Spring 2011 EMag

E - M A G A Z I N EBOBCAT CLUB

PUBLISHER/EDITORS-IN-CHIEFChris Park

Bryan Gates

DESIGNBryan Gates

Reagan Brownsworth

WRITERS/CONTRIBUTORSBryan Gates

Reagan BrownsworthChris Park

Texas State Media RelationsMary Ellen Jones

PHOTOGRAPHYTexas State Media Relations

1 BOBCAT CLUB E-MAGAZINE

2 Letter From The Desk of Chris Park

3 Bobcat Club July Luncheon

4 2010 Winter Accolades

5 Baseball Conference Tournament Bracket

6 Baseball Clinches 3rd Conference Championship

8 Joseph Dvorksy Pitching Role

12 Softball Takes Conference Tournament

14 Zenarae Antoine Named Womens Head Basketball Coach

17 Catching Up With Ben Theriot

18 Compliance Corner

Contents

BOBCAT CLUBE - M A G A Z I N E

BOBCAT CLUB E-MAGAZINE 2

Letter FromThe Desk of Chris Park

Dear Bobcat Club Donors,

The 2010-2011 Bobcat Athletic season is quickly coming to a close and I can’t help but reflect on the wonderful fundraising accomplishments over this past year. Before we review the list of achievements I wanted to take the time to recognize the out-standing staff that works in Athletic Development:

Travis Comer – Associate AD for Major GiftsJohn Anderson – Major Gifts OfficerBryan Gates – Development AssistantMatt Peters – Development AssistantLinda Arredondo – Administrative AssistantSharon Lehman – Donor Gift ProcessingRegan Brownsworth – Student Worker

Without the people mentioned above the successes achieved this past year would not have been possible.

• An increase of 70% in cash raised for Bobcat Club Scholarships from the 2009-2010 campaign• 635 cash donors to the Bobcat Club, an increase of 61% from the 2009-2010 campaign • The Bobcat Club Gift in Kind program saw the following increases in 10-11 An increase of 18% in trade hotel room nights $95k in trade food, an increase of 22% A 32% increase in Misc GIK in categories such as donated services, tents, signage, etc A 31% overall increase in the GIK program from 09-10• Bobcat Bonanza raised $98,289, an increase of 99% from the previous year-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bobcat Bonanza, as evidence above, was a tremendous success this past spring! First, this outstanding event would not be possible without the title sponsorship support of Texas Roadhouse. For four years now, Texas Roadhouse has provided excep-tional food and service at no cost to the department as their gift and support of the Bobcat Bonanza! Following Texas Road-house’s lead are the other outstanding event sponsors:

Pioneer Bank – A new sponsor to the Bobcat Bonanza in 2011 in which they secured the title sponsorship the next three years to the Bonanza Golf Tourney

Brown Distributing – A long time supporter of Bobcat Athletics, the good folks at Brown Distributing do a fabulous job as a spon-sor of the Bobcat Bonanza

Dagar’s Catering – In their second year, Dagar’s Catering continues to provide outstanding bar service and wonderful deserts as a part of their sponsorship of the Bonanza. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Bobcat Club brochures for the 2011-2012 campaign will be hitting your mailboxes shortly and we cannot wait for you to see the new and improved look. Pay special attention to the 110% campaign we are launching this year for all of our Bobcat Club donors planning to renew for the upcoming season.

Again, thank you for supporting scholarships for our deserving Texas State Student Athletes with your generous gift to the Bob-cat Club.

See you in the stands,

Chris Park

Bobcat Club News

Upcoming Luncheons

Wednesday, July 13thThe Austin Club, Austin, TX

Featuring Texas State football head coach Dennis Franchione

Luncheon begins at Noon and cost $25 for Bobcat Club Donors or $250 per table.Please RSVP by contacting the Bobcat Club at 245-2114 or emailing [email protected].

