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BASKETBALL PRESEASON NO. 12 IN NATION
(October 16, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan College, with two full-time starters and two part-time starters back from their national finalist squad, has been chosen preseason No. 12 by Division II Bulletin magazine in their NCAA Division II Top 25 preseason men's poll.
Division II Bulletin chose Humboldt State (Calif.) No. 1, followed by Southern Indiana, South Dakota, Massachusetts Lowell, Cal Poly Pomona, Northeastern State (Okla.), Rollins (Fla.), Tarleton State (Texas), Findlay (Ohio) and Queens (NC).
The second 10 includes Metropolitan State, then No. 12 Kentucky Wesleyan, Millersville (Pa.), Lenoir-Rhyne (NC), South Dakota State, Northwest Missouri, Florida Southern, Columbus State (Ga.), Saint Rose (NY) and Florida Gulf Coast.
Completing the Top 25 are No. 21 Assumption (Mass.), Kennesaw State (Ga.), Bridgeport (Ct.), Nebraska Kearney and Eckerd (Fla.).
The Panthers were picked No. 9 in Street & Smith’s preseason top 10 poll on Sept. 29.
The third and final preseason Division II poll will be released in early November by Basketball Times.
BASKETBALL PRESEASON NO. 9 IN NATION
(September 29, 2003)The Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers have been picked No. 9 in Street & Smith’s preseason men’s basketball Division II top 10 poll.
KWC return returns six letterwinners including two full-time starters and two part-time starters from their 2003 NCAA finalist squad (31-4*).
Street & Smith’s chose Humboldt State (Calif.) No. 1, followed by No. 2 Cal Poly Pomona, No. 3 Southern Indiana, No. 4 Tarleton State (Tex.), No. 5 South Dakota State, No. 6 Rollins (Fla.), No. 7 Cal State San Bernardino, No. 8 South Dakota, No. 9 KWC and No. 10 Findlay (Ohio).
*Due to a player declared ineligible after the season, KWC forfeited 31-wins and vacated their NCAA runner-up finish (5-1).
WHITESIDE EARNS TRI-NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
Kentucky Wesleyan's Nick Whiteside received Tri-National Defensive Player of the Week honors by Football Gazette for his performance in the Panthers 38-14 loss to Lambuth last Saturday.
Whiteside, a 6-0, 248-pound, senior defensive tackle from Tucker, Ga. (Tucker HS), recorded a career high 13 tackles (six solo), had one sack and 1.5 tackles for lost yards and scored his first career touchdown with a 27-yard interception.
Joining Whiteside for the defensive award were Cody Cramer of Findlay (Ohio) and Jason Ocean of Livingstone (NC).
Kentucky Wesleyan will host Southwest Baptist on Saturday at Rash Stadium for a 1:30 CT kickoff.
LISTEN TO ALL KWC FOOTBALL GAMES ON THE INTERNET OR BY PHONE
(August 29, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan College fans, alumni, parents and friends can listen to all Panther football radio broadcasts from anywhere in the world by going to KWC's website: www.kwc.edu/athletic/audio/htm and click on the game.
An individual must have RealPlayer on their computer to listen to the broadcasts. Fans who do not have RealPlayer can download the program free from the KWC website to their computer. This one-time installation takes time so download RealPlayer several days or weeks before the season begins. Once RealPlayer is installed, anyone can listen to the broadcasts.
For those who do not have internet access can listen to all Panther football radio broadcasts over the phone on TEAMLINE telephone service. To use TEAMLINE for KWC games fans will dial 800-846-4700, enter Kentucky Wesleyan's access code 4230, enter their Visa or Mastercard number and expiration date and then be connected to the live game broadcast direct from WBIO 94.7 FM, the official radio station of KWC sports.
KWC fans are billed on their credit card is 50˘ per minute for the first 60 minutes and then 20˘ per minute for each additional minute on the same call. Fans pay only for the time that they listen to the broadcast. They can listen as long as they like on the broadcast.
KWC fans can hang up during the broadcast and call back later as many times as they wish during the game. However, when they hang up and call back, they start over at the regular 50˘ per minute instead of 20˘ per minute you pay after the first hour. The average cost of listening to a complete game is $54.00.
Broadcasts begin 10 minutes prior to kickoff and will conclude following the Coach Brent Holsclaw post game show. WBIO 94.7 FM is the official radio station of Kentucky Wesleyan College Football Panthers.
SOFTBALL PANTHERS SIGN FIVE FROM OWENSBORO AREA (August 14, 2003)
Kentucky Wesleyan College softball head coach Rob Wimsatt announced the signing of Jill Sutherland from Owensboro High School; Kerri Hess and Mary Mattingly from Breckinridge County High School; and Meredith McConnell and Bridget Gillim from Ohio County High School to national letters-of-intent to play for the Panthers in 2004.
"This is a good recruiting class because they are impact players," said Wimsatt. "Each one brings something different to the program with either their offense, defense or pitching talents."
Sutherland, a right-handed pitcher, led the Red Devils with a 4.95 ERA, 107 strikeouts and 187 innings pitched in 28 games as a senior. The all-district performer batted .289 with 24 hits, five doubles, one triple, 11 RBI's and had seven stolen bases at Owensboro for head coach Stephanie Stinnett.
Hess, a four-year starter at third base for the Tigers, batted .292 as a senior. She holds the school season record for most RBI's with 21 and most home runs with five. Hess twice earned all-district honors and also received all-region recognition for head coach Pat Kemp.
Mattingly, a four-year starter at shortstop and pitcher, led the Tigers with a .368 batting average with 28 hits and 17 RBI's. She earned the team's Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior, twice named all-district and broke 11 Breckinridge County school season records.
McConnell, a right-handed pitcher, threw all 144 innings in 21 games as a senior where she led the Eagles to a 12-9 record and a district runner-up finish. She posted a 0.80 ERA with 111 strikeouts, four shutouts and recorded one no-hitter and two one-hit games. The two-time all-district and all-region performer holds season records for wins and strikeouts, and career records for wins, strikeouts and batting average.
Gillim, an all-district honoree at shortstop, was a five-year starter at Ohio County for head coach Barry Barnes.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN FOOTBALL PICKED PRESEASON NO. 8
(August 5, 2003)Football Gazette tabbed the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers No. 8 in their NCAA Division II Mid-Major preseason poll.
Bentley (Mass.) received the No. 1 spot in the preseason top eight poll followed by No. 2 LIU/C.W. Post (NY), No. 3 Southern Connecticut, No. 4 American International (Mass.), No. 5 Merrimack (Mass.), No. 6 St. Anselm (NH), No. 7 Bryant (RI) and No. 8 KWC.
This marks the fifth-time in KWC football history the Panthers have been ranked in Football Gazette's preseason polls. The Panthers were No. 4 in 1995, No. 7 in 1999, No. 1 in 2000 and No. 6 in 2001.
First-year head coach Brent Holsclaw returns 19 starters (7 offense, 9 defense and 3 specialists) and 26 letterwinners returning from last season's 1-10 squad.
Top returnees for the KWC are 2002 All-Americans Vince Brodt (lb), Nathan East (wr), Haven Mosley (qb) and Quentin Womack (db).
The Panthers begin preparation for their 21st intercollegiate football season with the first practice session on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
KWC will host the Lambuth (Tenn.) Eagles in the season opener on Aug. 30 at Rash Stadium at 1:30 p.m.
UK'S MICKIE DEMOSS TO SPEAK IN OWENSBORO ON AUGUST 23
(July 21, 2003)University of Kentucky's new women's basketball coach Mickie DeMoss will be the featured speaker at the Successful Women in Sports Fundraising Dinner at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, August 23 at Kentucky Wesleyan College.
DeMoss became the sixth head coach of the Kentucky women’s basketball team on March 18 after 18 years as associate head coach with the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers and Hall of Fame head coach Pat Summitt.
As the recruiting coordinator for Tennessee, DeMoss brought in some of the top players in UT history, including Chamique Holdsclaw, a four-time All-American and the Most Outstanding Player at both the 1997 and 1998 NCAA Final Fours; Tonya Edwards, the 1987 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player; and Tamika Catchings, Kodak All-American and the 2000 Naismith Player of the Year.
During DeMoss' tenure, the Lady Volunteers compiled an impressive 554-77 (.878) record, an unprecedented six NCAA championship titles and 13 Final Four appearances.
Cost for the dinner is $20 per person or $15 per person with groups of eight or more. Tickets may be purchased at the Kentucky Wesleyan Athletic Department or call Ron Williams at 270-852-3344 for further information. All proceeds go to the Kentucky Wesleyan College women's basketball program.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN ANNOUNCES NCAA DECISION
(July 15, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan has responded to the NCAA finding regarding two secondary violations in the men's basketball program during the 2002-03 season. Dr. Wesley H. Poling, President of Kentucky Wesleyan college, released the following statement today:
"In mid-February 2003, the Great Lakes Valley Conference contacted Kentucky Wesleyan College to notify us that questions had been raised regarding the eligibility of four student-athletes on the men’s basketball team. The College responded immediately with information from our files regarding the four student-athletes in question. The initial response from the Conference was that everything was in order based on the information provided.
In late March, Kentucky Wesleyan College received a second request from the Conference for additional information regarding these student-athletes, and the College provided the information requested. In responding to this additional information, the Conference told Kentucky Wesleyan that there was the possibility of an infraction of NCAA rules and regulations in the cases of two of the student-athletes.
On May 12, 2003, Dr. James Welch, Faculty Athletic Representative, self-reported on behalf of Kentucky Wesleyan College to the NCAA on the possibility of two secondary violations. He provided the NCAA with information on the two student-athletes in question and outlined why the College believed they were eligible for competition. The NCAA responded on May 16 that it had found that secondary violations had occurred in allowing these two student-athletes to participate in athletic competition since they were, according to the NCAA, ineligible. The College was offered an opportunity to appeal this decision.
After receiving the NCAA notice, we reviewed additional information. We believed that this information pertaining to the student-athletes’ academic records could possibly have a bearing on the situation. We asked for and were granted a 30-day extension for filing our appeal. Dr. Welch had an opportunity in June to meet informally with the NCAA to discuss this information. In that meeting, he was told that had we provided this information before the student-athletes participated in any contests, they would have been eligible. However, presenting the information after the fact would not make them eligible. We were told that it was not likely our appeal would be upheld.
Consequently, I am announcing that Kentucky Wesleyan College accepts the finding of the NCAA that two inadvertent secondary violations occurred and will not go forward with an appeal. As a result, Kentucky Wesleyan College is required to forfeit all 31 men’s basketball victories from the 2002-2003 season. The statistics, scores and records for the season, however, will remain as they are with an asterisk to indicate the forfeits. In addition, 2002-2003 NCAA tournament titles shall be vacated, all trophies and awards from the 2002-2003 season shall be returned and Kentucky Wesleyan will receive only 10 percent of the NCAA funds that would have been distributed to recognize participation in the NCAA Elite Eight Tournament. It is important to note that there will be no loss of revenue to our GLVC sister schools as a result of our penalty. Mr. Larry Moore, Athletic Director at Kentucky Wesleyan College, has prepared letters to be sent to all 2002-2003 opponents telling them of our action.
