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Feb. 7, 2007
DETROIT - The Wayne State University Department of Athletics has released its annual "Top 100 Accomplishments" for the 2006 school year.
1. Installed an artificial playing surface at Adams Field for the first time in football history.
2. Student-athletes combined to volunteer for over 3,500 hours of community service at activities such as: Martin Luther King Live the Dream, Focus Hope, St. Aloysius Soup Kitchen, Motor City Makeover, Canned Food Drive, Shoes for the Homeless, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and National Student-Athlete Day.
3. Athletics raised $727,830 and finished the year with a budget surplus.
4. The latest federally-mandated NCAA report showed WSU student-athletes had a five-year graduation rate 18% higher than the comparable campus population.
5. Renovated and installed eight new tennis courts.
6. For the first time in school history, both the men's and women's swimming teams won Conference titles and became only the second institution in Conference history to capture the men's and women's championship in the same year.
7. The men's cross country team finished 8th in the country - their third top-eight finish in the NCAA Championships in the past four years.
8. Sixteen student-athletes were named All-Americans- Erika Barczak, Bruno Blanco, A. J. Erard, Rachelle Malette, Anna Garina, Tim Giblin, Nick Ingrao, Mathias Isaksson, Elisa Joris, Justyna Konczalska, Katarzyna Kuzniak, Nick Markou, Chris Mehay, Luiz Pacheco, Jared Troyer and Guilherme Veiga.
9. Paul Winters was named the Conference Coach of the Year in football, while Joique Bell was named the Freshman of the Year and the Offensive Back of the Year.
10. Installed and dedicated the eight-lane running track named in honor of Dr. Lowell "Pat" Blanchard.
11. The men's and women's fencing team finished 10th in the country in Division I.
12. Of the nearly 400 student-athletes, 46% had a 3.00 grade point average or above and sixteen (16) had perfect 4.00 averages.
13. Softball won its 12th Conference title.
14. Senior swimmer Nick Ingrao was a finalist for the NCAA Sportsmanship Award and was featured on the NCAA Winter Highlight Show aired by CBS.
15. Sophomore Rachelle Malette was honored as an All-American after finishing 14th (out of 187 qualifiers) at the NCAA championship. It was the second best finish ever by a WSU women's cross country runner (Shelley Vickery was 12th in 2002).
16. Softball student-athlete Meghan Misiak and swimmer Nick Markou were awarded NCAA degree-completion scholarships.
17. Fencers Anna Garina and Justyna Konczalska earned First Team All-American honors.
18. Senior Chris Mehay finished 28th in the country at the NCAA Championships to be named an All-American. He is only the second WSU runner ever to be a two-time All-American.
19. Ninety-seven (97) student-athletes were honored as selections to various Conference All-Academic teams.
20. Senior Jessica Snelgrove was named the women's College Hockey America Student-Athlete of the Year.
21. WSU added men's hockey to its WDTK radio package and also broadcast 10 women's hockey games on the internet.
22. The overall GPA of all Warrior athletic teams was 3.051 with 10 of the 17 teams above a 3.0 led by the women's cross country team.
23. Golf student-athlete Joe Wilson earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Super Regionals and finished 16th.
24. For the fifth year in a row, swimming and diving coach Sean Peters was named the Conference Coach of the Year.
25. Fencing coach Jerzy Radz guided the WSU fencing team to a top 10 finish for the sixth (6th) time in his career.
26. Football finished with its first winning record since 1993.
27. For the second straight year diver Erika Barczak was honored as a First Team All-American.
28. Football running back Joique Bell was honored in Sports Illustrated Faces in the Crowd.
29. The first WSU mascot "W" was unveiled.
30. Marek Petraszek won the Midwest Fencing Championship in the epee.
31. Jim Fetter was named the CHA Coach of the Year in women's hockey.
32. Nick Ingrao, Bruno Blanco, David Fontecchio and Matt Leix were named to the men's swimming and diving Conference All-Academic team.
33. Student-athletes volunteered over 1,500 community service hours as the official ambassadors of Super Bowl XL.
33. The softball team finished 12th in the nation in team GPA among fast-pitch programs with a 3.359 average.
34. The first on-campus graduation in 84 years was held at the football stadium and Tom Adams Field.
35. Volleyball senior Elisa Joris (2005) was honored as the NCAA Division II leader in blocks per game.
36. For the first time in the history of WSU football, the Warriors were ranked by the NCAA in the Region (9th after week 7 and 9th after week 10).
