1

WHAT'SINSIDE

2 Pregame primer6 Learning to lead Northern Colorado came into this season with plenty of talent but also with a question of who would lead from within. Enter Connor Osborne and Tate Unruh.

8 B.K. Q and A It might seem like he just arrived on campus, but sophomore Brendan Keane has already appeared in nearly 50 games. Bears Gameday found there’s more than meets the eye with B.K., as his teammates call him.

48 ‘At the Buzzer’ The Klawz Crew has been a mainstay at Bears games this seaon, and Northern Colorado Athletics appreciates the increased enthusiasm!

HOT READS

11 UNC President Kay Norton12 AD Jay Hinrichs14 Head coach B.J. Hill16 Bears coaching staff22 Meet the Bears24 Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion27 UNC Hall of Fame29 UNC Roundball Club appreciation list30 History of Madness31 Bears Record Book

DEPARTMENTS

‘GAMEDAY’ CREDITSPUBLISHING NOTES

Bears Gameday is the official 2012-13 Northern Colorado Men’s Basketball program.

Bears Gameday is published by the Northern Colorado Athletics’ Creative Services office and is managed by Scott Ward, director. Assistance provided by Zach Bond of Athletics Communications. Domestic logistics provided by Sarah Ward.

PHOTOGRAPHYPhotography provided by Paul Dorweiler (Paul Dorweiler

Photography), Eric Bellamy, Barry Lapoint, Woody Myers (University Relations) and Dean Popejoy.

PRINTINGBears Gameday is updated and will be available five times

throughout the 2012-13 season. Printing is performed by AlphaGraphics. Special thanks to Matt Brunner, Jeanette Errett and Ivree Monroe of AlphaGraphics.

SPECIAL NOTEPurchase price for Bears Gameday is $3 and all proceeds

benefit Northern Colorado Basketball. To advertise in this monthly in-season publication contact Ray Vasquez at 970-351-1162 (ray.vasquez@unco.edu) or Menan Bergman at 970-347-7977 (menan.bergman@unco.edu).

PAUL DORWEILER /PAUL DORWEILER PHOTOGRAPHY

2

GAME 29: SOUTHERN UTAH

PREGAME PRIMERSOUTHERN UTAH n NORTHERN COLORADO

67.4 Points per game 70.7 71.9 Opponent points per game 71.2 37.7 Rebounds per game 34.0 3.8 Rebounding margin 1.4 41.4 FG percentage 46.2 43.0 Opponent FG percentage 45.4 32.8 3-point pct. 38.4 35.4 Opponent 3-point pct. 34.3 73.2 FT pct. 66.3 12.3 Assists per game 13.1 16.0 Turnovers per game 13.4 5.1 Blocks per game 2.2 4.8 Steals per game 6.7

THE LAST TIMETHEY MET

T-BIRDS STATS (AS OF MARCH 1) BEARS

‘LATE RUN PUSHES T-BIRDS PAST BEARS IN CEDAR CITY’

CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Northern Colorado men’s basketball program dropped a heartbreaker on the road Saturday night, as the Bears fell 51-50 to Southern Utah inside Centrum Arena.

The Bears (3-7, 1-1 Big Sky) found themselves up 50-44 with 3:16 remaining in the game but went the final three minutes and change without scoring as the Thunderbirds (4-7, 2-0 Big Sky) ended on a 7-0 run to steal the win.

As with any one-point game, the final result came down to the last second, as the Bears had one last gasp to come away with a victory, but redshirt sophomore Tevin Svihovec could not convert a shot in traffic with under 10 seconds remaining. Southern Utah’s Jordan Johnson came away with the defensive rebound and the Thunderbirds ran the rest of the clock down to finish off the game.

With the loss, the Bears’ two-game winning streak was snapped as they suffered their first loss in Big Sky play after opening conference competition with a road win against North Dakota last week.

Svihovec (Kingwood, Texas) put the Bears up 50-44 after putting in a layup while getting fouled. From there though, turnovers and missed layups plagued the Bears as they couldn’t find a way to close out the fast-charging Thunderbirds.

Svihovec missed the ensuing free throw and also missed another at the 2:43 mark of the second half. The redshirt sophomore guard also turned the ball over three times in the game’s final three minutes.

The game’s key play came with 14 seconds remaining, when Southern Utah’s AJ Hess stole the ball from Svihovec. Hess’s steal led to what turned out to be the game-winning points as Wade Collie’s layup put the Thunderbirds on top 51-50.

Northern Colorado played well enough to win this game, particularly on the defensive end, where the Bears’ defense held Southern Utah to just 34 percent shooting from the field and 12.5 percent shooting from behind the three-point line.

The swarming Northern Colorado defense also forced Southern Utah into 14 turnovers.

F JACKSON STEVENETT F TIM HUSKISSON

3

HEAD COACH: B.J. HILL ASSISTANTS: RY MARTIN, LOGAN BEAN, WILL HENSLEY

HEAD COACH: NICK ROBINSON ASSISTANTS: JARED BARRETT, TODD OKESON, DREW ALLEN

NORTHERN COLORADO BEARS

SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

POINTS

POINTS

REBOUNDS

REBOUNDS

FOULS

FOULS

James Davis Jr., 6-1, 170, RS-Fr, GSan Lorenzo, Calif. (Arroyo HS)0

Damon Heuir, Sr., 6-2, 200, GTownsville, Queensland, Australia (Ignatius Park College)3

Derrick Barden, Jr., 6-5, 215, FDetroit, Mich. (Denby HS / Odessa JC)1

Zach Ghormley, Fr., 6-4, 185, GGarland, Texas (Grace Preparatory Academy)5

Xzaivier James, Jr., 5-11, 175, GGreeley, Colo. (Greeley Central HS)

Matt Gardner, So., 6-3, 180, GSpanish Fork, Utah (Spanish Fork HS)

2

10

Paul Garnica, Jr., 6-0, 160, GSan Antonio, Texas (Robert E. Lee HS)3

Chris Nsenki, So., 6-2, 180, GKansas City, Mo. (Park Hill HS)12

Tevin Svihovec, RS-So., 6-2, 190, GKingwood, Texas (Kingwood HS)5

Drake Thomas, Fr., 6-0, 165, GOvilla, Texas (Grace Preparatory Academy)14

Cody McDavis, Fr., 6-8, 200, FPhoenix, Ariz. (Pinnacle HS)10

Jackson Stevenett, Sr., 6-4, 185, FKaysville, Utah (Davis HS)21

Tate Unruh, RS-Jr., 6-4, 175, GBranson, Mo. (Branson HS)15

John Renfro, RS-Fr., 6-6, 185, FFairbanks, Alaska (West Valley HS)22

Brendan Keane, So., 6-9, 235, FOakland, Calif. (St. Joseph’s Notre Dame HS)21

Jordan Johnson, Sr., 6-3, 175, GDelta, Utah (Eastern Wyoming Community College)25

Tim Huskisson, So., 6-5, 190, FWillard, Mo. (Willard HS)22

Wade Collie, Jr., 6-6, 200, FLas Vegas, Nev. (Wallace State College)32

Emmanuel Addo, RS-Jr., 6-7, 220, F/CToronto, Ontario (Northfield (Minn.) HS)24

Tyson Koehler, Sr., 6-8, 250, FSalt Lake City, Utah (Grayson County Community College)33