The Great Lakes Valley Conference has notified Kentucky Wesleyan College that a compliance evaluation committee will come to campus later this summer to review our records for transfer student-athletes for the past four years. We welcome this visit and expect that their audit will show that there have been no other infractions and that all other student-athletes have been eligible to participate.
Kentucky Wesleyan College prides itself on an athletic program operated with integrity and strict adherence to NCAA rules and regulations. We believed that our former system for certifying the eligibility of transfer student-athletes worked properly and correctly. Several times in years past, we have been questioned about student-athletes and their eligibility and in each case, these accusations were found to be baseless. We had every reason to believe we were processing information correctly.
However, in light of the inadvertent secondary violations identified this year, we have taken steps to alter significantly our compliance process. We have formed a Compliance Committee comprising the Faculty Athletic Representative, the Director of Athletics, the Senior Woman Administrator, the Registrar, and the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid. This Committee will oversee the compliance process for all transfer student-athletes. We have developed a checklist of items required for a transfer student-athlete to be eligible to play and every item must be received before a student may participate in athletic contests. We have also changed the forms and letter we use to gather information from the transferring institution and from the transferring student-athlete himself or herself.
We firmly believe that these new procedures will insure that Kentucky Wesleyan College will not commit such violations in the future. We also renew our commitment to operate our athletic program with integrity and according to the rules and regulations of the NCAA."
KWC head basketball coach Ray Harper said, "It is unfortunate that this occurred. As a result, Kentucky Wesleyan College will benefit because we will improve our compliance process. Kentucky Wesleyan College has a storied championship basketball tradition, and we will continue to work hard and make every change possible to build on that tradition."
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
(July 13, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan will open their 21st season of football with three straight home games at Owensboro's Rash Stadium, where the Panthers called home during their first 11 seasons of the modern-era of intercollegiate football (1983-1993), as announced by first year head coach Brent Holsclaw.
The 10-game schedule has five home and five road games against two I-AA foes, three Division II teams, one Division III and four NAIA members.
New to the slate are Campbellsville, Lambuth (Tenn.), Liberty (Va.), Thomas More and Webber International (Fla.). KWC has previously played Campbellsville, Lambuth and Thomas More. Returning from last season's schedule are Austin Peay, Campbellsville, North Greenville, Saint Joseph's, Southwest Baptist and Union.
"Our schedule is well balanced and filled with competitive teams," said Holsclaw. "Our schedule is one that will enable us an opportunity to win every game. We really like the fact that we will be playing at home during our first three weeks of the season".
The Panthers were to play on their new campus football field this season but an extremely wet spring and early summer delayed the construction of KWC's new facility. Kentucky Wesleyan will play on campus beginning the 2004 season. Since 1994, the Panthers have played at Apollo and Reid Stadiums.
KWC returns 19 starters (7 offense, 9 defense and 3 specialists) and 26 letterwinners returning from last season's 1-10 squad in addition to 15 redshirts from 2002. Top returnees for the Panthers are 2002 All-Americans Vince Brodt (lb), Nathan East (wr), Haven Mosley (qb) and Quentin Womack (db).
2003 SCHEDULE
August
30 Lambuth 1:30
September
6 Southwest Baptist 1:30
13 Union 1:30
20 at Liberty 12:30
27 at Austin Peay 6:30
October
4 at Saint Joseph's Noon
11 Webber International 1:30
18 at Campbellsville 1:30
25 at Thomas More 12:30
November
1 North Greenville 1:30
Home games in bold, all times Central.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN SIGNS OHIO PREPSTER
(June 23, 2003)Brandon Bannister, a 6-9, 220 pound, center from Georgetown High School in Georgetown, Ohio, signed a national letter-of-intent during the spring signing period to play basketball for Kentucky Wesleyan College as announced by KWC head coach Ray Harper.
Bannister, a first team All-Southern Buckeye Conference and All-District 16 performer, averaged 12.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in leading the G-Men to a 18-4 record and the district semifinals this past season for head coach Jerry Underwood.
"We're really pleased to have Brandon join our program," Harper said. "With the help from our returning players, Brandon has the chance to grow into a good college basketball player."
Bannister led the conference in rebounding and blocked shots and was named honorable mention Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star and to the District 16 East-West All-Star squad as a senior. He also earned recognition as one of the top 60 seniors in Ohio and also rated 10th as one of the top centers in the Prep Spotlight Magazine.
He plans to major in criminal justice and is the son of James and Janie Bannister of Georgetown.
Bannister becomes the second spring signee for the Panthers joining 6-5 forward Dontae Truitt from Sheridan (Jr.) College. Kentucky Wesleyan returns 11 letterwinners including four with starting experience from their 31-4 NCAA Finalist squad.
PANTHERS FINISH FOURTH IN BASKETBALL ATTENDANCE
(June 23, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan College for the third-time in school history finished fourth in the nation (Div. II) in average men's basketball attendance for the 2002-03 season with 3,282 per game as released by the NCAA.
The Panthers were third in total home attendance with 55,800 in 17 games. In the past 23 years, KWC has been the only private college or university consistently ranked in the top 10 in the Division II national attendance figures.
First was Nebraska Kearney with 3,839, followed by South Dakota State (3,491), North Dakota (3,423), then KWC, Northern State [SD] (3,153), St. Cloud [Minn.] (3,105), North Dakota State (2,868), Washburn [Kan.] (2,685), Virginia State (2,651) and Pittsburg State [Kan.] (2,638) rounding out the top 10.
The Great Lakes Valley Conference, which KWC is a chartered member, finished fifth in attendance for Division II conferences with an average of 1,126 per game. The top conference was the North Central Conference with 2,473.
The national average for a Division II game (269 members) in 2003 was 855. The NCAA began reporting basketball attendance figures in 1977.
KWC SIGNS TWO FROM EVANSVILLE AREA TO PLAY FOOTBALL
(May 29, 2003)Matt Duncan from Reitz Memorial High School and Brad Higginson from North Posey High School have both signed a national letters-of-intent to continue their academic and football careers at Kentucky Wesleyan College as announced by new KWC head football coach Brent Holsclaw.
Duncan, a 6-foot-1, 215-pounder, was a three-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines for the Tigers and head coach Larry Mattingly. The resident of Waverly, Ky., led Reitz Memorial with 90 tackles as a senior where he was named team captain and earned the school's outstanding hitter award plus academic all-city honors.
"Matt will be an excellent addition to an already solid defensive line," said Holsclaw. "He provides a lot of range when he covers ground at defensive end. His versatility could also be used at outside linebacker. Matt is a solid local area addition to our program coming from Evansville."
He is the son of Robby and Debbie Duncan of Waverly.
Higginson, a 6-foot-1, 165-pounder, was a two-year starter where he played defensive back, wide receiver and quarterback for the Vikings and head coach Joe Gengelbach. He served as team captain and earned all-area recognition in 2002.
He led North Posey with 67 tackles, four interceptions and four pass breakups as a senior. On offense, Higginson caught six passes for 87 yards and rushed for 36 yards on 15 attempts. He also completed 11 of 49 passes for three touchdowns.
"Brad's a very good safety who has the ability to cover a lot of ground playing free safety," Holsclaw said. "He is also an excellent track runner and we hope to utilize that speed in our defensive secondary. We are very pleased to have Brad join the Panthers."
He is the son of Kim and Carolyn Higginson of Poseyville.
Kentucky Wesleyan, a NCAA Division II independent located in Kentucky's third-largest city in Owensboro, has 19 starters (7 offense, 9 defense and 3 specialists) and 26 letterwinners returning from last season's 1-10 squad in addition to 15 redshirts from 2002.
VOGT TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT KENTUCKY WESLEYAN
(May 29, 2003)Austin Vogt, a running back and wide receiver from Lloyd Memorial High School in Erlanger, signed a national letter-of-intent to continue his academic and football career at Kentucky Wesleyan College as announced by new KWC head football coach Brent Holsclaw.
Vogt, a 5-foot-9, 172-pounder, rushed for 1,203 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 47 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Juggernauts to a 9-3 record, a district title and the second round of the state playoffs for head coach Roy Lucas, Jr. in 2002. He also averaged 20.7 yards per kickoff return, 14.1 yards per punt return and scored two touchdowns on returns.
"We feel like we found a needle in the hay stack with Austin," Holsclaw said. "His ability as a kick and punt returner is tremendous. He will definitely give us added depth on the receiving corps and on special teams. Our entire staff is extremely excited to have Austin come to KWC."
His career totals for 27 games include 2,456 yards rushing, 20 touchdowns, 104 tackles, six interceptions and 10 pass breakups. He twice earned Northern Kentucky Coaches Association All-Star honors and played in the Northern Kentucky All-Star game as a senior.
Vogt also was named team captain by his teammates and received the Coaches Award for his character, leadership, dedication and hard work last season. He is also a member of the honor roll society.
He is the son of William and Cindy Vogt of Erlanger.
Kentucky Wesleyan has 19 starters (7 offense, 9 defense and 3 specialists) and 26 letterwinners returning from last season's 1-10 squad in addition to 15 redshirts from 2002.
BISCHOFF TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT KENTUCKY WESLEYAN
(May 29, 2003)Donnie Bischoff from Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, signed a national letter-of-intent to continue his academic and football career at Kentucky Wesleyan College as announced by new KWC head football coach Brent Holsclaw.
Bischoff, a 6-foot, 165-pounder, was a two-year starter and four-year letterwinner at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back for head coach Steve Hart. Sat out most of senior season with an injury and saw limited action late in the season.
He help lead the Eagles to a 7-5 record and a runner-up finish in the eight-man Kentucky state championship as a junior in 2001. Bischoff completed 33 of 68 passes for 585 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 200 yards and one touchdown in 32 carries. On defense, he had 22 tackles and four pass breakups. He earned all-conference honors as a junior.
"Donnie's a crafty quarterback who makes plays," Holsclaw said. "He throws the ball well for a high school player and has good knowledge of defensive recognition. We are very pleased to have Donnie join the Panthers."
He is the son of Marion Bischoff and the late Nancy Bischoff of Bardstown.
Kentucky Wesleyan, a NCAA Division II independent located in Kentucky's third-largest city in Owensboro, has 19 starters (7 offense, 9 defense and 3 specialists) and 26 letterwinners returning from last season's 1-10 squad in addition to 15 redshirts from 2002.
BASKETBALL SIGNS JUCO STANDOUT
(May 28, 2002)Dontae Truitt, a 6-foot-6, 220 pound, sophomore forward from Sheridan (Jr.) College in Sheridan, Wyo., signed a national letter-of-intent to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College and play basketball for the eight-time NCAA Division II National Champions as announced by KWC head coach Ray Harper.
Truitt, a 2003 honorable mention All-American selection, led the No. 9-ranked Generals in scoring (25.9 ppg), rebounding (7.6 rpg), field goal percentage (61.1) and blocked shots (28) enroute to a 30-2 record, a Wyoming Community College Conference title (10-0) and a quarterfinal finish in the NJCAA regional tournament this past season for head coach Brian Marso.
