BOOTBALL EVANGEL CRUSADERS 2005 SEASON OUTLOOK T he 2005 season will mark a new era in the short history ofthe Avila University football program. The change begins at the top as Missouri High School Hall ofFamer Bruce Young becomes the second head coach in the history ofAvila football. Only three starters and 48 total players are returning from the Eagles’ 2004 squad. From the coach- ing staffand players to the uniforms and helmets, the Eagles look to be a remarkably different team. WhileYoung, who has 34 years ofcoaching experience, sees this season as one ofthe biggest challenges in his long coaching career, he’s also excited about the progress that has been made. “We’ve brought in a new staffand installed a completely new offensive and defensive system. The seniors on this team have really grasped the new concept and stepped up immediately to set the tone for everyone else.” Young, who is always upbeat, likes the work ethic and enthusiasm he has seen from his team during spring practice. “We had to learn how to practice with more intensity and run at game speed. We learned pretty quickly that there is no stand- ing around on the field. You learn in meet- ings and you have to perform in practice.” JoiningYoung on the sidelines this season will be some familiar faces to small college football fans in the Kansas City area. Defensive coordinator Brian BoylejoinsYoung from Baker University and offensive coordinator Kevin Gundy was the former head coach at Fort Scott Community College. In all. Young’s staffhas almost 100 years ofcoaching experience, a quality which should help the Eagles improve quickly. According toYoung, “We’ve talked as a staffand with our players throughout the spring about ‘accountability’ and that has really become our catch phrase this season. We want our players to be accountable for themselves, notjust on the football field, but in the classroom as well. That atti- tude seems to really have taken hold notjust with our returners, but with our recruits as well.” The Eagles open the 2005 Heart ofAmerica Conference season at home against Graceland University on September 3. According toYoung, theYellow Jackets are a team that has made some impressive strides during the last three years. “Graceland was 0-10 three years ago and then went 5-5 and were 8-2 last year. They figured out how to win up in Iowa and they will come to Kansas City with a new attitude.” Drury RICHARDS” AUTO (P1P1 JUbImSI IJkLDH, me. COLLISION REPAIR Hotels. Better Ingredients. GRANDVIEW, MO Better Pizza. 816 941-2112 (816)767-0707 -800-DRURYINN - 1 12315 State Line Rtl. A message from the A message from the ATHLETIC DIRECTOR PRESIDENT W W elcome toAvila elcome to anoth- University for er year ofexcit- another exciting season ing athletics atAvila ofEagle Athletics. University. I. along with all mem- All of us at Avila con- bers ofthe Avila gratulate our student Athletic department, athletes on their want to thank you for your support ofour achievements in sports as well as in the programs and students. The opportunities classroom. that athletics provides our student-athletes are countless, and we are happy to provide them The Avila athletic programs include foot- for their overall growth as an individual. ball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, golf, competitive dance, and cheer. Athletics began at Avila in 1974, with an intercollegiate men’s basketball program. Our athletic program enables our students to That single program evolved into an athletic pursue excellence, develop camaraderie, and department that today is proud to sponsor enjoy the spirit ofcompetition. and support varsity level teams. 