State
31. Stanford
32. U.C. Irvine
33. Butler
34. Denver
35. Wisconsin
36. New Mexico
37. West Virginia
38. Cal Poly
39. Furman
40. Xavier
40. Northern Illinois
40. Wright State
August 22, 2010
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's Soccer Clips No. 20/21 Indiana, 2-1, in Exhibition Opener
Sophomore Luke Spencer found the back of the net twice for the Musketeers, connecting both times with senior El-Hadji Dieng. Sophomore Justin Marshall was credited with two saves on the night after spending the entire 90 minutes in the goal for the Musketeers.
Indiana's lone goal was scored in the 85th minute by Daniel Kelly.
The Hoosiers out-shot the Musketeers, 12-6, but shots on goal were even at three apiece.
August 22, 2010
WOMEN'S SOCCER
RICHMOND, Ky.-- The Xavier women’s soccer team out-shot their counterparts from Eastern Kentucky University 11-7 Sunday afternoon but it was not enough as the Musketeers fell to the Colonels 1-0. With the loss, XU fell to 0-2-0 on the season while EKU improved to 1-1-0.
The Colonels scored the only goal of the match in the 33rd minute when Carly Muller hit a six yard strike off a pass by Alex Raich. The ball found its way into the bottom left corner of the goal and gave EKU a 1-0 lead.
Xavier took 11 strikes at the goal with four shots on goal. Four Musketeers each posted one shot on goal but none could get the ball past EKU goalkeeper, Stephanie Lynch.
Lynch finished the match with four saves in a 90 minute shutout. Xavier goalkeeper Jennifer Perri managed a trio of saves in her second straight complete match.
The Musketeers managed to earn five corner kicks to the Colonels’ four Sunday afternoon.
Xavier will look to rebound Wednesday, August 25 as they host Butler in the 2010 home opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Xavier Soccer Complex.
August 20, 2010
WOMEN'S SOCCER
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Xavier University women's soccer team kicked off the 2010 season Friday afternoon at Ball State. Despite a second half goal from freshman Lauren Heap, the Musketeers were unable to hold off the Cardinals late in the match and fell 2-1.
Ball State took a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute when Jackie Eft got a strike past XU goalkeeper Jennifer Perri for her first goal of the year. Kristina Anderson was credited with the assist for the Cardinals.
Xavier tied the score at 1-1 in the 57th minute when freshman Lauren Heap scored her first career goal. Heap's score came on an assist by fellow freshman Mariah Whitaker and sophomore Leslie Boersma.
Ball State regained the lead in the 69th minute when Paige Stroinski put a pass from Christine Concannon into the back of the net to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.
Perri finished the match with 12 saves while her BSU counterpart, Aubrey Buehler, finished with two.
Ball State out-shot the Musketeers 19-7 including 14 shots on goal to Xavier's three. Heap led the Musketeers in shooting with two, including her goal.
The Musketeers will look to rebound Sunday as they travel to Richmond, Ky. to face Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
August 19, 2010
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Kevin McGuff Announces 2010-11 Non-Conference Schedule
2010-11 Non-Conference Schedule
CINCINNATI - The Xavier women's basketball team has finalized the non-conference portion of its schedule for the 2010-11 season as announced by head coach Kevin McGuff on Aug. 16 via his twitter account, @CoachMcGuff. The 13-game non-conference tilt features matchups with three teams that made it to the NCAA Sweet 16 or better last season, including national runner-up Stanford.
"I am excited to announce what has the potential to be the toughest non-conference schedule in our program's history," remarked McGuff. "Our players will need to compete at a high level if we are to successfully navigate this schedule. I look forward to the challenge."
The 2010-11 season will kick off on Nov. 6 in Cintas Center with an exhibition contest versus Division II Bellarmine and it will be the first change Musketeer fans will have to check out the new center hung scoreboard, ribbon boards and north end zone video board that were installed this summer. XU will play seven of its regular season non-conference opponents in the friendly confines of Cintas Center, including a five-game stretch in November and December. XU will play nine games against BCS Conference teams from the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC.
