Defending Back-toBack Mid-American Conference Regular Season Champions 2010 Media Guide32

Jeremy GuyDirector of

Communications

Jon SteinbrecherCommissioner

Nolan Reimold2005 MAC Player of the Year

Mid-American Conference

Providing leadership in education and in diversity, the Mid-Ameri-can Conference moves into its 62nd year of service to the student-athlete.

Since its inception in 1946, the Mid-American Conference has pro-gressively grown and developed into one of the most aggressive Division I conferences in the country. Under the guidance of Commissioner Rick Chryst, the seventh commissioner in the history of the league, the MAC has responded to the ever changing landscape of membership is-sues and member standards in the fast-paced environment of collegiate athletics.

The league has grown its commitment to cham-pionships by expanding to six its number of neu-tral site post season events – football (Detroit’s Ford Field), volleyball (Toledo’s SeaGate Cen-tre), men’s and women’s basketball (Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena), softball (Akron’s Fires-tone Stadium) and most recently baseball (Chilli-cothe’s VA Memorial Stadium).

Four Mid-American Conference men’s basket-ball programs went on to postseason play this sea-son as Kent State (NCAA Tournament), Akron (National Invitation Tournament), Miami (Col-lege Basketball Invitational) and Ohio (College Basketball Invitational) all made an appearance in postseason tournaments. There were a total of two women’s basketball programs that reached the postseason as Miami (NCAA Tournament) and Bowling Green (Women’s NIT) represented the MAC in postseason play.

From Super Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlis-berger (Miami University), British Open winner Ben Curtis (Kent State University), World Series winning manager Bob Brenly (Ohio University) and Olympic bobsled team member Brock Kreitz-burg (University of Toledo), the Mid-American Conference continues to excel in producing leaders in the world of athletics.

MAC MilestonesIn March of 2006, Chryst and Cleveland Cavaliers President Len

Komoroski announced that the Mid-American Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments would remain in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena through 2011. The MAC also announced a for-mat change for both tournaments, bringing all 12 men’s and women’s teams to Cleveland beginning in 2007. The MAC also co-hosted the 2007 Women’s Final Four at Quicken Loans Arena, after successful-ly hosting a 2006 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional at Quicken Loans Arena.

In 2006, Chryst also announced a five-year partnership with ISP

Sports, Inc. to oversee and coordinate the league’s marketing and spon-sorship rights. ISP, which currently manages more than 40 college properties nationwide, is considered the leader in the collegiate sports marketing industry. The MAC was ISP’s first conference property.

ISP is responsible for managing and growing the MAC’s stable of corporate partners, which currently includes FirstEnergy, Kraft, Mara-thon Oil, GMAC Financial Services, Gatorade, Automart.com and Sirius Satellite Radio. FirstEnergy has been the title sponsor for the men’s basketball tournament since its first year in Cleveland in March

2000, Kraft has been associated with the women’s basketball tournament since 2001, and Marathon Oil will be sponsoring the football championship for the fourth time in 2008.

History of the MACBased in Cleveland since July 1999 following a

15-year stay in Toledo, Ohio, the MAC has estab-lished historic measurements in both football and men’s and women’s basketball since its move to Northeast Ohio.

The Mid-American Conference was founded as a five-school league on February 24, 1946 in Columbus, Ohio with Ohio, Butler, Cincinnati, Wayne State and Western Reserve admitted as charter members. The Mid-American Conference has 12 full-time schools and a 13th, Temple, for football only. Comprising the East Division is the University of Akron (joined in 1992), Bowling Green State University (1952), University at Buf-falo (1998), Kent State University (1951), Miami University (1947) , Ohio University (1946) and Temple University (2007). The West Division members are Ball State University (1973), Cen-tral Michigan University (1971), Eastern Michigan

University (1971), Northern Illinois University (1975-86, 1997), Uni-versity of Toledo (1950) and Western Michigan University (1947).

