CHUCKPINKERTON ’98QUARTERBACK1997 FOOTBALL TEAM

Bearcats at Their Best: 1997 Football Team p. 10 Alumni Spotlight: Liz Heaston ’99 p. 8 Coaches Corner: Mark Speckman p.1 9

Cardinal Gold

AN

D

The official magazine of the Willamette University Department of Athletics • Volume 5, No. 1 • Summer 2007

FROM THE DIRECTOR

STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR ATHLETICSFROM THE TOP DOWN

Dear Friends,

As we approach the start of the 2007–08 school year, much has happened since the

last issue of Cardinal and Gold was in front of you. The coming year will be filled

with much anticipation as we prepare a strategic planning document for Willamette

Athletics.

This strategic planning process began in February when the Board of Trustees

approved President Pelton’s charge to examine the athletics program at Willamette.

This charge, which is comprehensive in nature, created a Trustee Athletics Working

Group (TAWG) comprised of trustees, administrators, faculty, staff and students.

This group first met in April, then again in July, and will meet throughout the

school year to develop its recommendations for presentation to the entire Board of

Trustees at the May 2008 meeting. Trustee Bill Long ’59 chairs the group.

As I mentioned earlier, this examination of Athletics will be thorough and comprehen-

sive. Specific areas under examination include recruiting, facilities, funding, staffing

and comparative analyses with peer and aspirant institutions. Further, the TAWG

will establish a philosophy statement and clarify the role of athletics at Willamette.

This process will ask the tough questions related to how we run our programs.

Should we have goals to achieve athletics excellence? Should our teams and scholar-

athletes want to win conference championships and compete nationally within

NCAA Division III? How do we recruit and retain the finest scholar-athletes who

can help achieve such goals? What kind of experience should Willamette scholar-

athletes receive? Can aggressive academic and athletics goals work in concert at a small

liberal arts institution?

While there may appear to be some risk in asking those tough questions, they must

be asked and appropriate answers and direction provided. And I, as a member of

the TAWG, can say confidently that this group is thoughtful, creative, passionate

and supportive of what athletics adds to the Willamette experience.

Part of the TAWG’s work includes gathering data from our various constituent groups.

To facilitate communication and to provide some transparency to this process, we

have created a feedback vehicle on the athletics website. Alumni, parents, students

and friends are encouraged to log on and provide thoughts, concerns and ideas.

Simply go to the athletics home page at www.willamette.edu/athletics and follow

the TAWG link.

This historic process will help Willamette plan the direction for its athletics program

for the next decade and beyond. I thank President Pelton for bringing this before

the Board of Trustees for consideration, and thank all who are participating in this

important process.

Sincerely,

Mark Majeski

Director of Athletics

Departments 4 News and Notes

14 Student-Athlete Spotlight

16 Scholars and Champions

18 Honors and Awards

19 Coaches Corner

20 Hall of Fame

21 Bearcat Club

Features 8 Liz Heaston The first woman to play and score in a collegiate football game. 10 The Bearcats at Their Best

1997 Football Team Reaches National Championship Game

INSIDE THIS ISSUECardinal and Gold • The official magazine of the Willamette University Department of Athletics

Contents

10

Cardinal and Gold is published by the Department of Athletics for Bearcat

Club members and friends of Willamette athletics. For questions or

comments, contact the Department of Athletics, Willamette University,

900 State Street, Salem, OR, 97301 or 503-370-6420.

Visit www.willamette.edu/athletics for updates, scores, statistics and more.

Credits:

Photos by Naomi Stukey — available for purchase at www.naomistukey.com,

Lynn Howlett, Christopher Sabato, Frank Miller.

8

On the coverQuarterback Chuck

Pinkerton ’98 is ready

to throw the ball

for Willamette’s 1997

football team. Photo

by Lynn Howlett.

19

4

ATHLETICS NEWS

News

AN

D NotesATHLETICS »Women’s Track and Field TeamWins NWC Title, Competes at NCAA Championships

Willamette won its sixth consecutiveNorthwest Conference women’s track and field championship in 2007,while the Bearcat men’s team finishedin second place. Senior sprinter and hurdler Andrea May was selected Athlete of the Meet. WU Head Coach Matt McGuirk was named NWC Women’s Track and Field Coach of the Year.

In the final women’s team standings,Willamette had 257.33 points. GeorgeFox University was second with 124 points, and Linfield College finished third with 114 points.

Linfield won the men’s team title with211.83 points. The Bearcats took second place with 195 points, while Whitworth was third with 157 points. A total of eight teams participated in men’s and women’s competition.

May won two events for the Bearcats.She took first place in the 100-meter dash in 12.80 seconds. She also fin-ished first in the 100-meter hurdles in 14.97 seconds.

Julio Vieyra, a senior, also won two events. He outran the field in the 800-

meter run with a time of 1:55.05, then won the 1,500-meter run in 3:57.21.

Ian Batch, a junior, was Willamette’s third two-event winner. He was first in the 5,000-meter run in 15:16.27 and won the 10,000-meter run witha time of 31:52.95. Batch led the Bearcats to a Top 5 sweep in the 5,000.

Overall, Willamette won 10 women’s events during the NWC Championships.The Bearcats took first place in four men’s events.

At the NCAA Division III National Championships, the WU women’s team earned an 18th place finish. Sarah Zerzan led the way by taking second in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:51.18. Willamette earned fifth place in the women’s 4 x 400-meter relay, as May, Jennifer Luecht (Fr.), Lydia Marsalli (Fr.) and Mariah Hanson (Sr.) combined for a time of 3:47.42. Also, earning All-America status was Jordyn Smith (Jr.), who placed seventh in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:11.82.

Three other athletes represented Willamette at the National Championships.For the women’s team, Katie Klein (So.) was an alternate. For the men’s squad, Vieyra competed in the 1,500-meter run and sophomore Grant Piros (So.) was entered in the javelin. In addition to running on the relay team, May participated in the 100-meter hurdles.

Symmonds ContinuesRunning Success

Former Willamette University runner Nick Symmonds ’06, who won a combined total of seven NCAA Division III national track and field titles in the 800-meter run and the 1,500-meter run, has continued hissuccess since gradu-ating last spring.

In summer 2006, he caught the attention of runners, coaches and media at the national level when he took second place in the 800-meter run at the U.S.A. Track and Field Championships. He com-pleted the race with a time of 1:45.83.

Later, Symmonds broke the 4-minute mark in the mile whenhe clocked in at 3:56.72 at the University of Washington Indoor Preview. He won the 800-meter run at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games in January with a time of 1:48.15 in his first-ever race on a banked indoor track.

His success in the 800-meter run continued June 10 at thePrefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., as he defeated bothKhadevis Robinson, who took first place at last year’s U.S.A.Track and Field Championships, and Yuriy Borzakovskiyof Russia, the defending Olympic champion. Symmonds seta personal best with a time of 1:44.54 to slip past Borzakovskiy, who finished second at 1:44.71.

At the 2007 U.S.A. Track and Field Championships in June, Symmonds won his preliminary heat and semifinal heat inthe 800-meter run. In the finals, he took second place behind Robinson for the second year in a row. Robinson won in 1:44.37, while Symmonds finished in 1:45.17. By placing in the top three, Symmonds earned a spot onthe U.S. team for the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Osaka, Japan.

Symmonds also is considered one of the top contenders fora spot on the U.S. Olympic Team in 2008. The Olympic Trialswill be held in Eugene next spring.

Andrea May competes in the 100-meter hurdles.

Sarah Zerzan runs at the NCAA Championships.

Hall and Ralston Receive CRCAScholar-Athlete Honors

Two members of Willamette women’srowing team have been named National Scholar-Athletes by theCollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) for the 2006–07 season. Willamette’s selections were senior rower Adrienne Hall and senior coxswain Rebecca Ralston. Overall, 81 student-athletes from 24 NCAA Division III colleges and universities received the academic award.

The CRCA chose the National Scholar-Athletes based on several criteria. A rowing team member had to meet eligibility regulations, be at least a sophomore athletically, row a minimum of 75 percent of the spring races or race in a regional conference

meet to qualify for the award. Also, each student-athletehad to achieve at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA through fall 2006.

Hall majored in anthropology at Willamette. She owned a 3.67 GPA through the fall 2006 semester. Ralston majored in rhetoric and media studies and earned a 3.61 GPA in course-work completed through the fall semester.

The Bearcats ranked third in the Northwest Region of NCAA Division III in the women’s varsity eights and were ranked first in the Northwest Region in the women’s varsity fours. Willamette took second place in the Petite Final of theWV8 at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA)Championships and placed seventh at the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference (NCRC) Championships. WU also placed fifth in the Grand Final for women’s varsity fours at the WIRA Championships.

5

ATHLETICS NEWS

Ueno Finishes Second at NWC ChampionshipOn the strength of a solid second round, Willamette sophomore golfer Whitney Ueno tied for second place at the Northwest Conference Women’s Golf Championship, April 14–15 at the Aspen Lakes Golf Course in Sisters, Ore. Ueno shot a two-round total of 163, as she rallied from six strokes behind Emily Lau to tie the University of Puget Sound golfer for second place. Leslie Wheeler of Linfield College shot 156 to claim medalist honors. The top six golfers were named All-Northwest Conference.

Puget Sound won the team title and also took first place in the final NWC point standings. Willamette finished fourth at the NWC Championship and fourth in the point standings.

Wheeler led the field with a 77 on the first day. Lau was just one stroke back at 78, andUeno held third place at 84. Ueno picked up two strokes over the front nine in the secondround, as she carded a 40, while Lau finished the nine holes in 42 strokes. Over the back nine, Ueno made her final move, ultimately tying Lau by picking up four more strokes.Ueno and Wheeler tied for the low score of the second round at 79, while Lau shot 85.

HONORS AND AWARDS »Speckman Inducted into San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame

Willamette Head Football Coach Mark Speckman was inducted into the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame on June 21. Speckman, who grew up in Belmont, Calif., just south of San Francisco, was one of 10 individuals inducted as the Class of 2007.

Speckman has achieved a record of 48-41 (.539) in nine seasons as Willamette’s head coach. He guided the Bearcats to NCAA play-off berths in 1999 and 2004. He joined the WU coaching staff in 1995 as the offensive coordinator and helped the Bearcats reach theNAIA playoffs in 1996 and 1997.

Willamette went 13-1 in 1997, when the Bearcats remained undefeated until losing toFindlay (Ohio) in the NAIA Championship

game. Including his three years as an assistant coach, Speckman has registered a78-46-1 record (.622) since joining the Bearcats.

