Table Of Content

Avila University 2003 Guide Sports AVILA Athletic Directory UNIVERSITY SINCE1916 Mike Sharpe Athletic Director 501-3756 Football Staff Tim Johnson Nick Totta Head Coach Assistant Athletic Director 501-3743 Strength & Cond., LB’s 501-2486 JoAnn Immele Floyd Peterson Office Manager 501-3726 Assistant Head Coach Defensive Coordinator, DL’s 501-3707 Greg Mittelsteadt Sports Information Director 501-3740 Tony Perkins Offensive Coordinator, QB’s 501-3635 Jason Means Head Athletic Trainer 501-3742 Patton Connour Running Backs 501-3715 Fax (816) 941-4503 Mike Riley 501-3715 Conference Offensive Line TOFAMERICAATHLETICCONFERENCE Ryan Short Grad Assistant/Wide Receivers 501-3715 Ivan Pearl Defensive Secondary 501-3707 Brennan McCarty Grad Assistant, Tight Ends 501-3634 Tom Johnson Special Teams Coord. Kicker Punter 501-3635 Lucas Wiester Assistant Offensive Line 501-3715 On the web... www.avila.edu/athletics the President . . . Welcome to anotheryear ofexciting athletic events and programs at Avila University. We congratulate our student athletes on their achievements in sports and their successes in their academic pursuits. Avila varsity athletic programs include football, men and women’s basketball and soccer, men's and women’s volleyball, baseball, softball, women’s golfand competitive dance and cheer. There are numerous activities at Avila for all ofour students including intramural sports, theatre, debate, and a variety ofstudent organizations. Because ofour size, all students can participate and take leadership roles in activities oftheir choice. Most importantly, the Sisters ofSt. Joseph founded Avila in 1916 based on the value ofexcellence. We are committed to helping our students achieve excellence in their chosen fields ofstudy and in their lives. Join us in enjoying the excitement ofAvila University athletic competition! Sincerely, Thomas F. Gordon, J.D., LL.M President Avila University the Athletic Director . . . Welcome to another exciting season ofAvila Athletics. Avila has experienced a tremendous expansion since last school year. AU is as committed now as ithaseverbeen to providing for our student- athletes. This support comes in a variety ofways. Obvious examples ofsupport are physical improvements. These improvements include the recent expansion ofthe Mabee Field House which included new locker rooms, a new training room, a multi-purpose room, a new softball/baseball batting cage, an expansive weight room, anda newplaying surface forourvolleyball and basketball teams. Ourbase- ball field received a beautiful new Bermuda grass infield and we have built a new multi-purpose practice facility that will be utilized by our soccer and football teams. These arejust a few examples ofthe support ourstudent-athletes are receiving. An additional type ofsupport our students deserve is yours! Your involvement by regular attendance at competitions, vocal encouragement, and good sportsmanship are easy ways you can be supportive ofour student-athletes. Thank you for your interest in Avila Athletics and I look forward to seeing you at many more events this year. GO EAGLES! Sincerely, Mike Sharpe Director ofAthletics W hen head coach Tim Johnson takes the field with the Eagles this season, he'll see a lot of familiar faces. Johnson returns a veteran squad that could be ready to turn the fortunes around for the Eagles, coming off a misleading 4-6 season, in which Avila dropped three close games in the last quarter. AU returns 20 starters from its second season, ten on offense and ten on defense to form the nucle- us of Coach Johnson's third varsity season. On offense, the returnees include four All HAAC selections. Runningbacks Ahmad Ashkar and Kevin Furderer, wide receiver Richard Cooper and offensive lineman John Mulnix. Johnson expects a battle at the quarterback position. AU has three returnees who are competing for the starting nod at the quarterback position: Malik Kincheloe started in 2001, Brandon Allen started in 2002 and Jeff Stone has game experience in both seasons. All of their performances stood out during spring drills. As soon as one quarterback took an edge in the competition, another stepped up and closed any gap that may have existed just as promptly. On defense there are two All-HAAC selections one from the secondary, Aaron Jones and one from the defensive line, Travis Myers. Speed and experience should be the key on defense. The special teams return with two All-HAAC selections Massimo Scaccia at kicker and Matthew Witcher at punter will be a huge factor in the battle for field position. According to the coaching staff, the Eagles had a fine spring and off season strength and conditioning program. The players were intense, enthusiastic and definitely unified. With two seasons under their belts and a large core ofjuniors the Eagles should be very competitive in 2003. Go Eagles! McCarthy auto group, inc. COUFTOVRD 675 N. RAWHIDE OLATHE, KS 66061 ^ Harriott ™ 913-334-7200 HOLMES & 105 816-941-3333 CHEVROLET • NISSAN • MITSUBISHI OLDSMOBILE Avila University linebacker and Academic All-American status in the head football