December 2003
December 18, 2003
55 Graduates Nurses Complete Senior Assignment At SIUE
(EDWARDSVILLE) Fifty-five Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing students recently presented their Senior Assignment projects to an audience of faculty, peers and invited University guests.
The Senior Assignment project represents a culmination of the entire undergraduate experience at SIUE. This requirement arises from the University's belief that the ability to integrate a general education perspective into one academic discipline is an essential mark of a University-educated person.
Senior nursing assignments take the form of exploration of an issue relative to nursing such as the nursing shortage or childhood obesity, a case study involving in depth investigation of a population such as adolescents and nutrition, lead poisoning in African-American children, or a teaching project with a population such as hypertension to cardiac patients, sexually transmitted diseases to adolescents and unique clinical experiences such as working with a pediatric outpatient hospice program. These experiences occur in locations throughout southern Illinois and the Metropolitan St. Louis area.
At the poster presentations, students discussed their learning objectives and results of their project with faculty and University administrators.
"The School of Nursing Senior Assignment provides an opportunity for students to bring together the knowledge and experience they have gained during their undergraduate learning experience," said Dean Marcia Maurer.
"Our students have provided service in the communities and demonstrated skills as researchers by collecting data on important nursing issues. We are proud of what these students accomplish during their tenure at SIUE and in the School of Nursing."
The School of Nursing is fully accredited by National League for Nursing (NLN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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December 11, 2003
Faculty, Student Speakers Featured During Fall Commencement
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Two Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty members, both recognized nationally in their respective careers, will be the featured commencement speakers at two fall graduation ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 20, in SIUE's Vadalabene Center. Nearly 850 students are eligible to graduate during the ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Speaking at the morning ceremony is Susan Nall, for the Schools of Business and Education. She is a professor of Curriculum and Instruction and director of Early Childhood Education in the School of Education. George Engel, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the School of Engineering, will speak during the afternoon ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Engineering and Nursing.
Student speakers addressing the graduating classes are Rosemary Clark of Sterling, who will graduate with a master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology during the morning ceremony, and Jyoti Dharna of Nairobi, Kenya, who will graduate with a bachelor of science in Computer Science during the afternoon ceremony.
Nall, who has been a member of the Education faculty at SIUE since 1970, is known nationally as a leader in kindergarten education. Over the past two decades, Nall has spearheaded a transition in Illinois and across the nation from half-day to full-day kindergarten sessions. This effort is considered by many educators to be one of the most important influences in setting higher standards and greater expectations for early childhood education.
Since 1984, Nall has served on the Higher Education Commission on Early Childhood for the state of Illinois. She also has served as president of the Illinois Association of Early Childhood Teacher Education and currently serves on the Illinois Governor's Task Force on Universal Preschool and also the Early Childhood Advisory Committee for the Illinois State Board of Education.
She earned a bachelor of science in Elementary Education at the University of Nebraska, a master's in Teaching at Webster University in St. Louis, and a doctorate in Philosophy of Curriculum and Supervision at Saint Louis University.
Engel has collaborated with researchers at Washington University in St. Louis to develop a credit card security system aimed at reducing credit card fraud. The Magneprint™ system has been tested successfully in Malaysia, and may be used worldwide in the near future. He also helped develop the AUDIOscreener™ which is considered by many to be the most advanced technology in the world today for allowing audiologists to effectively screen infants for hearing impairments.
A native of the St. Louis area, Engel joined the faculty at SIUE in 1993. He teaches courses in computer engineering, electronics, and integrated circuit technology. He earned a bachelor's in Mathematics and Physics at Saint Louis University, as well as a bachelor of science, a master of science, and a doctorate, all in Electrical Engineering and all from Washington University.
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December 11, 2003
SIU Board Approves Budget For Boiler System On Edwardsville Campus
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today approved a $3.2 million project to install high-efficiency boilers and heaters in the campus core buildings, effectively de-centralizing the current campus heating system. The matter was approved during the board's regular meeting conducted at SIU Carbondale.