Prior to Willamette, Speckman had a successful tenure as the head football coach at Merced High School in California (1986–93). His teams at Merced recorded consecu-tive 14-0 seasons in 1989 and 1990, after going 13-1 in 1988. The 1990 team was voted #1 in California, #5 in the nation by ESPN and #10 in the country by USA Today.

After graduating from high school, Speckman played football at Menlo College, which was a junior college at the time. He played his final two seasons as a linebackerat Azusa Pacific University. He was named Honorable Mention NAIA All-America as a senior.

To find out more about Speckman, see the Coaches Corner feature in this issue.

6

ATHLETICS NEWS

Franchi Chosen Third TeamAll-West Region

Sophomore right-handed pitcher and designated player Nikki Franchi was named Third Team NFCA Division III All-West Region for the 2007 season. The All-Region Team, selectedby the region’s head coaches, honored a total of 45 players. Eight players were selected from the Northwest Conference.

Franchi, who was chosen All-West Region as a utility player, was Willamette’stop pitcher this spring with

a 10-8 record and 144 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings. She set theWillamette record for strikeouts in a season, breaking the old record of 101, set by Brittney Tachara in 2005.

Franchi also was chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference as a utility player. In addition to leading the WU pitching staff, she achieved a .390 batting average with a school-record 15 doubles. Sheled the Bearcats with 29 RBIs for the third-highest RBI total inWillamette history. She recorded a total of 41 hits during the season and scored 14 runs.

In two seasons at Willamette, Franchi has struck out 198 batters. Herstrikeout total ranks second on Willamette’s career list. She needsjust 11 more to reach the school record of 209, set by Tausha White from 1990–93. On offense, she has a career batting average of .379 to go with 22 runs scored and 38 RBIs.

Zerzan and Harris Earn ESPN TheMagazine Academic All-America HonorsDistance runners Sarah Zerzan (Jr.) and Travis Harris (Sr.) have received nationalhonors for their successful efforts in academics and athletics at Willamette. Zerzan, who competes in track and fi eld and cross country, was named FirstTeam ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-America for 2006-07.Harris, who ran for the WU cross country team in the fall of 2006, was chosen Second Team ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-America.

Zerzan, Harris and four other Willamette student-athletes were named ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District VIII in 2006-07.Willamette placed two football players, one swimmer and three athletes from cross country and/or track and fi eld on the Academic All-District teams. The Academic All-America and Academic All-District selections were chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

In cross country, Zerzan took fi rst place at the Northwest Conference Cham-pionships, claimed the NCAA West Region title and won the NCAA Division III individual national championship. As a track and fi eld athlete, she won the 2007 NWC title in the 1,500-meter run and fi nished second in the 5,000-meter run at the NCAA Division III National Championships.

Harris earned Second Team All-NWC honors with a 14th place at the NWC Meet.He was named All-West Region with a 10th place fi nish at the Regional Meet.

Athletes nominated for the Academic All-America and Academic All-District teams were starters or key reserves with cumulative GPAs of 3.2 or higher (4.0 scale). The College Division includes players in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA.

ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America:Cross Country, Travis Harris (Sr.) 3.99 GPA, ChemistryTrack and Field/Cross Country, Sarah Zerzan (Jr.) 3.93 GPA, Chemistry (Biochemistry track)

ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District:Football, Kevin Dean (Sr., FB) 3.63 GPA, Chemistry (Also Academic All-District in 2005-06) Swimming, Cason Schmit (Sr., FB) 3.75 GPA, Mathematics and PsychologyFootball, Ben Weyerhaeuser (Sr., SS) 3.54 GPA, PsychologyTrack and Field/Cross Country, Lucas Nebert (Jr.) 3.80 GPA, Biology and Chemistry

Dean and Weyerhaeuser Named toInaugural NFF National Honor SocietyWillamette University football players Kevin Dean (Sr., FB) and Ben Weyerhaeuser (Sr., SS) have been named to the inaugural National Football Foundation National Honor Society, comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who were seniors in 2006–07 and maintained at least a 3.2 GPA or better. A total of 345 players from 195 colleges earned recognition in the inaugural class.

Dean graduated in December with a 3.63 grade point average, while majoringin chemistry with a minor in classical studies. On the field in 2006, hecarried the ball 45 times for 303 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry.

Weyerhaeuser ranked third on the 2006 Willamette team with 44 total tackles,including 23 unassisted tackles. He recorded six tackles for losses, broke up three passes and recovered one fumble. He graduated with a 3.56 GPA and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Eight WU Runners Named USTFCCCA All-AcademicEight Willamette University cross country athletes, six women and two men, were named to the 2006 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III All-Academic Cross Country Teams. Leading the way was junior Sarah Zerzan, who was chosen All-Academic Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

The All-Academic Athlete of the Year is awarded to the highest fin-isher at the NCAA DIII Championships who meets the qualifications for All-Academic honors (3.5 cumulative GPA or higher). Zerzan won the DIII Cross Country title on Nov. 18, 2006.

Other WU women honored on the All-Academic Team were seniorElizabeth Hart, junior Katrina Brett, and sophomores Maddie Coffman,Ali Maki and Jena Winger.

With six runners earning All-Academic status, the WU women tiedGrinnell College for the most student-athletes honored. The Bearcat women’s cross country team also was recognized for its 3.578team GPA.

Willamette was represented on the DIII All-Acadmic Men’s Cross Country Team by senior Travis Harris and junior Lucas Nebert.The Willamette men’s team received All-Academic status with a 3.332 team GPA.

7

ATHLETICS NEWS

SPECIAL EVENTS »Willamette to Host Women’s Football ClinicThe Willamette football team and coaching staff will host their first women’s clinic at Sparks Field and Kaneko Auditorium late this summerto help women in Salem and the surrounding community learn more about the game in a hands-on teaching and coaching environment. Women who register for the clinic will have a chance to learn and play football.

The curriculum will include a rules seminar, equipment demonstration, drills and position instruction, as well as offense, defense and special teams strategy sessions. The day will culminate with a friendlycompetition and a social hour across the street at The Ram Restaurant & Brewery.

WU Student-Athlete AdvisoryCommittee Sponsors Third Annual Bearcat Day

The Willamette University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) sponsored theThird Annual Bearcat Day onApril 24 to provide an opportunityfor area youngsters to learn about athletics. SAAC members invited 150 students in the third, fourth and fifth grades at Bush Elementary School in Salem to participate in the two-hour field day at McCulloch Stadium in Bush’s Pasture Park.

The elementary school students learned about a variety of sports andparticipated in a number of athletic activities. At the same time, Willamette athletes were able to discuss their athletic experiences with the youngsters.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee includes representatives fromeach of Willamette’s intercollegiate athletic teams. The SAAC worksto provide community service opportunities such as Bearcat Day andserves as the liaison between WU athletes and the Department of Athletics, the University’s administration and regional and national governing organizations.

Willamette Unveils New Athletics WebsiteWillamette athletics has an updated website that is more dynamic, attractive and user friendly. On Willamette’s new website,www.willamette.edu/athletics, you can find information about all20 varsity sports teams, plus a staff directory, statistics, photos and information about WU athletic facilities and the Bearcat club, rosters, player profiles, etc. There are links to the Northwest Conference, the NCAA, WU athletics photographer Naomi Stukey and much more.

As time allows for additions to the website, there will be more player information, an increased use of video, more offerings from LiveStats and more Internet broadcasts of Willamette athletic events.

FACILITIES »McCulloch Stadium GetsState-of-the-Art Scoreboard

Spectators at Willamette home football games and track meets will enjoy a new state-of-the-art scoreboard, set for installation at the end of August. The board, built by Daktronics, will include a new, larger football scoreboard as well as an 8-foot by 17-foot video display, capa-ble of live camera feeds as well as pre-recorded video and graphics.

The video display will interface with the track and field team’s timing software, enabling real-time posting of results, lane assignments and photo finishes. The cost of the scoreboard project is being completely paid through Bearcat Club Business Partnerships.

Swimming Pool Re-Opensat Sparks CenterThe swimming pool in the Sparks Center is open once again followingrepairs to fix the cement bottom and pumping system. When the poolwas emptied last summer for routine maintenance, water from beneath pushed its way up through the cement. It was determined that one of the underground pumps that prevents ground water from build-ing up had malfunctioned.

While repairs were underway, the WU men’s and women’s swimming teams swam every meet on the road during 2006–07. As a result,the Bearcat swimmers were perhaps the most happy group when repairswere completed this spring.

In addition to new cement at the bottom of the pool, renovations alsoincluded new tile near the top of the pool, plus new paint. A new scoreboard with lane-by-lane results was added, along with two newrecord boards listing the Willamette men’s and women’s school records. The Bearcats look forward to returning to the Sparks Center pool for practices and home meets in 2007–08.

8

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

It started in early September when she first stepped into

the Coaching Football and Soccer classroom. It culmi-

nated in mid October when she kicked her first extra

point for Willamette University’s football team. Now, 10 years

later, she still hasn’t seen the end of it.

She is Elizabeth Heaston Thompson—the first woman to play

and score in a college football game. In 1997, she was a

20-year-old junior from

Richland, Wash., who had no

idea what to expect when

she first walked into football

coach Dan Hawkins’ class

that September. She never in

her wildest dreams imagined

the gender barrier-breaker she

would soon become.

Starting kicker Gordon

Thomson was the catalyst. He

injured his hip flexor. The

backup kicker was a freshman

with limited experience, and

the men’s soccer players

weren’t available because

their games were scheduled

at the same time as the

football games. What was a

coach to do?

The answer: the 5-foot-5-

inch, 135-pound soccer star

sitting right in front of him.

Heaston thought Hawkins

was joking when he first asked

her. He wasn’t, and he had

no reason to.

Heaston was an NAIA

Honorable Mention All-

America selection in soccer

in 1996 and 1997. She led

the team to four conference

titles and a 75-11-6 (.848)

record from 1995 to 1998. During her senior year, the team

reached the NCAA Division III semifinals.

“Liz was one of four players who I have coached over the last

15 years who [significantly] helped us continue our success

here at Willamette,” women’s soccer coach Jim Tursi said.

The star of the soccer team was soon stopping by the football

field to kick field goals. On October 18, 1997, with three

weeks of practice under her belt, Hawkins was ready to put

her into a conference game against Linfield College. One

problem: She had to get to the game first.

Heaston had a soccer match against Linfield at noon at

Willamette’s Sparks Field. The football game was scheduled

for 1:30 p.m. After the last

second ticked off the clock,

she rushed off the soccer field

into her family van, changing

en route while her father

drove her to Willamette’s

football field. The van pulled

up to the edge of field. She

hopped out and joined her

teammates on the sidelines.

