March 28, 2007

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY MEN’S TENNIS NATIONALLY RANKED 

KUTZTOWN, PA - In the most recent Fila/ITA Division II National tennis ranking, Kutztown University is ranked 30^th among NCAA Division II teams, and second in the East Region. 

            In singles play, Santiago Baquerizo (so. Guayaquil, ECUADOR) is ranked 31^st in the nation and second in the East Region for the Golden Bears.  So far this season, he is 11-3 overall at first singles. 

            Baquerizo and doubles partner Lukas Labitsch (so. Bruck an der Mur, AUSTRIA) are ranked fifth nationally and first in the East Region in doubles play.  Overall, the duo is 10-3. 

            The team is 4-2 so far this season.  KU will begin Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action tomorrow, Thursday, 3/29, when it travels to West Chester.  The match is set to start at 3:30.

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March 28, 2007 

 

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S SWIM TEAM HONORED 

KUTZTOWN, PA - The Kutztown University women’s swim team was named to the College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) All-Academic Team.   

            For teams to qualify, they must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or better.  The Golden Bears grade point average was a 3.05.  This year the honor was presented to 335 different colleges and universities and Kutztown was one of only 26 NCAA Division II women’s teams and one of five Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schools to be given this honor. 

            The swim team finished this season seventh out of 13 at the PSAC championships.  In dual meets, KU finished 3-6 overall.

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March 27, 2007

BAQUERIZO NAMED PSAC MEN’S TENNIS PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University’s Santiago Baquerizo (so. Guayaquil, ECUADOR) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Men’s Tennis Player of the Week. 

            Heading into Tuesday’s match with Philadelphia University, Baquerizo had started the season with a 4-1 record at No. 1 singles, helping Kutztown to wins in three of its five matches.  He also is a part of Kutztown's lone undefeated doubles team, as he and teammate Lukas Labitsch have paired up to reach a 5-0 mark.  

            With Tuesday’s win over Philadelphia University, KU improved to 4-2 on the season.  The Golden Bears next travel to West Chester to open PSAC play on Thursday at 3:30 PM.

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March 27, 2007 

DENLINGER NAMED PSAC EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University first baseman Steph Denlinger (so. Harleysville/Souderton HS) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Week. 

            Denlinger, who earns the award for the second-straight week, hit .467 with 11 RBI and three home runs during KU’s 5-0 weekend at the Salem (VA) Tournament.  She established the school’s career record for homers (25) in just her second season.  She finished with five runs, three doubles and a 1.267 slugging percentage. 

            In 23 games played, Denlinger is hitting .403 (27-for-67) with 28 RBI and nine home runs.  KU is 16-12 on the season and opens PSAC East play at East Stroudsburg on Friday.

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March 22, 2007 

KUTZTOWN ANNOUNCES 2007 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University head football coach Raymond Monica has announced the 2007 Golden Bear football schedule. 

                The 2007 season will begin on Sept. 1 at Southern Connecticut State and will end on Nov. 10 at Millersville. 

                The schedule features 11 total games, six home and five away, six consecutive night games, and two non-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) foes for the first time in seven years.    

                Kutztown will begin the 2007 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 1 in New Haven, CT, when it takes on Southern Connecticut State for a 1:00 PM kickoff.  It will be KU’s first trip to SCSU since 1987.  The teams last met in 2005, with the Owls winning 31-28 at KU. 

                On Sept. 9, Kutztown will travel to Clarion for a 6:00 PM kickoff.  It will be the first of a record six straight night games.  KU defeated Clarion, 27-10, last year. 

                The Golden Bears’ home opener will be Saturday, Sept. 15.  KU hosts Shippensburg for a 6:05 PM kickoff at University Field.  The Raiders downed KU, 42-27, last fall. 

                KU’s third road game in four weeks is next.  The Golden Bears travel to Slippery Rock on Sept. 22 for a 7:00 PM start.  It is Kutztown’s first foray to the Rock since 1998.  SRU won at KU, 34-10, last fall.               

                Kutztown will then hosts American International College on Saturday, Sept. 29.  Kickoff is set for 6:05 PM.  It is the teams’ first meeting since 1996 and AIC’s first visit to University Field since 1981.  AIC replaces Mansfield, which dropped its football program after last season, on Kutztown’s schedule. 

