Monday, February 8, 2010
The Off-Season
The Off-Season is the most important time of a collegiate athlete's career. The good players, that want to continue getting better, work harder in the off-season than they do during the regular season. The off-season can be a slippery slope if you let yourself go. As far as I have seen, many of the athletes at SPU put forth great effort to stay on top of their strength and conditioning as well as there skill sets during the off-season. Every athlete at SPU knows what "TIM'S" means. "Tim's" is a early morning conditioning session that is ran by a man named Tim Nausin. He puts us through a bunch of drills that consist of running, resistance, and band work. No SPU athlete likes having to wake up at 7 am to do these intense workouts, but we all know how beneficial it will be for us in the long run. Because of all the hard work that SPU athletes have put in during thier respective off seasons, SPU has become one of the Top Ranked Division II Athletic Programs in the nation.
Life on the Road
Many people believe that traveling on an SPU athletic team is all relaxing and getting to miss class. What many people don't know is that athletes don't have much down time at all. In my experience on the Mens Basketball team, we goes from one thing to another. A few weeks ago we went to Western Oregon University, in Monmouth Oregon. We got to the hotel at about eleven at night just in time for "lights out". We woke up the next morning at nine to get breakfast and go to WOU for a shoot around at the school (which is about 45 mins away). We got there, had our shoot around, then traveled all the way back to the hotel to get our jerseys and game gear before our team dinner at Olive Garden. We got to the restaurant at about 3:45 and didn't get our food till about an hour after that. By the time we were down eating it was about 5:30 and the game was at 7:00. Rushing to the gym, we got ready and started warming up at 6:30. We won our game, which ended up being much closer than expected; winning on a buzzer beater layup by Chris Banchero. Right after the game, we started our 4 hour drive back home. This trip was one of the more hectic trips that I have been on, but it goes to show you that playing collegiate sports isn't all fun and games.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Athlete Q and A: Men's Cross Country: Chad Meis
1. What does it mean to be a student athlete here at SPU?
Being a student-athlete at SPU is an awesome privilege and also a responsibility. Being a collegiate athlete while also trying to get a degree is definitely a challenge, but it's very rewarding at the same time. It forces you to manage your time well and to also stay organized (not that I'm efficient at either one)... It's awesome being able to support your teammates and coaches within the sport while still pursuing your academic goals. The professors at SPU do a great job of working with student-athletes in this process. Being an athlete also makes you more aware of your actions, since you are a more visible representative of SPU to other schools.
2. What is your favorite moment at SPU (on the court and off)?
My favorite moment on the track would probably be running my second 3000m steeplechase last season at Sac State where I lowered my time by 30 seconds and got a National Provisional mark (my first race the week before had been a pretty rough start to the steeplechase). Off the track, pretty much all of my favorite memories come from hanging out with the XC guys. Long van-rides to the meets, team retreats at Camp Casey, and ice cream nights are all things that I will probably remember longer than the actual races.
3. Why did you choose SPU?
I chose SPU because of its engineering program, its strong Christian values, and the Cross Country team (and GWINN!). I'm very glad that I came to SPU, and I would definitely choose to go here again. The community aspect of SPU was/is way better than all of the other schools I looked at.
Chad Meis is a senior competing for the Men's Cross Country Team as well as the Men's Track and Field Team. Most recently he broke the school's indoor record for the mile with a time of 4:11.39.
Being a student-athlete at SPU is an awesome privilege and also a responsibility. Being a collegiate athlete while also trying to get a degree is definitely a challenge, but it's very rewarding at the same time. It forces you to manage your time well and to also stay organized (not that I'm efficient at either one)... It's awesome being able to support your teammates and coaches within the sport while still pursuing your academic goals. The professors at SPU do a great job of working with student-athletes in this process. Being an athlete also makes you more aware of your actions, since you are a more visible representative of SPU to other schools.
2. What is your favorite moment at SPU (on the court and off)?
My favorite moment on the track would probably be running my second 3000m steeplechase last season at Sac State where I lowered my time by 30 seconds and got a National Provisional mark (my first race the week before had been a pretty rough start to the steeplechase). Off the track, pretty much all of my favorite memories come from hanging out with the XC guys. Long van-rides to the meets, team retreats at Camp Casey, and ice cream nights are all things that I will probably remember longer than the actual races.