Television crews and reporters

lined the track. An over-

capacity crowd of 3,600

packed the 2,400-seat

McCulloch Stadium. Two of

her sorority sisters propped

up a sign that read “Sorority

girl scores with the team.”

A few minutes later, just short

of halftime, Heaston kicked

her first extra point. The

crowd went wild. Her team-

mates patted her helmet. She

started jogging off the field.

Then suddenly everyone

started frantically yelling.

What was the matter?

A flag lay on the field. Could

it be? Could her record-

setting moment be naught?

The ref announced the

penalty: It was against

Linfield. Heaston’s place in

history was secure. She added one more extra point to her bio

in the fourth quarter to secure Willamette’s 27-0 victory.

One week later, #39 played in her second football game. She

went 0 for 2 on extra points in a 41-27 victory over

Southern Oregon. The Bearcat football team ended the

Liz Heaston ’99 Gets Kicks in more than One Sport

By Jamie Timbrell ‘06

First Woman to Score in a College Football Game

9

season 13-1 and went undefeated until losing in the NAIANational Championship game to Findlay (Ohio), 14-7. The women’s soccer team also had an outstanding season, finishing 18-3-1 after qualifying for the NAIA Regional Tournament.

Heaston’s feats garnered her an appearance on the Today Show and a call from David Letterman. She was the one Show and a call from David Letterman. She was the one Showwho kicked the ball through the goal posts, but she thanked her teammates and the coaching staff for getting her there.

““Everyone was very supportive,” she said. “Having a coachingstaff invite you to come out and play is a lot easier. You’re not trying to break through other people’s prejudices. The support was there from the top down.”

What did Heaston learn from her whirlwind semester?

““Don’t be afraid to try anything, especially for women, younggirls. Anything is possible,” she said. “You can do whatever you want to do. You just have to try.”

Heaston went on to graduate school to get her doctorate in optometry at Pacific University, where she met her husband, Trent Thompson. She resides in Richmond, Wash., withher husband and baby, Isabella. She moonlights as an assistantwomen’s soccer coach at Richland High School and plays soccer in a non-competitive women’s league.

Now 10 years after her historic accomplishments, she rekindlesher football glory days with a steady stream of interviews and finds that her experiences make great party anecdotes. She was someone special on two very special teams. And shewas an inspiration to young women to pursue dreams and seek opportunities beyond the normal boundaries they faced.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Don’t be afraid to try anything, especially for women, young girls. Anything is possible. You can do whatever you want to do. You just have to try.

– LIZ HEASTON ’99

“

Liz Heaston shares a moment with her family after kicking two extra points against Linfield College during the 1997season. Pictured (L to R) are Karen Marie Heaston, Dale Heaston, Elizabeth (Liz) Heaston Thompson and Susan Heaston.

10

The 1997 Willamette University football team mowed

down most of its competition, scoring 40 or more

points seven times and holding seven opponents to

a touchdown or less. The Bearcats won 13 consecutive

games to start the season and did not lose until they were

playing for the NAIA National Championship. It was

WU’s most successful season ever and set a tremendous

standard for future teams.

Not surprisingly, the team is likely headed toward the

Willamette University Athletics Hall of Fame, where its stellar

accomplishments will be permanently honored. It will be a

just reward for a team that won a conference title, advanced

to the playoffs, reached the National Championship game

and achieved outstanding statistics. Six players earned

NAIA All-America recognition, including a pair of first

team selections.

Willamette was considered a strong team when the season

began, but at #17 in the NAIA poll, the Bearcats weren’t

expected to reach the title game. They surprised the

prognosticators by winning the Northwest Conference

championship at 5-0, finishing the regular season at 10-0,

then moving through the playoffs until meeting Findlay

University (Ohio) in the finals. Findlay edged Willamette,

14-7, in the National Championship game played in

Savannah, Tenn.

All of the pieces fell into place for a very special season.

From WU administrators to Athletics Department staff to the

Bearcat coaches and players, everyone focused on helping

the team be successful.

“Everyone had the same vision, the same goal, the same

passion,” said Dan Hawkins, head coach of the Bearcats in

1997 and current head coach at the University of Colorado.

“The Willamette experience is another example that when

you have administrators and coaches and players on the

same page, you can accomplish wonderful things.”

“It was great to see the differences from our first year,” said

Bob Gregory, former Willamette defensive coordinator who

is now defensive coordinator at the University of California.

“There were all these people coming through the stands.

There were students with their bodies painted. It really was

a college football atmosphere.”

As the team continued to gather victories, the community

became even more involved with the Bearcats. Willamette’s

accomplishments on the field gradually gained attention

throughout the region.

“There was a lot of support and there was a lot of excitement

in and around Salem,” said Mark Speckman, current head

coach at Willamette and offensive coordinator for three

years under Hawkins. “It was really good for the school. It

was a lot of fun.”

A tremendous group of athletes were at the center of the

developing drama. Those players were the ones who made

good things happen on the field.

“It was just a combination of great coaches and players…

esprit de corps, continuity, chemistry, experience … It

was really special,” Hawkins said. “You could coach for 50

years and never have the same depth of experience.”

THE AT THEIR BEST

0 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 0

1997 FOOTBALL TEAM REACHES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMEBy Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

THE BEARCATS AT THEIR BEST

11

“We had really a great bunch of kids on the team as a

whole,” Gregory added. “We had a great defensive line

that put pressure on the quarterback. From front to

back, it was a good group of guys. Our offense was so

productive and they ran the ball so well ... our offensive

time of possession was skewed in a lot of games. We really

weren’t on the field very long (on defense).”

“We had a really good team,” Hawkins said. “There’s no

way to pinpoint one person over another. Everyone had a

unique contribution ... They were awesome to be around.

That was a special group of guys.”

Speckman added succinctly, “It was one of those magical

years.”

Along the way, there were a number of impressive,

outstanding and unusual accomplishments. The Bearcats,

led by Hawkins and his coaching

staff, featured just the right mix of

skill, experience and teamwork.

“It takes a special chemistry to get to

the championship game,” Hawkins

said. “It involves talent, depth and

experience. It involves some maturity

and understanding the process. It’s

not so much you’re shooting at

winning a national championship

as you are doing the things that

will enable you to win a national

championship.”

Willamette opened the season with

a 42-14 victory over Humboldt

State University. Quarterback Chuck

Pinkerton scored on a 70-yard run.

The Bearcats followed up with a

40-6 win at Chapman one week

later. Pinkerton and running back

Danny Osborne each scored two

touchdowns, while the WU defense

held the Panthers to just 117 yards

of offense.

The Bearcats improved to 3-0 with a come-from-behind

win at Central Washington. Osborne added two more

touchdowns for Willamette on runs of six and 68 yards.

In the fourth game, WU edged Eastern Oregon, 13-7.

Jon Franco forced a fumble and Chris Smith recovered the

ball at the Eastern 19-yard line late in the game with the

score tied 7-7. Smith’s fumble recovery set up the winning

touchdown, which was scored by Osborne on a 6-yard run

with 1:42 left.

In Willamette’s next contest, the Bearcats downed Lewis

& Clark College, 34-14. Pinkerton and Rich Rideout each

rushed for more than 100 yards. WU’s defense stifled

L&C’s ground game, holding the Pioneers to minus-23

yards rushing.

WU’s 1997 Homecoming Game followed on Oct. 18.

The Bearcats shut out their nearby arch rivals from Linfield

College, 27-0, in front of 3,600 fans at McCulloch

Stadium. Willamette scored in each quarter to gradually

pull away from the Wildcats.

One week later, the ’Cats downed Southern Oregon

University, 41-27. Rideout gained 302 yards of total

offense. WU routed the University of Puget Sound, 54-0,

to start the month of November. WU pounded out 433

yards of total offense while holding the Loggers to just

131 yards. Eight Bearcats scored during the game.

The team added two more lopsided wins to end the

regular season undefeated for the first time in school

history. WU defeated Pacific Lutheran University, 43-6,

on Nov. 8, and outscored Whitworth College, 47-7, on

Nov. 15. In the win over PLU, the ‘Cats limited the Lutes

to just 135 total yards. Defensive ends Eric Thomson and

Aaron Lawson each sacked the PLU quarterback twice.

Against Whitworth, the Bearcats

amassed 606 yards of offense,

including 338 rushing yards.

The Bearcats were ranked #2 in the

Final NAIA Poll, which was released

prior to the playoffs. Willamette led

the NAIA in total defense, allowing

just 189.5 yards per game, and

ranked first in scoring defense, after

allowing only 10.2 points per game.

Willamette began the NAIA

Playoffs by hosting Western Oregon

University. The Bearcats won the

game, 26-20, in overtime. Brandon

Folkert intercepted a pass in the

extra period to secure the win. Tim

Blair, who played flanker, scored

the winning touchdown on a 3-yard

sweep.

In the quarterfinals, Willamette

played Montana Tech on the

artificial turf at Parker Stadium in

Corvallis, Ore. The artificial surface

worked well for the Bearcats, who

responded with a 50-24 rout. WU rushed for a school

record 554 yards (the record still stands). Pinkerton ran

for 142 yards and two touchdowns, Rideout added 133

rushing yards and two TDs, and Blair gained 114 yards

and scored three times. Montana Tech entered the game as

the top offensive team in the NAIA with 521.6 yards per

game.

WU drove up I-5 to Civic Stadium in Portland, Ore., for

its semifinal game against Sioux Falls. Willamette earned

a 17-7 triumph, with all of the scoring in the first half.

Pinkerton left the game in the second quarter with a

broken leg. Reserve running back Stephen Person threw a

44-yard touchdown pass to Blair to complete the scoring

with 3:13 remaining in the half.

Even with Pinkerton sidelined, the Bearcats provided a

solid challenge to top-ranked Findlay in the championship

game. WU trailed 7-0, but Blair scored on a 72-yard run

We had a really good team… there’s no way to pinpoint one person over another. Everyone had a unique contribution... they were awesome to be around. That was a special group of guys.

– DAN HAWKINS

“

THE BEARCATS AT THEIR BEST

12

to tie the game. Findlay recorded the go-ahead touchdown

on a 60-yard run by quarterback Bo Hurley late in the

third quarter.

Willamette grabbed local media attention throughout the

season. The national media took notice partway through

the year, when Liz Heaston, a junior and a women’s soccer

player, became the first female to score in a college football

game. She kicked two extra points in Willamette’s 27-0

Homecoming win over Linfield on Oct. 18. Heaston also

saw action against Southern Oregon the following week.