2010-2011 Luncheon Partners


Mens BasketballTony Bishop was named to the 2011 All-Southland Conference Men’s Basketball team. Bishop, a senior co-captain, earned his first conference honor as he was selected to the All-SLC second team. A leader on-and-off the court, in conference games Bishop finished ninth in the league in scoring (15.3 ppg), fourth in rebounding (8.6 rpg), third in field goal percentage (.608 FG pct.) and third in blocked shots (1.3 bpg). Bishop is the only player in the league to rank in the top 10 in all four categories in league games only. In just two years at Texas State, Bishop currently ranks fifth all-time in career blocks with 54. Bishop has a career-high of 27 points and 16 rebounds and finished second in the league with 10 double-doubles.

Ryan White was named to the All-Southland Conference Men’s Basketball third team for the first time in his career. A four-year senior for Texas State, White finished 14th in scoring (14.0 ppg), third in assists (4.9 apg), sixth in free throw percentage (.847) and fourth in steals (1.8 spg). White became an instrumental factor for Texas State at the free throw line as the season winded down. White was all named to the 2011 Southland Conference All-Academic teams. He has a 3.21 grade point average to receive second team accolades for the second straight year. He has been named to the Dean’s List twice and has been named to the SLC Commissioner’s Honor Roll every year. White has also been an Oak Farms Award winner from 2007-2010. He will graduate in August with a degree in marketing.

Jonathan Sloan a forward from Richardson, Texas, was an automatic selection to the first team after receiving CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District VI honors earlier this season. Sloan graduated cum laude in December with a 3.56 GPA in exercise and sports science and a minor in business. He is currently enrolled in Texas State’s secondary education master’s program. He was named to Dean’s List four times and was an Oak Farms award winner from 2007-2010. His 4.0 GPA earned him a Cream of the Crop distinction in 2009-2010. Sloan was named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll from 2008-2010.

Women’s BasketballDiamond Ford has been named to the All-Southland Conference Honorable Mention list. Ford led the Bobcats in scoring at 14.3 points per game this season. Among all SLC players, Diamond ranked ninth in points per game and 12th in 3-point field goal percentage (.341). Overall her field goal percentage was 14th in the SLC (.414). She was the Bobcats best free throw shooter at 79.3% (92-of-116), good for ninth in the league. On Jan. 31, Ford was named Southland Conference Player of the Week, after recording her first two double-doubles in back-to-back games. It was the Bobcats first SLC Player of the Week Honor since 2008.

Anna Brzozowski senior forward was named to the Southland Conference All-Academic team. Anna owns a 3.87 GPA in Exercise and Sports Science. Her GPA is the highest of anyone named to the All-SLC Academic squad. Off the court she also organized the women’s basketball team to volunteer at the South Texas Special Olympics held on the campus of Texas State Brzozowski earned second-team accolades. This season Brzozowski averaged a career-high 6.6 points per game, playing all 29 games, just one of two players to do that this season.


Winter 2010 Bobcat Accolades

Ryan White All-Southland Conference

Tony Bishop All-Southland Conference

Diamond Ford All-Southland Conference


BaSEBALL SECURES THIRD CONSECUTIVE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Texas State baseball team clinched its third consecutive Southland Conference regular season championship on Saturday May 14th at Bobcat Ballpark when the Bobcats defeated Nicholls, 4-3, to claim the top spot in the Southland Conference Tournament. In addition to being number one in the conference, the team is currently sitting on a 23-7 Southland record and 34-17 overall.

The Bobcats will finish the regular season on the road against UT-Arlington before playing as the top seed in the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2011 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament. All games will be played at Bobcat Ballpark with the tournament beginning Thursday, May 25 and ending with the championship game on Saturday, May 29.

For only $50 per seat you can purchase an all-tournament pass. Day passes are also available, starting May 16th for $15. Purchasing an all-tournament pass will guarantee that you have your sea-son ticket seat. Purchasing a day pass ticket will not guarantee your current seat, but we will do our best to accommodate specific seating requests.

Order now by calling the Texas State Ticket Office at 512-245-2272!


