Words With Weems
St. Cloud State Director of Athletics Blog
Welcome to Words With Weems, the St. Cloud State University Director of Athletics Blog!
In this blog spot, Heather Weems, St. Cloud State Director of Athletics will offer insights into Husky Athletics throughout the year. It will cover everything from the student-athlete experience at St. Cloud State to trends in college athletics. Look for the blog every month. You can also follow Weems on Twitter @SCSUHUSKIES_AD. It's Our Time, Your Team!
Blog #5, Dec. 12, 2013As I mentioned in an earlier post, I enjoy traveling with teams and getting to know the student-athletes and remain connected to their experience, and the aches and pains that arise after eight hours on a bus. This past weekend, I once again had the privilege to travel with our Football program to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinal Play-offs. And while many would not call Northwest Missouri a choice destination, I thoroughly enjoyed my campus tour and time in the area.
Northwest Missouri State University is located in the small, tightknit farming community of Maryville. Despite a population of just over 12,000, they regularly fill Bearcat Stadium with 7000+ fans. It was impressive to see the loyalty and school spirit, and to witness the town painted green. The grocery store and drug store (both non-local chains) display the banners and colors of Northwest with pride. The town square is inundated with posters and well wishes of the community. And on game day, even with highs in the upper teens, the fans, the maintenance staff, the security, arrived at the stadium dressed in Bearcat green. It is the vision I hold for St. Cloud.
As I make my rounds in the community, I certainly appreciate the fan and corporate support I see. Our logo, the
StC, is a strong brand for us, and certainly recognizable to many. And yet, there is opportunity for more. St. Cloud is a college town – between the students, faculty, staff, and visitors, close to 20,000 people venture into our campus and community weekly, and in many cases daily. They shop, dine, and stay in the area. The relationship is symbiotic - our campus benefits from the services and vitality of the community just as the community benefits from the strong performance of the University.
As a Mom with four young boys (and one older boy in my husband), part of my research into St. Cloud when I first looked at the opening in
athletics was to determine the opportunities my family would have in the community. It was important to me that we find schools that meet their academic needs, clubs that provide extracurricular activities, and entertainment that enables us to have family experiences. Let me just say that we run helter-skelter with all the activities of school, athletics, music, etc. I will add, however, that Husky Athletics provides my boys a place to engage with role models and icons. And that is something I think is a great asset of collegiate athletics – our students are touchable and real to our fans, and provide a connection to the University.
In a world with multiple options for discretionary entertainment, be it television, movies, theatre, the great outdoors, etc., I still believe that school pride and spirit is good for us all. At the end of the day, most of us just want to feel a part of something bigger; we want to have a “group” with which we identify. It is my goal that we provide for Central Minnesota the opportunity to take pride in St. Cloud State University, to engage our youth with positive role models, and to build community vitality through the interconnectedness of “town and gown”. We want to be a choice partner of the community, and we want to help establish in St. Cloud a sense of accomplishment and pride in who we are. I look forward to our continued partnership in painting the town Husky red.
Go HUSKIES!!!
Heather
Blog #4, Nov. 26, 2013...............................
Because I am a social media reader and now get most of my news, current events, and “athletics industry” articles and viewpoints through Twitter and an app on my new smart phone called Flipboard, I have to share that I am always amazed by those bloggers who find and/or make the time to stay current. At any given time I have the start to about three blogs in my head (and truth be told I have four started in my saved documents). The tough part is committing the time to put them on paper in an intelligible, grammatically correct, and interesting product.
Sometimes, however, the best articles are those that give you a look into the lives of our student-athletes. The past two weekends I have had the privilege to travel with our women’s hockey and football teams respectively. While I certainly enjoy some time out of the office, the value of traveling is that it keeps me connected to those for whom I do my job: our student-athletes.
In many ways I know the lives of our student-athletes are privileged. They have access to friendships, mentors, and leadership opportunities that shape who they are. They also enjoy travel that is highly enriching – simply leaving our own corner of the world demonstrates there are other ways to live.
