Wednesday, July 31, 2013
In the FCS Huddle: Big Sky newcomers seek to take next step
By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director/Senior Editor
(Sports Network) - The fact the football coaches from the old Great West
Conference are demanding much more from their teams suggests a lot about their
place in the Big Sky Conference.
Their teams belong there.
Cal Poly was outstanding in its first season in the Big Sky last year -
earning a share of the conference championship - but the other three newcomers
weren't nearly as content with their results, even though Southern Utah, North
Dakota and UC Davis held their own while all four programs stepped up in class
to what has become the biggest FCS conference in the nation.
The four will need to put the pedal to the mettle this season. The Big Sky
preseason polls that were released Monday reflect the depth of the conference.
Cal Poly is expected to be a national Top 15 team again, but it was picked only
fourth behind preseason favorite Montana State, Eastern Washington and Montana
in both the conference coaches and media polls.
North Dakota was picked seventh and Southern Utah ninth in both polls, which
were exactly the same except for UC Davis was tabbed 11th in the media poll
ahead of Weber State and the two were flip-flopped in the coaches poll.
Quarterback and three-time Walter Payton Award finalist DeNarius McGhee of
Montana State was named the preseason offensive player of the year and Montana
linebacker Jordan Tripp, the 2012 Buck Buchanan Award finalist, was selected as
the preseason defensive player of the year.
All 13 schools were represented on the preseason all-conference team.
Northern Arizona had the most selections with six.
In the first season of the Big Sky's recent expansion, Cal Poly shared the
title with Eastern Washington and Montana State, going 9-3 overall and 7-1 in
the conference and reaching the FCS playoffs.
Southern Utah finished 5-6 overall, but was 4-4 in the conference and tied
for fifth place. North Dakota, a co-champion with Cal Poly in the final season
of the Great West Conference in 2011, went 5-6 and 3-5, while UC Davis finished
4-7 and 3-5, with both teams part of a tie for eighth place. SUU and UND hung
their hats on wins over national power Montana.
"Cal Poly was super," Southern Utah coach Ed Lamb said, "but the rest of the
old GWC teams need to step up our consistency of play in order to earn the
respect of this great conference."
"Our players learned, No. 1, of the competitiveness of the Big Sky," Cal Poly
coach Tim Walsh said, "and that each and every week becomes a championship week
and playoff game. You will find yourself in the middle of the pack if you don't
look at it that way. You will be on the outside looking in."
Among the four teams, only UC Davis returns its starting quarterback, fifth-
year senior Randy Wright. But the Aggies have a new head coach in Ron Gould, who
replaced Bob Biggs after his 20-year run.
During spring practices, Cal Poly's triple option didn't get an answer at
quarterback from a five-player competition. The QB derby includes junior Vince
Moraga, the backup to Andre Broadous last season.
Southern Utah has to replace San Diego Chargers seventh-round selection Brad
Sorensen. Junior college transfer Aaron Cantu appeared to grab the reins in the
spring, but recent Oregon State transfer Richie Harrington figures to factor
into the picture.
Redshirt freshmen Joe Mollberg and Ryan Bartels both hope to win the starting
job at North Dakota.
"I thought all four of us were nice additions to the league. Obviously, Cal
Poly came in and made the playoffs, but I think each one of us fit in well," UND
coach Chris Mussman said.
"The biggest thing we learned, especially from the games where we were kind
of overwhelmed, is you cannot make mistakes. You make one and things just start
to steamroll and the game gets away from you. You have to play smart, sound
football for 60 minutes. And, offensively, you have to be explosive and score
quickly at times. There are not a lot of slow-it down, methodical-type teams in
the Big Sky and we found that out quickly."