                On Oct. 6, Kutztown will open its PSAC East schedule when it hosts Bloomsburg for a 6:05 PM kickoff.  The Huskies defeated the Golden Bears, 41-14, last fall. 

                Kutztown travels to West Chester for a 6:00 PM kickoff on Oct. 13.  The Golden Rams won last year’s thriller, 49-47, at KU. 

                Then, KU opens a three-game homestand.  The Golden Bears host Cheyney on Saturday, Oct. 20 for a 1:05 PM kickoff on Family Day.  KU defeated Cheyney, 28-6, in 2006.   The next week Kutztown takes on Edinboro for a 1:05 PM kickoff on Homecoming.  The teams last met in 2005.  The Golden Bears’ home finale will be on Nov. 3 with a 1:05 PM kickoff against East Stroudsburg.  ESU won last year’s meeting 56-16. 

                Kutztown then wraps up the regular season with a 1:00 PM kickoff at Millersville on Nov. 10.  The Marauders downed KU 45-17 last fall. 

                Kutztown was 4-6 overall, 2-4 in the PSAC East in 2006.

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March 21, 2007 

KU SOFTBALL PROJECTED TO PLACE THIRD IN PSAC EAST
Denlinger Named Player of the Week 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University’s softball team has been projected to finish third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division, in voting conducted by the league’s coaches. 

            In other PSAC softball news, Kutztown first baseman Steph Denlinger (so. Harleysville/Souderton HS) has been named the initial PSAC East Player of the Week. 

            The Golden Bears are off to an 11-12 start this season.  KU is slated to finish behind Bloomsburg and Shippensburg in the PSAC East standings.  KU is followed in the poll by East Stroudsurg, Millersville, Mansfield and West Chester.  Last year, Kutztown finished third in the PSAC East with a 16-8 record.   

            Lock Haven, the defending NCAA Champion, is projected to win the PSAC West. 

            Denlinger is off to a fast start for the Golden Bears.  She is hitting .385 (20-for-52) with six home runs and 17 RBI in 18 games played.  The second year player has upped her career home run total to 22, one shy of KU’s career record. 

             The Golden Bears return to action this Friday through Sunday with five games at the Salem Tournament in Virginia.

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March 21, 2007  

KUTZTOWN BASEBALL RANKED FIRST IN PSAC EAST COACHES POLL
McCardell and Lightcap honored by PSAC

KUTZTOWN, PA – The Kutztown University baseball team is favored to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division, as voted upon by the coaches. 

            In other PSAC news, Mike McCardell (sr. West Chester/Henderson) and Chad Lightcap (so. Boyertown/Boyertown) were named PSAC East pitcher and player of the week, respectively.

            The two-time defending PSAC champions are off to a 16-2 start this season.  Last season, the team ended with a school-record 44 wins and advanced to its sixth-straight NCAA II North Atlantic Regional. 

            West Chester is picked to finish second in the PSAC East.  It is followed by Mansfield, Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg and Millersville.  California (PA) is picked to finish first in the PSAC West, followed by Slippery Rock, Shippensburg, IUP, Clarion and Lock Haven.

            In the latest NCAA Division II poll, the Golden Bears are ranked fifth according to the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, up one spot from last week.  Cal State-Los Angeles is the #1 ranked team again this week.  Tampa and Georgia College and State switched places at #2 and #3, respectively.  Ouachita Baptist jumped from #12 to #4.  West Chester is the lone other PSAC team at #23.

            Lightcap is the top hitter on a Kutztown team that has raced out to a 16-2 start.  The 2006 PSAC Eastern Division Rookie of the Year leads the Golden Bears with a .517 average (30-for-58), and has a team-best 23 RBI and three home runs.  In addition he has scored 16 runs and has four doubles and a triple. 

            McCardell has registered a 1-0 record with three saves in eight appearances this season.  The reigning PSAC East Pitcher of the Year has allowed just one earned run over 10 innings, posting 18 strikeouts while allowing just four hits and one walk. 

            Kutztown will be back in action on Saturday when it travels to the University of the Sciences for a doubleheader.  The first game is set to start at noon.

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March 20, 2007 

KU SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE TO GET UNDERWAY 

KUTZTOWN, PA – The Kutztown University football team will begin its spring practice schedule this Wednesday, March 21.   