For many of our women’s hockey players, our recent trip was their first to the Rocky Mountains, as Wisconsin hosted the tournament in Vail, Colorado. The mountains provide an incredibly humbling backdrop to life. In the shadows of the peaks we see how small, and in some cases, insignificant we are to this world. We recognize that we are but a piece of history. We also see how fortunate we are to have access to elite women’s hockey while pursuing a degree.
As a fan you might ask why we would travel to a community rink in Vail for a
In a world with multiple options for discretionary entertainment, be it television, movies, theatre, the great outdoors, etc., I still believe that school pride and spirit is good for us all. At the end of the day, most of us just want to feel a part of something bigger; we want to have a “group” with which we identify. It is my goal that we provide for Central Minnesota the opportunity to take pride in St. Cloud State University, to engage our youth with positive role models, and to build community vitality through the interconnectedness of “town and gown”. We want to be a choice partner of the community, and we want to help establish in St. Cloud a sense of accomplishment and pride in who we are. I look forward to our continued partnership in painting the town Husky red.
Go HUSKIES!!!
Heather
Blog #4, Nov. 26, 2013...............................
Because I am a social media reader and now get most of my news, current events, and “athletics industry” articles and viewpoints through Twitter and an app on my new smart phone called Flipboard, I have to share that I am always amazed by those bloggers who find and/or make the time to stay current. At any given time I have the start to about three blogs in my head (and truth be told I have four started in my saved documents). The tough part is committing the time to put them on paper in an intelligible, grammatically correct, and interesting product.
Sometimes, however, the best articles are those that give you a look into the lives of our student-athletes. The past two weekends I have had the privilege to travel with our women’s hockey and football teams respectively. While I certainly enjoy some time out of the office, the value of traveling is that it keeps me connected to those for whom I do my job: our student-athletes.
In many ways I know the lives of our student-athletes are privileged. They have access to friendships, mentors, and leadership opportunities that shape who they are. They also enjoy travel that is highly enriching – simply leaving our own corner of the world demonstrates there are other ways to live.
For many of our women’s hockey players, our recent trip was their first to the Rocky Mountains, as Wisconsin hosted the tournament in Vail, Colorado. The mountains provide an incredibly humbling backdrop to life. In the shadows of the peaks we see how small, and in some cases, insignificant we are to this world. We recognize that we are but a piece of history. We also see how fortunate we are to have access to elite women’s hockey while pursuing a degree.
As a fan you might ask why we would travel to a community rink in Vail for a
tournament. Mark Johnson, head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers and former 1980 Olympic team member, deliberately chose this area to introduce collegiate women’s hockey to young girls who have not seen this level of play. The farthest collegiate women’s hockey team to the west is the University of North Dakota, so students growing up in the West don’t have familiarity with the speed and agility of our game. Youth and parents alike came out to support our teams, and enjoyed autograph sessions and clinics as part of their engagement. And with the tournament field of St. Cloud State, Wisconsin, Boston University, and Northeastern University, the families were treated to spectacular play. I heard over and over again the pleasure of these young girls in witnessing the possibilities; in seeing what is available to those who excel as a future option in hockey.
Most recently I traveled with football to the first round NCAA play-offs in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. For many of our students, and even some of our coaches, this was their first exposure to southern hospitality, including grits. And for a couple students, it was their first time on an airplane. To fly into Little Rock was to go back weeks in time. The trees were covered in their fall leaves, and the temps, while cold for Arkansas, represented a nice break from our wind chills. The staff at hotels, restaurants, and the University were excited to host us, and had plenty of questions about the whereabouts of St. Cloud State. While traveling with a 70-person roster makes eating local fair difficult, it is beneficial to us all to see that north or south, east or west, the common denominator in much of athletics is commitment, desire, and the never-ending quest for excellence.
