2009 Men's Soccer Media Guide

GeoffreyOLIVERIA

ChrispineONG’ANGO

Arkenson NECKLES

2009 MERCER MEN’S SOCCER MEDIA GUIDE

2009 MERCER BEARSSOCCER

ThomasKNERR

Head Coach Brad RuzzoRyan YoungStefan Wingo

Ian Cameron

Ian Hanlon

Shawn Meek

Chrispine Ong’Ango

Sharp Sablon

Richard Wimsatt

Matt Brazer

Elias Hall

Thomas Knerr

Jack O’Malley

Zachary Rall

Dan Van Vulkinburgh

Will Betts

Will Grey

Bryson Jones

Geoffrey Oliveria

Brett Petricek

Andrew Todd

Jon Adams

Richie Edmondson

Joey Heavner

Arkenson Neckles

Charles Peterson

Philip Thoren

2009 Mercer Men’s Soccer

Asst Coach Mike Haynes

18 12 25 10

14 15 19 00

6 13 11 23

7 21 26 16

2 1 20 3

8 22 0 9

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mercer SOCCER2009

SPORTS INFORMATIONFor the Media............................................................................2

A LOOK AHEADSeason Preview..........................................................................4Opponents..................................................................6

STAFF AND ROSTERHead Coach Brad Ruzzo.............................................................11Assistant Coach Mike Haynes....................................................12Strength Coach Paul Bohr.........................................................12Trainer Ken Takenaka................................................................12Returners...................................................................14Newcomers...............................................................20Roster Breakdown....................................................................22

A LOOK BACK2008 Breakdown......................................................................24Career Records..........................................................................26Single-Season Records..............................................................26Single Game Records................................................................26Honors and Awards................................................................27Mercer All-Time vs Opponents.................................................28Year-by-Year Records................................................................28Coaching Records.....................................................................28

INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATIONMercer University.....................................................................30Facilities....................................................................31Atlantic Sun Conference..........................................................33Athletics Staff...........................................................................34

UNIVERSITY INFORMATIONLocation.............................................................................................Macon, Ga.Enrollment................................................................................7,050Founded................................................................................1833Nickname.............................................................................BearsColors.......................................................................................Orange and BlackAffiliation...................................................................................NCAA Division IConference..........................................................................Atlantic Sun (A-Sun)Field (Capacity)..........................................................................Bear Field (500)President.........................................................................William D. Underwood Alma Mater.................................................Oklahoma Baptist (1982)Athletics Director..............................................................................Bobby Pope Alma Mater....................................................Georgia College (1970)Senior Associate A.D./SWA.............................................................Sybil BlalockAthletics Phone............................................................................(478) 301-2994Athletics Fax.................................................................................(478) 301-2061

COACHING STAFFHead Coach.........................................................................................Brad Ruzzo Alma Mater...............................................................Cincinnati (1999)Career Record............................................................................................2-11-5Record at Mercer........................................................................................2-11-5Email....................................................................ruzzo_bm@mercer.eduAssistant Coach...............................................................................Mike Haynes Alma Mater...................................................................Bradley (2007)Email......................................................................haynes_md@mercer.eduBest time to reach..............................................................................Contact SIDMen’s Soccer Phone.....................................................................(478) 301-4011Men’s Soccer Fax........................................................................(478) 301-5223

HISTORYFirst year of competition.............................................................................1970All-time record..................................................................................233-359-45Conference Regular Season Titles......................................................................3Conference Tournament Titles.............................................................................2Tournament Record......................................................................................10-8Last appearance...........................................................................................2006NCAA Tournament appearances..........................................................................1Last appearance.................................................................2001, L, Kentucky, 1-0

2008 RESULTSOverall Record...........................................................................................2-11-5A-SunRecord/Finish................................................................1-5-3/6th Home/Road/Neutral..............................................................1-2-3/1-8-2/0-1-0Starters returning/lost....................................................................................8/2Letterwinners returning/lost........................................................................11/8

introduction 1

CREDITS

The 2009 Mercer men’s soccer media guide is a publication of the Mercer University Sports Information department. The guide was written by Robbie Burns. The guide was edited and designed by Meredith Noonan. Editorial assistance provided by Graduate Assistant Jason Farhadi.Cover design and layout by Meredith Noonan. Photography courtesy of Mercer University media relations, Bob Snow, Rob Murphy and A-Sun Photos. Special thanks to the members of the Mercer University sports information and men’s soccer offices. On the front cover are (On top): Thomas Knerr (On bottom going from left to right): Chrispine Ong’Ango, Geoffrey Oliveria, and Arkenson Neckles.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2009 QUICK FACTS

MERCER soccer 2009

TO THE MEDIAThe 2009 Mercer University Men’s Soccer Media Guide is intended to provide you with general information about the Mercer men’s soccer team. This information should assist you in your coverage of the team throughout the season. Should you need additional information or assistance, please contact Sports Information Director Robbie Burns at (478) 301-2735. He can also be reached via email at [email protected] or via fax at (478) 301-5350.

CREDENTIAL REQUESTSThe Sports Information Office will issue credentials to working press only. All credential requests should be made in writing at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled game.

PRACTICESAs a general rule, all practices are open to the media and the public. There may be instances, however, when all or part of a practice session is closed. Please contact the Sports Information Office in advance if you plan on attending a practice session so an escort can be made available.

INTERVIEW POLICYMedia interviews of players and coaches are encouraged, and every effort will be made to accommodate media requests. In-person interviews are preferred, but telephone interviews can be arranged through the Mercer Sports Information Office. Under no circumstances will student-athletes’ residence numbers be supplied to the media. All interviews with Mercer student-athletes should be coordinated through the Sports Information Office. Players are generally available for interviews up to 30 minutes prior to the start of practice and directly afterward. Head Coach Brad Ruzzo is generally available in the afternoon.

POST GAME INTERVIEWSFollowing a 10-minute “cooling off” period, coaches and players from both teams will be made available to media members outside each team’s respective locker room. The Sports Information Office will poll the media prior to the end of the game to determine any player requests.

FAX AND EMAIL SERVICESMedia outlets may request to be included on the broadcast fax and e-mail lists to receive updates regarding Mercer men’s soccer. The Mercer Sports Information Office fax number is (478) 301-5350. To be added, submit a request to [email protected].

SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICEThe Mercer Sports Information Office is located in Suite 135 on the first floor of the University Center.

ON THE INTERNETAdditional information on the Mercer Athletics program can be found online. News releases, player and coach biographies, historical data, live audio streaming, results and statistics on all 14 athletic programs can be found online at www.mercerbears.com.

2 sports information

sports information STAFF

SPORTS INFORMATION

Robbie BurnsDirector

Men’s Baksetball, Tennis, Cross Country, Women’s Soccer

(478) [email protected]

Andy StabellAssistant Director

Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Golf, Rifle


Jason FarhadiGraduate Assistant

Men’s Soccer, Baseball


SEASON PREVIEW AND OPPONENTS

MERCER soccer 2009

The 2008 campaign did not get off to a very smooth start for new head coach Brad Ruzzo, and that was before the season even began.

“Last year was difficult in the sense of just coming in here nine days before preseason,” he said, “and trying to get everything sorted out as far as equipment, training sessions, weight room and classes.”

He ironed out the wrinkles while handling all the coaching duties by himself. Ruzzo came to a program that had missed the Atlantic Sun tournament for the first time in ten years. In the 2008 season pre-season poll, the Bears were picked to finish last in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Ruzzo’s outlook was much brighter than what the prognosticators were predicting.

“I truly expect this team to compete in the conference and make the conference tournament,” Ruzzo said last year.

That’s exactly what they did. Despite a 2-11-5 record in his first campaign, Ruzzo’s squad were in virtually every contest. Of their 11 loses, six came by one goal and two more by a two goal margin. They finished sixth in the A-Sun and made the conference tournament. “The guys worked hard,” he said. “Every game, except for two or three, we were in. I felt like the guys gave a 100 percent effort every time out, and they tried to do the things I asked them to do.”

There was one glaring improvement Ruzzo saw last season that he hopes will carry over into his second year with Mercer. “The number one thing in my mind was just competitiveness,” Ruzzo said. “It was their willingness to compete no matter what the score was or how they were feeling physically or mentally. I had other coach’s comment that your team is so competitive, and I’ve never seen that before.’ These are coaches that have seen this team play in the past. I wanted us to go above and beyond the natural competitive spirit.”

What he saw at the end of the season transferred to the spring. “Organizationally within our team, on the field, both attack and defending was better in the sense of how we are trying to do things,” Ruzzo said. “Hopefully, we built some building blocks, and I think the spring season proved it. We went 2-0-2, so the guys experienced winning again. I think that’s always important when you are trying to build a new culture.”

Ruzzo, along with new assistant coach Mike Haynes, are ready to cultivate this fresh attitude even more. “I’m real excited about this season,” he said. “I’ve been chomping at the bit every day that it comes closer and I’m sure the guys have to. With 12 returning players and 14 newcomers, we have a good mixture of upperclassmen and freshmen. The key is going to be how soon they mold and gel together which I think can take place quickly. There is going to be a lot of teaching in the preseason, and I feel like a lot of the newcomers can help us out with the returning guys.”

ForwardsThe Bears will have to replace their leading offensive threat from last season, Bolade Ogunmade. The Scottish scorer accounted for seven of Mercer’s 17 goals last year and became the first Bear to make the Atlantic Sun All-Conference First Team since 2005. Filling those shoes will be a combination of experience and youth led by senior, Arkenson Neckles. A native of Grenada, Neckles was the team’s second leading goal scorer in 2008 with four tallies. Also in the mix will be Jamaican Youth National Team member Richard

Edmondson, as well as local products John Adams and Bryson Jones, from First Presbyterian Day School and McIntosh High School, respectively.

MidfieldersMercer returns a solid core of experienced players to this position that includes seniors Thomas Knerr and Chrispine Ong’Ango, junior Ian Cameron and sophomores Philip Thoren and Richard Wimsatt. Cameron, an Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman team selection in 2007, led the squad in assists with five while scoring twice. He is tied with Neckles for the leading returner in points, with nine.

“Ian made tremendous strides in trying to become a more dangerous midfielder while also being responsible on defending the ball,” Ruzzo said. “Everyone on our team is a two-way player. No one is a luxury.”

Knerr handed out three assists, Ong’Ango, who is coming off knee surgery this past spring, had two helpers and Thoren totaled five points on two goals and one assist. Wimsatt saw action in 15 games last season, accounting for one assist. “Knerr will be a senior and made great strides last year with understanding the role he’s playing,” Ruzzo said, “and he’s doing it perfectly. We’re not asking him to do a lot of things, but we are asking him to do two or three things and do them very good. He understands that.

“Wimsatt went away for the summer to California to play in the PDL (Premier Development League) for the Orange County Blue

2009 A-Sun Preseason Coaches Poll

# School (1st Place Votes) Points1 Jacksonville (6) 922 Campbell (2) 853 Lipscomb (1) 784 Stetson 725 Belmont 606 FGCU 557 ETSU 368 UNF 339 Mercer 2210 USC Upstate 17

Tournament Champion: Jacksonville

4 season preview

2009 SEASON PREVIEW

mercer SOCCER2009

Stars. PDL is the top amateur league in America. We are intrigued to see what he can do when he gets back. We’ve got some depth at the wide position with three or four guys coming in who can play those spots.” Freshman Sharpe Sablon, Stafan Wingo and Matt Brazer are also looking to get into the mix in their first year in the Orange and Black.

DefendersRuzzo, a star defender during his collegiate days at the University of Cincinnati, feels Mercer “will be very solid” on the defensive side of the ball. The group will be led by senior Geoffrey Oliveria who played in all 18 games last season. He will be joined by sophomores Charles Peterson, Zachary Rall and Ryan Young. Combined, the trio played in 39 games over their freshman season.