"Dontae brings a tremendous amount of athletism and versatility to our program," said Harper. "He can run, jump, play defense, handles the ball, rebound and score from anywhere including hitting the open three-pointer. Dontae’s a thoroughbred who can play on the wing or inside at both ends of the floor. Coach Marso paid Dontae the ultimate compliment by saying he was the best player ever in Sheridan history. "
The 2003 conference player of the year shot a second-best 40.5 percent from three-point territory while shooting 72.0 percent from the free throw line and averaged 1.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 21.9 minutes per game in starting 26 of 28 games played in 2003.
Truitt recorded career highs of 41 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, six steals and four blocked shots as a sophomore. He scored in double figures all 28 games where he had 14 games scoring 25 plus points, five scoring 30 plus and one 40-point game. Truitt also recorded six double-doubles in points and rebounds.
The native of Baltimore, Md., earned conference player of the year as a freshman and twice earned first team all-region honors at Sheridan. He becomes the first spring signee for the Panthers.
Kentucky Wesleyan, fresh from their record breaking sixth consecutive 30-win season (31-4) and sixth straight NCAA championship game appearance, returns 11 letterwinners including four with starting experience from 2003.
FOOTBALL PANTHERS SIGN FOUR FROM OWENSBORO AREA
(May 28, 2003)New Kentucky Wesleyan College head football coach Brent Holsclaw announced today that his first four signees of his initial recruiting class will come from three Owensboro area high schools.
The Panthers inked Justin Clatterbuck and Ryan Worthington from Apollo; Jon Garrett from Muhlenberg South; and Andrew Pennington from South Spencer (Ind.).
"We are extremely excited to have such quality local talent help us rebuild this football program", Holsclaw said. "I strongly feel that when a rebuilding process takes place, you must start in your own back yard. We expect big things from all of these young men and hope to utilize their successes in the classroom and on the playing field to further better our local recruiting base."
Clatterbuck, a 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, was a three-year starter at punter for the Eagles for head coach Dan Gooch. He averaged 32.6 yards per punt and received the Special Teams Player of the Year Award as a senior in 2002.
Worthington, a 6-foot-2, 215-pounder, started two seasons and lettered three years on the offensive and defensive line at Apollo. He earned all-area and all-district honors as a senior and twice received academic all state recognition.
Both helped lead Eagles to back-to-back district titles and a regional runner-up finish during their careers.
Garrett, a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder, was a 2002 second-team All-State selection by the Associated Press at defensive end as a senior for coach Matt Day. He led the Suns with 90 tackles, four sacks, three pass breakups and blocked two field goals and one punt. The three-year starter twice received all-county and all-region honors as a junior and senior. He also earned and all-conference and all-district recognition.
Pennington, a 6-foot, 215-pounder, received all-conference honors at guard and defensive tackle in leading the Rebels to a 8-4 record and a sectional runner-up finish for head coach Bruce Green in 2002. He had 62 tackles, five sacks and one interception his senior season. The two-year starter also earned academic all-conference and academic all-state recognition.
Kentucky Wesleyan has 19 starters (7 offense, 9 defense and 3 specialists) and 26 letterwinners returning from last season's 1-10 squad in addition to 15 redshirts from 2002.
OWENS NAMED ASSISTANT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
(May 27, 2003)Emily Owens, a graduate assistant women's basketball coach at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., has joined Kentucky Wesleyan College's coaching staff as the top assistant to new Panthers head coach Ron Williams.
"A large priority has been placed on putting great people around our basketball program," said Williams. "With the addition of Emily Owens to our staff, the future looks very bright. A huge amount of work remains and Coach Owens is well prepared to meet those challenges."
Owens, 25, coaching tenure also included stints as graduate assistant coach at Div. I Mercer and No. 1 NAIA ranked Life University (Ga.) and a student assistant at her alma mater Hardin Simmons (Texas). She was responsible for on-court coaching, recruiting, scouting and academics with each program.
"I am very excited about this opportunity and joining the family at Kentucky Wesleyan", Owens said. "Coach Williams has a great vision for women’s basketball and I feel honored to be a part of this kind of program and these are the people I want to be associated with."
Prior to joining the coaching profession, Owens was a three-year letterwinner for Hardin Simmons where the Cowgirls reached the 1999 NCAA Div. III Sweet Sixteen and won the American Southwest Conference Championship with a 24-4 record in her final season.
The Celina, Texas native earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Hardin Simmons University in 2000 and will receive her master's degree in sports administration from Henderson State University (Ark.) this July.
SOCCER SIGNS EVANSVILLE STANDOUT
(May 22, 2003)Waldroup, a honorable mention all-state selection, scored 13 goals and set a school season record with 19 assists as a senior for Warrior head coach Bob Gaudin. The four-year letterwinner was named all-city three times and all-Southern Indiana Athletic Conference and all-district twice. He also received the Most Valuable Player Award and served as the Warriors team captain as a senior in 2002.
"Drew is a great addition for our program," said Wilson. "His presence in the midfield fulfills a great need, but he also has the potential to play any position for us. Drew brings a high level of commitment and experience to a very young squad. I think Drew will be a integral player in the building process of this program. With us being able to sign a young man of his quality from a great high school program and the city of Evansville, is a tremendous addition to KWC."
Waldroup also played on the Indiana Olympic Development team in 1998, the Brasilia Futbol Academy in Brazil in 1999 and played for the Evansville Alliance Club for the past three seasons.
BROOKS SELECTED FIRST TEAM ALL-REGION
(May 19, 2003)Brooks, a right hander from Owensboro/Daviess County HS, led the Panthers with a season record tying eight wins (8-2) and a 2.10 ERA in 11 of 12 games started. He also recorded a season-best 58 strikeouts in 85.2 innings pitched with nine complete games, two shutouts, one save and held the opposition to a .203 batting average.
He is the first Panther since 1992 to earn all-region honors and the first freshman in KWC history.
Kentucky Wesleyan finished with their first winning season in five years with a 24-22 overall record and 15-15 in the GLVC (sixth place) under second-year head coach Todd Lillpop. The 15 GLVC wins were the most in Panther history and the 24 wins were the most by a second-year KWC head coach.
CARY AND SHERRARD NAME HEAD COACHES
(May 13, 2003)"We are please to find two individuals who know their sport inside and out," said Moore. "They both posses the expertise to coach our student-athletes to a high level of achievement and have a tremendous passion for their teams to succeed.
"Kentucky Wesleyan College has renewed their commitment to ensuring all 11 Panther teams are successful in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and postseason play and that begins with hiring the best coaches possible".
Cary, 32, was a former golf standout at KWC from 1990 to 1994 where he was the Panther's Most Valuable Player as a senior and finished in the Top 15 in the GLVC Championship. He came to KWC from Central City (Ky.) High School where he began playing on the varsity squad as a seventh grader. Following his collegiate career, Cary has been teaching the game to kids and adults, organizing golf tournaments and overseeing a golf course in Owensboro.
"I love Kentucky Wesleyan and I love golf," said Cary. "I have been associated with successful teams in high school and college and I know what it takes to have a winning program. We can make both golf teams winners again and one that Kentucky Wesleyan College and Owensboro can be proud of."
Cary will continue to serve as Hillcrest Golf Course Manager in Owensboro.
Sherrard, 32, played for three seasons at Div. III Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio at the No. 5 singles position and No. 2 doubles flight. The native of Goshen, Ky. was a four-year letterwinner at Oldham County High School where he played No. 1 in singles and doubles as a junior and senior. He was ranked among Kentucky's best 16 and under age players. After college, Sherrard served as the head tennis instructor at Paramont Country Club outside of Louisville for four seasons.
"Tennis is in my blood and I see a great opportunity at Kentucky Wesleyan to return the sport to a competitive and strong program once again," said Sherrard. "I must prepare the women both mentally and physically to play to their full potential. It will take time but we will be a contender for the GLVC."
BROOKS AND STEVENS SELECTED ALL-GREAT LAKES VALLEY CONFERENCE
(May 12, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan pitcher Brandon Brooks was named first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference plus Freshman of the Year and right fielder Dusty Stevens received second team honors, as voted on by league coaches.
Brooks, a right hander from Owensboro/Daviess County HS, led the Panthers with a 8-2 record and a 2.10 ERA in 11 of 12 games started. He also recorded a season-best 58 strikeouts in 85.2 innings pitched with nine complete games, two shutouts, one save and held the opposition to a .203 batting average.
Stevens, a sophomore from Owensboro/Apollo HS, led KWC in batting (.353), hits (54), at bats (153), games played (45) and starts (43). He also had 22 RBIs with eight doubles and two home runs and scored 23 runs.
Kentucky Wesleyan finished with their first winning season in five years with a 24-22 overall record and 15-15 in the GLVC (sixth place) under second-year head coach Todd Lillpop. The 15 GLVC wins were the most in Panther history and the 24 wins were the most by a second-year KWC head coach.
HARPER NAMED TO USA BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF
(May 7, 2003)Ray Harper, who led Kentucky Wesleyan College to their sixth straight 30-win season (31-4) and sixth consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship game appearance in 2003, has been named one of two assistant coaches for the 2003 USA Basketball Men’s Junior World Championship National Team this summer.
Joining Harper as an assistant will be new Georgia head coach Dennis Felton. USA Basketball named Oregon's Ernie Kent as head coach of the USA team in 2002. The selections were made by the USA Basketball Senior National Team Committee.
"This is a very humbling moment and a prestigious moment in my coaching career," said Harper. "It’s a tremendous honor to be selected as an assistant coach with USA Basketball. My goal is to learn from the experience and bring back knowledge shared from the coaches and players to help our team compete for another NCAA Championship."
In seven seasons at KWC, Harper has compiled a 210-26 record for an 88.9 winning percentage or an average of 30.0 wins per season to become the winningest active NCAA Division II coach by percentage. He has won two NCAA championships (1999, 2001), finished national runner-up four times (1998, 2000, 2002, 2003) and received national coach of the year honors seven times in five seasons.
Harper holds the NCAA record for consecutive 30-win seasons (6) and fastest to 200 career wins (200 in 224 games). He became only the second coach in NCAA history (I, II or III) to make six consecutive trips to the NCAA championship game (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003). UCLA Hall of Fame coach John Wooden was first with seven straight.
His first USA Basketball experience came in the summer of 2001 when he was one of eight court head coaches for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team Trials.
The USA Junior World Championship Team will be selected following the May 30-June 1 USA Basketball Junior National Team Trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The 2003 USA Junior World Championship Team will compete July 10-20 in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia.
http://www.usabasketball.com/biosmen/ray_harper_bio.html
BASEBALL PANTHERS EARNS TRIP TO GLVC TOURNAMENT (May 5, 2003)
Kentucky Wesleyan (23-21, 15-15) earned a trip to the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament for the first time in 10 years when KWC defeated Wisconsin Parkside, 5-1, on Sunday. Sophomore Morgan Embry, a designated hitter from Owensboro, hit a game winning three-run home run in the fifth inning to collect four RBIs on the day to propel KWC into the GLVC postseason playoffs. The 15 GLVC wins is the most in KWC history. The No. 6 seed Panthers will play No. 1 seed and tournament host Missouri St. Louis (35-13, 22-7) on Thursday, May 8 at 3 p.m. For more information on the GLVC Tournament go to:
http://www.umsl-sports.com/sports/glvc_bb/glvc_bb_index.htm
RON WILLIAMS PROMOTED TO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
(April 23, 2003)
Kentucky Wesleyan College promoted assistant women's basketball coach Ron Williams to head coach today as announced by KWC Director of Athletics Larry Moore.