As an administrator, it is easy to become disconnected. We spend much of our time in departmental, campus, and external meetings. And while those meetings are valuable to our strategic approach and operations, they in and of themselves can become disingenuous if not connected to our real purpose. I believe I came to this understanding of influence honestly: throughout my life I have watched my Mom, a high school English/Literature teacher, impact student lives. She has this ability because she is committed to identifying with the students in her classroom each year and helping them understand literature in the context of their current lives. She helps them connect the struggles of humanity in historic times through Dickens, Bradbury, or Hawthorne with their own lives. Discussed at this level, bullying is not a new concept, nor is international conflict, political tension, or even personal accountability. Rather we can learn from the past in an attempt to avoid repeating our mistakes. In this same way, my interaction with students lends me connection to their difficulties and opportunities; a chance to share with them in triumphs and defeats, and witness the growth first hand.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I appreciate the rich experience participation in athletics provides to student-athletes. And while it certainly comes with great responsibility and sacrifice, I know overwhelmingly our graduates look back on their time at St. Cloud State with fondness and appreciation for the foundation they established. Thank you, friends and fans, for being part of our program, and for believing in the growth and development of our teams.
With gratitude,
Heather
Blog #3, Oct. 15, 2013...........................................
Husky Fans and Friends:
With the hectic start to the year, including the opening of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, “Words with Weems” has been more difficult to complete than anticipated. With that said, I am working to get back on a better schedule as this is a wonderful opportunity to both educate and inform you all about our department, and let you into some of the inner-thoughts of my position.
Over the weekend we hosted the 28th Hall of Fame induction celebration in the Atrium of the Brooks Center. With a packed house, it was a new experience to hold this wonderful event surrounded by the Husky colors and stories that make the Brooks Center such an inspiring facility. The stories of our inductees and their special connection to St. Cloud State brought laughs and caused us to remember our own stories of this great University. I thank the inductees and their families and friends for sharing in this moment, and the many others who made this possible.
As a follow-up, I wanted to share in “Words with Weems” my comments from the Induction. The experience of our student-athletes, alumni, fans, and friends are interconnected – I hope you will think about the role you play in strengthening this community not only now, but for years to come. Thanks again for listening.
2013 Hall of Fame Induction
October 12, 2013
Good morning. On behalf of Husky Athletics, our coaches, staff, and student-athletes, I am pleased to welcome the Class
As an administrator, it is easy to become disconnected. We spend much of our time in departmental, campus, and external meetings. And while those meetings are valuable to our strategic approach and operations, they in and of themselves can become disingenuous if not connected to our real purpose. I believe I came to this understanding of influence honestly: throughout my life I have watched my Mom, a high school English/Literature teacher, impact student lives. She has this ability because she is committed to identifying with the students in her classroom each year and helping them understand literature in the context of their current lives. She helps them connect the struggles of humanity in historic times through Dickens, Bradbury, or Hawthorne with their own lives. Discussed at this level, bullying is not a new concept, nor is international conflict, political tension, or even personal accountability. Rather we can learn from the past in an attempt to avoid repeating our mistakes. In this same way, my interaction with students lends me connection to their difficulties and opportunities; a chance to share with them in triumphs and defeats, and witness the growth first hand.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I appreciate the rich experience participation in athletics provides to student-athletes. And while it certainly comes with great responsibility and sacrifice, I know overwhelmingly our graduates look back on their time at St. Cloud State with fondness and appreciation for the foundation they established. Thank you, friends and fans, for being part of our program, and for believing in the growth and development of our teams.
With gratitude,
Heather
Blog #3, Oct. 15, 2013...........................................
Husky Fans and Friends:
With the hectic start to the year, including the opening of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, “Words with Weems” has been more difficult to complete than anticipated. With that said, I am working to get back on a better schedule as this is a wonderful opportunity to both educate and inform you all about our department, and let you into some of the inner-thoughts of my position.
Over the weekend we hosted the 28th Hall of Fame induction celebration in the Atrium of the Brooks Center. With a packed house, it was a new experience to hold this wonderful event surrounded by the Husky colors and stories that make the Brooks Center such an inspiring facility. The stories of our inductees and their special connection to St. Cloud State brought laughs and caused us to remember our own stories of this great University. I thank the inductees and their families and friends for sharing in this moment, and the many others who made this possible.
As a follow-up, I wanted to share in “Words with Weems” my comments from the Induction. The experience of our student-athletes, alumni, fans, and friends are interconnected – I hope you will think about the role you play in strengthening this community not only now, but for years to come. Thanks again for listening.