Newcomers to the backfield include freshmen Will Betts, Will Grey, Jack O’Malley, Joey Heavner and Shawn Meek“We’ve got anywhere from seven to eight guys that are competing for four spots back there,” Ruzzo said. “We will be solid as a collective group. We’re going to have to be pretty tight back there to protect our goalkeeper, whoever it may be.”

GoalkeeperGone between the pipes is veteran David Bird who logged over 1,700 minutes last year. Bird posted 95 saves in 18 games, a 5.27 average per contest. The battle for the 2009 net-minder will be a tough one.

“It’s completely wide open,” Ruzzo said. “We have no idea who is going to start or play the most minutes. Basically, we have four freshmen goalkeepers on our team, but we feel very comfortable in the group that we have. It’s certainly a big position that we wanted to target in the recruiting process.”

Vying for the position will be sophomore Daniel VanValkinburgh, who red-shirted last year, along with freshmen Ian Hanlon, Brett Petricek, and Andrew Todd. “Whoever starts there is going to have their first NCAA Division-I minutes, that’s for sure,” Ruzzo said.

ScheduleFollowing two exhibition matches against Clayton State and Middle Georgia College, the Bears opener their 2009 season with three extremely difficult opponents in Alabama A&M, Eastern Illinois and Bradley. Each squad was ranked in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) Top 100 last year.

“The first three games are going to test us quite a bit,” Ruzzo said. “Our opening game is at home against Alabama A&M who beat us 5-0 last year. They are going to be good and it’s going to be a great task for us.”

Following that, Mercer travels to Bradley University to play in their annual tournament. Two years ago, Bradley made the NCAA Elite Eight and is a consistent contender for the Missouri Valley title. Ruzzo is familiar with the caliber of play having coached at Bradley for eight years.

“We are going to play in one of the finest facilities in the country,” he said. “The first game against Eastern Illinois will be tough and then we play Bradley. There will be 1,000 to 2,000 people in the stands. We are kind of throwing the guys to the wolves a little bit to see how they can handle it. We’re going to deal with adverse situations throughout the season so why not get them into those situations right away.”

The rest of the non-conference schedule will feature tough matches against the likes of Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb. Wedged in the middle of conference play is a tilt against Conference USA foe, Central Florida.

According to Ruzzo, “all the conference games are a dogfight.” In 2008, four of the Bears six conference losses (including the A-Sun tournament) were by one goal. Three other contests ended in double-overtime ties.

“You can’t take anything away from Campbell or Jacksonville,” he said. “I would say they are the guys looking ahead and everyone else is trying to catch them. Still, I think this is a conference where you could go either worst to first or first to worst.”

Entering his second season, Ruzzo will again challenge his charges and keep his goals high. “Obviously, we want to get in the conference tournament and compete for the tournament championship,” he said. “You can see, we can be young and we can be old in places or it can be a mixture. I do expect our newcomers to come in and compete right away. We are going to throw our guys to the wolves early. We might get wounded, but we’re going to be much better, thicker, and tougher, mentally and physically down the road.”

season preview 5

MERCER soccer 2009

6 opponents

Location Huntsville, Ala.Enrollment 6,000Colors Maroon and WhiteConference IndependentInterim President Dr. Beverly EdmundAthletics Director Betty K. Austin

Alabama A&M Sept. 1, 5 p.m. at Macon, Ga.

Head Coach Salah YousifOverall Record (Years) 282-116-24 (25)Record at Alabama A&M (Years) 234-109-23 (20)2008 Overall Record 9-5-32008 Independent Record (Finish) N/AWeb site www.AAMUSports.com

Location Charleston, Ill.Enrollment 11,157Colors Blue and GrayConference Missouri ValleyPresident Dr. William PerryAthletics Director Barbara Burke

Eastern Illinois Sept. 4, 7 p.m. at Peoria, Ill.

Head Coach Adam Howarth Overall Record (Years) 69-84-16 (10)Record at Clayton State (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 5-11-32008 MVC Record (Finish) 0-5 (6th) Web site http://eiupanthers.com

Location Peoria, Ill.Enrollment 5,873Colors Red and WhiteConference Missouri ValleyPresident Joanne K. GlasserInterim Athletics Director Virnette House-Browning

Bradley Braves Sept. 6, 8 p.m. at Peoria, Ill.

Head Coach Jim DeRoseOverall Record (Years) 189-97-27 (13)Record at Clayton State (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 6-12-22008 MVC Record (Finish) 1-4-0 (5th)Web site www.bradleybraves.com

Location Spartanburg, S.C.Enrollment 1,400Colors Old Gold and BlackConference Southern (SoCon)President Dr. Benjamin B. DunlapAthletics Director Richard A. Johnson

Wofford Terriers Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. at Greenville, S.C.

Head Coach Ralph PolsonOverall Record (Years) 202-116-26 (18) Record at Wofford (Years) 6-13 (1)2008 Overall Record 6-13-02008 SoCon Record (Finish) 2-5 (7th)Web site http://athletics.wofford.edu

Location Atlanta, Ga.Enrollment 28,000Colors Blue and WhiteConference Colonial Athletic AssociationPresident Dr. Carl V. PattonAthletics Director Mary McElroy

Georgia State Panthers Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at Atlanta, Ga.

Head Coach Kerem DaserOverall Record (Years) 63-89-9 (8)Record at Georgia State (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 6-8-42008 CAA Record (Finish) 2-6-3 (11th)Web site www.GeorgiaStateSports.com

OPPONENTS

mercer SOCCER2009

Location Boiling Springs, N.C. Enrollment 3,900Colors Red and BlackConference Big SouthPresident Dr. A. Frank BonnerAthletics Director Chuck Burch

Gardner-Webb Sept. 18, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Head Coach Tony SetzerOverall Record (Years) 141-229-24 (19)Record at Gardner-Webb (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 6-12-02008 Big South Record (Finish) 5-3-0 (3rd)Web site www.gwusports.com

Location Statesboro, Ga.Enrollment 16,841Colors Blue and WhiteConference Southern (SoCon)President Dr. Bruce GrubeAthletics Director Sam Baker

Georgia Southern Eagles Sept. 20, 5 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Head Coach Kevin KennedyOverall Record (Years) 24-26-4 (3)Record at Georgia Southern (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 8-8-12008 SoCon Record (Finish) 4-3-0 (T-2nd)Web site www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com

Location Boone, N.C.Enrollment 16,600Colors Black and GoldConference Southern (SoCon)Chancellor Dr. Kenneth E. PeacockAthletics Director Charlie Cobb

Appalachian State Sept. 25, 4 p.m. at Boone, N.C.

Head Coach Shaun PendletonOverall Record (Years) 330-61-12 (20)Record at ASU (Years) 10-8-0 (1) 2008 Overall Record Same2008 SoCon Record (Finish) 4-3-0 (T-2nd)Web site www.goasu.com

Location Nashville, Tenn.Enrollment 5,017Colors Navy, Red and WhiteConference Atlantic SunPresident Dr. Robert C. FisherAthletics Director Mike Strickland

Belmont Bruins Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. at Nashville, Tenn.

Head Coach Earle DavidsonOverall Record (Years) 69-132-13 (13)Record at Belmont (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 11-8-22008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 4-3-2 (5th)Web site www.BelmontBruins.com

Location Nashville, Tenn.Enrollment 3,054Colors Purple and GoldConference Atlantic SunPresident Dr. Randolph Lowry IIIAthletics Director Philip Hutcheson

Lipscomb Bisons Oct. 3, 7 p.m. at Nashville, Tenn.

Head Coach Charles MorrowOverall Record (Years) 26-42-9 (4)Record at Lipscomb (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 10-8-32008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 5-3-1 (3rd)Web site www.LipscombSports.com

opponents 7

MERCER soccer 2009

8 opponents

Location Johnson City, Tenn.Enrollment 13,389Colors Navy Blue and Old GoldConference Atlantic SunPresident Dr. Paul E. Stanton, Jr.Athletics Director Dave Mullins

ETSU Buccaneers Oct. 8, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Head Coach Scott CalabreseOverall Record (Years) 6-10-1 (2)Record at ETSU (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 6-10-12008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 1-7-1 (T-7th)Web site www.ETSUBucs.com

Location Spartanburg, S.C.Enrollment 5,000Colors Dark Green, White and BlackConference Atlantic SunChancellor John C. Stockwell, Ph.D.Athletics Director Mike Hall

USC Upstate Spartans Oct. 10, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Head Coach Greg HooksOverall Record (Years) 278-102-24 (21)Record at USC Upstate (Years) 188-72-18 (14)2008 Overall Record 2-15-12008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 1-7-1 (T-7th)Web site www.UpstateSpartans.com

Location Orlando, Fla.Enrollment 50,254Colors Black and GoldConference Conference USAPresident Dr. John C. Hitt Athletics Director Keith R. Tribble

Central Florida Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. at Orlando, Fla.

Head Coach Bryan CunninghamOverall Record (Years) 11-23-3 (2)Record at Central Florida (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 7-11-12008 Conf. USA record (Finish) 3-4-1 (T-5th)Web site http://ucfathletics.cstv.com

Location Buies Creek, N.C.Enrollment 6,834Colors Orange and BlackConference Atlantic SunPresident Dr. Jerry M. WallaceAthletics Director Stan Williamson

Campbell Fighting Camels Oct. 17, 4 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Head Coach Doug HessOverall Record (Years) 66-60-8 (7)Record at Campbell (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 14-6-02008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 9-0-0 (1st, Tournament Runner-up)Web site www.GoCamels.com

Location Fort Myers, Fla.Enrollment 11,200Colors Cobalt Blue and Emerald GreenConference Atlantic SunPresident Dr. Wilson G. BradshawAthletics Director Ken Kavanagh

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Oct. 22, 7 p.m. at Fort Myers, Fla.

Head Coach Bob ButehornOverall Record (Years) 48-52-7 (6)Record at Florida Gulf Coast (Years) 14-20-3 (2)2008 Overall Record 6-10-22008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 3-5-1 (N/A)Web site www.FGCUAthletics.com

mercer SOCCER2009

opponents 9

Location DeLand, Fla.Enrollment 2,492Colors Hunter Green and WhiteConference Atlantic SunPresident Dr. H. Douglas LeeAthletics Director Jeff Altier

Stetson Hatters Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at DeLand, Fla.

Head Coach T. Logan FleckOverall Record (Years) 68-36-10 (8)Record at Stetson (Years) 19-12-4 (2)2008 Overall Record 8-7-22008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 5-3-1 (4th)Web site www.GoHatters.com

Location Jacksonville, Fla.Enrollment 3,436Colors Green and GoldConference Atlantic SunPresident Dr. Kerry RomesburgAthletics Director Alan Verlander

Jacksonville Dolphins Oct. 29, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Head Coach Mike JohnsonOverall Record (Years) 125-92-11 (9)Record at Jacksonville (Years) 50-51-13 (6)2008 Overall Record 12-9-12008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 7-2 (2nd)Web site www.JUDolphins.com

Location Jacksonville, Fla.Enrollment 17,000Colors Navy Blue and GrayConference Atlantic SunPresident John DelaneyAthletics Director Dr. Richard Gropper

North Florida Ospreys Oct. 31, 7 p.m. at Macon, Ga. (Bear Field)

Head Coach Ray BunchOverall Record (Years) 149-138-21 (19)Record at UNF (Years) Same2008 Overall Record 9-10-02008 A-Sun Record (Finish) 4-5-0 (N/A)Web site www.UNFOspreys.com

August20 #Clayton State Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 24 #Middle Georgia Macon, Ga. 6:00 p.m.