University officials expect the boiler project to be completed by the fall 2004 heating season. Once the new system is in place, the related distribution system will be shut down and abandoned. The project will not affect the separate campus cooling system.
The current high-temperature, hot-water distribution portion of the system was replaced in 1994 and has been failing-four times in the past year alone. Officials estimate that in 10 years the system would need to be replaced at a cost of $10 million. In addition, the existing system draws high operating, maintenance, and utility costs. The new system would mean a $250,000 reduction annually in utility and maintenance costs.
The project would be funded through a loan from the Illinois Public Higher Education
Consortium. The loan would be repaid through cost savings and with deferred maintenance funds. Under the plan, compact boilers would be placed in each of 10 buildings: Peck Hall, Lovejoy Library, the Science Building, Dunham Hall, Morris University Center, Founders Hall, Alumni Hall, the Vadalabene Center, the Religious Center, and the Engineering Building.
In other business today, the Board approved procurement of an easement at no cost to allow a connection between SIUE's Supporting Services Complex and the city of Edwardsville's wastewater treatment system. Supporting Services, located on the east side of campus and adjacent to University Park, is currently using a separate septic system from that of the core university. Officials said the city of Edwardsville has agreed to allow the complex to connect with the city's system, but it must be done through private property owned by the developers of nearby Cherry Hills subdivision. The developers have agreed to the easement.
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December 11, 2003
SIU Board Approves Transfer Of Old Broadview Hotel To City
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The former site of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center at 411 E. Broadway, an historic hotel which later housed the SIUE center for more than 40 years, would be deeded to the city of East St. Louis under a proposal passed today by the SIU Board of Trustees.
The East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., now houses the East St. Louis Center and the East St. Louis Community College Center. By spring the campus also will house the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
The proposal to transfer the old center to the city was considered at the SIU Board's regular meeting conducted this month at SIU Carbondale.
The university originally proposed demolition of the East Broadway building and to pass the deed to the city, but city officials asked that the building remain intact. The East St. Louis city council is expected to consider the Board of Trustees' proposal tonight at its regular meeting. Once the university and the city reach an agreement, the state legislature must authorize the final transfer of deed.
The building was used by SIUE as a center that housed several educational programs and community service programs, as well as health clinics. Before the university became associated with the building in 1957, it had been the Broadview Hotel since 1928.
In other business today, the Board approved purchase of vacant land adjacent to or near the Higher Education campus. The proposal was initiated to add green space and to provide a degree of control over future development of the property near the existing campus.
The vacant parcels of land represent 17 city addresses on Bond Avenue, Market Street, Eighth Street, and Trendley Avenue. Under the proposal, the agreed price would be $152,400. The land was appraised by Joshway Harding Real Estate.
Funding for the purchase would come from SIUE cash reserves or from state Capital Development Board excess funds that were budgeted for the entire Higher Education Campus project. The purchase of the parcels also is subject to approval by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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December 11, 2003
Applications Available For Carol Kimmel Community Awards
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The deadline for filing nomination applications for the Carol Kimmel Community Service Awards, sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is Friday, Feb.6.
Nomination-applications for the awards are now available in the Kimmel Leadership Center, on the first floor of SIUE's Morris University Center. The award is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat.
There are six award categories: education, social service-social welfare, environmental and civic betterment, regional leadership, agency/organizational concerns, and special populations. Winners will be recognized Thursday, April 1, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet at SIUE.
The awards were established to recognize outstanding community leaders for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who has been very active in dedicating her time and talent to volunteerism.
Organizations, agencies, businesses, or individuals may nominate those who have been citizens of Illinois or Missouri for at least two years and who are at least 16 years of age, and who have been a volunteer with at least one agency, organization, or business for at least two or more continuous years.
In addition, nominees must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period of time; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service(outside of the applicant's regular job duties), as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities. Joint applications will not be accepted; prior recipients also are not eligible. Posthumous applications will be considered if the nominee has died in the past 12 months.