THANK YOU TO OUR FOOD TRADE

PARTNERS !


iThe end of a baseball game has many similarities to the end of sentence. Much like a sentence can be finished with a period, question mark or an exclamation point, so can a game. The period is just your standard conclusion to a game without much excitement. The question mark is rarer but includes things like rain delays or the lights unexpectedly going out at the stadium. Then, there’s the exclamation point. That’s when Joseph Dvorsky comes in the game. Friday, February 18 was opening day for the Texas State baseball team as the Bobcats hosted Nebraska at Bobcat Ballpark. A capacity crowd of 2,386 filled the stadium and was treated to a 7-2 Texas State lead entering the ninth inning when the 90’s hit “Hot Stepper” began to ring throughout the stadium, signaling it was time to bring in Texas State pitcher Joseph Dvorsky. Dvorsky trotted in from the bullpen and wasted no time riffling through his warm-up. Cornhusker shortstop Chad Christianson stepped to the plate, and the first pitch he saw was a fastball that painted the outside corner for a strike, bringing the hometown crowd to its collective feet. Dvorsky wouldn’t allow them to retake their seats as he worked quickly, making Christianson miss the next pitch before sitting him down on a called third strike as the crowd roared. The next batter had little success either, sending a lazy fly ball to right field for the second out of the inning as Dvorsky paced on the mound, preparing for his next casualty. Khiry Cooper came to bat next and watched as a first-pitch fastball whizzed in for a called strike. The cheers grew louder with every pitch as Dvorsky collected the ball back from catcher Andrew Stumph. Pitch two of the at-bat brought further jubilation as a changeup resulted in an awkward swing from Cooper for strike two. The San Marcos faithful rhythmically clapped as Dvorsky fired in the next two pitches that Cooper fought off, but the Waco, Texas native turned up the heat with his final pitch that made Cooper whiff and the crowd erupt. That was an exclamation point.

DVORSKY SETTLING INTO NEW PITCHING ROLE


Rewind four years and ask Dvorsky of that situation would ever happen, and he would probably say no. “Coming out of high school, I didn’t really think about playing college baseball until I was a senior,” Dvorsky recalled. “My coach told me I actually had a shot at playing in college, so I decided to go to McClennan (Community College) because it would be the best fit for me at the time.” Dvorsky spent two years at McClennan where he played for head coach Pete Mejia. But after the stint, he wanted to take the next step. “I had offers to play division II or III, but I really wanted to play division I ball,” Dvorsky said. “So I sent out some emails and decided to come here after talking with coach Matlock.” The combination of getting to play for a successful baseball program, to learn in Texas State’s School of Business and to remain close to home made Dvorsky’s decision an easy one. He came on campus to meet with the coaches and immediately took a liking to the environment. He enrolled a few days later. But after making just two appearances out of the bullpen in his first season as a Bobcat, Dvorsky knew he had to continue to work on his game if he wanted to make bigger contributions as a senior. “I decided to play this summer in Victoria at the Texas Collegiate League,” Dvorsky said. “My junior college pitching coach was the head coach, so I wanted to go there. He let me throw three innings my first time out and then made me a starter from there.” Dvorsky made the most of the opportunity to start as he went a perfect 7-0 with a 2.66 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings. He was named the TCL Pitcher of the Year and also authored the most dominating pitching performance in league history as he tossed the third no-hitter in TCL history, striking out 18 hitters and walking none against the defending league champions. “My coach helped me out a lot and just gave me some confidence,” Dvorsky said. With new-found confidence, Dvorsky returned to San Marcos this past fall and won over the Texas State coaches. He made such an impression, Dvorsky entered the 2011 season with the trust of his coaches to close out games for the Bobcats. While it’s a new role for the senior, he has made adjustments so that his success can continue. “It’s a different mindset,” Dvorsky said. “It’s a big adrenalin rush. I can just come in and throw as hard as I can and don’t have to worry about throwing another inning.”



PARTNERS !



PARTNERS !