September 1 Alabama A&M Macon, Ga. 5:00 p.m. 4 Eastern Illinois Peoria, Ill. 7:00 p.m.6 %Bradley Peoria, Ill. 8 :00 p.m.11 Georgia State Atlanta, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 13 Wofford Greenville, S.C. 3:30 p.m. 18 Gardner-Webb Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 20 Georgia Southern Macon, Ga. 5:00 p.m. 25 Appalachian State Boone, N.C. 4:00 p.m.

2009 SCHEDULE

October1 * Belmont Nashville, Tenn. 7:30 p.m. 3 * Lipscomb Nashville, Tenn. 7:00 p.m. 8 * ETSU Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 10 * USC Upstate Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 13 Central Florida Orlando, Fla. 7:30 p.m. 17 * Campbell Macon, Ga. 4:00 p.m. 22 * FGCU Fort Myers, Fla. 7:00 p.m.24 * Stetson DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m. 29 * Jacksonville Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 31 * North Florida Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m.

Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament: November 6

All Games are Eastern Time Home Matches in bold played at Bear Field * A-Sun Conference Match #Exhibition Match %Busey Bank Kickoff Festival

opponents

MEET THE BEARS

mercer SOCCER2009

Brad Ruzzo enters his second season as the head coach of the Mercer men’s soccer program. Despite a 2-11-5 record in his first campaign, Ruzzo’s charges were in virtually every contest. Of their 11 loses, six came by one goal and two more by a two goal margin. In the preseason, the Bears’ were picked to finish last, but their sixth place finish in the Atlantic Sun earned them a spot in the conference tournament.

Ruzzo came to Mercer from one of the Missouri Valley Conference’s elite programs, Bradley University. He spent the past eight seasons as the Braves’ top assistant and the last five as their associate head coach.

While at Bradley, Ruzzo and the Braves went to the NCAA Tournament four times, captured three Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championships and won the State Farm MVC Tournament title in 2007 while compiling a 101-54-25 (.631) record. The 2007 squad enjoyed the best postseason run in the program’s history, bowing out in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. In 2003, Ruzzo claimed the title as one of the nation’s top assistant coaches by College Soccer News.

Ruzzo’s tenure at Bradley saw many student-athletes earn positive recognition. The Braves produced eight All-Americans, six Major League Soccer SuperDraft selections, 37 All-MVC selections, two MVC Defensive Players of the Year, two MVC Freshmen of the Year and one MVC Player of the Year. During the same period, Ruzzo saw Bradley develop eight ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and NSCAA Scholar All-Americans, 11 CoSIDA District V and NSCAA Region Scholar-Athletes and 25 Valley Scholar Athletes.

Ruzzo also held the position of co-director for the Central Illinois Soccer Academy, which works with more than 1,200 youth players throughout the year. In addition to his responsibilities as co-director, Ruzzo also served as the event coordinator for the program’s annual Chicagoland Golf Outing and a coach for CISA’s U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-23 club teams since 2003.

Prior to joining the staff at Bradley, Ruzzo starred at the University of Cincinnati, where he was a four-year letter-winner as a defenseman for the Bearcats. He started 77 games from 1995 to 1998 and earned a second-team All-Conference USA selection in 1998. As a senior, he served as the team captain, was chosen team MVP and led Cincinnati to the NCAA Tournament. In 1998, he helped the Bearcat defense pitch six shutouts and held opponents to a 0.89 goals-against average.

Ruzzo and his wife, Tandis, have a son, Kellen, who is 18 months old.

Head CoachSecond YearCincinnati, 1999

Brad Ruzzoruzzo’s EDUCATIONUniversity of Cincinnati, 1999 Bachelor of Arts in Economics

coaching EXPERIENCE1996-97 Wyoming (Ohio) H.S. Assistant Coach1997-99 Lakota Premier U-16 Boys Head Coach1999-00 Club Ohio/Dynamo U-17 & U-18 Boys Head Coach1999-00 Xavier University Assistant Coach2000-02 Bradley University Assistant Coach2003-07 Central Illinois Soccer Academy U-17, U-18, U-19 & U-23 Coach2003-07 Bradley University Associate Head Coach2008- Mercer University Head Coach

playing EXPERIENCE1995-1998 University of Cincinnati

playing HONORS2nd Team All-Conference USA, ‘981998 NCAA Tourney Appearance

the

RUZZO

file

head coach brad ruzzo 11

RUZZO AT MERCER

Year Record A-Sun Finish2008 2-11-5 (.111) 1-5-3 (.111) 6th

HEAD COACH

MERCER soccer 2009

Assistant CoachFirst Year

Bradley, 2007

Mike Haynes

Athletic TrainerSecond Year

Central Florida, 2008

Ken Takenaka

Ken Takenaka begins his third year with the Mercer Athletics Department as an athletic training graduate assistant. Takenaka will work with the men’s soccer, cheer and dance teams while pursuing a master’s degree in education at Mercer’s Tift College of Education.

As an undergraduate, Takenaka completed his studies at the University of Central Florida in 2008, graduating with honors. He received his Bachelor of Science from Central Florida in health sciences with a concentration in athletic training and a minor in health sciences. While at Central Florida, Takenaka worked with several Knights athletic squads, including men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s track and football. When he wasn’t working with collegiate athletes, Takenaka also put in time at a local high school in addition to Amanda Cromwell’s Central Florida Soccer Academy.

Strength CoachThird Year

Central Florida, 1989

Paul Bohr

Paul Bohr enters his third season as the first full-time strength and conditioning coach at Mercer. Bohr’s dedication and attention to detail have immediately paid dividends to the Bears’ athletic programs. Bohr came to Mercer after spending two years as an assistant strength coach at the College of Charleston. While at College of Charleston, Bohr designed and implemented strength and conditioning, along with speed programs for numerous Cougar athletic teams. The Winter Park, Fla., native began his collegiate career as an assistant strength coach at UC Riverside in August 2004 prior to joining the UCLA athletics program in January 2005. While at UCLA, Bohr worked with the Bruins’ football program assisting with speed development while also teaching and monitoring exercise techniques and developing weight management and nutrition training for student-athletes. Bohr is a certified fitness trainer, sports performance nutritionist and specialist in sports conditioning along with being a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Paul has been coaching and working with athletes since 2000, designing fitness and speed development programs. A 1989 graduate from UCF with a bachelor’s of business administration, Bohr later received his master’s degree in physical education from Cal State-Dominguez Hills.

Mike Haynes joins the Mercer men’s soccer program as the first assistant coach in the Brad Ruzzo era. Haynes comes to Mercer following a stellar collegiate career with the Bradley University Braves.

A two-time Missouri Valley All-Conference selection in 2006 (honorable mention) and 2007 (second team) at goalkeeper, Haynes helped lead the Braves to a pair of conference championships, a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight and number eight ranking in America in 2007.

Haynes is Bradley’s all-time leader in goals against average at 1.00. He also ranks in the top five in five other categories (shutouts-14.5, minutes played-4,323, victories-24, winning percentage-.609 and save percentage-.796). The four-year letter-winner was chosen as the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week in 2007 and received the Bradley Coaches Award twice.

The Illinois native played PDL soccer for the Ogden Outlaw and Sioux Falls Spitfire. Haynes also served as head of goalkeeper training for the Central Illinois Soccer Academy from 2004-2007. He majored in Risk Management and Insurance at Bradley.

ASSISTANT COACH & SUPPORT STAFF

12 staff

mercer SOCCER2009

roster 13

No. Player Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown/Previous School 00 Ian Hanlon GK 6-5 Fr. Prairieville, La./Dutchtown HS 0 Daniel VanValkinburg GK 5-11 So. Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor School 1 Brett Petricek GK 6-1 Fr. Woodridge, Ill./Downer Grove HS 2 Charles Peterson D 5-8 So. Newnan, Ga./Newnan HS 3 Sharpe Sablon MF 6-0 Fr. Rome, Ga./Darlington HS 5 Ryan Young MF 6-2 So. Conyers, Ga./Rockdale County HS 6 Joey Heavner D 6-1 Fr. Landisville, Penn./Hempfield HS 7 Arkenson Neckles F/MF 6-4 Sr. St. George’s, Grenada/Grenada Boys Secondary 8 Philip Thoren F/MF 6-0 So. Vaxholm, Sweden/Danderyds HS 9 Richard Wimsatt F 5-6 So. Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County HS 10 Ian Cameron MF 5-11 Jr. Glasgow, Scotland/Nyndland Secondary 11 Thomas Knerr F 5-9 Sr. Augusta, Ga./Augusta Prep Day School 12 Will Betts MF/D 6-2 Fr. Brenham, Texas/Brenham HS 13 Bryson Jones F 6-2 Fr. Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh HS 14 Richie Edmondson F 6-3 Fr. Kent, Conn./Kent Prep HS 15 Will Grey D 6-2 Fr. Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian HS 16 Chrispine Ong’Ango F 5-10 Sr. Nairobi, Kenya/St. Mary’s HS 18 Jon Adams MF/F 5-10 Fr. Macon, Ga./First Presbyterian Day School 19 Elias Hall F 6-1 Fr. Perry, Ga./Perry HS 20 Zachary Rall F/D 5-10 So. Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista 21 Geoffrey Oliveria M 5-11 Sr. Lutz, Fla./Tampa Catholic 22 Andrew Todd GK 6-2 Fr. Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay HS 23 Shawn Meek D 6-1 Fr. Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS 24 Stefan Wingo MF/D 5-10 Fr. Champaign, Ill./Centennial HS 25 Matt Brazer MF 5-10 Fr. Lawrenceville, Ga./Peachtree Ridge HS26 Jack O’Malley MF 6-2 Fr. Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro HS

No. Player Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown/Previous School 18 Jon Adams MF/F 5-10 Fr. Macon, Ga./First Presbyterian Day School 12 Will Betts MF/D 6-2 Fr. Brenham, Texas/Brenham HS 25 Matt Brazer MF 5-10 Fr. Warner Robins, Ga./Peachtree Ridge HS10 Ian Cameron MF 5-11 Jr. Glasgow, Scotland/Nyndland Secondary 14 Richie Edmondson F 6-3 Fr. Kent, Conn./Kent Prep HS 15 Will Grey D 6-2 Fr. Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian HS 19 Elias Hall F 6-1 Fr. Perry, Ga./Perry HS 00 Ian Hanlon GK 6-5 Fr. Prairieville, La./Dutchtown HS 6 Joey Heavner D 6-1 Fr. Landisville, Penn./Hempfield HS 13 Bryson Jones F 6-2 Fr. Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh HS 11 Thomas Knerr F 5-9 Sr. Augusta, Ga./Augusta Prep Day School 23 Shawn Meek D 6-1 Fr. Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS 7 Arkenson Neckles F/MF 6-4 Sr. St. George’s, Grenada/Grenada Boys Secondary 21 Geoffrey Oliveria M 5-11 Sr. Lutz, Fla./Tampa Catholic 26 Jack O’Malley MF 6-2 Fr. Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro HS16 Chrispine Ong’Ango F 5-10 Sr. Nairobi, Kenya/St. Mary’s HS 2 Charles Peterson D 5-8 So. Newnan, Ga./Newnan HS 1 Brett Petricek GK 6-1 Fr. Woodridge, Ill./Downer Grove HS 20 Zachary Rall F/D 5-10 So. Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista 3 Sharpe Sablon MF 6-0 Fr. Rome, Ga./Darlington HS 4 Dominic Stockdale D 6-0 So. Manchester, England/Card. Langley R.C. HC8 Philip Thoren F/MF 6-0 So. Vaxholm, Sweden/Danderyds HS 22 Andrew Todd GK 6-2 Fr. Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay HS 0 Daniel VanValkinburg GK 5-11 So. Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor School 9 Richard Wimsatt F 5-6 So. Lawrenceville, Ga./Houston County HS 24 Stefan Wingo MF/D 5-10 Fr. Champaign, Ill./Centennial HS 5 Ryan Young MF 6-2 So. Conyers, Ga./Rockdale County HS

NUMERICAL ROSTER

ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

Pronunciation Guide6 Phillip Calderon Call-der-own11 Thomas Knerr K-ner 21 Geoffrey Oliveria Ah-liv-era 8 Philip Thoren Thor-ein 10 Chrispine Ong’Ango Ong-nge-oh 1 Brett Petricek pa-tree-sec3 Sharpe Sablon sah-Blaw(n)

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

MERCER soccer 2009

SENIORS

14 players

Thomas Knerr Forward 5’9 160 lbsSeniorAugusta, Ga. Augusta Day Prep School

CAREER STATISTICSYear GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points2008 18/7 11 0 3 32007 16/14 5 0 2 22006 7/0 1 0 0 0

TOTAL 41/11 17 0 5 5

SeniorSt. George’s, GrenadaGrenada Boys Secondary

CAREER STATISTICSYear GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points2008 15/9 23 4 1 9

TOTAL 15/9 23 4 1 9

Arkenson NecklesForward/Mid 6’4 165 lbs

2008Started in 17 out of a possible 18 games ... finished third on the team with three assists and tied for fifth on the team with three points … one of only five Bears to tally double figure shot attempts, with 11 ... four of his shots were on goal, giving him a .364 shots on goal percentage ... handed out the Bears’ first assist of the season in a 1-1 season opening tie at NC State (Aug. 31) … assisted on the eventual game-winning goal in Mercer’s 4-1 victory over FGCU (Oct. 2) … tallied his third helper of the season in a 4-3 loss to A-Sun foe Lipscomb (Oct.18).