BIG SKY FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLLS
Voted on by Head Coaches
1. Montana State (8 first-place votes), 140 points
2. Eastern Washington (3), 130
3. Montana (2), 111
4. Cal Poly, 109
5. Northern Arizona, 104
6. Sacramento State, 88
7. North Dakota, 66
8. Northern Colorado, 63
9. Southern Utah, 57
10. Portland State, 49
11. Weber State, 48
12. UC Davis, 37
13. Idaho State, 12
Voted on by Media
1. Montana State (31), 596
2. Eastern Washington (12), 566
3. Montana (3), 492
4. Cal Poly (1), 466
5. Northern Arizona, 457
6. Sacramento State (1), 374
7. North Dakota, 309
8. Northern Colorado, 239
9. Southern Utah, 228
10. Portland State, 212
11. UC Davis, 191
12. Weber State, 164
13. Idaho State, 74
PRESEASON ALL-BIG SKY TEAM
Offensive MVP - DeNarius McGhee, Sr., QB, Montana State
Defensive MVP - Jordan Tripp, Sr., LB, Montana
Offense
QB - DeNarius McGhee, Sr., Montana State
RB - Zach Bauman, Sr., Northern Arizona
RB - Cody Kirk, Sr., Montana State
FB - Dalton Turay, Jr., UC Davis
OG - Tyler Worthley, Sr., Sacramento State
OG - Gavin Farr, Sr., Sacramento State
C - Mitch Gaulke, Sr., Southern Utah
OT - Danny Kistler, Sr., Montana
OT - Giovanni Sani, Sr., Cal Poly
WR - Greg Hardin, Sr., North Dakota
WR - Tanner Bleskin, Sr., Montana State
WR - Fatu Moala, Sr., Southern Utah
WR - Morris Norrise, Sr., Sacramento State
TE - R.J. Rickert, Jr., Northern Arizona
K - Colton Cook, Sr.,Southern Utah
Return - Greg Hardin, Sr., North Dakota
Defense
DE - Zack Wagenman, Jr., Montana
DE - Brad Daly, Sr. Helena, Mont. Montana State
DT - Sullivan Grosz, Sr., Cal Poly
DT - Tim Wilkinson, Sr., Northern Arizona
OLB - Jordan Tripp, Sr., Montana
OLB - Trevor Spence, Sr., Idaho State
ILB - Ronnie Hamlin, Sr., Eastern Washington
ILB - Clarence Bumpas, Sr., Northern Colorado
ILB - Anthony Morales, Sr., Weber State
CB - Anders Battle, Sr., Northern Arizona
CB - T.J. Lee III, Sr., Eastern Washington
S - Lucky Dozier, Sr., Northern Arizona
S - Allen Brown, Sr., Eastern Washington
P - Andy Wilder, Sr., Northern Arizona
Special Teams
Chris Judge, Sr., Cal Poly
07/15 13:53:45 ET
Season Ticket Update
FYI season ticket packets will be mailed out no later thanWednesday, August 14 if anyone asks.
Thanks,
Stacey
Stacey Kahler
Admin. Assistant to Director of Athletics
Spirit Squad Program Director
Intercollegiate Athletics
The University of Montana
Griz Nation Pulse Newsletter: 7-29-13
07/26/2013 - General Release
Statements from President Engstrom, AD Haslam on NCAA investigation
The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions has released a news release and its summary disposition report regarding athletics at the University of Montana.
Click here to read the full story
07/18/2013 - Men's Tennis
Men's tennis adds international and local players - Peter Mimnagh-Fleming is from Navan, Ireland, Alex Braun from Missoula
The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions has released a news release and its summary disposition report regarding athletics at the University of Montana.