For more information about complete nomination guidelines, or for a nomination application form, call the Kimmel Leadership Center, (618) 650-2686, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
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December 11, 2003
Applications Available For Kimmel Scholarship
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Nomination-applications for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Carol Kimmel Scholarship are now available in the Kimmel Leadership Center on campus. Deadline for the nomination is Friday, Feb. 6.
The annual scholarship was established to recognize students for their outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, as well as academic excellence. The scholarship was named for Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who has dedicated her time and talent over the years to volunteerism. The scholarship is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat
For the scholarship, individuals may nominate a student, or students may nominate themselves, according to the following criteria:
• currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at SIUE, with sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate standing;
• an accumulative SIUE grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);
• demonstrated volunteer contributions within the last two years in leadership, service, and/or citizenship, including leadership in a student organization or at least one elected office;
• and more than 30 hours of nonpaid service to a community agency or community organization.
In addition, a nominee must provide two letters of documented university service and leadership from university employees, as well as two letters documenting community service and leadership from external community members.
In order for a student to be considered for a second Kimmel Scholarship, documentation submitted for previous Kimmel Scholarships will not be reconsidered. The scholarship provides one full year of tuition at the SIUE in-state rate.
Winners will be recognized Thursday, April 1, at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet. For more information about nomination procedures or for a nomination-application form, call the Kimmel Center, (618) 650-2686, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2686.
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December 9, 2003
Woodruff Joins SIUE School Of Business As Development Director
(EDWARDSVILLE) Judith Blase Woodruff has joined the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business as Director of Development.
Woodruff has more than 15 years experience in fund raising and joins SIUE from Fontbonne University where she was director of development for four years. She also has held development positions at St. Louis College of Pharmacy and McKendree College.
At the SIUE School of Business, she is responsible for fund-raising activities and special events, including the school's annual Family Business of the Year Awards, honoring family businesses from Illinois and Missouri.
Woodruff is a 1977 honors graduate of SIUE, with a bachelor's degree in music. She has been a member of Masterworks Chorale in Belleville for 15 years, and she is a member of the board of directors of Camp Ondessonk, a youth camp in southern Illinois. She and her husband, Michael Woodruff, live in Collinsville.
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December 8, 2003
SIUE Meridian Society Encourages Women In Philanthropy
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The 90th Meridian of longitude passes through the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a quarter of the way around the world from the prime meridian that passes through Greenwich, England.
The significance of the 90th Meridian serves as a symbol for the Meridian Society, a newly formed organization of women dedicated to raising funds in support of SIUE programs,
Dixie Engelman, emeritus dean of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences and now chair of the society, said the group is dedicated to supporting a variety of SIUE programs through grants made annually at the society's spring meeting. "The Meridian Society also will provide information to women on financial and estate planning, primarily at its fall meeting.
"We are learning what we can do collectively, as well as what we need to do on an individual and personal level."
SIUE Provost Sharon Hahs, one of the group's charter members explained the society's name was chosen as a reminder of a "special feature of our campus. The 90th Meridian is an important delineation on the Earth, exactly one-fourth of the way around the globe from the prime meridian," Hahs said.
Julie Babington, director of development for the SIUE School of Education, provides staff support for the society. "I am very excited about the spirit of the Meridian Society Steering Committee and charter members, particularly the leadership of Dixie Engelman," Babington said.
The original concept for the society was suggested by Harold Melser, director of planned giving for the Foundation, who is providing assistance to the organization as it continues to plan for the future. "I had heard about Ball State University's Discovery Group," Melser said, "and realized that creating a philanthropic organization matched the goals of the SIUE Foundation in regard to women in philanthropy," Melser said.
The two types of society membership are full-membership (3-year pledge of $1,000 annually) and associate membership (3-year pledge of $500 annually). The Meridian Society currently has pledges totaling more than $40,000. Those interested in joining the Meridian Society, may call the SIUE Foundation, (618) 650-2345.
