INTRODUCTIONTable of Contents 1

Quick Facts 2

2012-13 Schedule 3

MEET THE TEAM2012-13 Roster 4

Meet the Highlanders 5

Head Coach Bruce Harrison 6-7

Returner Profiles 8-13

Newcomer Profiles 14-19

Team History 20

THIS IS RUThe Big South Conference 21

Radford University President Penelope Kyle 22

Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg 23

This is Radford University 24-25

The New River Valley 26-27

Campus Life 28

Student-Athlete Support Services 29

Strength and Conditioning 30-31

RU Tennis Complex 32-33

CREDITSThe 2012-13 Radford University Women’s Tennis Guide was written and

edited by Brian Cox and designed by the Radford University Office of Ath-

letic Communications. The Publication was designed using InDesign and

Photoshop CS5. Additional editing and historical research provided by The

Big South Conference and Gene Hyde, archivist at Radford University’s

McConnell Library.

Photography: Dyann Busse, Tim Cowie, Todd Drexler, Lora Gordon and

Athletics Communications.

RADFORD

WOMEN’S TENNIS 1

Table of Contents

RADFORDUNIVERSITY FACTSLocation Radford, Va.Founded 1910Enrollment 9,370Nickname HighlandersColors Red, White, Navy BlueAffiliation NCAADivisionIConference Big SouthPresident Penelope W. Kyle (Guilford College)DirectorofAthletics RobertLineburg(Roanoke,1991)Website www.RadfordAthletics.com

WOMEN’S TENNIS HISTORYFirstYear 1974(joinedDivisionIin1984)Big South Tournament Titles 1 (1990)Freshmen of the Year 1Coaches of the Year 2Scholar-Athletes of the Year 3All-Conference(SinglesandDoubles) 28All-Academic 16Facility Radford University Tennis Complex

COACHING STAFFHead Coach Bruce Harrison (12th Season)AlmaMater Emory&Henry,1985RecordatRadford(Years) 88-128(11)CareerRecord 165-177(25)OfficePhone (540)831-7174Email bharrison@radford.eduAssistantCoach PetraDajevicAlma Mater Radford, 2012

2012-13 TEAM FACTSPlayers Returning/Lost 3/42012 Overall Record 17-72012 Big South Record (Finish) 4-4 (4th)

ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONSAssistantDirector(Women’sTennisContact) BrianCoxOfficePhone (540)831-5211CellPhone (540)250-0624Email bcox27@radford.eduAssistantA.D. TomGalbraithOfficePhone (540)831-5726Email tgalbraith@radford.eduAssistantDirector BrianStanleyOfficePhone (540)831-6884Email bmstanley@radford.eduAssistant PaulCabreyOfficePhone (540)831-5752Email pcabrey@radford.eduOfficeFax (540)831-6095Mailing Address P.O. Box 6913, Radford, Va. 24142OvernightAddress 101DedmonCenter,Radford,Va.24142WOMEN’S TENNIS

2012

-13 Qu

ick F

acts

2

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Sept. 14-15 • All DayLiberty Fall Tourn.

Feb. 15 • 3:00 PMat Washington & Lee

March 13 • 6:00 PMFordham

Apr. 10 • 2:30 PMJAMES MADISON

Feb. 23 • 5:00 PMat George Mason

Sept. 28-30 • All DayVT Fall Tourn.

Oct. 5-7 • All DayWFU Fall Tourn.

Jan. 19 • 1:00 PMat Wake Forest

Jan. 20 • 12:00 PMElon

Jan. 21 • 9:00 AMEast Tenn. State

Feb. 8 • 3:00 PMat Davidson

Feb. 9 • 2:00 PMat App. State

Feb. 25 • 2:00 PMat Elon

March 1 • 4:30 PMCoastal Carolina

RADFORDMarch 3 • 1:00 PMWest Virginia State

March 9 • 11:00 AMat Campbell

March 12 • 7:00 PMWesleyan

March 13 • 11:30 AMAugustana (SD)

March 15 • 12:00 PMGonzaga

March 25 • 1:00 PMat UNC Asheville

March 27 • 2:00 PMat Liberty

March 29 • 2:30 PMPRESBYTERIAN

Apr. 3 • 2:00 PMLONGWOOD

Apr. 5 • 2:00 PMGARDNER-WEBB

Apr. 6 • 1:00 PMCSU

Apr. 14 • 1:00 PMat Winthrop

Apr. 16 • 2:30 PMN.C. CENTRAL

Apr. 18 • TBABSC Quarterfinals

Apr. 19 • TBABSC Semifinals

Apr. 20 • TBABSC Championship

3

2012-13 Schedule

2012

-13 Ro

ster

4 WOMEN’S TENNISNAME YR. HT. HOMETOWN / PREVIOUS SCHOOLHanaBabic Fr. 5-4 Zagreb,Croatia/SportskaGimnazijaTaylorFay Fr. 5-4 Madison,Conn./DanielHandAllisonMichael Fr. 5-2 McGaheysville,Va./EastRockinghamMegNapolitano So. 5-9 Charlottesville,Va./AlbemarleTaylorNewman So. 5-2 Bethesda,Md./ChevyChaseGemmaValls So. 5-6 Barcelona,Spain

Head Coach:BruceHarrison(12thSeason-Emory&Henry‘85)

RADFORD

Meet the Highlanders

5

RADFORD

WOMEN’S TENNIS

6 WOMEN’S TENNIS

Bruce Harrison, the 2012 Big South Coach of the Year, isenteringhis12thseasonastheheadwomen’stenniscoach at Radford University.