"After a thorough search, we concluded that the best person for this position was just right next door," said Moore. "Ron's familiarity with the players, the program, the college and the tough Great Lakes Valley Conference make for some very strong points. We expect Ron to move the program where KWC achieves consistent success on the hardwood and continues the academic success our student-athletes have accomplished in the classroom over the years."
Williams, 30, came to KWC one year ago as the top assistant to former Panther head coach Tandy Bradford after serving three seasons in the same position at Georgetown College.
"I would like to thank Kentucky Wesleyan College for showing the confidence in me to lead this program to a new level of success," Williams said. "This is a great opportunity and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."
Williams will have four players with starting experience plus three letterwinners returning along with three redshirts from last season's squad that completed the 2003 season with a 7-20 record and an 11th place finish in the GLVC at 4-16.
In three seasons at Georgetown (2000-02), Williams assisted head coach Susan Johnson and the nationally ranked Tigers to a 69-30 record where they won two consecutive Mid-South Conference Championships and made two trips to the NAIA national tournament. He also was an assistant at Georgetown during the 1997 season.
Prior to returning to Georgetown, Williams was a assistant girls and junior varsity coach at Muhlenberg South High School in Greenville for two years (1998-1999).
The Lewisport, Ky., native was a four-year letterwinner on the basketball, football and track teams at Hancock County High School (1987-1991). He signed to play football at Campbellsville University and was a first-team all-conference defensive back for the Tigers as a junior.
Williams earned his bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University (Ky.) in 1996 and his master's degree from Georgetown in 2001. He and his wife, Tammy, have a daughter Elizabeth.
He replaces Tandy Bradford who resigned in March.
SPRING FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE SATURDAY
(April 22, 2003)The Kentucky Wesleyan College football team will concluded its spring practice under new head coach Brent Holsclaw with the annual Purple/White scrimmage on Saturday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. CT on the front lawn of the campus.
Holsclaw, a former KWC standout quarterback, has 19 starters (7 offense, 9 defense and 3 specialists) and 26 letterwinners returning from last season's 1-10 squad in addition to 15 redshirts from 2002.
"I am very pleased with the enthusiasm and effort these players have shown in spring practice," said Holsclaw. "We have some talented players and they have made significant strides in understanding and implementing our offensive and defensive schemes. This has been an exhilarating 15 practice days over the past month."
Top returnees for the Panthers are 2002 All-Americans Vince Brodt (lb), Nathan East (wr), Haven Mosley (qb) and Quentin Womack (db).
The scrimmage is free and open to the public and will feature the offense unit versus the defense unit.
NOTE: Remaing practice sessions are Tuesday, April 22 at 3:30; Thursday, April 24 at 3:30; and Friday, April 25 at 3:30.
PARMER TO PLAY IN PORTSMOUTH INVITATIONAL
(April 9, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan's 6-3 guard Marlon Parmer, the 2003 NCAA Division II Player of the Year, begins his journey to a professional basketball career tonight at the prestigious 51st Portsmouth Invitational Tournament through Saturday, April 12.
The PIT features 64 college seniors from across the nation as they showcase their talents before NBA scouts and general managers. Parmer was one of three non-Division I players invited to this premier event. Joining Parmer are Division II All-Americans Jerome Beasley, a 6-10 center from North Dakota, and Wykeen Kelly, a 6-0 guard from Salem International (WVa.).
Parmer, a native of Inglewood, Calif., led the Panthers with 19.9 points, 8.2 assists (second in the nation), 1.3 steals and 35.2 minutes in guiding Kentucky Wesleyan to a record sixth straight 30-win season (31-4) and sixth consecutive NCAA Championship game appearance.
He shot 46.8 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from three-point, and 79.1 percent from the free throw line and was third in rebounding at 5.6 per game. Parmer scored in double figures 33 of 35 games, recorded eight double-doubles (pts-assts) and had back-to-back triple-doubles in 2003.
Along with two Division II Player of the Year awards, Parmer has been named consensus All-American, NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, NABC All-Great Lakes Region first team, Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region first team, NCAA Great Lakes Regional Most Outstanding Player, Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year, six-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week and Division II Bulletin Player of the Month.
WARREN RECEIVES TOP AWARD AT KWC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL BANQUET
(April 2, 2003)The Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball team announced their award winners at their annual team banquet.
Leslie Warren, a 5-foot-9 senior forward from Owensboro, received the Most Outstanding Player Award. She led the Panthers with 12.3 points per game, three-pointers made with 43 and a team best 85.5 percent from the free throw line. Warren also averaged 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 31.2 minutes played in starting all 27 games. During her four seasons, she broke the career three-point field goal record with 181 and the career free throw percentage record at 80.6% and ended eighth on the all-time scoring list with 1,156 points in 105 games played.
Andrea Clarke, a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward/center from Guelph, Ontario, Canada, earned the Most Improved Player Award. She led the Panthers in rebounding with 5.4 boards per game and field goal percentage at 53.6 percent and finished third in scoring with 10.2 points in starting 17 of 27 games played.
Brandy Reynolds, a 5-foot-6 junior guard from Mt. Vernon, Ky., was named Best Defensive Player. She recorded a second-best 38 steals for the Panthers. Reynolds started 11 of 27 games played averaging 3.0 points, 3.1 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 20.5 minutes.
KWC finished the 2003 season with a 7-20 record and 11th place in the GLVC at 4-16 under third-year head coach Tandy Bradford.
NEW DATE FOR KWC WELCOME HOME BASKETBALL PANTHERS CELEBRATION
(March 31, 2003)The Kentucky Wesleyan College basketball "Welcome Home Panthers Rally" for the 2003 NCAA Finalist has been rescheduled as a celebration banquet on Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. in the Woodward Health and Recreation Center. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance from the Athletic Department. For more information contact 270-852-3330.
BASKETBALL TIMES SELECTS PARMER NCAA DIVISION II PLAYER OF THE YEAR
(March 31, 2003)For the second time in three days, Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer has been chosen as the 2003 NCAA Division II Player of the Year when Basketball Times announced their selection today. The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) made their choice on Saturday.
Parmer, a 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., led the Panthers with 19.9 points, 8.2 assists (second in the nation), 1.3 steals and 35.2 minutes in guiding Kentucky Wesleyan to a record sixth straight 30-win season (31-4) and sixth consecutive NCAA Championship game appearance.
He shot 46.8 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from three-point, and 79.1 percent from the free throw line and was third in rebounding at 5.6 per game.
Parmer scored in double figures 33 of 35 games, recorded eight double-doubles (pts-assts) and had back-to-back triple-doubles in 2003.
Along with two Division II Player of the Year awards, Parmer has been named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, NABC All-Great Lakes Region first team, Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region first team, NCAA Great Lakes Regional Most Outstanding Player, Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year, six-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week and Division II Bulletin Player of the Month.
He becomes the second player in Kentucky Wesleyan’s 92-year basketball history to be named Basketball Times Division II Player of the Year joining Antonio Garcia (1999).
PARMER NAMED NCAA DIVISION II PLAYER OF THE YEAR
(March 29, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer has been named 2003 NCAA Division II Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The announcement was made today on CBS Sports during the broadcast of the NCAA Championship game between Kentucky Wesleyan and Northeastern State (Okla.) in Lakeland, Fla.
Parmer, a 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., leads the nation in assists (8.2) and tops the Panthers in scoring (20.0), steals (1.4) and minutes played (35.4). He has guided Kentucky Wesleyan to a record sixth straight 30-win season (31-3) and sixth consecutive NCAA Championship game appearance.
He has scored in double figures 32 of 34 games, recorded eight double-doubles (pts-assts) and had back-to-back triple-doubles in 2003.
Along with Division II Player of the Year, Parmer has been named NABC All-Great Lakes Region first team, Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region first team, NCAA Great Lakes Regional Most Outstanding Player, Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year, six-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week and Division II Bulletin Player of the Month.
He becomes the third player in Kentucky Wesleyan's 92-year basketball history to be named NABC Division II Player of the Year joining Corey Crowder (1991) and Antonio Garcia (1999).
Parmer will receive his award at the NABC Banquet in New Orleans during the Div. I Final Four.
NORTHEASTERN STATE DEFEATS KENTUCKY WESLEYAN 75-64 TO WIN NCAA TITLE (March 29, 2003)
Shon Robinson scored 26 points, including eight-of-10 shooting from the free throw line in the game’s final 2:16, to lift the Northeastern State (OK) Redmen to a 75-64 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan for the NCAA Division II men’s basketball national championship. The national championship is the first for Northeastern State (32-3), and comes in just the program’s fifth season at the Division II level.
Over the game’s final five minutes, NSU would convert 14-of-18 free throws and outscored Kentucky Wesleyan 16-9 to seal the national championship.
While NSU was winning the school’s first national championship, Kentucky Wesleyan (31-4) was appearing in their sixth straight national championship and attempting to win their ninth national championship.
"We’re only five years in Division II, and these guys believed from the beginning," said NSU head coach Larry Gipson. "We’re starting our own tradition."
Darnell Hinson added 19 points and Shon Robinson added 12 for NSU.
Kentucky Wesleyan’s Marlon Parmer, named 2003 NCAA Division II Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches earlier in the day, led the Panthers with 17 points. Parmer who shot 50% (6-12) from the field, but just 44.4% (4-9) from the free-throw line in the game, tallied a team-high eight rebounds and a game-best six assists. He also committed a game-high five turnovers.
Bobby Zuerner scored 14 points off the bench, while Damon Garris added 10 in the Panthers’ losing effort.
For the game, NSU shot 40.0% (22-55) from the field, including 50.0% (12-24) shooting in the second half. Kentucky Wesleyan converted 45.6% (26-57) of their field goal attempts, including a 51.7% (15-29) clip in the second half.
NSU shot even better from beyond the three-point arc, posting a 47.8% shooting percentage, buoyed by a 64.3% (9-14) showing in the second half. The Redmen held Kentucky Wesleyan to 35.3% (6-17) three-point shooting in the contest.
Just as NSU was able to seal the game from the free-throw line, the Redmen enjoyed a decided edge from the charity stripe, shooting 69.0% (20-29) for the game, as opposed to just 46.2% (6-13) for the Panthers.
NSU also claimed a slight 37-36 rebounding edge, led by Justin Barkley’s game-high 12 boards.
Both teams were sluggish offensively at the start, with Northeastern State scoring the game’s first five points and taking a 7-2 lead just four minutes into the contest. After falling behind by five, Kentucky Wesleyan would heat up, embarking on a 12-2 run over the next six minutes. The run, which was capped by back-to-back three pointers by Zuerner just 17 seconds apart, put Kentucky Wesleyan ahead 14-9 at the 10:17 mark. During the run, the Panther defense held NSU scoreless for a 5:21 span.
