Division of Collegiate Athletics University of Illinois

[Pages:61]ANNUAL REPORT Division of Collegiate Athletics University of Illinois

2006-07

2006-07 Annual Report Division of Collegiate Athletics, University of Illinois

DIRECTOR'S ADDRESS

Dear Fellow Illini:

athletic program remains second to none, and, in 2006-07, the Fighting Coach Law joins a stable of Illinois head coaches that I believe is the

Illini continued to set the academic standard against which other collegiate strongest in the country. Under their supervision, Illinois teams continue

I am pleased to present you with the 2006-07 Annual Report for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at

student-athletes are measured. Many of the coming pages highlight these impressive academic achievements.

to reach new heights, competing every year for Big Ten titles and NCAA championships. Our head coaches lead with dignity and honor, and they serve as role models and advisors for the young men and women wearing the

the University of Illinois. Years from now, Our commitment to academic excellence remains strong. In 2007-08, Illinois uniform, helping to prepare them for life beyond sports as successful

2006-07 will stand as a watershed year in our we will open the doors on a nearly $5 million expansion of the Irwin professionals, contributing members of their communities, and positive

program's proud history. Every champion Academic Services Center. The expansion will add over 11,000 square influences on future generations.

must persevere in the face of adversity. This feet of space, more than doubling the original building's size. The facility

year we surmounted numerous obstacles will feature individual and group study rooms, tutor space, and additional Another cause for excitement is the Big Ten Network. The Big Ten

to grow stronger, more united, and more focused on the core values of computer labs. It will be unmatched by any student-athlete academic center Network, which launches in August 2007, will provide a new platform for

our program: scholarship, sportsmanship, integrity, loyalty, and the in the country.

the excitement of Big Ten athletics to reach fans across the country. All our

pursuit of victory.

programs will benefit from increased media exposure, and the additional

The Irwin Academic Services Center expansion is one of several building revenues from the network will fund many new initiatives.

The strength of our organization -- our people -- was never more on projects we have underway. This year we opened the doors on the Demirjian

display than during the 2006-07 campaign. The Fighting Illini coaches, Indoor Golf Facility. We have also broken ground on Martin Softball Of equal importance to the extraordinary efforts of our coaches, student-

student-athletes, and staff responded to many challenges, working tirelessly Stadium, which, combined with Eichelberger Field, will form one of the athletes, and staff over the past year has been the continued enthusiasm of

to uphold the reputation of the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini nation's premier softball venues.

our local community and Illini fans around the world. Our men's basketball

athletics. Now, galvanized by fire, our program has emerged from the flames

team has played in front of 45 consecutive capacity crowds at the Assembly

and stands ready to wear the crown of a champion.

No building project, however, has captured the imaginations of Illini Hall. Over 11,000 new season tickets have been sold for the 2007 football

fans worldwide like the Illinois Renaissance, the renovation of Memorial season. Donors continue to give in record amounts to our annual fund, and

Our women's track and field team wore that crown this past season, winning Stadium. Memorial Stadium is undergoing the most sweeping renovations our endowment has increased steadily over the past several years.

the 2007 Big Ten Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship. in its eight-decade existence. A new 5,000-seat permanent seating structure

It was their second Big Ten title in three years, and the 11th conference will open for the 2007 football season, and renovations to the main stands It is a privilege for each of us to be involved in one of the nation's top athletic

championship under head coach Gary Winckler. Our men's tennis team will be completed for the 2008 season.

programs at one of the world's foremost universities. This is a privilege that 1

is another Fighting Illini program that has exemplified the on- and off-

we must never take for granted. Guard against complacency. In athletics,

the-court excellence that we expect. Last spring, the men advanced to the The excitement regarding the renovated football stadium is matched only by as in life, there is no staying the same. Every day our program is either

championship match of the NCAA Tournament. The National Runner-Up the enthusiasm surrounding our football team itself. Ron Zook's energy and getting better or getting worse. The standard we expect is excellence. Our

finish capped the men's 10th consecutive 20-win season.

intensity have taken the Illini Nation by storm. Featuring a crop of exciting goal is victory. Victory on the field. Victory in the classroom. Victory in life.

young talent, including the highest rated recruiting class in school history, Whatever your role in this endeavor, my challenge to you is the same. Do