In 1946 men’s basketball was the first competitive sport in the MAC, which now sponsors a total of 23 sports. Women’s sports were brought into the conference’s structure in 1980.

For men, championships (11) are sponsored in football, basketball, baseball, cross country, soccer, swimming and diving, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, wrestling, golf and tennis.

For women, championships (12) are sponsored in basketball, soft-ball, volleyball, cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, gymnastics, indoor track and field, outdoor track and tennis.

Mid-American Conference - 24 Public Square - 15th Floor - Cleveland, Ohio 44113 - (216) 566-4622 - www.mac-sports.com

33 www.bgsufalcons.com Defending Back-to-Back Mid-American Conference Regular Season Champions

2009 MAC Schedule

2009 Mid-American Conference StandingsEast Division MAC OVR W L T Pct W L T PctBowling Green 18 8 0 .692 28 22 0 .560Ohio 18 9 0 .667 29 24 0 .547Kent State 17 9 0 .654 43 17 0 .717Akron 12 15 0 .444 19 33 0 .365Buffalo 6 20 0 .231 20 35 0 .364

2009 Mid-American Conference StandingsWest Division W L T Pct W L T PctBall State 14 10 0 .583 26 25 0 .510Toledo 14 12 0 .538 24 30 0 .444 Eastern Michigan 13 14 0 .481 26 25 0 .510Central Michigan 12 15 0 .444 28 30 0 .483Northern Illinois 10 16 0 .385 19 34 0 .358Western Michigan 9 18 0 .333 14 35 0 .286

March 26-28Northern Illinois at Bowling GreenKent State at ToledoEastern Michigan at BuffaloAkron at Western Michigan

April 2-4Bowling Green at Eastern MichiganWestern Michigan at Kent StateOhio at Central MichiganMiami at Ball StateToledo at AkronBuffalo at Northern Illinois

April 9-11Toledo at BuffaloAkron at Central MichiganBall State at Bowling GreenWestern Michigan at OhioNorthern Illinois at MiamiKent State at Eastern Michigan

April 16-18Central Michigan at Kent StateBowling Green at ToledoEastern Michigan at AkronBuffalo at Ball StateMiami at Western MichiganOhio at Northern Illinois

April 23-25Ball State at Central MichiganWestern Michigan at Eastern MichiganNorthern Illinois at ToledoKent State at BuffaloBowling Green at OhioAkron at Miami

April 30 - May 2Ohio at Kent StateMiami at Bowling GreenToledo at Western MichiganEastern Michigan at Ball StateCentral Michigan at Northern IllinoisBuffalo at Akron

May 7-9Akron at Bowling GreenCentral Michigan at ToledoBall State at Western MichiganEastern Michigan at Northern IllinoisKent State at MiamiBuffalo at Ohio

May 14-16Bowling Green at Kent StateAkron at OhioWestern Michigan at Central MichiganMiami at BuffaloNorthern Illinois at Ball StateToledo at Eastern Illinois

May 20-22Buffalo at Bowling GreenBall State at ToledoEastern Michigan at Central MichiganWestern Michigan at Northern IllinoisOhio at Miami

May 28Western Michigan at Northern Illinois

Defending Back-toBack Mid-American Conference Regular Season Champions 2010 Media Guide34

MAC Opponents

AkronLocation ......................................................Akron, OhioEnrollment ............................................................ 27,911Nickname ..................................................................ZipsColors .......................................................Blue and GoldHead Coach ............................................... Pat BangstonAlma Mater ..............................................Kent State, ‘88Record/Years ..................................................... 82-117/4Asst. Coaches ...............Brian Donohew, Kurt DavidsonBaseball SID ..............................................Rita ChinyereOffice Phone ............................................ (330) 972-7171Office Fax ................................................. (330) 9725473E-mail ................................................ Rc46@uakron.eduWeb Site .........................................................gozips.comHome Facility ...................................... Lee Jackson FieldPress Box Number................................... (330) 972-88962009 Overall Record ...............................................19-332009 League Record/Finish ................12-15 / 5th - EastLettermen Returning/Lost .......................................22-8Top Returning Players: Jake Plata (Sr., OF, .357, 28 RBI), Brian Kordal (Sr., 1B, .346, 44 RBI), Kevin Hass (Sr., SS, .324, 9 HR), Ben Danziger (Jr., RHP, 11 starts, 3-4, 5.81 ERA).