3. Why did you choose SPU?
I chose SPU because of its engineering program, its strong Christian values, and the Cross Country team (and GWINN!). I'm very glad that I came to SPU, and I would definitely choose to go here again. The community aspect of SPU was/is way better than all of the other schools I looked at.
Chad Meis is a senior competing for the Men's Cross Country Team as well as the Men's Track and Field Team. Most recently he broke the school's indoor record for the mile with a time of 4:11.39.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Athlete Q and A: Women's Volleyball: Anna Herold
1. Why did you come to SPU?
It's kind of funny that I ended up here at SPU. I've grown up in the area and never, even through the most intensive parts of recruiting, thought of SPU as a possibility for me. I had always wanted to get away from home through my college experience and find somewhere new. The closer I got to being college-bound the more I realized that it wasn't so necessary for me to get away quite yet. Through a club coach of mine, I had heard that SPU was interested in me and the rest is history. The final straw was the academics here at SPU and the the good price I was getting to receive them.
2. What is it like being a student athlete?
I would never choose anything else. Though it may be hard at times to juggle classes and a sport, especially during season with our various travels, I would be bored if I was not a student athlete. Most of the teachers here at SPU understand when we miss classes due to our sport, but it is something that you have to repeatedly remind them about to make sure that it does not hamper your grade. The best part of being a student athlete is the relationships you build with fellow athletes, especially your own teammates who are the people you build memories with that will never be forgotten.
3. What is your favorite memory (on or off the court)?
My favorite memory is both on and off the court. It took place last year (my freshman season) when we travelled to play NNU at their gym, on their homecoming, senior night, and parents weekend. We came back and beat them in the fifth game, even with the most heckling most of us freshmen had ever experienced (coming from the rowdy crowd of students right behind our bench). The celebration was insane on the court once we won, but even better when we got to the locker room, which is the nicest locker room we have been in to this day AND with the best music system. I will admit that we got in a little trouble for getting too crazy in there, but that memory will last us all a lifetime.
Anna Herold is a standout sophmore libero for the Women's Volleyball Team. She has broken the record for digs in a season at SPU, was awarded Freshman of the Year in the GNAC (2008), 2nd Team GNAC (2009), and on the All Academic GNAC Team (2009). Anna is an Excercise Science Major from Bothel, WA.
It's kind of funny that I ended up here at SPU. I've grown up in the area and never, even through the most intensive parts of recruiting, thought of SPU as a possibility for me. I had always wanted to get away from home through my college experience and find somewhere new. The closer I got to being college-bound the more I realized that it wasn't so necessary for me to get away quite yet. Through a club coach of mine, I had heard that SPU was interested in me and the rest is history. The final straw was the academics here at SPU and the the good price I was getting to receive them.
2. What is it like being a student athlete?
I would never choose anything else. Though it may be hard at times to juggle classes and a sport, especially during season with our various travels, I would be bored if I was not a student athlete. Most of the teachers here at SPU understand when we miss classes due to our sport, but it is something that you have to repeatedly remind them about to make sure that it does not hamper your grade. The best part of being a student athlete is the relationships you build with fellow athletes, especially your own teammates who are the people you build memories with that will never be forgotten.
3. What is your favorite memory (on or off the court)?
My favorite memory is both on and off the court. It took place last year (my freshman season) when we travelled to play NNU at their gym, on their homecoming, senior night, and parents weekend. We came back and beat them in the fifth game, even with the most heckling most of us freshmen had ever experienced (coming from the rowdy crowd of students right behind our bench). The celebration was insane on the court once we won, but even better when we got to the locker room, which is the nicest locker room we have been in to this day AND with the best music system. I will admit that we got in a little trouble for getting too crazy in there, but that memory will last us all a lifetime.