Other team accomplishments during the 2006-07 seasons included a Sweet Coach Zook's squad is poised to begin its ascent up the Big Ten standings. something every day to make Fighting Illini athletics stronger. Join in our

Sixteen appearance by our women's soccer team, whose 16 wins matched Illini fans have responded, purchasing more new season tickets than in any cause. If you do, one day soon we will all wear the crown of a champion.

the school record for victories in a season, and an eighth consecutive season in our program's history. As these young players gain experience, and

20-win season recorded by our men's basketball team. Notable individual as the stadium renovation draws to a close, Illinois football stands on the

achievements included Big Ten Baseball Player of the Year Lars Davis and verge of a new era of unparalleled success.

Big Ten Gymnast of the Year Wes Haagensen.

Yours in athletics,

Like football, women's basketball promises to reap the benefits of new and

These on-the-field accomplishments, while extremely important, remain energetic leadership. In May, Jolette Law became the seventh head coach of

secondary to our primary purpose at the University of Illinois: to educate the Fighting Illini women's basketball program. In 12 seasons as an assistant

Fighting Illini student-athletes and prepare them to lead successful lives at Rutgers University, Coach Law helped the Scarlet Knights to two Final Ronald E. Guenther

following completion of their athletic careers. In that area, the Illinois Fours and a 2007 National Runner-Up finish.

Director of Athletics

2006-07 ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

MEN'S TENNIS 23-9 (8-2 Big Ten) // Big Ten Runner-Ups // NCAA Finalists

T he 2006-07 season was nothing less than an exciting ride for fans, alumni, coaches and players alike, as Illinois once again proved it is among the best collegiate men's tennis programs in the nation. Under the direction of second-year head coach Brad Dancer, the 2007 Fighting Illini recorded their 10th straight 20-win season and finished NCAA runner-ups behind undefeated No. 1 Georgia.

Illinois finished No. 5 in the final Fila ITA poll, marking the sixth-straight top-10 finish for the program -- including four top-five finishes during that span -- tying for the second-best streak in the country behind UCLA's eight. The Illini also ended the season with an impressive streak of nine wins in their last 11 matches.

opened with a 4-0 victory in the opening round against Western Michigan to snap the Broncos' 11-match win streak before coming-from-behind against Michigan, 4-2, in the second round. On top of advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the eighth time in the last nine years, Illinois finished the season on a 17-match home winning streak and extended its home postseason win streak to 12.

From there, Illinois took its momentum into Athens, Ga., where they went on to script the most exciting story of the postseason.

On the nation's biggest collegiate stage, the national title dual placed Illinois head-to-head with undefeated and top-ranked Georgia. In the match, Illinois dropped the doubles, but still came out fighting in singles. Unfortunately, the singles strength of the Bulldogs held up until the end as they clinched a 4-0 victory for the NCAA title. Spicijaric and Rowe, for their efforts in leading Illinois to the title match, were selected to the NCAA All-Tournament team after the finish.

With the team portion of the 2007 NCAA Tournament in the books, Anderson and Rowe embarked on their singles and doubles journey to close out the season. No. 4-seeded Anderson battled all the way to the semifinals, while Rowe exited in the first round after a loss to eventual semifinalist Alex

Playing one of the toughest schedules in the country to open the season, the Illini entered the dual-match season with seven ranked opponents slated for the month of January. Despite the challenge, Illinois went 6-1 in those matches before hosting the USTA/ITA National Men's Team

THE ILLINI ENDED THE SEASON WITH AN IMPRESSIVE STREAK OF NINE WINS IN THEIR LAST 11 MATCHES.

Indoor Championship in Chicago. Making the quarterfinals for the sixth-

straight year at Indoors, Illinois had mixed results overall, going 1-2 at the

In the round of 16, the Illini Slovic of Washington. The South African Anderson ended his run in the

prestigious event.

dropped the doubles point to semifinals, dropping a three-set affair to eventual NCAA singles champion

2

Putting the losses behind it heading into the Big Ten portion of the

No. 7 Mississippi, who entered Somdev Devvarman. For his efforts and semifinal appearance, Anderson the contest 100-4 since 2002 garnered the ITA Player to Watch Award recognition, becoming the first

schedule, Illinois opened the conference regular season winning its first

when winning the doubles point. Illini to receive the national honor.