Less than three weeks after Willamette’s appearance in the

championship game, Hawkins resigned to become the

assistant head coach at Boise State of NCAA Division I.

During his five years as head coach at Willamette, the

Bearcats achieved a 40-11-1 (.779) record. After three years

as assistant head coach at Boise State, Hawkins became

BSU’s head coach. In five seasons leading the Broncos, he

earned a 53-11 (.828) record. He became head coach at

the University of Colorado prior to the 2006 season.

When Hawkins left for Boise State, Speckman was promoted

to head coach. He is now preparing for his 10th season

leading the Bearcats.

In 1997, Willamette averaged 426.9 total yards per game

during the regular season to rank ninth in the NAIA. The

Bearcats ranked sixth in the NAIA in rushing offense, with

283.3 yards per game.

1 Tim Blair FL/K So.

2 Israel Speer RB So.

3 Matt Wilmot QB Fr.

4 Josh Jackson DB Sr.

5 Burke Eathorne LB Jr.

6 Ardell Bailey RB Jr.

7 Jay Douglass QB Jr.

8 Bill Jones DB Jr.

9 Mike Colpitts RB Fr.

10 Chuck Pinkerton QB/P Sr.

11 Joey Kennedy FL Sr.

13 Travis Hollifield QB Fr.

14 Kamell Eckroth-Bernard DB So.

15 Josh Scott QB Jr.

17 Gordon Thomson K Sr.

18 Jason Chatterton K/P Fr.

19 Reagan West DB Fr.

20 Kyle Banks DB So.

21 Eddie Rainford DB Sr.

22 Rich Rideout RB Sr.

23 Rob Schoepper WR Fr.

24 Ben Boyle RB So.

25 Jared Short DB Jr.

26 Paul Colby DB Fr.

27 Tim Ledford WR Fr.

28 Kyle Carlson WR Fr.

30 Chris Calaycay DB Sr.

31 Jeremy Senn DB Jr.

32 Stephen Person RB Jr.

33 Joe Franco LB Sr.

34 Danny Osborne RB Sr.

35 Nick Shein RB So.

36 Andy Eckley LB Fr.

37 Kevin Schriber DB Fr.

38 Chris Smith DB So.

39 Liz Heaston K Jr.

39 Andy Lewis TE Fr.

40 Brandon Folkert LB Jr.

41 Rai Washington DB So.

42 Kevin Scharer RB Jr.

43 Dave Richardson DB Sr.

44 Sean Harvey DL Fr.

45 Cory Folkert LB Fr.

46 Ben LaFerriere FB Jr.

48 Albert Dexter TE Fr.

49 Chuck McCutchen DL So.

50 Chris Hoekstra DL Sr.

51 Mica Dayborn LB So.

52 Ryan Gold OL Jr.

53 Jason Niedermeyer LB Fr.

54 Geoff Hulbert OL Jr.

55 Brian Greer OL Jr.

56 Radley Ott LB Jr.

57 Brian Kaufman DE So.

58 Phil Friedrich LB Sr.

59 Reno Brown TE So.

61 Adam Porath OL So.

62 Ben Hudson DL Fr.

64 Jake Neal DL Sr.

65 Dante Holloway DL Fr.

66 Josh Moeai OL So.

67 Nathan Ho OL Fr.

69 Nick White LB Fr.

70 Jeff Steeprow OL Jr.

71 Pete Osborne OL Sr.

72 Nick Pemberton OL So.

73 Mike Pointer OL So.

74 Jackson Baures DL Sr.

76 Justin Callender OL Fr.

77 Mike Bullert OL Sr.

78 Jeremy Markiewicz OL So.

79 Gerrit Wood OL So.

80 Zaki Rucker WR Fr.

81 Erik Christofferson WR SR.

82 Eddie Anderson TE Sr.

83 Mike Bernatz WR Fr.

84 Jimmy Gilchrist TE Fr.

85 Andy Miguel WR Fr.

86 Steve Nass WR Fr.

87 Kevin Dix DL Sr.

88 Joe Rogers TE Fr.

89 Greg Jackle WR Jr.

90 James Jensen TE Fr.

91 Adam Dittman DL Fr.

92 Aaron Lawson DL So.

93 Kelly Labeau DL So.

95 Eric Thomson DL So.

96 Greg Nolan TE Sr.

98 Nate Rice DL Fr.

99 Rodney Wood DL Sr.

Head Coach:

Dan Hawkins

Coordinators:

Mark Speckman

(Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)

Bob Gregory

(Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)

Assistant Coaches:

Matt Brittan (Linebackers)

Mike Cooper (Running Backs)

Glen Fowles (Offensive Line Assistant)

John Horner (Linebackers)

Mike Keizur (Sweepers)

Rudy Kovalik (Wide Receivers)

Dan Miller (Outside Linebackers)

Scott Mimnaugh (Tight Ends)

Trey Mott (Defensive Line)

Chris Prange (Defensive Backs Assistant)

John Rushing (Defensive Backs Assistant)

Robert Tucker (Defensive Line Assistant)

Support Staff:

Team Trainer: Russ Cagle

Team Doctor: Malcom Snider

Manager: Gar Willoughby

NO. NAME POS. YR. NO. NAME POS. YR. NO. NAME POS. YR. COACHING STAFF

THE BEARCATS AT THEIR BEST

13

Overall, the Bearcats put the pieces in place and took the

football team as far as they could for as long as they could.

Willamette had many talented athletes who played with

great effort as they worked together each week.

“In all three phases [offense, defense, special teams]… we

had a really well-oiled football team,” Hawkins said. “And

although running was the primary thing, we could really

throw the football.”

Pinkerton completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 1,268

yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed for 614 yards

and averaged 33 yards per punt. Rideout led the rushing

attack with 1,064 yards on 174 carries (6.1 avg.). He

scored 13 rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Blair caught

27 passes for 500 yards and three

touchdowns, as he averaged 18.5

yards per catch. Blair was named First

Team All-America.

“It was an impressive group,”

Speckman said. “It was great to have

that many weapons.”

In addition to finishing the regular

season ranked first in the NAIA in

scoring defense and total defense, the

Bearcats also ranked third in rushing

defense. The ’Cats limited opponents

to just 68 rushing yards per contest

(2.1 yards per carry).

Folkert, a junior linebacker, led the

defense with 96 tackles (49 solo). He

also grabbed a team-high five intercep-

tions, including the key interception

in WU’s overtime win over Western

Oregon. He was named First Team

All-America.

The tremendous defensive effort

allowed Kamell Eckroth-Bernard to

return 40 punts in 13 games. He

averaged a solid 10.6 yards per return.

Starting place-kicker Gordon

Thomson, a senior, made 8 of 12 field

goals and hit 21 of 27 extra points.

Heaston finished 2 of 4 on PATs.

Her status as the first woman to score

in a college football game is commemorated at the College

Football Hall of Fame.

For the season, the Bearcats scored 470 points and allowed

opponents just 167 points. WU registered shutout wins

over Northwest Conference rivals Linfield and Puget

Sound, as the Bearcats allowed only 27 total points in five

Everyone had a role to play, but some performances were

more noticeable than others.

“We had a great quarterback,” Speckman said. “Chuck

Pinkerton was as productive a guy as we’ve had. He was

the catalyst.”

With Pinkerton at the helm, the Bearcats and “The Fly”

offense caused havoc for opposing defenses.

“The Fly,” in which the flanker goes in motion on nearly

every play, works at its best when there are multiple

offensive threats and plenty of misdirection. Pinkerton ran

the offense to near perfection.

The defense also had its share of standout players. Leading

the way were starting defensive ends Eric Thomson and

Aaron Lawson and starting defensive tackles Jack Baures and

Rodney Wood. Thomson led the team with 12 quarterback

sacks and recovered two fumbles.

“We had four great defensive linemen,” Gregory recalled. “It

was really hard for teams to double team us. We were able

to get lots of pressure on the quarterback with just four guys.

One of those guys was going to come free.”

Willamette’s defense was incredibly

strong against opposing running

attacks. The Bearcats simply would

not give the other teams’ runners

enough space to move up the field.

Although the season featured many

outstanding accomplishments,

Hawkins said the work of coaches

and players over several years to

develop the Bearcats into a national-

caliber team was most important.

It is what continues to be his focus

when the 1997 team is mentioned.

“What I remember is all the steps it

took to get there,” Hawkins said. “I

remember telling the 1993 team

that sometime we would win the

national title and they would be the

foundation. I just think about the

tremendous bond, the tremendous

camaraderie the team had.”

WU didn’t win the national

championship, but on Dec. 19, 1997,

Willamette was one of only two

teams with a chance to claim the

NAIA title. Although Findlay pre-

vailed, the Bearcats had an unbelieva-

ble season with many fantastic

memories.

“Getting on a charter plane and going

to Tennessee — it was so great for the kids to experience

that,” Gregory said. “It was a great reward. We stayed in

a neat hotel. There was a large group of our fans.”

Even 10 years and two more playoff teams later, Speckman

says that “the National Championship game stands out.

Montana Tech was one of the highlights since I’ve been

here. The Western Oregon game was probably the toughest

of the year.”

Challenges and difficulties didn’t slow down the Bearcats.

They were always ready for a hard-fought struggle against

another talented team.

“The bigger the game, the better they played. They were

very good,” Hawkins said.

We had four great defensive linemen. It was really hard for teams to double team us. We were able to get lotsof pressure on the quarterback…

– BOB GREGORY

“

19 97

NCIC games.

14

STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

illness much of the time. As a result, she entered last fall weaker than normal.

This summer, Zerzan is at home in San Carlos, Calif., where she is doing an internship with biotech company Genecor in Palo Alto. After taking a few weeks off, Zerzan will start training for her senior season, and she has a great training partner in her own house. Zerzan’s father, Terry, wasa standout distance runner for Willamette in the mid-70s.

Terry Zerzan ’78 was a two-time conference champion incross country (1974 and 1977) and still holds the Willamettemen’s record for the marathon.

“Running is something we have always shared and always willshare,” said the younger Zerzan. “It makes running that much more special to me, and it makes me closer to my dad.I hope we have it for the rest of our lives.”

Terry was one of 12 siblings, four of whomgraduated from Willamette. Their parents, Charles and Joan, met at Willametteand graduated in 1948. Despite the strong family tradition, Sarah never felt any pressure to attend WU after graduating from Notre Dame High School in 2004.