1 1 The Avila community wishes all ofour Athletically, we sponsor and support a vari- teams great success this year and welcomes ety ofco-curricular activities for our stu- everyone to enjoy the excitement ofathlet- dents that include men’s sports ofbaseball, ics at Avila. basketball, football, and soccer. On the women’s side, we sponsor basketball, golf, Sincerely, soccer, softball, and volleyball. In addition Thomas F. Gordon, J.D., LL.M ON THE AIR to these nine sports we sponsor and support President a competitive dance team and cheer squad. You can listen to Eagles football Avila University at the Avila website as veteran Avila University is proud to have the dis- sports announcers Bob Rennison tinction ofbeing the only liberal arts institu- and Dick Krawczyk and sideline tion in Kansas City, Missouri, that competes reporter Jessica Collins give you at the NAIA level. We are proud ofour the play-by-play during home accomplishments and history and are look- and away games. You can listen ing forward to our continued growth and to the games at development as a department. www.avila.edu/athletics. Thank you for your interest in AvilaAthletics and I look forward to seeing you at many NATIONAL COVERAGE more events this year. GO EAGLES! NAIAfootball.net is where to go for national coverage exclusive Sincerely, to NAIA football all around the Mike Sharpe country. This site gives pre-sea- Director ofAthletics son information, in-season updates, scores and final stats every year. Fed AWARDS 4 AD SPECIALTIES*- PLAQUES -TROPHIES • ENGRAVING • SIGNAGE • FLAGS •T-SHIRTS Ground SCREEN PRINTING•PERSONALIZED GIFTS ft MORE IRONHORSE OLATHEAREA1491 E. 151stStreet, Olathe KS.66062 GOLF COURSE NOW HIRING PART-TIME (816) 780-2299 Web Site: http://www.12.com/allstar.com LEAWOOD, KS 913-685 4653 913-441-7569 • www.fedex.com/us/careers E-Mail: [email protected] — LEADERSHIP WINDS OF CHANGE TEAM RECORDS OFFENSE BruceYoung begins his first season as the head coach at Avila. A member ofthe Missouri High School Coaches Hall CareerRushingYards 3312 Kevin Furderer 2001-2004 ofFame, Young enjoyed success at three different high schools RushingTouchdowns 23 Kevin Furderer 2001-2004 and has been an assistant coach at the collegiate level for the ReceivingYards 2430 Richard Cooper 2001-2003 ReceivingTouchdowns 20 Richard Cooper 2001-2003 past five seasons. Young is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University. PassingYards 1533 BrandonAllen 2001- PassingTouchdowns 16 BrandonAllen 2001- Since taking thejob in February, Coach Young has stressed Season RushingYards 989 Kevin Furderer 2003 accountability with his young team. Knowing that the team RushingTouchdowns 9 Kevin Furderer 2002 ReceivingYards 887 RichardCooper 2003 will be only as strong as they are united, he has also put the team in various situa- ReceivingTouchdowns 9 RichardCooper 2003 tions where they have been given opportunity to grow together. This past spring, PassingYards 941 Brandon Allen 2002 various team members were involved in volunteer work in the community and their PassingTouchdowns 8 Brandon Allen 2002 contributions to the area will continue this school year. Throughout recruitment. Young has stressed three major points: 1) recruit good people that have a desire to DEFENSE earn a degree; 2) provide opportunity for academic support and insure retention of the athletes; and 3) graduate the players. He feels that with these three goals in CareerTacklingLeader 313 DavidGarner 2001-2004 mind, success will come to the program. PassBreakups 71 Aaron Jones 2001-2004 TacklesforLoss 24 JeremiahWest 2001-2004 Coach Young and his wife of36 years, Dwyla, raised three children, Julie, Lindy, Interceptions 19 Aaron Jones 2001-2004 and Kara. Coach DwylaYoung is the assistant softball coach at Avila University. Fumble Recoveries 8 AaronJones 2001-2004 Forced Fumbles 8 AnthonyRigolizzo 2001-2004 LeonardCasey 2001- 2005 Eagle Football Schedule Sacks 24.5 JeraldGroves 2001-2004 Blocked FieldGoals 4 AaronJones 2001-2004 Date Opponent Time Location Blocked Extra Points 4 AaronJones 2001-2004 Blocked Punts 2 AaronJones 2001-2004 9/3 Graceland* 6:00 pm Kansas City MO SeasonTacklingLeader 108 KrisPeterson 2003 9/10 William Jewell* 6:00 pm Liberty MO PassBreakups 21 AaronJones 2004 TacklesforLoss 7 JeremiahWest 2002,2003 9/17 Evangel* 6:00 pm Kansas City MO 7 TravisMyers 2004 9/24 Central Methodist* 1:00 pm Fayette MO Interceptions 6 AaronJones 2004 Sacks 8 JeraldGroves 2003 10/1 Missouri Valley* 1:00 pm Kansas City MO HOMECOMING SPECIAL TEAMS 10/8 Mid-America Nazarene* 1:30 pm Olathe KS CareerPuntingAvg. 