Anna Herold is a standout sophmore libero for the Women's Volleyball Team. She has broken the record for digs in a season at SPU, was awarded Freshman of the Year in the GNAC (2008), 2nd Team GNAC (2009), and on the All Academic GNAC Team (2009). Anna is an Excercise Science Major from Bothel, WA.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Division I, II and III: What's the Difference
What are the differences between NCAA Division I, II and III?
Division I schools have to sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven for women (or six for men and eight for women) with two team sports for each gender. Each playing season has to be represented by each gender as well. Football and Basketball have specific rules regarding playing Division I opponents. Some Football subdivision teams also require a minimum attendance requirement of 15,000.
Division I schools must meet the minimum financial aid awards for their athletics program, and there are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division I school cannot exceed.
Division II schools have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women (or four for men and six for women), with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. There are also special requirements for Football and Basketball teams. There are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division II school must not exceed. Division II teams usually feature a number of local or in-state student athletes. Many Division II student athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans, and employment earnings. Division II athletics programs are financed in the institution's budget like other academic departments on campus. Traditional rivalries with regional institutions dominate schedules of many Division II athletics programs.
Division III schools have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women, with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. Division III athletics features student-athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability and athletic departments are staffed and funded like any other department in the university. Division III athletics departments place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators. The student athlete's experience is of paramount concern. Division III athletics encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to students, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition.
This information was taken from the NCAA website:
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaahome?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/ncaa/ncaa/about+the+ncaa/membership/div_criteria.html
In My Summary:
D1: Extremely talented athletes, focus on athletics, more athletic scholarship money, most time commitment (you're sport is your life).
D2: Range of talent varies slightly (extremely talented athletes still are present), focus on being a STUDENT athlete, less athletic scholarship money, time commitment depending on competitiveness of the team.
D3: Range of talent varies, focus on the student athlete's experience, no athletic scholarship money, time commitment depends on competitiveness of the team.
Paige Hoffman
Division I schools have to sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven for women (or six for men and eight for women) with two team sports for each gender. Each playing season has to be represented by each gender as well. Football and Basketball have specific rules regarding playing Division I opponents. Some Football subdivision teams also require a minimum attendance requirement of 15,000.
Division I schools must meet the minimum financial aid awards for their athletics program, and there are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division I school cannot exceed.
Division II schools have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women (or four for men and six for women), with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. There are also special requirements for Football and Basketball teams. There are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division II school must not exceed. Division II teams usually feature a number of local or in-state student athletes. Many Division II student athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans, and employment earnings. Division II athletics programs are financed in the institution's budget like other academic departments on campus. Traditional rivalries with regional institutions dominate schedules of many Division II athletics programs.
Division III schools have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women, with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. Division III athletics features student-athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability and athletic departments are staffed and funded like any other department in the university. Division III athletics departments place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators. The student athlete's experience is of paramount concern. Division III athletics encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to students, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition.
This information was taken from the NCAA website:
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaahome?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/ncaa/ncaa/about+the+ncaa/membership/div_criteria.html
In My Summary:
D1: Extremely talented athletes, focus on athletics, more athletic scholarship money, most time commitment (you're sport is your life).
D2: Range of talent varies slightly (extremely talented athletes still are present), focus on being a STUDENT athlete, less athletic scholarship money, time commitment depending on competitiveness of the team.
D3: Range of talent varies, focus on the student athlete's experience, no athletic scholarship money, time commitment depends on competitiveness of the team.
Paige Hoffman
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Athlete Q and A: Women's Soccer: Becca Woods
1. Why did you choose to come to SPU?
I chose to come to SPU to join an excellent soccer program that would help pay for a great Christian education. Soccer is what brought me to look at the school but the Christian aspect is what ultimately helped me decide along with the fact that its the perfect distance.
2. What does it mean to be a student athlete here at SPU?
Being a student athlete means we have a bit more responsibility than the average SPU student. Not only is it a huge time commitment but we have to keep our grades at a high level as well as being a respectable player on and off the field. In competitions against other schools in the area, our actions reflect back to SPU.
3. What is your favorite moment at SPU (on the court and off)?
My favorite moment at SPU was winning the national championship in 2008. Off the field would probably be doing team activities, such as board game night.