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December 4 , 2003
Columbia, Edwardsville, Highland Students Advance In Robotics Competition
(EDWARDSVILLE) Eight teams from Columbia, Edwardsville and Highland high schools have advanced to the final round of the Fourth Annual SIUE School of Engineering Robotics Competition.
The high school teams will compete against teams of freshman engineering students at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, in the atrium of the Engineering Building.
The teams build robots from Lego Mindstorm kits and program them to move ping pong balls to certain places on the court while trying to block the opposing team. Sixteen teams - a total of 50 students - from Edwardsville, Collinsville, Columbia, and Highland high schools met in the preliminary round.
The competition not only helps teach students about robotics and engineering, but also gives them insights into careers in engineering.
Several area companies are sponsors of the competition, including Basler Electric, Maverick Technologies, Crawford Bunte Brammeier, and Juneau Associates, Inc., P.C.
The team members include:
Columbia: Wacky Warriors: Derek Freiburghaus, Trevor Groce, and Eric Marlen; Enterprise: Tim Bromley, Andrew Kremmel, and Elisse Konya; Styx: Alex Catlett, Charlie Rudder, Alex Requette, and Keith Reis; Chaos Bringers: Matt Collins, Chelsea Elder, Matt Lamdrecht, and Adam Loesch.
Edwardsville: Paul Prager, Tom Scarborough, and Matt Hewitt; Poweraid Strike: John Meehan, Mack Rice, Taylor Williman, Anna Csar, and Quintin Potter.
Highland: Biggy Smalls: Mike Wellen and Spencer Thomas; Omega: Collin Alber and Greg Todd.
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Anagama Kiln Provides A New Process For Ceramics Students
Eating at the annual Turkey Feast the week before Thanksgiving has been a tradition for more than 30 years among SIUE art faculty and students, but this year's feast also served as an introduction to a new "oven" on the premises of the Art and Design Building.
It's actually an anagama kiln and it's not for cooking turkeys.
The anagama (pronounced ah-nah-GAH-mah) kiln will be used in the ceramics area as one of only a dozen walk-in, wood-fired kilns found in this country, and very rarely on a college campus. The structure is built into a hill behind the Art and Design Building.
"We do have wood-fired kilns here but they are much smaller," says Matt Wilt, assistant professor of Art and Design in the ceramics area. "The fire source in an anagama kiln is in the front and the flames are carried through the length of the 23-foot kiln and out the flue at the back of the kiln."
Wilt explained that the kiln can hold many more pieces than other smaller kilns used in the department and its six-foot height can accommodate much larger pieces. "There's definitely an art to maintaining the temperatures in a wood-fire kiln," Wilt said. "Wood-firing goes back thousands of years to early Japanese and Korean cultures. You have to know the hot spots and the cool spots, adding wood during the three-to-five days it takes to fire the ceramic pieces."
Although the actual firing takes a few days, the entire process-including preparation of the wood, placing the pieces on shelving, the actually firing, cooling, and cleanup-can take up to four weeks. "We plan to do a firing once each semester, with the first one scheduled during Spring Semester," Wilt said. He added that the department will invite the university community as well as faculty and students from other campuses to the initial firing. "This is a great way to establish a network with other schools in the region, such as the University of Illinois, and a chance to show off our facilities at SIUE."
In addition to its uniqueness, the kiln already has provided a community spirit among the students and faculty, according to Professor Paul Dresang, head of the ceramics area. "There is a community nature about a firing as part of ceramics in general, but it's heightened further with the wood-firing process," Dresang said. "Unlike other artistic endeavors that are solitary, wood-firing in particular is a collaborative effort in which we have to rely on one another's cooperation."
Dresang also said the new kiln broadens the experience and the curriculum for art and design students. "It's a unique experience not available at many universities," he said. There's also the element of camaraderie and teamwork involved. "This project involved a collaborative effort even in its planning," he said. "First of all, Matt deserves credit for writing the EUE (Excellence in Undergraduate Education) grant for the $10,000 to get the project started," Dresang said.