2013 Hall of Fame Induction
October 12, 2013
Good morning. On behalf of Husky Athletics, our coaches, staff, and student-athletes, I am pleased to welcome the Class
of 2013 into the exclusive group of leaders and performers who comprise the St. Cloud State Athletics Hall of Fame. It is truly an honor which places you amongst some of our most distinguished alumni. I would also like to thank the Hall of Fame committee (please stand) – we appreciate the thought and deliberation that goes into the selection process and will continue to expand nominations of qualified alumni as we go forward. Thanks again. Finally, I would like for all the current members of the Athletics Hall of Fame to also stand – what an incredible achievement. Thanks for being here.
I’d like to begin with a short story:
“Three men, all engaged at the same employment, were asked what they were doing. One said he was making five dollars a day. Another replied he was cutting stone. The third said he was building a cathedral. The difference was not in what they were actually doing, although the spirit of the third quite possibly made him the expert at his task. They were all earning the same wage; they were all cutting stone; but only one held it in his mind that he was helping build a great edifice. Life meant more to him than to his mates, because he saw further and more clearly.”
I came about my career more by default than design, although I believe it to be my calling. But truly what stands out to me about the athletics experience, and the reason I am so passionate about what we do, is our collective belief that “it” is bigger than any one of us. To earn this honor today required a selflessness that led you to success. As a coach, as a player, or as a leader your commitment was not simply to your own statistics, win-loss records, or accolades. Your commitment was to your teammates, your coach, your University. You spent time in the gym, the pool, on the ice, or mat, field or hardwood court certainly to hone your own skills, but also to make those around you better. The dedication of your peers, your teammates, helped you to push harder and reach higher than you thought possible. And you were rewarded for those efforts. Congratulations.
I am also going to assume that those skills didn’t disappear once your eligibility expired or you accepted your degree at commencement. That mindset has served you well as parents, as partners, as professionals. You have taken your view of the world developed through your experience, and applied it to many more settings.
In the same way, as we sit in this newly renovated facility, I assert the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center is not only about positioning a strong collegiate hockey program, although we do believe it will do that. More importantly, it is about creating an understanding of history, an appreciation for commitment, and a sense of pride in this place – St. Cloud State University.
As we work with student-athletes today, my goal is they live in this moment; they take advantage of their opportunities and their potential – academic, athletic, social; they make memories and friendships that will sustain them through their good times and bad; they develop leadership and perseverance that will support their personal and professional goals; and that we build in them a connection to this University that is meaningful and real.
Later this morning we will hear your stories – those accounts that showcase your experience as a Husky in your time – the opportunities you had, the memories and friendships that sustained you, the leadership skills you developed. The people and experiences that made your connection to St. Cloud State meaningful and real.
Like my earlier story, today I could say we were serving brunch. Or I could attest that we were honoring deserving performers. Both of which are true. I’d rather say we are building a community – one which crosses sports, positions, and generations; one which honors its elders and develops its youth; one which connects the lessons of yesterday with the challenges of tomorrow; one in which people return because it is comfortable, it is meaningful, and it is home.
Andy (Arlynn Anderson)…Craig (Dahl)…John (Blomlie)…Jack (Harrison)…Sarah (Loquai) DeJarnett…Tina (Schreiner) Pendergast…Richie (Douglas)…and Sharon (DeMorett) posthumously representing Distinguished Service Award honoree Carol Smith, congratulations on your hall of fame inductions. You served this University well; you gave of yourself and your time; you earned your place in our record books. Welcome home.
Please enjoy your brunch and we’ll be back soon!
Go HUSKIES!!!
Heather
Blog #2, Aug. 9, 2013....................................................
Lazy Days of Summer
As summer days begin to shorten and we make preparations to welcome our fall sport student-athletes, it seems a good time to address a fantasy in the intercollegiate athletics scene...summer break. Throughout the course of the summer I am often asked if the workload slows during this time and we enjoy time away from the office. As with any organization/industry, there is an annual cycle in college athletics that is somewhat predictable. But the predictable still requires a significant presence throughout the year.
From a coaching perspective, athletics success now requires a full-year commitment. On any given day, you will find many of our coaches on the recruiting trail. They enjoy (or in some cases endure) hours of scouting and talent evaluation in gyms, rinks, fields, and diamonds throughout the region and across the country as they look for the next generation of Husky greats. The explosion of club and youth tournaments over the past decade, and the sport specialization at young ages – a conversation worthy of its own blog – guarantees that prospective players are active at all times of the year.