The2011-12Radfordwomen’stennisteamenjoyedoneof its most successful seasons since 1990, conclud-ingtheseasonwitha17-7markandatriptotheBigSouthTournamentsemifinals.InadditiontoHarrison’sbestrecordsincetakingovertheprogram,anumberofaccoladescamehisprogram’sway-PetraDajevicwasnamedtotheBigSouth’sAll-AcademicTeam,TaylorNewmanearnedITAScholarAthleteHonors,freshmenHannahCrawford(twice)andGemmaVallsearnedFreshman of the Week honors in the Big South, and MiaDrobnjakandDajevicturnedinPlayeroftheWeekperformances.

Alongwithsuccessonthecourt,Harrison’sprogramisalsodefinedbyoff-courtrecognition.Academically,Harrison’steamsandplayershavestoodout.Thecu-mulativeprogramGPAonayearlybasishasbeentopsamongallRUteamsandin2006,Harrison’sHighland-

ersearnedteamITAacademichonors.FormerplayerCassandraPricewasanAcademicAll-Americapickin2008,whilebothPrice(2008)andAllySpector(2009)earnedtheBigSouth’sprestegiousChristenberryAwardforacademicachievement.HisteamshaveearnedtheBigSouth’sTeamSportsmanshipAwardthreetimes,including2012,whichisanhonorvotedonbyleague’sstudent-athletes.

Inadditiontohisdecadeofworkwiththewomen’stennisprogram,muchofHarrison’scol-legiatecoachingexperiencehasbeenwithRadfordUniversityanditstennisprograms.Har-risonledthemen’stennisprogramfrom1990-96beforetakingtheheadjobattheVirginiaMilitaryInstitute,wherehecoachedforfiveyears.

Harrison’stimewiththewomen’stennisprogramhasproducedplentyofhighlights.

TheHighlandersfinished2010withanoverallrecord13-7and3-4intheBigSouth.Thismarksthefirstseasonover12victoriessince1995(14-6).Radfordwentonanine-matchwinningstreak,includinggoingundefeatedinMarch.RadfordhadimpressivewinsoverAppalachianState(7-0),Longwood(6-1)andGeorgeMason(5-2).In2009,theHighlandersrecordeda12-10overallrecordand2-5intheBigSouth.TheyhadastretchinthemonthofMarchwheretheywonsevenstraightmatches.Theydefeatedin-statefoeGeorgeMasonandBigEastopponentsConnecticutandSetonHall.The2008seasonsawtheHighlandersfinishwitha9-11overallrecordand1-5markintheBigSouth.Theyhadimpressivewinsoverin-staterivalJamesMadisonandontheroadagainstLehigh.In2007,theHighlanderspostedan11-10overallrecord.Itwastheirfirsttimeover.500andthemostvictoriessincethe1993season(11-8).Theyalsopostedroadwinsoverin-staterivalsJamesMadisonandGeorge Mason.

RADFORDBRUCE HARRISONhead coach ♦ Twelfth year

Coac

hing

Profi

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7

DuringhistimeatVMI,heearnedtheAthleticDirectorCoachingAwardforhisoutstandingrecruitingatVMIin2000.In1998,hewasthetournamentdirectoroftheDivisionIIIWomen’sNationalTournament.

Inhisfirstgo-aroundatRadford,hetookamen’steamthatwonjustonematchin1990andturnedthemaroundcompletely.Hecompileda77-59recordinsixyearsatthehelm.His1991teamfin-ished18-10andfifthintheBigSouth.Justayearlater,hewasnamed1992BigSouthCo-CoachoftheYear.The1993seasonsawhisteampostwhatwasthemostwinsinschoolhistorywhentheHighlandersfinished19-7.

HewasalsoresponsibleforrecruitingRadford’sfirstnationallyrankedDivisionItennisplayerandtheNo.1rankedjuniorplayersfromMoroccoandBangladesh.In1995,hewasthedirectoroftheBig South Tournament.

Beforehiscollegiatecoachingcareer,HarrisonspenttimeasheadtennisprofessionalattheSportsRacketinLynchburg,Va.from1986-89.Priortothat,hewastheassistantprofessionalatHiddenValleyCountryClubinRoanokein1985-86.

HehasalsoworkedasavisitingprowithVanDeMeerTennisCenter’sWorldClassProgramandtheMoroccanTennisFederationinCasablanca.Duringthattime,heworkedwithmanynationallyandworldrankedplayers.

HarrisongraduatedfromEmoryandHenryUniversityin1985withadegreeinbusinessmanagementandeconomics.Harrisononlylosttwomatchesinhisfirsttwoyearsofcollegeplay.Hegradu-atedfromEmoryandHenryasthetopseededplayerwithacareerrecordof68-15.

Stillanactiveplayer,theHighlanders’coachteamedwithformerRUplayerJohnBarkertowintheVirginiastatedoublestitleinthe45andOverdivision.

He currently resides in Radford.

RADFORDYEAR-BY-YEAR RESULTSYear Overall Big South Finish2002 2-13 1-6 8th2003 3-11 2-5 7th2004 3-12 1-5 7th2005 5-16 1-6 7th2006 7-16 1-6 7th2007 11-10 2-5 T-5th2008 9-11 1-5 7th2009 12-10 2-5 6th2010 13-7 3-5 5th2011 6-15 2-5 6th2012 17-7 4-4 4th

Coaching Profile

WOMEN’S TENNIS

8 WOMEN’S TENNIS

RADFORD

2011-12 HIGHLIGHTSCompileda22-7overallledger,whichincludesa20-3markforthespringandan8-1record in Big South action... Competed at No. 6 singles for the majority of the sea-son...Posteda9-1markinherlast10matchesinsingles...PartneredwithHannahCrawfordindoubles;finished20-8overall,including15-3intheNo.2slot.