The five-point Kentucky Wesleyan lead would turn out to be the largest either team would enjoy for the remainder of the defensive-minded first half. Over the final 10 minutes of the first half, NSU would outscore the Panthers 16-11 and take a brief 25-23 lead with 1:36 to play, but the teams would find themselves deadlocked 25-25 at the half.
Kentucky Wesleyan, plagued by nine first-half turnovers, shot 39.3% (11-28) in the opening period, but limited NSU to just 32.3% (10-31) shooting. NSU converted 50% (3-6) of their free-throw attempts in the first half, while Kentucky Wesleyan did not go to the line. The Panthers won the first-half rebounding battle 23-18.
Hinson led all first-half scorers with 12 points, while Zuerner collected eight points in 11 minutes off the bench to pace Kentucky Wesleyan.
In the second half, the lead would change hands six times during the first seven minutes, but momentum shifted NSU’s way at the 12:37 mark. Barkley converted a four-point play, nailing a long three-pointer and sinking a free throw following a Damon Garris foul to put the Redmen up 44-40, their largest lead since the game’s first four minutes.
Barkley’s four-point play proved to be the start of a 12-4 NSU run, as the Redmen would take an eight-point lead, 52-44, with 10:17 on the clock, the largest lead by either team in the first 30 minutes of play
Kentucky Wesleyan would trim the NSU lead to three, 56-53, at the six-minute mark, on Zuerner’s fourth three-pointer, but the Panthers could get no closer.
All-Tournament Team: Darnell Hinson - Northeastern State (Most Outstanding Player), Shon Robinson - Northeastern State, Marlon Parmer - Kentucky Wesleyan, Eugene Dabney - Kentucky Wesleyan, Derek Cline, Northeastern State.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN WINS 84-64 TO ADVANCE TO RECORD SIXTH STRAIGHT NCAA TITLE GAME
(March 27, 2003)
Eugene Dabney and Marlon Parmer combined for 52 points and 17 rebounds to power Kentucky Wesleyan to a 84-64 win over Bowie State to advance to Saturday’s title game of the NCAA Division II National Championship at Lakeland, Fla.
The Panthers will face No. 7 Northeastern State (31-3) at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports.
Kentucky
Wesleyan (31-3) will be making its record sixth straight and 13th
overall appearance in the NCAA Division II Championship Game. The Panthers have
won eight NCAA titles, the last coming in 2001. Bowie State, making its first
ever appearance in NCAA post-season play, ends its season at 30-5.
“It’s
a family,” Kentucky Wesleyan head coach Ray Harper said of his team.
“We’re really close to accomplishing our goal.
We left Owensboro on a business trip and we still have a job to
finish.”
“We
did the best we could,” commented Bowie State head coach Luke D’Alessio.
“We worked hard and never gave up. If
you want to beat Kentucky Wesleyan, you have to score points.
We missed some shots that we usually make.
They’ve been here six times and have their program in place, our’s is
growing. We’re taking it one step at a
time and we want to be a top-10 team from now on.
This was a big step for us.”
The
first half featured six lead changes and the score was tied nine times. The
Panthers took the final lead with 2:44 left in the first period on a Parmer
jumper. A pair of free throws by Dabney pushed the Kentucky Wesleyan lead to
37-34 while Stephen Moss-Kelley cut the lead to one, 37-36, on a basket with 50
seconds left. Dabney then followed with a layup to give the Panthers a 39-36
lead at intermission.
The
two teams were an identical 14-of-33 from the floor in the first period.
Kentucky
Wesleyan opened the second half with a 14-7 run behind five points from Parmer
including a three-pointer which put the Panthers ahead, 53-43, at the 16:57
mark. Bowie State never recovered and trailed by 20 five times in the final
period.
“At
the half, I told them we were down six,” said Harper.
“We were playing well, but we need to defend, swing the ball, get it to
the guy who is a warrior (Parmer). If
there is a better player in Division II that Marlon Parmer, or a better Player
of the Year candidate, I’d like to see him. I
have never coached a player as good as Marlon Parmer.”
Dabney
was 11-of-17 from the field for a career-high 28 points for Kentucky Wesleyan
and pulled down eight rebounds and blocked four shots. Parmer connected on
10-of-13 free throws for 24 points, and just missed a triple double with nine
rebounds and eight assists.
“I
tried to get everyone involved, especially Eugene,” said Parmer.
“Once they started focusing on him, it allowed me to get open.”
“We
had a lot of guys step up,” added Harper. “When
your point guard (Parmer) is your leading rebounder, you are doing something
right. I’m really proud of this team
and the way they have come together.”
Bowie
State placed four players in double figures including Moss-Kelley who led the
Bulldogs with 15 points. Jon Smith and Cornelius McMurray each had 12 points for
Bowie State while Omarr Smith added 10.
“My
dream has always been to play in a final four,” commented Bowie State forward
Tim Washington. “I didn’t play
a great game, but I played as hard as I could. This
means a lot to our program.”
Both
teams finished the game with 66 field goal attempts, Kentucky Wesleyan connected
on 29 while Bowie State made 24 shots, but was just 10-of-33 in the second half.
Rebounding was as balanced as the Panthers held a slight 43-40 advantage. The
big difference, stats-wise, was that the Panthers were 21-of-25 from the free
throw line while the Bulldogs were just 10-of-16.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN CRUISES TO 85-60 WIN OVER CAL POLY POMONA IN NCAA ELITE EIGHT (March 26, 2003)
Great
Lakes Region champion Kentucky Wesleyan (30-3) jumped to a 43-21 halftime lead
and cruised to an 85-60 victory over West Region champion Cal Poly-Pomona (23-8)
in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Elite Eight at
Lakeland, Fla. Marlon Parmer led four Panthers in double figures with 20 points
while Jeff Bonds led Pomona with 19 points.
The
Panthers converted 58.1% from the field in the first half as they seized control
from the very beginning. To the contrary, the Broncos struggled to shoot only
25.9% of their field goal attempts in the first half.
“When
we get out and play high energy,” said Kentucky Wesleyan head coach Ray
Harper, “regardless of whether or not we make shots, defense is the key to our
team.
Parmer
scored 19 points in the half to lead Kentucky Wesleyan while Thad Key added 12.
Michael Ridgeway had 10 first half points to lead the Broncos.
“Coach
lets me be the offensive player I can be,” said Parmer. “If they back off, I
make them pay.”
“We’ve
been in situations like this [behind at the half] all year and weren’t looking
for the home run,” said Cal Poly-Pomona forward Jeff Bonds. “We just
couldn’t get within 10.”
Kentucky
Wesleyan increased their lead to as many as 32 in the second half before Cal
Poly-Pomona trimmed the lead down to 23 points with two minutes remaining.
Cal
Poly-Pomona improved their field goal percentage to 46.7% in the second half,
but Kentucky Wesleyan remained hot as they connected on 53.8%. The Broncos did
hold a slight rebound edge as they out-rebounded the Panthers 34 to 33.
Eugene
Dabney and Thad Key each had 14 points for Kentucky Wesleyan while Huggy Dye
added 13. Michael Ridgway had 12 and Hervey Malone 10 for the Broncos.
“You
need to play good defense,” said Cal Poly-Pomona head coach Greg Kamansky.
“They are just too explosive of a team to hold down. They’ve got a lot of
weapons. There is no shame on our part.”
“Our
team executed what we wanted down to a tee,” Harper added. “Defensively we
were exceptional. It’s our sixth straight trip to the Elite Eight, our sixth
straight 30 win season, and I thanked our team for letting me be a part of
it.”
Kentucky
Wesleyan will be looking to secure their sixth straight trip to the NCAA
Division II championship game when they face Bowie State in the semifinals at 5
p.m. CT on Thursday. Bowie State, which is appearing in the NCAA Division II
Tournament for the first time in school history, reached the semifinals with a
72-62 victory over Massachusetts-Lowell.
PARMER NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-GREAT LAKES REGION (March 21, 2003) -- Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer has been named to the 2003 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Great Lakes Region team.
Parmer, a 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., leads the nation in assists (8.3 apg) while averaging 19.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He leads KWC in scoring, assists, steals, free throw percentage and minutes played. He has scored in double figures 30 of 32 games, recorded eight double-doubles (pts-assts) and had back-to-back triple-doubles in 2003.
His other season accolades include NCAA Great Lakes Regional Most Outstanding Player, Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year, Daktronics first team All-Great Lakes Region, six-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week and Division II Bulletin Player of the Month.
No. 3 ranked Kentucky Wesleyan (29-3) will make their NCAA record breaking sixth straight and 21st appearance in the "Elite Eight" when the Panthers travel to Lakeland, Fla. to play Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (22-7) in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II National Championship on Wednesday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. CT.
The Panthers have won the NCAA Championship a record eight times (1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1987, 1990, 1999 and 2001) and have won a record 94 of 119 games played in the NCAA tournament.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN GOING TO THE ELITE EIGHT FOR SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR
Panthers seek record ninth NCAA Championship
No. 3 ranked Kentucky Wesleyan (29-3) will make their NCAA record breaking sixth straight and 21st appearance in the "Elite Eight" when the Panthers travel to Lakeland, Fla. to play in the NCAA Division II National Championship on Wednesday, March 26, through Saturday, March 29.
The Panthers earned a trip to the "Elite Eight" when KWC won the Great Lakes Regional Championship by defeating long-time arch-rival Southern Indiana, 95-91, in Houghton, Mich. The Panthers have won the NCAA Championship a record eight times (1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1987, 1990, 1999 and 2001) and have won a record 94 of 119 games played in the NCAA tournament.
The "Elite Eight" will played at the Lakeland Center's Jenkins Arena (4,668) and will be hosted by Florida Southern College.
Tickets for the 2003 NCAA "Elite Eight" are now on sale by calling The Lakeland Center Ticket office at 863-834-8111 or by visiting the website at www.thelakelandcenter.com. They can also be ordered at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Individual tickets for quarterfinal and semifinal games are priced at $12 ($10 groups of 10 or more) for adults and $6 ($5 groups of 10 or more) for kids 18 and under and seniors 55 and older. Tickets for the finals are $15 ($10 groups) for adults and $6 ($5 groups) for kids and seniors (55 & Over). A special all tournament pass providing admission to all sessions is $35 for adults and $20 for kids.
The "Elite Eight" schedule (times are Central):
Wednesday, March 26
11a.m. No. 6 Massachusetts Lowell (28-4) vs. No. 10 Bowie State (29-4)
1:30 p.m. Cal Poly Pomona (22-7) vs. No. 3 Kentucky Wesleyan (29-3)
5 p.m. No. 9 Queens (28-3) vs. Eckerd (25-6)
7:30 p.m. No. 7 Northeastern State (29-3) vs. No. 8 Nebraska Kearney (30-2)
Thursday, March 27
4 p.m. Semifinals-Massachusetts Lowell-Bowie State winner vs. Cal Poly Pomona-KWC winner
6:30 p.m. Semifinals-Queens-Eckerd winner vs. Northeastern State-Nebraska Kearney winner
Saturday, March 28
Noon Championship.
BRADFORD RESIGNS
(March 19, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan College head women's basketball coach Tandy Bradford announced her resignation today.