37. Women's hockey started an initiative to heighten public awareness of breast cancer through their "Skate for the Cure" outreach program.
38. The baseball team qualified for the GLIAC postseason tournament as one of the top four schools in the Conference.
39. Freshmen Melissa Boal and Sam Poyton were selected to the CHA First Team and All-Rookie Team.
40. The four-year-old lettermen's club exceeded 1,000 in total membership.
41. In the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Report required of all Division I programs, men's hockey had a 974 and women's hockey a 950.
42. The athletic department established a partnership with Oakwood Hospital including adding an additional staff trainer.
43. The department added a second full-time strength and conditioning coach.
44. In order to increase media outreach, WSU added the live streaming of football and basketball games.
45. Baseball student-athletes Jason Chapieski and Jon Weisman were named to the Rawlings and ABCA North Central Region team.
46. Freshman running back Joique Bell was one of 24 finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy emblematic of the best football student-athlete in Division II.
47. Sarah Kish was honored with selection to the Academic All-District IV Softball Second Team.
48. Women's hockey student-athlete Ashley King was honored as an AWHCA National Academic Scholar.
49. Shortstop Sue Verbeem was honored as a member of the NFCA All-Great Lakes Region team.
50. Football had three first team All-Conference selections - Joique Bell, David Chudzinski and Derrion Fuqua.
51. For the second time in school history, women's tennis competed in the NCAA Division II team championship.
52. The training staff increased coverage by adding two sports medicine interns.
53. Softball coach Gary Bryce was honored as GLIAC Coach of the Year.
54. Swimmer Melissa Duff was named Conference Freshman of the Year.
55. Former President Bill Clinton visited and spoke at the Matthaei along with Senator Debbie Stabenow and Governor Jennifer Granholm.
56. Eleven baseball student-athletes (second most in the GLIAC) were honored with selection to the All-Academic Team (Jason Chapieski, Kurt Kieleszewski, Mat Yenrick, Jon Weisman, Dan Barnes, Chris Baroli, Andy Claerr, Kyle Hill, Bob Schmidt, Matt Cunningham and Derek Ranck).
57. Wayne State led all schools in the region in selections to the CoSIDA Academic All District IV Football team with four selections - Ryan Oshnock, Dan Barnes, Jake Weingartz and Frank Lietke.
58. The WSU athletic website exceeded three million hits for the year and unveiled a new graphic design and display format.
59. The athletic department signed a three-year agreement with Comcast to televise contests statewide.
60. A new basketball merchandise/concession area was completed.
61. Former football student-athlete Kevin Brown is honored as the University's David D. Henry recipient as the institution's top midyear graduate.
62. The athletic department honored legendary coach Will Robinson for his life-long commitment to the development and nurturing of young adults especially those in the City of Detroit.
63. Senior tennis student-athlete Sebastian Foka was an All-Conference First Team selection.
64. Kristen Rogers became the 13th student-athlete in the history of women's basketball to score 1,000 career points.
65. Freshman Matt Krug was selected as the honorable mention Rookie of the month (November) by the Hockey Commissioner's Association.
66. Members of the Delta Gamma Chi Sorority returned to dedicate a bench outside the football stadium in the name of Mary Adams.
67. Women's basketball student-athletes Kristen Rogers, Bethany Mesko, Nicole Rogers and Cherita Smith were named to the GLIAC All-Academic team.
68. First year women's hockey student-athlete Sam Poyton earned the Easton Hockey Three Star Award and Derek Bachynski won it for the men.
69. Warrior student-athletes finished second in the Conference in funds raised for the NCAA "Make-A-Wish" campaign.
70. The student-led support group Warrior Won tripled its membership.
71. The training room added a UBE machine (Upper Body Ergometer) for rehabilitation of injuries.
72. Men's basketball attendance increased 20% over the previous year.
73. A professional development seminar was coordinated with members of the corporate community that focused on interviewing skills, job placement and resumé writing.
