Press Releases - December 2004

The following are press releases for the Kutztown University Athletic Department, released during the time listed above.  For more information, contact the sports information office.  

December 15, 2004 

KUTZTOWN’S MEN’S BASKETBALL MOVES UP TO NO. 17 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Despite being idle over the past week, the Kutztown University men’s basketball team jumped five places in the NABC Division II poll to No. 17 in the nation.  

            It marks the highest the Golden Bears have settled the national rankings since ending the 1987-88 season at No. 16.  That team was ranked as high as 13th.   

            Kutztown, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Bernie Driscoll, is 7-1 to start the 2004-05 slate.  It is the best eight-game start for the team since the 1961-62 team also started 7-1.   

             The Golden Bears have been away from thecourt in preparation of this week's final exams since defeating Shippensburg onDecember 5.  KU will get back to action on Tuesday, December 21 when Indiana (PA) comes to Keystone Arena for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover.  The game will be a rematch of last season’s PSAC Championship game.  The Golden Bears will be looking for payback after falling in that contest, 83-74, played at Cheyney. 

            The Golden Bears have won six in a row behind the play of wing Bobby Eberhart (sr. Lancater/McCaskey) and forward Bilal Salaam (sr. Wilmington, DE/Howard).  Eberhart leads the team in scoring at 17.8 ppg on 54 percent from the floor and 21-of-45 (47 percent) from beyond the arc.  Salaam is second with 14.9 ppg and averages a double-double with 10.3 rebounds per game.  Both the KU and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) all-time shot blocking leader, he is averaging 5.2 blocks per game.   

The Indians are 8-2 so far this season and are led by Ayyub Ali and G.J. Macon.  Ali leads the team in scoring (18.3), rebounding (8.9) and field goal percentage (56 percent).    Macon is second on the squad with 13.6 ppg.  IUP fell just short of the national rankings this week, receiving 22 points.  Pittsburg State, ranked 25th, garnered 24 points. 

Virginia Union (5-0) received all eight first place votes and is ranked No. 1. 

            Tip off for Tuesday’s contest at Keystone Arena is set for 8:00 PM.

December 7, 2004

KUTZTOWN’S MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM BREAKS INTO NATIONAL RANKINGS

KUTZTOWN, PA – The Kutztown University men’s basketball team has cracked the national rankings and is rated the No. 22 team in NCAA Division II, in the latest NABC/Division II poll released Monday.

            It marks the first time the Golden Bears have entered the national rankings since ending the 1987-88 season at No. 16.  That team was ranked as high as 13th. 

            Kutztown, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Bernie Driscoll, join the rankings after a 7-1 start to the 2004-05 season.  It is the best eight-game start for the team since the 1961-62 team also started 7-1. 

            The Golden Bears have won six in a row behind the play of wing Bobby Eberhart (sr. Lancater/McCaskey) and forward Bilal Salaam (sr. Wilmington, DE/Howard).  Eberhart leads the team in scoring at 17.8 ppg on 54 percent from the floor and 21-of-45 (47 percent) from beyond the arc.  Salaam is second with 14.9 ppg and averages a double-double with 10.3 rebounds per game.  Both the KU and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) all-time shot blocking leader, he is averaging 5.2 blocks per game. 

            Kutztown is idle until Tuesday, December 21 when Indiana (PA) comes to Keystone Arena for a PSAC crossover starting at 8:00 PM. 

December 7, 2004 

KU’S BENSON NAMED ALL-NORTHEAST REGION

KUTZTOWN, PA – Marc Benson (Boyertown/Boyertwon) of the Kutztown University men’s soccer team was selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) All-Northeast Region second team as a back.

            Despite being a defender, Benson led the team in goals and points.  He scored six goals on the season, assisted on five others and accumulated 17 total points.  Benson also led a defensive unit that allowed zero or one goal in 11 games.  He started all 19 games in which he played and was named to the first team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). 

In his career, Benson has played in 43 games with 29 starts and has tallied eight goals and six assists for 22 points. 

            Kutztown finished the 2004 season with a 9-9-2 overall mark and a record of 3-5 in the PSAC.      

December 6, 2004

SALAAM NAMED PSAC EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University’s Bilal Salaam (sr. Wilmington, DE/Howard) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Week. 

            Salaam averaged 15.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.5 blocks in KU’s 4-0 week, including PSAC crossover wins over California (PA) and Shippensburg.  Salaam scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds with six blocks in the 64-57 win over Cal.  He added 16 points and eight boards in the win over Ship.  In a non-league win over Penn-State Berks, Salaam scored 19 points with eight rebounds and six blocks.  To start the week, Salaam scored 14 points (6-12 FG) and grabbed 13 rebounds with six blocks in a key regional victory over Shepherd. 

            Through eight games this season, Salaam is averaging 14.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.25 blocks per game.  He is shooting 57.5% from the floor. 

            Kutztown is 7-1, off to its best start in 43 years.  The Golden Bears are idle until Tuesday, December 21 when it takes on Indiana (PA) in a rematch of last year’s PSAC Championship game.

December 3, 2004 

KUTZTOWN THIRD IN DIXON TROPHY STANDINGS AFTER FALL 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Through the completion of the fall sports seasons, the Kutztown University athletic department is in third place in the Dixon Trophy standings.   

            The Dixon Trophy is awarded annually to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) member institution that accumulates the most points based on the results of conference playoffs and/or regular season records.  Each institution’s finish is calculated by the top six men’s and top six women’s finishes in 22 conference sports.   

The fall season included results for eight sports:  men’s soccer, men’s cross country, football, men’s golf, women’s soccer, field hockey, women’s cross country, and women’s volleyball. 

The Golden Bears tallied 52 points in the fall, just a half point less than second place Shippensburg.  Indiana (PA) is the leader with 65 points.   

Highlighting the fall for KU were women’s soccer and women’s cross country, each of which earned the school 12 points in the standings.  The women’s soccer team won the PSAC East title and advanced to the conference championship game.  Cross Country placed third at the PSAC Championships and later earned a berth at the NCAA Championships. 

            Last year, Kutztown finished second in the final Dixon Trophy standings, the best finish in school history.  The Golden Bears also posted the third highest point total in the trophy’s history, but Shippensburg set a record with 128.5 points to win the Dixon Trophy.  After last fall, KU was tied for fourth in the standings. 

Fall Dixon Trophy Standings

1.  Indiana (PA), 65; 2. Shippensburg, 52.5; 3. KUTZTOWN, 52; 4. Lock Haven, 50; 5. Bloomsburg, 49.5; 6. Edinboro, 48.5; 7. Slippery Rock, 47.5; t-8. East Stroudsburg, 46.5; t-8. Millersville, 46.5; 10. West Chester, 39.5; 11. California (PA), 33.5; 12. Clarion, 32.5; 13. Mansfield, 16.5; 14. Cheyney, 6.

December 1, 2004 

KU’S STENACK NAMED PSAC WRESLTER OF THE WEEK 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University’s Billy Stenack (fr. Northampton/Northampton) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Wrestler of the Week. 

            Stenack helped the Golden Bears take the team title at the Kutztown Invitational by winning four matches at the 133 weight class last Wednesday.  He recorded a major decision and two decisions in the preliminaries before a 13-6 victory over Jerry Davis of Delaware St. in the finals. 

            Stenack holds a 5-2 record to date this season.  The Golden Bears, 2-1 in dual meets, return to action this Sunday when they travel to the Penn State Open.