Central MichiganLocation ..................................... Mt. Pleasant, MichiganEnrollment ........................................................... 26,354Nickname .......................................................ChippewasColors .................................................Maroon and GoldHead Coach ................................................... Steve JaksaAlma Mater ..................................Central Michigan, ‘79Record/Years ................................................255-196-1/8Asst. Coaches .....................Brett Haring, Jeff OpalewskiBaseball SID ................................................Mike BoseakOffice Phone ............................................(989) 774-3277Office Fax .................................................(989) 774-5391E-mail .......................................mike.boseak@cmich.eduWeb Site ........................................... cmuchippewas.comHome Facility ................................. Theunissen StadiumPress Box Number....................................(989) 774-35942009 Overall Record ...............................................28-302009 League Record/Finish ................ 12-15/4th - WestLettermen Returning/Lost ......................................17/8Top Returning Players: Matt Faiman (Jr., OF, .333 BA, 38 RBI, 9-11 SB); Trent Howard (So., LHP, 65.0 IP, 4.71 ERA, 5-2, 1CG/SHO, 52:16 K:BB), Nate Theunissen (So., OF/1B, .307 BA, 9 HR, 47 RBI)

Ball StateLocation ................................................Muncie, IndianaEnrollment ............................................................17,728Nickname .........................................................CardinalsColors ..............................................Cardinal and WhiteHead Coach ................................................... Greg BealsAlma Mater ..............................................Kent State, ‘95Record/Years ....................................................214-173/7Asst. Coaches .................... Mike Stafford, Alex MarconiBaseball SID ........................................ Matt McCollesterOffice Phone ........................................... (765) 285-8242Office Fax ................................................ (765) 285-8929E-mail ..........................................mjmccolleste@bsu.eduWeb Site ............................................ballstatesports.comHome Facility ............................................Ball DiamondPress Box Number................................... (765) 285-89322009 Overall Record ...............................................26-252009 League Record/Finish ..................14-10/1st - WestLettermen Returning/Lost ....................................16/10Top Returning Players: Kolbrin Vitek (Jr., RHP/2B, .389, 13 HR, 67 RBI, .735 slg%, 5.34 ERA, 56 K, 9 BB, 4-3), Ian Nielsen (So., 1B, .352, 9 HR, 53 RBI), Zach Dygert (Sr., C, 9 HR, 58 RBI).

BuffaloLocation .............................................Buffalo, New YorkEnrollment ............................................................28,912Nickname .................................................................BullsColors ...........................................Royal Blue and WhiteHead Coach ..............................................Ron TorgalskiAlma Mater ...............................................Hamilton, ‘89Record/Years .....................................................50-108/3Asst. Coaches .................. Jim Koerner, Devin McIntoshBaseball SID .............................................. Will NowadlyOffice Phone ............................................ (716) 645-6311Office Fax ................................................ (716) 645-6840E-mail .................................................wtn2@buffalo.eduWeb Site ............................................... buffalobulls.comHome Facility ...........................Amherst Audubon Field2009 Overall Record ...............................................20-352009 League Record/Finish ....................8-10/6th - EastLettermen Returning/Lost ....................................17/12Top Returning Players: Brad Agustin (Sr., SS, .332, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 10 SB), Rob Lawler (Sr., 1B, .310, 5 HR, 15 RBI), Charlie Karstedt (Sr., OF, .308, 3 HR, 13 doubles, 6 triples, 46 RBI, 5 SB), Adam Skonieczki (Sr., OF, .338, 35 RBI, 6 SB).