Bryce Douvier, So., 6-6, 215, FSedgwick, Kan. (Sedgwick HS)25

Cal Hanks, So., 6-11, 235, CLogan, Utah (Mountain Crest HS)34

Greg Tucker, Fr., 6-2, 190, GCharleston, Mo. (Charleston HS)30

A.J. Hess, Fr., 6-6, 190, GPhoenix, Ariz. (Phoenix Country Day HS)35Jaren Jeffery, Jr., 6-8, 210, CDelta, Utah (Delta HS)42

Connor Osborne, RS-Jr., 6-9, 270, CLittleton, Colo. (Columbine HS)34

Julian Scott, Sr., 6-8, 260, FSacramento, Calif. (Yuba College)44Jayson Cheesman, Jr., 6-11, 250, COrem, Utah (Salt Lake Community College)50

4

5

FROM THE COVER

6

F or a team to be successful it must be built on a strong foundation. This foundation must derive from a combination of teamwork, respect, passion and many other components. Perhaps the most

important component is leadership. It’s talked about every March during the NCAA Tournament. Teams that thrive

in the postseason often have upperclassmen who fill that leadership role that holds a team together through the inevitable ups and downs of March Madness.

A leader holds himself to a higher standard and expects more from himself and from his peers. A leader is someone who doesn’t care what people think and is willing to say what is on his mind to anyone at anytime. A leader is willing to put in the extra time and effort. A leader is the example—he is the right hand of the coaching staff—and without a leader programs don’t strive.

And often times, that leadership is a learned quality.Northern Colorado head coach B.J. Hill knows how important leadership can

be to a team as he, in his first year as the Bears’ top guy, led a team chock-full of senior leadership to a Big Sky championship and NCAA Tournament berth just two years ago.

Hill’s leadership was key in that run, but it wouldn’t have mattered without great internal team “follow-me” guys like Devon Beitzel, Chris Kaba, Neal Kingman and Taylor Montgomery.

Coming into this season, there was no doubt as to the level of talent on Northern Colorado’s roster. Hill has assembled a group of well-rounded and skilled basketball players, but with the way things have worked out none of those players are seniors. The Bears will lose no players to graduation this year, which is a pretty uncommon thing in the world of collegiate athletics.

Last year, forward Mike Proctors’ position as the only senior for Northern Colorado made it easy for the younger guys to look up to him.

Upon Proctor’s graduation, though, it wasn’t clear who would fill his role in Hill’s third year on the job.

Redshirt junior and co-captain Tate Unruh is undeniably a leader within the team and becoming more so as his career progresses. Last season, as just a redshirt sophomore, Unruh was the Bears’ leading scorer, averaging 11 points per game and shooting a scorching 46 percent from three-point land. It has always been clear that Unruh has unmatched shooting skills, and that offensive firepower has led to his taking a prominent position in the spotlight for the Bears.

The question entering this season, though, was: Did Tate believe he was capable of being the leader he has become?

“Tate has never really believed that Tate is as good as what his coaches believed he could be,” Hill says. “It wasn’t until about halfway through this year that he started producing both at home and on the road. You know, it’s easy for some guys to play well at home, but it takes another level of confidence and commitment to produce on the road.

“When they do that, [you] start to carry [yourself] differently. You have seen Tate go through that evolution this year, in my opinion, and that allows guys to take their games to another level, and I think that’s what he is in the process of doing.”

Who Unruh is as a person has clearly affected whom he has developed into as a player. Unruh says he ties his character to his faith, and that character and

CONTINUES ON PG 42

8

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

Our approach is hands on – whether in the classroom or in the field. It’s about building curiosity and gaining knowledge, then applying what we learn to all aspects of life. Our style of learning stimulates the mind, awakens our creativity and opens our eyes to the possibilities. It’s what drives our students, faculty and alumni to engage in the community and around the globe, doing work that matters and enriching the lives of those around them. We are bringing education to life.

A UNC education is lively at its core.

Exceptional characters developed here.Aisha JacksonJUNIOR MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENT

Born: Sept. 21, 1992 in Philadelphia.

Family: Parents are Kevin Keane and Mary McInnerney ... Has two brothers and a sister.

Ya don’t say?! Chose Northern Colorado over Creighton, Holy Cross and Portland, among others ... Was a prep standout at St. Joseph’s Notre Dame in Alameda, Calif. ... When he’s not hooping in Greeley, he’s back in the San Francisco Bay Area, rooting for the Giants, 49ers and Warriors and skateboarding and kayaking ... Has already appeared in nearly 50 games in two years at UNC.

BRENDAN KEANESOPHOMORE n FORWARD n OAKLAND, CALIF. n 6-9 n 235 n 48 CAREER GAMES THROUGH FEBRUARY

BEARS GAMEDAY: It seems like you just arrived on campus, but you’ve already played in nearly 50 games in your two years here. Did you expect to see the floor so much early on in your career?

BRENDAN KEANE: “I expected to come in and fill a role, especially my freshman year, and I think I did that—just bringing energy off the bench. I definitely want to work toward a lot more playing time in the next two years, and I know I can, and I know I will.

“When I am out there, I just try to play solid and just keep guys off the boards. I try to score when I can, because I know I can, but not force anything. I try to just play within myself, because I know I can shoot the mid-range shot, score in the post, create my own shot, that type of thing. But it’s more important that I set good screens, at this point, and rebound and just play solid defense. I need to just come in and basically not let the momentum swing and also try to bring energy. That’s really important for reserve guys.”

BG: What part of your game do you think you’ve improved on the most since high school?

BK: “I’ve gained some weight, so I can bang a little more with the bigger guys. And I’ve gotten a lot better with my left hand. I use it just as much, if not more, than I use my right hand in the post. And I’ve really improved at just working day-to-day and taking on the added workload in the college game. When I got to college the hardest thing was adjusting to the grind, the day-to-day of weights and practice and film and class and travel. Now, I feel much more physically and mentally capable of going day-to-day and competing and bringing what I can.”

BG: How much has it helped getting to practice every day against talented bigman teammates like Connor Osborne and Derrick Barden?

BK: “I went up against a lot of big guys when I was in high school in California, but before I got here I had never really played against guys who were big and strong and really had a mind for the game, like those two do. I’ve seen a lot ath-letes but [Derrick] is probably one of the better ones. Where I’m from there are a lot of guys like that but not necessarily guys with his motor. He’s always giving max effort, and that’s what makes him so good.

“What I’ve learned from them is … with Connor, when the ball gets swung (passed to the opposite side of the defense) he’s taught me how it’s important to play off your guy and seal him the right way. And also just learning how to play with college guards—learning what they need and what they are looking for in order to get the ball in the post and where they’re going to be for kick outs and stuff like that. That’s an important piece to playing inside, and he’s really good at it. With D.B., you’ve just got to keep him in mind at all times. if you forget about him, he’ll tip-dunk on you all day. You’ve got to be aware of a guy who’s an athlete like that. Yeah, I’ve learned a lot from them. I try to learn from everybody.”

BG: Like you mentioned, you don’t focus as much on offense at this stage in your career, but when you do shoot it, you’ve got a great touch. Are you really just a guard stuck in a big man’s body?