39.0 MatthewWitcher 2002- PuntingYards 4877 MatthewWitcher 2002- 10/15 Open Date LongestPunt 67 MatthewWitcher 2002- 10/22 Baker* 1:00 pm Kansas City MO FieldGoal Pet. 64.2 MassimoScaccia 2001-2004 FieldGoals 43 MassimoScaccia 2001-2004 10/29 Culver-Stockton* 1:00 pm Canton MO LongestFieldGoal 55 MassimoScaccia 2001-2004 11/5 Lindenwood* 1:00 pm Kansas City MO Extra Points 56 MassimoScaccia 2001-2004 Extra PointPet. 91.8 MassimoScaccia 2001-2004 11/12 Benedictine* 1:00 pm Atchison KS SeasonPuntingAvg. 40.0 MatthewWitcher 2004 FieldGoals 12 MassimoScaccia 2002,2003 Bold-faced games denote home games playedatRockhurstHigh School 'Indicates HeartofAmericaAthleticConferenceopponent. Hendrick Automotive Center The COLLISION center for SuperiorAcura, Lexus, Volvo, and Buick-Cadillac 816-333-5600 913-384-4242 Locatedoneblockcast ofHolmeson95th St. 8 COACHES 5 Brian Boyle begins his Kevin Gundy begins PatSt. Louis enters his Ivan Pearl enters his Jeremy Milne enters first season as defensive his first season as the first season as offensive sixth season atAvila. his second season at coordinator atAvila. He offensive coordinator. line coach atAvila after Pearl coaches the sec- Avila. Milne, who has coached the past He has previously spending 1 years at the ondary and has done so coached the quarterbacks eight seasons at Baker coached on the high high school level. St. since the program began last season, will mentor University. Boyle is also school,junior college Louis is a graduate of Pearl played collegiate the wide receivers this a graduate ofBaker. and four-yearcollege Central Missouri State. football at Kansas State. fall. Milne is a graduate levels. Gundy is a grad- ofKansas State where he uate ofMissouri was a quarterback. Southern State College. JeffFrenya enters his KimbleAnders is in Mike Riley enters his Brandon Walker first season ofcoaching his first season atAvila. second season at Avila. enters his first season at at Avila. Frenya played He previously coached at Riley played at Missouri Avila. Walker will coach for Coach Gundy at Ft. the high school level Western and will coach the defensive line. Scott Community after completing his the offensive line and Walker was a team cap- College and for Coach career with the Kansas tight ends. tain during his senior Boyle at Baker City Chiefs where he season at Southern University. He will was a three-time Pro- Illinois University where coach the linebackers. Bowler. Anders played he is a graduate. collegiate football at the University ofHouston. & Budget EPT Management Company ‘MAKE YOUR HOME WITH COACH HOUSE APARTMENTS Call 816-243-5757 and mention rate code CG-34 816-942-1522 Red Bridge & Martin City for your Avila discounted rental in the Kansas City area. 6 OVATIONS At-z/.-t uw^Xj/ry, SUCCEEDING A MASTER OF DETERMINATION A THROUGH vila football coach Bruce Young believes that everyone has a TEAMWORK story, good and bad, and that our lives are never rosy at all times. Senior defensive back. Leonard Casey has survived the F tough times and risen to become the leader of the AU defense. our years ago, high school senior. Brandon Allen’s Casey initially chose Avila because ofthe opportunity that was pre- future was secure. As a 4.6 GPA sented byjoining a new program. He had received interest from the honor student and track and foot- University ofMemphis, Kansas State and CMSU; however, Casey ball star, Brandon was awarded decided on Avila. There has never been regret. admission to the prestigious Coast “I have met a lot GuardAcademy. A failed vision of lifelong exam nearly benched Brandon’s ** career, costing him the much friends... people , • that go the extra : desired opportunity. He was now * * mile to help you. ’V- . faced with choosing a new school. . % jS It is rare nowa- Brandon attended a recruiting fair and found Avila University. He days to find that,” V had family in the Kansas City area and liked the student teacher Casey said. ratio. “I have to be taught. I don’t like schools where there are so Along with his _ many students that you have to teach yourselfbecause the teacher / friends, Casey doesn’t even know who you are.” credits his family Brandon has definitely been taught. He currently has a 3.98 GPA and for where he is is a double