"By the time we build the shelter over the top of it and put in the shelving, the cost will be close to $18,000." Additional funding was provided by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, and SIUE Student Government, Dresang said.
"In addition, students and faculty in our department helped build the kiln, some of them working 12-14-hour days for nearly two weeks," Dresang said. "And, let's not forget the university's ground crews who helped us with the project. There's no way you can just 'buy' one of these kilns. It's definitely a major group effort."
The kiln itself is constructed of "super-duty" fire bricks rated at 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, with an exterior of insulating brick, and an outer skin of insulating concrete. The optimum temperature in a firing is 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit, but that temperature must be reached gradually, at a rate of 100-200 degrees per hour. "This process must be monitored 24/7, we will be using students and faculty in six-hour shifts throughout the three-to-five days," Wilt said.
"If you don't stoke it regularly, you lose temperature fast," he said. "It's a labor-intensive process, but the results are amazing." Wilt said that ash from the burning wood lands on ceramic pieces, causing a crystalline effect and creating myriad textures and patterns. "No two pieces will be the same."
Advanced Suzuki Students To Tour France In June As Part Of Program
When Vera McCoy-Sulentic took over SIUE's Suzuki String Development Program in 1997, the more advanced string students would tour U.S. cities every year. But, she found that trips to Nashville or Memphis, for example, were very complicated to plan and carry out.
"I discovered that for a little more money, we could tour overseas, and have a travel company take care of all the details," she said. "I also found out that the students were even more motivated to hone their musical skills. After all, traveling to Europe is a huge goal to work toward."
In addition, McCoy-Sulentic found that the parents became more involved, which helped minimize the effort. This year's tour group, made up of 15 students, is heading for France in June. "To qualify for the trip, the student must have completed the first six Suzuki Method books," she said. "The 15 who were chosen range in age from 13-19 and auditioned last summer for this upcoming trip." She said most of the tour group students have been playing for more than 10 years in the Suzuki Strings program at SIUE.
In 1984, then-String Development Program Director John Kendall took the first tour group to Iceland. The touring program then languished for a few years, but was taken up again in 1995 by McCoy-Sulentic's predecessor, Carol Smith. Since then it has been to Sweden, Scotland, and London. The group has twice been featured as the prestigious Cedarhurst Chamber Music Series at the Mitchell Museum in Mt. Vernon.
"The tour group's repertoire includes classical, jazz, and fiddle selections," McCoy-Sulentic pointed out. "They recently recorded their second holiday CD, also featuring other SIUE Suzuki Strings ensembles. It was released last month and is available through our website: www.siue.edu/MUSIC/Suzuki or by phone: (618) 650-2839."
Allison Woerner, the tour group's director, enjoys working with the talented students. "We are able to work on difficult music, far beyond what most young people have the opportunity to perform," Woerner said. "And, besides that, they are just a very lively, fun group of kids."
SIUE's A Book In Every Home To Kick Off Annual Campaign
Thousands of children who otherwise might not have had access to books have benefited from SIUE's annual A Book In Every Home (BIEH) campaign. The university is again sponsoring its book drive from Jan. 15 to March 31.
Literacy is one of the most critical issues facing our educational system. Studies show that children who cannot read are not likely to succeed in the classroom or in life. Recognizing that access to books is a key component to literacy, A Book in Every Home not only has placed 30,000 books in homes in St. Clair and Madison counties, it also encourages parents to read to their children.
"Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is advancing literacy at a grassroots level through the A Book in Every Home program,'" said Kay Werner, chair of the campaign. "Our goal is to place an age-appropriate book in the home of every Head Start child in Madison and St. Clair counties, as well as families served by crisis centers in those counties.
"We've also begun serving juvenile centers in those counties by donating the books we receive for older youth."
In support of the campaign's additional goal of encouraging parents to read to their children, the campaign's Curriculum Committee has made available a "flip-chart" brochure for encouraging reading and writing skills.