BK: “In seventh and eighth grade, when I started working on my basketball game with the coaches I would have all the way through high school, I was nowhere near the type of player I am now. I wasn’t capable at all from the floor. You wouldn’t have even thought I was [NCAA Division I]-caliber, other than my size, like 6-6 then. But, they worked with me, and I worked hard on it, and it was something that just kind of came easier to me than some other guys my size. They taught me good form, and once you get

CONTINUES ON PG 47

Our approach is hands on – whether in the classroom or in the field. It’s about building curiosity and gaining knowledge, then applying what we learn to all aspects of life. Our style of learning stimulates the mind, awakens our creativity and opens our eyes to the possibilities. It’s what drives our students, faculty and alumni to engage in the community and around the globe, doing work that matters and enriching the lives of those around them. We are bringing education to life.

A UNC education is lively at its core.

Exceptional characters developed here.Aisha JacksonJUNIOR MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENT

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Hired: July 2002Family: Husband (Tom), five children, three grandchildren

KAY NORTON

the first and only business college in the country to earn the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Also, during her presidency Northern Colorado’s Department of Athletics moved to Division I of the NCAA, and the Univer-sity Symphony Orchestra and Jazz band have both repeatedly been honored as the best in the nation.

A native of Oklahoma and graduate of Wellesley College and the University of Denver College of Law, President Norton says her college experience taught her how to think and question. She values the personal relationships and individualized experiences she gained, both inside and outside the classroom, and she says she is proud that Northern Colorado offers its students that same kind of personal experience.

“We are not a mega-school,” Norton said during her 2008 State of the University Address. “We are a place that makes education personal.”

Before coming to UNC, Norton practiced law for more than 20 years, in both gov-ernment and private business settings. She was appointed to the UNC Board of Trustees in 1995 and served as vice chair of the Board until 1998, when she joined the university’s staff as Vice President for University Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

In 2002, Norton was appointed Northern Colorado’s first female president. She serves on the board of the American Asso-ciation of State Colleges and Universities, the AASCU Commission on Presidential Leadership and Global Competitiveness, the Systems Transformation Subcommit-tee of the Governor’s P-20 Council, and the boards of directors for StarTek Inc., Upstate Colorado Economic Development, the Greeley Downtown Development Authority, Getsmart Schools and the International Student Exchange Program. She is also a member of the University of Denver Issues Panel on immigration.

K ay Norton is the 12th president in the history of the University of Northern Colorado, and she has

lived in Greeley for more than three decades. She is a vocal advocate for public higher education and for building strong and sus-tainable university-community relationships. During her tenure as President, the university has received the prestigious Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Preparation, and Monfort College of Business became

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT n WELLESLEY COLLEGE; DENVER COLLEGE OF LAW

12

ADMINISTRATION

Luis RamirezMarket President 970-346-6971luis.ramirez@bbvacompass.com

Jeff JohnsonVice President970-346-6975Jeff.johnson@bbvacompass.com

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Hired: Aug. 23, 2004Family: Wife (Julie) and son (Jared)Alma mater: Kansas

JAY HINRICHSand indoor track and field programs for men and women, while securing membership for the Bears in the Big Sky Conference and other con-ferences for non-Big Sky sports. He has also led two facility renovation and expansion projects totaling $31 million.

Athletic and academic facility upgrades and renovations have been a staple under Hinrichs. Included in a 2005 student-fee funded $16 million facility expansion and renovation project were seating and scoreboard improvements to Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion, the recon-struction of historic Jackson Stadium and the addition of a state-of-the-art Field House for the baseball and women’s soccer programs, and the renovation of Butler-Hancock Sports Complex -- including new tennis courts, a field house, new lighted synthetic and natural-grass practice and intramural sports fields, the construction of a new indoor climate controlled Practice Center for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball and a new east side Plaza Concourse and 2,500 seat expansion for Nottingham Field.

A $15 million project was then completed on Butler-Hancock Athletics Center in August 2010, expanding and improving the Home of the Bears into one of the best student-athlete facilities in the Big Sky. Included were significant upgrades to academic areas, a new and four-times larger strength and conditioning center, the new Dan Libera Athletic Training Center, 16 new team rooms and the first Northern Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame and Sports Museum.

The athletic exploits of the Northern Colorado student-athletes under Hinrichs are small when compared to their academic accomplishments. Northern Colorado has led the Big Sky Confer-ence in graduation rates each of the last four seasons, and women’s basketball, volleyball, swimming & diving and the men’s golf teams were recently honored by their respective national coaching organizations for team GPAs.

Challenged with growing the Department of Athletics’ budget to match its new standing in NCAA Division I, Hinrichs has grown the Bears’ annual budget to more than nine million

dollars. To that end, Northern Colorado Athletics fundraising has also undergone an expansion under Hinrichs -- it now includes components to Major Gifts, Special Events, sport-specific gifts, endowments, capital gifts to improve and maintain athletic facilities for the demands of tomorrow and the Blue and Gold annual fund.

Head coaching hires and multi-year retention packages under Hinrichs’ watch have included Lyndsey (Benson) Oates, who has led the Bears Volleyball to four Big Sky Championships in three seasons; B.J. Hill, who led the men’s basketball program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament in 2011; Jaime White, who led the women’s basketball program to its first-ever Big Sky Championship in 2011; and former softball coach Mark Montgomery, who, in his first year at Northern Colorado, was honored as 2011 Co-PCSC Coach of the Year.

Before coming to Greeley, Hinrichs worked at the University of Kansas and, before that, served 18 years in three senior-management positions for the Kansas City Royals, including Director of Stadium Operations, Assistant General Manager and Vice President for Ballpark Operations and Development.

Hinrichs has served as a board of directors mem-ber and Chairman of the Board of the Kansas and Western Missouri affiliate of the National Kidney Foundation and as a Board member of the Kansas City Corporate Challenge. He was also on the advisory board of Imaging Solutions Company in Wichita, Kansas, prior to his move to Northern Colorado, and he recently completed his third term on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Weld County and has been appointed to the organization’s Executive Council and was recently named to the NCAA Academic Cabinet.

Hinrichs earned a bachelor’s degree in personnel administration and psychology from the University of Kansas in 1980 before earning a master’s in business administration from KU in 1983.

He is married to the former Julie Miller of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and their son Jared is 14 and attends Greeley Northridge High School.

I n eight years as the Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Colorado, Jay Hinrichs has reshaped the historic and tradition-rich

profile and advanced the Department of Intercol-legiate Athletics into NCAA Division I membership for all 19 sport programs and athletic-support departments while instilling a Championship Culture at Northern Colorado and an eye for the future of the Bears.

Hinrichs was named the Director of Athletics on August 23, 2004. Since his hiring, Hinrichs has directed the NCAA reclassification and certification process to Division I, added the men’s cross country

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14

COACHING STAFF

Hired: April 19, 2010Age: 39Hometown: Cedar Falls, IowaFamily: Wife, Eliza; son, Nathan; daughter, AlanaTwitter: @coachbjhillWeb site: coachbjhill.com

COACHING EXPERIENCEYear Position School1997-98 Assistant coach North Iowa Area CC1998-99 Assistant coach Independence CC1999-00 Assistant coach South Dakota State2000-05 Assistant coach Coffeyville CC2005-06 Assistant coach Indian Hills CC2006-08 Assistant coach Northern Colorado2008-10 Assoc. head coach Northern Colorado2010-pres. Head coach Northern Colorado

B.J. HILL

B .J. Hill is entering his third season at the helm of the Northern Colorado men’s basketball program. After

guiding the Bears to their first Division NCAA Tournament in his first year as head coach and spending last season molding a promising, excit-ing group of young players into potential Big Sky stars, there is plenty of excitement surrounding Hill’s third season.