 Brooke Bray |  | 07/22/2013 - General Release When Kent Haslam was named the University of Montana's 20th Director of Athletics last September, he mostly stuck to the standard AD handbook during his debut press conference, highlighting his desire for the Grizzlies to continue pursuing excellence in both competition and in the classroom. |
 Katie Baker will leave for Luxembourg in August | | 07/19/2013 - Women's Basketball Should it really come as a surprise that Alyssa Smith is continuing to inspire her teammates, even four months after her career at Montana ended? |
 Linebacker Brock Coyle | | 07/18/2013 - Football Three University of Montana football players have been named to the 2013 preseason Football Championship Subdivision All-American team in Phil Steele's College Football Preview magazine and a total of eight UM players were named to that publication's preseason All-Big Sky Conference squad, it was announced Thursday. |
 | | 07/17/2013 - Football All anybody really wants, when they are minutes away from taking the first steps on an arduous journey of 26.2 miles, is a moment of levity. Anything will do, as long as it temporarily brushes aside the questions and doubts that naturally come with being a first-time marathoner. |
Men's tennis adds international and local players - Peter Mimnagh-Fleming is from Navan, Ireland, Alex Braun from Missoula
GRIZ FOOTBALL PLAYERS REPORT FOR THE 2013 SEASON ON AUGUST 4TH/FALL CAMP’S FIRST PRACTICES SLATED FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH
MISSOULA, MONTANA – The University of Montana football team starts its preparation for the 2013 football season on Sunday, August 4, as the Grizzlies welcome their returning players and newcomers to fall camp.
All players are slated to report on Sunday, with the first practice scheduled (a complete fall camp schedule for the month of August is included in this release in a PDF format) for Tuesday, August 6 in UM’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The team has one-a-day practices Tuesday-through Saturday, August 6-10, from approximately 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The first two-a-day practice is on Sunday, August 11, with the first session going from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., and the second slated for 7:45 p.m. to around 10:00 p.m. Fall camp practice sessions go from August 6-24 and are closed to the public. Classes at UM start on Monday, August 26.
UM’s three fall camp scrimmages are scheduled for Sunday evening, August 11; Saturday morning, August 17; and Thursday morning, August 22, with exact times TBA.
Second-year Griz head coach Mick Delaney will welcome 90 total players on August 4, both veterans and newcomers, to fall camp.
The Grizzlies are coming off a 5-6 overall season and went 3-5 league record (tied for eighth), return 19-plus starters and 42 letterman. The Grizzlies adopted the theme “United” for the 2013 season – and they are on a determined mission to get Montana back to one of the elite teams in the FCS – a position which they have occupied for almost the past three decades.
Ten of those starters return from a defense that was second in the nation in sacks (41) and also second in rush defense (92.55 ypg). Last season the Grizzlies struggled with their pass defense, where they allowed 299.26 yards a game and were ranked 120th (out of 121 teams).
“I really, really expect our defense to be outstanding,” Delaney said. “Obviously they haven’t done it on the field as a group yet, but when you look at who we have coming back, plus the younger guys who will provide quality depth, I think our defense could be one of the best in the FCS.”
Leading the way are returning All-Americans Jordan Tripp and Zack Wagenmann, who were both first team all-league selections as well. Other returning starters on “D” are tackles Alex Bienemann and Tonga Takai; linebackers Brock Coyle and John Kanongata’a; cornerbacks Joshua Dennard, Anthony Goodwin and Sean Murray; and safeties Matt Hermanson and Bo Tully.
Despite its six losses last season, Montana led the Big Sky and was ranked 11th in the country in total offense (452.27 ypg) and rushing (235.73 ypg), and tied for 27th in scoring (31.64 ppg).
“I know we are going to be very solid on the offensive side of the football,” Delaney said. “We changed our scheme somewhat, and I think that will benefit the type of players we have. We have great size and depth on the offensive line and will use a two-back set sometimes, or a one-back scheme with two or three tight ends. I think that scheme will help our play-action passing game. I expect our completion percentage to go way up (it was 6.3% last season) because of what we are doing. We won’t go down the field as often, but we will still have a nice package to stretch the field.”
All-America tackler Danny Kistler Jr. heads a group of four returning offensive linemen, which also includes center Kjelby Oiland, guard William Poehls, and tackle Trevor Poole. Also back are wide receivers Ellis Henderson and Mitch Saylor, as well as part-time starters Jordan Canada at running back and Logan Hines at center.
Trent McKinney and Shay Smithwick-Hann shared the starting job at quarterback last season, but former starter Jordan Johnson returns and started in 12 games in 2011. Johnson emerged as the No. 1 signal-caller after spring drills.
