Athletic Director Dave King led the evening.

鈥淭his has become a tradition聽that helps us get the school year off to a good start,鈥� said King.聽 鈥淚t is really exciting to have all the athletes together and sense the anticipation and hope of a new year.聽 It provides freshmen athletes an opportunity to understand that they are part of something much larger than their own team.聽 It also gives us an opportunity to connect the athletic department to the rest of the university.鈥�

Ron Stoltzfus, the Faculty Athletics Representative, was one of the speakers to the approximately 200 student-athletes.聽 91短视频 President Loren Swartzendruber also spoke.

鈥淚t is a humbling experience to recognize how many lives we, as athletic staff and an entire campus community, will have the opportunity to impact through our relationships with them on and off the field,鈥� King said afterwards.聽 鈥淕athering together helps build a bond between players on each team as well as between other sports teams.鈥�

King introduced each coach and staff person to the students after recognizing the players by team.聽 As part of his talk, he helped student-athletes understand the expectations the school has for them, and he also introduced a brief set of guidelines for 91短视频 athletes.

Daniel Leake from Special Olympics Virginia also talked to the gathering.聽 The NCAA and D-III are making specific efforts to join with Special Olympics around the country, and Leake pointed out that 91短视频 and the rest of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference have been leading the way in building those relationships already.

鈥淚t was great to have Daniel, the local coordinator, with us to represent their programming and talk about ways in which our athletes can become involved,鈥� King said.聽聽鈥淲hile the men’s basketball teams have been involved in the past, I am excited about聽getting additional聽athletes and teams involved locally.鈥�

Andy Richter (Perkasie, PA/Christopher Dock), a senior of the baseball team, spoke to his peers about 91短视频鈥檚 chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and then also closed the program with a prayer of dedication for the year.

After the students were each given an 91短视频 t-shirt, a group photo was taken with President Swartzendruber and everyone enjoyed pizza.

King said the photo was a fitting way to end the night.

鈥淲e hope that the photo will be a constant reminder to athletes, parents, faculty and staff of the great potential these students bring to the school year,鈥� he said.

91短视频 is literally having the rug pulled out from under it, but few are complaining.

The prominent bright green turf field that has served multiple purposes for athletic programs at 91短视频 is being replaced after 17 years.

]]> /now/news/2006/new-womens-soccer-head-coach-named/ Mon, 09 Jan 2006 05:00:00 +0000 http://www.emu.edu/blog/news/?p=1041 After two seasons as an assistant coach, Holly Shifflett, currently of
Charlottesville, Va., will take over as head coach of the women’s soccer
program, Athletic Director David A. King
announced Friday, Jan. 6.

has resigned after 12 seasons as head coach at 91短视频.

, vice president for at 91短视频, announced Roeschley’s resignation Tuesday, July 5.

“I felt it was time,” Roeschley said regarding his resignation, adding that “it wasn’t an easy decision to make, especially considering that next-year’s team should compete for a spot in the top half of the league.

“Despite not being able to accomplish all (for the program) that I’d hoped, I will take with me some good memories from my coaching years,” Roeschley added. “I draw extreme satisfaction in seeing so many former players successfully balancing professional and family life. I had a lot of quality young adults to work with, undoubtedly a reflection on their parents.”

Roeschley plans to continue teaching in the physical education department and to work on his doctoral program through the University of Phoenix. He came to 91短视频 the fall of 1992 as a residence director and was assistant baseball coach to Ted Kinder in spring, 1993. He became the head coach in 1994 and also joined the teaching faculty that fall.

“I appreciate the many ways that Rob has unselfishly served 91短视频 in academic and co-curricular roles over the past 13 years,” Dr. Nafziger said. “This included serving at various times as a residence director, athletic director and sports information director while also coaching and teaching.”

This change “will allow Rob both to focus on teaching and to broaden his education at the doctoral level,” Nafziger added.

Roeschley compiled a 196-229 overall record in his career at 91短视频. The record in the first two rebuilding years was 19-51, nearly a .500 record after that point (177-178). The most season wins prior to Roeschley’s tenure was 13; that mark was met or surpassed in 11 of his 12 seasons as coach, including two 20-win seasons – 23-16 in 2001 and 29-13 in 2002 – the latter being the best winning percentage in the history of the program.

Roeschley initiated the 91短视频 Sarasota (Fla.) Spring Classic baseball tournament, which has continued each year since 1997.

Nafziger said that 91短视频 will begin a search for a new baseball coach immediately upon the arrival of new athletic director David A. King, who arrives mid-July. King “may choose to name an interim coach for the non-traditional fall practice season until a replacement can be hired prior to spring 2006,” he added.

“Our aim is to hire another head baseball coach who models Christian character and a commitment to academics while elevating the knowledge and performance of the players on the baseball field,” Nafziger stated. “We are grateful to Rob for leaving the baseball program stronger than where he found it in 1993.”

91短视频 will have a new athletic director, effective July 1, 2005.

David A. King from Lancaster County, Pa., will succeed Greg S. Steffen, who is serving as interim director following the resignation in October, 2004 of Larry R. Martin, who held the position three years.

Kenneth L. Nafziger, vice president for , announced the appointment Tuesday, Apr. 5

King will return to his alma mater from Lancaster Mennonite School, where he has been athletic director and principal of its middle school program.

Dave brings a commitment to excellence as an experienced athletics and educational administrator who views sports as a vehicle for character development,” Dr. Nafziger said. “His leadership and reputation for integrity in the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) give him credibility as he works with coaches to recruit high caliber student athletes who will be a good fit for 91短视频’s mission.

“As an alum of 91短视频 who has sent all three of his children to study and play sports at 91短视频, Dave understands who we are and is committed to making the 91短视频 athletic experience as positive and enriching as possible,” Nafziger added. “He brings a clear vision of what 91短视频 athletics can become as we educate student athletes for leadership roles in the church and society.”

The director of athletics oversees the 17 intercollegiate sports programs at 91短视频, providing overall leadership, advocacy and strategic planning.

“Athletics is the avenue through which many young people develop themselves to their fullest potential,” King said. “My passion has always been to see personal growth and development of lifetime skills in players, coaches and community through the athletic experience.

“Athletics are often the window through which the public sees the school, so it is imperative that participants be positive representatives and role models. “Both academic and behavior standards are important in developing and maintaining a quality athletic program. As with every part of the institution, the athletic program must add positively to the whole of 91短视频.” King added.

King has served at Lancaster Mennonite School since 1991. Before that, he was executive director of Camp Hebron, Halifax, Pa., five years and was athletic director and health and physical education teacher, 1977-86, at Locust Grove Mennonite School, Lancaster.

He has coached junior high boy