Already, Hill has coached four All-Big Sky per-formers while serving as the Bears’ head coach and coached five others while on the Northern Colorado coaching staff.

Hill and the rest off his staff will undoubtedly hope a few new players continue that pattern of All-Big Sky performances as the Bears head into 2012 with plenty of experience as just one big-time contributor (Mike Proctor) from last year’s squad isn’t back.

There’s also plenty of talent coming back as, behind Hill’s coaching, last season’s Bears put up the best three-point shooting percentage (44.4) in the nation -- ahead of traditional powers like Indiana (second at 43.1%) and Creighton (third at 42.4%).

The Bears’ three-point shooting prowess was led by sophomores Paul Garnica (48.5%) and Tate Unruh (46.2%), who first and second, re-spectively, in the Big Sky in three-point shooting percentage.

In Hill’s second year, the Bears finished with a 9-19 (5-11 Big Sky) mark but saw continued im-provement surrounding a team filled with young players. Aside from one senior (Mike Proctor) all of Hill’s contributing players at the end of last season were either freshmen or sophomores.

Hill, who served as Northern Colorado’s associate head men’s basketball coach during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons and was a top Bears assistant for two years before that, was named Northern Colorado’s 18th head basketball coach on April 19, 2010.

In his first year on the job, Hill led North-ern Colorado to its first Big Sky Conference regular-season and postseason titles and its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

The Bears drew a No. 15 seed in the 2011 March Madness and faced second-seeded San Diego State in the tournament’s second round in Tucson, Ariz. Northern Colorado hung with the Aztecs into the second half before falling 68-50 at McKale Center.

Hill was honored as the 2011 Big Sky Confer-ence Coach of the Year and landed on numerous national coaching postseason award lists. His 21-11 mark in his first year at the helm was the most first-year wins of any of the previous 17 Northern Colorado head basketball coaches.

In Hill’s four years as a Bears assistant, Northern Colorado men’s basketball improved from a team that finished dead last in 2007 in the final NCAA RPI report to a team in 2010 that won 25 games (25-8) and set the school record for most victories in a single season.

Northern Colorado qualified for its first NCAA Division I postseason berth in 2009 (Big Sky Conference Tournament quarterfinals) before advancing in 2010 to the Big Sky Conference semifinals and then making an appearance in the quarterfinals of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT).

In Hill, who came to the Bears after a successful assistant coaching career at various stops in South Dakota, Kansas and Iowa, Northern Colorado secured a tireless recruiter, a passionate basketball man and a great ambassador for the University of Northern Colorado community.

With Hill’s promotion, Northern Colorado athletics affirmed its commitment to building a successful NCAA Division I basketball program that matches the level of the University of Northern Colorado’s academics and carrying on a tradition of winning on the court and in the classroom.

“We all think that continuity in a sports program is paramount to its success,” Northern Colorado athletic director Jay Hinrichs said short-ly after Hill’s introduction. “It was critical that we follow through with our multiyear succession plan to ensure stability throughout our men’s basketball program and not miss a beat in the development of our student-athletes.”

HEAD COACH n THIRD SEASON n GRAND VIEW (1996), S. DAKOTA ST. (2001)

15

Hill, 36, replaced Tad Boyle, now the head coach at Colorado.

“This is an unbelievable opportunity,” Hill said. “I want to thank Jay Hinrichs, President (Kay) Norton and everybody involved who believed in me. I also want to thank Tad Boyle. I’m extremely excited, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to carry on what Coach (Boyle) started and carrying it on to the next level.

“I’m not going to be much different as the head coach as I have been as an assistant these past four years. I’m going to demand that our players play hard and try to get better every day. That’s all I know how to do. It’s worked so far, and I know it’s going to continue to work. We’re going to continue to strive to bring in the high-character and high-talent student-athletes that this program has been able to get in the past and will in the future, and that’s going to help us keep this basketball program going and take it to new levels.”

Prior to coming to Greeley, Hill worked as an assis-tant at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he worked alongside coach Jeff Kidder and with former Bears standouts Jabril Banks and Robert Palacios.

Hill helped the Warriors to a 25-6 overall record and second-place finish in the Iowa Conference in 2006. Indian Hills was ranked as high as No. 3 nationally during the season and won seven more games than the previous year’s squad.

Before his time at Indian Hills, Hill coached five seasons at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, working with head coach Jay Herkelman. In Hill’s tenure, the Red Ravens won five consecutive Jayhawk East Conference titles and three straight Region VI championships and had a combined record of 146-33 (.816 winning percentage) and advanced to the 2002 NJCAA National Champion-ship game.

Hill spent the 1999-2000 season at South Dakota

State University, where he helped the Jackrabbits to the NCAA Division II national tournament and a 21-9 overall record. SDSU finished second place in the North Central Conference that season and played a game against Northern Colorado in Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

Hill was an assistant coach at Independence Com-munity College during the 1998-99 season, helping the team to a 22-10 record and second-place finish in the Jayhawk East Conference.

He started coaching during the 1997-98 season at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) in Mason City, Iowa, where he was a standout player in the early 90s.

A native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Hill played basketball at NIACC and at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand View in 1996 and his master’s degree in athletic administration from South Dakota State in 2001.

NORTHERN COLORADO’S ‘FIRST FAMILY OF BASKETBALL’

16

COACHING STAFF

RY MARTIN

WILL HENSLEY

LOGAN BEAN

Ryan Martin joined the Northern Colorado coaching staff in May 2010. He came to Greeley with an im-pressive resume after holding various assistant coaching positions in the Midwest. He most recently had

spent two years as a graduate assistant at UMKC after finishing up a standout playing career at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and later at Wichita State, where he was a member of the Shockers’ 2006 NCAA

Tournament Sweet 16 team. Martin played for Bears coach B.J. Hill from 2003 to 2005, when Hill was an assistant coach at Coffeyville. After just one season with the Bears he was selected in summer 2011 to

attend the prestigious Villa 6 Consortium, a one-of-a-kind career-development opportunity for the best and brightest of the emerging stars on the collegiate basketball landscape. Martin joined UMKC after

spending the 2007-08 season as an assistant coach at Coffeyville, where he helped lead the Ravens to a 24-9 overall record that year in southern Kansas, while assisting with practices and game-day coaching.

Will Hensley was hired as Northern Colorado’s director of men’s basketball operations in June 2012 and was promoted to assistant coach in November 2012. He previously was an assistant coach at Northern Arizona, which posted a 19-13 record in Hensley’s second season in 2010-11 and advanced to the Col-

legeInsider.com Tournament. In Flagstaff Hensley coached Shane Johannsen to an All-Big Sky honorable mention selection in 2010-11 after Johannsen finished with the best field-goal percentage in the nation

at 72.7 percent (ESPN.com). Hensley was a student assistant for three seasons at NAU after playing two seasons for the Lumberjacks before his playing career was shortened by injury. Hensley, who has worked myriad summer camps across the country, including camps at NAU, UCLA, Baylor, Texas A&M and for Five

Star Basketball, graduated from NAU with a degree in history and education in May 2009. He is married to the former Megan Wyatt, who played volleyball at NAU and is also a graduate of the school.

