Athletics Concludes Successful 2006-07 Campaign

7/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | General

July 11, 2007

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's Athletics Department wrapped up its first year of Sun Belt Conference play with two conference titles, 84 student athletes earning all-conference honors on the field, and the highest number of student athletes earning a 3.0 GPA or better. The athletic department also ended its second-consecutive year with a balanced budget.

"It is our goal to continue to challenge our student athletes with stronger competition and new challenges," said Craig Angelos, FAU's athletics director. "Those challenges were met head-on by both the athletes and coaches. Every team was competitive, and every staff member stepped up to the challenges, as well. That competitive spirit is what drives this department to set higher standards each year, and we will continue to strive toward those lofty goals as we work to grow the department into one of the finest programs in the country, and one that can be a catalyst fulfilling the University's mission."

FAU's athletic highlights of the year include -
Football opened the 2006 fall semester with one of the country's most difficult non-conference schedules, playing Clemson, South Carolina, Oklahoma State and Kansas State.
Both men's and women's soccer advanced and challenged for the conference titles.
Men's basketball surprised the league as a team that vied for the conference crown deep into the season.
Women's swimming defended their Sun Belt title, and Head Coach Steve Eckelkamp earned "Women's Swim Coach of the Year" honors, and Dive Coach Ashley Henyan earned "Women's Diving Coach of the Year." Swimmer Ellie Weberg returned to Nationals for the third time and earned All-American honors.
Women's indoor track completed their first season under the Sun Belt umbrella and saw times drastically improved over their first season of competition just one year ago. Their accomplishments in both the indoor and outdoor season only will be enhanced with the opening of a new track complex that boasts one of the country's best surfaces, not to mention climate.
Both men's tennis and women's golf had individuals who shined and who elevated the level of play among their teammates.
Softball opened a new record book after dominating the Atlantic Sun for 12 seasons and capturing more conference titles than any other team in the league's history. This year's team won its first Sun Belt Conference Championship. Joan Joyce captured "Sun Belt Coach of the Year" honors, while Jen Mussilo earned "SBC Pitcher of the Year" honors, and Mandie Fishback was awarded with "SBC Player of the Year."
Robbie Widlansky set new records for a baseball program that is a perennial top-20 program and has made itself a regular in NCAA postseason play. Widlansky was among the contenders for the nation's "Player of the Year" award deep into June. He earned All-American honors and was named the "SBC Player of the Year." The athletes concluded the season with 10 players offered a professional contract.

Academically, 152 student athletes earned a 3.0 GPA or better in the fall semester, while a program-high 159 student athletes earned the same accomplishment the spring semester. Seventy-six student-athletes graduated during the academic year. Combined with those electing to play professionally, 86 (nearly 20 percent) student-athletes moved on to new challenges.

While the athletes were excelling competitively in both the cla ssroom and on the playing field, the athletics department's aggressive goals in the ticket and development areas were met. This can be attributed to the generous support of the Florida Atlantic community, including the Owl Club and Director's Club. Major gifts and events, such as the athletic department auction and golf tournament, enabled the department to improve development efforts by 50 percent. This success allowed the department to meet its budget for the second-consecutive year, despite the expected variances in the areas of more extended travel in a new league.

With a solid foundation set in the first year of full team play in the Sun Belt Conference, Florida Atlantic will open its 2007 season with volleyball's weekend tournament at New Mexico on Friday, August 24. Women's soccer also will be on the road to open the year when they travel to San Diego for a tournament. Men's soccer will open the year at home on Saturday, August 31 against Missouri-Kansas City. Football will open is campaign on Saturday, September 1 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale when the Owls play host to Sun Belt Conference opponent Middle Tennessee, one of seven teams on the 2007 schedule who played in a 2006 bowl game.

Note:
-Conference Champions: Women's swimming and softball.
-All-Americans: Ellie Weberg (swimming) and Robbie Widlansky (baseball)
-Sun Belt Players of the Year: Ellie Weberg (swimming), Robbie Widlansky (baseball), Jen Mussillo (softball), Mandie Fishback (softball), Friederike Feil (Women's Indoor Track Most Outstanding Performer) Friederike Feil (Indoor Track Freshman of the Year)
-Average players to earn a 3.0 in both semesters: 156.5 (35 percent)
-Athletes Graduated: 86
-Sun Belt Coaches of the Year: Steve Eckelkamp (women's swimming), Ashley Henyan (women's dive), Joan Joyce (softball)

First-Team All-Conference*
Lindsey Alexander (w. swimming) 5x
William Block (baseball)
Janique Booth (w. outdoor track)
Geni Burts (w. swimming) 3x
Malika Clary (w. outdoor track)
Kyle DeCicco (m. swimming)
Stephanie DeRito (w. swimming)
Trisha Doyle (cross country)
Trisha Doyle (w. outdoor track)
Friederike Feil (cross country)
Brittany Fabry (w. swimming)
Nello Faulk (football)
Friederike Feil (w. indoor track) 2x
Friederike Feil (w. outdoor track) 2x
Mandie Fishback (softball)
Jennifer Forcht (w. swimming) 5x
Monika Grabowiecka (w. indoor track)
Shawna Griffith (w. swimming)
Jenny Harmes (w. swimming) 4x
Toni Jackson (w. indoor track)
Jessica Lampkin (w. swimming) 3x
Toyria Mattear (w. outdoor track)
Bianca Murphy (w. swimming) 6x
Jen Musillo (softball)
Kalina Neal (w. swimming) 2x
Eren Onurlu (m. swimming) 2x
Praewnapa Phol-Uayporn (w. golf)
Josh Pinnick (football)
Brandi Prather (w. indoor track)
Lisa Thompson (w. swimming)
Alicia Tirelli (w. soccer)
Samantha Schlachterman (w. swimming) 2x
Lauren Shue (w. swimming) 5x
Kerry-Ann Stewart (w. outdoor track)
Brittany Vollmer (w. outdoor track)
Ellie Weberg (w. swimming) 4x
Robbie Widlansky (baseball)
Ashley Wilcox (w. indoor track)