SOFTBALL WINS CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

Texas State softball earned the third seed in the Southland Conference Tournament this year. Texas State made its league-leading 13th consecutive Southland tournament appearance and 16th overall. The Bobcats are one of three Southland teams to win 20 games in conference play this season and lead the league in conference wins versus Southland opponents with 88 over the last four seasons. Texas State last won the tournament title in 2009 when it defeated McNeese State. Last year the Bobcats fell in the championship game to McNeese State.

The Bobcats came back and captured the 2011 Southland Conference Tournament Cham-pionship at the Bearkat Softball Complex in Huntsville, Texas. The title is the second in three years for Texas State as it earns the automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.The Bobcats outscored its opponents 24 to 7 over the course of the tournament to highlight their successful run. Junior utility/pitcher Chandler Hall was named the Most Valuable Player. Jenna Emery, McKenzie Baack, Haley Lemons and Anne Marie Taylor all joined Hall on the all-tournament team.

In the championship games they fell behind for the first time in the tournament when A&M-Corpus Christi’s Brittany Tucker hit a solo homerun over the centerfield wall in the bottom of the first. Both teams went scoreless in the second, but Tucker returned in the third to hit a two-run slammer off the scoreboard to give the Islanders a 3-0 lead after three innings of play.The Bobcats generated their first run when McKenzie Baack hit an RBI single to drive in Rother and move the runners over. Texas State wasn’t quite done yet as senior stud Jenna Emery batted the ball to centerfield for a double that cleared the bases and give Texas State the 4-3 edge. Texas State tacked on five runs with four hits to spin the game in favor of the maroon and gold.

The Bobcats decided to add three runs in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to five runs. Rother began the inning with a leadoff double, followed by a single by Matt and a walk by Hall to load the bases with no outs. Lemons singled to push Rother home and give Texas State its sixth run of the day. Matt scored on an error and Hall on a sacrifice fly by Hernandez to take an 8-3 edge.


A&M-Corpus Christi was able to score a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut Texas State’s lead to three. The three-run lead would prove to be enough for Texas State as the Bob-cats earned their fifth conference tournament title.

After claiming the Southland Conference tournament title they earned a postseason bid, which sent them to the NCAA Softball Championship Tournament in Austin. The Austin Regional includ-ed Houston, Louisiana and Texas.

The Bobcats took on No. 3 Texas for the opening round and fell 2-0 after having a hard time getting the bats going and rain delays. The Bobcats were then defeated by Louisiana-Lafayette 11-2 in the fifth game of the regional that was played in a double elimination format at McCombs Field which ended their very succesful season.

Ricci Woodard outlook on next season: We’re returning a pretty good group, but we’re also los-ing a good group. It’s just going to be a matter of replacing some kids that did a really good job for us. As I told the senior class, we wouldn’t have been here without them. They’re going to be tough to replace, but obviously we expect to be sitting in the same spot next year.


TEXAS STATE HIRES ZENARAE ANTOINE TO LEAD THE BOBCATS

San Marcos, Texas – Texas State University announced Monday that Zenarae Antoine has been selected as the eighth women’s basketball coach in program history. Antoine comes to San Marcos after three seasons with Arkansas as an assistant coach. Including Arkansas, Coach Antoine has been at numerous Division I programs, including Louisville, Ohio and College of Charleston.

“I am very pleased that Zenarae Antoine has agreed to lead the Bobcat women’s basketball program as we prepare for our transition into the Western Athletic Conference,” Texas State University President Dr. Denise Trauth said. “She brings high expectations for building a winning program and for helping our Bobcat student athletes graduate from Texas State.”

This season Arkansas went 22-12, including a berth to the WNIT, where it advanced to the quarterfinals. In the first game of the WNIT, the Razorbacks beat Southland Conference opponent Lamar, 91-65.During her time with the Razorbacks, she served as the recruiting coordinator. She opened with back-to-back nationally-ranked recruiting classes that included two players who earned All-SEC recognition as freshmen (Lyndsay Harris and C’eira Ricketts).