Bradford in three seasons compiled a 21-59 (.263) overall record including a 11-49 (.183) record in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. KWC finished the 2003 season with a 7-20 record and 11th place in the GLVC at 4-16.
Moore said, "a search will begin immediately and we will move as quickly as possible. No timetable has been established on fulfilling the position. We are proud of Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball and the future it holds."
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN' S PARMER AND HARPER SWEEP TOP GLVC AWARDS
(March 11, 2003)Parmer, a 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., leads the nation in assists (8.4 apg), the Panthers in scoring (19.3 ppg) and is third in rebounding (5.6 rpg). He has scored in double figures 27 of 29 games, recorded eight double-doubles (pts-assts) and had back-to-back triple-doubles. Parmer was the league's first six-time honoree for a season in the GLVC's 25-year history.
Harper, a five-time GLVC Coach of the Year honoree, guided the Panthers to a 26-3 overall record and his fifth Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship and sixth NCAA tournament appearance. The winningest active NCAA Division II coach with a 89.1 winning percentage, became KWC's all-time winningest coach with 205 in 230 games in his seventh season.
KWC's 6-11 senior center Eugene Dabney (10.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.6 bpg) was named to the second team and 6-3 senior guard Huggy Dye (13.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg) 6-4 junior forward Damon Garris (11.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg) were named honorable mention.
Parmer joins former KWC All-Americans Corey Crowder (1990 and 1991), Willis Cheaney (1995), Antonio Garcia (1998 and 1999), Tyrus Boswell (2002) and Ronald Evans (2002) who also won the GLVC Player of the Year award.
Harper is the third KWC coach to receive GLVC Coach of the Year honors along with Mike Pollio (1981, 1983 and 1984) and Wayne Chapman (1986 and 1990). Northern Kentucky Ken Shields also was named 2003 Co-Coach of the Year.
No. 2 seed and No. 3 ranked Kentucky Wesleyan (26-3) will play No. 7 seed Gannon (20-9) in the first round of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Championship on Friday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. CT at the Student Development Complex Gym (3,200) on the campus of Michigan Tech University in Houghton.
PARMER NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-GREAT LAKES REGION
(March 11, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer has been named to the 2003 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-Great Lakes Region team where he was the region's leading vote getter. Voting for the team was done by sports information directors in the Great Lakes region.
Parmer, a 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., leads the nation in assists (8.4 apg) while averaging 19.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He leads KWC in scoring, assists, steals, free throw percentage and minutes played. He has scored in double figures 27 of 29 games, recorded eight double-doubles (pts-assts) and had back-to-back triple-doubles in 2003.
His season accolades also include six-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week honors and Division II Bulletin Player of the Month (February) award.
No. 2 seed and No. 3 ranked Kentucky Wesleyan (26-3) will play No. 7 seed Gannon (20-9) in the first round of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Championship on Friday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. CT at the Student Development Complex Gym (3,200) on the campus of Michigan Tech University in Houghton.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN NO. 3 IN FINAL POLL
(March 10, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan (26-3) finished No. 3 in the final National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Bulletin weekly Top 25 men's poll after two weeks at No. 1. The Panthers fell to Lewis, 84-79, in the semifinals of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament last Friday.
KWC has been ranked in the NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 5 for 58 weeks and the Top 10 for 70 consecutive weeks.
Great Lakes region member Michigan Tech (25-2) returned to No. 1 and. GLVC foes Northern Kentucky rose to No. 4, Southern Indiana slipped to No. 23 and Lewis dropped to No. 25.
No. 2 seed Kentucky Wesleyan will play No. 7 seed Gannon (20-9) in the first round of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Championship on Friday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. CT at the Student Development Complex Gym (3,200) on the campus of Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Mich. Here is the final Top 25 for the 2003 season:
1. Michigan Tech 28-2
2. Metropolitan State (Colo.) 26-4
3. Kentucky Wesleyan 26-3
4. Northern Kentucky 25-5
5. Tarleton State (Texas) 27-3
6. Massachusetts Lowell 25-4
7. Northeastern State (Okla.) 26-3
8. Nebraska Kearney 27-2
9. Queens (NC) 25-3
10. Bowie State (Md.) 26-4
11. Rollins (Fla.) 25-5
12. Brigham Young Hawaii 19-3
13. Columbus State (Ga.) 27-4
14. Humboldt State (Calif.) 22-5
15. Henderson State (Ark.) 28-4
16. Cal State San Bernardino 21-6
17. Washburn (Kan.) 25-5
18. Salem International 24-5
19. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 25-4
20. Millersville (Pa.) 24-5
21. South Dakota State 23-6
22. Florida Southern 26-4
23. Southern Indiana 23-6
24. Barton (NC) 21-5
25. Lewis (Ill.) 23-7
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN GOING TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT FOR 32ND TIME
Panthers seek record ninth NCAA Championship
Kentucky Wesleyan has won the NCAA Championship a record eight times (1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1987, 1990, 1999 and 2001) and have won a record 91 of 116 games played in NCAA postseason.
The Great Lakes Region Championship schedule (times are Central):
Friday, March 14
11a.m. No. 3 Northern Kentucky Norse
(25-5) vs. No. 6 Findlay Oilers (22-7)
1:30 p.m. No. 2 Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers (26-3) vs. No. 7 Gannon Golden
Knights (20-9)
5 p.m. No. 1 Michigan Tech Huskies (28-2) vs. No. 8 Indianapolis Greyhounds
(18-10)
7:30 p.m. No. 4 Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (23-6) vs. No. 5 Lewis Flyers
(23-7)
Saturday, March 15
4 p.m. Semifinals Northern
Kentucky-Findlay winner vs. Kentucky Wesleyan-Gannon winner
6:30 p.m. Semifinals Michigan Tech-Indianapolis winner vs. Southern
Indiana-Lewis winner
Monday, March 17
6 p.m. Championship
Tickets for the 2003 NCAA Great Lakes Regional are now on sale at the SDC Ticket Office (906-487-2073). Reserved seats come in a $32 package for all four sessions. Adult general admission seating is $6 per session. Students ages five and older are $4 each, while children under five are free.
VIEW THE NCAA DIVISION II MEN'S BASKETBALL SELECTION SHOW
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN STILL NO. 1
(March 4, 2003)For the second straight week, Kentucky Wesleyan remained No. 1 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Bulletin weekly Top 25 men's poll..
The Panthers (25-2) are coming off two road victories and their 15th record breaking Great Lakes Valley Conference title where they defeated SIU Edwardsville, 91-60, and Quincy, 110-93, last week.
This marks the 31st time KWC has been ranked No. 1 in the weekly poll since 1984 and the 20th time in head coach Ray Harper's seven-year tenure. The Panthers have been ranked in the NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 5 for 57 weeks and the Top 10 for 69 consecutive weeks.
Great Lakes region member Michigan Tech (25-2) was No. 3 and. GLVC foes Northern Kentucky rose to No. 10, Southern Indiana moved up to No. 19 and Lewis dropped to No. 20.
No. 1 seed Kentucky Wesleyan will play No. 8 seed Quincy (12-15, 6-14) in the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday, March 6 at 8:30 p.m. CT at Roberts Stadium (12,500) in Evansville, Indiana. Here is the Top 25 for the week of Feb. 25:
1. Kentucky Wesleyan 25-2
2. Tarleton State (Texas) 25-2
3. Michigan Tech 26-2
4. Northeastern State (Okla.) 25-2
5. Nebraska Kearney 26-1
6. Queens (NC) 25-2
7. Metropolitan State (Colo.) 23-4
8. Rollins (Fla.) 24-4
9. Cal State San Bernardino 21-4
10. Northern Kentucky 22-5
11. Humboldt State (Calif.) 22-4
12. Washburn (Kan.) 23-4
13. Massachusetts Lowell 22-4
14. Salem International (WVa.) 24-4
15. South Dakota State 22-5
16. Bowie State (Md.) 26-4
17. Brigham Young Hawaii 17-3
18. Columbus State (Ga.) 24-4
19. Southern Indiana 22-5
20. Lewis (Ill.) 20-5
21. Henderson State (Ark.) 25-4
22. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 23-4
23. Millersville (Pa.) 21-5
24. Southern New Hampshire 20-6
25. Florida Southern 24-4
PARMER NAMED
DIVISION II BULLETIN PLAYER OF THE MONTHBEAVERTON, Ore.
(March 4, 2003) -- Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer, who produced a record back-to-back triple-doubles and earned Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week honors three straight weeks during February, was named Division II Bulletin Player of the Month.Parmer, a 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., recorded his first career triple-double with 17 points, a career-high 14 assists and 10 rebounds as KWC beat Saint Joseph’s, 101-66, on Feb. 20.
He came back two days later with his second straight career triple-double to score 22 points, grab 10 rebounds and hand out 12 more assists as the Panthers defeated Wisconsin Parkside, 97-59, on Feb. 22.
Parmer received Player of the Week award on Feb. 10, 17 and 24. He becomes the first honoree this season and the second in KWC history joining former Kentucky Wesleyan center and National Player of the Year Antonio Garcia, who was the first in 1999.
No. 1 seed Kentucky Wesleyan will play No. 8 seed Quincy (12-15, 6-14) in the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday, March 6 at 8:30 p.m. CT at Roberts Stadium (12,500) in Evansville, Indiana.
PARMER NAMED GLVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR RECORD SIXTH TIME
(March 3, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer averaged 23 points, 8.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds in leading the No. 1 ranked Panthers to two road victories and their 15th record breaking Great Lakes Valley Conference title to earn the league's Player of the Week honor for the fourth straight week and the sixth time this season.
Parmer becomes the league's first six-time honoree for a season in the GLVC's 25-year history. He previously received the award on Dec. 3, Jan. 27, Feb. 10, 17 and 24.
The 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., started the week by nearly producing his third consecutive triple-double with 20 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds as the Panthers defeated SIU Edwardsville, 91-60, on Thursday
He came back on Saturday to pour in 26 points, grab six rebounds and hand out four more assists as KWC (25-2, 18-2) ended the regular season with a 110-93 triumph over Quincy on Saturday.
His numbers for the week: 46 points (23.0 ppg), 15-29 FGs (51.7 percent), 6-12 three-pointers (50 percent), 10-12 FTs (83.3 percent), 17 assists (8.5 apg) and 15 rebounds (7.5 rpg).
Twenty-eight Kentucky Wesleyan players have been chosen GLVC Player of the Week 60 times in history.
No. 1 seed Kentucky Wesleyan will play No. 8 seed Quincy (12-15, 6-14) in the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday, March 6 at 8:30 p.m. CT at Roberts Stadium (12,500) in Evansville, Indiana.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN BACK TO NO. 1
(February 25, 2003)For the first time since the preseason rankings, Kentucky Wesleyan returned to No. 1 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Bulletin weekly Top 25 men's poll. KWC (23-2, 16-2) jumped from No. 4 after the top three teams lost last week.
The Panthers, who was the No. 1 choice in preseason, are coming off two Great Lakes Valley Conference home victories where they defeated Saint Joseph's, 101-66, and Wisconsin Parkside, 97-59.
