THE RISE OF THE BRAVES

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1 4 Missouri Valley Conference Champions: 1998, 2005, 2006 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2000, 2002, National Team CAPs 6 MLS SuperDraft Picks THE RISE OF THE BRAVES Few athletic programs have experienced both the meteoric rise to prominence and ability to sustain its newfound success enjoyed by the Bradley Braves Soccer program the past 11 years under the direction of head coach Jim DeRose. While DeRose deservedly receives much of the credit for the success of his program, Bradley s rise into the upper echelon of college soccer programs is a tribute to all 196 young men to suit up for the Braves in the team s first 20 years of existence; the families of those players; previous head coaches Tim Conley and Jerry Crabtree; Bradley University s administration; the Braves Club, B-Club and Friends of Bradley Soccer; and countless fans and supporters throughout Central Illinois, including the late founding father of Bradley Soccer, Dr. John Kenny. The information found on this page provides a quick overview of the rapid rise of the program and the legacy of success achieved by its former players and should shed some light on where Bradley Soccer is headed. IN THE BEGINNING After toiling as a club program since 1968, Bradley Soccer was elevated to NCAA Division I status for the 1987 season and the Braves played their first game Sept. 1, 1987 at Quincy College. With a 20-man squad made up of six freshmen, 10 sophomores, three juniors and a lone senior (Jim Tait), English professor Tim Conley directed the Braves to a record during their inaugural season. Jerry Crabtree became Bradley s first full-time head coach in 1990 and led the Braves into the newly formed Missouri Valley Conference men s soccer league in With high-scoring forward Chad Clift leading the way, Bradley posted its first winning record in 1992, fashioning a overall mark while tying for second in the Valley race with a league record. On April 9, 1996 then athletic director Ron Ferguson announced Jim DeRose as the third head coach in Bradley Soccer history. In his first year with the Braves, DeRose more than doubled the team s victory total from the previous season, and with added support from the University and community, the Bradley Soccer program has enjoyed a steady rise ever since. During the past nine seasons, the Braves have won three conference titles; played in six MVC Tournament championship games and nine MVC Tournament semifinals; gained three atlarge invitations to the NCAA Tournament; garnered national rankings in seven seasons; opened a first-class, soccer-specific stadium; and climbed into the nation s top 10 for total home attendance. ON THE RISE In his first head coaching position, Jim DeRose inherited a Bradley Soccer program that had managed only a (.321) record in its first nine years of existence and was coming off consecutive three-win campaigns. In his first 11 years as head coach, DeRose boasts an (.606) overall record. The Braves now have won three Missouri Valley Conference regular-season titles, 1998, 2005 and Bradley Soccer made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2000 by earning an at-large invitation after producing a program record 15 victories. The Braves made a second NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002 and added a third trip, again as a first-round host, in Bradley has appeared in the college soccer national rankings during seven of the last nine seasons. ALL-AMERICANS With team success comes individual honors and Bradley has had no shortage of individual recognition in recent years. The Braves have produced eight All-Americans the last eight years, including star Gavin Glinton ( ), who remains the first-ever, four-time All-American in Bradley Athletics and Missouri Valley Conference soccer history. Former goalkeeper Chris Dunsheath was a consensus All- American selection in 2005, becoming the first-ever Brave to earn first-team honors from the NSCAA. BRAVES IN THE PROS DeRose and his staff have developed players for the next level, sending seven Braves on to professional soccer in the last eight years. Bryan Namoff became Bradley s first Major League Soccer draft pick in 2001 and he is currently enjoying his seventh season with MLS power D.C. United. Glinton (2002), Hamid Mehreioskouei (2003), Tim Regan (2003), Luke Kreamalmeyer (2005) and Dunsheath (2006) have followed Namoff as MLS SuperDraft selections. Regan is a fiveyear MLS veteran and has returned to New York for his second stint with the Red Bulls organization after playing the 2006 campaign with Chivas USA. Glinton played three seasons for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Dallas Burn and recently returned to the Galaxy for his fourth season, while Kreamalmeyer was a member of Real Salt Lake s inaugural team in Former Brave Current Team* League Salim Bullen Portland Timbers USL 1st Jon Caldwell Carolina RailHawks USL 1st Chris Dunsheath D.C. United 1 MLS Gavin Glinton Los Angeles Galaxy MLS Luke Kreamalmeyer Portland Timbers USL 1st Bryan Namoff D.C. United MLS Tim Regan New York Red Bulls MLS * To start the 2007 season 1 owns Dunsheath s MLS rights Bryan Namoff (left) and Gavin Glinton continue to represent Bradley in Major League Soccer. MVC TOURNAMENT HISTORY Bradley owns an record in 10 appearances in the Missouri Valley Conference postseason tournament. Bradley has reached the semifinals of the last nine MVC Tournaments, the longest active streak of Valley Final Four appearances, and the Braves have played in six of the last eight championship games. The Braves have hosted 17 MVC Tournament games, including the semifinals and championship game of the 1999 tournament at Chiefs Club Field and all five games of the 2005 and 2006 championships at Shea Stadium. CLIMBING ATTENDANCE Bradley s average home attendance has steadily grown from an average of 416 fans per game in 1998 to a record norm of 1,220 fans per contest in Bradley ranked 22nd nationally in total home attendance (11,015) during the 2006 season. The Braves have drawn more than 1,000 fans to 29 home games since the start of the 2000 season MVC ATTENDANCE FIGURES School Total Dates Avg. BRADLEY 11, Creighton 17, ,973 Drake 3, Eastern Illinois Evansville 3, Missouri State 4, Western Kentucky 1, BRAVES BRAVES