2007Appeared in 16 games, starting 14…recorded an assist versus Alabama A&M on Sept. 14…attempted a shot and assisted on the Bears’ only goal in a 3-1 loss at Evansville on Sept. 21

2006Saw action in seven games…fired a shot against Furman on Sept. 23

High SchoolNamed all-state twice as a member of the Augustana Prep Day School squad…three times earned a position on the all-region team.

PersonalSon of James and Alama Knerr…majoring in industrial engineering

2008Saw significant playing time as a freshman starting in nine of 15 games played…scored second most goals on the team with four…tied for second with 23 shots and nine points…had nine shots on goal…accounted for one assist…scored first collegiate goal on Sept. 14 in a 2-1 loss to Georgia State…found the back of the net against Lipscomb (Oct. 18, Nov. 12), and a game-winner against Georgia Southern (Oct. 28)…lone assist came in a 2-2 tie versus ETSU (Oct. 23).

High SchoolNamed MVP and Player of the Year in 2005 for Grenada Boys Secondary School…scored 21 goals and distributed 12 assists in 2005.

PersonalSon of Carl Chase and Sandra Neckles…born on 3/15/85 in Grenada…majoring in marketing.

11 7

mercer SOCCER2009

2008Appeared in all 18 games as a junior, earning a starting nod in 16 contests.

2007Saw action in two games as a sophomore…earned a spot on the A-Sun All-Academic team.

2006Appeared in six of Mercer’s 18 games.

2005Sat out as a redshirt.

High SchoolFour-time letterwinner in soccer, track, swimming, and cross country…received all-county honors in each of the four sports in which he participated…earned all-state honors in soccer…led the team in goals as a senior…played AAU soccer for HCU and Blackwatch.

PersonalSon of David and Denise Oliveria…born on 3/23/87 in Honolulu, Hawaii…has one sister, Laura…member of the honor roll and the Spanish Honor Society in high school…a mechanical engineering major.

players 15

Geoffrey OliveriaMidfielder 5’11 150 lbsSeniorLutz, Fla.Tampa Catholic High School


TOTAL 26/16 0 0 0 0

Chrispine Ong’AngoForward 5’10 160 lbsSeniorNairobi, KenyaSt. Mary’s High School

2008Appeared in all 18 games, making 10 starts … tallied two points on the strength of two assists … finished with nine shots, including two on goal for a .222 shots on goal percentage ... assisted on the Bears only goal in a 1-1 tie against A-Sun rival Belmont (Oct. 16) … tallied two shots and assisted on Arkenson Neckles’ game-winning goal in a 1-0 triumph over in-state rival Georgia Southern (Oct. 28).

2007Started 11 games and appeared in 15…registered an assist and attempted two shots at Memphis on Sept. 23…attempted two shots on two more occasions, against UNF on Oct. 4 and Gardner-Webb on Oct. 20…named to the A-Sun All-Academic Team.

2006Appeared in 10 games and started five…registered a season-high two shots on three occasions, including matches at FAU (Sept. 8), against Berry (Sept. 20) and at Lipscomb (Oct. 6)…notched at least one shot in all 10 appearances…earned a place on the A-Sun All-Academic squad.

High SchoolAttended St. Mary’s High School

PersonalSon of Reuben and Sylvia Oduor…born 8/15/86 in Nairobi, Kenya…has one brother, Erick Oduor…majoring in accounting and finance.


TOTAL 42/26 31 0 3 3

21 16

MERCER soccer 2009

RETURNERS

16 players

Forward 6’1 180 lbsRedshirt FreshmanPerry, Ga.Perry High School

2008Redshirted.

High SchoolTwo-time (2007-2008) all-region selection…member of the All-Middle Georgia team from 2006-2008…scored 55 career goals at Perry High School…posted 16 scores as a junior and 18 as a senior…three-time varsity soccer letter-winner…helped lead Perry HS to a 16-2 record in 2008 and a Sweet 16 spot in 2007…member of National Honor Society, school honor roll and AP Scholar Award winner.

PersonalSon of Susann and David Hall…born 5/6/90…has eight siblings, including six sisters and two brothers…father was a member of the Cal-Poly University varsity cycling team…majoring in engineering.

CAREER STATISTICSYear GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points2008 Redshirted

Elias HallIan CameronMidfielder 5’11 170 lbsJuniorGlasgow, ScotlandNyndland Secondary

2008Appeared in 15 games, making 14 starts … tied for second on the team with nine points on the strength of two goals and a team-high five assists … finished fourth on the team with 19 shots, including 10 on goal for a team-high .528 shots on goal percentage … registered his first multi-goal performance of his career when he tallied two goals, one of which was a converted penalty kick, in a 4-1 rout of FGCU (Oct. 2) … recorded back-to-back two assist games in a loss against Lipscomb (Oct. 18) and a 2-2 draw against ETSU (Oct. 23).

2007Started all 19 games for the Bears in 2007…landed a spot on the A-Sun All-Freshman team…tied for second on the team with eight points…third on the team with three goals…tied for second with two assists…attempted a career-high five shots against UNF on Oct. 4…first career goals was a game-winner at Alabama A&M on Sept. 14…16 of 20 shots were on-goal.

High SchoolAttended Nyndland Secondary HS

PersonalSon of Ian and Wendy Cameron…born 5/23/88…has one sister, Kayleigh…represented Scotland National Team at U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels.

CAREER STATISTICSYear GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points2008 15/14 19 2 5 92007 19/19 20 3 2 8

TOTAL 34/33 39 5 7 17

10 19

mercer SOCCER2009

players 17

Charles PetersonDefender 5’8 150 lbs Forward/Def. 5’10 147 lbs

SophomorePheonix, AZDesert Vista

2008Saw action in 12 games…accounted for one shot on the year.

High SchoolFirst team All-Central Region…First team East Valley Tribune…Second team All-State and All-Southeastern Valley…Earned two varsity soccer letters at Desert Vista…member of the National Honor Society.

PersonalSon of Jack and Sandra Rall…born 12/19/89…has one sister, Samantha…majoring in business

Zachary Rall

SophomoreNewnan, Ga.Newnan High School

2008Started 17 of 18 games in his first full season of action with the Bears…scored one goal from his defender position, accounting for two points…one goal came in a 1-1 tie against Howard University at Bear Field (Sept. 13)…took four total shots in 2008, one on goal.

2007Sat out the season with a redshirt.

High SchoolLettered four years in soccer…awarded Woodsman of the Year…named Senior Varsity MVP as a senior.

PersonalSon of Robert and Laura Peterson…born in Denver, Colo…has one brother, Cory…majoring in English..


TOTAL 18/17 4 1 0 2


TOTAL 12/8 1 0 0 0

2 20

MERCER soccer 2009

18 players

Dan Van ValkinburghGoalkeeper 5’11 170 lbsSophomoreChattanooga, Tenn.Baylor School

2008Redshirted.

High SchoolFour-year letter-winner in soccer and three-year letter-winner in football…member of the TWSA All-State team in 2007 and 2008…named to the TSSAA Coaches All-State team in 2007…helped Baylor to a state title in 2007…played AAU soccer for Chattanooga Futbol Club…a 2008 Scholar Athlete…placed on the 2007 Army Preseason All-Academic squad in 2007.

PersonalSon of Pete and Patty VanValkinburgh…born 9/12/89 in Mission Viejo, Calif…has one sister, Katie…a Pre-Med major.

CAREER STATISTICSYear GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points2008 Redshirted

Philip ThorenForward/Mid 6’0 160 lbsSophomoreVaxholm, SwedanDanderyds High School

2008Started 14 of 18 games as a true freshman…recorded two goals in initial collegiate season…tied for first on team with shots on goal (11) and second with most shots (23)…delivered one assist… accounted for five total points…first career goal came in 1-1 tie versus Stetson (Oct. 4)…scored late goal against ETSU (Oct. 23) to ensure a 2-2 tie.

High SchoolPlayed AAU Soccer for the Vallentuna BK and coach Christer Mattiasson…voted Talent of the Year in the Soccer Association in 2004.

PersonalSon of Lars and Nomica Thoren…born 5/14/87 in Vallentuna, Sweden…has one sister, Madeleine…majoring in business.


TOTAL 18/14 23 2 1 5

8 0

mercer SOCCER2009

players 19

Dan Van Valkinburgh Ryan YoungMidfielder 6’2 160 lbsSophomoreConyers, Ga.Rockdale County High School

2008Played in nine games and started eight…three of eight total shots were on goal.

High SchoolThree-year letterwinner in soccer, football, and swimming…played for coach Brian Travis...named the team’s Attacker of the Year…landed a spots on the all-area and all-region teams…team’s leading goal-scorer and winner of the Don Jenkings Award…tallied 48 goals and 33 assists throughout career.

PersonalSon of Rudy and Trish Young…born 10/20/89…has two siblings, Paul and Nicole…chemistry major.


TOTAL 9/8 8 0 0 0

Richard WimsattForward/Mid 5’6 150 lbsSophomoreWarner Robins, Ga.Houston County High School

2008In initial collegiate season, Wimsatt played in 15 games, starting eight…recorded one assist coming in 2-1 loss against Lipscomb in the A-Sun Tournament…posted nine shots with three on goal.

High SchoolLettered and started all four years in soccer and lettered twice in cross country…awarded team MVP as a senior…landed spots as a first team member of the all-county, all-region and All-Middle Georgia squads…earned a first team all-state selection…owns the Houston County HS career record for assists (64)…played club soccer for Atlanta Fire United and AAU ball for ODP State.

PersonalSon of Ricky and Freclia Wimsatt…born 1/26/90…has two sisters, Amber and Ashley…majoring in business.


TOTAL 15/8 9 0 1 1

9 5

MERCER soccer 2009

Will GreyDefender 6’2 105 lbsSophomoreCharlotte, NCCharlotte Christian High School

High School: Named CISAA All-Conference three times…chosen team Co-MVP as a junior…helped lead the Knights to a 3A NCISAA state-runner-up and CISAA Conference championship in 2006…scored 10 goals over final two years of high school…winner of Mighty in Spirit Award as a sophomore…played for Charlotte Soccer Club 90 Blue…member of the 2007 US Club Region E champions.

