In-Depth Preview of 2011Football Season

PAGE 5

Pewinski New Women’sBasketball Coach

PAGE 5

Ashland Football Game To Be Nationally Televised

The SVSU football team added another first for the fall of 2011, when Division II and CBS Sports Network

announced its six-game football television package for the 2011 season and, for the first time, the Cardinals were included. Saginaw Valley will host Ashland University for a contest on Thursday, Oct. 20, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m.

“This is a tremendous honor to be representing SVSU, the G.L.I.A.C. and Division II in this nationally televised game against Ashland,” commented SVSU athletic director Mike Watson. “This game will give us, Ashland and the G.L.I.A.C. the opportunity to showcase to college football fans the high level of talent

that plays in our schools and confer-ence.”

CBS and the N.C.A.A. will produce and broadcast six games in 2011 that will be aired live on CBS Sports Network, syndicated on regional and local networks and simulcast live on NCAA.com. This is the sixth year of Division II and CBS Sports Network’s partnership to provide Division II schools the opportunity to have live national television exposure for their foot-ball and basketball programs. CBS Sports Network is available to over 95 million United States households through a variety of cable and satel-lite providers.

The Cardinals and Eagles will both be making their first appear-

ance as a part of the CBS Sports Net-work partnership. In total, 10 of the 12 schools playing this season will be making their first appearance. Central Washington and Indiana (Pa.) have each appeared previously.

“Anytime you can play on televi-

sion it is a huge deal, but to be play-ing a team like Ashland, a team that has been one of the premier teams in the conference the past several years, makes it that much bigger of a game,” said SVSU head football coach Jim Collins.

Saginaw Valley will be opening up its renovated football facility for the start of the 2011 season; which will include a modern synthetic playing surface, lights and a new scoreboard in the south endzone. The addition of the new surface and lights made this opportunity pos-sible for 2011.

The 2011 Cardinals will play all five home games under the lights and seven of their 10 total games will be played at night this season.

“This is a tremendous honor to be representing SVSU, the G.L.I.A.C. and Division II in this nationally televised game against Ashland.”

—Mike WatsonSVSU Director of Athletics

Rousse To Remain Head Softball Coach After Amazing Season

SVSU is extending the appointment of Tim Rousse as interim head softball coach through the 2011-12 season.

“I am happy that the University has given me the opportunity to lead this program and is allowing me to continue building this pro-gram towards a national championship,” Rousse said.

After initially accepting the job in mid-season, Rousse led the Cardinals to a 25-10 record and a berth in the NCAA Division II College World Series, advancing to the national semifinals. The team finished no. 6 in the in the National Fast-pitch Coaches Association final poll.

SVSU fired its former head softball coach, Everett Roper, in April for alleged “incidents of unacceptable financial misconduct”.

“Saginaw Valley State University softball coach Everett Roper has been relieved of his duties and is no longer employed by SVSU, effective immedi-ately,” a statement from the university read.

At the time, SVSU would not elaborate on the allegations. The Saginaw News later reported that Mr. Roper was fired for “improper use of a

Tim Rousse

University procurement card” as well as being “untruthful” to the university during its investiga-tion.

The incident wasn’t Mr. Ropers first disciplin-ary run-in. He was previously suspended for 30 days after pleading no contest to marijuana pos-session and impaired driving after driving into a ditch on 8 Nov. 2009.

Police officers believed they had found mari-juana inside Mr. Ropers vehicle after responding to the scene. The substance was sent to the state crime lab along with a sample of Mr. Roper’s blood, and the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Of-fice charged Mr. Roper with marijuana possession and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

“Tim did an exceptional job taking over our

softball program during a difficult and trying time,” said Athletic Director Mike Watson. “We are very pleased that he will continue to lead our program through next season.”

The Cardinal softball program has attained national prominence, qualifying for the NCAA tournament each of the last four seasons and hosting the NCAA Midwest Regional and Super Regional twice during that time. SVSU also has captured two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Titles in the past four seasons.

Tim did an exceptional job taking over our softball program during a difficult and trying time.

SVSU ATHLETIC DEPT.

SVSU ATHLETIC DEPT.

Monday, August 29, 2011 SaginawValleyJournal.com/Sports

SPORTSJOURNALTHE SAGINAW VALLEY JOURNAL.

ATTENTION ANY STUDENT CURRENTLY RECEIVING

SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL AID: THERE IS A NEW (SAP) SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY, WHICH

STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID MUST FULFILL IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THEIR AID FOR THE NEXT SEMESTER AND / OR YEAR.

Students only have one semester to meet these

requirements. If they do not they will be placed on warning for the next semester which can result in the loss of all

financial aid in the following year. Do not drop/withdraw from a course without speaking to an advisor first if you are

receiving financial aid.

Previous Policy: After Completion of Year #1 Grade Point Average: 2.00

Completion Rate of Credits Attempted (one year): 75%

New Policy: After Completion of Semester #1 Grade Point Average: 2.00 Completion Rate of Credits Attempted (Academic Career): 67%

If you have any questions please contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Wickes Hall Room 141

(989) 964-4103 or svsu.edu/financialaid

Meet Bryan Crainer and

the Peer Advisors

The Peer Advisors are students Just Like You! They can help you with advising after hours, academic

workshops, and so much more! Contact them at peeradvisors@svsu.edu or stop into W 117 and visit!