In addition to the recruiting requirements, many of our coaches spend time in the summer on
I’d like to begin with a short story:
“Three men, all engaged at the same employment, were asked what they were doing. One said he was making five dollars a day. Another replied he was cutting stone. The third said he was building a cathedral. The difference was not in what they were actually doing, although the spirit of the third quite possibly made him the expert at his task. They were all earning the same wage; they were all cutting stone; but only one held it in his mind that he was helping build a great edifice. Life meant more to him than to his mates, because he saw further and more clearly.”
I came about my career more by default than design, although I believe it to be my calling. But truly what stands out to me about the athletics experience, and the reason I am so passionate about what we do, is our collective belief that “it” is bigger than any one of us. To earn this honor today required a selflessness that led you to success. As a coach, as a player, or as a leader your commitment was not simply to your own statistics, win-loss records, or accolades. Your commitment was to your teammates, your coach, your University. You spent time in the gym, the pool, on the ice, or mat, field or hardwood court certainly to hone your own skills, but also to make those around you better. The dedication of your peers, your teammates, helped you to push harder and reach higher than you thought possible. And you were rewarded for those efforts. Congratulations.
I am also going to assume that those skills didn’t disappear once your eligibility expired or you accepted your degree at commencement. That mindset has served you well as parents, as partners, as professionals. You have taken your view of the world developed through your experience, and applied it to many more settings.
In the same way, as we sit in this newly renovated facility, I assert the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center is not only about positioning a strong collegiate hockey program, although we do believe it will do that. More importantly, it is about creating an understanding of history, an appreciation for commitment, and a sense of pride in this place – St. Cloud State University.
As we work with student-athletes today, my goal is they live in this moment; they take advantage of their opportunities and their potential – academic, athletic, social; they make memories and friendships that will sustain them through their good times and bad; they develop leadership and perseverance that will support their personal and professional goals; and that we build in them a connection to this University that is meaningful and real.
Later this morning we will hear your stories – those accounts that showcase your experience as a Husky in your time – the opportunities you had, the memories and friendships that sustained you, the leadership skills you developed. The people and experiences that made your connection to St. Cloud State meaningful and real.
Like my earlier story, today I could say we were serving brunch. Or I could attest that we were honoring deserving performers. Both of which are true. I’d rather say we are building a community – one which crosses sports, positions, and generations; one which honors its elders and develops its youth; one which connects the lessons of yesterday with the challenges of tomorrow; one in which people return because it is comfortable, it is meaningful, and it is home.
Andy (Arlynn Anderson)…Craig (Dahl)…John (Blomlie)…Jack (Harrison)…Sarah (Loquai) DeJarnett…Tina (Schreiner) Pendergast…Richie (Douglas)…and Sharon (DeMorett) posthumously representing Distinguished Service Award honoree Carol Smith, congratulations on your hall of fame inductions. You served this University well; you gave of yourself and your time; you earned your place in our record books. Welcome home.
Please enjoy your brunch and we’ll be back soon!
Go HUSKIES!!!
Heather
Blog #2, Aug. 9, 2013....................................................
Lazy Days of Summer
As summer days begin to shorten and we make preparations to welcome our fall sport student-athletes, it seems a good time to address a fantasy in the intercollegiate athletics scene...summer break. Throughout the course of the summer I am often asked if the workload slows during this time and we enjoy time away from the office. As with any organization/industry, there is an annual cycle in college athletics that is somewhat predictable. But the predictable still requires a significant presence throughout the year.
From a coaching perspective, athletics success now requires a full-year commitment. On any given day, you will find many of our coaches on the recruiting trail. They enjoy (or in some cases endure) hours of scouting and talent evaluation in gyms, rinks, fields, and diamonds throughout the region and across the country as they look for the next generation of Husky greats. The explosion of club and youth tournaments over the past decade, and the sport specialization at young ages – a conversation worthy of its own blog – guarantees that prospective players are active at all times of the year.