Personal: Son of Bill and Tricia Grey…born 8/08/90…National Merit Finalist…majoring in industrial engineering

Will BettsMidfielder/Def 6’1 155 lbsFreshmanBrenham, TexasBrenham High School

Richie EdmondsonForward 6’3 185 lbsFreshmanKent, Conn.Kent Prep High School

High School: 2008 and 2009 All-State selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Adidas…scored 19 goals each of his final two seasons with 14 total assists...helped lead Kent to a 14-4-0 mark as a senior and 11-3-2 as a junior…2009 team captain.

Personal: Son of Gathor and Pauline Edmondson…born 4/28/89.

Jon AdamsMidfielder/Fwd 5’10 105 lbsFreshmanMacon, Ga.First Presbyterian Day School

High School: Three-time GISA All-State and All-Region selection…set GISA scoring record with 109 career goals…posted 34 goals as a senior and 31 as a junior…33 career assists including 18 his final two seasons…lettered five years for the Vikings…2008 team captain…helped lead FPD to a 20-4-0 mark in 2008, region championship and number 12 ranking nationally.

Personal: Son of Wade and Joan Adams…born 2/11/91…major-undecided.

High School: NSCAA/Adidas All-American and Scholar All-American as a senior...twice named ESPN “Rise Magazine Greater Houston Prime Time Player”...first-team all-state, all-region, and District 19-4A MVP...Helped lead Brenham H.S. to the 4A state runner-up spot...2nd all-time BHS single season steal record (249 steals)...BHS MVP...four-time letterman...three-time BHS team captain...scored over 20 goals during final two years of high school...played with Texans 91 USA Soccer Club...member of National Honor Society, National Honor Roll, and Who’s Who.

Personal: Son of William and Paula Betts...born 12/21/90.

NEWCOMERS

Ian HanlonGoalkeeper 6’5 182 lbsFreshmanPrairieville, La.Dutchtown High School

High School: Two-time First team Class 5A All-State, All-District, and All-Metro selection…2008-2009 District MVP…helped lead Duchtown to the Class 5A quarterfinal, District 6-5A championship and a 23-6-1 record…posted 18 shutouts as a senior and nine as a junior…member of the Baton Rouge Soccer Club.

Personal: Son of Brian and Marsha Hanlon…born 1/14/91…has one brother, Sean…Dutchtown HS Salutatorian…majoring in international business.

20 players

Matt BrazerMidfielder 5’10 185 lbsFreshmanLawrenceville, Ga.Peachtree Ridge High School

High SchoolEarned four letters in varsity soccer at Peachtree Ridge HS…three-year starter and helped guide Peachtree Ridge to the second round of the state playoffs as a junior and senior…played club soccer for Atlanta Fire United…graduated with honors.

PersonalSon of Becky and Mitch Brazer…born 7/26/90…has one sister, Megan

18

25

15

12

14

00

mercer SOCCER2009

Joey HeavnerDefender 6’1 155 lbsFreshmanLandisville, Pa.Hempfield High School

High School: Team captain and MVP and first team league all-star in 2008…helped lead the Knights to the district quarterfinals in 2007 and district first round in 2008…accounted for six goals and five assists in final two years of high school…played for PA Classics...member of the 2008 Disney Showcase championship team.

Personal: Son of Frank and Nancy Heavner…born on 5-30-91…National Honor Society member…majoring in business.

Brett PetricekGoalkeeper 6’1 170 lbsFreshmanWoodridge, Ill.Downers Grove High School

High School: 2008 First-team All-State selection by Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times…two-time All-Conference pick…owns career shutout record (31)…2007 and 2008 IHSSCA All-Sectional choice…member of 2007 Great Midwest Classic All-Tournament Team…helped lead Mustangs to two conference titles, three regional championships and a spot in the 2008 sectional finals…member of 2007 and 2008 ODP national champions…selected as 2007 ODP Nationals “Golden Glove” winner

Personal: Son of Rick and Kathi Petricek…born on 6/27/91…member of the 2008 Academic All-Conference team…majoring in business management

Sharp SablonMidfielder 6’0 140 lbsFreshmanRome, Ga.Darlington High School

High School: Played for the Darlington School Soccer Academy…team captain junior and senior seasons…member of championship team at the CASL Showcase, Dallas Showcase, and Southeastern ODP.

Personal: Son of Raymond and Karen Sablon…born 6/14/91…member of the National Honor Society.

Shawn MeekDefender 6’1 160 lbsFreshmanLakeland, Fla.George Jenkins High School

High School: Chosen as the Eagles’ team MVP in 2008 and 2009…posted eight goals and 10 assists in senior season…scored three goals and delivered 11 assists as a junior…helped lead the Eagles to a combined record of 39-5-5 during his final two seasons…chosen as first team all-county in 2008 and 2009…member of the 2009 State Senior All-Star team…played club soccer for Oldsmar SC and LA Select…Discovery Cup and USA League champions.

Personal: Son of Richard and Nellann Meek…born 3/24/91…majoring in business.

Jack O’MalleyMidfielder 6-2 170 lbsFreshmanLakeland, Fla.George Jenkins High School

High School: Accounted for nearly 10 goals and 20 assist his final two years at Statesboro High School...played club soccer with the Coastal Georgia Soccer Assiocation...chosen as junior varsity most improved in 2006...member of the Statesboro High School honor roll.

Personal: Son of Christian and John O’Malley...born 4/4/91.

players 21

Bryson JonesForward 6’2 175 lbsFreshmanPeachtree City, Ga.McIntosh High School

High SchoolHelped lead McIntosh HS to the 2007 state championship (21-0-2) and a spot in the 2009 state finals…three year varsity soccer letter-winner…recipient of the 2009 Coaches Award and chosen Most Improved in 2008..played club soccer for AFC Lightning 91 Permier…member of school honor roll.

PersonalSon of Delphina and Thyran Jones…born 10/13/90…has two sisters, Brittney and Breana…mother, Delphina, was a Division II track and field All-American at California State University…sister, Brittney, played soccer at Birmingham Southern…majoring in journalism.

6

23

1

13

26

3

MERCER soccer 2009

22 roster breakdown

The Extra PlayerWhether cheering from the stands or supporting the Bears in other ways, Mercer fans act as an “extra player” off the field, contributing to the success of Mercer Athletics. As you support Mercer, the Department of Athletics requests your assistance in complying with the following NCAA regulations governing fans/boosters during the 2007-08 academic year. Thank you for your support.

Prospects (Recruits):Boosters are not permitted to write, page, text message, instant message or make phone calls to prospects or their relatives for recruiting purposes. If at any time prospects question boosters about the Mercer athletics program, they must be directed to a member of the coaching staff. Boosters may attend a prospect’s contest on their own initiative, but they may not have any contact with the prospect, his/her coach, principal, or counselor to evaluate the prospect and may not visit a prospect’s educational institution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect. Boosters may not contact a prospect to congratulate him/her on signing a National Letter of Intent to attend Mercer. Boosters may not bring prospects to BearBacker functions, including chapter meetings. Boosters may not have contact at any time with a prospect or his/her parents when the prospect is on the Mercer campus for an official or an unofficial visit, be it in the locker room after a game, at a tailgate party, or at an off-campus location. Boosters may not provide prospects with any goods or services, including any type of special discount or payment arrangement.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

By State/CountryArizona 1California 1Connecticut 1England 1Florida 2Georgia 10Grenada 1Illinois 2Kenya 1Louisiana 1 North Carolina 1Pennsylvania 1Scotland 1Sweden 1

Tennessee 1Texas 1

By Position*Midfielder 10Forward 10Defender 8Goalkeeper 4

*Two players are F/MF, two are MF/D, and one is MF/F and F/D

By ClassFreshman 15Sophomore 7Junior 1Senior 4

Student-Athletes:Boosters cannot provide student-athletes with any sort of extra benefit, which refers to any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or his/her family with a benefit unavailable to the general student population. This includes, but is not limited to, any special discounts, payment arrangements (e.g., cosigning a loan), and the provision of tickets to sporting events or other functions on or off the Mercer campus.. Boosters can employ Mercer student-athletes during both the academic year and summer, provided they receive prior permission from the Compliance Office. The student-athletes must be paid for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locale. Boosters may not invite student-athletes to tailgate parties or cookouts before or after games. This would be considered an impermissible extra benefit. Gambling poses a serious threat to student-athletes. Student-athletes found to be involved in gambling are at risk of losing their collegiate eligibility. Please help protect Mercer’s student-athletes from the perils of gambling by creating an environment free of wagering, sports pools, fantasy leagues, Internet gambling, etc. Please contact the Compliance Office at (478) 301-2729 if you have any questions regarding these regulations. The Mercer University Department of Athletics appreciates your efforts to comply with NCAA rules.

Stefan WingoMidfielder/Def. 5’10 160 lbsFreshmanCharlotte, NCCharlotte Christian High School

High School: First team Big 12 Conference pick in 2006, 2007, 2008…first team All-Sectional in 2007…All-Area choice in 2007 and 2008…helped lead the Chargers to three regional and conference titles and sectional and super-sectional crowns in 2007…accounted for 12 goals and 9 assists as a junior and senior… played for the Illinois ODP team in 2005, 2008.

Personal: Son of Michael and Joan Wingo…born 3/28/91…member of the National Honors Society… recipient of the Big 12 Conference Scholar-Athlete Award four times (2005-2008).

Andrew ToddGoalkeeper 6’2 170 lbsFreshmanHalf Moon Bay, Calif.Half Moon Bay High School

High School: Co-Goalkeeper of the Year in the Ocean Division…first team All-League selection as a senior…team MVP junior and senior seasons…recorded 21 shutouts in final two years of high school…goals against average was .55 as a senior and .8 as a junior…played for Central Valley United and San Juan Lightning club teams.

Personal: Son of Mark Todd…born 12/23/90…nominated for membership in the The National Society of High School Scholars…majoring in mechanical engineering.

C o m p l i a n c e C o r n e r

22 24

SEASON REVIEW & HISTORICAL STATISTICS

MERCER soccer 2009

Despite a 2-11-5 record in his first campaign, Mercer head coach Brad Ruzzo put his stamp on the program. Picked to finish last in the Atlantic Sun preseason poll, the Bears finished sixth and earned a spot in the conference tournament. In 2007, Mercer had missed the Atlatnic Sun postseason event for the first time in 10 years.

Ruzzo’s goal was for opposing teams to know four things about the Bears: they have a strong work ethic, they are organized, they are very role-defined, and they are a committed team. His charges were in virtually every contest. Of their 11 losses, six came by one goal and two more by a two goal margin.

The Bears started on the road against Atlantic Coast Conference foe N.C. State, earning a 1-1 tie. They next traveled to high scoring Alabama A&M and endured a 5-0 loss. Two days later, Mercer lost a heartbreaker in overtime, 1-0 against C-USA foe UAB. Their home opener ended in a tie with Howard, 1-1, and that was followed by another one-goal loss, this time to Georgia State. Mercer started conference play at home by defeating FGCU, 4-1, for their first win of the year.

The month of October proved to be an agonizing one as Mercer went 1-4-3. In that span, the Bears endured three one-goal losses and earned three ties. Their lone victory was at 1-0 triumph against in-state rival Georgia Southern in Statesboro, 1-0, improving their record to 2-9-5. In the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament, Mercer faced a Lipscomb squad who had narrowly defeated them 4-3 on October 18. In familiar fashion, the Bears fell just short as freshman Arkenson Neckles scored Mercer’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat. Senior Bolade Ogunmade concluded his final season by leading the team in scoring with seven goals and one assist. He became the first Bear selected to an Atlatnic Sun All-Con-ference First Team since Vicente Arze in 2005. Ruzzo played nine freshmen in 2008 with Neckles leading the way. The Grenada native was the second leading scorer on the team with four including the game winner against Georgia Southern. Sophomore Ian Cameron distributed five assists and also accounted for a pair of goals.

