COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: High marks on Monteagle Ridge

Niagara U.

June 4, 2008

By Jonah Bronstein<br><a href="mailto:bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Jonah</a> The Niagara Gazette Wed Jun 04, 2008, 11:35 PM EDT

Consider this our token contribution to Niagara University’s Ray Kist Golf Classic fundraiser, which honors the memory of longtime athletic trainer and will be played Monday at Niagara Falls Country Club.

It’s the first (and, probably, last) all purple edition of the notebook.

First, let’s consider, is the current crop of Purple Eagles student-athletes the smartest ever?

Niagara reported an all-time high cumulative grade-point average (3.2) in the 2007-08 academic year — though we have read enough about grade inflation trends to be dubious of that record.

Still, it’s plenty impressive that nearly two-thirds (188 of 286) of Niagara’s athletes achieved GPAs of 3.2 or higher, 109 marked higher than 3.5 and 36 boasted 4.0s or better.

“Our academic performance this spring speaks for itself,” athletics director Ed McLaughlin said, succinctly — and ironically.

The volleyball team used a 3.76 in the spring to bring its full-year average up to 3.62 and edge women’s basketball (3.60) for top honors.

•••

Local tennis players Andria Janese (Niagara Falls) and Brittany Stallard (Grand Island) will join the Purple Eagles as preferred walk-ons next season, coach Paul Calkins announced Wednesday.

Janese helped the Wolverines to a 14-2 record as a senior and set a school record with 50 career wins. She was four times a scholar athlete and team MVP three years in a row.

Stallard led the Vikings to a perfect season, posting a 15-2 individual mark. She was 14-0 in Niagara Frontier League play.

Calkins also signed a pair of out of state players, led by Hillary Hansen, the No. 1 ranked Atlantic Canada Player and 2007 Prince Edward Island Junior Player of the Year. Hansen is the highest-ranking player Niagara has ever signed, according to a press release.

Alyssa Lucas, a two-time all-state player in Michigan, is the other signee.

•••

Barret Ehgoetz, the Purple Eagles’ all-time leading scorer, is playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the East Coast Hockey League, who hold a 3-2 series lead over the Las Vegas Wranglers heading into tonight’s sixth game of the Kelly Cup finals.

Ehgoetz, who had 71 goals and 95 assists in his Niagara career, has totaled 10 assists and a goal in 21 playoff games for the Cyclones, the AA affiliate of the Montreal Canadians and Nashville Predators.

“I definitely wouldn’t be here without my four years at Niagara,” Ehgoetz said. “Even today, things pop up and I rely on my experiences at Niagara. It was a great learning experience,”

•••

There are still openings for Niagara’s first basketball camp session, which begins June 30.

The day camp, open to boys and girls ages 8-16, features fundamental drills, lectures, contests, team play and swimming. For more information, contact Carolyn Neumann at 286-8605 or cneumann@niagara.edu.

Another session will be held in early August. Camps for other sports will mostly be held in July, but the women’s hockey team has the first of five Wednesday skill sessions coming up this week at Dwyer Arena.

•••

Former Purple Eagle Stacy Koslosky has been named the new women’s volleyball coach at D’Youville College. Koslosky was a two-year starter at Niagara, after helping Genesee Community College advanced to the NJCAA tournament twice.

•••

As for the 11th annual Kist Classic, Niagara alums can register to participate through the online Eagle’s Nest system, and non-alums can do so by calling Amy Morgan, alumni relations office coordinator, at 286-8787.

Last year’s event featured more than 100 golfers, and the foursome of Frank Fiannaca, Mark Gabriele, Jim Tooke and Matt Jacob took the title in a scramble format with a 20-under-par 50.

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258 or bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Niagara U.

Niagara shuts out Canisius
Paul Zanette had a goal and assist while goaltender Chris Noonan made 29 saves to propel the Niagara University men’s hockey team to a critical 3-0 victory over Canisius at the Buffalo State College Sports Complex.

February 17, 2011
Situation getting worse for Niagara basketball team
Niagara sank into last place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 51-49 loss at Manhattan, which came into the game on a 15-game losing streak Monday. And that was hardly the most ominous news to come out of the lost weekend, which also included Saturday’s setback at Saint Peter’s.

January 17, 2011
Niagara falls hard in big game
With Calvin Murphy being honored at halftime and ESPNU showing the game nationwide, the Purple Eagles missed more than twice as many shots as they made and lost 82-65 to visiting Metro Atlantic Athletic foe Rider before a crowd of 1,275.

January 8, 2011 1 Photo
A legend holds court at NU
Calvin Murphy adds to his legend in return

January 7, 2011 3 Photos
Calvin Murphy excited to come back to Niagara
Murphy is passionate about showing his loyalty to Niagara because the university has done the same for him over the years.

January 6, 2011
Niagara loses by 45 at Drexel
The Niagara men’s basketball team suffered through its most lopsided loss in over a decade on its worst offensive night in almost a century.

December 28, 2010
Niagara making impression in Atlantic Hockey
As second semester approaches, Purple Eagles have rebounded after down year

December 27, 2010 1 Photo
Purple Eagles encouraged to follow the leader
Having lost seven of eight games for just the second time in his 12 years at Niagara, coach Joe Mihalich is concerned that his roster of mostly freshmen and sophomores is not responding to the leadership being provided by his lone senior.

December 27, 2010
Dobrich pursues his passion coaching the Purple Eagles
Luke Dobrich, 32, is in his eighth season as a men’s basketball assistant coach at Niagara, and his first as the senior member of head coach Joe Mihalich’s staff.

December 22, 2010
Nelson’s basket lifts NU past Bowling Green
Anthony Nelson’s basket with just a second left on the shot clock proved the game’s winning play as the Purple Eagles evened their record at 2-2 with a 65-61 victory over Bowling Green on Friday.

November 26, 2010
More Niagara U. Headlines

Niagara U.

Search Results

COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: High marks on Monteagle Ridge

Site Map

Contact Us