PREP / PERSONALRanked No. 4 in the state of Virginia for the class of 2011... Four-time team MVP of herhighschoolsquad…Two-timeCentralVirginia’sPlayeroftheYear…Capturedtheregionaltitleinsinglesanddoublesherjuniorcampaign…Alsoletteredinvol-leyball…LedthePatriotstoastatevolleyballtitlein2008,whileearningfirst-teamall-districtherjuniorandsenioryear…DaughterofMikeandMaureenNapolitano…Hasonesister,Molly(15)…Undecidedonheracademicmajor.

Meg NapolitanoSophomore

5-9CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.ALBEMARLE

Retu

rner

Profi

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9

RADFORD

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Meg NapolitanoSophomore

Returner Profiles

10

RADFORD2011-12 HIGHLIGHTSPosted a 17-12 overall record, including a 14-9 mark in spring action...PlayedthemajorityoftheseasonatNo.5singles...Finished8-2overherfinal10singles’matches...TeamedwithMiaDrobnjakatNo.1doublesfora7-13overallrecord.

PREP / PERSONALRegional champion and state runner-up as a senior… Finished withaperfect16-0markattheNo.2singlespositionasajunior…DaughterofPaulandDebbieNewman…Hasonesibling,Willlow…Planstomajorinjournalism/broadcastingatRadford.

Taylor NewmanSophomore

5-2BETHESDA, MD.CHEVY CHASE

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Retu

rner

Profi

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11

RADFORDTaylor NewmanSophomore

Returner Profiles

WOMEN’S TENNIS

12 WOMEN’S TENNIS

2011-12 HIGHLIGHTSRecorded a 17-6 overall record, including a 6-3 ledger in Big South play... Competed the majority of the season at No. 4singles...Compiledan8-2markoverherfinal10singlesmatches...TeamedwithPetraDajevicatNo.3doublesfora14-5overallrecord...Went16-7in23doublesmatches.

RADFORDGemma VallsSophomore

5-6BARCELONA, SPAINRe

turn

er Pr

ofile

s

13WOMEN’S TENNIS

RADFORDGemma VallsSophomore

Returner Profiles

14 WOMEN’S TENNIS

PREP / PERSONALDaughterofDubravkoandTanjaBabic...Hasonebrother,Karlo (17).

RADFORDHana BabicFreshman

5-4ZAGREB, CROATIASPORTSKA GIMNAZIJANe

wcom

er Pr

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15WOMEN’S TENNIS

RADFORDHana BabicFreshman

Newcomer Profiles

16

PREP / PERSONALRankedNo.261accordingtotennisrecruiting.net...All-Area(NewHaven, Conn.) selection for 2010 and 2011 seasons... MVP during the2011season...Two-timeall-statehonoree...Three-timeAll-Southern Connecticut Conference... Played at No. 1 singles her junior year, only losing one match in the regular season... Played at No. 2 singles her sophomore season, going undefeated... Fu-eledherteamtowintheSCCchampionshipin2009and2010...TrainedatChrisEvertTennisAcademy...DaughterofRickandKristaFay...SisterofBrooke(15)andKyle(13).

RADFORDTaylor FayFreshman

5-4MADISON, CONN.DANIEL HANDNe

wcom

er Pr

ofile

s

WOMEN’S TENNIS

17

RADFORD

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Taylor FayFreshman

Newcomer Profiles

18 WOMEN’S TENNIS

PREP / PERSONALThird-ranked Virginia prospect according to tennisrecruiting.net... Three-time state champion at ERHS... As a freshman, ledtheEaglestotheirfirststatetitleinprogramhistory...Wentundefeated in her junior season, en route to the singles and doublesstatechampionships...DaughterofMarkMichaelandLisaHolland...Hastwobrothers:Luke(19)andBen(4).

RADFORDAllison MichaelFreshman

5-2McGAHEYSVILLE, VA.EAST ROCKINGHAMNe

wcom

er Pr

ofile

s

19WOMEN’S TENNIS

RADFORDAllison MichaelFreshman

Newcomer Profiles

1995 Patti Gryfakis

1990 Tom Hondras2012 Bruce Harrison

1997 Heskia Dil2006 Cassandra Price2007 Cassandra Price

1988 Cynthia Price1989 Rose Vanderpal, Michelle Miano Ann Marie Paterno1990 Rose Vanderpal, Michelle Miano Ann Marie Paterno1995 Catrin Baecker, Nina Kapitan1997 Safaa’ Nadji1998 Safaa’ Nadji, Lamia Alami2008 Ashton Downs2009 Petra Dajevic, Mia Drobnjak2010 Mia Drobnjak

1987 Sue Shoemaker / Tammy Ponder1988 Tammy Ponder / Katherine Storch1989 Carla Rollins / Michelle Miano1990 Carla Rollins / Michelle Miano

1995 Catrin Baecker / Nina Kapitan1998 Safaa’ Nadji / Lamia Alami

1997 Heskia Dil1998 Jill Archer1999 Jill Archer2000 Erin Dawe2001 Sidney Lindsey2002 Jihane Najdi2003 Jihane Najdi2004 Amy Costello2005 Caroline Downs2006 Cassandra Price2007 Cassandra Price2008 Cassandra Price2009 Ally Spector2010 Ivana Tomaic2011 Petra Dajevic2012 Petra Dajevic