Becca Woods is a junior defender for the Women's Soccer Team (National Champs 2008). She is and accounting major from Beaverton, OR.
I chose to come to SPU to join an excellent soccer program that would help pay for a great Christian education. Soccer is what brought me to look at the school but the Christian aspect is what ultimately helped me decide along with the fact that its the perfect distance.
2. What does it mean to be a student athlete here at SPU?
Being a student athlete means we have a bit more responsibility than the average SPU student. Not only is it a huge time commitment but we have to keep our grades at a high level as well as being a respectable player on and off the field. In competitions against other schools in the area, our actions reflect back to SPU.
3. What is your favorite moment at SPU (on the court and off)?
My favorite moment at SPU was winning the national championship in 2008. Off the field would probably be doing team activities, such as board game night.
Becca Woods is a junior defender for the Women's Soccer Team (National Champs 2008). She is and accounting major from Beaverton, OR.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Athlete Q and A: Men's Soccer: Elliot Morton
1. Why did you choose SPU?
It's a subtle miracle that I ended up at Seattle Pacific University. I chose SPU late in my senior year of high school after I met Mark Collings, head coach of the men's soccer team, after a soccer game in Tukwila, WA and discussed the possibility of suiting up as a Falcon. I decided to attend SPU for it's academic strength, christian teachings, location and of course soccer.
2. What does it mean to be a student athlete here at SPU?
Being a student athlete presents many challenges as well as rewards. There is a constant balancing act of prioritizing social events with schoolwork and athletics. One has to adjust to a demanding schedule but soon learns to cope with the busyness and instead enjoys the satisfying feeling when the day is through and everything has been achieved. I think the competitive nature of athletes allows them to strive through the tough times both on and off the field and realize their full potential. Most athletes here will agree, after going an hour with Tim Naussin, SPU's conditioning coach, many other tasks seem trivial in comparison.
3. What is your favorite moment at SPU (on the court and off)?
While at SPU I've seen some interesting things occur. Many of these memories were influenced by soccer. Once, while on a walk in California with the team, Jason Derocher, chased down a rabbit at full sprint for about thirty yards. To my and everyone's dismay the rabbit escaped. None the less, we were all shocked by our athletic trainers sheer acceleration and in the word's of Jordan Dettmer, "He blew our minds."
Back in season, one of my favorite memories was the victory over University of Mary. With two minutes left we were down by one goal 0:1. In the end, we ended up scoring two goals before time expired and won the game 2:1.
Elliot Morton is a sophomore defender for the Men's Soccer Team from Tacoma, WA.
It's a subtle miracle that I ended up at Seattle Pacific University. I chose SPU late in my senior year of high school after I met Mark Collings, head coach of the men's soccer team, after a soccer game in Tukwila, WA and discussed the possibility of suiting up as a Falcon. I decided to attend SPU for it's academic strength, christian teachings, location and of course soccer.
2. What does it mean to be a student athlete here at SPU?
Being a student athlete presents many challenges as well as rewards. There is a constant balancing act of prioritizing social events with schoolwork and athletics. One has to adjust to a demanding schedule but soon learns to cope with the busyness and instead enjoys the satisfying feeling when the day is through and everything has been achieved. I think the competitive nature of athletes allows them to strive through the tough times both on and off the field and realize their full potential. Most athletes here will agree, after going an hour with Tim Naussin, SPU's conditioning coach, many other tasks seem trivial in comparison.
3. What is your favorite moment at SPU (on the court and off)?
While at SPU I've seen some interesting things occur. Many of these memories were influenced by soccer. Once, while on a walk in California with the team, Jason Derocher, chased down a rabbit at full sprint for about thirty yards. To my and everyone's dismay the rabbit escaped. None the less, we were all shocked by our athletic trainers sheer acceleration and in the word's of Jordan Dettmer, "He blew our minds."
Back in season, one of my favorite memories was the victory over University of Mary. With two minutes left we were down by one goal 0:1. In the end, we ended up scoring two goals before time expired and won the game 2:1.
Elliot Morton is a sophomore defender for the Men's Soccer Team from Tacoma, WA.
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