Kent StateLocation ........................................................ Kent, OhioEnrollment ........................................................... 34,000Nickname ................................................Golden FlashesColors ..............................................Navy Blue and GoldHead Coach ..............................................Scott StricklinAlma Mater ..............................................Kent State, ‘95Record/Years ...................................................183-103/5Asst. Coaches .....................Mike Birkbeck, Scott DaeleyBaseball SID .......................................... Matthew LoftonOffice Phone ........................................... (330) 672-2254Office Fax .................................................(330) 672-2112E-mail ................................................ mlofton@kent.eduWeb Site .......................................... kentstatesports.comHome Facility .................................Schoonover StadiumPress Box Number........................................ xxx-xxx-xxxx2009 Overall Record ...............................................43-172009 League Record/Finish ................... 17-9/2nd - EastLettermen Returning/Lost ......................................19/9Top Returning Players: Anthony Gallas (Jr., OF, .324, 10 HR, 53 RBI), Jared Humphreys (5-Sr., OF/INF, .339, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 115 TB), Jimmy Rider (So., INF, .353, 5 HR, 46 RBI), Kyle Hallock (Jr., LHP, 4.57 ERA, 4-3, 42 K).

MiamiLocation .................................................... Oxford, OhioEnrollment ............................................................15,766Nickname ....................................................... RedHawksColors ......................................................Red and WhiteHead Coach .............................................. Dan SimondsAlma Mater ............................................... Davidson, ‘87Record/Years .................................................. 113-110/ 4Asst. Coaches ...................Ben Bachmann / Jeremy IsonBaseball SID ........................................Michael WeismanOffice Phone ............................................(513) 529-1601Office Fax .................................................(513) 529-0021E-mail ....................................... weismanh@muohio.eduWeb Site ..................................www.MURedHawks.comHome Facility .....................McKie Field at Hayden ParkPress Box Number....................................(513) 529-43312009 Overall Record ...............................................30-252009 League Record/Finish .............. 15-12/ 4th - MACLettermen Returning/Lost ......................................15/7Top Returning Players: Adam Eaton (Jr., OF, .350, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 28 SB, .617 slg%), Sam Dawes (Jr., LHP, 4.02 ERA, 1-0, 31.1 IP, 20 IP), Jamaal Hollis (RHP, Sr., 2.08 ERA, 3-0, 26 IP, 21 SO).

OhioLocation .................................................... Athens, OhioEnrollment ........................................................... 28,442Nickname ............................................................BobcatsColors .....................................Hunter Green and WhiteHead Coach ................................................ Joe CarboneAlma Mater ......................................................Ohio, ‘70Record/Years .............................................. 614-520-2/22Asst. Coaches ................. Andrew See, Scott MalinowskiBaseball SID ........................................Michael WeismanOffice Phone ............................................(740) 597-1784Office Fax .................................................(740) 597-1838E-mail ...............................................weisman@ohio.eduWeb Site ............................................. OhioBobcats.comHome Facility ...................................Bob Wren StadiumPress Box Number................................... (740) 593-05262009 Overall Record ...............................................29-242009 League Record/Finish ...................18-9/2nd - EastLettermen Returning/Lost ......................................16/7Top Returning Players: Gauntlett Eldemire (Jr., OF, .313, 21 HR, 56 RBI, .682 slug%); Bryce Butt (Sr., RHP, 4.80 ERA, 6-6, 52 K, 19 BB, 5 SV).

Northern IllinoisLocation .................................................DeKalb, IllinoisEnrollment ............................................................24,397Nickname ............................................................HuskiesColors ............................................... Cardinal and BlackHead Coach ...................................................Ed MatheyAlma Mater .......................................North Central, ‘86Record/Years ...................................................186-203/7Asst. Coaches ......................Steve Joslyn, Ray NapientekBaseball SID ...................................................Zach PetersOffice Phone ........................................... (815) 753-9572Office Fax ................................................ (815) 753-9540E-mail .................................................. zpeters2@niu.eduWeb Site ................................................. niuhuskies.comHome Facility ............................... Ralph McKinzie FieldPress Box Number................................... (815) 753-80942009 Overall Record ...............................................19-342009 League Record/Finish .................10-16/5th - WestLettermen Returning/Lost ......................................23/8Top Returning Players: Jordan Hood (Sr., OF, two-time second team All-MAC selection, .382, 10 HR, 46 RBI), Dave Reynolds (Sr., 1B, .361, 42 R, 8 HR, 46 RBI), Andy Deain (Sr., RHP, 2-0, 4.64 ERA, 21.1 IP, 16 K).