2 9 Scholastic All-Americans 12 All-Americans 18 Scholastic All-Region Honors 24 NSCAA All-Midwest Region Honors 39 MVC Scholar-Athletes 61 All-MVC Honors BRADLEY SOCCER GAME DAY SHEA STADIUM TAILGATING POLICY The Bradley University Department of Athletics allows tailgating ONLY in the track infield and overflow parking areas at Shea Stadium prior to soccer games, based on the following rules: Tailgating is NOT permitted in the USDA Lab parking lot. The track parking areas will close three hours prior to games and will re-open for game parking 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Tailgating will be allowed until the start of Bradley s game and will NOT be allowed during halftime or after the game. No glass containers, kegs, beer balls, bongs or any other devices intended to increase alcohol consumption will be permitted (state-issued permits are the only exception). Consumption of alcohol will be allowed only by those 21 years of age and older. Irresponsible drinking will not be tolerated. Patrons will be held responsible to abide by all laws of the state of Illinois, Peoria City & County and Bradley University. Open containers of alcohol may not be taken beyond the tailgate areas and no food or beverage of any kind will be allowed in the stadium. Stand-alone tents must be approved in advance by the Department of Athletics ( ) before they are permitted in the tailgating area. All tailgaters and spectators must conduct themselves in a manner to ensure the safety and enjoyment of others. Abusive and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in the immediate termination of tailgating privileges, criminal prosecution (i.e. misdemeanor ticketing), and/or disciplinary action through the BU Office of Residential Life if the violator is a Bradley student. Fans participating in the tailgate activities are required to clean up their trash. Dumpsters and trash receptacles are provided throughout the tailgating area. Separate containers are available for hot coals. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Reminder: it is risky to serve alcoholic beverages to anyone other than yourself and your immediate party. Illinois law requires a license before a person can sell, trade or give away alcoholic beverages, and violation of this law is a felony. A social host does not need a license to serve his/her invited guests who fall within the usual understanding of friends and personal visitors. A social host, however, may be liable to guests and others for injuries resulting from serving alcohol, especially to a minor. 5

3 Missouri Valley Conference Champions: 1998, 2005, 2006 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2000, 2002, National Team CAPs 6 MLS SuperDraft Picks FACILITIES Bradley s new on-campus arena will be located at the current site of Robertson Memorial Field House. The top picture is a view of the front of the building from the corners of Main and Glenwood. FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES In August 2006, former Bradley University President Dr. David Broski unveiled a 15-year master plan for campus that is highlighted by the construction of a new on-campus arena for women s basketball and volleyball home games. This is a transformational plan that will change the way people view Bradley University, Broski said. In addition to the arena, which will seat approximately 4,500 people, the plan also calls for construction of a men s basketball practice facility, student recreation center and parking deck with 600 parking spaces. The arena will be constructed on the site where Robertson Memorial Field House currently sits and will house offices for all Athletic Department staff, the Hall of Fame and practice facility for the Bradley men s basketball team. It also will serve as host for concerts and December commencement. In addition to enlarged offices, locker rooms and player s lounge spaces, the new building also will include state-of-the-art facilities for the critical support areas of Academic Assistance, Sports Medicine and Strength & Conditioning. We are extremely excited about the realization of this tremendous facility and its expected positive effect on our daily operational aspects, Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh said. Certainly a boost to all our programs, it will obviously go a step further for our women s basketball and volleyball teams given it will serve as their new competitive home. Once completed, we not only look forward to all the great enhancements for our student-athletes and coaching staffs, but our fans as well with all the new amenities it will provide from more comfortable seating to a energized Hall of Fame to better display our rich tradition. The student recreation center (pictured above) will replace Haussler Hall which currently houses workout facilities for Bradley students and employees. The new facility will include four basketball courts for intramural and recreational games, a championship basketball court, a 1/8-mile running/ walking track open to the entire campus population, climbing wall, juice bar, indoor pool, weight room, exercise rooms and other amenities. The plan calls for the demolition of Robertson Memorial Field House, Haussler Hall, the Alumni Center and structures along Maplewood Avenue and Main Street. Costs for the projects, including the parking deck, are estimated at $80 to $90 million. 6