XU will begin the 2010-11 regular season on the road in Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 12 as the Musketeers are set to take on South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks are coached by Dawn Staley, a familiar face to McGuff and his staff, as she spent eight years at the helm of Atlantic 10 foe Temple prior to coming to South Carolina. A year ago the Gamecocks went 14-15 overall and 7-9 in the SEC to finish tied for seventh in league standings. The Musketeers will then head to Ann Arbor, Mich., for a contest at University of Michigan's Crisler Arena. The Wolverines, who were 21-14 on the year with an 8-10 Big Ten mark last year, made it to the semifinals of the 2010 WNIT in postseason play
The Musketeers return home after two games on the road to open the season for a five-game home stand in Cintas Center. XU's first regular season home game will be against Big East member Louisville, the 2009 NCAA Tournament runner-up. The Cardinals and Musketeers will square off on Nov. 23. Xavier has back-to-back contests scheduled for the following weekend as it will welcome Troy to Cincinnati on Nov. 26 and Delaware State on Nov. 27.
Two midweek games wrap up the home stand as the Musketeers host the Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, Nov. 30 followed by the return game of a home-and-home with Southern California on Thursday, Dec. 2. The Women of Troy posted a 19-12 record last season including a 12-6 Pac-10 mark which was good for third place in the conference standings. Last season, the Musketeers opened at USC, dropping the Trojans by an 81-71 margin.
On Dec. 5, the Musketeers will make the trip across town for the annual Crosstown Shootout which is being held at University of Cincinnati's Fifth Third Arena in 2010-11. The Bearcats were 12-18 overall and 4-12 in Big East play last season. The following week, XU will travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to square off against 2010 NCAA Tournament participant Middle Tennessee in the Murphy Center on Dec. 9. The Blue Raiders captured the Sun Belt conference tournament title to earn their 13th appearance in the "Big Dance" after recording a 25-6 overall mark and a 17-1 league record, finishing first in the East division. Xavier defeated Middle Tennessee, 80-63, a year ago in a contest played at XU's Cintas Center.
After a break for final exams, the Musketeers will play a single game in Cintas Center on Dec. 17 as XU hosts SEC member Mississippi State. The Lady Bulldogs went 21-12 during the regular season last year and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Four days later Xavier will be in Durham, N.C., for a Tuesday night tilt at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils put together a 30-win season in 2009-10 (30-6) and dropped only two ACC contests. Duke advanced to the Elite Eight last season and finished the season ranked No. 6/6. On Dec. 28, the Musketeers will make the cross-country trip to Stanford, Calif., for a highly anticipated rematch with national runner-up Stanford. The Cardinal recorded only two losses last season, posting a 36-2 mark, and narrowly edged out the Musketeers, 55-53, in the Elite Eight before falling to Connecticut in the national title game. Stanford finished 2009-10 ranked No. 2/2.
To round out the 2010-11 non-conference schedule, Xavier will welcome Missouri to Cintas Center on Jan. 5, ringing in the New Year versus the Tigers. Missouri has a new head coach in Robin Pingeton after turning in a 12-18 overall record last season and a 12th place finish in the Big 12 (2-14). The Musketeers' trip to Mizzou last year resulted in 68-60 victory over the Tigers.
The Atlantic 10 portion of the schedule is still being finalized and will be released as soon as it is available. For more information, please continue to check back at www.goxavier.com.
Eight of XU's 13 non-conference opponents ranked in the top-100 RPI
Stanford (2)
Duke (5)
Middle Tennessee (27)
Mississippi State (30)
Southern California (31)
Michigan (45)
South Carolina (55)
Louisville (86)
August 18, 2010
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
2010-11 Women's Basketball A-10 Championship Site Announced
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - For the second time in the 29-year history of Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Basketball, the league will host its A-10 Women’s Basketball Championship at a neutral site. Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade today announced the 2011 Championship will be played at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts, March 4-7.
"We are very excited about our partnership with the Tsongas Center and working with the community of Lowell," stated Commissioner McGlade. "We look forward to a great 2011 Championship."
The Tsongas Center, which opened in 1998, is operated by Global Spectrum – a public assembly facility management group under the Comcast-Spectator umbrella. The Tsongas Center is a 6,500 seat full-service, multi-purpose venue that hosts a wide variety of events, including basketball, ice hockey, concerts, and professional conferences. The facility features state-of-the-art technical capabilities, a video scoreboard and sideline LED ribbons, and VIP function rooms overlooking the Merrimack River. Additionally, a newly renovated VIP hospitality area overlooking the arena will be completed this fall.
