Full Media Guide - University of South Alabama

124 Pages·2013·9.84 MB·English

TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 2012-13 SEASON IN REVIEW OPPONENTS
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Table of Contents/Credits ..................................1 Season Statistics .............................................48 Arkansas .......................................................114 e
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Media Information ..........................................2-3 Results/Starters ..............................................49 Arkansas-Little Rock ......................................114 r
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Quick Facts .......................................................2 Season Highs ..................................................50 Arkansas State ...............................................115 l
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Media Relations .................................................3 Box Scores .................................................51-55 Detroit ...........................................................115 f
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South Alabama Radio Network ...........................3 2012-13 Sun Belt Standings/Statistics .............56 Dillard ............................................................116
Media Outlets ....................................................4 2012-13 Sun Belt Statistics/Honors .................57 Georgia State .................................................116 U
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2012-13 News & Notes ....................................58 Gonzaga ........................................................117 iv
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THE UNIVERSITY Houston Baptist ..............................................117 r
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University of South Alabama ...........................6-8 HISTORY & RECORDS Louisiana-Lafayette ........................................118 it
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Acting University President Dr. John Smith ..........9 All-Time Records .............................................60 Louisiana-Monroe...........................................118
Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann ..............10 Career Records ..........................................61-62 Middle Tennessee ...........................................119
Athletics Staff..............................................11-13 Individual Season Records .........................63-64 New Mexico State...........................................119 p
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Academic Services/Student Life.......................14 Individual Game Records ..................................65 Rice ..............................................................120 v
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Strength & Conditioning ...................................15 Team Single Game Records/Miscellaneous .......66 Southern Mississippi......................................120 w
Sports Medicine ..............................................16 Team Season Records .....................................67 Spring Hill .....................................................121
Class Records ............................................68-71 Texas ............................................................121
SEASON PREVIEW Individual Mitchell Center Records ....................72 Texas-Arlington .............................................122
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2013-14 Rosters ........................................18-19 Team Mitchell Center Records ..........................73 Texas State ...................................................122 a
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Q&A with Head Coach Matthew Graves .......20-22 Annual Leaders ..........................................74-76 Troy ..............................................................123 h
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All-Time Letterwinners ................................77-78 Western Kentucky .........................................123
COACHES Retired Jerseys ...............................................79 William Carey ................................................124
Head Coach Matthew Graves ......................24-25 All-Americans and Pros ...................................80 Wright State ..................................................124
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Assistant Coach Darnell Archey ........................26 Sun Belt Conference Honors ............................81 l
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Assistant Coach Dan Matic ..............................27 Sun Belt Conference Tournament Results .........82 y
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Assistant Coach Russ Willemsen ......................28 All-Time Results .........................................83-91 s
Director of Operations Chris Coker ...................29 Series History by School ...........................92-101
Strength & Conditioning Coach Joey Choron .....30 All-Time Series Records ..........................102-103 2
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Assistant Athletic Trainer Matt Brown ...............30 Coaching Records .........................................104 12
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Men’s Basketball Managers .............................30 Academic Awards ..........................................105 3

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Postseason History .................................106-107 e
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PLAYERS USA Athletic Hall of Fame .......................108-110 ie
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Antoine Allen ..............................................32-33 Milestones .....................................................111
Mychal Ammons .........................................34-35 Sun Belt Conference .......................................112
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Viktor Juricek .............................................36-37 CREDITS is
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Augustine Rubit ..........................................38-41 o
The 2013-14 University of South Alabama men’s basketball media guide is a production of the University of r
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Barrington Stevens III ..................................42-43 South Alabama Athletics Media Relations Offi ce.
Georgi Boyanov ...............................................44
E.J. Conley ......................................................44 Covers and interior: Matt Horne, assistant director of media relations
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Dionte Ferguson ..............................................44 Written and edited: Matt Horne p
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T.J. Johnson ...................................................45 Layout and design: Matt Horne n
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Austin Karazsia ...............................................45 Editorial Assistance: Brian Fremund, the athletic media relations n
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staff and Elizabeth Horne s
Isaiah Maston ..................................................45
Photography: John Adams, Dan Anderson, Kevin Beasley, Scott
Aakim Saintil ...................................................46
Donaldson, Chip English, Joe Imel, Bobby McDuffi e, Brad Puckett and
Ken Williams ...................................................46
the media relations archives
Printing: University of South Alabama Offi ce of Publication Services 1
2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball
MEDIA INFORMATION
The 2013-14 South Alabama men’s basketball media guide is designed to aid
2013-14 JAGUAR QUICK FACTS
members of the media covering Jaguars basketball. We appreciate your coverage
Name: University of South Alabama
and if there is anything we can do to assist you, please contact the Athletics Media
Location: Mobile, Ala.