4 9 Scholastic All-Americans 12 All-Americans 18 Scholastic All-Region Honors 24 NSCAA All-Midwest Region Honors 39 MVC Scholar-Athletes 61 All-MVC Honors FACILITIES The new facility will also house the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame (above), in addition to a Braves Club Room, arena with seating for approzimately 4,500 people, offices for the entire Department of Athletics. Construction also includes the 130,000 square foot Markin Family Student Recreation Center (above left). Construction on the facility is currently underway and is expected to be completed sometime during the school year. Plans also call for the construction of a practice facility for men s basketball (above right). Shea Stadium (pictued left) is one of the top collegiate soccer facilities in the Midwest and has served as host for the 2005 and 2006 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Shea Stadium also hosted the Braves 2005 first-round NCAA Tournament match against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 7

5 Missouri Valley Conference Champions: 1998, 2005, 2006 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2000, 2002, National Team CAPs 6 MLS SuperDraft Picks STRENGTH & CONDITIONING Aided by Ronnie Wright s workout programs, the Bradley Soccer team established a NCAA record for all divisions of men s and women s soccer by playing 23 consecutive overtime games without a loss, , a streak that spanned six seasons from the start of 2001 into RONNIE WRIGHT HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH Beginning his seventh year as the strength and conditioning head coach for the Braves, Ronnie Wright offers more than a decade of strength and conditioning experience to benefit Bradley s studentathletes. Since coming to Bradley for the season, Wright has overseen all aspects of the Braves strength and conditioning program, including nutrition advisement and the preperation of annual individual and team programs, as well as specific programs focused on strength, flexibility, speed and agility. Aided by Wright s workouts, the Bradley Soccer team established the record for all divisions of men s and women s NCAA soccer by playing 23 consecutive overtime games without a loss spanning six seasons, while the Bradley men s basketball team boasts an 8-3 record in overtime during his first six years on the job. Wright, who is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Specialists, earned his bachelor s degree in sports administration and exercise science from Wichita State in 1999 and he is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He won the Overall Body Building title at the 2000 Kansas Regional Body Building Championship and the Overall Novice Body Building title at the Powershack Classic 2000 in Kansas City, Kan. Prior to joining the Bradley staff, Wright was the assistant strength and conditioning coordinator at Wichita State University for the previous four-and-a-half years. During his time with the Shockers, Wright worked directly with Wichita State s nationally-ranked baseball program, as well as assisting the strength training efforts for all of WSU s student-athletes. Wright resides in Peoria with his wife Shellee, daughter Allie (8) and son Blake (5). 8