Logan Bean was promoted to assistant coach at Northern Colorado in June 2011 after he spent the previous season as the Bears’ director of operations, helping Northern Colorado to the 2010 Big Sky

regular-season and postseason championships as well as an apperance in the NCAA Tournament. Bean came to Greeley after spending the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant for coach Buzz Williams

and the Marquette Golden Eagles. Prior to that, Bean spent five years as a student manager for Nebraska‘s men’s basketball program, serving the final two years as head manager for former huskers coach Doc

Sadler. Bean has been to six NCAA Division I postseasons and has worked with and coached 11 profes-sional basketball players, including NBA First Round draft picks Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls) and Lazar

Hayward (Minnesota Timberwolves) and NBA player Wes Matthews. Bean graduated from Nebraska in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies and with a minor in sociology.

ASSISTANT COACH n THIRD SEASON n WICHITA STATE (2007)

ASSISTANT COACH n FIRST SEASON n NORTHERN ARIZONA (2009)

ASSISTANT COACH n THIRD SEASON n NEBRASKA (2008)

17

ANTHONY URRUTIA

ZACH MARGOLIS

RAWLEY KLINGSMITH

MENAN BERGMAN

Anthony Urrutia B.J. Hill’s program as a team manager prior to the 2010-11 season, and he was promoted to graduate assistant manager in summer 2011. Urrutia came to Northern Colorado after spending some time as a player at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College, where he was team captain, and at Colorado Christian in Denver. Before that, Urrutia lettered three times in basketball at Monarch (Colo.) High and was honored as an all-conference and All-Boulder County player. Urrutia, from Lafayette, Colo., earned his communication degree in 2011 from Northern Colorado with a minor in sociology.

Zach Margolis joined the University of Northern Colorado Sports Performance staff in August 2011. He assists in the strength and conditioning of all the Bears’ student-athletes and works directly with men’s and women’s basketball. Margolis joined the Bears from the University of Texas, where he served as the graduate assistant strength coach the previous two years. He worked with the Longhorn football and volleyball teams throughout the season, and both teams advanced to the national title game. Prior to Texas, Margolis spent two seasons on staff at his alma mater, Northern Arizona.

Rawley Klingsmith joined the Northern Colorado Sports Medicine staff in 2004 and in January 2012 was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Human Performance - Head Athletic Trainer. Klingsmith serves as head men’s basketball athletic trainer in addition to assisting with all of Northern Colorado’s 19 intercollegiate sports, assisting with student athletic training instruction and coordinating physician/doctor involvement. Klingsmith graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in May of 2000 with a bachelor of arts degree in kinesiology/athletic training and then earned his master’s at Oregon in 2002.

Menan Bergman took over director duties of Northern Colorado Basketball’s Roundball Club during sum-mer 2012. The Roundball Club is vital to the success of the Bears, and Bergman’s addition is another step in the Bears’ transformation into a top-notch NCAA Division I program. Bergman, who’s lived in Greeley for 15 years and is a Colorado native, joined B.J. Hill’s program after previously working as a golf professional at Pelican Lakes, Highland Hills and City Park Nine golf courses. He graduated from Northern Colorado in 2000 with a degree in kinesiology and is married to Dianna Bergman.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT MANAGER n NORTHERN COLORADO (2011)

SPORTS PERFORMANCE n NORTHERN ARIZONA (2008); TEXAS (2011)

ATHLETIC TRAININGn NORTHERN COLORADO (2000); OREGON 2002

DIRECTOR OF ROUNDBALL CLUB n N. COLORADO (2000)

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NIKEBASKETBALL.COM

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NIKEBASKETBALL.COM

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1 2 3JAMES DAVIS JR.RS-Fr., Guard l 6-1, 170San Lorenzo, Calif.

TEVIN SVIHOVECRS-So., Guard l 6-2, 190Kingwood, Texas

EMMANUEL ADDORS-Jr., Forward l 6-7, 220Toronto, Ontario, Canada

DERRICK BARDENJr., Forward l 6-5, 215Detroit, Mich.

CODY McDAVISFr., Forward l 6-8, 200Phoenix, Ariz.

BRYCE DOUVIERSo., Forward l 6-6, 215Sedgwick, Kan.

XZAIVIER JAMESJr., Guard l 5-11, 175Greeley, Colo.

TATE UNRUHRS-Jr., Guard l 6-4, 175Branson, Mo.

GREG TUCKERFr., Guard l 6-2, 190Charleston, Mo.

PAUL GARNICAJr., Guard l 6-0, 160San Antonio, Texas

BRENDAN KEANESo., Forward l 6-9, 235Oakland, Calif.

TIM HUSKISSONSo., Forward l 6-5, 190Willard, Mo.

CONNOR OSBORNERS-Jr., Center l 6-9, 270Littleton, Colo.

24

HOME OF THE BEARS

BUTLER-HANCOCKSPORTS PAVILION

NORTHERN COLORADO IS 287-190 HERE SINCE IT OPENED IN 1974

O n behalf of Northern Colorado Athletics and Director of Athletics Jay Hinrichs, welcome to

the “Home of the Bears.” Named for longtime Northern Colorado coaches

Pete Butler and John Hancock, Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion first opened as “Butler-Hancock Hall” on Feb. 4, 1975. The building’s name was changed to “Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion” during the 2004-05 school year and remains home for Northern Colorado’s men’s and women’s basketball programs, as well as its volleyball and wrestling teams.

The building has undergone impressive renova-tions during the last decade, including in 2006, when, as part of a $16 million dollar student-fee referendum, Butler-Hancock received a much needed makeover. New chairback seats were installed throughout, a new sound system and

message and scoreboard center were added, as were renovated restrooms, an on-site ticket center and improved entry points.

Butler-Hancock’s official seating capacity was originally 4,500, but the renovations in 2006-07 brought that down to 2,992, creating a much more intimate feeling for spectators.

Northern Colorado Men’s Basketball has expe-rienced a pretty sizeable homecourt advantage inside Butler-Hancock’s brick walls and are well over .500 at home since it opened in 1975.

That home winning tradition has continued since 2007, when the Bears began playing at the NCAA Division I level, too. After struggling in its inaugural season at Division I, Northern Colorado has strung together five winning seasons at home in the last six years, including two years ago, when the Bears finished 14-0 for just the third undefeat-

ed season in school history. The biggest “names” to play in Butler-Hancock

Sports Pavilion in the last decade include Oregon State (2006), San Diego State (2008) and New Mexico State (2011).

Butler-Hancock has been the site of numer-ous memorable events in its history, including the 2011 Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, which was won by the Bears and broadcast nationally on Altitude (semifinal) and ESPN2 (final).

Butler-Hancock, the host of myriad NCAA regional tournaments, was also the site of the 1992, 1996 and 2001 NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships, and in summer 2002, Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion hosted a men’s Olympic volleyball exhibition match between the United States and Korean national teams.