The Saginaw Valley Journal. — Monday, August 29, 2011

cardinalsfootball

“Saturday nights in the Valley are going to be a little more exciting this fall.”

—Brandon Williams,Senior Defensive End

Every home game features fun attractions to add to the action on the gridiron:

Join the Cardinal SPIRIT TUNNEL!

RED PRIDE Spirit Crew sponsors novelties for SVSU student fans at every game!

Meijer Tailgater of the Game

Wildfire Credit Union T-shirt blast

Buffalo Wild Wings and Draper Chevrolet Games & Giveaways

How to win: Each student will receive a numbered ticket when they enter the game. Tick-ets will be drawn during the games for giveaways and promotions.

SVSU Football 2011 Captains:#11 - Jonathon Jennings#28 - Ronnie Lark#8 - Brandon Williams

2011 season schedule

NEW FOR 2011 Night Games!

Lights!New Scoreboard! Improved field!

IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A CARDINAL!Lot C is open for Student Parking & Tailgating starting at 4pm. Convenient access through a student-only gate (SVSU ID required for entry).

The SVSU Student Tailgate Policy can be found at svsu.edu/studentlife

9/109/179/2410/110/810/1510/2010/2911/511/12

Ferris State* (Red Out)@ Lake Erie*Northwood* (Axe Bowl)Hillsdale* (Homecoming)@ Michigan Tech*@ Indianapolis*Ashland**@ Wayne State*Northern Michigan*@ Grand Valley*

7:00 P.M.7:00 P.M.7:00 P.M.7:00 P.M.1:00 P.M.6:00 P.M.8:00 P.M.

12:00 P.M.7:00 P.M.1:00 P.M.

* GLIAC Contest** Televised on CBS College Sports

SVSU Athletic Director Mike Watson announced the hir-ing of Jamie Pewinski as the 10th Head Women’s Basketball

Coach in school history. Pewinski hails from fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (G.L.I.A.C.) school Lake Superior State University, where she spent the last five years as the pro-gram’s head coach after spending seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Lakers. She was named associate head coach in 2005 and took over the program when eight-year coach Kris Dunbar was promoted to director of athletics.

“After an extensive national search, we have found a perfect fit in Jamie Pewinski to lead our women’s basketball program,” stated Watson. “Jamie has a drive and passion for the game that goes un-matched and is very established in the region, which is exactly what our program needs in order to succeed.”

Pewinski was a key figure in the Lak-ers’ winningest era in women’s basket-ball history. LSSU enjoyed a 142-57 (.714) record during her stint as an assistant coach. During that span, the Lakers made five straight trips to the N.C.A.A. Tournament, won four G.L.I.A.C. North Division titles and claimed two G.L.I.A.C. Tournament Championships.

“Jamie is a person that really loves the game, first and foremost, and you can’t have anything without that,” says University of Tennessee Women’s Bas-ketball Assistant Coach Dean Lockwood. “She’s a very smart, adaptive coach who is a great teacher, and is very tuned-in to competing and that’s what it takes to be successful at any level. Jamie has proven the ability to recruit the state of Michigan and the Midwest and will al-ways show good character on and off the court, which should be important to all schools.”

The Lakers’ best N.C.A.A. finish since Pewinski has been a member of the LSSU coaching staff was in 2003-04 when they reached the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Quincy in the N.C.A.A. Great Lakes Regional finals. In 2002-03, LSSU posted the nation’s highest field-goal shooting percentage and had the country’s sec-ond-best scoring average of 84.6 points per game. That season, the Lakers were led by All-American Alice Duesing, who went on to earn the Today’s Top VIII Award, which is the highest honor an N.C.A.A. student-athlete can achieve. In 2005-06, all-region senior Becky Mar-quardt-King led the GLIAC in scoring and led the nation in field-goal percent-age at .711.

“Saginaw Valley State University is getting an exceptional person and a great coach in Jamie Pewinski,” quoted Niag-ara University women’s basketball head coach Kendra Faustin, who played colle-giately for Pewinski at LSSU. “Her abil-ity to recruit quality student-athletes, her gift of teaching and her dedication to educating young women will enable her to lead SVSU women’s basketball to a high level of achievement. She will certainly develop student-athletes who will represent SVSU in a way they will be very proud of.”

Pewinski had a record of 77-61 dur-ing her five seasons at LSSU. Her 2010-11 team, which was picked to finish fifth in the G.L.I.A.C. North Division, posted a 16-10 overall record and was the #2 over-all seed in the G.L.I.A.C. Tournament. She is a former Oakland University and Saginaw Valley State University player familiar with the G.L.I.A.C. At SVSU, she set the record for single-season three-point field goal percentage at 43.6 (48-110). SVSU was 20-7 during her senior season.

Pewinski graduated from SVSU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in business management after playing for three sea-sons at Oakland. The Pioneers were 90-27 during her tenure at OU. The Roch-ester, Mich., native earned her master’s of business administration from LSSU in 2002.