“I never felt any pressure to go here,” saidZerzan. “It was always an option for mebut never forced on me. It has just meanta lot to be able to run at the same university as my dad.”

Zerzan will graduate in May 2008 with a degree in chemistry (biochemistry track) and a minor in Spanish. Then, she will apply to medical school, with her sights set on either Stanford University or the University of California-San Francisco. Sheplans to become a pediatrician.

In the meantime, though, she has one lastyear of eligibility in a Bearcat uniform. Trueto her character as an athlete and a person,she talks about the team having a great season. “We had a lot of young runners last year at nationals,” Zerzan said about the cross country and track and field teams. “It was a really good feeling to be on a team that was so young and did that well. The future is very promising.

“Ideally, I would like to do as well as lastyear, but the most important goal for meis to contribute to a good team performance,” she said.

In today’s world of “me-first” athletes, it is refreshing tocome across an athlete such as Willamette University cross country and track runner Sarah Zerzan. Athletes

such as the humble and team-oriented Zerzan have become rare in a society that places an emphasis on winning at all costs. Considering everything she accomplished during herjunior season, Zerzan could easily boast, yet she often deflectsthe praise to her teammates and coaches.

Last November, Zerzan burst onto the national scene when she battled through a wet and muddy course to win the women’s individual title at the 2006 NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships, held at Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio. She completed the 6-kilometer course in 22:31 to win by 20 seconds over the second-place finisher. She defeated 278 other entrants.

This spring, she placed second in the 5,000-meter race at the NCAA Division III Trackand Field National Championships atthe University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Hertime of 16.51.18 was less than two secondsoff the lead.

But if you ask Zerzan about her accomplish-ments, she will comment on how her team-mates and coaches helped her succeed.

“My teammates and coaches were very instrumental in getting me to where I am,”Zerzan said. “A big part of being ableto run at the top is believing you can run that fast. By myself I never could have thought I would do something like that. But my coaches and teammates believe in me and tell me I can do those things, and that makes a huge difference.”

By finishing 25th as a sophomore at the2005 NCAA Cross Country Championshipsand taking 11th place in the 5,000-meter run at the 2006 NCAA Track and Field Championships, Zerzan served notice that she would be a contender on the national level her final two seasons. But even she didn’t expect to win a national title last year after entering the season in less-than-perfect condition.

Recently named NCAA Division III West Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year,Zerzan spent six weeks of summer 2006in Costa Rica doing research in the field ofethnobiology. She ran every day, but battled

Sarah Zerzan at a glance:

Age: 20Major: Chemistry (Biochemistry track)Sports: Cross Country, Track and FieldEvents: Distance

Top Awards:

Nominated for the NCAA Division III Athlete of the Year Award, 2006-07; All-America honors in cross country, 2005, 2006; All-America honors in track and fi eld, 2007; First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America, 2006-07; First Team ESPN The Magazine Aca-demic All-District VIII, 2006-07; NCAA Division III West Region Cross Country Athlete of the Year, 2006; NCAA Divi-sion III West Region Track Athlete of the Year, 2007; First Team All-NWC Cross Country, 2004; 2005, 2006; First Team All-NWC Track and Field, 2007.

Top Athletic Accomplishments:

NCAA Division III individual national champion in cross country, 2006; NCAA Division III second place at national championships in track and fi eld, 5,000-meter run, 2007; NWC individual cross country champion, 2006; NCAA Division III West Region individual cross country champion, 2006; NWC individual champion in track and fi eld, 1,500-meter run, 2007; Helped WU win NWC and West Region team titles in cross country in 2004, 2005 and 2006; Contributed to Willamette winning NWC team titles in track and fi eld in 2005 and 2007 (missed 2006 NWC meet due to injury).

Sarah ZerzanDistance Runner Wins National Title, Thanks Fellow Bearcats

By Ryan Borde, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

15

STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

It was a warm, sunny June afternoon in Thousand Oaks,Calif., and Brandon Bennett was lying by a pool enjoyingsome down time. It’s not as if Bennett, a senior-to-be

on the football team, spent most of his summer days bya pool, but on this particular day the rest is well deserved.

Bennett is doing something this summer that the vast majorityof other NCAA Division III football players are not doing: training five to six hours a day with a personal trainer. On June 2, Bennett moved from Salem, Ore., to Thousand Oaks to attend the Parisi Speed School in nearby Westlake Village, Calif.

Bennett will be spending eight weeks of the summer workingout at Parisi’s indoor facility in hopes ofincreasing his chances for a shot at professional football after next season at Willamette. Not too many Division IIIfootball players even get a look from NFL scouts, but Bennett could be one of the few. At 6'2" and 300 pounds, he hasthe size professional scouts look for, but he knows he must improve his speed and agility to increase his chances. That is where the Parisi Speed School comes into the picture.

Bennett started training June 4 and will train twice a day, five days a week. He spends the morning focusing on his speed and agility before taking the afternoon off. In the evening, Bennett and his trainer work on core strength and stability.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to playat the next level,” said Bennett, who is a two-time First Team All-Northwest Conference selection at offensive tackle. “And this training is only going to help meto achieve my goal.”

The Parisi program isn’t cheap. Bennett andhis family believe the money is well spent, especially if it helps him get into the pros.

While Bennett could enjoy the summer more by training less, he knows that it will make him a better football player for the Bearcats during the2007 season. Bennett enters his senior year as one of the mostdecorated offensive linemen to ever wear a Willamette uniform, yet he isn’t satisfied, especially after the Bearcats went2-7 last year and suffered their first losing season since 2001.

“It was a very disappointing season,” Bennett said. “We were a team that was coming off an above-average season, and

we were very cocky. We thought we had earned our right to be a good team and to win. But at the same time we didn’t train to be champions or have that killer instinct.”

As last season wound down, Bennett knew what needed to happen for the Bearcats to return to their winning ways in the future: for the team to get back to training on a consistent basis. As an All-American, Bennett knew he had to lead by example.

“I’m really excited for next season,” said Bennett, who earnedAll-America status from four organizations last year. “Thisis the only team I have been on that has the right attitude and knows that we have to train hard to win. The mindset

and work ethic I saw this spring is a total 180 from last spring.”

“I know as a senior that I need to be moreoutspoken, both on and off the field. The younger guys look up to me, and I need to help them out and be the best teammate possible.”

Bennett, who walked with his class in May,but will return in the fall to complete a degree in economics, enters next season as one of the top offensive linemen in allof Division III. Last year he was an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-America selection. Many consider the AFCA honorto be the most prestigious of the All-America awards. What makes the award unique and prestigious is that the AFCA chooses only a first team, while most organizations selecting All-America teams choose a first team and a second team, plusa third team or honorable mention squad.

After this fall, Bennett plans to pursue hisdream of playing professional football, but he has given himself a timetable to reach his goal. If he doesn’t end up at thenext level, he may pursue a career as an accountant or possibly join the military.

“Whether it’s the NFL, or in Canada, or Arena ball, I just want to keep playing as long as possible,” Bennett said. “But I plan on working toward that goal for a three-year period, and I’m giving myself a timeline because I don’t want to chase that dream forever.”

All-American Offensive Tackle Prepares for Senior Season

Brandon Bennett

Brandon Bennett at a glance:

Age: 22Major: EconomicsSport: FootballPosition: Offensive Tackle

Top Awards:

American Football Coaches Association All-America, 2006; Associated Press Little All-America Third Team, 2006; D3Football.com Honorable Mention All-America, 2005, 2006; D3Football.com Second Team All-West Region, 2006; D3Football.com Third Team All-West Region, 2005; First Team All-Northwest Conference, 2005; 2006; Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference, 2004.

Top Athletic Accomplishments:

Played on Willamette’s NCAA Tourna-ment team in 2004 that fi nished the year 7-4 overall; Helped the Bearcats earn 380.8 total yards and 278.4 rushing yards per game in 2004; Contributed to WU gaining 359.0 total yards and 238.7 rushing yards per game in 2005; Helped Willamette achieve 294.4 total yards and 173.3 rushing yards per game in 2006.

By Ryan Borde, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

16

SCHOLARS AND CHAMPIONS

ACADEMIC AWARDSAND SCHOLARSHIPS

BOOTH AWARD

Kevin Dean, Sr.Football

Kei Otawa, Sr.Men’s Swimming

WILLIAMS AWARD

Andrea May, Sr.Women’s Track and Field

KEMPER SCHOLAR (2006)

Ben Bryant, So.Men’s Golf

KEMPER SCHOLAR

Chris Platano, Fr.Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR

Greg Henselman, Jr.Men’s Swimming/Rowing

CARSON UNDERGRADUATERESEARCH GRANT

Melissa Ostermick, Jr.Women’s Cross Country

DATATEL SCHOLAR (2006)

Audrey Squires, Sr.Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field

TUG MCGRAW SCHOLAR (2006)

Audrey Squires, Sr.Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field

ESPN THE MAGAZINE

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAFirst Team

Sarah Zerzan, Jr.Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field

Second Team

Travis Harris, Sr.Men’s Cross Country

ESPN THE MAGAZINEACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT VIIIFirst Team

Kevin Dean, Sr.Football, Running Back

Ben Weyerhaeuser, Sr.Football, Linebacker

Cason Schmit, Sr.Men’s Swimming

Travis Harris, Sr.Men’s Cross Country

Lucas Nebert, Jr.Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field

Sarah Zerzan, Jr.Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field

CRCA NATIONALSCHOLAR-ATHLETE

Adrienne Hall, Sr.Women’s Rowing

Rebecca Ralston, Sr.Women’s Rowing

NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATIONNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Kevin Dean, Sr.Football, Running Back

Ben Weyerhaeuser, Sr.Football, Linebacker

SCHOLARS

Dean, Otawa Win Booth Award, May Earns Williams Award

Senior running back Kevin Dean and seniorswimmer Kei Otawa shared the J.H. BoothAward, while senior track and field athlete Andrea May received the Jean Williams Award, during Willamette’s Athletic Awards Night April 30. The awardswent to the senior male and female athletes who best exemplified outstandingleadership, scholarship and athleticism.

Dean played four seasons on the Willamette football team and majored inchemistry. He achieved a 3.64 GPA and wasnamed First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District in 2005 and 2006.

Dean and fellow football players Alex MacKenzie and Wesley Randall traveled bybicycle from San Diego, Calif., to Miami, Fla. (about 3,000 miles) to honor the memory of their fraternity brother, Kalan Morinaka. “Coast 2 Coast 4 Kalan” also raised money for the ALS Society to fight

against Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Otawa competed for the Willamette men’s swimming team forfour seasons. He majored in mathematics and earned a 3.54 GPA. He finished in the Top 10 at the Northwest Conference Championships a total of 11 times with eight Top 3 finishes. He was a leader as WU played the entire 2006–07 season on the road due to repairs at the Sparks Center pool.