            Second-year head coach Raymond Monica will welcome 64 returning veterans and a handful of newcomers for 15 days of spring practices, spread out over the next month, culminating in the annual Maroon and Gold Spring Game on Saturday, April 21 at 4:00 PM at University Field.

             Monica, who was introduced as KU’s head coach just days prior to spring practice last year, is excited to begin spring drills this year.

             “Last spring, I met with the kids on a Monday and we started practice the next Monday,” Monica said.  “It’s nice to have a full year in with the program.  We know what everyone can do and are in much better shape heading into this important time of year.  Everyone’s excited to put the pads back on and get out on the field after a lot of hard work in the off-season.” 

            In addition to the spring game, the schedule will also be highlighted by a pair intra-squad scrimmages.  The team will scrimmage on Saturday, March 31 at 3:00 PM and Saturday, April 14 at 9:00 AM.   All scrimmages and the spring game are free and open to the public. 

            Kutztown was 4-6 overall, 2-4 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division last fall.   

            The complete 2007 football schedule will be announced later this week.

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March 12, 2007

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY’S SINGER READY FOR NATIONALS 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University’s Ashley Singer (jr. Lititz/Warwick) will compete at the NCAA Division II swimming championships in Buffalo, NY March 14-17.

SINGER

            Singer qualified for nationals at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships by swimming a NCAA A-cut time of 1:53.94 in the opening leg of the 800 yard free relay.  She also had NCAA B-cut times in the 100, 500 and 1000 free. 

            This is Singer’s first trip to nationals and is Kutztown’s first representative since Matt Rowan qualified in the 50 free during 2003-04 season.  Singer is the first female from Kutztown to travel to nationals in seven years.  Liz Powell was an honorable mention All-America in the 50 free in 2000.

            Action starts on Wednesday when Singer will swim in the 1000 free.  Her best time this season, and a school record, was 10:43.92.  On Thursday, she will swim the 200 free, in which she had the A-cut time of 1:53.94, a school record.  She is seeded 10^th in the event.  On Friday is the 500 free in which she is seeded seventh.  Her best mark this season was 5:06.01, which is a KU record.  On Saturday she will wrap up with the 100 free.  Her best time was 53.63 this season.

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March 8, 2007 

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY SPRING TEAMS READY FOR SPRING BREAK TRIPS

KUTZTOWN, PA – There may be snow on the ground in Kutztown, but Kutztown University’s spring sports will be heating up this weekend when they head south for their annual spring break trips, beginning Friday and continuing throughout next week.

            The baseball and softball teams will get into full swing after several weekend trips in February and early March.  The men’s and women’s tennis teams return to action after their winter break, while the track & field teams begin their outdoor season.

            The baseball team will travel to Savannah, GA, for the Savannah Invitational.  So far this season, the Golden Bears are undefeated (8-0).  The #6 team in the country, according to the latest NCAA Division II Collegiate Baseball Newspaper poll, KU will play 10 games from March 10-17 against California (PA), West Liberty St., Fairmont St., and Armstrong Atlantic St.

            The softball team will travel to Florence, SC, for the Francis Marion tournament and to Georgia for the Savannah College of Arts and Design (SCAD) Smash Hit Spring Break tournament.  KU is off to a 4-5 start in 2007.  The weekend tournament at Francis Marion will consist of two games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  At the SCAD tournament, KU will play six contests from Monday thorough Thursday.  On Wednesday, Kutztown will travel to nearby Armstrong Atlantic St. for a doubleheader.

            The men’s and women’s tennis teams travel to Hilton Head, SC for their annual trip.  The men, who have not played a dual meet this season, will face three teams.  The women, who were 0-1 after the fall season, will play two matches.  Both teams will travel to Armstrong Atlantic St. on Wednesday for a match.

            The outdoor track and field teams will compete at the Coastal Carolina Invitational in Conway, SC, on Friday and Saturday. 

            KU’s other spring sport, women’s golf, opens its spring season at home on March 20 with the KU Spring Invitational at Berkleigh Country Club.

            Additionally, KU has two winter sports still in action.  Three members of the wrestling team, Kevin Kalbach (sr. Downingtown/Downingtown), Joe Kemmerer (jr. Mountaintop/Crestwood) and Chris Chambers (so. Holland/Council Rock South) will travel to Kearney, NE, for the NCAA Championships this Friday-Saturday, March 9-10.  Ashley Singer (jr. Lititz/Warwick), of the women’s swimming team, qualified for nationals at the PSAC championships.  She will travel to Buffalo, NY, March 14-17 for the NCAA Championships.