2008 Ashton Downs

2008 Cassandra Price

2006 Antonietta Iosue, Camila Noldin Cassandra Price, Alexandra Spector

2012 Taylor Newman

2006 Radford

2008 Cassandra Price2009 Ally Spector

2007 Radford2008 Radford2011 Radford2012 Radford

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RADFORDTe

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Freshman of the year

Coaches of the year

ScholaR-Athlete of the year

All-Conference Singles

All-Conference Doubles

All-AcademicITA All-Academic Team

Christenberry award

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Flight champions singles

CoSida acad. all-america

ITA Scholar-Athlete

Sportsmanship Award

21

RADFORDThe Big South Conference Sinceitsfoundingin1983,theBigSouthConferencehasmaturedintoacompetitiveleaderincollege

athletics,activelypursuingexcellenceonthefieldofplayandintheclassroom.TheLeague’sgrowingpres-enceasanNCAADivisionIathleticconferenceisevidentbyathleticaccomplishmentsonthenationalstage,innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages, and quality athletic competi-tionwhileintentionallyfosteringtheacademic,personal,social,athleticandleadershipdevelopmentofeachstudent-athlete.ThishasevolvedintotheConference’smissionof“DevelopingLeadersThroughAthletics.”The2012-13academicyearfeaturestheBigSouth’slargestmembership(12)andsponsoredsports(19)inits29 years of existence.

TheBigSouthConferencewasformedonAugust21,1983,whenCharlestonSouthern(thenBaptistCol-lege)AthleticDirectorHowardBagwellandAugustaPresidentGeorgeChristenberrybeganrecruitingmembersintotheBigSouth,receivinginitialcommitmentsfromAugusta,CharlestonSouthern,Campbell,CoastalCaro-linaandWinthrop.Onemonthlater,Dr.EdwardM.SingletonwasselectedastheLeague’sfirstCommissionerandcontinuedtosolicitnewmembers.HiseffortsledtotheadditionsofArmstrongState,RadfordandUNCAsheville,givingtheBigSouthmorethantherequiredsixmemberstoconstituteanofficialconference.TheBigSouth’sfirstyearofcompetitionwasintheFallof1984,andinSeptember1986,theBigSouthConferencewasgrantedfull-fledgedNCAADivisionIstatus.

DuringitsinfancyandpriortosecuringautomaticbidstoNCAAChampionships,theBigSouthmadeearlystridesinearningat-largeberthsinseveralnationalpostseasonevents,includingvolleyball,women’sbasket-ballandwomen’sgolf.In1989,GeorgeF.“Buddy”SasserreplacedtheretiringDr.SingletonasCommissioner,andin1990,theLeaguereceiveditsfirstautomaticbid–receivinganautomaticqualifiertotheNCAABaseballChampionship.UnderSasser’ssevenyearsofleadership,theConferenceimplementeditspublicrelationsandcomplianceprograms,andintroduceditsfirst-evermen’sbasketballtelevisionpackage,featuringtheBigSouthcompetingamongsomeofthefinestteamsinthenation.

InAugust1996,KyleB.KallanderreplacedSasserastheLeague’sthirdCommissioner,andinhis16yearsatthehelmoftheBigSouth,KallanderhasbeeninstrumentalinaggressivelypromotingtheConferencetonewheights.TheConferencehasenjoyedrecordlevelsinmarketingrevenueduringhistenure,hehasbroughttelevisioncoveragetoBigSouthwomen’sbasketball,baseball,softballandmen’ssoccerforthefirsttimeinConferencehistory,aswellasincreasednationaltelevisionexposuretotheLeagueasawholethroughaggressive and unique television packages.

UnderKallander’sleadership,theBigSouthdevelopedandinitiateditsfirstlong-rangestrategicplan,re-affirmingtheLeague’svisionasadistinctiveathleticConferencecommittedtothequalityofinstitutionallifethroughathleticcompetition.Healsospearheadedtheeffortstoaddfootballasachampionshipsport,whichcametofruitionin2002,andoversawtheadditionsofmen’sandwomen’sindoortrack&fieldin1997.TheConference’s19thchampionshipsport--women’slacrosse,beginsplaythisseasonwitheightmembers.Atthesametime,KallanderhassolidifiedConferencemembership,asanall-timehigh12memberinstitutionscomprisethe29-yearoldLeague.RecentadditionsincludeHighPoint,Gardner-Webb,PresbyterianCollegeandLongwood,plusthereturnofchartermemberCampbellUniversity.Kallander’slongrangevisionhasalsoincludedtechnologicaladvancements,astheConferenceintroduceditsfirstlivevideostreamingeventin2005andhassinceexpandeditsvideoofferingstomorethan700eventsannuallythroughapartnershipwiththememberinstitutions,aswellasthecreationofseveralonlineandsocialmediaplatforms.