Relations Offi ce at [phone]. The Athletic Media Relations Offi ce has cer-
Founded: 1963 tain policies and procedures that we ask for you to abide by while covering South
Enrollment: 15,311 Alabama. These are for the benefi t of your needs and those of the student-athletes
Acting President: Dr. John Smith (Berry ’76) and coaches. We ask that you please respect these requests in order to maintain a
Athletics Director: Dr. Joel Erdmann (South Dakota State ’86) good working atmosphere for all parties involved.
Athletics Department Phone: [phone]
MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
Ticket Offi ce: (251) 461-1USA (1872)
The University of South Alabama Athletic Media Relations Offi ce is located in Room
Nickname: Jaguars
1105 of the HPELS Building located next to the Mitchell Center.
Colors: Blue, Red and White
Affi liation: NCAA Division I HOME CREDENTIAL REQUESTS
Conference: Sun Belt The South Alabama Athletic Media Relations Offi ce will issue credentials to WORK-
Arena: The Mitchell Center (10,000) ING press only. Passes for spouses, children or friends will not be issued. These
credentials are non-transferable and any unauthorized use of a credential will result
in the pass being immediately revoked. Press passes will be distributed to those
HISTORY
working along press row. A photo pass will be issued to those members of the
First season of competition: 1968-69
media needing to photograph home events. All credential requests should be made
All-time Record: 738-542 (.577)
in writing by sports editors or directors of accredited media outlets on company
No. Years In NCAA Tournament (Last): 8 (2008) letterhead. Requests should be made no later than four hours prior to the start of
No. Years In National Invitation Tournament (Last): 4 (2007) the desired contest. At least one day notice is preferred. Credentials can be picked
up the day before an event in the Athletic Media Relations Offi ce. Any credentials
TEAM INFORMATION obtained after that time may be picked up at Media Will Call, which is located on
the lower level in the Southwest corner of the Mitchell Center (loading dock area).
2012-13 Final Record/Sun Belt Record: 17-13/14-6
Media Will Call will be open approximately one-and-a-half hours before the start of
2012-13 Sun Belt Finish: 2nd, East Division
the event. Credential requests can be sent to the Athletic Media Relations Offi ce at
Postseason: CIT 1st Round (L 84-73 at Tulane)
1209 Mitchell Center, Mobile, AL 36688, or faxed to [phone].
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/7
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 ROAD CREDENTIAL REQUESTS
Newcomers: 8 Working members of the media who plan to cover South Alabama on the road are
encouraged to make credential requests through the South Alabama Athletic Media
COACHING STAFF Relations Offi ce.
Head Coach: Matthew Graves (Butler ’98)
VISITING RADIO
Record at USA (Years): 0-0 (1st season)
All visiting radio crews can make credential requests either through the South
Division I Career Record: Same
Alabama Athletic Media Relations Offi ce or through their normal media relations
Basketball Offi ce Phone: [phone]
contact. After the request is made, space will be reserved for the visiting broadcast
Best Time To Reach: Weekday Mornings team. Two courtesy phone lines and an Ethernet connection are available for each
Assistant Coaches: Darnell Archey (Butler ‘03); Dan Matic (Trinity Interna- team, while additional lines are available for a fee.
tional ’07); Russ Willemsen (Lee ’04)
Director of Basketball Operations: Chris Coker (North Alabama ’94) PHOTOGRAPHERS
Only photographers shooting for accredited media outlets or for the South Alabama
Athletic Media Relations Offi ce will be issued photo passes and allowed on the
MEDIA RELATIONS
fl oor behind the baskets. Photographers are allowed to shoot behind the baskets
Assistant Athletic Director: Brian Fremund
and along the baselines. No photographers are permitted along the team bench
Offi ce: [phone] / Cell: [phone] sideline, in the team areas or in front of the courtside press row tables. Flash pho-
E-mail: [email protected] tography is PROHIBITED in the Mitchell Center.
Assistant Director (men’s basketball contact): Matt Horne
Offi ce: [phone] / Cell: [phone] PARKING
Media parking is on Mitchell Center Drive, and there is also a media overfl ow lot
E-mail: [email protected]
located in front of the Mitchell Center located next to Old Shell Road. News stations
Assistant Director: Kevin Beasley
with uplink trucks MUST provide advanced notice when bringing that equipment.