Also back are kicker Chris Lider and punter Stephen Shaw, both sophomores. One of UM’s key losses was punt returner/halfback Peter Nguyen, who was ranked among the national leaders in punt returns 18th, 9.88 ypr) and rushing (50th, 84.18 ypg) a year ago and was a four-time all-league pick.
GRIZ GRIDIRON NOTES
-The Grizzlies have had three players named to 2013 preseason All-America teams: Kistler, Tripp, and Wagenmann.
-UM has 11 returning all-league players: Kistler, Tripp and Wagenmann (first team), while Bienemann, Coyle, Hermanson, Kanongata’a, Lider, Murray, Shaw and Takai were honorable mention selections.
-The Griz return 15 academic All-Big Sky honorees: sophomore defensive end Derek Crittenden, sophomore safeties Herbert Gamboa and Zach Gratton, sophomore fullback Gavin Hagfors, sophomore cornerback Nate Harris, sophomore D-linemen Tyrone Holmes and Caleb Kidder, sophomore kicker Chris Lider, sophomore wide receiver Chase Naccarato, junior DT Trevor Rehm, junior quarterback Shay Smithwick-Hann, senior safeties Steven Rominger and Bo Tully, junior DE Zack Wagenmann, and senior wide receiver Cam Warren.
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 | FALLCAMPcalendar2013.pdf 40K View Download |
| PreSeason cover2.pdf 2595K View Download |
Friday, July 26, 2013
From the Desk of President Engstrom
July 26, 2013
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
 |
Today the NCAA announced the conclusion of its investigation, begun in January 2012, into the University of Montana’s athletics department. The Division I Committee on Infractions handled this matter through summary disposition, which is the NCAA’s cooperative and streamlined process.
The NCAA determined that we failed to monitor our football program, finding instances of playing ineligible student-athletes, provision of extra benefits to some football players, and exceeding coaching limits on a limited basis. Penalties imposed include vacating certain game wins from the 2011 football season, a limit on football scholarships for three years, and probationary status for three years. The NCAA news release and report can be foundhere.
As President, I take seriously the responsibility of ensuring that UM offers a dynamic learning environment that is second to none, including strong academics and strong athletics. Even before the end of the NCAA investigation, we instituted changes. We expanded our athletics compliance office; we are developing more educational programs; we are improving our communications with staff, coaches, student-athletes, fans, and supporters; and we are improving facilities for these students. We will work to ensure that we are in full compliance, and we intend to continue strengthening our culture of compliance.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics Kent Haslam, we have pledged to build a superior and effective athletic program with students who are known for their contributions to their sport, to the classroom, and to the community. We are proud of our student-athletes, and I consider athletics integral to the fabric of the Montana experience.
The resolution of the NCAA investigation is welcome, and it reinforces our focus on excellence at UM. I can assure you that our athletic program has never been stronger. Indeed, in addition to their successes on the field and the court, our student-athletes just posted their 16th semester of having a GPA of 3.0 or higher – which is better than our overall student population. Not only that, they also devoted more than 700 hours to community service just last year alone.
The conclusion of the NCAA investigative process – following last May’s announcement of our agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice on unrelated matters – marks an end to this chapter in UM’s history. Many faculty members, staff members, and students have worked hard this past year and a half on new processes and policies across campus, on new training, and on new communication tools. Our campus is stronger, safer, and more vibrant than ever.
Sincerely,
Royce C. Engstrom
President
University of Montana
The NCAA determined that we failed to monitor our football program, finding instances of playing ineligible student-athletes, provision of extra benefits to some football players, and exceeding coaching limits on a limited basis. Penalties imposed include vacating certain game wins from the 2011 football season, a limit on football scholarships for three years, and probationary status for three years. The NCAA news release and report can be foundhere.