            For complete schedules and recaps on all Golden Bear athletic events, please visit the Kutztown athletic website at kubears.com. 

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March 6, 2007 

FIVE KUTZTOWN BASKETBALL PLAYERS HONORED BY PSAC
Dennis named PSAC East Rookie of the Year

KUTZTOWN, PA – Stephen Dennis (fr. West Chester/Henderson) of the Kutztown University men’s basketball team received postseason awards from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), and four other Golden Bear Basketball players received All-PSAC East honors in voting conducted by the league’s coaches.  

DENNIS

BEN

McKEON

BRADY

VAN WAGNER

            Dennis was named PSAC East Rookie of the Year.  In addition, he received All-PSAC East second-team honors.  Dave Ben (so. Coatesville/Coatesville) and Sean McKeon (jr. Phoenixville/Phoenixville) were selected to the All-PSAC East first-team.  From the women’s team, Jess Brady (sr. Wescosville/Emmaus) and Mercedes Van Wagner (jr. Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Regional) were named to the All-PSAC East second team.

            Ben earned his first-ever All-PSAC honor after being named the PSAC East Rookie of the Year last season.  The guard/forward ranked second in the PSAC in scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game.  He connected on a team-high 55 three-pointers.  Among PSAC East foes, Ben averaged 19.3 ppg, tied for the top spot.  A starter in all 28 games, Ben set a KU record making 148 free throws. 

            McKeon earns his first-ever PSAC honor after transferring from Duquesne University this season.  The 6-10 junior set the KU record in blocks this season knocking down 117 shots.  He also led the NCAA Division II in blocked shots.  His 4.18 blocks per game ranked first in the conference.  McKeon notched Kutztown’s third-ever triple-double with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 11 blocks against the future PSAC champion Millersville.  A starter in all 28 games, McKeon averaged 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season.

            Dennis was named as the PSAC East Rookie of the Year and earned a place on the All-PSAC East second-team.  Dennis was the only freshman named All-PSAC East.  He was named the PSAC East Rookie of the Week eight of the possible 13 weeks this season.  A starter in all 28 games, Dennis shot 78.5 percent from the free throw line (106-for-135) to lead KU.  He averaged 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

            The Golden Bears finished 17-11 this season, 6-6 in the PSAC East, their fifth-straight winning season, a KU record.  Kutztown also made its fifth-straight PSAC playoff appearance, also a school record.  KU hosted its first-ever men’s basketball playoff game at Keystone Arena in the first round.            

             Brady was named to the PSAC East second team for the second time in her career. Brady started at guard/forward in all 28 games for the Golden Bears, averaging 10.4 ppg. She shot 47.2 percent from the field, knocking down 93 field goals on the season, good for second on the team.  Brady shot 84.2 percent from the line (80-95) to lead the team and the PSAC.  In her career, Brady is tied for third in free throw percentage for KU, shooting 79.9 percent.

Van Wagner was also named to the PSAC East second team for the first time, after being named PSAC East Rookie of the Year her freshman season.  She stared in all 26 games and led the team, averaging 11.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.  Van Wagner had 43 blocked shots this season to bring her career total to 136, tied for second all-time.

The Golden Bear women finished their season 9-17 overall, 5-7 in the PSAC East.  The team missed the playoffs by one game for the first time in 12 seasons.

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March 5, 2007 

THREE GOLDEN BEAR GRAPPLERS PREPARE FOR NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Three Kutztown University wrestlers will be headed to the NCAA Division II National Championships on March 9-10 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. 

            Joe Kemmerer (jr. Mountaintop/Crestwood HS), Kevin Kalbach (sr. Downingtown/Downingtown HS), and Chris Chambers (so. Holland/Council Rock South HS) all qualified for the national tournament by placing fourth or higher in their respective weight classes at the NCAA East Regional, which was held February 23-24 at UNC-Pembroke. 

            Kalbach and Chambers will be making their second appearances at the NCAA National tournament, while Kemmerer will be making his first appearance at the Division II Nationals as he is a transfer from Division I UNC-Greensboro. 