74. A graduate school seminar hosted by Law School Dean and faculty athletics representative Frank Wu was initiated to identify post-undergraduate school opportunities.
75. Six volleyball students earned Academic All-GLIAC honors - Michelle Bittner, Kristen Buter, Jordan Peek, Kristi Pieper, Holly Soldenski and Gina Zielonka.
76. Men's basketball student-athlete Herb Goliday was named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team.
77. Eleven men's hockey students (Matt Boldt, Kevin Bonikowski, Taylor Donohoe, Adam Drescher, Nate Higgins, Will Hooper, Matt Kelly, Steve Kovalchik, Bryan Olds, Stavros Paskaris and Dave Perri) were honored as members of the CHA All-Academic Team.
78. For the second year in a row, Kristen Rogers was honored as a member of the South Division All-Conference Second Team.
79. Tennis student-athletes Sebastien Foka, Adam Williams and Ryan Buck were named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team.
80. Eight softball student-athletes (Meghan Misiak, Jordan Sinclair, Sarah Kish, Anna Schneider, Sarah Ytsma, Meredith Boxberger, Katie Facecchia, and Lindsey Perry) were named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team.
81. Women's swimming student-athletes Lindsey O'Neill, Amanda Marshall, Stephanie Cummings, Erin Hill, Ashley Scott and Erika Barczak were recognized with the selection to the GLIAC All-Academic Team.
82. Softball student-athletes Sarah Berry, Sarah Kish, Meghan Misiak and Sue Verbeem were honored as members of the GLIAC First Team.
83. Women's basketball ticket sales doubled from the previous year.
84. Colette Cabot, Amanda Pressotto and Stephanie Van Tuyl were selected to the Conference All-Academic Team in women's tennis.
85. Men's hockey evidenced a 17% increase in attendance from a year earlier.
86. Softball student-athletes Meredith Boxberger, Katie Facecchia, Sarah Kish, Meghan Misiak, Lindsey Perry, Lisa Seymour, Jordan Sinclair, Sarah Teller and Sarah Ytsma were named to the NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete Team.
87. The basketball team poster was recognized by NACDA as a "Silver Winner".
88. Women's hockey student-athletes Jenny Cameron, Sarah Campbell, Jessica Haydahl, Ashley King, Laura Monk, Peyton Patterson, Jessica Snelgrove, Becky Sonn, Nicole Stahl, Valery Turcotte and Danielle Wilson were recognized on the CHA All-Academic Team.
89. Women's hockey ticket revenue increased over 300% from a year ago and attendance increased 100%.
90. Women's volleyball teamed with community group Think Detroit to do a series of programs on development, training and outreach education.
91. Six women's cross country runners were honored on the GLIAC All-Academic Team - Jenni Culbertson, Sarah Kearfott, Kara Kessler, Rachelle Malette, Teresa Sabin and Leah Steinke.
92. Eighteen football student-athletes earned Academic All-GLIAC honors - Dan Barnes, Mickey Berce, Chad Blair, Alan Guy, Smith Julmisse, Dale Knuth, Frank Lietke, Antonio Mansour, Terrence Mansour, Adam Nuckols, Ryan Oshnock, John Rehberg, Ray Rocheleau, Kenny Schmidt, Bruno Shkreli, Jason Thomas, Jake Weingartz and Brent Wisniewski.
93. Football senior safety Ryan Oshnock was a semifinalist for the 2006 Draddy Trophy which recognizes a student-athlete who best exemplifies academic success, community service and football performance.
94. Football season sales increased 141% from the 2005 season.
95. The entire sports medicine staff received a certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine Professional Exercise Specialist program as a result of a gift from NBA athletic trainers and WSU alums Tom and Mike Abdenour.
96. The athletic department collected and donated over 400 toys for children as part of Toys for Tots.
97. WSU hosted both the combined men's and women's College Hockey America for the first time in the Association's history and presented both championship games live nationally on CSTV.
98. Athletics hosted first-year camps for professional athletes Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons) and Lomas Brown (Detroit Lions).
99. Revenue from WSU football was the third highest in school history.
100. Men's hockey did a monthly youth clinic at the Novi Ice Arena.
Previous Years:
WSU's Top 100 Accomplishments of 2004-2005
WSU's Top 100 Accomplishments of 2003-2004