Inthelast15yearsalone,theBigSouthConferencehasexperiencedmonumentalgrowthandsuccessinnearlyeverysport.Duringthistime,theConferencehashadanindividualNationalChampionsixtimes,hashadmorethan280All-Americans,hasreachedthe“Sweet16”inmen’ssoccer,women’sbasketballandbase-ball,hasreceivednationalTop25rankingsinfootball,men’ssoccer,men’sbasketball,women’sbasketball,baseball,men’soutdoortrack&field,andmen’sgolf,hadanindividualselectedtoplayintheNCAASinglesChampionshipseventimesinadditiontothefirstmen’stennisdoublesat-largeselection,hadthefirstwomen’sgolfprogramadvancetothenationalfinals,hadtheNo.1rankedmen’sgolferinthecountry,hadthenation’stopscoringmen’sbasketballteamfiveconsecutiveyearsaswellasthenationalmen’sbasketballscoringleadertwice,receivedanat-largeplayoffberthintheFootballChampionshipSubdivisionin2006,hashadsixNFLDraftpicks,andhashadtwoinstitutionsfinishinthetop10intheNCAAMen’sGolfChampionships--includingtheConference’shighest-everteamfinishinanNCAAevent(fifthin2007).

In2006-07,theBigSouthwastheonlyConferencenationwidetohaveanat-largeparticipantinthefootballplayoffs(CoastalCarolina),ateamintheSecondRoundoftheNCAAMen’sBasketballTournament(Winthrop)andaNo.1seedintheNCAABaseballRegionals(CoastalCarolina).Infact,CoastalCarolina’sbaseballprogramhasbeenaNo.1seedfouroutofthelasteightyears--includinganationalseedforthefirsttimein2010,whiletheChanticleers’FCSplayoffberthin2006cameinjustthefifth-yearoftheBigSouth’sfootballexistence.The2009-10seasonsawLiberty’sSamChelangawintwoNCAANationalChampionships(crosscountry,10,000-meterrun);CoastalCarolina’sbaseballteamreachtheSuperRegionalsforthesecondtimeinthreeyearsaswellasbeingrankedNo.1inthenationalRPIandashighasNo.3inthenationalpolls;

andthreewomen’sbasketballteamsreachthepostseasonforthefirsttimeinConferencehistory.In2010-11,ChelangawontwomoreNCAANationalChampionships(crosscountry,outdoor5,000-meterrun),theBigSouthhaditsfirstautomaticbidrecipientinfootball(CoastalCarolina),UNCAshevillereachedtheSecondRoundoftheNCAAMen’sBasketballTournament,CoastalCarolina’swomen’sgolfteamwasthefirstinCon-ferencehistorytoadvancetotheNCAAChampionshipoutofRegionalplay,andaLeague-record18baseballplayersweredraftedinthe2011MLBFirst-YearPlayerDraft.

Thispastseason,theBigSouthhadarecord41student-athletesearnAll-Americadistinction,whilean-other10werenamedAcademicAll-Americans.TheConferencealsowonitsfirstfootballplayoffgame(StonyBrook),hadthenationalwomen’sbasketballRookieCoachoftheYear,hadtwomen’ssoccerteamsreachtheNCAATournamentforthefirsttimeinadecade(CoastalCarolina,Liberty),andhadarecordfiveindividualsselectedfortheNCAAMen’sGolfRegionals--themostofanyDivisionIconferencein2011-12.Inaddition,Libertywasthefirstmen’sgolfteaminConferencehistorytowinanNCAARegional,andtheFlameswentontofinish10thatthenationalevent.

Several former Big South student-athletes have also reached national prominence in recent years. CoastalCarolina’sAmberCampbellmadetheU.S.OlympicTeamin2008and2012,andwasoneoffiveformerBigSouthathletestocompeteinthe2008Games;VMI’sReggieWilliamsreachedtheNBAwiththeGoldenStateWarriorsin2010,UNCAsheville’sTyWiggintonwasnamedanAmericanLeagueAll-Starin2010,andCoastalCarolina’sDustinJohnsonhaswonsixPGAToureventssincedepartingtheBigSouthConferencein2007.ThreeformerBigSouthbaseballplayersmadetheirmajorleaguedebutsin2012,whileAveryWarleybecamethethirdBigSouthwomen’sbasketballplayertoplayintheWNBA.

TheConference’stagline,“DevelopingLeadersThroughAthletics”wasunveiledin2008-09inconjunc-tionwiththeConference’s25thAnniversary.TheLeaguealsohonoreditsheritagewiththeTop25“BestoftheBest”momentsinLeaguehistoryfrom1983-2008,withLibertyUniversity’s10-yearwomen’sbasketballchampionshiprunfrom1996-2007beingcrownedtheNo.1momentintheBigSouth’sfirst25years.TheCon-ference’son-fieldaccomplishmentshavebeenduplicatedintheclassroom.Annually,morethan40percentofConferencestudent-athletesarenamedtotheBigSouth’sPresidentialHonorRollformaintainingacumulative3.0grade-pointaverage,andtheLeaguehashadmorethan100AcademicAll-Americansinits28yearsofexistence.Furthermore,theBigSouthhasrecordeddoublefiguretotalsinNCAAPublicRecognitionAwardsfor APR progress the last three years.

The Big South Conference

WOMEN’S TENNIS

22

Pres

iden

t Pen

elop

e Kyle

PenelopeWardKylebecameRadfordUniversity’ssixth,andfirstfemale,presidentwhenshetookofficeonJune1,2005.ShecametoRUwithmorethan30yearsofexperienceinstategovernment,thecorporateandlegalworlds,andhighereducation.

Upon assuming the presidency, President Kyle immediately focused on leading the university’sinitiativetobecomeoneofthetop50mastersuniversitiesinthenation.TheRadfordUniversitystrategicplan“7-17”,completedin2007atherdirection,

identifiesfourstrategicdirectives--theinvestmentinpeople,programs,globalandlo-cal society and the future of Radford University.UnderPresidentKyle’sleadership,theuniversityalsoaddeditsfirstdoctoralprogram

withanemphasisinruralmentalhealthandlaunchedaninitiativetogrowgraduatecollegestudentenroll-mentbyofferingadditionaldoctoralandmasterslevelprograms.Shehiredtheuniversity’sfirstprovostandcreatedtwonewvicepresidentialareasofresponsibility,InformationTechnologyandUniversityRelations.