State Farm, Bloomington, IL1001058

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

From one winning teamto another. We are alllooking forward toanother great season. GoBears!!

Larson Ins Agcy IncMark Larson, Agent4895 W 10th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Bus: 970-356-8700

Give it your best shot.

GoodLuckUNCBears

27

CLASS OF 1994L.C. Pete Butler - Coach/Administrator (1940-73) Rosemary Fri - Coach/Administrator (1963-05) Leonard Groom - Wrestling (1967-69)John Hancock - Coach/Administrator (1925-66) Tom Petroff - Baseball Coach (1971-85)Lou Piel - Softball/Basketball (1976-80) Greg Riddoch - Baseball (1965-67)Greeley Timothy - Multisports (1922-25)

CLASS OF 1995Tom Backus - Football/Wrestling (1934-39)Bob Blasi - Football Coach (1966-84)Elmo Cromer - Football/Basketball/Baseball/Track (1930s) Bob DeMeo - Baseball (1970-74)Barb Eaton - Tennis (1980-82)Jack LaBonde - Wrestling Coach (1966-80) Dan Libera - Athletic Trainer (1971-97)Len Lordino - Wrestling (1958-62)Dick Monfort - ContributorTony Rossi - Gymnastics Coach/Trainer (1949-83)

CLASS OF 1996Frank Carbajal - Baseball/Basketball (1958-61)Joe Drew - Football (1966-69) Sandra Elliott - Tennis (1983-86) Jack Flasche - Wrestling (1961-64) Mike Higgins - Basketball (1985-89) Don Meyer - Baseball/Basketball (1964-67) Buck Rollins - Football Coach (1967-85) George Sage - Baseball/Basketball (52-55);

Basketball Coach (63-69) Linda Witt - Swimming/Track/Basketball/Softball/Field

Hockey (1975-78) John Zurbrigen - Football (1969-71)/Contributor

CLASS OF 1997Lark Birdsong - Volleyball/Basketball/Tennis/Track

(1968-72)Don Govoni - Wrestling (1950-52) Roy Hardin - Football (1933-35)John Koehler - Baseball (1959-61) Dave Stalls - Football (1973-76)Carla Stearns - Volleyball/Softball/Basketball (1978-83)Bill Thomas - Track & Field (1979-83) Dr. James Wheeler - Team Physician (1958-93)

CLASS OF 1998Tom Benich - Track & Field Coach (1963-86)Merle Ogle - Tennis/Basketball (1927-30)Dr. Aaron Parkhurst - Team Physician (1971-99)Gloria Rodriguez - Softball/Basketball Coach (1969-77)Teresa Stratman - Swimming (1989-93)1978 Softball Team

CLASS OF 1999Duane Banks - Baseball/Basketball (1958-64)Mike Bennett - Track & Field (1989-92)Joe Klune - Wrestling (1942-43, 45-57)Judy McCreery-Chamberlin - Track (1978-80)Dean Schott - Gymnastics (1980-83)Mike Tomasini - FootballWrestling/Track (1964-67)1969 Football Team

CLASS OF 2000Dana (Cash) Ausec - Volleyball (1990-93)Jan Breckenridge - Softball (1976-79)Carolyxn Cody - Gymnastics Coach (1967-81)Kevin Jelden - Football (1979-83)Vic Nottingham - Tennis (1948-52)/ContributorFrank Slack - Multi-sports (1936-39)1968-69 Wrestling Team

CLASS OF 2001Kristy Jordan - Volleyball (1977-80) Robert Reed - Football/Basketball/Baseball (1936-40) Joe Strain - Baseball (1973-76)Joe Tennessen - Contributor Larry Wagner - Wrestling (1968-71)1983 Women’s Tennis Team

CLASS OF 2002Jim Alexander - Wrestling (1965-67)Linda Delk - Volleyball (1976-2002)Ben Dreith - Baseball/Basketball/Football (1946-50)Venus Jennings - Basketball/Softball (1975-78)Deb Ponis - Volleyball/Tennis (1993-97)Frank Wainright - Football (1987-90)1955 Baseball Team

CLASS OF 2003Stanley Benson - Swimming (1971-75)R.W. Eaks - Golf/Basketball (1971-75)Dr. Betty Everett - Women’s Athletics (1951-81)Lisa Jacobsen Loptien - Soccer (1985-88)J. Michael (Mike) Thompson - Track & Field (1986-90)1949 Baseball Team1993 Volleyball Team

CLASS OF 2004Tom Beck - Football (1993-96)Dennis Colson - Basketball/Track & Field/Baseball

(1963-68)Gerry Dattilio - Football (1972-75)Alexis Gardner - Softball (1976-79)Terry (Wenzinger) Goldwater - Women’s Swimming

(1990-94)Mike Rogers - Wrestling (1967-69)1974 Baseball Team

CLASS OF 2005Sharon Akiyama - Gymnastics (1973-76)Ernie Andrade - Baseball (1960-62)Derek Chaney - Basketball (1990-94)Don Cumley - Football/Track & Field/Billiards (1939-

41 & 46-48)Theo Holland - Basketball/Track & Field (1957-61)Corte McGuffey - Football (1996-99)Kim Schiemenz - Volleyball/Track & Field (1995-00)1978-79 Men’s Golf Team1981 Volleyball Team

CLASS OF 2006Irv Brown - Basketball/Baseball/Contributor (B.A. 1957)Joe Glenn - Football Coach (1987-99)Shelley (Lindstrom) Johnson - Basketball (1988-92)Dave Keller, Baseball/Basketball (1979-82)

Jim Lochner - Baseball (1959-62)Tatjana (Smith) Sanders - Volleyball (1993-95)Nancy (Weber) Sylvester -Track & Field (1994-97)1996 Football Team

CLASS OF 2007Karl Dodge - Track & Field (1988-93)Ed Dyer - Baseball (1961-64)Billy Holmes - Football (1994-97)Jim Lord - ContributorMandy Nilsen - Soccer (1998-01)Stormie Wells - Volleyball (1992-95)1997 Football Team

CLASS OF 2008-09Fritz Brennecke - Football/Baseball (1934-35)Jules Doubenmier - Faculty/Staff (1925-61)Pat Haggerty - Baseball/Basketball (1951)Gary Harper - Baseball (1961-63)Dr. Robert Heiny - Faculty/Staff (1967-present)Jim Hruska - Basketball (1956-60)Joe Lindahl - Faculty/Staff (1954-82)Rick Petri - Golf (1976-79)Jeff Potts - Golf (1977-81)*Aaron Smith - Football (1994-98)Andrea Wallace - Tennis (1991-94)Trish Williamson - Basketball (1987-91)1965-66 Men’s Basketball Team1992 Women’s Tennis Team

CLASS OF 2010Joe Bonacquista - Baseball (1962-64)Erin Deffenbaugh - Volleyball (2000-04)Jim Fallis - Director of Athletics (1993-04)Scott Gates - Wrestling (1988-92)Dirk Johnson - Football (1994-97)Lester Kroeger - Wrestling (1951-57)Loren Snyder - Football (1983-86)Melissa (Borell) Vaughn - Basketball (1999-03)Harry Wise - Baseball/Basketball/Football (1945-51)1963-64 Wrestling