Western MichiganLocation ........................................Kalamazoo, MichiganEnrollment ............................................................24,483Nickname ........................................................... BroncosColors ................................................... Brown and GoldHead Coach ..................................................Randy FordAlma Mater .................................Western Michigan, ‘79Record/Years ................................................ 115-135-1/5Asst. Coaches ....................... Scott Demetral, Tom BatesBaseball SID ..............................................Kristin KeirnsOffice Phone ............................................(269) 387-4123Office Fax .................................................(269) 387-4139E-mail .....................................kristin.keirns@wmich.eduWeb Site ..............................................wmubroncos.comHome Facility ............................Robert J. Bobb StadiumPress Box Number................................... (269) 998-80622008 Overall Record ...............................................14-352008 League Record/Finish ...................9-18/6th - WestLettermen Returning/Lost ......................................16/7Top Returning Players:

35 www.bgsufalcons.com Defending Back-to-Back Mid-American Conference Regular Season Champions

Steller Field/Facilities

The Bowling Green State University baseball team plays its home games at Warren E. Steller Field, one of the Midwest’s finest baseball facilities. Steller Field features seating for 1,100 spectators, a spacious press box, a pair of batting cages, and one of the best-groomed playing surfaces in the country. Located between the BGSU Ice Arena and the Forrest Creason Golf Course, Steller Field is situated at the corner of Mercer Road and Stadium Drive in the northeastern section of campus. On many occasions, home runs land on the 16th fairway of the golf course behind the left-field fence. Steller Field is named in honor of Warren Steller, who served at BGSU for 41 years, including a lengthy stint as athletic direc-tor from 1924-41. A graduate of Oberlin College, he was also an outstanding athlete and coach. Steller guided the fortunes of five Falcon sports, including baseball and football. He compiled a 221-154 (.589) mark over 31 seasons as baseball mentor and an 11-year record of 40-21-19 as the gridiron tactician. His 1944 baseball team captured the mythical Ohio state crown with a 20-3 ledger. Steller, who led BG to three Northwestern Ohio Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships, was also head of the University’s physical education department. Steller Field began a facelift in the summer of 2001 when seating was re-done to create a better atmosphere for the Falcon fans and players. The project included new bench seating, press box and backstop. The project was completed by the 2002 baseball season. In 1972, the Mid-American Conference champion Falcons hosted the NCAA Midwest Regional (District IV) tournament and narrowly missed a trip to the College World Series. BG finished the season ranked 13th in the final Collegiate Baseball rankings. Steller Field has also been the site of the Mid-American Conference Tournament three times - in 1995 after the Falcons captured the league’s regu-lar-season title, in 1998 following the Brown and Orange’s East Division championship, and again in 2002 when BGSU won the MAC regular-season title. In past years, Steller Field has served as home to the Ohio American Legion District Tournament, the now defunct Bowling Green Breeze (1988-91) of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, numerous professional try-out camps and clinics, and BGSU’s popular summer baseball camp. Steller Field has also hosted games for the Great Black Swamp Classic (Connie Mack) since its inaugural season in 1997. The dimensions at Steller Field, dedicated May 26, 1964, are 340’ down the lines in left and right field, 375’ in the power alleys and 400’ to straight-away center field. Bowling Green has compiled a record of 383-264-7 (.591) at Steller Field since its completion in 1963. The Falcons have posted a 155-76 mark (.671) at home over the last 11 seasons.

Perry Field House

Weight Room Sebo Center