Otawa was president of the local chapter of the Circle K philanthropic organization. He was a volunteer worker helping reconstruct Bogalusa, La., following Hurricane Katrina.

May ran for the WU women’s track and field team all four years.She majored in biology and earned a 3.6 GPA.

She received All-America honors three times in three trips to the NCAA National Championships. She also won a total of seven NWC individual titles.

May set the WU record of 14.84 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles in 2007 and helped set the 4 x 400-meter relay recordof 3:47.85 in 2006. She served an internship at Salem Hospitaland was a Summer Events and Conferences Coordinator at Willamette.

Willamette Places 92 Bearcats on NWC Scholar-Athlete TeamsWillamette University placed a total of 92 student-athletes onthe Northwest Conference Scholar-Athlete Teams for 2006–07.Twenty-two of Willamette’s selections were two-sport athletes (114 total awards). To qualify for an NWC Scholar-Athlete Team, each athlete had to earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 and had to participate in a full season with his or her varsity team.

A total of 49 athletes from Willamette’s men’s teams earned NWC Scholar-Athlete honors (11 two-sport athletes, 60 total awards). An additional 43 athletes from WU’s women’s teams received NWC Scholar-Athlete status (11 two-sport athletes, 54 total awards). The NWC announced scholar-athlete teams in 18 conference sports, plus a men’s at-large team and a women’s at-large team to cover non-conference sports.

Henselman Receives Presidential Scholarship

Greg Henselman, a member of the swim-ming and rowing teams who is majoring in mathematics and classical studies, is one of two Willamette University students selected as Presidential Scholarsfor 2007. Each Presidential Scholar receives a $2,500 stipend to assist with

research during the summer. Recipients also earn a tuitionwaiver for one semester or $5,000 toward graduate schoolexpenses. Henselman’s summer research focuses on “Extendingthe Diagnostic Applications of Graph Representations.”Erin McNicholas, assistant professor of mathematics, sponsors Henselman’s research.

Platano Named Kemper ScholarWillamette track and cross country runnerChris Platano knew before coming to Willamette that he was interested in worldaffairs, but an experience in one of his first-year courses cemented his thoughts about seeking a career in international development or policy.

The class was “Global Health: Crises in Context,” a College Colloquium course taught by assistant anthropology professor Joyce Millen. The College Colloquium program allows first-year students to pick a class topic that mirrors their interests.

“We talked about AIDS and bird flu and other diseases that are prevalent in impoverished nations,” Platano said. “Wediscussed ways they could be relieved and prevented. I thoughtI knew about the world before taking this class, but it completelyopened my eyes…”

Platano will have extra chances to gain skills for his future career thanks to a national scholarship. He is one of two Willamette students named Kemper Scholars, a program sponsored by the James S. Kemper Foundation for first-year college students interested in business or management careers.

Platano will receive an annual scholarship of $3,000–$8,000 during his sophomore, junior and senior years. He also will receive stipends for two summer internships — one at a non-profit organization in Chicago following his sophomore year, the other in a location of his choice after his junior year. He went to South Africa this May as part of a Willamette post-session course.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to meet people who can giveme the tools I need to go into the business field,” says Platano, who plans to major in economics with a possible double major in politics.

17CHAMPIONS

Great Year for Sarah ZerzanNCAA Cross Country National Champion,Second Place in NCAA at 5,000 Meters

Sarah Zerzan, a junior on the Willamette cross country and track and field teams, had an outstanding year for the Bearcats in 2006–07. She won the NCAA Division III Cross Country individual national championship (22:31, 6K) and was chosen West Region Women’s Cross Country Run-

ner of the Year and National Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year. In track and field, she took second place in the5,000-meter run (16:51.18) at the NCAA Division III NationalChampionships. She was named West Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year.

She also was nominated for the NCAA Division III Women’s Athlete of the Year Award. Just 12 athletes nationwide were nominated, with one selected in each of a dozen women’s sports. Zerzan was nominated for her efforts in cross country.

Zerzan won the NWC and West Region individual titles in cross country. She also claimed the NWC championship in the 1,500-meter run (4:33.87). Her performances during the year helped Willamette win NWC and West Region team titles incross country as well as the NWC team title in track and field.

She holds the Bearcat track and field records in four events. Shehas earned WU’s fastest time in the 1,500-meter run (4:31.52),3,000-meter run (9:39.01), 5,000-meter run (16:28.54) and 10,000-meter run (35:20.17).

McGuirk SelectedNational Track and FieldCoach of the Year

Matt McGuirk, head coach of track and field and cross country at Willamette, has been named NCAA Division III Women’s Track and Field National Coach of the Year for 2007, as selected by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). McGuirk was

selected NCAA Division III Men’s Track and Field National Coach of the Year in 2004.

McGuirk led the Willamette women’s track and field team toits sixth consecutive NWC championship this spring, as the Bearcats took first place at the NWC meet by more than a two-to-one margin. Ten athletes (plus a relay alternate) competed for the Willamette men’s and women’s teams at the NCAA Division III Track and Field National Championships, May 24–26,in Oshkosh, Wisc. Six of Willamette’s runners on the women’s team earned All-America status as the Bearcats took 18th place.

McGuirk also was named NCAA Division III West Region Women’s Track and Field Coach of the Year for the third time. He previously was chosen West Region Coach of the Yearin both men’s and women’s track and field in 2004 and 2005.

NATIONALATHLETIC HONORS

NCAA POSTSEASON

Men’s Cross Country (27th)Women’s Cross Country (20th)Women’s Soccer (National Tournament)Men’s Track and Field (Nationals)Women’s Track and Field (18th)

National Champion

Sarah Zerzan Jr. Cross Country 22:31 6,000-m run

USTFCCCA NationalCoach of the Year

Matt McGuirk Women’s Track and Field

Honda NCAA Division IIIAthlete of the Year Nominee

Sarah Zerzan Jr. Cross Country

USTFCCCA NationalAthlete of the Year

Sarah Zerzan Jr. Cross Country

CRCA All-America

Laura Jones Jr. Rowing

U.S. Rowing Team Camps

Laura Jones Jr. Rowing

NSCAA WOMEN’S SOCCER ALL-AMERICAThird Team

Susan Butler Sr. Midfi elder/Forward

USTFCCCACROSS COUNTRY ALL-AMERICA

Sarah Zerzan Jr. National Champion

USTFCCCATRACK AND FIELD ALL-AMERICA

Sarah Zerzan Jr. 2nd 5,000-m runAndrea May Sr. 5th 4x400-m relayLydia Marsalli Fr. 5th 4x400-m relayJennifer Luecht Fr. 5th 4x400-m relayMariah Hanson Sr. 5th 4x400-m relayJordyn Smith Jr. 7th 800-m run

AFCA FOOTBALL ALL-AMERICA

Brandon Bennett Jr. Offensive Tackle

NORTH-AMERICANINTERFRATERNITY CONFERENCEFOOTBALL ALL-AMERICAFirst Team

Brandon Bennett Jr. Offensive Tackle

ASSOCIATE PRESSFOOTBALL LITTLE ALL-AMERICAThird Team

Brandon Bennett Jr. Offensive Tackle

D3FOOTBALL.COM ALL-AMERICAHonorable Mention

Brandon Bennett Jr. Offensive Tackle

SCHOLARS AND CHAMPIONS

This year, he guided both of Willamette’s track and field teams to national rankings. At the end of the regular season, the women’s team was ranked fourth in the USTFCCCA Poll for NCAA Division III, while the men’s team was ranked 19th.

In fall 2006, McGuirk was chosen NCAA Division III West Region Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year and was named NWC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. Bothof Willamette’s teams won NWC West Region championships.The women’s team placed 20th and the men’s team finished 27th at the NCAA Division III National Meet.

Endrikat Earns NWCCoach of the Year Honors

Willamette University men’s tennis headcoach Jon Endrikat was chosen NorthwestConference Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year. He guided the Bearcats to the NWC Tournament, including a stretch in which Willamette won five consecutive NWC matches and six of seven matches overall.

Willamette ended the season with a 10-12 overall record after taking fourth place at the NWC Tournament. Endrikat, who coached the Bearcats for two seasons, completed a master of business administration in management this spring. He has resigned as head coach of men’s tennis to pursue business opportunities.

Jones Selected forU.S. Rowing Team Camps

Rowing team member Laura Jones, a junior, was selected by U.S. Rowing to attend two national team camps this summer. She participated in the month-longNational Team Development Camp at Gonzaga University and gained additional experience at the Women’s National

Team Freshman Camp at the University of Wisconsin. Jones was a member of Willamette’s varsity four and varsity eight crews last season.

Jones was one of 22 rowers and two coxswains invited toattend the Women’s National Team Freshman Camp. She was one of just two NCAA Division III athletes selected. The Freshman Camp is for rowers who have the potential to join the U.S. National Team program.

“Laura is a natural leader by her actions,” Willamette head rowing coach Susan Parkman said. “She is able to row in any seat from the stroke seat to bow.”

Jones also was named Second Team All-America in NCAA Division III by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA). Jones helped the WU women’s varsity eight take first place at the Governor’s Cup Regatta in Salem and also helped the WV8 achieve a #20 ranking in the cMax rankings released on May 15.