Werner said 5,000 brochures were printed and distributed to SIUE Head Start sites throughout St. Clair County and to sites in the Riverbend Head Start and Family Services. It also has been distributed to the SIUE Early Childhood Center, to the preschool programs at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, and to other literacy programs in the St. Louis area. The cost of the publication was underwritten by the St. Louis Rams Foundation, a BIEH partner. The brochure is in such demand that the campaign recently printed an additional 3,000 copies.
There are drop-off points for book donations in the St. Clair County and Madison County Head Start programs, SIUE campus sites, all public libraries in Madison and St. Clair counties, the Piece of Mind Book Store in Edwardsville, and B. Dalton Booksellers Book Store, the Borders book store in Fairview Heights, and Fresh Words bookstore in Highland.
For specific addresses and locations of these drop off points, visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/BOOKS or call (618) 650-2020 for more information.
Age-appropriate books are requested for children ages six weeks to five years old. Cash donations also will be accepted. Checks for "A Book in Every Home" should be written to the SIUE Foundation, and mailed to:
A Book in Every Home
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1058
(In the memo part of the check, please write "A Book in Every Home.")
Robert Surpasses 1,000 Points
Jessica Robert (Carlyle) picked a perfect time to score her 1,000th point. Trailing by one point in SIUE's matchup at Missouri-St. Louis last Friday (1/2), Robert nailed a three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining to give SIUE the lead and the eventual victory.
With the bucket, she became the 16th player in school history to score 1,000 points in a career. "It is a great milestone," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "She has been playing well and has gotten off to a great start to this season."
Despite missing the first three games of the season due to an injury suffered in the preseason, Robert leads the team and the Great Lakes Valley Conference with 31 steals and a 64.5-percent three-point field goal percentage. Her 14.0 points per game leads the team and is 14th in the conference. "Jessica has a low-key demeanor," Hedberg said. "She doesn't have a lot of highs and lows. She is a steady, consistent player."
After picking up the win at UMSL, the Cougars fell at Quincy 74-62 on Sunday (1/4). SIUE is currently 8-5 overall and is sitting in eighth-place in the GLVC with a 3-3 conference mark. SIUE will continue conference play when it travels to Lewis (7-6 overall, 4-2 GLVC) for a Thursday (1/8) matchup. The Cougars then play at Wisconsin-Parkside (6-5, 3-2 GLVC) on Saturday (1/10) afternoon.
The Cougars do not return to the Vadalabene Center until Jan. 15 when it entertains Indianapolis.
Cougars Travel To Lewis, UWP
The SIUE men's basketball team will continue its four-game road trip when it travels to Lewis for a Thursday (1/8) night matchup and Wisconsin-Parkside for a Saturday (1/10) afternoon game.
SIUE has won four of its last five contests to push its overall record to 7-5. The Cougars are currently fifth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with a 3-3 conference record.
SIUE currently ranks as the GLVC's top defense as the Cougars have allowed their opponents to only 61.4 points per game. "Our guys have played good defense the entire year, but it can still be better," Coach Marty Simmons said. "They do a good job of communicating. For us to have a chance to win, it starts on the defensive end."
SIUE's defense is sure to play a key role against Lewis, who is the third in the GLVC in scoring offense. Lewis is sitting atop the GLVC with a 12-1 overall record and a 6-0 conference mark. Monta McGhee is one of four players who average double-figures in points. He leads the team and is sixth in the GLVC with 17.8 points per game and averages 8.2 rebounds a game. "They are as good as they look on paper," Simmons said. "They have a veteran team and can score in a variety of ways. Defensively, they really get after you."
Wisconsin-Parkside has struggled so far this season, posting a 4-8 overall record and an 0-5 mark in the GLVC. Dean Pogodzinski leads UWP with 14.1 points per game. He has connected on 28-56 (.500) three-point field goals. Ron Jones (Kankakee) leads SIUE with 12.8 points per game. He has scored more than 10 points in each of SIUE's games this season. "Ron has played well this season, especially the last couple of games," Simmons said. "As a senior, we expect a lot out of him."
SIUE will return to the Vadalabene Center for a Jan. 15 matchup with Indianapolis.
