UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Athletics

Athletics News

apasha headshot150Pasha Spencer was named the new head coach of the University of Portland women’s rowing program on Friday, July 12, according to athletic director Scott Leykam. Spencer, who previously was the head coach of the women’s rowing team at Saint Mary’s, has spent the past five years as executive director of the Everett Rowing Association. Spencer replaces Bill Zack, who left Portland to become the head coach at San Diego State. The University of Portland rowing program will be entering its third year as an NCAA Division I program this fall.

An update on former Pilots who are now playing in the National Women’s Soccer League: Kendall Johnson and Sophie Schmidt are helping pace the Sky Blue FC, who are currently in first place. Schmidt, who has six goals on the season, is tied for fourth in goals scored. Meanwhile, the Thorns, who feature former Pilots Christine Sinclair, Danielle Foxhoven, and Angie Kerr-Woznuk, currently stand at second place. Finally, Megan Rapinoe and Stephanie Cox are now members of the Seattle Reign FC. Congratulations to all of our former Pilots!

Counting Down for UP Soccer Season

soccer2013The 2013 men’s and women’s soccer season kicks off in less than two months when the women take to Merlo Field against Marquette on Friday, August 23 at 7 p.m. There are going to be some fun promotional events this year surrounding this game including the annual Bite on the Bluff before the game and post-game fireworks. There will also be the 25 year reunion of the first men’s final four soccer team on the 15th of September, and a Movie Night sponsored by Safeway on the baseball field following the games on September 27th. Reserve your season tickets now to see all 25 home games. General admission season tickets start at just $88, new season tickets only. All University of Portland faculty and staff can receive 50 percent off their season ticket purchase by visiting the box office and presenting a valid UP ID card.  For more information or to order your season tickets, please call (503) 943-7525.

Pilot Kids Club

large_Kids_Club_USbank_2013Registration is open for faculty and staff kids in the U.S. Bank Pilots Kids Club. Benefits of signing up your child include free admission to select soccer and basketball games as well as free admission to all other sporting events hosted at the University of Portland. Each member will also get a Pilots Kids Club T-shirt, shoelaces and a chance to be a “Pilot for the Day” at home soccer games. For more information contact athletics at 7117 or go to www.portlandpilots.com.

Looking Forward to UP Soccer

soccerThe 2013 men’s and women’s soccer schedule has been released and features a total of 25 home games between the two teams. The women’s schedule features 6 home games versus teams that made the 2012 NCAA playoffs, while the men’s schedule features 5 home games versus 2012 NCAA playoff opponents. Faculty and staff can reserve season tickets now, starting at just $88 for new season tickets only, general admission seats. Current season ticket holders can expect renewal information in the mail in the near future. All University of Portland faculty and staff can receive 50 percent off their season ticket purchase by visiting the box office and presenting a valid UP ID card. For more information or to order your season tickets, please call 7525.

Pilot Athletes Honored Again

soccerThe complete NCAA Academic Progress Rates (APR) were released on Tuesday, June 11 and the University of Portland is once again among the national elite. All 15 Portland programs rated high on the scale and no teams are nearing any penalties. Among the four Division I universities in the state of Oregon, Portland posted the highest APR in 14 of the 15 sports in which it competes. Portland also recorded the highest APR in six West Coast Conference sponsored sports.

During the week of June 10 the West Coast Conference announced that the University of Portland was the winner of the 2012-2013 West Coast Conference REPRESENT Cup. The cup is awarded to the member institution that receives the greatest number of conference sportsmanship points during the academic year. The Pilots won the team sportsmanship award in four sports and received an extra point from the WCC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for their “Pilots Pals” program. For more information contact Jonathan Brooks, athletics, at 7431 or brooksj@up.edu.

Women’s Tennis Ranked No. 7

tennisThe Pilot women’s tennis team recently received a national ranking of No. 7 for their incoming recruiting class among all mid-majors. The team signed a pair of WTA-ranked players last month, the first ever for the program. Portland has the second best incoming class in the West Coast Conference, behind only BYU. For more information contact Jonathan Brooks, athletics, at 7117 or brooksj@up.edu.