Managing the Razorbacks’ extensive recruiting data base as the staff’s recruiting coordinator, Antoine also worked with the wing guards and small forwards and serving as the coaching staff’s liaison with the Razorback academic staff.Prior to Arkansas, Antoine was the recruiting coordinator at Louisville, and guided the Cardinals to nationally-ranked recruiting classes her four seasons at UL. Her last two recruiting classes were No. 26 for 2006 and No. 25 for 2007. Among the most notable signees for the Cardinals were Kodak All-American and 2007 Big East Player of the Year Angel McCoughtry and Kodak Junior College All-American Helen Johnson.

Prior to Louisville, Antoine spent two seasons as an assistant at Ohio University, her second stint at the school. While at Ohio, whose mascot is also the Bobcats, she coached both guards and posts, and was in charge of scouting opponents.Between stints at Ohio, Antoine spent a season as an assistant for College of Charleston, where she served as the lead recruiter for the southern region and also coached posts. She also had administrative duties such as coordinating travel, academics and community service.

Zenarae received her master’s degree from Ohio in 2000 where her coaching career began as a graduate assistant. She coached post players while also helping out with academics. During her playing career at Colorado State, Antoine was a three-year starter for the Rams. She played her senior season for head coach Tom Collen, who she would work under later at Louisville and Arkansas, as CSU went 24-6 and reached the NCAA second round during his first season as head coach.

Working with posts and guards during her coaching career, Antoine was an anchor in the middle for CSU during her playing days. She finished her career third in blocked shots and seventh in rebounding. She also ranks high for single season rebounds and blocked shots. During her career, CSU had two league titles and two NCAA appearances.


As a coach, Antoine has reached the posteseason a total of five times, going twice to the NCAA Tournament (2005, 2006) along with three WNIT appearances (2004, 2009, 2011). Including her playing career her total is seven, after making the second-round of the NCAA Tournament twice during her days at Colorado State.

Overall in her career she has had five classes that have received national recognition. One of her most notable signings was Angel McCoughtry, a three-time WBCA/State Farm All-American and 2009 WNBA Draft number one draft pick & Rookie of the Year. She has developed that talent even further, garnering over ten All-Conference players.

“Texas State women’s basketball has enjoyed a rich tradition in the Southland Conference that includes Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Linda Sharp and post-season titles and play,” Antoine said. “I am very excited to energize our fan base in Strahan Coliseum and continue to reach out to new faces in our goal to make a statement during our last year in the Southland Conference as we transition to the Western Athletic Conference in 2012.”

“I am thankful to Dr. Trauth, Dr. Teis and Tracy Shoemake for entrusting me with their women’s basketball program. I am energized and look forward to what lies ahead for our program and fans.”

Antoine is married to Ronald Antoine who is the wide receivers coach at South Alabama University. Antoine was a Katy, Texas, resident and earned her bachelor’s degree in physical science with minors in geology and statistics from CSU in 1998, and her master’s in athletic administration at Ohio in 2000. Antoine is a member of the WBCA and a 2002 graduate of the Women’s Coaches Academy. The Antoines have twin sons, Zavier and Zachary, and a yellow lab named Daisy.

“Zenarae brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to Texas State women’s basketball,” Texas State Athletic Director Dr. Larry Teis said. “She has been very instrumental in the recruiting process at both Arkansas and Louisville and has relationships with the top high school coaches in the state of Texas.”

Coach Antoine became a member of the CTMC Women’s Concil here in San Marcos.

First day of workouts under Coach Antoine.

Reporters at the Basketball Head Coach press conference interview Texas State’s new wom-

en’s basketball coach Zenarae Antoine.

New Head Bas-ketball Coach Zenarae Antoine at the press conference.




PARTNERS !

Catching Up with...Ben Theriot

Former Texas State baseball player Ben Theriot took a few moments to catch up with the Bobcat Club. Ben attended Texas State from 2006-2009 and was drafted in the 9th round in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. He was a standout baseball player during his time in San Marcos.