“We are excited to have a premiere event such as the A-10 Women’s Basketball Championship at the Tsongas Center and to work in partnership with the Atlantic 10 Conference,” said Peter Casey, UMass Lowell’s Director of Athletic Business Operations, who oversees the Tsongas Center. “We are ecstatic at the economic impact this event will have and the opportunity to showcase all our community has to offer.”
First round action of the Championship tips off on Friday, March 4, with the top four teams earning a bye. Quarterfinal play continues on Saturday, March 5, with the Semifinal round on Sunday, March 6 on CBS College Sports. The Championship game will be held on Monday, March 7, and televised live on ESPN2 at 5:00pm ET.
For the second time in Conference history, the Atlantic 10 saw eight of its 14 member institutions competing in a women’s basketball postseason tournament play. Nationally-ranked Xavier, along with Dayton and Temple each received bids to the NCAA Tournament, while Charlotte, Duquesne, Richmond, St. Bonaventure and Saint Joseph’s received invitations to the WNIT. Last season marked the fifth time in six years that the A-10 has fielded three teams in the NCAA Tournament, while tying the most WNIT bids received (2009).
Tickets for the 2011 Championship will go on sale this fall. For additional information, please visit the Atlantic 10’s official website -- www.atlantic10.org.
About the A-10
The Atlantic 10 Conference was formed in 1976 and celebrates its 35th anniversary as a Division I Conference in 2010-11. Currently comprised of 14 member institutions and sponsoring 21 championship sports, the mission and goal of the Atlantic 10 is to preserve, protect, and enhance the academic and athletic pursuits of the membership. The conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for more than 6,000 student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. The member institutions of the Atlantic 10 are the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph's University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, and Xavier University.
August 17, 2010
ATHLETIC TRAINING
David Fluker Returns To Xavier As Associate Head Athletic Trainer After Seven Years at Cincinnati
CINCINNATI --- Xavier University Head Athletic Trainer Jody Jenike announced today that David Fluker has been hired as Associate Head Athletic Trainer. Fluker, who spent the last seven years (2003-10) working as athletic trainer for the men’s basketball program at the University of Cincinnati, served seven years in a similar capacity at Xavier from 1996-2003.
Fluker will take over the men’s basketball trainer duties from Mike Mulcahey, who covered those duties since Fluker left XU in 2003. Mulcahey has been hired to teach and coordinate the student athletic training program’s clinical assignments at Xavier University. Mulcahey will stay involved in the department as an assistant athletic trainer with primary responsibilities for baseball but his challenging new position will extend his reach further into academics and allow him to spend more time with his family.
“I am excited to welcome David back to the Xavier family,” said Jenike. “He is a senior rehabilitation specialist and his familiarity with our program and many of the coaches is an added bonus. I’m also excited for Mike and his academic opportunities. I think that’s great news for all of our athletic training students at Xavier now and for the future. I am equally excited that he will stayed connected to our department as an assistant athletic trainer. These two moves make our department deeper and better. It’s great news for our student-athletes and student trainers.”
Fluker is a familiar face around the Xavier basketball program, especially to head coach Chris Mack and associate head coach Pat Kelsey. Mack was director of basketball operations on Skip Prosser’s staff from 1999-2001 while Fluker was at XU, while Fluker was the trainer for the first two years when Kelsey was a player at XU.
“First and foremost, Dave is an excellent trainer,” said Mack. “Number two I know first-hand that he is great with the players. I’m ecstatic he is part of our team, especially for our players.”
Fluker, 46, came to Xavier the first time in 1996 after three years as the staff athletic trainer for Queen City Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. Other training experiences include being staff athletic trainer for Bethesda Montgomery Physical Therapy (1988-91) and graduate assistant athletic trainer at Michigan State University (1986-88). Fluker worked as a volunteer athletic trainer in 2000 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and as a site athletic trainer at numerous events. He was athletic trainer with USA Judo Team team at the 2003 Pan Am Games in the Dominican Republic.
Fluker, a 1986 graduate of Wilmington College with a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine-athletic training, earned his master’s in health education-human performance from Michigan State in 1988. He and his wife, Crystal, have six children: Leonard, Courtney, Davin, Kira, Simone and D.J.
Cincinnati
Xavier
Miami
Northern Kentucky
Thomas More College
Mt. St. Joseph
Kentucky
Cincinnati State
UC-Clermont
Miami-Hamilton
Miami-Middletown
Dayton
Wright State