This marks the 30th time KWC has been ranked No. 1 in the weekly poll since 1984 and the 19th time in head coach Ray Harper's seven-year tenure. The Panthers have been ranked in the NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 5 for 56 weeks and the Top 10 for 68 consecutive weeks.
Great Lakes region member and previous No. 1 Michigan Tech (25-2) dropped to No. 4 and. GLVC foes Northern Kentucky rose to No. 13, Lewis dropped to No. 16 and Southern Indiana moved up to No. 20.
KWC will end the regular season on the road as they travel to SIU Edwardsville (8-17, 4-14) on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. CT, and to Quincy (12-13, 6-12) on Saturday, March 1, at 3:30 p.m. Here is the Top 25 for the week of Feb. 25:
1. Kentucky Wesleyan 23-2
2. Tarleton State (Texas) 23-2
3. Northeastern State (Okla.) 24-1
4. Michigan Tech 25-2
5. Nebraska Kearney 24-1
6. Metropolitan State (Colo.) 22-3
7. Humboldt State (Calif.) 21-3
8. Queens (NC) 22-2
9. Massachusetts Lowell 22-3
10. Salem International (WVa.) 23-3
11. Rollins (Fla.) 23-4
12. Cal State San Bernardino 19-4
13. Northern Kentucky 20-5
14. Columbus State (Ga.) 23-3
15. Washburn (Kan.) 21-4
16. Lewis (Ill.) 20-5
17. South Dakota State 20-5
18. Bowie State (Md.) 23-4
19. Brigham Young Hawaii 14-3
20. Southern Indiana 20-5
21. Henderson State (Ark.) 23-4
22. West Chester (Pa.) 20-5
23. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 22-4
24. Kennesaw State (Ga.) 22-6
25. Millersville (Pa.) 20-5
PARMER NAMED GLVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR FIFTH TIME
Parmer becomes the league's first five-time honoree this season and the second in the leagues 25-year history joining former Kentucky Wesleyan center and National Player of the Year Antonio Garcia, who was the first in 1999.
The 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., started the week with his first career triple-double with 17 points, a career-high 14 assists and 10 rebounds as No. 4 KWC trounced Saint Joseph’s, 101-66, on Thursday.
He came back on Saturday with his second straight career triple-double to score 22 points, grab 10 more rebounds and hand out 12 more assists as KWC improved to 23-2 overall and 16-2 in the GLVC with a 97-59 triumph over Wisconsin Parkside on Saturday.
It was the first back-to-back triple-double in KWC’s storied basketball history and the first in Parmer’s career. His numbers for the week: 39 points (19.5 ppg), 13-27 FGs (48.1 percent), 10-14 FTs (71.4 percent), 20 rebounds (10.0), 26 assists (13.0), and five steals (2.5).
This is the sixth-time this season the league has named recognize a Panther for Player of the Week honors. The GLVC selected Parmer on Dec. 3, Jan. 27, Feb. 10 and 24; and Eugene Dabney on Dec. 17. Twenty-eight Kentucky Wesleyan players have been chosen GLVC Player of the Week 59 times in history.
Kentucky Wesleyan will end the regular season on the road as they travel to SIU Edwardsville (8-17, 4-14) on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. CT, and to Quincy (12-13, 6-12) on Saturday, March 1, at 3:30 p.m.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN STAYS AT NO. 4 (February 18, 2003)
For the second straight Kentucky Wesleyan remained No. 4 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Bulletin weekly Top 25 men's poll.
The Panthers (21-2, 14-2) are coming off two Great Lakes Valley Conference road victories where they soundly defeated Bellarmine, 89-85, on Thursday and beat then No. 10-ranked Northern Kentucky, 71-68, on Saturday. KWC has been ranked in the NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 5 for 55 weeks and the Top 10 for 67 consecutive weeks during head coach Ray Harper's seven-year tenure.
Great Lakes region member Michigan Tech (24-1) held on to the No. 1 spot and. GLVC foes Lewis rose to No. 12, Northern Kentucky dropped to No. 19 and Southern Indiana returned to the poll at No. 25 and fellow region member Findlay moved up one spot to No. 24.
Kentucky Wesleyan will host Saint Joseph's (10-14, 6-11) on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. CT, and Wisconsin Parkside (13-10, 8-8) on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m.
Here is the Top 25 for the week of Feb. 18, 2003:
1. Michigan Tech 24-1
2. Nebraska Kearney 23-0
3. Humboldt State (Calif.) 20-2
4. Kentucky Wesleyan 21-2
5. Tarleton State (Texas) 21-2
6. Northeastern State (Okla.) 22-1
7. Metro State (Colo.) 20-3
8. Queens (NC) 20-2
9. Massachusetts Lowell 20-3
10. Columbus State (Ga.) 22-2
11. Salem International (WVa.) 20-3
12. Lewis (Ill.) 19-4
13. Brigham Young Hawaii 13-2
14. Henderson State (Ark.) 22-3
15. West Chester (Pa.) 19-4
16. Rollins (Fla.) 21-4
17. South Dakota 19-4
18. Cal State San Bernardino 17-4
19. Northern Kentucky 19-5
20. Florida Southern 22-3
21. Washburn (Kan.) 19-4
22. South Dakota State 18-5
23. Bowie State (Md.) 21-4
24. Findlay (Ohio) 19-4
25. Southern Indiana 18-5
Others receiving consideration: Barton (17-3); Millersville (18-5); Eckerd (19-5); Kennesaw St. (20-6); Cal St. Bakersfield (16-5); St. Cloud State (20-4).
PARMER NAMED GLVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR FOURTH TIME
(February 17, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer averaged 26.0 points and played the key role in leading his Panther squad to two thrilling road victories to earn Player of the Week honors in the Great Lakes Valley Conference for the second straight week and the fourth time this season.
Parmer becomes the league's first four-time honoree this season and the third Kentucky Wesleyan player to earn GLVC Player of the Week four times in one season. Antonio Garcia was named five times in 1999 and Tyrus Boswell four times in 2002.
The 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif. started the week by scoring 31 points on 10-17 shooting and collected five assists as No. 4 KWC slipped past Bellarmine, 89-85, on Thursday. He scored a critical three-point play with 1:00 left to give the Panthers 85-82 lead and the victory. It was Parmer’s second consecutive 30-point game.
He came back on Saturday to score 21 more points and grab seven rebounds as KWC completed the road sweep with a big 71-68 triumph at No. 10-ranked Northern Kentucky. Parmer scored 17 points in second half to erase a 35-30 NKU halftime lead. He hit five free throws in the last 3:30, including two with 13 seconds left to give KWC a 69-66 lead.
His numbers for the week: 52 points (26.0), 17-26 field goals (53.1 percent), 17-20 free throws (85.0 percent), eight rebounds (4.0), nine assists (4.5) and four steals (2.0).
This is the fifth-time this season the league has named recognize a Panther for Player of the Week honors. The GLVC selected Parmer on Dec. 3, Jan. 27 and Feb. 10; and Eugene Dabney on Dec. 17. On record, 28 Kentucky Wesleyan players have been chosen GLVC Player of the Week 58 times in the 25-year history of the conference.
Kentucky Wesleyan will host Saint Joseph's (10-14, 6-11) on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. CT, and Wisconsin Parkside (13-10, 8-8) on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m.
HARPER ECLIPSES FASTEST TO 200-WIN MARK
(February 15, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan College head men's basketball coach Ray Harper won his 200th career collegiate win on Saturday afternoon as the No. 4 Panthers defeated No. 10 Northern Kentucky, 71-68, to reach 200 wins faster than the NCAA Division I record holder and Hall of Fame coach Clair Bee.
Harper, the winningest active NCAA Division II coach with a 89.3 winning percentage, has 200 wins in 224 games all at KWC. Bee, who coached Rider and Long Island, reached the 200-win milestone after 234 games in 1938.
Harper in seven seasons has won two NCAA championships (1999, 2001); has taken the Panthers to five consecutive NCAA championship games (second only to UCLA's John Wooden seven ); posted a NCAA best five consecutive 30-win seasons (passing Kentucky's Adolph Rupp's three straight); and has received seven NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year awards in the last five seasons.
Kentucky Wesleyan has won a record eight NCAA Division II National Championship (1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1987, 1990, 1999 and 2001).
FASTEST TO 200-WINS*
Wins-Games Season Year
200-224 Ray Harper, Kentucky
Wesleyan 7th 2003
200-231 Clair Bee, Rider & Long
Island 12th 1938
200-234 Jerry Tarkanian, Long Beach &UNLV 9th 1977
200-250 Everett Case, North Carolina State 9th 1945
*Source: 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball Record Book
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN MOVES UP TO NO. 4
(February 11, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan moved up one spot to No. 4 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Bulletin weekly Top 25 men's poll.
The Panthers (19-2, 12-2) are coming off two impressive Great Lakes Valley Conference road victories where they soundly defeated Missouri St. Louis, 82-54, on Thursday and beat then No. 22-ranked Southern Indiana, 89-84, on Saturday. KWC has been ranked in the NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 10 for 66 consecutive weeks during head coach Ray Harper's seven-year tenure.
Great Lakes region member Michigan Tech (22-1) moved into the No. 1 spot replacing Tarleton State (19-2) and GLVC foes Northern Kentucky was No. 10 and Lewis No. 18 and fellow region member Findlay moved in at No. 25. .
Kentucky Wesleyan will travel to Bellarmine (9-15, 4-11) on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. ET, and at No. 10 Northern Kentucky (19-3, 13-2) on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3:15 p.m. ET.
Here is the Top 25 for the week of Feb. 4, 2003:
1. Michigan Tech 22-1
2. Nebraska Kearney 20-0
3. Humboldt State (Calif.) 18-2
4. Kentucky Wesleyan 19-2
5. Tarleton State (Texas) 18-1
6. Massachusetts Lowell 19-2
7. Columbus State (Ga.) 21-1
8. Northeastern State (Okla.) 20-1
9. Metro State (Colo.) 18-3
10. Northern Kentucky 19-3
11. Queens (NC) 18-2
12. West Chester (Pa.) 18-3
13. Salem International (WVa.) 18-3
14. Rollins (Fla.) 20-3
15. South Dakota State 17-4
16. Florida Southern 21-2
17. Bowie State (Md.) 19-3
18. Lewis (Ill.) 18-4
19. BYU Hawaii 12-2
20. Henderson State (Ark.) 19-3
21. South Dakota 17-4
22. Cal State San Bernardino 15-4
23. Washburn (Kan.) 17-4
24. St. Cloud (Minn.) 19-3
25. Findlay (Ohio) 17-4
Others receiving consideration:
Shaw (17-5); Presbyterian (20-4); Barton (15-3); Northwest Missouri (16-5); Southern New Hampshire (17-4); and Southern Indiana (16-5).PARMER NAMED GLVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR THIRD TIME (January 27, 2003)
Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer averaged 23.5 points, 10.0 assists and single-handedly led the No. 5 Panthers (19-2, 12-2) to a thrilling win at No. 22 ranked and arch-rival Southern Indiana to earn Player of the Week honors in the Great Lakes Valley Conference for the third time this season.