As President, I take seriously the responsibility of ensuring that UM offers a dynamic learning environment that is second to none, including strong academics and strong athletics. Even before the end of the NCAA investigation, we instituted changes. We expanded our athletics compliance office; we are developing more educational programs; we are improving our communications with staff, coaches, student-athletes, fans, and supporters; and we are improving facilities for these students. We will work to ensure that we are in full compliance, and we intend to continue strengthening our culture of compliance.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics Kent Haslam, we have pledged to build a superior and effective athletic program with students who are known for their contributions to their sport, to the classroom, and to the community. We are proud of our student-athletes, and I consider athletics integral to the fabric of the Montana experience.
The resolution of the NCAA investigation is welcome, and it reinforces our focus on excellence at UM. I can assure you that our athletic program has never been stronger. Indeed, in addition to their successes on the field and the court, our student-athletes just posted their 16th semester of having a GPA of 3.0 or higher – which is better than our overall student population. Not only that, they also devoted more than 700 hours to community service just last year alone.
The conclusion of the NCAA investigative process – following last May’s announcement of our agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice on unrelated matters – marks an end to this chapter in UM’s history. Many faculty members, staff members, and students have worked hard this past year and a half on new processes and policies across campus, on new training, and on new communication tools. Our campus is stronger, safer, and more vibrant than ever.
Sincerely,
Royce C. Engstrom
President
University of Montana
From the Executive Director - Grizzly Scholarship Association
We were notified by the NCAA yesterday morning the investigation in to the football program has come to a conclusion and the report would be made public today. UM gained access to the report at 8 a.m. this morning.
You can access the full report by clicking HERE and looking under “Recent Cases”. Please see the attached letter that is being sent to media, fans, etc. We will visit over the next few days I am sure! If you have questions please call myself or Dan Ingram at 406-243-6294.
It is nice to have this brought to an end. Have a great weekend.
Greg Sundberg
Associate Athletic Director, External Operations
Executive Director - Grizzly Scholarship Association
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
Montana failed to monitor football program
National Collegiate Athletic Association
Publish date: Jul 26, 2013
The University of Montana and its former head football coach failed to monitor its football program, according to findings by the Division I Committee on Infractions. University boosters provided extra benefits to football players, including meals, free legal representation and bail bond payments, a small loan, clothing, lodging, transportation and laundry services. Additionally, the football team exceeded coaching limits and two former student-athletes competed while ineligible. As a result of this activity, the university and the former head coach failed to monitor.
Penalties in this case, many of which were self-imposed, include a three-year probation period, scholarship reductions, a vacation of wins in which the ineligible student-athletes participated and reduction in the number of undergraduate student assistant positions. The former head coach, among other consequences, will be suspended from coaching duties at his current university for the first game of the 2013 season and face multiple recruiting restrictions during the upcoming fall season.
This case was resolved through the summary disposition process, a cooperative effort where the involved parties collectively submit the case to the Committee on Infractions in written form. The NCAA enforcement staff, university and involved individuals must agree to the facts of the case in order for this process to be utilized instead of having a formal hearing.
When two student-athletes were arrested in 2011, a university booster provided bail. Another booster then provided the student-athletes with free legal representation. According to NCAA rules, a law firm may provide a student-athlete free legal assistance if it has a history of providing pro bono services to other individuals, including the general student body at the school, and the student-athlete initiated contact with the law firm. Additionally, two student-athletes competed in regular and postseason games while they were ineligible, due to the provision of bail and free legal assistance.
Following the release of the two student-athletes from jail, the former head coach learned that a booster provided bail for the two student-athletes. The former head coach did not inform the compliance office or any other administrator of the booster activity. Senior athletics department officials, including the compliance director and director of athletics, were also aware that the booster was providing legal assistance to the student-athletes.
Three married couples, who were university boosters, provided meals for at least eight student-athletes on more than 100 occasions from 2004 through 2012. Additionally, one of the couples provided a student-athlete with free storage space for two months, transportation, apparel and a small cash loan. An assistant director of athletics also committed a secondary violation by providing a student-athlete with meals, snacks, lodging and laundry services..