The Radford University Board of Visitors, at President Kyle’srequest,hasincreaseditsmembershipbyfourpositions to provide an opportunity for more diversity andleadershipinnovationwithinthegoverningbody.AnativeofsouthwestVirginia,PresidentKyleis

aproductoftheGalaxpublicschoolssystem.ShegraduatedfromGuilfordCollegeinGreensboro,NorthCarolina and did her postgraduate studies in English atSouthernMethodistUniversityinDallas,Texas.ShereceivedherJurisDoctoratefromtheUniversityofVir-giniaSchoolofLawandlaterearnedherMBAfromtheCollege of William and Mary.PresidentKyleservedasExecutiveDirectorofthe

VirginiaLotteryfor11years,underthreesuccessivegovernors.FirstappointedbyGov-ernorGeorgeAllenin1994,shewasreappointedbyGovernorJamesGilmore,andthenreappointedonceagainbyGovernorMarkWarner.Previously,Ms.KylewasemployedbyCSXCorporation,aninternationaltransportationcompany,whereshebecamethecompany’sfirstfemaleofficer.BeforejoiningCSXCorporation,shewasanattorneywithMcGuire, Woods, LLP in Richmond. She also taught English for six years at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia.

President Kyle serves in leadership positions on numerous educational, civic, cultural, professional,financialandvolunteerorganizations.SheservedontheBoardofVisitorsatJamesMadisonUniversityfrom1984until1992andontheJMUFoundationBoard1992until1994.ShealsoservedontheVirginiaCommonwealthUniversityFounda-tionBoardfrom1994until2000andontheBoardofGovernorsofSaintChristopher’sSchoolfrom1999until2005.PresidentKyleiscurrentlyamemberoftheBoardofDi-rectorsoftheRoanokeRegionalChamberofCommerceandisamemberoftheBoardofDirectorsofPRA,Inc.,apubliclytradedcompany.Ms.KyleismarriedtoCharlesL.Menges,anattorneyandpartnerwithMcGuire,

Woods,LLC.Theyaretheparentsofthreechildren,son,KyleWardMenges,andtwodaughters, Penelope Whitley Menges, and Patricia Lee Menges.

Radford University PresidentPenelope Kyle

WOMEN’S TENNIS

RADFORD

23

Robert LineburgRADFORDSincebeingintroducedasRadfordUniversity’sDirectorofAthleticsinthefallof

2007,RadfordnativeRobertLineburghashelpedusherinaneweraofHighlanderathletics,markedbyunprecedentedon-andoff-fieldimprovementsandsuccesses.Inhisshorttimewiththedepartment,Lineburghasbeenthecatalystforanumberof

changes, particularly in areas such as facilities, personnel and strategic planning.HismostvisibleinfluencestodatehavebeenontheDedmonCenterandRadford

University’snew700-seatbaseballstadium.Beginninginthespringof2008,theDedmonCenter,thecenterpieceofHighlander

athletics,underwenttransformationstothearena,includinganewsteel-supportedroof,anewbasketballfloor,renovatedathleticoffices,anew-looknatatorium,andimprovedathletic locker, training, and medical facilities.AlongwiththeinitialupgradestotheDedmonCenter,animprovedstate-of-the-art

strengthandconditioningroom,newticketofficeandLearningEnhancementCenter(LEC),whichhousesstudent-athleteacademicsupport,werecompleted/addedin2009.In2010,facilityupgradesincludedanewhigh-techvideoboard/soundsystemtothe

DedmonCenteraswellasanewplayingsurface/irrigationsystemanddugoutstotheRadfordUniversityBaseballField.Thispastspring,RadfordtransformeditsbaseballprograminAprilof2011byopen-

ingabrand-newstadiumandmakingthefirstsignificantadjustmenttoitshomeparksinceopeningin1986.Forthefirsttimeever,theHighlandershavethecapabilitytohost night games. The stadium features lighting standards that meet the requirements of NCAA Regional Tournament host sites.InJune,RobertLineburgintroducedMikeJonesasRadfordUniversity’s7thhead

men’sbasketballcoach.Lineburghasalsooverseenthehiresofsixnewheadcoachesaswellasseven

newathleticadministrators.Hisotherhiresincludewomen’sbasketballheadcoachTajNjongba,headvolleyballcoachMarciJenkins,women’sheadgolfcoachJeffBeeler,headmen’ssoccercoachMarcReevesandthepromotionoftrackandfieldinterimdirectorBrentChumbleytoheadcoaches’status.AmongtheadministratorsaddedinLineburg’stenureareexecutiveassociateA.D.RandyButt,headathletictrainerChadHyatt,assistantA.D.forcommunicationsJoeyBeeler,directorofstudent-athletesup-portservices/seniorwomen’sadministratorStephanieBalleinandDirectorofFacilitiesBrad Epperley.Asaresultofthechanges,Radfordachievedabanneryearin2008-09:women’s

soccer,men’sbasketball,men’stennisandsoftballclaimedBigSouthconferencecrownsandadvancedtoNCAATournamentplay.Women’ssocceradvancedtoitsfourthtournament,men’sbasketballwontheBigSouthregular-seasonandtournamenttitletoadvancetotheNCAAsforthefirsttimesince1998,men’stennismadeitsthird-straightappearance,andsoftballappearedforthefirsttimeandwonRadford’sfirst-ever NCAA tournament game in any sport.LineburgandtheHighlandersbackedtheirsuccessin2008-09withamen’sten-

nisandsoftballBigSouthregularseasontitlein2009-10.MickeyDean’ssoftballteamwentontowintheirsecondstraightconferencetournamentcrownbeforeadvancingtotheAthens,GeorgiaRegionalfinalwithtwomoreNCAATournamentvictories.Thesuccessesonthefieldcontinuedin2010-11asRadfordcapturedthreemoreBig