2008 SEASON RECAP

24 2008 season recap

2008 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS## Name GP-GS Min G A Pts Sh Shot% SOG SOG% GW PK-ATT4 OGUNMADE, Bolade 18-18 1512 7 1 15 24 .292 11 .458 1 1-1 7 NECKLES, Arkenson 15-9 895 4 1 9 23 .174 9 .391 1 0-0 10 CAMERON, Ian 15-14 999 2 5 9 19 .105 10 .526 0 1-1 8 THOREN, Philip 18-14 1028 2 1 5 23 .087 11 .478 0 0-0 24 STOCKDALE, Dominic 17-16 1426 1 1 3 6 .167 2 .333 0 0-0 11 KNERR, Thomas 18-17 1296 0 3 3 11 .000 4 .364 0 0-0 2 PETERSON, Charles 18-17 1290 1 0 2 4 .250 1 .250 0 0-0 16 ONG’ANGO, Chrispine 18-10 1035 0 2 2 9 .000 2 .222 0 0-0 19 RUTH, Fernando 13-0 333 0 2 2 6 .000 4 .667 0 0-0 9 WIMSATT, Richard 15-8 857 0 1 1 9 .000 3 .333 0 0-0 27 YOUNG, Ryan 9-8 607 0 0 0 8 .000 3 .375 0 0-0 6 CALDERON, Phillip 17-9 851 0 0 0 4 .000 2 .500 0 0-0 3 TRICE, Wynn 16-4 636 0 0 0 3 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 14 PRIOR, Jason 16-3 502 0 0 0 2 .000 1 .500 0 0-0 12 DANKEL, Nick 7-5 412 0 0 0 2 .000 1 .500 0 0-0 20 RALL, Zachary 12-8 650 0 0 0 1 .000 1 1.000 0 0-0 13 KITE, John 12-4 355 0 0 0 1 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 25 ROBERTSON, Luke 2-0 49 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 23 KLINGLER,James 7-0 103 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 21 OLIVERIA, Geoffrey 18-16 1413 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 1 BIRD, David 18-18 16-14 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 00 CRANFORD, Matt 2-0 21 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 Total............... 18 17884 17 17 51 155 .110 65 .419 2 2-2 Opponents........... 18 - 37 30 104 304 .122 136 .447 11 1-1

## Name GP-GS Minutes GA Avg Saves Pct W L T Sho00 CRANFORD, Matt 2-0 19:50 0 0.00 0 .000 0 0 0 01 BIRD, David 18-18 1705:05 37 1.95 95 .720 2 11 5 1 Total............... 18 1724:55 37 1.93 99 .728 2 11 5 1 Opponents........... 18 1724:55 17 0.89 48 .738 10 2 5 7

mercer SOCCER2009

Date Opponent Location Result

August 200820 #Emory Macon, Ga. L, 0-1 23 #Oglethorpe Macon, Ga. W, 1-0 30 N.C. State Raleigh, N.C. Tie, 1-1

September 20085 Alabama A&M Huntsville, Ala. L, 0-5 7 UAB Birmingham, Ala. L, 0-1 13 % Howard Macon, Ga. T, 1-114 % Georgia State Macon, Ga. L, 1-2 19 & Temple Philadelphia, Pa. L, 0-2 21 & Penn Philadelphia, Pa. L, 0-6

October 20082 * Florida Gulf Coast Macon, Ga. W, 4-1 4 * Stetson Macon, Ga. T, 1-1 9 * Jacksonville Jacksonville, Fla. L, 0-1 11 * UNF Jacksonville, Fla. L, 0-1 16 * Belmont Macon, Ga. T, 1-1 18 * Lipscomb Macon, Ga. L, 3-4 23 * ETSU Johnson City, Tenn. T, 1-1 25 * USC Upstate Spartanburg, S.C. L, 1-3 28 Georgia Southern Statesboro, Ga. W, 1-0

November 20081 * Campbell Buies Creek, N.C. L, 0-3 12 *Lipscomb Buies Creek, N.C. L, 1-2

& Penn Soccer Classic # Exhibition Match %Wingate by Wyndham Classic *Atlantic Sun Contest

2008 Results

2008 season recap 25

MER OPPSHOT STATISTICS Goals-Shot attempts 17-155 37-304 Goals scored per game 0.94 2.06 Shot pct. .110 .122 Shots on goal-Attempts 65-155 136-304 SOG pct. .419 .447 Shots/Game 8.6 16.9 Assists 17 30CORNER KICKS 82 97PENALTY KICKS 2-2 1-1PENALTIES Yellow cards 22 22 Red cards 0 0ATTENDANCE Total 709 2559 Dates/Avg Per Date 6/118 11/233 Neutral Site #/Avg 1/200

GOALS BY PERIOD 1st 2nd OT OT2 TotalMercer 6 11 0 0 17Opponents 14 22 1 0 37

SHOTS BY PERIOD 1st 2nd OT OT2 TotalMercer 63 86 2 4 155Opponents 139 145 14 6 304 SAVES BY PERIOD 1st 2nd OT OT2 TotalMercer 39 49 9 2 99Opponents 15 31 1 1 48

OVERALL

CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE OVERALL W-L-T Pts Pct. W-L-T Pts Pct.Campbell 9-0-0 27 1.000 14-6-0 42 .700Jacksonville 7-2-0 21 .778 12-9-1 37 .568Lipscomb 5-3-1 16 .611 10-8-3 33 .548Stetson 5-3-1 16 .611 8-7-2 26 .529Belmont 4-3-2 14 .556 11-8-2 35 .571UNF 4-5-0 12 .444 9-10-0 27 .474FGCU 3-5-1 10 .389 6-10-2 20 .389Mercer 1-5-3 6 .278 2-11-5 11 .250ETSU 1-7-1 4 .167 6-10-1 19 .382USC Upstate 1-7-1 4 .167 2-15-1 7 .139

MER OPPSHOT STATISTICS Goals-Shot attempts 12-95 17-148 Goals scored per game 1.33 1.89 Shot pct. .126 .115 Shots on goal-Attempts 37-95 61-148 SOG pct. .389 .412 Shots/Game 10.6 16.4 Assists 12 13CORNER KICKS 47 47PENALTY KICKS 2-2 1-1PENALTIES Yellow cards 10 8 Red cards 0 0ATTENDANCE Total 472 1311 Dates/Avg Per Date 4/118 5/262 Neutral Site #/Avg 0/0 GOALS BY PERIOD 1st 2nd OT OT2 TotalMercer 5 7 0 0 12Opponents 7 10 0 0 17

SHOTS BY PERIOD 1st 2nd OT OT2 TotalMercer 35 55 1 4 95Opponents 68 72 4 4 148

SAVES BY PERIOD 1st 2nd OT OT2 TotalMercer 16 24 2 2 44Opponents 4 20 0 1 25

Atlantic Sun

Standings

MERCER soccer 2009

CAREERGoals1. Stacy Noske 48 1982-852. Neil Zarac 44 1998-013. Del Olaoye 31 2002-054. Ramiro Canovas 27 2000-035. Vince Dattilo 26 1991-926. Dean Blain 23 1995-987. Vicente Arze 22 2004-078. Buster Franklin 20 1989-92T9. Hunter Goff 17 1992-95T9. Patrick Horacius 17 1995-98

Assists1. Maxwell Rooke 22 1998-012. Vicente Arze 19 2004-073. Vince Dattilo 17 1991-92T4. Patrick Horacius 16 1995-98T4. David Henager 16 1998-01T6. Dean Blain 15 1995-98T6. Neil Zarac 15 1998-018. Dave Dresbach 14 1983-859. Ramiro Canovas 13 2000-03T10. Payman Roshan 12 1985-88T10. Hunter Goff 12 1992-95

Points1. Stacy Noske 105 1982-852. Neil Zarac 103 1998-023. Del Olaoye 73 2002-054. Vince Dattilo 69 1991-925. Ramiro Canovas 67 2000-036. Vicente Arze 63 2004-077. Dean Blain 61 1995-988. Patrick Horacius 50 1995-989. Maxwell Rooke 48 1998-0110. Hunter Goff 45 1992-95

Goals Against Average1. Lucio Filho 1.22 2000-012. Andr. Castrichini 1.49 1998-023. David Jetton 1.68 1996-994. Mike Potier 1.73 1989-925. Jonathan Riley 1.79 2001-03

Saves1. Mike Potier 442 1989-922. Ron Keller 427 1981-843. David Jetton 317 1996-994. Todd Bramble 299 1985-885. David Bird 187 2005-08

Shutouts1. Ron Keller 14.5 1981-842. David Jetton 12 1996-

Single SeasonGoals1. Stacy Noske 16 1982T2. Neil Zarac 15 1999T2. Vince Dattilo 15 1992T4. Neil Zarac 13 2000T4. Oral Campbell 13 1983T6. Neil Zarac 12 2001T6. Stacy Noske 12 1984T8. Del Olaoye 11 2002T8. Vince Dattilo 11 1991T8. Buster Franklin 11 1989T8. Stacy Noske 11 1985

Assists1. Vince Dattilo 11 19922. Max Rooke 9 1999T3. Dave Dresbach 8 1985T3. Jeb Smith 8 1985T3. Marshall Eckford 8 1981T7. Vicente Arze 7 2007T6. Vicente Arze 7 2004T6. Neil Zarac 7 2001T6. David Henager 7 1999T6. Patrick Horacius 7 1996T6. Patrick Horacius 7 1995T6. Jeff Marshall 7 1992T6. Vince Dattilo 7 1991T6. Dave Dresbach 7 1985T6. Stacy Noske 7 1984

Points1. Vince Dattilo 41 19922. Stacy Noske 33 19823. Neil Zarac 32 1999T4. Neil Zarac 31 2001T4. Neil Zarac 31 2000T4. Stacy Noske 31 19847. Oral Campbell 30 1983T8. Vince Dattilo 28 1991T8. Dave Dresbach 28 1985T10. Ramiro Canovas 24 2002T10. Del Olaoye 24 2002

Goals Against Average1. Kerr McGowan 1.12 20042. Rob Cronenbold 1.15 20063. David Jetton 1.19 19994. Martin Walker 1.30 20045. Andr. Castrichini 1.35 20016. Lucio Filho 1.36 20007. David Bird 1.38 2007

Saves1. Ron Keller 168 19842. Mike Potier 36 19903. Todd Bramble 122 19884. Mike Potier 112 19895. David Jetton 111 1997

Shutouts1. David Jetton 6 1999T2. Ron Keller 5 1984T2. Aldo Balsano 5 20054. Ron Keller 4 1982T5. Lucio Fiho 3.5 2000T5. Lucio Filho 3.5 2001T7. Andr. Castrichini 3 2001T7. Jonathan Riley 3 2003T7. Rob. Cronenbold 3 2006

Single GameIndividualShots 13 Jon L. Morrison vs. Valdosta State, 1981Goals 6(Twice) Leo Assimacopoules vs. Emory, 1970 Manas Pantilides vs. Emory, 1970Assists 4 Marshall Eckford vs. Georgia Southwestern, 1981Points 14 Leo Assimacopoules vs. Emory, 1970Saves 24 Ron Keller vs. Georgia State, 1981

TeamGoals 17 vs. Emory, 1970Assists 9 vs. Columbus State, 1981Points 40 vs. Emory, 1970Saves 24 vs. Georgia State, 1981

HISTORICAL STATISTICS

26 career, individual, team statistics

Mercer great Max Rooke

mercer SOCCER2009

Player of the Year1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Dattilo2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ramiro Canovas

Freshman of the Year2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ramiro Canovas2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye2004 Vicente Arze