Offi ce: [phone]
Assistant Director: Charlie Nichols
GAME DAY SERVICES
Offi ce: [phone] The South Alabama Athletic Media Relations staff will be on hand to assist all
Offi ce Fax: [phone] media members covering Jaguar basketball. All customary game day services will
be available. All working members of the media will be provided with game notes,
Media Relations Assistant: Zac Kennedy
current statistics, rosters and game programs prior to tip-off. Statistical updates
Media Relations Student Assistants: Daniel Ballard, Deidre Benton,
will also be provided at media time-outs and halftime, along with play-by-play sum-
Michelena D’Alonzo, Sally Faulk, Baley Murphy
2 mary on request.
Athletics Website: www.USAJaguars.com
2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball
MEDIA INFORMATION
MEDIA ROOM PRESS ROW PHONE SOUTH ALABAMA MEDIA RELATIONS
A working media room with power outlets and comple- The courtside press row phone number at the Mitchell Phone: [phone] Ge
mentary telephone lines is available to all credentialed Center is [phone]. n
Fax: [phone] e
media members. It is located in Room 1106 of the r
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Mitchell Center, in the Northeast lower level corner. INTERNET WEBCAST l
Wireless and Ethernet connections are also available. For the eighth season all of South Alabama men’s Brian Fremund in
Assistant Athletic Director f
The intent of the press room is to provide a working basketball home games will be broadcast over o
Football, Men’s Golf
streamlined audio via the Internet. Fans who are not
facility for the media, professional scouts and immedi-
Offi ce: [phone]
able to make it to the Mitchell Center can listen on
ate game personnel. Family members, friends, guests South Alabama Jaguars All-Access at www.usaja- Cell: [phone] U
and other non-credentialed people cannot be accom- guars.com. Lee Shirvanian will once again call all the E-mail: niv
modated. Soft drinks, bottled water and a meal will be Jags’ action. [email protected] e
available prior to tip-off. r
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FAX, E-MAIL AND INTERNET y
PROFESSIONAL SCOUTS
Media outlets may request to be included on the Kevin Beasley
Professional scouts may request a single-game cre-
broadcast fax and e-mail lists to receive daily news Assistant Director
dential by submitting a written request on team let- regarding South Alabama men’s basketball. To be Volleyball, Women’s
terhead to the South Alabama Athletic Media Rela- added to the daily e-mail list, simply visit the South Basketball pr
tions Offi ce. Because of limited space, requests will Alabama website at www.usajaguars.com and sign up Offi ce: [phone] ev
be fi lled on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. through the automated registration system or contact E-mail: ie
the media relations offi ce. For complete coverage of w
[email protected]
PRACTICES all 17 intercollegiate sports at South Alabama, point
The South Alabama Athletic Media Relations staff your web browser to www.usajaguars.com. Each
encourages coverage of Jaguar basketball outside of week, news releases, game notes and statistics are
games. As a general rule, all practices are open to updated. Media and fans can view player and coaches Matt Horne C
bios, schedules, results and the most comprehensive Assistant Director o
the media and the public. There may be instances, a
however, when all or part of a practice session is records and history pertaining to Jaguar athletics any- Men’s Basketball, Men’s and c
where. South Alabama Athletics information can also Women’s Tennis h
closed. Please contact the South Alabama Athletic e
be found on the department’s Twitter feed, Offi ce: [phone] s
Media Relations Offi ce in advance if you are interested
@USAJaguarSports. Cell: [phone]
in conducting interviews and/or attending a practice
E-mail:
session, so an escort can be made available.
[email protected]
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INTERVIEWS SOUTH ALABAMA RADIO NETWORK l
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In-person interviews with members of the coaching Charlie Nichols y
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staff and student-athletes can be arranged by call- Lee Shirvanian has been the voice of the South Assistant Director r
ing the South Alabama Athletic Media Relations Offi ce Alabama Jaguars for 33 years, covering football, Baseball, Women’s Golf s
at [phone] during normal business hours. men’s basketball and baseball. He is also co-host Offi ce: [phone]
of the Morning Sportscenter on WNSP 105.5 FM in E-mail:
Interviews with student-athletes MUST be arranged 2
Mobile. He broadcasts all men’s basketball games [email protected] 0
in advance through the Athletic Media Relations Of- 1
for the Jaguars both home and away, is the voice of 2
fi ce. Players are generally available 15 minutes before -
1
the football program, and also broadcasts nearly all 3
practice and immediately following practice. Phone
of the baseball games as well. R
interviews are also available, but will be arranged e
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around the student-athletes’ class and practice Shirvanian is a native of New Jersey and received Zac Kennedy ie
schedules. Student-athletes’ phone numbers are not Media Relations Assistant w
his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. He
available under any circumstance. All phone interview Soccer, Softball
covered Rutgers football and basketball, and cov-
Offi ce: [phone]
requests must be made 24 hours prior.