Parmer, a 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., began the week with a modest 10-point, seven assist effort as KWC defeated host Missouri St. Louis, 82-54. He came back on Saturday to register career-highs of 37 points and 13 assists as the Panthers ended No. 22 Southern Indiana's 25-game home court win streak with a thrilling 89-84 victory.
Parmer, with the score tied at 84-84, drilled a three-pointer with 20 seconds left and then stole the ball with eight seconds remaining preventing USI from taking the last shot where he was fouled and hit two free throws with six second left for the final margin. In addition, he scored a career-high 7-10 three-pointers in the game and also collected three steals.
His numbers for the week: 47 points (23.5 ppg), 15-29 field goals (51.7 percent), 8-13 three pointers (61.5 percent), 9-11 free throws (8.18 percent), 20 assists (10.0 apg), six rebounds (3.0) and four steals (2.0).
This is the fourth-time this season the league has named recognize a Panther for Player of the Week honors. The GLVC selected Parmer on Dec. 3 and Jan. 27; and Eugene Dabney on Dec. 17. On record, 28 Kentucky Wesleyan players have been chosen GLVC Player of the Week 57 times in the 25-year history of the conference.
Kentucky Wesleyan will go on the road for two more GLVC contests this week as they travel to Bellarmine (9-15, 4-11) on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. ET, and at No. 12 Northern Kentucky (19-3, 13-2) on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3:15 p.m. ET.
RZYCZYCKI NAMED DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR (
February 5, 2003)New Kentucky Wesleyan head football coach Brent Holsclaw began assembling his coaching staff with the announcement of Brad Rzyczycki (rye-ZICK-ee) as the Panthers defensive coordinator today.
"Brad will be a terrific addition, not only to our football program, but to the entire
Kentucky Wesleyan College community," said Holsclaw, who worked with RZYCZYCKI as a fellow assistant coach at Mercyhurst for five seasons. "He is an extremely knowledgeable coach on the defensive side of the ball and a proven recruiter.
"Brad’s passion and energy to work with young people will only benefit our student-athletes. Growing up in the football mecca of northeast Ohio, he brings a tremendous amount of energy, excitement and knowledge to the our program."
Rzyczycki comes to KWC after serving the past season as an assistant coach tckio former Panther head coach Randy Awrey at Saginaw Valley State University (Mich.) where he help lead the No. 10 Cardinals to a 9-3 record and the first round of the 2002 NCAA Division II playoffs.
Before Saginaw Valley, Rzyczycki spent seven seasons at his alma mater Mercyhurst College, an NCAA Division II member, in Erie, Pa., where he was an assistant with Holsclaw. He took over the defensive coordinator role prior to the 2001 season after serving as secondary and strength coach for the Lakers for six seasons.
His defenses were among the leaders in the nation during his tenure at Mercyhurst. His teams were ranked second in interceptions (2000) and third in turnover ratio (1997) in NCAA Division II statistics. Under his tutelage, the defense unit set two school records for interceptions.
Rzyczycki played cornerback for Mercyhurst and was a three-year starter from 1992-94. He registered 127 tackles and intercepted seven passes during his career. He also has the distinction of returning two blocked punts for touchdowns in a 1993 game against Pace.
He graduated from Mercyhurst in 1995 with a bachelor of arts degree in marketing and is completing requirements for a masters of education degree in special education from Mercyhurst.
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN MOVES UP TO NO. 5
(February 4, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan moved up one spot to No. 5 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Bulletin weekly Top 25 men's poll.
The Panthers (17-2, 10-2) are coming off two impressive Great Lakes Valley Conference home victories where they soundly defeated No. 17 Lewis, 109-83, on Thursday and beat SIU Edwardsville, 88-70, on Saturday. KWC has been ranked in the NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 10 for 65 consecutive weeks during head coach Ray Harper's seven-year tenure.
Tarleton State (18-1) held on to the top spot for the third straight week and Great Lakes region member Michigan Tech (20-1) jumped two places to No. 2 and GLVC foes Northern Kentucky was No. 12, Lewis No. 17 and Southern Indiana entered the poll for the first time at No. 22..
The Panthers will travel to Missouri St. Louis (5-13, 2-11) on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7:45 p.m. CT, and at No. 22 Southern Indiana (15-4, 10-3) on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Here is the Top 25 for the week of Feb. 4, 2003:
1. Tarleton State (Texas) 18-1
2. Michigan Tech 20-1
3. Nebraska Kearney 18-0
4. Humboldt State (Calif.) 16-2
5. Kentucky Wesleyan 17-2
6. Massachusetts Lowell 17-2
7. Columbus State (Ga.) 19-1
8. Northeastern State (Okla.) 18-1
9. Bowie State (Md.) 19-1
10. South Dakota State 16-3
11. Metro State (Colo.) 16-3
12. Northern Kentucky 17-3
13. Queens (NC) 15-2
14. West Chester (Pa.) 16-3
15. Salem International (WVa.) 15-3
16. Henderson State (Ark.) 18-2
17. Rollins (Fla.) 18-3
18. Florida Southern 19-2
19. Lewis (Ill.) 16-4
20. BYU Hawaii 11-2
21. South Dakota 15-4
22. Southern Indiana 15-4
23. Cal State San Bernardino 13-4
24. Washburn (Kan.) 15-4
25. St. Cloud (Minn...) 17-3 20
Others receiving consideration: Central Oklahoma (15-4); Findlay (16-4); Cal Poly Pomona (13-4); Carson-Newman (15-5); Shaw (15-5).
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN STAYS AT NO. 6
(January 21, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan stayed at No. 6 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Bulletin weekly Top 25 men's poll for the second consecutive week.
The Panthers (15-2, 8-2) are coming off two impressive Great Lakes Valley Conference road victories where they defeated Indianapolis, 77-67, on Thursday and trounced Saint Joseph's, 109-83, on Saturday.
The top seven teams remained the same with Tarleton State (16-1) holding the top spot for the second straight week.
KWC has been ranked in the NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 10 for 64 consecutive weeks during head coach Ray Harper's seven-year tenure.
The Panthers will host No. 17 Lewis (15-3, 8-3) on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m. CT, and SIU Edwardsville (7-10, 3-7) on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 3:30 p.m.
Here is the Top 25 for the week of Jan. 28,
2003:
1. Tarleton State (Texas) 16-1
2. Humboldt State (Calif.) 15-1
3. Massachusetts Lowell 16-1
4. Michigan Tech 17-1
5. Nebraska Kearney 16-0
6. Kentucky Wesleyan 15-2
7. Columbus State (Ga.) 17-1
8. Northeastern State (Okla.) 16-1
9. Bowie State (Md.) 18-1
10. South Dakota State 15-3
11. Metro State (Colo.) 14-3
12. Northern Kentucky 15-3
13. Queens (NC) 13-2
14. West Chester (Pa.) 14-3
15. Florida Southern 18-1
16. Salem International (WVa.) 14-3
17. Lewis (Ill.) 15-3
18. Washburn (Kan.) 14-3
19. South Dakota 14-3
20. St. Cloud (Minn.) 16-2
21. Henderson State (Ark.) 15-2
22. Nebraska Omaha 14-3
23. Rollins (Fla.) 16-3
24. Barton (NC) 11-1
25. Delta State (Miss.)
Others receiving consideration: Colorado Mines (15-2); Incarnate Word (15-3); Valdosta State (14-3); Cal State Bernardino (11-4); Eckerd (15-3); New Haven (12-3); Southern New Hampshire (13-3); Brigham Young Hawaii (10-2); Clarion (14-3).
PARMER NAMED GLVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
(January 27, 2003)Kentucky Wesleyan's Marlon Parmer averaged 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in leading the No. 6 Panthers to crucial road victories over Indianapolis and Saint Joseph's to earn Player of the Week honors in the Great Lakes Valley Conference for the second time this season.
Parmer, a 6-3 senior guard from Inglewood, Calif., began the week by recording his fifth double-double of the season, scoring 17 points and collecting a game-high 11 assists as the Panthers won a key 77-67 contest at Indianapolis. He also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, just missing his first career triple-double.
Last Saturday, he came back to pour in a game-high 27 points - including a career-high six three-pointers - as KWC ran past Saint Joseph’s, 109-83. Parmer hit 10-18 shots in that game and grabbed five more rebounds.
His numbers for the week: 44 points (22.0 ppg), 15-32 FGs (46.9 pct), 7-14 three-pointers (50.0 percent), 7-11 FTs (63.6 percent), 14 rebounds (7.0 rpg), and 14 assists (7.0 apg).
This is the third-time this season the league has named recognize a Panther for Player of the Week honors. The GLVC selected Parmer on Dec. 3 and Eugene Dabney on Dec. 17.
On record, 28 Kentucky Wesleyan players have been chosen GLVC Player of the Week 56 times in the 25-year history of the conference.
The Panthers will host No. 20 Lewis (15-3, 8-3) on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m. CT, and SIU Edwardsville (7-10, 3-7) on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 3:30 p.m.
HOLSCLAW NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
(January 18, 2003)Brent Holsclaw, a former Panther quarterback (1991-93), has been named the fourth head football coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College as announced by Director of Athletics Larry Moore.
"I could not be more proud that one of our own Kentucky Wesleyan family is at the helm," said Moore. "He knows our program, our college, the Owensboro community, and college football. During the last nine years, he has prepared himself to become a head coach and we are very pleased that he’s coming back home."
Holsclaw, 31, becomes the first KWC football player since the sport was reinstituted 20 years ago to be named head coach at the college and the third alumnus since football first started in 1907. He also becomes the fourth KWC graduate to lead a current Panther team joining Ray Harper (basketball), Karie Jarrett (volleyball) and Todd Lillpop (baseball).
"I have been waiting for an opportunity to become a head coach but not in my wildest dreams did I believe that my first head coaching job would be at my alma mater," said Holsclaw. "I am very honored that Kentucky Wesleyan College has confidence and believes in my ability to lead the Panthers into a new era of football.
"It truly is an exciting time for the
football program with KWC joining the Mid-South Conference in 2004 and playing
on campus for the first time next season."
Holsclaw returns to KWC after serving the past two seasons as offensive
coordinator at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill. He helped lead the
Foresters to their first-ever appearance in the 2002 NCAA Division III playoffs
with a 9-2 record, the most wins in school history, and their first Midwest
Conference Championship since 1983. Under his two-year tutelage, the offensive
unit broke all passing records for a single game and season.
Before Lake Forest, Holsclaw spent five seasons at Mercyhurst College, an NCAA Division II school in Erie, Pa. He took over the offensive coordinator role at Mercyhurst prior to the 1998 season. Holsclaw’s offenses were among the finest in the nation during his tenure as coordinator. His teams were ranked third (1999), fourth (1998), and 26th (2000) in NCAA Division II for total offense.
Also in 2000, Mercyhurst ranked eighth in passing and the team’s starting quarterback finished fifth in the nation for total offense. In both 1998 and 1999, his offenses ranked among the nation’s top four in passing.
Prior to taking over the playing-calling duties at Mercyhurst, Holsclaw was the team’s quarterbacks (1996) and offensive line coach (1997). The Pittsburgh Steelers, in the ninth round