four. From there, UI fell to No. 19 Michigan and later to No. 2 Ohio State

The Illini, impervious to streaks

on the road, losing only their second and third conference regular season

and the odds, defied history with In doubles action, the 2006 NCAA doubles champions showed why

matches since the beginning of the 2002 season. The loss to the Buckeyes,

the 4-3 upset behind a three- they are one of the best tandems in the country, advancing to their

however ? which was one of the toughest setbacks in recent years ? proved

set come-from-behind win by second-straight NCAA title match. Despite winning the first set 6-4,

to be the pivotal turning point for Illinois, who went on a tear the remainder

Anderson to clinch Illinois' spot though, the two could not hold off the hard-serving duo of Marc Born

of the season.

in the quarterfinals for the fourth and Andreas Siljestrom of Middle Tennessee, losing the final two sets

time in the last eight years.

in tiebreaks.

The fury included a run at the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 3 seed all the

way to the conference finals, including avenging its loss to the Wolverines Waiting for Illinois in the quarters was No. 2 Ohio State. The Illini dropped Both Anderson and Rowe received All-America accolades for their singles

(4-1) in the semifinals. In the finals, the Illini significantly improved from the doubles point and were staring at OSU's 30-0 record when the Buckeyes and doubles accomplishments ? Rowe in singles by way of finishing in the

their regular-season performance against Ohio State, but fell just short again won the doubles point. Illinois, however, was on a mission, proving Ohio top 20 in the final ITA poll ? and became the only doubles tandem in

to finish conference runner-up. Following the championships, Ryan Rowe State was no match for its intensity, as sophomore Marc Spicijaric's win at history to return to the title match with the same partner.

and Kevin Anderson collected unanimous selections to the All-Big Ten No. 3 singles propelled the Illini to a 4-2 victory and a spot in the semifinals

team; marking the 18th-straight season at least one Illini has received the against No. 3 Baylor.

In the end, the duo finished the year ranked No. 4 and No. 19,

honor, while Anderson was named Big Ten Player of the Year.

respectively, in singles, while in doubles the pair ended ranked No.

There, Illinois proved its two previous wins were no flukes, as they stole the 5. As a team, Illinois finished one of its best seasons in history with a

UI then set its sights on a 12th-straight NCAA berth, entering the NCAA doubles point from the Bears and were lifted to the NCAA title match after 23-9 record and a 19-9 ledger against ranked opponents, including 10

championships as the No. 10 seed. As a regional host, the Fighting Illini Rowe's win at No. 2 singles and a 4-3 defeat of Baylor.

victories over top-10 foes.

2006-07 ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

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2006-07 ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD BIG TEN OUTDOOR CHAMPIONS // 3rd Place Big Ten Indoor Championships

T he Illinois women's track and field team continued its tradition of excellence under the direction of head coach Gary Winckler in the 2006-07 season, with record-setting performances, individual

America accolade of her career by placing sixth in the long jump (20-6 1/4), taking 14th in the triple jump (41-5 3/4) and helping the 4x400-

4x100-meter relay (45.60). She also took third in the long jump (20-4 1/2), bringing her total to 46 points scored for Illinois.

conference champions, All-America honorees and a 2007 Outdoor Big Ten meter relay to an 11th-place finish (3:37.94).

Also helping the Illini to the Big Ten title was

Championship.

Greene and Waller competed at NCAAs in the

the team's performance in the traditionally

high jump (5-10 3/4, 14th overall) and 60-meter

strong hurdling events. Four athletes scored

After a successful indoor season marked by the squad of Katie Engel, Omoye hurdles (8.21, 11th), respectively.

points in the 400-meter hurdles, led by

Ugiagbe, Carlene Robinson and Angela Bizzarri setting a new school record

senior twins Camile and Carlene Robinson,

in the Distance Medley Relay (11 minutes, 27.13 seconds) and Mariesa The outdoor season opened with a successful

who placed second and fourth, respectively.

