The following was sent to all athletics alumni who we have an e-mail on in our school database. If you are an athletics alumni who did not receive this e-mail and would like to, contact Karen Garmatter in the public relations office at garmatterk@bluffton.edu.
A note from athletics director Phill Talavinia, talaviniap@bluffton.edu
Welcome to the first e-newsletter of the New Year. This concept has been well received and we look forward to communicating with you in the future. We want and need you to be involved, supportive, and proud of athletics here at Bluffton.
Speaking of being supportive, let me remind you again about TEAM Bluffton. If you recall, this is a new way to provide financial assistance directly to the athletics program. This initiative has been well received but we continue to look for more of you to be involved in this concept. If you need information or have specific questions, please call me at (419) 358-3226, or better yet, stop in and see our teams play.
Let me also remind you of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on
Our basketball seasons are in full swing and the spring sports are ready to begin their preparations for the upcoming season. I would invite all of you to campus to watch the teams play. I don’t think you will leave disappointed.
Thanks again for your support; past, present, and future of Bluffton athletics.
Baseball: Head Coach James Grandey, grandeyj@bluffton.edu
The
The team also is hosting a hitting and pitching camp for six Sundays in January and February. This camp is being offered in conjunction with the
The team is very excited for this season and is working very hard to improve on last season. The team is also ready to head south to
Men’s Basketball: Head Coach Guy Neal, nealg@bluffton.edu
Our men’s basketball team ended 2004 on a very positive note winning three in a row. The three wins came at Hiram before Christmas and at home in the McDonald’s of Bluffton Holiday tournament. In the holiday tournament, we defeated
January means the beginning of HCAC conference play. Because of the snow and ice storms that hit the Bluffton area at the end of December, our first league game at
Everyone associated with our basketball program here at Bluffton wants to wish you a happy new year. We hope that 2005 is a great year for you.
Also, our annual alumni basketball game is going to be on Saturday, Feb. 19, at
Follow the Beavers at www.blufftonbeavers.com
Women’s Basketball: Head Coach Amanda Curtis, curtisa@bluffton.edu
The Bluffton women’s basketball team is steadily improving as we move into conference play this month. Having completed our non-conference schedule, the team is ready to take on the HCAC. We played some very strong non-conference games including the defending national champions,
The start of our conference schedule was delayed twice due to severe ice storms and power outages. When the game was finally played, the Beavers were able to pick up a quality win against conference opponent
Cross Country/Track and Field: Head Coach Janey Meeks, meeksj@bluffton.edu
The men’s and women’s track and field teams have just returned from winter break. The teams are back at practice and we are gearing up for our first indoor track and field meet at
We have several strong returning athletes on both the men’s and women’s sides and they will continue to be the leaders of our team. These upper classmen will be a tremendous asset in leading our younger up and coming individuals. The teams have been working hard and are ready to start competing. Please check the Bluffton athletics website for schedule information and detailed results from all of our meets. We thank you for your continued support of Bluffton track and field.
Men’s and Women’s Soccer: Head Coach Steve Smucker, smuckers@bluffton.edu
Even though fall is a number of months away, our athletes continue to work at immediate self improvement. Players are now starting their second indoor and weight training “block” of activities. Along with this, a small group of students are also pursuing team leadership. Each Wednesday, an article is handed out via campus mail for these students to read and review. The following Friday these athletes meet with coach Smucker to reflect and discuss the element of leadership that is being presented. Our goal is to assist and empower our athletes to lead our teams, and to help them set standards for character, integrity and hard work through their actions.
Both the men’s and women’s teams have a number of younger players, and the development of leadership in these athletes in the coming years is going to be a crucial part of this program’s improvement. If you have comments about leadership issues, or would like possible resources please contact coach Smucker.
Also happening this spring (March 5) is our second annual Indoor High School Classic Girls soccer tournament. This 4 vs. 4 tournament will highlight our local area’s high school and club talent. This event is offered by the women’s soccer team as a way to promote the growth of women’s soccer and to generate funds for out-of-budget expenses. More tournament information can be attained online at: www.blufftonbeavers.com/womenssoccer
Softball: Head Coach Holly Spann, spannh@bluffton.edu
The softball team will open the season with practice Jan. 24. Per our tradition, we will begin at
Volleyball: Head Coach Sara Wakefield, wakefields@bluffton.edu
The Beaver volleyball team begins spring semester with a schedule of open gyms and conditioning/lifting. Captains will lead the team in two open gyms each week, focusing on improving individual skills and working together as a unit under new leadership after the loss of four graduating seniors. The team generally looks forward to this portion of the spring, as it gives them a chance to practice specific plays with the setter, usually focusing on speeding up the offense and working on “fancy “ plays with each hitter. They also enjoy working on nerve-racking skills like serve receive without the pressure of the regular season. Of course, a game of Penalty Box is almost always involved, too.
These open gyms also provide an opportunity for prospective high school seniors to join the team for an evening of scrimmaging and getting to know the players. Many of our current team-members attended an open gym while making their college decisions and found that Bluffton was the place for them.
Later this semester, the true spring season will begin. The team will hold regular practices several times each week in preparation for one or two spring tournaments. These tournaments are usually held at the beginning of April and involve other Division III teams in round-robin style play. Having no officials makes it a club-like atmosphere and provides a great opportunity to see how the Beavers compare to their traditional fall opponents. The last few years of spring ball have been very productive, and this spring is shaping up to continue this tradition.