coach classroom. A graduate with honors from Oxford Tim Johnson took University in England, Johnson holds a master’s over the helm of degree in Education from the University ofMemphis. the startup program His coaching career has taken him to many cor- at Avila back in the ners ofthe world, literally - Johnson coached for many spring of2000 - years in the off season as a head coach in Finland. In and with the third the States, he earned his reputation as a linebacker year ofvarsity coach and defensive coordinator at such NAIA power- competition in the tradition-rich HAAC on tap for this house programs as Lambuth (Tenn.), Baker (Kan.) and fall, Johnson is expecting his team to be ready for Lindenwood (Mo.). Coach Johnson is also a certified action. strength and conditioning coach (C.S.C.S.). A graduate of Rockhurst High School in Kansas Johnson and his wife, Eija, have two sons - Eero City, Johnson was a four-year starter at William Jewell (9) and Teo (4). (Mo.) as a player, earning All-American honors at Tony Perkins Floyd Peterson Patton Connour Mike Riley OffenseCoor./Qb’s DefensiveCoor./DL Defensive Secondary Runningbacks Offensive Line RRyy;an Short Brennen McCarty tomJohnson LukeWeister JeffStone Widefe Receivers Outside Linebackers SpecialTeams Coor./K-P Asst. OffensiveLine Asst. Quarterbacks Ten starters, plus several other performers who have back veer a control the ball offense. Although the , started games, give the Eagles excellent experience in Eagles run a controlled offense the passing game will many key areas. The system continues to be the split be a key factor in 2003. Offensive Line The Eagle offensive line returns with four ofthe five starters from last season. They include All-HAAC center John Mulnix. Rounding out the line will be Cellesio Hernandez, Colter Nielson, Steven Burdge and Rene Delgadillo. Also transfer Gary Ellis looks to be fighting for a starting position. Quarterback Runningback As mentioned Brandon Allen was last year’s starter, This is an area of strength for the Eagles, both in but the talents of Malik Kincheloe and Jeff Stone the quality and quantity. With Ahmad Ashkar and Kevin baton could be passed all year long. Furderer, last year’s two All-HAAC runningbacks and returning runningback Turner Elkins the Eagles should be able to move the ball. Also in the mix will be Dennis Rodriguez and transfer Gary Frazier eceivers Wide Receiver Tight End This is another area in which the Eagles are talented, With returning starter Colter Nielsen leading the way returning All-HAAC Richard Cooper can dominate the competition for tight end is intense with Eric Butler defenses. In addition Chad Moch and Michael Deen are and Jimmy Cates pushing for the starting position. both quality receivers. Special Teams: Coach Johnson considers the special teams as important, if not more important than the offense and defensive. Returning for the Eagle’s special teams unit are All-Conference kicker, Massimo Scaccia, and All-Conference punter Mathew Witcher. They will be backed up by returning specialists Brian O’Donnell, Nick Tebbe, Tayne Preno, Keith Thompson, Turner Elkins, and Dennys Rodriguez. mmTmEAM 1st ag AVILA UNIVERSITY SPORTS , SINCE1916 The Defense With ten starting players returning the defense should be much improved in 2003. They are bigger, stronger, faster and more experienced. The Defensive Line Lead by All-HAAC nose guard Travis Myers this group should fare very well this season. Returning starters Jerald Groves, Jeremiah West and Clint Fizer expect to improve their game in 2003. Transfer Brian Koehler will fit in very well. Returnee Tayne Preno had a great spring camp and will push hard for playing time. The Linebackers The linebacker core should be a solid unit on the defense. Returning starters led by Kris Peterson, David Garner, Anthony Rigolizzo, Mohamad Raduan, Nick Tebbe, Brian O’Donnell and Sean Supplee. Included are newcomers Brian Potterbin and Eric Pingleton. cetsvs TANNEcy™ www.CelciusTan.com 816-350-7700 The Secondary Heading the secondary is Aaron Jones, All-HAAC defensive back. Leonard Casey and LaQuan Rogers will definitely make a difference. After starting in the first five games Steve Miller will be returning after missing the rest of the 2002 season with a broken hand. Also Keith Thompson who has game experience in the secondary as well as on special teams will be returning. Will Ball, who was injured last season, will be back with a clean bill of heath. Date Opponent Citv Time MO 09/06 Central Methodist Fayette, 1:30pm MO 09/13 Missouri Valley Kansas City, 7:30pm 09/20 MidAmerica Nazarene Olathe, KS 1:30pm OPEN 09/27 MO 10/04 Baker Kansas City, 1:30pm MO 10/11 Culver-Stockton Canton, 2:00pm MO 10/18 Lindenwood Kansas City, 1:30pm 10/25 Benedictine Atchison, KS 2:00pm MO 11/01 Graceland Kansas City, 1:30pm MO 11/08 William Jewell Liberty, 1:30pm IR0NH0RSE GOLF COURSE America's Drive In LEAWOOD, KS 913-685-4653 KansasCity'sfineststeak Jasper’s HinJoIc.> AVILA UNIVERSITY Pick Enterprise. We’ll pick you up.'5. SINCE1916 Go Eagles! Km1'IiIOIIA<VITM»y)MHMMOOHOM-U* •w*-***<*»*?rr»% •-pwljA*~rjnJkJf<*n