ered New York and Philadelphia pro teams while he
E-mail: h
lived in New Jersey. [email protected] is
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS t
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After a 10-minute cooling off period, requested play- Some of Shirvanian’s accolades include being r
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ers and coaches will be made available to members named the New Jersey Sportscaster of the Year in
of the media. The Jaguar locker room is CLOSED 1979 and Mobile Sportscaster of the Year in 1985.
both at home and on the road. Requested players and And, in May 1992, he received a South Alabama Sonia Seals
coaches will be escorted by a South Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame award. Administrative Assistant
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Media Relations staff member to the designated in- Offi ce: [phone] p
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terview area. E-mail: o
n
[email protected] e
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GAME NOTES t
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A set of game notes will be made available before
each contest. A copy of these game notes will be
placed on the USA Athletic Department web page at
www.usajaguars.com before each game and can be Student Assistants:
downloaded from there. The game notes can also be Daniel Ballard, Deidre Benton, Michelena D’Alonzo,
e-mailed upon request. Sally Faulk, Baley Murphy 3
2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball
MEDIA OUTLETS
NOTE: This is not meant to be a complete list of all South 8730 Sports Media Network
Alabama information outlets. We have listed those who, on 1421 N 69th Avenue Studio A
a regular basis, cover Jaguar sports or carry USA sports
Pensacola, FL 23506
information.
Phone: [phone]
NEWSPAPERS
Call-in: [phone]
Mobile Press Register/AL.com
Paul Marini, President/CEO
P.O. Box 2488
Marini’s E-Mail: [email protected]
Mobile, AL 36630
Randy Kennedy, Sports Managing Producer ELECTRONIC MEDIA — TELEVISION
Kennedy’s Cell: [phone] WKRG-TV 5 (CBS)
Tommy Hicks, USA Beat Writer P.O. Box 160587
Hicks’ Cell: [phone] Mobile, AL 36616
Mike Herndon, Columnist/Sports Writer Phone: [phone]
Herndon’s Cell: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Randy Patrick, Sports Director
Foley News Patrick’s Cell: [phone]
P.O. Box 385
Foley, AL 36536 WALA-TV 10 (FOX)
Phone: [phone] P.O. Box 1548
Logan Janowski, Sports Editor Mobile, AL 36601
Phone: [phone]
South Alabamiam Fax: [phone]
1525 College Avenue ELECTRONIC MEDIA — RADIO Simone Eli, Sports Director
P.O. Box 68 WNSP-FM 105.5 Radio (USA Radio) Eli’s Cell: [phone]
Jackson, AL 36545
1100 Dauphin St., Suite E
Phone: [phone] Mobile, AL 36604 WPMI-TV 15 (NBC)
Chris Sherman, Sports Editor Phone: [phone] P.O. Box 9038
Call-in: [phone], [phone] Mobile, AL 36691
Pensacola News-Journal Fax: [phone] Phone: [phone]
1 News Journal Plaza Lee Shirvanian, Play-by-Play Announcer Fax: [phone]
Pensacola, FL 32501 Shirvanian’s Cell: [phone] Clement Townsend, Sports Director
Phone: [phone] Townsend’s Cell: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
1450 ESPN Pensacola
Jason Blakeney, Sports Editor 1601 North Pace Boulevard WEAR-TV 3 (ABC)
Pensacola, FL 32505 4990 Mobile Highway
Mississippi Press Phone: [phone] Pensacola, FL 32506
P.O. Box 849 Call-in: [phone] Phone: [phone]
Pascagoula, MS 39567-0849 Jamie Dickerson, Producer/Reporter Fax: [phone]
Phone: [phone] Dickerson’s E-Mail: [email protected] Dan Shugart, Sports Director
Fax: [phone] Shugart’s Cell: [phone]
Gareth Clary, Sports Editor Steve Nissim, Sports Reporter
Nissim’s Cell: [phone]
WriteStuf Communications, LLC
P.O. Box 8215
Mobile, AL 36689
Phone: [phone]
Darron Patterson, Sports Editor
The Vanguard (Campus)
Box U-25100
Mobile, AL 36688
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
JT Crabtree, Sports Editor
Wire Services
Associated Press
P.O. Box 1000
Montgomery, AL 36104-1000
Phone: [phone]
4 Fax: [phone]
John Zenor, Sports Writer
2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
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2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
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2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
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2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
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2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS DR. JOEL ERDMANN