In addition to the recruiting requirements, many of our coaches spend time in the summer on
professional development. Whether attending coaching camps and clinics as participants or coaches or serving as presenters, the networking opportunity is great and provides the opportunity for coaches to enhance their own knowledge and exposure.
On the administrative front, summer is a planning period and a tremendous time to work with coaches and campus to launch new initiatives and prepare for the academic year. In simple terminology, many of our staff members are event planners charged with developing, organizing, promoting, and delivering entertainment for students and fans. Our goal is to ensure connection between our marketing, promotions, communication, game operations, etc. as we make St. Cloud State the place for athletics events every weekend.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention our student focus and some of the planning that goes into preparing for the return of students in the fall. Husky student-athletes are wonderful role models and ambassadors for our University. As we continue to build a culture of shared values, it is important that our students see St. Cloud State as their second “home”, and take advantage of the many touch-points of support including coaches, athletics trainers, strength staff, academic advisors, media relations staff, and administrators. At the heart of what we do is the student, and the web of support and care we provide through our actions and programs is critical to their success as athletes and their continuing connection to SCSU upon graduation.
Student-athletes begin reporting next week…I look forward to seeing you in the stands for another great year of Husky Athletics!
Heather
On the administrative front, summer is a planning period and a tremendous time to work with coaches and campus to launch new initiatives and prepare for the academic year. In simple terminology, many of our staff members are event planners charged with developing, organizing, promoting, and delivering entertainment for students and fans. Our goal is to ensure connection between our marketing, promotions, communication, game operations, etc. as we make St. Cloud State the place for athletics events every weekend.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention our student focus and some of the planning that goes into preparing for the return of students in the fall. Husky student-athletes are wonderful role models and ambassadors for our University. As we continue to build a culture of shared values, it is important that our students see St. Cloud State as their second “home”, and take advantage of the many touch-points of support including coaches, athletics trainers, strength staff, academic advisors, media relations staff, and administrators. At the heart of what we do is the student, and the web of support and care we provide through our actions and programs is critical to their success as athletes and their continuing connection to SCSU upon graduation.
Student-athletes begin reporting next week…I look forward to seeing you in the stands for another great year of Husky Athletics!
Heather
#OurTimeYourTeam
Blog #1, July 2013..................................................................................
As I begin my second year at the helm of St. Cloud State Athletics, I do so with appreciation and excitement; appreciation for your open arms in welcoming me to the team, and excitement for what we can continue to build together. As part of this process, I want to introduce Words With Weems, a blog that I will refresh throughout the year to celebrate the success of our programs and keep you updated on events, programs, and initiatives throughout the department.
To start, I would like to look back and highlight the many successes of the 2012-13 academic year:
Student-athletes at St. Cloud State represented the University well academically and athletically. The academic culture set by our coaches aims to support the success of our student-athletes by providing resources and accountability for academic progress. First year student-athletes are welcomed into an environment where the upperclassmen serve as peer mentors as they role model and guide new teammates through a transition that can be overwhelming. They provide that support while honing their own resumes and accomplishments.
Over the course of the year, six students were named COSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America® including:
First team: Second Team:
Andrew Beckman, Football Drew LeBlanc, Hockey
Luke Weber, Diving Phil Imholte, Baseball
Jake Kahnke, Wrestling
Stephanie Crandall, Swimming
Senior baseball player Phil Imholte was named an NCAA Postgraduate Scholar. Imholte will receive $7,500 as part of this scholarship and was one of 174 total scholarship winners across all three NCAA divisions.
Phil Imholte, baseball, and Stephanie Crandall, swimming, were named NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award honorees. To receive the award, students must be of senior status, exhausting their eligibility, and have maintained a minimum 3.75 cumulative grade point-average.
Eighty-one student-athletes were named to the 2012-13 NSIC All-Academic Teams. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a member of the varsity traveling team, reached sophomore status, been at the institution for an academic year, and hold a cumulative grade point-average of 3.20 or better.
Sixteen men’s and 12 women’s hockey student-athletes were named to the All-WCHA academic team. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a member of the varsity team, served a year of residency at the institution, and hold a cumulative grade point-average of 3.00 or better.