First Team All-Conference1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . Roland Schraft1981 . . . . . . . . . . . Jon L. Morrison Ron Keller1982 . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Benedetti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Dresbach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Grogan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Keller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacy Noske1983 . . . . . . . . . . . . Oral Campbell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Dresbach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Weber1984 . . . . . . . . . . . Jon L. Morrison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Keller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacy Noske. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Grogan1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Dresbach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Grogan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Benedetti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Rodgers1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeb Smith1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Rodgers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payman Rashan1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scan Putegnat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Todd Bramble1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . Buster Franklin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reece Payton1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Potier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reece Payton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Rogers1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Dattilo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Rogers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Hale1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vince Dattilo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunter Goff1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunter Goff1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Blain1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Blain1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Gibbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucio Filho2001 . . . . . . . . Coleman Duckworth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Henager

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac2002 . . . . . . . . . . . Ramiro Canovas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze2008 Bolade Ogunmade

Second Team All-Conference1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Potier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Coffey1992 . . . . . . . . . . Hobby Barndollar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chad Leeper1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Hale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chad Leeper1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Blain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Horacius. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pascal Occean1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . David Henager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Jetton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . David Henager. . . . . . . . . . . . Coleman Duckworth2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oskar Modin. . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Tuckwood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Gussio2003 . . . . . . . . . Stephen Tuckwood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ramiro Canovas2004 . . . . . . . . . Stephen Tuckwood2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Ragan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clif Wilson2006 Omar Liendo2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze

All-Freshman Team2001 . . . . . . . . . Stephen Tuckwood2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kahlil Mathura. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Donnelly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Erickson2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Arze2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wynn Trice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aldo Balsano2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Gordon2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ian Cameron

All-Tournament Team1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sal Chillemi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Gibbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Jetton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke. . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Wennstrom

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac2000 . . . . . . . . Coleman Duckworth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac2001 . . . . . . . . . . . Ramiro Canovas. . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Castrichini. . . . . . . . . . . . Coleman Duckworth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Henager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Rooke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Zarac2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oskar Modin2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Gussio. . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Tuckwood2004 . . . . . . . . . Stephen Tuckwood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Ragan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Omar Liendo2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del Olaoye

Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP1999, 2001................... Neil Zarac

Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year1982, 1992....................Dana Robinson1999, 2002....................Tom Melville

HONORS AND AWARDS

honors and awards 27

1999 Atlantic Sun Men’s Soccer Champions

MERCER soccer 2009ALL TIME RECORDS AND RESULTS

ALL TIME RECORDSSchool RecordABAC 0-1Alabama A&M 4-13UAB 0-10-2UAH 1-1Andrew J.C. 1-0Appalachian State 1-2Armstrong Atllantic State 2-0Auburn-Montgomery 0-1Augusta 5-3Belmont 5-6-1Berry 11-10-2Birmingham Southern 1-0Bradley 0-0Cal Poly 0-1UCF 4-7-2UC Riverside 1-0Campbell 6-17-2Centenary 11-8Central Florida 0-0Charleston Southern 8-7-3The Citadel 2-2-1Clark-Atlanta 1-0Clemson 0-8Coastal Carolina 0-7College of Charleston 6-8Columbus St 5-0Creighton 0-1Davidson 0-1

Presbyterian 1-0Radford 0-2Rhode Island 0-2Rollins 0-1Saint Leo 6-0Samford 3-0South Alabama 2-3-1South Carolina 0-6USC-Aiken 2-0USC Upstate 1-1South Florida 0-3SMU 0-2Southern Tech. 1-0-1Stetson 10-17-2Tampa 0-1Tenn.-Temple 1-0Temple 0-1Thomas 1-0Toccoa Falls 3-3-1Towson State 0-1Vanderbilt 2-4-1Valdosta State 2-2Virginia 0-2Virginia Tech 0-1Western Kentucky 0-1Winthrop 1-2Wofford 1-2

**2009 opponents in bold

YEAR BY YEAR RESULTSYear Overall Conference Conf. Finish Coach1970 2-2 - - Jerry Stone1971 5-4-2 - - Jerry Stone1972 4-1-1 - - David Sonsonby1973 4-4-2 - - Brady Siegler1974 7-6 - - Barry Myers1975 3-9-1 - - Barry Myers1976 2-6-2 - - Barry Myers1977 1-11-1 - - Tur-Rojas1978 0-5-2 - - Tom Sakaratana1979 3-10 - - Tom Sakaratana1980 2-14 - - Dana Robinson1981 7-12 - - Dana Robinson1982 7-10-2 - - Dana Robinson1983 10-8-1 - - Dana Robinson1984 8-10-1 - 3rd/East Dana Robinson1985 10-9-1 - 3rd/East Dana Robinson1986 3-16-1 - 4th/East Dana Robinson1987 6-11-1 - 4th/East Dana Robinson1988 3-15 - 4th/East Dana Robinson1989 3-13 0-6 4th/East Dana Robinson1990 4-13-1 1-4-1 4th/East Dana Robinson1991 9-8-2 4-2-2 2nd/East Dana Robinson1992 9-6-2 5-0 1st Dana Robinson1993 9-7-1 4-3 4th Dana Robinson1994 3-12 1-7 5th/West Dana Robinson1995 8-9-1 3-4-1 3rd/West Tom Melville1996 8-10-1 3-5 4th/West Tom Melville1997 3-15 1-7 5th/West Tom Melville1998 7-11 2-5 6th Tom Melville1999 *12-7-2 4-2 2nd Tom Melville

Dekalb South 0-2Detroit-Mercy 1-0Drake 0-1Duke 0-4Eastern Illinois 0-0Eckerd 0-3Elon 0-2Emory 6-14Erskine 0-9ETSU 0-0-1Evansville 0-2Fairleigh Dickinson 0-1Flagler 0-2Florida 0-1Florida Atlantic 10-6-2Florida Gulf Coast 1-1Florida International 1-5-1Florida Southern 0-0-1Florida State 0-0-1Florida Tech 1-0Furman 3-1Gardner-Webb 6-2Georgia College 7-15-2Georgia Southern 19-23Georgia SW 5-0Georgia State 13-32-3Georgia Tech 2-0-1Hardin-Simmons 0-2Hartford 1-0Hartwick 0-1

High Point 3-1Houston Baptist 0-2Howard 0-0-1Huntingdon 3-2Jacksonville 5-12-3Kennesaw St. 1-0Kentucky 0-1LaGrange 1-0Life University 0-2Lipscomb 5-3-1Louisiana-Monroe 0-3Longwood 1-0-1Maryville 0-1UMass 0-1Memphis 0-2Mercer-Atlanta 5-4-3Middle Georgia 1-1Navy 0-1North Carolina 0-1N.C. State 0-6-1UNC-Asheville 4-0UNC-Greensboro 0-3UNC-Wilmington 1-2North Georgia 2-5-1North Florida 2-1-1New Orleans 0-1Oneonta State 0-1Oglethorpe 3-7-1Oral Roberts 2-0Penn 0-1

2000 9-8-2 3-1-2 1st Tom Melville2001 *13-8 5-2 1st Tom Melville2002 10-7-1 6-1-1 1st Tom Melville2003 8-9-2 5-3-1 4th Tom Melville2004 11-9-1 7-4-1 3rd Tom Melville2005 9-9-2 4-2-2 3rd Tom Melville2006 3-12-3 1-4-2 6th Tom Melville2007 6-12-1 2-6-1 10th Tom Melville2008 2-11-5 1-5-3 6th Brad Ruzzo

* - Won A-Sun Tournament# - A-Sun “Coach of the Year”

28 records and results

Coaching Records Coach Years OverallJerry Stone 1970-71 7-6-2David Ponsonby 1972 4-1-1Brady Siegler 1973 4-4-2Barry Myers 1974-76 12-21-3Tur-Rojas 1977 1-11-1Tom Sakaratana 1978-79 3-15-2Dana Robinson 1980-94 93-164-13Tom Melville 1995-2007 107-126-16Brad Ruzzo 2008- 2-11-5Totals 233-359-45

Ruzzo enters his second season, looking to finish with a winning season in 2009.

MERCER UNIVERSITY & THE ATLANTIC SUN

MERCER soccer 2009

Residence LifeThe benefits of campus living are numerous - the development of life-long friendships, a sense of community, enhancing campus involvement and higher academic performance. For many new students, this is the first time they have lived away from home, and the community that develops on campus and in residence halls becomes a second family.

All freshman and sophomores (first-year and/or transfer students) are required to live on campus, with the exception of married students, students above the age of 21, students with children and/or students who live at home with a parent or guardian within reasonable commuting distance. In each of Mercer’s residence halls, safety comes first and foremost. The exterior doors are locked at all times, and students use their identification cards to gain access into their residence hall.

THE UNIVERSITYWhat distinguishes a good university from a great university extends far beyond the boundaries of its curricu-lum and its campus. The competence and character of an institution’s graduates are, more often than not, the hallmarks by which its reputation is both earned and measured. As a private, co-educational institution, Mercer University has emerged as one of the premier universities in the Southeast and the nation.

Mercer is truly a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. Mercer’s outstanding faculty take students beyond the rigors of academic programs to explore the challenges of reason, responsibility, compassion and character. Through learning, living and leading, Mercer students are prepared not only to confront, but also to embrace the challenges of their future.

Under the leadership of prominent Georgia Baptist leader Jesse Mercer, Mercer University was founded in Penfield, Ga., in 1833 and later moved to Macon in 1871. From its humble beginnings as a small liberal arts college, Mercer now offers programs in 11 schools and colleges. Conveniently located in the middle of the state, Macon serves as the educational, medical, cultural and commercial hub of central Georgia. Located just one hour from Atlanta - one of the nation’s most popular international cities - and two hours from the Atlantic coast, Macon is easily accessible from two interstate highways - I-75 and I-16.

Consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review among the nation’s leading universities, Mercer considers one of its strengths to be its superior faculty, who “teach from the heart.” At Mercer, students benefit from learning experiences guided by caring faculty, not teaching assistants found at many universities as is the case at many universities. The Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA recently named Mercer as a “highly selective” university, and The Princeton Review has placed Mercer among the Best 351 Colleges in North America.

The University is comprised of the College of Liberal Arts, the Walter F. George School of Law, the School of Pharmacy and Health Services, the School of Medicine, the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics, the School of Engineering, the James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology, the Tift College of Education, the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, and the Townsend School of Music. The University also operates the Mercer University Press in Macon and the Mercer Engineering Research Center in Warner Robins.

Mercer’s enrollment is nearly 7,400 students. While many students come from the Southeast, more than 38 states and 30 countries are represented among the student body. The average class size at Mercer is 21, with a student/faculty ratio of 13:1 - unusually low for a major university.

Campus LifeEven with its picturesque setting, the spirit of Mercer is not in the grandeur of its buildings, but in the graciousness of its people - a friendly, family-like community of faculty, staff and students who strive for excellence in all that they do.

The University offers a wealth of fascinating experiences and activities both in and outside the classroom. From academic clubs and honor societies, to performing arts and special interest groups, to 16 national fraternities and sororities on campus, students can choose from more than 80 on-campus organizations to discover new talents and interests and to gain important leader-ship skills they will need for life after college.

Undergraduate DegreesAfrican American StudiesArtBiologyBusiness (M.A.P.S. program)ChemistryChristianityCommunication and Theatre ArtsComputer ScienceEconomicsEducationEngineeringEnglishEnvironmental ScienceFrenchGermanHistoryInformation Science and TechnologyJournalismLatinMathematicsMedia StudiesMusic

Music EducationPhilosophyPhysicsPolitical SciencePsychologySociologySpanishTheaterWomen’s and Gender Studies

Graduate DegreesBusiness Administration (MBA)Community CounselingEngineeringEducationFamily ServiceFamily TherapyNursingPublic Health

Professional DegreesLawMedical

30 mercer university

mercer SOCCER2009

Indoor PoolThe indoor pool at the University Center is a colle-giate size lap pool that is utilized for aqua-therapy for rehabilitation of student-athletes.

Sports MedicineA comprehensive therapeutic setting provides medical coverage for all student-athletes. It is staffed by two full-time employees and five gradu-ate assistants who are licensed and certified to practice.