Cougars Prepare for Roger Denker Open
The Roger Denker Open, which is hosted by Central Missouri State, is the next tournament on the slate for the SIUE wrestling team. It is the last tournament formatted meet before the Cougars open a string of seven dual meets.
"The Roger Denker Open is always a tough tournament," Coach Booker Benford said. "Many top NCAA Division I teams and NAIA powers will be there."
Historically, SIUE has found success at the Open, and Benford does not think this year will be any different. "We usually do pretty well," he said. "We've had a few guys in recent years make it to the finals. We are always in the mix."
SIUE is coming off the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis where they placed 14th out of 16 teams. Sean Tyus (Springfield) went 3-3 in the tournament at 197 pounds to earn a sixth-place finish. "We didn't do well as a team in Indianapolis, but the guys never did give up," Benford said. "We just didn't have it, but I think we'll bounce back."
Joe Rujawitz (Belleville), who wrestles in the 149-pound weight class, has posted a team-high 24 wins this season. Tyus has a 15-10 record on the season.
Decker Named Second Team All-Region
Sara Decker (St. Louis), a senior midfielder, has been named to the All-Great Lakes Region second team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Adidas.
Decker scored four goals and added four assists while helping SIUE to a 10-7 overall record. Her three game-winning tallies were tied for the most on the team.
Earlier this post-season, Decker was named to the All-GLVC first team. It was the third time in her collegiate career she has been named first team All-GLVC, the others being the 2000 and 2002 season. She was a second-team All-GLVC choice in 2001 and was also named GLVC Freshman of the Year in 2000.
This is the first time Decker has received an All-Region accolade.
She ends her collegiate career tied for sixth on the all-time scoring list with 25 goals and 22 assists for 72 points.
Cougars Look To Push Above .500
SIUE men's basketball will have the chance to move its record above the .500 mark Thursday night (12/18) when it plays host to NCAA Division III Blackburn College at the Vadalabene Center. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.
Blackburn, which competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, has a 2-4 record and plays Robert Morris College on Tuesday night (12/16).
The Cougars are currently 4-4 after a win at Missouri-Rolla. SIUE held the high-scoring Miners to 35 percent shooting from the field in the 68-53 victory. "Our guys did well defensively," Coach Marty Simmons said. "Missouri-Rolla has some offensive weapons, and we did a good job guarding them."
SIUE has welcomed a balanced offensive attack this season. The Cougars boast three players averaging double-figures, led by Tyler Hackstadt's (Okawville) 13.1 points per game. Ron Jones (Kankakee) has averaged 12 points per game and has connected on a team-leading 13 three-point field goals. Calvin Sykes (Chicago) has averaged 10.9 points per game and is the team-leader in steals (10) and assists (35).
Women's Basketball To Challenge GLIAC Foes
SIUE will be one of two schools representing the Great Lakes Valley Conference at the Sleep Inn Invitational this weekend in Midland, Mich. The tournament pits GLVC schools against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools.
The Cougars will square off against tournament host Northwood on Friday night (12/19), then faces Ferris State on Saturday afternoon. Indianapolis is the other school involved in the tournament. "Hopefully we can get some wins and represent the conference well," Coach Wendy Hedberg said.
Northwood currently has a 3-4 overall record and plays St. Francis Tuesday night )12/16). Melissa Elliot leads the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game. Ferris State comes into the tournament with a 7-2 record and is led by preseason All-America Lucy DeMartin's 16.1 points per game.
SIUE is coming off a convincing win against Greenville to move its overall record to 5-3. Freshman Julianne McMillen (Pana) continues to lead SIUE with 121 points scored. She also leads the team with 8.8 rebounds per game. "We've only had a few games with our full squad, and we've done well under those conditions," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "We are playing as a team more and more and that has had a big impact on our success. Everyone is very team-oriented."
Lytle Likely Out For Season
The SIUE men's basketball team has learned that preseason All-American senior center Dan Lytle (Edwardsville) may be out for the season with a herniated disk.