Husky Wrestling finished second in the National Championship Tournament for the third consecutive year after winning the NWCA Division II National Duals and extending their dual winning streak to 47 matches. Senior Shamus O’Grady earned a National Championship at 184 pounds, and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the National Championship. O’Grady finished his career as a four-time All-American after a 40-1 record in his final season. Seniors Andy Pokorny and Jacob D. Horn advanced to the finals of their weight class and finished second nationally while earning All-American honors. Four additional Huskies earned All-America honors at the Championship: Jacob Kahnke (fourth All-American honor at 285), Gabe Fogarty, Matt Nelson, and Clint Poster. The leader of our team, Head Coach Steve Costanzo, captured his 100th career victory on February 14 and was named NSIC Coach of the Year.
Husky Hockey advanced to the Frozen Four for the first time in school history after beating Notre Dame and Miami University of Ohio to claim the Midwest Region Championship. In the final year of membership in the WCHA, the men’s team shared the MacNaughton Cup, and fans enjoyed taking photos with the trophy, which holds one of the most storied histories in sport. Senior captain Drew LeBlanc was named the Hobey Baker Award winner as the top collegiate hockey player in the nation, another first in school history. LeBlanc and junior Nick Jensen were named first team All-America, and senior Ben Hanowski was named a Lowe’s Senior Class Award finalist. Jensen was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, while LeBlanc captured both WCHA Player of the Year and Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year honors, the first time a single player has taken both awards. LeBlanc’s recognition continued as he was named the 2013 Premier Player of College Hockey and earned an ESPY nomination as Top Collegiate Male Student-Athlete.
Despite spring snows that challenged play almost daily, Husky Baseball posted a 37-11 overall record and won the 2013 NSIC regular season crown with a 19-3 record. The team claimed a spot in their fourth consecutive NCAA Division II Regional Tournament, where they advanced to the Championship game. Reese Gregory was named to the 2103 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II All-America Honorable Mention team, and Scott Lieser was named to the 2103 Daktronics Division II Baseball All-American Honorable Mention team.
In the pool, Husky Swimming and Diving advanced 10 men and 15 women to the NCAA National Championships and combined for 11 All-American honors while setting seven school records over four days of competition. The women’s squad earned 35 All-Conference awards on their way to capturing the NSIC swimming and diving championship title. Senior diver Luke Weber became the third Husky male diver in school history to win an NCAA Division II National title on the three-meter board. Two days later, he finished as the national runner-up on the one-meter board. St. Cloud State diving coach Tracy Torgerson CSCAA Division II Men’s Diving Coach of the Year for the second straight year, and third in her career. Head coach Jeff Hegle took home NSIC Swimming Coach of the Year honors while Torgerson was named conference Diving Coach of the Year.Husky Men’s Basketball posted its second straight 20-win season and earned both national and regional rankings throughout the season. The team won the NSIC North Division title and advanced to the second round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. The team was recognized as an NCAA statistical champion for fewest turnovers per game.
Husky Women’s Basketball won the NSIC North Division title and advanced to the second round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. Guard Sam Price was recognized as the NCAA statistical champion in free throw shooting percentage.
In Track and Field/Cross Country action, under the tutelage of first year Head Coach Eric Hanenberger, three SCSU student-athletes brought home All-Region cross country honors, George Kawalawu qualified for the NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor National Championship, and Joe Mooney qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Husky Men’s Golf captured the 2013 NSIC Championship by a commanding 32 strokes, SCSU’s first title since re-joining the League in 2008. The title qualified the team for the NCAA Super Region action, their 12th consecutive appearance, in Kenosha, WI. Head Coach Judi Larkin was honored as the NSIC Coach of the Year.
As I have said many times, St. Cloud State has built our success on the shoulders of student-athletes and coaches who are committed to excellence. It has certainly been my pleasure to get to know and learn from them over the past year. And it is my goal to continue to support them in their efforts to make a difference in the lives of individuals, and in building pride throughout the campus and community.
In future editions of Words With Weems it is my desire to share with you information, observations, and highlights about St. Cloud State University, Husky Athletics, and NCAA and Conference issues that help shape an understanding of our world. I am proud of the work and accomplishments of Husky Athletics, and it is important we share our stories with you, our fans, friends, and community. Thanks again for your support. GO HUSKIES!
Heather