Greene qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the high jump showing at the Horned Frog Invitational in Fort

Junior LaNeisha Waller took second in the

(6 feet, 1/2 inches), the Illini were ready to begin the championship portion Worth, Texas, where Illinois athletes racked

100-meter hurdles (13.41), while teammate

of their schedule.

up four first-place finishes. The Illini followed

Nikkita Holder placed fourth (13.59).

that performance by qualifying six athletes for

In 2007, Illinois hosted the Big Ten Indoor Championships at the UI the NCAA Regional Championships at the

Coach Gary Winckler was named Big Ten

Armory Track in Champaign for the fourth time in school history. As prestigious Texas Relays and dominating their

Outdoor Coach of the Year and USTFCCCA

a team, the Orange and Blue placed third at the meet with 107 points, home Illinois Invitational.

Mideast Region Outdoor Coach of the Year

narrowly finishing behind second-place Michigan (108.5). Minnesota won

for guiding the Illini to their sixth Big Ten

the team title with 121.5 points.

At the California Collegiate Challenge in Berkeley,

Outdoor Championship.

Calif., the Illini won four events and posted 16

Senior Yvonne Mensah provided most of the highlights for the Illini, NCAA regional qualifying marks. Subsequently,

After successful performances at Big

4 contributing an astonishing 44 points to the team total. Mensah was senior Carlene Robinson was honored as Big Ten

the Big Ten Champion in both the long jump (20-8) and triple jump Track Co-Athlete of the week after winning the

Ten's, the Illini sent five athletes to the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor

(43-7 3/4), and took second in the 60-meter dash (7.36) and 200-meter 400-meter hurdles (57.88) and running a leg of

Championships in Sacramento, Calif.

dash (23.86). She also combined with Omoye Ugiagbe, Camile the first-place 4x100-meter relay (44.63).

Carlene Robinson ended her career

Robinson and Carlene Robinson to finish second in the 4x400-meter

on a high note, placing seventh in the

relay (3:38.74). For her efforts, Mensah was named Field Athlete of the The Illini then traveled to the 2007 Big Ten Outdoor Championships, 400-meter hurdles (57.11) to earn All-America status for the second

Championships.

which will go down as one of the most memorable events in Illinois time. Mensah competed in three events at NCAAs, finishing highest in

track and field history. After standing in seventh place going into the the triple jump (12th place, 41-1 1/2).

Other noteworthy Illinois performances at the Big Ten Indoor final day of competition, the Illini had 15 athletes qualify for event

Championships included Greene taking second in the high jump (5-8 1/2), finals and scored 106 points to grab the title of Big Ten Co-Champions In total, Mensah ended her illustrious career as one of the top athletes

LaNeisha Waller placing second in the 60-meter hurdles (8.15), and Carlene with Michigan.

in Illinois track and field history, winning 15 Big Ten Championship

Robinson and Ashley Whittaker setting school records in the 600-meter run

titles, setting three school records and earning All-America status three

(1:29.40) and pole vault (12-10), respectively.

Leading the charge for the Orange and Blue was Mensah, who won four times. For her efforts, she was the Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient

events on the final day of the championships in University Park, Pa. Mensah and named the University of Illinois Dike Eddleman Female Athlete

The Illini completed the indoor season by sending six athletes to the NCAA dominated the field by winning gold in the 100-meter dash (11.53), of the Year as well as the USTFCCCA Mideast Region Outdoor Track

Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. Mensah earned the third All- 200-meter dash (23.57), triple jump (42-6 1/4) and as a member of the Athlete of the Year.

2006-07 ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

YVONNE MENSAH ENDED HER ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER AS ONE OF THE TOP ATHLETES IN ILLINOIS TRACK & FIELD HISTORY.

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2006-07 ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

SOCCER 16-8 (8-2 Big Ten) // 2nd in Big Ten // Big Ten Tournament Finals // NCAA Round of 16

I llinois soccer celebrated its 10th season by tying the school record for wins, advancing to the NCAA Round of 16 for the second time and tying a program-best by finishing second in the Big Ten. The Illini also shattered the school attendance record, with 2,667 fans enjoying a dramatic come-from-behind win against No. 9 Penn State as part of SoccerFest 2006, and finished 21st in the national attendance rankings with a school-record average of 908 fans per match.