6 9 Scholastic All-Americans 12 All-Americans 18 Scholastic All-Region Honors 24 NSCAA All-Midwest Region Honors 39 MVC Scholar-Athletes 61 All-MVC Honors ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER FOR LEARNING ASSISTANCE Bradley University s Center for Learning Assistance, located on the third floor of the Cullom-Davis Library, coordinates the academic support services for all of Bradley s student-athletes. The Center for Learning Assistance is directed by Dr. Deborah Fischer, while Associate Director Jennifer Jones works as the primary academic coordinator for Bradley Athletics and Assistant Director Dr. Susan Rapp is the Center s Tutorial Coordinator. Jones, who is beginning her ninth year as the Director of Athletic Academic Services, works directly with the Bradley Soccer team, coordinating services such as study tables monitoring, academic advisement for Academic Exploration Program (AEP) majors, laptop rental, textbook exchange and academic monitoring. She is a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) and serves on the membership committee for the organization. A Washington, Ill. native, she earned an associate s degree while playing softball at Illinois Central College before continuing her playing career at Saint Louis University, where she earned an honors bachelor s degree in English in 1997 and was named an All-American Scholar. Jones completed her master s degree in Athletic Administration from Eastern Illinois University and was named the Outstanding Graduate Student in During her tenure at Bradley, the Braves have routinely maintained a department grade point average above that of the general student body at Bradley while continually leading the Missouri Valley Conference in NCAA Graduation Rate figures. In addition, Bradley boasts eight national scholar-athletes in her nine years. Jones and her husband, Jeffrey, reside in Peoria and have two children, Collin (5) and Leah (3). In Jim DeRose s 11 years as head coach, the Bradley Soccer team boasts a 97 percent graduation rate and at least one Brave has earned regional/ district Scholar-Athlete honors in nine consecutive years, including a pair of national award winners (Zach Bell and Todd Reedy) in Both of the Bradley Soccer team s 2006 seniors, Zach Bell and James Hedges (pictured above with Jennifer Jones), earned their bachelor s degrees from Bradley University in May. NCAA GRADUATION RATES REPORT 4-Class Average Entering Classes through Men Women Total Institution All S-As All S-As All S-As BRADLEY Creighton Drake Evansville Illinois State Indiana State Missouri State Northern Iowa Southern Illinois Wichita State MVC Average NCAA Average I-AAA Average Div. I Privates BRADLEY ATHLETICS ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS Bradley s student-athletes maintained a 3.14 overall cumulative grade point average following the 2007 Spring semester by posting a record-tying 3.19 semester mark, which was highlighted by 25 student-athletes who turned in 4.0 semester grades. Bradley has produced 29 scholar All-Americans, including 26 since 1995 and nine from the soccer team. During the academic year, Bradley produced 14 Missouri Valley Conference first-team scholar-athletes (most since ) and had a school-record eight ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic all-district selections. Three Bradley teams were recognized by their national coaching organizations for their accomplishments in the classroom during the academic year: the women s golf team ranked third among NCAA Division I programs with a team GPA and the track and field team was tied for fourth in the nation with a 3.44 team GPA. In addition the volleyball team earned the Game Plan/AVCA Team Academic Award for the third consecutive year. In the last nine years, Bradley student-athletes have won seven Missouri Valley Conference Postgraduate Scholarships and four NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. The most recent winners are former soccer players Zach Bell (MVC in 2007) and Chris Dunsheath (NCAA in 2006). 9

7 Missouri Valley Conference Champions: 1998, 2005, 2006 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2000, 2002, National Team CAPs 6 MLS SuperDraft Picks BU B.L.A.S.L.A.S.T.T. Established in 1996 as part of the NCAA Life Skills Program, BU B.L.A.S.T. (Building Leadership and Supporting Teams) is designed to give Bradley student-athletes a more rounded college experience -- one which is not limited to workouts, practices and study halls -- while helping them reach their full potential as individuals. As part of the program, the Braves Council, a student-athlete advisory group comprised of 26 student-athletes representing Bradley s 14 varsity sports, was established. It serves as a conduit to address student-athlete issues and as a link between studentathletes and the coaching and administrative staffs. Community services, promotions and other committees have been formed within the B.L.A.S.T. programs, as well as an outreach program -- a student-athlete speakers bureau -- which spreads positive messages to the Peoria-area youth. Senior Drew DeGurian and sophomore Joti Baruni represent the Bradley Soccer team on the Braves Council, with DeGurian serving as the organization s vice president this year. As part of the BU B.L.A.S.T., the Bradley Soccer team routinely conducts free clinics around Central Illinois. Team members also participate in the Missouri Valley Conference and State Farm Insurance Just Read Program and the Braves are regular contributors to the athletic department s Speakers Bureau. BUILDING LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORTING TEAMS Nathan Ahart Men s Cross Katie Dammer Softball BRAVES COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Eitan Barbalat Baseball Drew DeGurian Soccer Vice President Joti Baruni Soccer Bari-Lynn Erais Women s Golf Becca Bishop Softball Renne Frericks Women s Basketball Kim Braun Women s Tennis Secretary Katrina Goncher Volleyball Adam Kimble Baseball Erin Krubeck Women s Tennis Kelly Krumwiede Women s Basketball Shelby Lile Women s Cross Kim Martin Women s Track & Field Katie Nowak Women s Cross Kyle Phelan Men s Golf Ryan Phillips Men s Basketball Amy Reichel Volleyball Richard Robinson Men s Tennis Evgeny Samoylov Men s Tennis Erika Sepich Women s Track & Field Rikki Sobel Women s Golf President Andrew Warren Men s Basketball Andrew Wieser Men s Cross Zach Zobrist Men s Golf 10 Former Bradley Soccer Adam Hage signs an autograph for a young fan during one of the team s many local clinics Bradley Athletic Department Award Winners (from left): Zach Andrews (Megan Fong Inspiration Award), Amy Peters (Carl Grose Service Award), Zach Bell (Watonga Award), Clarence Christie (Orvillle Nothdurft Lifetime Achievement Award) and Erika Nelson (Coach Joe Stowell Award). Not pictured: Todd Reedy (Coach Joe Stowell Award)