Southtitles.Women’ssoccerandsoftballclaimedregularseasoncrowns,whilemen’stennisadvancedtotheNCAATournamentwiththeirfourthleaguetournamentchampi-onshipinfiveyears.Alongwiththeircompetitivesuccess,theHighlandershavedefinedthetruemeaning

of“student-athlete”duringLineburg’stenure.Forthesecondconsecutiveyear,RafordledallBigSouthinstitutionsbyplacing58.3percentofitsstudent-athletesonthecon-ference’sPresidentialHonorRoll.In2008-09,theHighlandershad57.9percentoftheirstudents on the list.Heandhisstaffhavealsobeenresponsibleforcreatingafive-yearstrategicplanfor

theRadfordathleticdepartmentandbuildinganathleticsfacilitiesmasterplan.Addi-tionalachievementsincludeusheringinanewathleticsInternetsite(RadfordAthletics.com),andhelpingimplementanewticketsystem(TicketReturn).Lineburgandhisstaffhavealsohostedtop-levelcompetition,withfiveBigSouthchampionshipstakingplaceontheRadfordcampusfrom2008-11(men’sbasketball,track&field,softball,men’stennisandvolleyball).InadditiontomakinganimpactonRadfordathletics,Lineburgisalsoinvolvedina

numberofdifferentorganizationsandcommittees.HeisthechairmanoftheBigSouthConferenceSubcommitteeonBasketballImprovement,amemberoftheBigSouthad-hocCommitteeonBasketballIssues,amemberoftheselectioncommitteetoselectRadfordUniversity’sVicePresidentforAdvancement,andmostrecently,wasselectedtoserveontheNCAADivisionIMen’sBasketballIssuesCommitteePriortobecomingRadford’sthirdDirectorofAthletics,Lineburg’scorporateknowl-

edgewasgroomedasamarketingassociatewithPelotonRealEstatePartnersinDal-las, Texas.Alongwithhisbusinessexperience,Lineburgspent15seasonsasacollegebasket-

ballcoach,includingtimeasSouthernMethodist’s(Dallas,Texas)interimheadcoach.PriortoservingastheMustangsinterimheadcoach,LineburgspenteightyearsasanassistantcoachatSMU.Followinghisinterimtenure,heservedtwomoreseasonsasan assistant coach at Southern Methodist.Lineburg’scoachingresumealsoincludesassistantcoachingpositionswiththemen’s

basketballprogramsatJamesMadisonUniversityandEmory&HenryCollege,aswellaswiththeDallasMaverickssummerleagueteam.HiscoachingexperiencealsotookhimthroughtheBigSouth,ashespenttimeonthesidelineatUNCGreensboro.A1991graduateofRoanokeCollege,Lineburgstartedhiscollegiatebasketballca-

reerasaRadfordHighlander,wherehewasatwo-yearlettermanbeforetransferringtonearbyRoanokeCollegetoplayhisfinaltwoyears.HeearnedhisBachelor’sDegreeinpoliticalsciencewithaminorinhistory.In1995,

hereceivedaMaster’sDegreeineducationfromVirginiaTech,wherehewasalsoagraduateassistantonthemen’sbasketballstaff.“Inadditiontobeingagoodcandidate,RobertisaRadfordnative,somethingthatwill

servehimwellinhisnewrole,”Kylesaidatthetimeofhishire.“Hehasgreatfamilytiesintheareaandwe’reexcitedhe’sdecidedtocomehometoworkwithus.”LineburgisthesonofretiredRadfordHighSchoolfootballcoachandathleticdirector

NormanLineburgandthebrotherofDr.MarkLineburg,theSuperintendentofBristolCitySchools,PaulLineburg,theAssistantPrincipalatWilliamByrdH.S.andWayneLineburg,whoistheinterimheadfootballcoachattheUniversityofRichmond.

He is married to the former Mary Parish, also a native of Radford.

Director of AthleticsRobert Lineburg

WOMEN’S TENNIS

24

This is Radford University NestledintheNewRiverValleyoftheBlueRidgeMountainsinRadford,Va.,RadfordUniversity

is student-centered and focused on providing outstanding academic programs for its more than 9,000 students.Wellknownforitsstrongfaculty/studentbonds,innovativeuseoftechnologyinthelearningenvironmentandvibrantstudentlifeonabeautifulcampus,RadfordUniversityoffersmanyopportuni-ties to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom.

RadfordUniversitywelcomesstudentsfromtheCommonwealthofVirginia,acrossthecountryandaroundtheworld.Here,youwillfindinspirationinthesurroundings–themanicuredgreenlawnsoncampus,thesteadyrolloftheNewRiver,thewondersalongtheBlueRidgeParkway,thestatelyuniversitybuildingsandaquaintdowntown.Radford’s153undergraduateandgraduateprogramsoffereverystudenttheopportunitytodiscovernewtalents,developleadershipskillsandexperiencepersonalgrowth.