Pilot Teams Excel Academically

PilotsSeven University of Portland athletics teams have been honored for earning Public Recognition Awards based on their most recent multi-year academic progress rate (APR), the NCAA announ­ced on Wednesday, June 5. Portland trails only Stanford in the Western United States for total number of teams earning recognition. The awards are given each year to teams with APRs in the top 10 percent in each sport. The Univer­sity’s recognized programs included men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s indoor and outdoor track, women’s cross country, women’s indoor track, and women’s volleyball.

Each year, the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate, highlighting teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports.

For more information contact athletics at 7117 or go to www.portlandpilots.com.

Honors For Student Athletes

baseballawardAthletic trainer Greg Waltner, strength coach Cat Wade, and Pilot baseball players Ryan Barr and Travis Pederson were honored at Portland Fire & Rescue’s 2013 Award Ceremony, which was held on Thursday, May 30. Each member of the UP contingent was awarded a Certificate of Merit for their role in helping save the life of Pilots senior pitcher JR Bunda when he went into cardiac arrest after training on December 10, 2012.

Four Portland Pilots rowers were recently named as National Scholar Athletes, announced by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association. Molly Donahue, Sarah Donohoe, Jamie Opra, and Jessica Osborn were each recognized by the CRCA. Donahue and Opra also landed on the WCC’s All-Academic Team, while six other rowers received all-academic honorable mentions.

Pilots senior first baseman Brian Frattali and senior third baseman Jeff Melby were named to the 2013 All-West Coast Conference First Team, while five Pilots total were honored. Senior catcher/designated hitter Ben Grubb and sophomore second baseman Cody Lenahan each landed all-conference honorable mention, while right-hander Billy Sahlinger was named to the league’s all-freshman team.

For more information contact athletics at 7117 or go to www.portlandpilots.com.

Honors For Student Athletes

baseballawardAthletic trainer Greg Waltner, strength coach Cat Wade, and Pilot baseball players Ryan Barr and Travis Pederson were honored at Portland Fire & Rescue’s 2013 Award Ceremony, which was held on Thursday, May 30. Each member of the UP contingent was awarded a Certificate of Merit for their role in helping save the life of Pilots senior pitcher JR Bunda when he went into cardiac arrest after training on December 10, 2012.

Four Portland Pilots rowers were recently named as National Scholar Athletes, announced by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association. Molly Donahue, Sarah Donohoe, Jamie Opra, and Jessica Osborn were each recognized by the CRCA. Donahue and Opra also landed on the WCC’s All-Academic Team, while six other rowers received all-academic honorable mentions.

Pilots senior first baseman Brian Frattali and senior third baseman Jeff Melby were named to the 2013 All-West Coast Conference First Team, while five Pilots total were honored. Senior catcher/designated hitter Ben Grubb and sophomore second baseman Cody Lenahan each landed all-conference honorable mention, while right-hander Billy Sahlinger was named to the league’s all-freshman team.

For more information contact athletics at 7117 or go to www.portlandpilots.com.

Pilot Basketball Camps

bbalcampUniversity of Portland basketball summer camps are open for registration and filling up fast. The popular Pilot Day Camp for kids grades 3-9 is scheduled for June 24-28 and offers some of the most entertaining and educational activities for kids, while three Pilot Skills Camps are available for more individualized instruction.

The Pilot Day Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $250 per camper which includes a Nike Pilot Basketball T-Shirt, a Pilot basketball, and a free ticket to a future Portland home game. Members of the Pilot coaching staff, current and former Pilot players, and other local coaches will be on hand to coordinate the camp, which includes skill development stations, individual skills contests, competitive 5-on-5 games, and lectures and demonstrations.

Pilot Skills Camp for kids grades 6-12 will be held on July 1-2. Kids grades 3-6 will have two chances for Pilot Skills Camps: July 29-30 or July 31-Aug. 1. The specialized camps cost $150 per camper per session and will focus on essential drills and professional instruction for ball handling skills, offensive dribble moves, moving without the ball, reading screens & scoring, and much more.

For more information, or to reserve a spot, visit www.portlandpilots.com/hoopcamp, or contact Marshall Cho at 7714 or hoopcamp@up.edu.