major in pre-med and biology. His advisor, Dr. Larry today. His family suffered the loss of his mother, Mary Ann Casey Sullivan, has helped Brandon with guidance in his chosen field of in January of 2003. Dealing with this was difficult and Casey study. He is currently interviewing for admission into several med struggled to keep up academically as he worked to keep the family schools and has aspirations ofbecoming a pediatric cardiologist. in one piece. Brandon believes in the missions set forth by Avila University. “I Despite the adversity, Casey has succeeded and after sitting out last received a scholarship to go here, but the word ‘scholarship’ means season, is ready to take on the challenge. He juggles school work, more at Avila.” Scholarship is expected ofstudent athletes, both on football and hisjob with family life. His son, Leonard Tyrone the field, and in the classroom. “I think that theAvila football pro- Casey III was born in May and this has brought a new perspective gram has a great future here.” Teamwork is an important part of to his life. both Brandon’s philosophy and the football program’s. “When you "Will and determination got me here. If I want it, I have to are a team, victories and post season awards will come, but without make it happen. I love everything I am doing so that makes it all teamwork you fail.” Brandon Allen is a fine example ofwhat it worth while.” means to be a student athlete at Avila University: hard work, deter- — mination, service, and excellence both on and offthe field. CoachYoung has also brought a different perspective to the team. "We are all excited. It has been like a breath of fresh air. We are rejuvenated!” Eagle Athletics Casey has set his sights on working for a corporation after graduation ONLINE this May when he will earn a degree in Business Administration. He also looks forward to coaching his son’s little league football team someday. As for the season, Casey had this to say. “We will give it www.avila.edu/athletics our best effort and compete every weekend. We will not settle for anything less than a victory because we are here to win.” n nrr fTQ fFn 7 hftllSSAfMj KuGdGDljlJ £ McCarthy BUSINESS SYSTEMS www.CelsiusTan.com AUTO GROUP 816-350-7700 913Your4dire9ct R2ico.h Su6ppli2er“21 875 N. Sanhide • Olatha, KS 6BD61 . 913-324-7200 - SPIRIT CHEER With the superb guidance of head coach Jason Sack, the Eagles have developed an inten- sive and comprehensive training program, which includes physi- cal conditioning, and stunt development. The AU Cheerleaders have as their goal to support the interscholastic sports programs and the promo- tion ofschool spirit as a whole. They strive to be “good-will ambassadors” ofthe University and of the community through the involvement in and promo- tion ofprograms and activities. They work together to attain excellence in their performance with the ultimate goal ofcom- petition at the national level. DANCE Under the intense direction of head coach Cindy Freeman, the Glitter Girls feature many stu- dio-trained dancers with both competitive and professional experience. The dance pro- gram's comprehensive instruc- tion includes strenuous physical conditioning and intensive flexi- bility and technique training with the goal ofchallenging even the most experienced and talented dancers to continually improve and refine their dance skills and technique. H/GHTECHS/GNS SIGNS THAT MEAN BUSINESS 913 894.4422 . 8908 NIEMAN Rd. -OVERLAND PARK. KS 66214 3 a . 8 TRAINERS Ay // uss/y/xs/rr. Servicing over 300 athletes in 1 1 sports, the Avila University BY THE NUMBERS Sports Medicine staff provides pre-event preventative tap- ing and bracing, on the field evaluation and emergency care, The Eagles have won 1 Leonard Casey, returner to appropriate physician referral, and necessary follow-up games in their short four this year’s squad in the rehabilitation. The athletic training facility is located inside years ofvarsity football in defensive backfield, has 130 the Mabee field house on the lower level. the Heart ofAmerica tackles in his career at Conference. Avila University. Avila has defeated every Academic All-American team in the league since