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AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL NWC/REGIONAL HONORS AND AWARDSOREGON SPORTS AWARDSSMALL COLLEGE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

(Calendar Year 2006)Nick Symmonds ‘06 Track and FieldSarah Zerzan Jr. Cross Country, Track and Field

NCAA WEST REGIONCHAMPIONSHIPS

Women’s Cross Country 1st Place, Score of 75Men’s Cross Country 1st Place, Score of 63

NCAA WEST REGIONWOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION

Sarah Zerzan Jr. Cross Country (6K)

USTFCCCA WEST REGIONCOACH OF THE YEAR

Matt McGuirk Women’s Cross Country Women’s Track and Field

USTFCCCA WEST REGIONATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Sarah Zerzan Jr. Cross Country, Women’s Track and Field

USTFCCCA CROSS COUNTRYMEN’S ALL-WEST REGION

Ian Batch Jr. 8thTravis Harris Sr. 10thLucas Nebert Jr. 15thTristan Knutson- Lombardo So. 24thJosh Clough So. 25thKyle Kotaich Fr. 35th

USTFCCCA CROSS COUNTRYWOMEN’S ALL-WEST REGION

Sarah Zerzan Jr. Regional ChampionJena Winger So. 15thMaddie Coffman So. 17thAli Maki So. 18thElizabeth Hart Sr. 20thKatrina Brett Jr. 22ndEdith Polanco So. 29th

D3FOOTBALL.COM FOOTBALLALL-WEST REGIONSecond Team

Brandon Bennett Jr. Offensive Tackle

NSCAA WOMEN’S SOCCERALL-WEST REGIONFirst Team

Susan Butler Sr. Midfi elder/Forward

Second Team

Kelsey Rogel So. Defender

Third Team

Jessica Lammers Sr. Midfi elderLaura Uhlmansiek Sr. Midfi elderMeghan Anderson Fr. Midfi elder/Forward

D3KICKS.COM WOMEN’S SOCCERALL-WEST REGION First Team

Susan Butler Sr. Midfi elder/Forward

Second Team

Laura Uhlmansiek Sr. Midfi elder

Third Team

Jessica Lammers Sr. Midfi elderMeghan Anderson Fr. Midfi elder/ForwardKelsey Rogel So. Defender

NFCA SOFTBALL ALL-WEST REGIONThird Team

Nikki Franchi So. Pitcher

NWC CHAMPIONS

Women’s Cross Country (Score of 50)Men’s Cross Country (Score of 40)Women’s Track and Field (Score of 257.33)

NWC COACH OF THE YEAR

Matt McGuirk Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Track and FieldJon Endrikat Men’s Tennis

NWC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Sarah Zerzan Jr. Cross CountryIan Batch Jr. Cross Country

NWC ATHLETE OF THE MEET

Andrea May Sr. Track and Field

NWC CROSS COUNTRYWOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION

Sarah Zerzan Jr. Women’s Champion (6K)

NWC CROSS COUNTRYMEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION

Ian Batch Jr. Men’s Champion (8K)

NWC TRACK AND FIELDWOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONFirst Team All-NWC

Melinda Fahey Jr. DiscusMariah Hanson Sr. 400-meter dashJennifer Luecht Fr. 200-meter dashAndrea May Sr. 100-meter dash 100-meter hurdlesJordyn Smith Jr. 400-meter hurdlesJena Winger So. 3,000-meter steeplechaseSarah Zerzan Jr. 1,500-meter run

NWC TRACK AND FIELDWOMEN’S RELAY CHAMPIONSFirst Team All-NWC

Willamette 4 x 100-meter relay team(Autumn Schmeck, Fr.; Lydia Marsalli, Fr.; Kaitlin St. John, Fr.; Katie Klein, So.)

Willamette 4 x 400-meter relay team(Mariah Hanson, Sr.; Jennifer Luecht, Fr.; Andrea May, Sr.; Jordyn Smith, Jr.)

NWC TRACK AND FIELDMEN’S INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONFirst Team All-NWC

Ian Batch Jr. 5,000-meter run 10,000-meter runJulio Vieyra Sr. 800-meter run 1,500-meter run

ALL-NWC BASEBALLHonorable Mention

Grant Yamaguchi Sr. First Base (IF)Matt Rasmussen Sr. Shortstop (IF)Kelly Gilmore Sr. Right Fielder (OF)Colin Young Jr. Left Fielder (OF)Jarrid Summers So. Pitcher (P)

ALL-NWC MEN’S BASKETBALLHonorable Mention

Dan Nugent Fr. Wing/Post

ALL-NWC WOMEN’S BASKETBALLHonorable Mention

Keilyn Fujioka Fr. Forward

ALL-NWC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRYFirst Team

Sarah Zerzan Jr. 1st

Second Team

Maddie Coffman So. 9thJena Winger So. 11thElizabeth Hart Sr. 12th

ALL-NWC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRYFirst Team

Ian Batch Jr. 1stJosh Clough So. 6th

Second Team

Kyle Kotaich Fr. 10thAlex Jimenez So. 11thSteven Millard Jr. 12thLucas Nebert Jr. 13thTravis Harris Sr. 14th

ALL-NWC FOOTBALLFirst Team

Brandon Bennett Jr. Offensive TackleMatt Bicocca Jr. Place-kickerRyan Hernandez Sr. Flanker

Second Team

Mitchell MacCready Jr. Defensive TackleWesley Randall Sr. CornerbackPhil Sweet Jr. Linebacker

Honorable Mention

Tony Davis Jr. Tight EndKevin Dean Sr. FullbackBen Fennimore Jr. Free SafetyTyler Gill Jr. RoverTaylor Hermes Jr. LinebackerMike Plank Sr. Wide Receiver

ALL-NWC WOMEN’S GOLF First Team

Whitney Ueno So. 2nd (tie), 163 for 36 holes

ALL-NWC WOMEN’S SOCCERFirst Team

Meghan Anderson Fr. Midfi elder/ForwardSusan Butler Sr. Midfi elder/ForwardKelsey Rogel So. DefenderLaura Uhlmansiek Sr. Midfi elder

Second Team

Kari Woody Sr. GoalkeeperSelena Levy So. DefenderJessica Lammers Sr. Midfi elder

ALL-NWC SOFTBALLFirst Team

Molly Barnes Sr. Third Baseman (IF)Nikki Franchi So. Pitcher/DP (UTIL)

Second Team

Liz Gilgan Jr. Shortstop (IF)Geneva Hale Jr. First Baseman (IF)

Honorable Mention

LaShawna Holcomb So. Center Fielder (OF)

ALL-NWC VOLLEYBALL Honorable Mention

Mary Butler So. Middle Blocker

WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITYATHLETE OF THE MONTHSeptember, 2006

Kevin Dean Sr. FootballKari Woody Sr. Women’s Soccer

October, 2006

Ian Batch Jr. Men’s Cross CountrySarah Zerzan Jr. Women’s Cross Country

November, 2006

Kei Otawa Sr. Men’s SwimmingSarah Zerzan Sr. Women’s Cross Country

December, 2006

Dan Nugent Fr. Men’s BasketballKeilyn Fujioka Fr. Women’s Basketball

January, 2007

Rob Andrus Sr. Men’s BasketballBecca Fischer Sr. Women’s Swimming

February, 2007

Tye Sundlee Jr. BaseballAlaine Anderson Jr. Women’s Tennis

March, 2007

Drew Lackman So. Men’s Track and FieldMolly Barnes Sr. Softball

April, 2007

Julio Vieyra Sr. Men’s Track and FieldAndrea May Sr. Women’s Track and Field

May, 2007

Grant Piros So. Men’s Track and FieldSarah Zerzan Jr. Women’s Track and Field

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COACHES CORNER

It was May 1981 and Mark Speckman had just been hiredfor his first head football coaching position at LivingstonHigh School in Livingston, Calif. While Speckman

had been around the game most of his life as a player andassistant coach, most of his knowledge rested on the defensiveside of the ball. Coming up with an offensive scheme, Speckman knew, would require thinkingoutside the box.

“I thought to myself, ‘As a defensive coordinator, what do I hate to see?’”

The answer was a series of plays that hadbeen dubbed the “fly series,” a set of three plays that Speckman had seen runat North Monterey County High School in Castroville, Calif.

“Those three plays always seemed to get yards,” Speckman said.

Fast-forward to 2007, and Speckman is the head football coach at Willamette University and is widely regarded as theguru of “The Fly” offense. Over the years, he tinkered with those three plays and wound up with an offense that opposing teams despise. Speckman regularly makes trips across the United States to talk about the unique offense that even has its own video series now.

“The thing I like about The Fly is that itisn’t dependent on one type of athlete,”said Speckman. “A variety of athletes have been featured at Willamette over my years here. From big running backs to small running backs, to throwing quarterbacks to running quarterbacks, you can change the offense subtly and feature different people.”

Speckman has always been one to think outside the box. Hehad to. Born without hands in Belmont, Calif., he has always had to think of different ways to do day-to-day tasks. Whether it’s driving a car, talking on his cell phone, or throwing a football, Speckman has always found a way to do the tasks that people with hands take for granted.

Yet Speckman never felt sorry for himself. Instead, he used his disability as extra motivation to become the person heis today: a football coach in high demand across the country as a motivational speaker.

Speckman spends much of the off-season traveling and speaking to a variety of businesses, athletic teams, schools andorganizations about life and leadership. In April, he was akeynote speaker at the University of Notre Dame’s MendozaCollege of Business Leadership Conference. He sees his speaking engagements as a double-win scenario for the peoplehe addresses and for Willamette.

“Anytime I’m out on the road speaking, I’m representing Willamette University and our football program,” he said.

“Not only do I get to impact the people I’m talking to, but I also get to tell people about our story at Willamette. It’s good for the profile of the University and our team.”

Speckman has been successful in football wherever he has been. That success started in college, where he was anAll-American linebacker at Azusa Pacific University. It contin-

ued at Merced High School in Calif., where he served as head coach and led the Bears to national prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Speckman’s 1989 and 1990 Merced squads each went 14-0, after going13-1 in 1988. His 1990 team was voted#1 in California and was ranked #5 inthe nation by ESPN. In 1995 Speckmanbrought his winning ways to Willamette,where he was hired as offensive coordin-ator by then head coach Dan Hawkins.

“I must have been his 30th choice,” joked Speckman about how he landed the job at WU.

Speckman spent three seasons as offensive coordinator under Hawkins, helping the Bearcats go 28-5-1, including a trip to the 1997 NAIA National Championship.

Shortly after the 1997 season, Speckmanwas hired to succeed Hawkins, who leftto become assistant head coach at BoiseState University. During Speckman’s

nine seasons at the helm, he has guided the team to a 48-41 record, one Northwest Conference title and two trips to the NCAA Division III National Playoffs.

Last year was just Speckman’s third losing season as head coach at Willamette, as the Bearcats went 2-7. While the season was challenging for Speckman and his staff, they see the difficulties of 2006 as motivation to return the program to its winning ways.

“Anytime you have a season that you don’t think your programshould have, then it motivates you to get better,” said Speckman. “I actually view last season as positive because itmade me re-evaluate the program from top to bottom. It wasa healthy process for me and the staff, and it gives us a lot ofoptimism heading into 2007.”

Anyone who knows Speckman knows he and his team will rebound from the disappointment. Speckman doesn’t stay down. For those who dare to think otherwise, he will prove them wrong by once again thinking outside the box.

“I’ve always wanted to prove people wrong,” Speckman said about his disability. “I have a very strong desire to succeed, especially when people tell me I can’t do something. It might be a childish instinct, but it has helped me in life.”