Behind the efforts and leadership of fi fth-year Direc- His fi rst position guiding an athletic department began in August 2002 when he was
tor of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann, the University of South named director of athletics at North Alabama. In fi ve years with the institution, Erdmann
Alabama’s athletic programs experienced one of its most oversaw a unit that made 19 NCAA Championships appearances highlighted by a title and
successful seasons — both on and off the fi eld — in the a runner-up fi nish by the volleyball program, while recording its highest rankings ever in the
last decade. NACDA United States Sports Academy Directors’ Cup in 2003-04 and ’04-05. The football
USA won multiple Sun Belt Conference championships squad advanced to the semifi nals of the NCAA Division II playoffs twice and the quarterfi nals
for the fi rst time in six years with the baseball team claim- once while claiming a pair of GSC championships. The men’s golf team won the region en
ing the regular-season title and the softball squad winning route to fi nishing sixth in the country, with the men’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s
the league tournament for the second straight spring; and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s cross country programs experiencing their
those two programs, along with the men’s golf team, all best seasons in a decade as well.
participated in NCAA postseason play to close out the In the classroom, not only did UNA record the highest graduation rate of any public four-
year. The Jaguars’ 115.5 points recorded in the Vic Bubas year institution that plays football in the state, it posted seven of the top 10 semester depart-
Cup standings — which recognizes the league’s top over- mental GPAs including the highest on record.
all school in competition — were the most the school has posted since the 2000-01 season. Erdmann was responsible for creating and managing a $3.5 million budget for the athletic
Additionally, the Jag men’s basketball team competed in a national postseason tourna- department. In addition to increasing every sport’s operating budget for the fi rst time since
ment for the fi rst time in fi ve seasons after posting the second-best record in the SBC during 1988, he helped build the cash reserve for athletics from $17,000 to $320,000. He also
the year. created and coordinated all departmental marketing and fundraising activities — Erdmann’s
The University’s NCAA Academic Progress Rate score was the third-highest posted in efforts in those areas helped increase corporate giving by $270,000 as well as membership
the Sun Belt in 2011-12, which featured six sport programs tied for the highest single-year numbers and donations to the UNA Sportsman’s Club.
score and 14 above the league average. Nine teams recorded a grade-point average of 3.0 In his time at UNA, Erdmann helped negotiate and contract facility partnerships with the
or better last semester, with 166 student-athletes fi nishing with a 3.0-plus GPA in the spring. city of Florence for an $800,000 softball fi eld and stadium while overseeing improvements
Over 150 individuals made the Dean’s List during the 2012-13 school year, while better than to the baseball locker room and grandstand as well as women’s basketball and volleyball
50 student-athletes earned their degrees. locker rooms. His efforts to renovate the basketball arena led to a refi nished fl oor, new
In an effort to assist the school to create a better game day atmosphere as well as to help scoreboards, press row, lights, sound system and arena façade.
the coaching staff in recruiting, Erdmann has spearheaded numerous efforts to improve A member of the NCAA Division II Football Committee during the 2006-07 academic year,
athletic facilities. Under his direction, Ladd-Peebles Stadium — home of the Jag football Erdmann also co-chaired the NCAA Division II Football Southeast Region Advisory Commit-
team — underwent a makeover after the program’s initial season that saw increased signage tee.
both in and out of the facility, and a cleaner interior with new paint in the stands. Baseball Erdmann fi rst came to USA in 1991 to serve as a graduate assistant on the baseball staff.
now has a new outfi eld wall and bullpens at Stanky Field as well as decks for baseball alumni In addition to helping the Jaguars fi nish 44-16, advance to an NCAA Regional and win the
in the left fi eld corner near the clubhouse and fans in right-center fi eld, while the fi eld and SBC East Division title, he earned a master’s degree in physical education.