What were some of your more memorable moments at while attending Texas State? The student life at Texas State was amazing. I wouldn’t trade that memory for anything. I met many great people there and going to Texas State was the best decision I think I have ever made. Baseball wise the best memory was finally winning that conference championship in 2009. We had so much chemistry and so much desire that it felt awesome to have all that hard work pay off with a conference championship and a bid to the regionals.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?In my free time I either watch TV or get on the computer. I don’t get much free time during the season so most of my free time is devoted to relaxing in some sort of way.

What excites you the most about the future of Texas State and the Department of Athletics? The Texas State Department of Athletics has made huge strides ever since I arrived there in the Fall of 2006. What excites me the most is us getting some national attention and respect. We are really a great university and I’m glad that people around the country will finally get to see that. Its definitely long past due with how great of a school and area we have there in San Marcos.

How did it make you feel as an alum and former Texas State athlete to hear that athletics is moving to the WAC?I was at a loss for words to tell you the truth. I was on the phone texting Paul Goldschmidt, Boomer Franco, and Clint Vest and we were all so happy. I also received a call from Ty and he was very pleased as well. It brought on a further sense of pride to know we will now be competing at a higher stage. The Southland Conference has been great but its time for bigger and better things for this University.

Since you are in the Minors what has it taught you about your baseball abilities?It has taught me that my abilities are there I just need to keep them at a consistent level day in and day out. That’s the biggest part about this game is staying in it mentally and giving it your best everyday.

How do you feel that baseball has won its third conference title and you were a part of the team that started it all?It honestly doesn’t surprise me at all. Ty has taken that program to a whole new level and I couldn’t be more proud than I am to say that I was a product of the Texas State Baseball program.

What does the future hold for Ben Theriot? Well the foreseeable future for myself will hopefully be to make it to the big leagues in baseball. I’m currently in AA for the Kansas City Royals so I still have a little ways to go but I’m working hard for it.

Current city: Springdale, Arkansas

Years played baseball: 2006-2009

Currently Plays in AA for the Kansas City Royals



Compliance Corner

Each issue, Assistant AD for Compliance Mary Ellen Jones answers common questions concerning compliance issues, and addresses new policies affecting boosters in the “Compliance Corner.”

Employment Arrangements and NCAA Rules

As the semester comes to a close and student-athletes prepare for the summer vacation period, questions may arise regarding student-athlete and prospect employment arrangements. The NCAA permits you, representatives of athletics interests (e.g. “boosters”), to employ prospects and enrolled student-athletes; however, there are very important parameters to be aware of before you move forward with any such arrangements.

Employing or arranging for the employment of a prospective student-athlete is permissible if you obtain advanced approval from the Athletic Compliance Office. Prospects may begin employment with a booster only after they have completed their senior year in high school, withdrawn from their two-year college or completed two-year college graduation requirements. It is important to remember that there are strict prohibitions against reps of athletics interests communicating with prospects, but there is a limited exception that allows you to do so only after the prospect has signed a National Letter of Intent with Texas State and provided the conversation is limited to pre-enrollment information, such as a discussion about summer employment. For these reasons, the compliance pre-approval process is critical.

Current student-athletes are required to register their employment arrangements with the Texas State Athletic Compliance Office as well, whether the job is during the academic year or summer. This registration process involves the student-athletes completing a compliance form documenting that the employment arrangement is consistent with all applicable rules and regulations. The form requires the signature of the student-athlete and employer.

All employment arrangements, whether involving prospects or current student-athletes, must adhere to the following NCAA regulations:

1. Student-athletes and prospects may only be paid for work actually performed;

2. Student-athletes and prospects must be paid the going rate in that locality for similar services;

3. Compensation to student-athletes and prospects may not include any remuneration for the value or utility that the individual may have for the employer because of publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he/she has obtained because of athletic ability.

4. Transportation may not be provided to prospects or enrolled student-athletes whom you employ (unless it is the company’s established policy to transport all employees to the job site).

Maintaining compliance is critical to the success of the Bobcat athletic programs and we ask for your help in making sure the University operates within the rules. If you have any questions or concerns regarding employment of student-athletes or any other athletic compliance matters, please feel free to contact the Texas State Compliance Office - [email protected].

Documents

Spring 2011 EMag