Gary Porter, the California their start in 2001 except connection, should fill in , Baker and Benedictine. well on the defensive line for the Eagles. Kevin Furderer, class of Jason Means 2004, holds the school Aaron Jones, class of2004, AthleticTrainer AssistantAthletic Trainer record for rushing yards holds the team intercep- Jason Means enters his 5th year Amy Roberts enters her 3rd with 3,31 2 yards for a 5.49 tion record with 1 9. as the head athletic trainer for year as Avila’s assistant athletic average per carry. Avila University. Means trainer. Roberts received her Furderer also holds the Massimo Scaccia, class of received his bachelor’s degree bachelor’s ofscience degree in rushing touchdown record 2004, has a school and in athletic training in 1997 from Health and PE. from with 23. national kick record for a Park University (MO). Southwestern College (KS) in field goal, a monster 55 2001 and received her master’s Following graduation. Means degree in Athletic Training Matt Witcher is the lone yarder. Scaccia also had a moved on to Phoenix, AZ, Education from the Ohio returning All-League play- 92% efficiency rate for where he completed his master’s University in 2003. er as a punter. His career extra points in his career, degree in Sports Health Care at average is a booming 39.2. going 56/61 the Arizona School ofHealth Roberts has been involved in Sciences. While in Arizona, the field ofathletic training Returning quarterback, Avila opened the 2004 sea- Jason served as the athletic train- throughout her college years, er at Phoenix’s Central High serving as a student athletic Brandon Allen, holds the son as a participant in the School and spent the spring of trainer at Southwestern from school record for total NAIA sponsored Wheat 2000 as an intern for the San 1997-2001. passing yards, with ,533 Bowl at Ellinwood, Kan., 1 Francisco Giants Basehall Cluh yards and holds the record playing Midland Lutheran during spring training. for passing for touchdowns from Neb. with 1 6. 2004 Academic David Garner, class of2004, All-Americans: holds the team record for • Gary Porter tackles at 1 87 unassisted. • Tayne Preno • Nick Tebbe JERRYS COURTYARD 9W ® SPORT SHOP Harriott . . 816 761-6700 - Holmes & 105th 816-941-3333 816 763-3232 ( ) . 2005 LINEUP 9 1 LeonardCasey 2 SpencerDavis 3 NickSaviano 4 Chadd Rivera 5 XavierRamirez SR,DB FR. DB SO, DB FR.QB SR. DB KansasCity Gladstone KansasCity Naples, FL SantaPaula,CA 6 MattVarner 7 BrandonAllen 8 TerryWright 10 Jon Licktleg 11 Quentin Day SO, DB SR.QB RS,WR FR,QB RS.WR ColoradoSprings,CO Plantation.FL Raytown Raytown Miami, FL 12 BrocSilvers 13 MichaelCharmant 14 RyanClarke 15 Jacob Pinson 17 MatthewWitcher FR.DB JR. RB SO,RB JR.DB SR. P/K Camdenton Margate,FL Kingston.Jamaica LaQuinta,CA WoodlandHills.CA 18 PeterHopkins 19 TobyCashed 20 Gavin Fletchall 21 Charlie Kim 22 BrianWitt FR.QB FR,WR SO.RB JR. RB FR, RB Crockett.TX Osceola Springfield Raymore Jupiter. FL 23 JacobWitt 24 Mike Pearl 25 John Utley 26 Sean Kelly 27 LeonWashington FR.DB JR. DB FR.LB FR,WR SR, DB Camdenton Ft.Worth.TX Carrolton.TX ColoradoSprings,CO OverlandPark.KS Score An Education With UPS. . n www.upsjobs.com 2005 LINEUP 29 VictorGray 30 Bryan Bosley 31 Justin Bracamonte 32 PhilipDean 33 A.J.Hamel FR, RB FR.RB SR. DL SO, RB FR.LB Nixa KansasCity Ojai.CA Drexel Shawnee.KS 34 NIckTebbe 35 NathanAguilera 37 WilliamVoorhis 38 JoshWiltfong 39 Brian Poterbin SR. LB SO. LB RS. LB FR.RB JR. LB PleasantHill Fairbanks.AK Republic Clinton ShawneeMission, KS 41 Josh Mustain 42 DeNorrisSandies 43 CreightonWells 46 Justin Foster 47 NIckWard-Bopp RS.LB FR.DB FR. DL JR, DL FR. LB Peculiar Mexia.TX Crockett.TX Columbia. MO Crawfordsville. IN 48 BrianKelly 50 IanFarrel 51 PatrickUtter 52 GaryCoates 53 GaryPorter FR.DB SO,OL FR.LB SR, LB SR. DL ColoradoSprings.CO KansasCity Hollywood,FL KansasCity Oxnard.CA 54 MickeyNolan 55 KelleyBeckner 56 Ryan Brenner 57 RogerStark 58 KevinGriffin SO. LB FR.OL FR.OL SR.OL FR, LB OK KansasCity Nixa Camdenton OakGrove Tulsa, 60 TrevorKrog 62 CharlesMisher 63 RickyJohnson 64 Jon Peterson 68 TonyFltzwater SO.OL JR,OL FR,OL FR.OL FR.OL Marshfield KansasCity KansasCity Raymore Waverly