The Illini became the first team to ever sweep the Big Ten postseason awards as junior Ella Masar was named conference Offensive Player of the Year, sophomore Emily Zurrer earned co-Defensive Player of the Year honors and Chichi Nweke was named the Freshman of the Year. Masar was a second-team All-American, while Zurrer earned a spot on the third team, as selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Illinois earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, traveling to St. Louis for the first and second rounds. The Orange and Blue ripped through the NCAA tournament's first two rounds, taking care of Southeast Missouri State, 2-0, in the first round before exacting revenge on the host Billikens in commanding fashion, 4-1. Those victories led up to a rematch with No. 5 Florida State in the NCAA Round of 16 after the Seminoles had ended Illinois' 2005 season in the second round of the NCAA tournament. FSU notched a goal in the 20th minute and, despite a number of scoring chances and a frantic defensive effort by the Illini in the second half, the 'Noles advanced to the Elite Eight with a 1-0 victory. The loss ended Illinois' season one win short of equaling the program's best-ever finish in an NCAA tournament.

Masar put together one of the best all-around seasons in Illinois history, scoring nine goals and notching nine assists, the second-most

ELLA MASAR PUT TOGETHER ONE OF THE BEST ALL-AROUND SEASONS IN After starting the season 1-3 with all three losses coming at the hands of

Big 12 foes, the Illini bounced back by winning the Illini Tournament with

ILLINOIS HISTORY, SCORING NINE GOALS AND NOTCHING NINE ASSISTS. shutouts against Syracuse and No. 13 Auburn. Following a tough double-

6 overtime loss at Saint Louis, Illinois responded with a 4-1 thrashing of No.

12 Utah at home, led by freshman Chichi Nweke's hat trick, and a road

sweep at Wisconsin and Northwestern to start Big Ten play.

in a season at Illinois, for 27 points, which ranks eighth on the Masar earned a spot on Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Season fifth-

single-season points list. She also scored five game-winning goals, team and was selected to Soccer Buzz's All-Great Lakes Region first team.

That led up to the marquee match of the regular season, pitting No. 15 second-most in Illini history, and tied the school record point streak by Nweke was selected to Soccer America's All-Freshman second team and Top

Illinois against No. 9 Penn State. The Illini spotted the Nittany Lions an scoring in eight straight games from Oct. 20-Nov. 12.

Drawer Soccer's All-Rookie second team, as well as making Soccer Buzz's

early 2-0 lead before Nweke found the back of the net in the 58th minute.

Great Lakes Region All-Freshman team.

Ella Masar followed with the tying tally just over two minutes later, then Goalkeeper Lindsey Carstens also had an incredible season, putting together

she added the game-winner in the 84th minute, setting off pandemonium a 0.88 goals-against average, third-best in Illinois history, with 11 shutouts Midfielder Jackie Santacaterina was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman

among the 2,667 fans in attendance. It was only Illinois' second win over and five consecutive shutouts, both ranking as the second-most at Illinois. team along with Nweke and earned a spot on Top Drawer Soccer's All-

PSU in program history and first during the regular season. Masar was Nweke tied the freshman record for goals in a game with her hat trick Rookie first team and Soccer Buzz's Great Lakes Region All-Freshman team.

named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for her heroics.

against Utah and finished the season as the fourth-best rookie goal-scorer in Midfielder Kristy Weeks was a second-team selection to Soccer Buzz's All-

Illinois history with eight tallies.

Great Lakes Region squad, while defender Mary Therese McDonnell was

After consecutive Sunday losses to Ohio State and Michigan, the Illini pulled

named to the Soccer Buzz All-Great Lakes Region third team.

it together for a stretch run in which they won their final three Big Ten In addition to her NSCAA All-America honor, Zurrer was named a third-

matches by a combined score of 4-0 before dispatching Wisconsin, 3-0, and team All-American by Soccer Buzz and was named to Top Drawer Soccer's The achievements continued in the classroom as 10 Illini were named

Purdue, 1-0, in the Big Ten Tournament. That set up a rematch with PSU, Team of the Season first team. She also was the first defender to earn Big Ten Academic All-Big Ten, led by Zurrer and Masar. McDonnell was selected

which the Nittany Lions won, 3-1. Masar and Emily Zurrer were named to Defensive Player of the Week honors multiple times in a season, collecting to the NSCAA's Scholar All-Central Region second team, while midfielder

the All-Big Ten Tournament team.

the honors on Sept. 11 and Oct. 23.

Paula Faherty was named to the third team. Midfielder Kara Gostisha was

an honorable mention selection.

2006-07 ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

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2006-07 ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

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