CLASS OF 2011Jim Crider - Wrestling (1961-65)Reed Doughty - Football (2002-05)Vincent Jackson - Football/Basketball (2001-04)Joyce Jordahl - Volleyball (1996-99)Sabra Maas - Swimming & Diving (1993-96)Jay Valentine - Track & Field (1985-89)1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962

Baseball Teams

CLASS OF 2012Tom Barbour - SID/Contributor (1977-present)Teale (Goble) Hemphill - Basketball/Volleyball

(1999-02)Sharon Hoffman - Basketball/Softball (1971-75)Mike Leberknight - Wrestling (1989-93)Vance Lechman - Football (1986-89)*Bob Oliver - AD/Contributor (1982-92)1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981 Softball Teams * - Elected but not inducted

UNC HALL OF FAMELOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF BUTLER-HANCOCK ATHLETICS CENTER

THE NORTHERN COLORADO HALL OF

FAME BEGAN IN 1994, WITH EIGHT

INDIVIDUALS COMPRISING THE

INAUGURAL CLASS. NOW, IN ITS 20TH

YEAR, THE HALL HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE

128 INDIVIDUALS AND 30 TEAMS.

NOMINATIONS FOR INCLUSION IN THE UNC HALL OF FAME ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTED. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT

UNCBEARS.COM

MIKE HIGGINS

DON MEYER

29

AnonymousManuel and Melissa Agripino

Steve and Teresa BakerTom and Kim Barbour

Byron and Chris BatemanMike and Judy Bond

Matt and Sonja BrucklacherMichael and Lindsey Bustamante

Dale and Julie ButcherMatt and Lacee Cantu

John and Susan CowartMJ Crespin

Josh and Karen ElliottDick and Anne Farr

Randy and Roxanne FrancisTravis and Jennifer Gillmore

Bob HeinyJerry and Sandra Helgeson

Jay and Kelli HelzerRyan and Jessica Hicks

Brett and Julie HillEd and Rene Holloway

Steve HoskinsJeff and Michelle Johnson Keith and Debbie Johnson

Jeff and Susan KincaidCraig and Melanie Kingman

Lee and Karen KorinsSteve and Megan LaforestMark and Maureen Larson

Matt and Leona LarsonDoug and Julie Leafgren

Martin and Vicki LindJim and Janet ListenDan and Nancy Maus

Jamie MayDave and Heather McCleave

Mark and Nancy MeilahnKellen Miles and Alisha Dart

Robbie and Brook MinerDick MonfortBob Murphy

Randy and Chris Moser

Bud and Jessica NoffsingerTom and Kay Norton

Vic and Eddye NottinghamMike Oakes

Jerry and Mary Jo OsborneNorm and Katie Peercy

Aaron PriorLuis and Shuree Ramirez

John and Angela SchmidtKipp and Michelle Sheets

Mike and Lori ShoopAndy and Angela SlaughterMike and Virginia Slaughter

Todd and Stacy SvihovecDon and Bettie StoneMike and Jill Trotter

Rob UehranPatrick and Nicole VarneyRandy and Nicole Watkins

Dan WheelerBruce and Laura White

John and Kathy Zurbrigen

In our short time at the NCAA Division I level our program has experienced a great deal of success, including championships on the court and tremendous accomplish-ments in the classroom. That success is attributed to the combined efforts of a committed program, University, and community toward our foundational goals which

remain:

n Recruit and graduate student-athletes who maintain a high level of character and represent you and the University Northern Colorado in the highest standards.n Winning Big Sky Conference championships

We need YOU to help us reach these goals year after year. By joining the Roundball Club you will be investing in a program on the rise and helping to improve the lives of our student-athletes . We look forward to the challenges that come with added success, but we need your support to keep this

program climing to even greater heights. For information on joining the team contact Menan Bergman at menan.bergman@unco.eduCOACH B.J. HILL

30

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

Northern Colorado Basketball, under the direction of Northern Colorado Hall of Fame coach George Sage, was one of the nation’s most successful NCAA Division II programs between 1963 and 1966. The Bears’ 1963-64 team (right) finished 18-8 and advanced to the NCAA

Southwest Regional in Beaumont, Texas. It featured Wellington Webb, who became Denver’s first African-American mayor in 1991 and served the city for three terms.

Northern Colorado’s 1988-89 team is considered one of the best squads in school history. It garnered numerous school records and finished the year with a No. 11 ranking in the final

NCAA Division II national poll. Toby Moser (31) and Mike Higgins (55) both played for the Bears that season and are found throughout the Northern Colorado Record book.

After serving as a Northern Colorado assistant for four seasons, coach B.J. Hill was handed the Bears’ head coaching reigns in April 2010 and took Northern Colorado and its fans on a memorable ride. The Bears, featuring Honorable Mention All-American Devon Beitzel (32), ended the year with a

remarkable 10-1 run and advanced to the Big Sky Conference Championship before earning a spot in their first NCAA Division I Tournament field.

31

1,000 POINT CLUB1. Mike Higgins (1985-89) 2,1122. Chuck Knostman (1981-85) 1,6643. Devon Beitzel (2006-11) 1,5684. Derek Chaney (1990-94) 1,4915. Sean Taibi (2004-08) 1,3636. Jim Hruska (1956-60) 1,3307. John McFarland (1994-97) 1,3268. Will Figures (2006-10) 1,2879. Henry Clausen (1966-69) 1,23510. Lovell Hooks (1971-75) 1,22811. Sean Nolen (2000-2005) 1,22612. Kirk Archibeque (2003-08) 1,17313. Dennis Colson (1965-68) 1,17114. Dwight Montgomery (1975-80) 1,07415. Antwine Williams (1996-98) 1,07216. R.W. Eaks (1971-75) 1,06217. Toby Moser (1986-90) 1,06018. Kevin Knudson (1998-03) 1,004* Tate Unruh 703

REBOUNDS1. Mike Higgins (1985-89) 9592. Robert Skinner (1976-80) 7673. Jim Hruska (1956-60) 7544. Toby Moser (1986-90) 6695. Mike Proctor (2008-12) 6586. Tom Kummer (1971-75) 6487. Robert Ruffin (1959-62) 6178. Kirk Archibeque (2003-08) 6109. Daryl Brumlee (1965-68) 59410. Henry Clausen (1966-69) 589* Connor Osborne 281

ASSISTS1. Sean Nolen (2000-05) 4272. Derek Chaney (1990-94) 3843. Matt Kline (2003-07) 3374. John Olander (1988-92) 3275. Carlos Martinez (1996-00) 3136. Troy Graefe (1983-85) 2997. Knute Peterson (1982-85) 2738. Scott Watson (1986-90) 2519. Will Figures (2006-10) 23110. Brian Simmons (1986-88) 222* Paul Garnica 163

BLOCKS1. Mike Higgins (1985-89) 3022. Ryan Adle (1996-99) 1583. Dave Mellick (1989-92) 1464. Jason Jacob (1993-97) 785. Dennis Jenkins (1984-85) 696. Todd Lane (1990-93) 667. Terrance Williams (1991-93) 608. David Britt (1997-99) 599. Kirk Archibeque (2003-08) 5310. Mike Proctor (2008-12) 53* Connor Osborne 52