Mark Speckman Motivates On and Off the Field

An Inspirational Leader

By Ryan Borde, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

BEARCAT CLUB

20

Hall of Fame

Nominees SoughtGuidelines for submitting

nominations for the Willamette

Athletics Hall of Fame:

CATEGORIES

1. Athletes

2. Coaches

3. Teams

4. Athletic Staff

5. Meritorious Service

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

A. An athlete, through athletic achievement, must have brought distinction and honor to himself or herself, to Willamette University, and to its intercollegiate athletic program. The athlete must be a degreed alumnus or alumna and must have graduated from the University a minimum of ten years before becoming eligible for induction.

B. Coaches, athletic administrators, or other athletic staff must no longer be a member of the Willamette University staff to be eligible for induction.

C. If a non-athlete, the candidate shall be an individual who, in some manner, has made an extraordinary contribution to the success of the intercollegiate athletic program at Willamette University.

D. The records of the person(s) considered shall be so outstanding that there will be little question as to the qualifications necessary for induction.

E. Eligibility for teams shall be based upon exceptional accomplishment at and above the conference level, with the team ranking among the nation’s elite. Teams will become eligible ten years after the season of accomplishment.

F. Consideration will be given to personal conduct in sports and to personal contributions to the ideals of amateur athletic competition.

G. A candidate’s athletic accomplishments after leaving Willamette University may be considered.

H. A candidate may be chosen posthumously.

With the Willamette Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2007 set for induction on Oct. 27, it’s time to start thinking about athletes and coaches to con-sider for Hall of Fame induction in the future. As a result, Willamette is seeking nominations from throughout the WU community.

It is the intent of the Hall of Fame to honor and preserve the memory of athletes, teams, coaches and others whose achievements have brought recognition and distinction to the University and its athletic program. Criteria for selection include achievements while at Willamette, plus accomplish-ments in the sports world later in life.

Nominations should include the person’s name and graduation year, sports played and supportingevidence justifying the nomination. When nominating a team, the year and sport should be identified, along with supporting evidence.

Nominations may be submitted at any time, eitherby mail or through the on-line nomination form at www.willamette.edu/athletics/hall_of_fame. Mailed nominations should be sent to Willamette Athletics Hall of Fame, Sparks Center, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301.

Save the date:

October 27, 2007

Join us for theWillamette Athletics

Hall of FameInduction

How can I support “My Team?”

MAKING A GIFT TO BEARCAT ATHLETICS

Giving to Willamette University accomplishes several things.It allows you to invest in the future of this University while providing you and your family with significant financial planning opportunities. Gifts provide the donorwith tax benefits and Willamette with critical resources to fulfill our educational mission. We encourage you to contact the Department of Athletics at 503-370-6420

or the Office of University Relations at 503-370-6552 with your questions. You can simply return the attached

envelope with your gift or pledge.

GIFT OR PLEDGE

You can choose to enclose a check or credit card payment for your gift, or you can designate a pledge amount to be fulfilled by the end of our fiscal year, which is May 31.Pledge reminders will be sent on the schedule that you determine.

BEARCAT CLUB (ANNUAL FUND)

The Bearcat Club fund is a critical component for our annual operating budget. Fundsare used to assist with department-wide needs, including awards, receptions, special equipment needs, printing and mailing expenses.

UNRESTRICTED GIFTS TO THE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

These gifts are used at the discretion of the Director of Athletics and may be used for special projects, travel, uniforms or other department needs.

ENDOWMENT

Currently, endowed funds have been established for football and rowing, and contri-butions can be made to these funds. Endowments may be established with a minimumgift of $50,000, and can be established for specific teams or programs as well as for general Athletic Department use.

DESIGNATED GIFTS

Any gift may be designated to a specific team or program. These “restricted” gifts will be used only for the designated team or program. Each sport program has its own gift fund and we also have a designated fund for women’s athletics, which provides resources to our women’s teams.

21

BEARCAT CLUB

Examples of how your support helps

• $50 provides practice gear for one student-athlete

• $100 provides a new uniform for one student-athlete

• $500 provides team travel costs for one athlete to California

• $1,200 provides a new computer for coaching staff

We encourage you to contact the Department of Athletics

at 503-370-6420 or the Office of University Relations at

503-370-6552 for more information. You can simply return

the inserted envelope with your gift or pledge.

Bearcat Business Partners

24 Hour FitnessAdam’s Rib & SmokehouseApplebee’sAmerican Family InsuranceBest Little RoadhouseCold Stone CreameryComfort SuitesCommercial Business FurnitureDan Miller PaintingDomino’s PizzaEnchanted ForestGlen Creek DentalHotel Vintage PlazaJackson JewelersLos BaezMaps Credit UnionMarco Polo Global RestaurantMcMenaminsMcNary Golf ClubMission Mill MuseumMole’s ApplianceMoonbakerMyrtle Creek Golf ClubNaomi Stukey PhotographyNed Baker Real EstateOaks Photo & DigitalOcé ImagisticsOlive GardenPT NorthwestQuiznosThe Ram Restaurant & BreweryRed Lion HotelRoly PolyRoth’s Fresh MarketSalem Emblem ShopSubwaySuper 8 MotelTraeger Pellet Grills LLCVaNatta Public RelationsVenti’s CaféThe Willamette StoreWithnell Car RentalYellow Book

Willamette University Athletics would like to thank the Bearcat Business Partners. The support provided by these businesses helps enhance our athletics program, while providing quality experiences for our student-athletes.

22

BEARCAT CLUB

FORE SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

FORE proceeds benefit the athletics program at Willamette

University. Travel, equipment, uniforms and other needs

are supported through your participation in FORE

Willamette. Willamette sponsors 20 NCAA Division III

programs serving over 500 scholar-athletes.

SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION

An array of silent auction items will be available for bidding

throughout cocktails and dinner. Selected items will be

presented during the live auction. The featured live auction

item includes a two night, all-inclusive golf weekend for

two at La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs, Calif., complete

with round trip airfare, lodging and unlimited golf. If

you have an item you wish to contribute for the auction,

LANGDON FARMS GOLF CLUB

Located just 15 miles south of downtown Portland and

just off I-5, Langdon Farms offers a championship golf

course woven into the beautiful Willamette Valley coun-

tryside. For more information visit langdonfarms.com or

call 503-678-4653.

REGISTER ON-LINE

The preferred registration vehicle is our on-line website.

You can pay safely and easily with your credit card on

our secure site, and you can register your entire team,

purchase sponsorship packages or make a gift to FORE if

you cannot participate this year. Simply go to

www.willamette.edu/athletics.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Dinner Sponsor — $2,000Dinner sponsor will receive signage on each table, news-

paper ad and website recognition, 4 playing spots.

Lunch Sponsor — $1,500Lunch sponsor will receive signage at lunch buffet,

newspaper ad and website recognition, 3 playing spots.

Corporate Foursome — $1,200Program recognition and one tee or green sponsorship,

4 playing spots.

Hole-in-One Sponsor — $1,000Includes signage on all par 3’s, program recognition,

2 playing spots.

Beverage Cart Sponsor — $750Includes signage on beverage cart at event, program

recognition.

Cart Sponsor / Long Drive Contest Sponsor — $500Includes signage at long drive contest or signs in every

cart, program recognition.

Tee / Green Sponsorship — $250Includes one tee or green sponsor sign.

One half of participant registration fees are tax deductible.

Tournament will be limited to first 132 players. Please

register as soon as possible, but not later than September

6, 2007.

FORE more information:Phone: 503-370-6420 FAX 503-370-6379

Email: bearcatclub@willamette.edu

Web: www.willamette.edu/athletics

FORE Willamette 2007Monday, September 10 • Langdon Farms Golf Club • Aurora

Schedule of Events10:30 am Registration / Range / Lunch

11:30 am Long Drive Contest

12:30 pm Shotgun Start

5:00 pm Cocktails

5:45 pm Dinner, Awards, Auction

please contact Megan Johnston at 503-370-6219.

23

BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Mission Mill Museum preserves and

interprets the structures and artifacts

related to the 1834 Methodist

Mission to Oregon and the 19th century industri-

alization of Oregon’s wool industry. The mission

and mill stories are woven together by the use

of water — water that sustained life and powered

industry. The museum acquaints our visitors with

early Oregon figures — missionary and

industrialist — who shaped Oregon, leaving

a legacy that continues to enrich our lives.

Composed of 14 historic structures including

1841 Mission houses and the historic Thomas

Kay Woolen Mill, and designated an American

Treasure by the National Park Service, Mission

Mill Museum has become one of Oregon’s most

remarkable heritage resources.

The history of Oregon interpreted at Mission Mill

Museum is closely linked with that of Willamette

University. We are proud to partner with the

University for programming, facilities and promo-

tions. Come see us. We are your history.

Mission Mill Museum’s Interpretive Timeline

1834 — Jason Lee settled the Methodist Mission at Mission Bottom

1840 — The “Great Reinforcement” arrived, the largest group of emigrants to arrive in Oregon country prior to 1842

1841 — Willamette Methodist Mission was moved to Chemeketa, present- day Salem, Oregon’s State Capital

1841 — Jason Lee House and Methodist Parsonage constructed with lumber hewn at the Mission’s water-powered saw mill

1842 — The Oregon Institute founded for the education of emigrant children and later became Willamette University

1843 — Willamette Valley settlers, including the Methodist missionaries, ratified the Provisional Government for Oregon (July 5, 1843)

1844 — The Willamette Mission effectively closed

1845 — John Boon emigrated over the Oregon Trail with his family

1847 — John Boon built his house near the location of the Lee House

1851 — John Boon appointed Territorial Treasurer

1856 — The Salem Ditch was completed, drawing water from the Santiam River to Mill Creek and enhancing power for Salem’s earliest manufacturing

1859 — John Boon elected first State Treasurer

1889 — Thomas Kay Woolen Mill incorporated

1895 — The woolen mill’s main structure burned to the ground in less than one and a half hours

1896 — The woolen mill was rebuilt with support from the Salem community

1958 — The Methodist Parsonage was moved to the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill site

1962 — Woolen Mill ceased operations

1964 — Mission Mill Museum Association formed

1965 — Jason Lee House moved to Mission Mill Museum site

1972 — John Boon House moved to Mission Mill Museum site

1984 — Pleasant Grove Church moved to Mission Mill Museum site

1989 — Mill building opened to the public

2003 — Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Building designated an America Treasure

Mission Mill Museum An American Treasure

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE

PAID

SALEM OR

PERMIT NO. 152

willamettethe first university in the west

willamette universitydepartment of athletics900 state streetsalem, or 97301

return service requested