dugouts have undergone renovations as well. A pair of projects have highlighted recognition He returned to USA in 1995 as an assistant professor in the department of Health, Physi-
of past baseball teams and student-athletes; the Jaguar Baseball Ring of Honor was dedi- cal Education and Leisure Studies (HPELS) and an assistant baseball coach, a position he
cated in May 2012, while the previous offseason signage was added to the building’s façade. served in for two seasons. During that stretch, the Jags fi nished with a combined mark of
A deck beyond the left fi eld fence was also added at softball’s Jaguar Field, with plans in 85-36 (70.2%), won the Sun Belt Conference championship both years, and advanced to
place to add a hitting facility for the program. His efforts helped spearhead the development an NCAA Regional each season — they would fi nish as the runner-up at the South I Region
of a suite for the men’s and women’s golf teams, which will include a hitting bay, practice in Baton Rouge in 1997, ending the spring ranked as high as 15th in the fi nal national polls.
putting green along with locker rooms and offi ce space, and new offi ce and locker rooms Following the end of that campaign, Erdmann maintained his teaching position in the
for the men’s and women’s track programs. New bleachers are being installed at The Cage department of HPELS and became an assistant to the athletic director. In that role, which he
— home of the Jaguar soccer squad — while volleyball had a new scoreboard and speaker held until December 2000, he focused on game operations, compliance and special projects.
system installed in Jaguar Gym prior to the 2012 campaign. He was the manager for the 2001 Sun Belt Basketball Tournament, which included 24 teams
He has also restructured the athletic department staff, adding personnel in the areas of in the combined men’s and women’s event, as well as the league’s baseball champion-
academic services and NCAA compliance, and helped the school make the transition on the ships in 1998 and ’00. Erdmann also coordinated game operations for men’s and women’s
diamond from the 28-year career of the legendary Steve Kittrell to Mark Calvi, an assistant basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer, which included directing numerous activities the
on the staff of 2010 College World Series champion South Carolina, who is now the school’s fi rst year the Mitchell Center opened. During this time frame he also earned tenure and was
head baseball coach. In the spring, Erdmann also hired Matthew Graves — who was part of promoted to Associate Professor in HPELS.
a staff that led Butler to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament championship In January 2001, he was promoted to assistant athletic director and executive director
game — to guide the men’s basketball program; he has been responsible for selecting fi ve of the Jaguar Athletic Club. Erdmann coordinated all of the club’s operations, amended the
of USA’s 12 current head coaches. mission and membership criteria for the Board of Directors, realigned member benefi ts and
In addition, Erdmann just completed the fi rst of a fi ve-year term on the NCAA Division I modifi ed giving levels, and enhanced communication through the creation of a quarterly
Baseball Committee, with duties including helping to select and seed the fi eld for the NCAA newsletter.
Tournament as well as assist in site administration. A 1986 South Dakota State
Erdmann, 49, came to USA in July 2009 from Southeastern Louisiana with seven years of graduate with a degree in education,
experience as an athletic director at Southeastern Louisiana and North Alabama. At SLU, he he began his career in athletics as
guided a department comprised of 15 sports, 70 staff members and 320 student-athletes an assistant baseball coach for an
since May 2007. In competition, SLU won the 2009 Southland Conference All-Sports Trophy American Legion team while still a
in men’s sports while also recording the school’s highest fi nish ever in the competition for the student. He began a four-year stint as
league’s Commissioner’s Cup. an assistant coach at Pacifi c in 1987,
Off the fi elds and courts, he reorganized the department’s structure, creating divisions of working as a social science and
student support services, external affairs and an expanded academic support program, and physical education teacher in Stock-
oversaw facility construction projects that included a football stadium club, suites and press ton at the same time. He earned
box, a new strength and conditioning facility, a student-athlete academic success center, a his doctorate from Florida State in
Hall of Champions, Donor Wall of Recognition and improvements to the soccer and softball 1995 in sports management/athletic
facilities. His efforts helped the school enhance its Academic Progress Rate (APR) and administration, working as opera-
Graduation Success Rate (GSR) performance, while also landing a $100,000 grant from the tions coordinator for the Tallahassee
NCAA to renovate the student-athlete academic success center. Convention and Visitors Bureau while
In addition to seeing ticket revenue in football, basketball and baseball increase his last completing the degree.
year over the totals posted in 2007-08, Erdmann oversaw the sales of the football stadium A native of Bismarck, N.D., Erd-
club and suites, created a seating selection process and also modifi ed the layout in the bas- mann is married to the former Tina
ketball arena to create premium courtside seats and enhance the seats available to students. Milton. The couple has three dogs
Erdmann was responsible for creating and monitoring the department’s budgets, the Lion and a cat.
10 Athletic Association’s budget as well as various development and foundation accounts, fi n-
ishing the 2008 fi scal year in balance.
2013-14 South Alabama Men’s Basketball