            Kemmerer, a junior, placed first in the 133 lb. weight class at regionals to earn a berth to nationals.  He was a NCAA Division I qualifier at UNC-Greensboro in 2004-05.  Ranked #4 in Division II at 133 lbs, Kemmerer has a record of 28-3, with two pins, five major decisions, and six tech falls this season.  He is slated to face Troy McFarland from Minnesota State-Moorhead in the first round. 

            Kalbach, a senior, also placed first at regionals at the 157 pound weight class to earn a bid to nationals.  Ranked #7 in Division II at 165 lbs, Kalbach has a record of 15-3 with one pin and three major decisions.  He is set to wrestle Evan Copeland from Adams State in the first round. 

            Kalbach and Kemmerer were Kutztown’s first regional champions since 2000.   

            Chambers, a sophomore, won a true-fourth place 149 lb. bout at regionals to earn a national berth.  He has a record of 22-12, with three pins, four major decisions, and a tech fall.  He is matched up against Shea Timothy from Central Oklahoma in the first round. 

            The NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championship will be held at the Health and Sports Center in Kearney, Neb.  Matches will begin at 11:00 AM (central time) on Friday and 10:00 AM on Saturday. 

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March 2, 2007 

ERIK BURSTEIN NAMED KU WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University Director of Athletics Greg Bamberger has named Erik Burstein its new head coach of women’s soccer. 

BURSTEIN

                Burstein comes to Kutztown from Bowling Green State University, where he served as an assistant coach during the 2006 season.  An accomplished soccer player, he brings 10 years of coaching experience with him to Kutztown. 

                “We were very impressed with Erik’s enthusiasm to be the next head coach of women’s soccer at Kutztown University,” Bamberger said.  “He brings a wealth of knowledge with him, along with a strong desire to continue and build upon the level of success we have achieved within our women’s soccer program.”  

                Burstein, who will start at KU on Monday, March 5, takes over a women’s soccer program that has recorded five-straight double-digit win seasons, four-straight appearances in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Playoffs and was the PSAC runner-up in 2004 and 2005.  

                “I am so thankful for this opportunity and I cannot wait to get started,” Burstein said.  “I look forward to working with the entire staff at Kutztown University, but most of all, I am really excited about the individuals who make up our women's soccer family.  The future is bright, and I am very happy to be a part of it." 

                While with the Bowling Green Falcons, he worked primarily with the defenders and goalkeepers, which produced the team’s best defensive record in the program’s 10-year history in 2006.  The team allowed the fewest goals, produced the most shutouts and had the league’s leading goalkeeper in goals-against average. 

                Prior to BGSU, Burstein was the head coach at Division III Rutgers University-Newark.  Over three seasons, he guided the Scarlett Raiders to a 23-29-2 record.  His team was 8-10 in 2003, then the school’s record for wins.  The next year, Burstein led the squad to the first winning season in program history, finishing 10-7-1.  Prior to taking over as head coach, Burstein served the 2002 season as assistant coach at Rutgers-Newark. 

                Burstein began his coaching career in 1997, when he coached the Greater Akron (OH) Permier and West Akron Soccer Club under-14 boys teams.  He was also an assistant coach at Median Highland High School.  He also has spent time as director of coaching/player development with the Lakehurst-Manchester Soccer Association (2000-02) and on the coaching staff with the New Jersey Olympic Development Program (2002-06).   

                From 2003-04, Burstein was an assistant coach with the Jersey Shore Boca F.C. of the United Soccer League: Premier Development League.   

                An accomplished goalkeeper in his own right, Burstein was a two-time all-conference, all-county and all-state first-team selection at his alma mater, Toms River East (NJ) High School.  He was a Mid-Atlantic All-America selection as a senior in 1994.   

                He has also played professionally, both domestically and internationally.  He was a member of the Brooklyn Italians Professional Soccer team in 1991, then played for the Leyton Orient F.C. (English 3rd Division) from 1992-94.  He played for the New Jersey Youth Soccer State Cup Champion Jersey Shore Boca F.C. in 1992 and 1994,  and earned a spot on the Olympic Development Program at both the state (New Jersey) and regional (Region I) levels from 1990-94. 

                He currently holds a USSF National “B” license.  He also holds USSF National Goalkeeping and Youth licenses, as well as NSCAA Goalkeeping Level III National and Youth diplomas.                 

                He is a 2002 graduate of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, with a degree in communications.                 

                Burstein replaces Jeff Schellenberger, who resigned in December.

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