“Jamie is one of the brightest young coaches in the profession, and her body of work at the Division II level has been absolutely spectacular,” stated Michi-gan State University women’s basket-ball head coach Suzy Merchant, who coached Pewinski in her senior season at SVSU. “It is wonderful that Saginaw Valley State is hiring such a great coach, great person and an alum of the Univer-sity.”

Pewinski New Women’s

Basketball Coach

Pewinski

The Saginaw Valley Journal. — Monday, August 29, 2011 B5

Cardinals Football2011 Season Preview

Last season, the Cardinal Football Team had a young roster. A lack of experience on both sides of the ball and a struggling kicking game

proved to be problematic for the young squad in the 2010 season. The young roster with little experience and multiple problems contributed to the Cards posting a 4-7 overall record. This season, however, more experienced players join new talent to breathe new optimism into the football team. Head Coach Jim Collins explained that this season the players are more opti-mistic and have great comradery with each other. “I’ve seen improvement in all areas. This season there’s been an outstanding work ethic and we’ve improved in all areas, including our understanding of schemes. We’ve had a great spring and summer and I can tell there’s more depth and we’re ready to play.”

On offense, Jonathan Jennings ap-pears to be at starting at quarterback and is more experienced from playing in four games last season. Around Jennings is an experienced offensive line, with running back Ronnie Lark in the backfield, who racked up 989 rushing yards last season and seven touchdowns. At receiver, Nick Gallina will be a productive target, who last season recorded 306 receiving yards on 20 receptions and four receiving touchdowns. Gallina will be joined by receivers Mark Thrash, Mike Peterson, Jeff Janis and Michael Alrecht, who were redshirted last season.

Collins said he was very impressed with the defense this season. “The defensive players are fast and have come together to have adapted to a faster team speed. Even the understanding of positions and schemes has been improving really well. We have schemes that allow 11 men swarm-ing to the football and all making plays and I’ve really saw that come together amaz-ingly well.” The defensive line has experi-ence from returning starters senior Paul Web who recorded 35 tackles last season and Brian Williams who had 33 tackles. Additionally, standout player Nate Snyder has been moved to defensive tackle who had seven tackles for losses, three sacks and was sixth on the team in overall tackles with 41. Ryan Busch also returns on the defensive line who led the Cards in sacks with 3.5.

Grant Caserta will be a big contribution to the linebacking core this season. Caserta led the defense last season with 96 tackles, who also recovered four fumbles and forced two. Alongside Grant is linebacker Josh Fallon who recorded 26 tackles last season.

The defensive backfield has a solid core of returning players. Jeff Heath will

fulfill a big role on defense, coming out of a successful season where he recorded 49 tackles and had one interception. Darious Middlebrooks will patrol the other side of the field at safety who last season tallied 28 tackles and had three pass deflections. At cornerback Noah Sumpter is a dual threat on both special teams and defense. He posted 16 tackles last season and recorded 381 all-purpose yards. Retuning sophomore cornerback Deangelo Parris adds depth to the defense, having recorded 19 tackles and an interception.

Special Teams has also improved this season. With the addition of new kicker Scott Stanford the special teams has been strengthened. Stanford shows potential to grow into a very productive and depend-able kicker for the team. “We brought in Scott Stanford who has been a reliable kicker and has been very impressive in practices,” Coach Collins explained. Kyle Kauffman, who played well during the spring and summer practices, is expected to start at punter .

The Cardinal Football team has been strengthened by a combination of more experienced players from last season and an impressive recruiting class. More depth has been added to the roster and with an impressive new field, a new scoreboard, and the installation of lights allowing for night games, the expectations are higher than last season. Already ranked third in the GLIAC North Coaches’ Poll from more experienced players joining a solid group of new players , anticipating a deep run in the playoffs this season is a realistic predi-cation for the football team. Coach Collins explained that “with the spectacular ad-dition of the new the scoreboard, the new field with new turf and lights, we know the expectations for the football team are greater to perform and maybe we even win a championship. So we’re looking forward to having the support of the students and the community while we play football this season.” The Cardinals kick off this season with a home game on the new field under the lights on September 10 against Ferris State at 7 p.m. where you can experi-ence the new atmosphere of night games at Saginaw Valley.

JAKE BURLESON

ASK THEEDITORSTHE SAGINAW VALLEY JOURNAL.a conversation with the editors of

In two short years,

The Saginaw Valley Journal

has become SVSU’s premier

source for campus news —

#1 in circulation, revenue,

and Web traffic.

Come spend an afternoon with

the editors of SVSU’s leading news

publication to ask questions, air

concerns, and have a conversation

about college journalism.

CURTISS 236WEDNESDAY, AUG. 31, 3-4PM

PRESENTED BY FRIENDS OF THE SAGINAW VALLEY JOURNALA REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATION AT

SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

S T E R L I N G

H O F F M A N

& C O . facebook.com/saginaw

twitter.com/SVSUnews

THE SAGINAW VALLEY JOURNAL.Exceptional reporting, no exceptions.™