RadfordUniversityservestheCommonwealthofVirginiaandthenationthroughawiderangeofacademic, cultural, human service, and research programs. First and foremost, the university em-phasizesteachingandlearningandtheprocessoflearninginitscommitmenttothedevelopmentofmature,responsible,well-educatedcitizens.RadfordUniversitydevelopsstudents’creativeandcriticalthinkingskills,teachesstudentstoanalyzeproblemsandimplementsolutions,helpsstudentsdiscovertheirleadershipstyles,andfosterstheirgrowthasleaders.Towardtheseends,theuniversityis student-focused and promotes a sense of caring and of meaningful interaction among all mem-bersoftheUniversitycommunity.Researchisviewedasavitalcorollarytotheteachingandlearningtransactionasitsustainsandenhancestheabilitytoteacheffectively.RadfordUniversitybelievesinthedynamicsofchangeandhasastrongcommitmenttocontinuousreview,evaluation,andimprove-ment in the curriculum and all aspects of the university, so as to meet the changing needs of society.

Fast Facts-LocatedintheNewRiverValleyofSouthwestVirginia-177-acremaincampus;78-acreRUWestcampus-9,370Students(58%female,42%male)- 1,020 Graduate enrollment-Studentsoriginatefrom39statesandWashingtonD.C.;57countries-Student-to-facultyratioof19:1-83%offacultyholddoctorateorterminaldegreesintheirfields-93%ofRUstudentsobtainemploymentorcontinueeducationwithin3-8monthsofgraduation

RADFORD

25UNIVERSITY

26

NEW RIVER

THE NEW RIVER

TheNRVishometooneoftheoldestriversintheworld:theNewRiver.It’salsooneofthefewriversintheworldthatflowssouth to north.

TheNRVhoststhelargestresearchparkintheCommonwealthofVirginia.

TheNRViscomprisedofthefollowingcounties-Montgomery,Pulas-ki,Floyd,GilesandtheIndependentCityofRadford.

TheNRVishometoapproximately165,145residents.

TheNRVhostsRadfordUniversity,VirginiaTech,andNewRiverCommunity College.

THE NEW RIVER

27

CASCADE FALLS BISSET PARK

DOWNTOWN RADFORD

VALLEY

28

CAMPUS LIFEWant to get involved? You can startwithmorethan200clubsandorganizations,includingacademicclubs,outdoorclubs,national honor fraternities and Greek associations. Join a team --RUhasclubandintramuralsportsandNCAADivisionIath-letics,whichincludeseightmen’sand11women’ssports.Ifthat’snot enough, there are campus lectures, movies, performances, festivals(picturedbelow)andconcertsfrombignameslikeThird Eye Blind, Outkast, Match-box20andFuel.

CLIMBING WALL

HIGHLANDER FESTIVAL

CLIMBING WALL

29

Student-Athlete Support Services

ThemissionoftheStudent-AthleteSupportServices(SASS)officeforRadford University Athletics is to promote, assist, and provide counsel to allstudent-athletes.Itsprimary,constantgoalistodevelopgraduatesandoutstandingcitizenswhohavecontributedintheareasofathleticcompetitionduring their tenures of education.

LocatedintheDedmonAthleticCenter,thenewlyestablishedLearningEnhancementCenterisequippedwithcomputers,tutorialrooms,andastudylounge.

The Learning Enhancement Center provides direction for student-athletes via academiccounselinginconjunctionwithadvisorsfromtherespectivecol-leges at Radford University. Academic support services such as tutoring and supervisedstudyhallareprovided,aswellascareerplanning,monitoringofeligibilitystatus,andahostofotherguidanceandadvisoryservices.

2011-12 Athletic Academic Accomplishments

3 Scholar-Athletes of the Year

3 Most Outstanding Students

40 All-Academic Selections

6 All-State Academic Selections

1 CoSIDA Academic All-America

4 Academic All-District Selections

5 Team Academic Awards

ATHLETICS

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A component that is vital to Radford student-athletes is the strengthandconditioningprogramdirectedbyStrengthandConditioning Coach Michael Shumaker.

HighlanderAthleticshaslongbeenrecognizedasoneoftheleaders among Mid-Atlantic schools in its conditioning and strengthtraining.Ithasbeenaninstrumentalpartinthesuc-cess of Radford University sports through the years. Under the direction of Shumaker and Assistant Strength and Condition-ing coaches Tim Ridley and Michele Huffman, the program is designed to help each student-athlete reach his or her full potential in their respective sport.

Each Radford University student-athlete has strength and conditioning programs unique to their goals as a player. This program,developedbyShumaker,helpsprepareRadfordstudent-athletes for the long and rigorous in-season schedule.

The Strength and Conditioning staff at Radford University is committed to excellence in competition and in life.

Strength & Conditioning

STRENGTH

31CONDITIONING

32

RADFORD UNIV.

Radford University Tennis ComplexOftenconsideredoneofthebestoutdoortennisfacilitiesintheregion,theRadfordUniversityTennisComplexfeatures12regulationcourts,sixofwhicharelighted.

The complex has hosted several championship events, including Big South Conference Championships and Virginia High School League Championships.

Therearefoursetsofthreecourtseach,dividedbyaversatilepavilionareathatcanbearrangedtohostspectators,hospitalityareasorscoringvenues.

Long term plans call for the addition of covered courts, either over the existing courts or atanearbysite.CoveredcourtswouldgiveRadfordtheabilitytoplayyear-round.

33TENNIS COMPLEX