Heritage HallWhen walking into the U.C. for the first time, you get a

look at Mercer’s historic past with a glimpse of the future.

Heritage Hall is home to memorabilia from Mercer’s

historic athletic achievements as well as the Athlete Hall of

Fame.

Weight RoomAnother state-of-the-art addition to Mercer, the weight room is home to three power lifiting stations, abun-dant free weights and state-of-the art cardio equipment.

facilities 31

FACILITIES

MERCER soccer 2009

32 new facilities

The new home (Bear Field) of the Mercer men’s and women’s soccer teams just underwent a $250,000 renovation over the summer of 2009. The facility was resurfaced in order to level the field and install new grass to improve the quality of play. With a capacity for just over 500 fans, Bear Field has hosted four Atlantic Sun Championships and an NCAA Tournament game back in 1999. Additionally, each of Mercer’s team sports has a state-of-the-art locker room located in the University Center. Attached to each locker room is a luxurious player lounge, complete with a big-screen TV, a surround sound stereo system, spacious shower rooms and comfortable seating.

mercer SOCCER2009

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Continuing a tradition of academic achievement, more than 57 percent of all student-athletes earned All-Academic status during the 2008-09 academic year. Fifteen student-athletes earned places on the 2008-09 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Teams. Belmont led the impressive institutional totals in the race for the All-Academic Trophy for the seventh time in eight years with 66.5 percent of its student-athletes achieving All-Academic status with grade point averages of a 3.00, or better.

Belmont senior Andy Wicke, Jacksonville senior Jeremy Gillan, Lipscomb junior Kellie Sirus and Campbell senior Karlie Love earned spots on CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America teams. Lipscomb’s men and women track and field teams and the women’s cross country team ranked among the top 10 GPAs in NCAA Division I, in being recognized as All-Academic Scholar Teams from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Belmont men’s cross country team posted the fifth-highest GPA, according to the USTFCCCA.

Wicke, one of the Bruins’ most celebrated student-athletes, shared the conference’s male Scholar Athlete of the Year award and earned the conference’s Postgraduate Scholarship. Mercer’s Chereese Rowe earned the conference’s second Postgraduate Scholarship. Wicke earned national acclaim as he became one of just two men’s basketball players to receive an educational grant through the NCAA postgraduate scholarship program. For his dedicated academic success and community service, Wicke landed on the Lowe’s All-Senior All-America Second Team and was one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award.

ATHLETIC SUCCESS

For the second straight season, the A-Sun made early headlines on the hardwood as Mercer, under new head coach Bob Hoffman, went on the road and defeated Alabama and Auburn within a four-day span, shooting the Bears up to the top spot in the RPI. At the General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Championship, ETSU ended Belmont’s three-year reign, winning its first A-Sun Tournament title and making the NCAA field for the eighth time. During the Championship, Courtney Pigram became just the second player in league history to reach the 2000-point plateau. Two players could reach that mark this season in Mercer’s James Florence and Campbell’s Jonathan Rodriguez. Florence and Campbell begin the season as the second- and third-highest active scorers in the nation.

During the baseball season, three A-Sun hurlers, Lipscomb’s Rex Brothers and Kennesaw State’s duo of Chad Jenkins and Kyle Heckathorn moved up the draft boards of Major League teams with every dominating performance. Brothers turned in one of the league’s top single-season strikeout performances; Jenkins posted a 41-inning scoreless streak and Heckathorn capped his season with a dominating 15-strikeout performance against UNF, earning National Player of the Week honors. On draft night, Jenkins became just the seventh A-Sun player to be a first-round selection, going to the Blue Jays. In the supplemental phase of the first round, the Rockies picked Rex Brothers and the Brewers tabbed Heckathorn.

In softball, the conference turned in one of its finest seasons in history, especially during the non-conference season. Against out-of-conference opposition, A-Sun schools posted a .602 win percentage, the fifth-highest in the nation, trailing only the SEC, Pac-10, ACC and Big 12. Five schools finished with win percentages better than .600 and FGCU and Mercer reached the 40-win mark. The Eagles established a league record for win percentage at .839 in posting a 47-9 record. For the second-consecutive May, Campbell emerged victorious at the A-Sun Championship, led by the dominating performance of MVP Brittany Stanley. She pitched all 31 innings, recorded two shutouts and struck out 26 against only two walks.

One of the most dominating athletes in Atlantic Sun history in Jacksonville’s Natasha Harvey closed out her career. She led the Dolphins team titles in both Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field for a fourth-straight year and won the inaugural MVP honors at both meets as well as the Most Outstanding Field Performer award. During her four years, she won a combined 18 individual events, five Most Outstanding Performer awards, both Most Outstanding Freshman performers in addition to the two MVP honors. Off the track, she won the A-Sun’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award, was the A-Sun’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award and appeared on the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team for a fourth-straight year.

The 2009-10 athletic year promises to be an exciting one for the Atlantic Sun as UNF and Kennesaw State earned full Division-I status and will be eligible for all postseason tournaments. FGCU’s champion volleyball and baseball programs and USC Upstate’s soccer and softball programs have also gained access to A-Sun and NCAA postseason play. For the first time in league history, Mercer and its University Center will play host to the General Shale Brick Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. The Baseball Championship leaves Florida for the first time in 16 years for Nashville, Tenn. and Lipscomb’s Dugan Field. FGCU landed its first championship, and will host volleyball in November. These new additions and venues make the upcoming year a hotly anticipated season for the Atlantic Sun.

THIS IS THE ATLANTIC SUNFor more than 30 years the Atlantic Sun Conference has stood for achievement with integrity inboth the academic and athletic arenas with a focus on the balance between the two for its student athletes. The A-Sun boasts a blend of the most dynamic and prestigious private and publicinstitutions in the region, with all committed to the conference goal of Building Winners for Life

The experience for a student-athlete in the A-Sun is supported by the entire university community, from coaches to faculty, and from the CEO’s to the athletic and academic support staff. Atlantic Sun student-athletes compete in outstanding facilities throughout the conference and in some of top markets in the Southeast. Eight A-Sun schools compete in the top 10 media markets within the conference’s five-state footprint. With All-America selections, National All-Academic honorees, teams and individuals qualifying for and advancing in NCAA Championship play, Atlantic Sun student-athletes achieve at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.

atlantic sun conference 33

ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE

MERCER soccer 2009

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR BOBBY POPEThe dean of Atlantic Sun Conference athletics directors, Bobby Pope is in his 21st year at the helm of Mercer athletics. During his tenure, he has seen the growth of the program to 14 sports, as well as the addition of the first full-time coaches for men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis and cross country.

Facility upgrades have been a priority since he became athletics director, as evi-denced by the state-of-the-art University Center, home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as volleyball. The $40-million facility opened in January

2004. The building houses offices for all coaches as well as locker rooms for all teams.

Claude Smith Field, the home field for baseball, received a facelift in the fall of 2003. In addition, Sikes Field, the home field for softball was completely renovated in the summer of 2006. A practice facility for the golf teams is also on the drawing board.

Pope is also very active in the Atlantic Sun, having served two years as president in the late 1990s. He is currently a member of the tournament committee. Additionally, Pope serves as the athletics director liaison for the basketball coach’s advisory committee. He is also very active in the community, serving as treasurer of the Macon Touchdown Club as well as serving on the Mayor’s Recreation Master Plan Commit-tee and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority.

Pope’s involvement with Mercer athletics began in 1970 when he was the “Voice of the Bears.” In recogni-tion of his contributions to sports in Middle Georgia, Pope was inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame on April 18, 2006.

A native of Thomaston, Ga., Pope graduated from Georgia College in 1970. He and his wife Carol have two children, Andy, a 1998 graduate of Georgia and Kristen, a 2001 Mercer graduate.

PRESIDENT WILLIAM D. UNDERWOODWilliam D. Underwood was selected to serve as the 18th president of Mercer University beginning July 1, 2006. Prior to joining Mercer, Underwood served at Baylor University as interim president and held the prestigious Leon Jaworski Chair at the Baylor School of Law, having joined the law faculty in 1990 after practicing law with a large firm in Dallas. He also took a leave of absence from the Law School from 1997-98 to serve as Baylor’s general counsel.

Underwood is an accomplished educator and scholar. He was designated a Master Teacher at Baylor in recognition of extraordinary classroom teaching and was named an Outstanding University Professor in 2005. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute and the American Bar Foundation.

He has published extensively on a range of topics and has presented a number of papers on how faith relates to higher education, especially at universities that share the historical and theological commitment of Baptists to intellectual and religious freedom and respect for religious diversity.

Underwood is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, which awarded him the juris doctor degree. He graduated as class salutatorian and was an editor of the University of Il-linois Law Review. Following graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Sam D. Johnson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, where he met his wife Lesli. They have two teenage children, Jessica and William.

Sybil BlalockSr. Assoc. A.D./

Senior Women Admin.

Jim ColeSr. Assoc. A.D./External Affairs

Jennifer GreerAssistant A.D./Internal Affairs and Compliance

Rob MurphyAssistant A.D.

Sports Medicine

Myra CameronAthletic

Coordinator

Erica SullivanStaff

Assistant

Jim TessmerOperations Manager

Ryan BaileyHead Coach

Cross Country

Craig GibsonHead Coach

Baseball

Gary GuyerHead Coach

Women’s Golf

Bob HoffmanHead Coach

Men’s Basketball

Janell JonesHead Coach

Women’s Basketball

Mickey PearceHead Coach

Rifle

Make RaynorHead Coach

Softball

Noelle RookeHead CoachVolleyball

Grant SerafyHead Coach

Women’s Soccer

Nick StutsmanHead Coach

Tennis

Andrew TredwayHead CoachMen’s Golf

STAFF

34 staff

BACK ROW: Assistant Coach Michael Haynes, Richie Edmondson, Elias Hall, Bryson Jones, Ryan Young, Andrew Todd, Will Grey, Will Betts, Jack O’Malley, Head Coach Brad Ruzzo.

MIDDLE ROW: Dan VanVulkinburgh, Joey Heavner, Philip Thoren, Sharp Sablon, Jon Adams, Arkenson Neckles, Shawn Meek, Brett Petricek, Trainer Ken Takenaka.

FRONT ROW: Stefan Wingo, Ian Cameron, Zachary Rall, Geoffrey Oliveria, Thomas Knerr, Matt Brazer, Chrispine Ong’Ango, Richard Wimsatt.

MEET THE BEARS

2009

2009Schedule

August20 #Clayton State Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 24 #Middle Georgia Macon, Ga. 6:00 p.m.

September 1 Alabama A&M Macon, Ga. 5:00 p.m. 4 Eastern Illinois Peoria, Ill. 7:00 p.m.6 %Bradley Peoria, Ill. 8:00 p.m.11 Georgia State Atlanta, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 13 Wofford Greenville, S.C. 3:30 p.m. 18 Gardner-Webb Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 20 Georgia Southern Macon, Ga. 5:00 p.m. 25 Applachian State Boone, N.C. 4:00 p.m.

October1 * Belmont Nashville, Tenn. 7:30 p.m. 3 * Lipscomb Nashville, Tenn. 7:00 p.m. 8 * ETSU Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 10 * USC Upstate Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 13 Central Florida Orlando, Fla. 7:30 p.m. 17 * Campbell Macon, Ga. 4:00 p.m. 22 * FGCU Fort Myers, Fla. 7:00 p.m. 24 * Stetson DeLand, Fla. 7:00 p.m. 29 * Jacksonville Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m. 31 * North Florida Macon, Ga. 7:00 p.m.

November6 Atlantic Sun Tournament TBA TBA

All Times Eastern * Atlantic Sun Conference Match Home Matches in Bold # Exhibition Match %Busey Bank Kickoff Festival

Documents

2009 Men's Soccer Media Guide