Lytle, who transferred to SIUE from Evansville for his final year of eligibility, played in four games this season, averaging nearly 10 points a game and six rebounds per contest. "Lytle has been hurt from day one," SIUE Coach Marty Simmons said. "He did a good job trying to play hurt, but his situation progressively got worse. I'm upset no one got the chance to see him play healthy."
Dan Heimos (Waterloo), a 6-11 transfer from Nebraska, figures to be one of the candidates to fill the role in the post. Heimos is averaging five points per game and has a team-high 11 blocked shots. His 1.83 blocks per game is second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "When a player like Lytle goes down, it's up to the entire team to reach down and bring more production to the table," Simmons said. "One player cannot replace him."
SIUE will take to the road for a Saturday (12/13) contest at 5-0 Missouri-Rolla, who plays host to Calvary Bible on Monday night. SIUE then returns home for two more non-conference matchups before resuming GLVC play Jan. 2 at Missouri-St. Louis.
SIUE is coming off a win against Bellarmine and a loss to Kentucky Wesleyan to move its overall record to 3-4 and its GLVC mark to 2-2. The Cougars are in fifth place in the conference standings. "We have a week to prepare for the Rolla game so that will allow us to get better on the practice floor," Simmons said. "We need to shore some things up and get more consistent in our play."
Tyler Hackstadt (Okawville) leads the squad with 13.3 points per game. Ron Jones (Kankakee) follows with 11.7 points per game. Calvin Sykes (Chicago) has averaged 10.3 points per game, while registering a team-leading eight steals.
Women's Basketball Plays Host To Greenville
The SIUE women's basketball team will begin a four-game string of non-conference games when it plays host to Greenville College on Thursday 12/11). Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center.
Greenville, a Division III school out of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, comes into the contest with a 2-4 record. It plays St. Louis College of Pharmacy on Tuesday (12/9) night.
SIUE is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. The Cougars are coming off a one-point defeat to 11th-ranked Bellarmine and a convincing victory against Kentucky Wesleyan. "We're playing well while waiting to get players healthy," Coach Wendy Hedberg said. "We had opportunities to beat Bellarmine, and we bounced back very well against Kentucky Wesleyan."
Freshman Julianne McMillen (Pana) scored 31 points in the win against Kentucky Wesleyan. It was the most points scored by an SIUE freshman since the Cougars joined the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 1995. McMillen, who scored the 100th point of her collegiate career, also was one rebound shy of recording her third straight double-double. "She always finds ways to score," Hedberg said. "She's hard to defend one-on-one, and she is a good foul-shooter if she is fouled. Our guards are doing a good job getting her the ball."
The Cougars boast five players who are averaging double-figures in scoring. Tanya Guell (Plymouth, Wis.) leads the team at 15.6 points per game. McMillen and Jessica Robert (Carlyle) each have a 14.3 scoring average. Sarah Schweers (Chatham) and Amber Wisdom (Geneseo) are averaging 12.6 and 10.1 points per game, respectively.
Cougars To Dual With Missouri Baptist
SIUE's wrestling squad will have its last competition for three weeks when it travels to Missouri Baptist for a Wednesday (12/10) dual meet. The Cougars will look to improve their 5-1 dual record when they face the 9-2 Spartans.
"Missouri Baptist is tough this year," Coach Booker Benford said. "They are outstanding at each weight class."
SIUE defeated Missouri Baptist 24-15 last season at the Vadalabene Center. "We came back last year in our heavier weight classes to beat them," Benford said. "It will be a matter of butting heads to see who comes out on top."
The Cougars are coming off the Northern Iowa Open. Benford indicated Joe Rujawitz (Belleville), Matt Oliva (Bartlett) and Sean Tyus (Springfield) were close to placing in their respective weight classes.
Following the Missouri Baptist dual, the Cougars will be idle until Jan. 3-4, when they participate in the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis. "We have some guys injured, so hopefully after break we'll come back completely healthy," Benford said.