During the 2011-12 academic year, the football program employed a student assistant that performed activities allowed only for coaches.
The former head coach failed to monitor the football program by not reporting the booster activity surrounding the arrest of the two student-athletes, not monitoring the relationships between boosters and student-athletes and allowing a student assistant to engage in coaching activity. The university failed to monitor the football program when it did not supervise the booster activity surrounding the provision of legal services to student-athletes.
Penalties and measures for the former head coach at his current university include:
Publish date: Jul 26, 2013
The University of Montana and its former head football coach failed to monitor its football program, according to findings by the Division I Committee on Infractions. University boosters provided extra benefits to football players, including meals, free legal representation and bail bond payments, a small loan, clothing, lodging, transportation and laundry services. Additionally, the football team exceeded coaching limits and two former student-athletes competed while ineligible. As a result of this activity, the university and the former head coach failed to monitor.
Penalties in this case, many of which were self-imposed, include a three-year probation period, scholarship reductions, a vacation of wins in which the ineligible student-athletes participated and reduction in the number of undergraduate student assistant positions. The former head coach, among other consequences, will be suspended from coaching duties at his current university for the first game of the 2013 season and face multiple recruiting restrictions during the upcoming fall season.
This case was resolved through the summary disposition process, a cooperative effort where the involved parties collectively submit the case to the Committee on Infractions in written form. The NCAA enforcement staff, university and involved individuals must agree to the facts of the case in order for this process to be utilized instead of having a formal hearing.
When two student-athletes were arrested in 2011, a university booster provided bail. Another booster then provided the student-athletes with free legal representation. According to NCAA rules, a law firm may provide a student-athlete free legal assistance if it has a history of providing pro bono services to other individuals, including the general student body at the school, and the student-athlete initiated contact with the law firm. Additionally, two student-athletes competed in regular and postseason games while they were ineligible, due to the provision of bail and free legal assistance.
Following the release of the two student-athletes from jail, the former head coach learned that a booster provided bail for the two student-athletes. The former head coach did not inform the compliance office or any other administrator of the booster activity. Senior athletics department officials, including the compliance director and director of athletics, were also aware that the booster was providing legal assistance to the student-athletes.
Three married couples, who were university boosters, provided meals for at least eight student-athletes on more than 100 occasions from 2004 through 2012. Additionally, one of the couples provided a student-athlete with free storage space for two months, transportation, apparel and a small cash loan. An assistant director of athletics also committed a secondary violation by providing a student-athlete with meals, snacks, lodging and laundry services..
During the 2011-12 academic year, the football program employed a student assistant that performed activities allowed only for coaches.
The former head coach failed to monitor the football program by not reporting the booster activity surrounding the arrest of the two student-athletes, not monitoring the relationships between boosters and student-athletes and allowing a student assistant to engage in coaching activity. The university failed to monitor the football program when it did not supervise the booster activity surrounding the provision of legal services to student-athletes.
Penalties and measures for the former head coach at his current university include:
- A suspension from coaching the first game of the 2013 season. The report further explains details of the suspension.
- A restriction from off-campus evaluations during the fall 2013 evaluation period.
- A restriction from off-campus recruiting during the first three weeks of the fall 2013 contact period.
- Required attendance at a 2014 NCAA Regional Rules Seminar in 2014.
- Public reprimand and censure.
- Three years of probation from July 26, 2013 through July 25, 2016 (proposed by the university and adopted by the committee).
- A limit of 59 equivalency scholarships per year for the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years, from the allowable 63 (imposed by the university).
- Vacation of all wins in which two student-athletes completed while ineligible during the 2011 regular season and 2011 NCAA Division I FCS championship. The public report further details the requirements of the vacation (imposed by the university).
- A $3,000 donation to local charities (imposed by the university).
- A reduction of the number of student assistant positions by two during either the 2013-14 or 2014-15 academic year (imposed by the university).
- An external review of the university’s athletics compliance program (imposed by the university).
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