STEALS1. Knute Peterson (1981-85) 1602. Devon Beitzel (2006-11) 1513. Antwine Williams (1996-98) 1344. Mike Higgins (1985-89) 131 Sean Nolen (2000-2005) 1316. Derek Chaney (1990-94) 1307. Erik Olson (2002-06) 1238. Tedd Sabus (1984-88) 1139. Kevin Knudson (1998-03) 10710. Carlos Martinez (1996-00) 106* Paul Garnica 86

FIELD GOALS MADE1. Mike Higgins (1985-89) 7872. Chuck Knotsman (1981-85) 6953. Robert Skinner (1976-80) 5394. John McFarland (1994-97) 5375. Lovell Hooks (1871-75) 5156. Henry Clausen (1966-69) 5137. Devon Beitzel (2006-11) 4998. Dwight Montgomery (1975-80) 4959. Derek Chaney (1990-94) 47910. Sean Taibi (2004-08) 407* Tate Unruh 245

3-POINTERS MADE1. Sean Taibi (2004-08) 2572. Devon Beitzel (2006-11) 2353. Sean Nolen (2000-05) 1894. Kevin Knudson (1998-03) 1885. Marvin Jones (1994-97) 1726. Derek Chaney (1990-94) 1637. Will Figures (2006-10) 1548. Tate Unruh (2009 - pres.) 1499. Carlos Martinez (1996-00) 14710. Brad Schick (1995-98) 131

FREE THROWS MADE1. Mike Higgins (1985-89) 5352. Jim Hruska (1956-60) 4203. Will Figures (2006-10) 3854. Derek Chaney (1990-94) 3705. Devon Beitzel (2006-11) 3356. Dennis Colson (1965-68) 3097. Sean Nolen (200-2005) 2958. Chuck Knostman (1981-85) 2749. Kirk Archibeque (2003-08) 27310. Knute Peterson (1981-85) 271* Emmanuel Addo 145

GAMES PLAYED1. Neal Kingman (2006-11) 1292. Chris Kaba (2006-11) 121 Will Figures (2006-10) 1214. Taylor Montgomery (2007-11) 1205. Mike Proctor 1186. Devon Beitzel (2006-11) 115 John Olander (1988-92) 1158. Mike Higgins (1985-89) 114 Matt Kline (2003-07) 114 Sean Nolen (200-05) 114* Emmanuel Addo/Paul Garnica 85

NCAA Division I players (entire careers) in bold* - denotes active leader

CAREER RECORDSA GLANCE AT SOME OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN NORTHERN COLORADO HISTORY

32

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

GAME RECORDSSOME OF THE BEST SINGLE-GAME EFFORTS IN THE BEARS’ DIVISION I HISTORYPOINTS SCORED1. 34 Svihovec, Tevin Cal Poly 2/18/122. 33 Figures, Will at Weber State 2/13/103. 32 Beitzel, Devon Sac. State 03/02/11 32 Beitzel, Devon No. Arizona 12/29/085. 31 Beitzel, Devon at Montana St. 02/10/116. 30 Svihovec, Tevin at Idaho State 1/26/127. 29 Beitzel, Devon at Weber State 01/29/11 29 Beitzel, Devon at Colo. St. 12/20/10 29 Birden, Dwayne E. Washington 1/04/07 29 Figures, Will at Montana St. 2/21/07

FIELD GOALS1. 12 Beitzel, Devon at San Jose St. 12/20/082. 11 Beitzel, Devon Sac. State 03/02/11 11 Beitzel, Devon No. Arizona 12/29/08 11 Birden, Dwayne E. Washington 1/04/07 11 Figures, Will at Montana St. 2/21/07 11 Svihovec, Tevin at Idaho State 1/26/12 11 Svihovec, Tevin Cal Poly 2/18/128. 10 5x (recent: Barden, Derrick - 2/16/13)

3-POINTERS1. 7 Figures, Will at Montana St. 2/21/07 7 Taibi, Sean Denver 12/10/063. 6 11x (recent: Garnica, Paul - 1/31/13)

FREE THROWS1. 16 Beitzel, Devon at Idaho St. 02/28/112. 15 Beitzel, Devon vs Southern 12/23/083. 14 Beitzel, Devon E. Washington 02/03/11 14 Beitzel, Devon Montana 03/09/115. 12 Beitzel, Devon at Denver 12/18/10 12 Figures, Will at North Dakota 11/27/097. 11 Beitzel, Devon at Montana St. 03/01/08 11 Figures, Will No. Arizona 2/7/109. 10 16x (recent: Svihovec, Tevin 12/21/12

REBOUNDS1. 17 Proctor, Mike at No. Arizona 1/30/122. 15 Barden, Derrick vs. Montana 1/12/13 15 Barden, Derrick vs. E. Wash. 1/19/134. 14 Palacios, Robert Colo. State 12/01/075. 14 Barden, Derrick at UC Riverside 12/01/12 14 Barden, Derrick vs. Sac. St. 2/16/137. 13 Montgomery, Taylor J. & Wales 11/27/07 13 Proctor, Mike No. Arizona 12/31/11 13 Proctor, Mike Montana St. 2/11/1210. 12 7x (recent: Derrick Barden -- 2/2/13)

ASSISTS1. 8 6x (recent: Garnica, Paul - 12/3/117. 7 6x (recent: Garnica, Paul - 2/23/12)

STEALS1. 9 Tim Huskisson at Wichita St. 12/8/122. 7 Palacios, Robert Jo. &Wales 11/27/073. 5 6x (recent: Unruh, Tate - 2/14/13)10. 4 14x

BLOCKS1. 4 Proctor, Mike No. Arizona 2/7/102. 3 9x (recent: Osborne, Connor - 2/10/13)

POINTS SCORED (TEAM)1. 127 Southwest 11/10/122. 105 Texas State 11/29/083. 104 vs VMI 11/09/074. 101 vs McNeese State 11/13/095. 98 Johnson & Wales 12/3/116. 95 Louisiana Monroe 12/16/097. 94 at Idaho State 1/26/128. 93 Tabor College 11/12/10 93 San Jose State 12/21/0910. 91 Sacramento State 01/13/08 91 at Montana State 03/01/08 91 UC-Colorado Springs 11/17/06

3-POINTERS (TEAM)1. 18 San Jose State 12/21/092. 16 at Eastern Washington 01/17/083. 14 UC-Colorado Springs 11/17/064. 13 Northern Arizona 01/31/08 13 at UNI 11/20/116. 12 Sacramento State 01/13/08 12 at Portland State 02/19/09 12 at Illinois 12/12/109. 11 15x (recent: vs. Eastern Wash. - 1/19/13

FREE THROWS (TEAM)1. 35 at Montana State 03/01/082. 32 Northern Arizona 03/08/11 32 Texas State 11/29/084. 31 vs VMI 11/09/07 31 vs Southern 12/23/086. 29 at Idaho State 02/28/11 29 Montana State 1/31/10 29 at Denver 12/18/109. 28 Eastern Washington 02/03/11 28 Weber State 1/7/10

MOST ASSISTS (TEAM)1. 33 Southwest 11/10/122. 24 vs VMI 11/09/073. 22 Johnson & Wales 2/23/104. 21 vs McNeese State 11/13/09 21 UC-Colorado Springs 11/17/066. 20 Five times

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FROM THE COVER

42

personality has led to him becoming one of the most well-known student-athletes on campus. He responds to compliments in a consistently humble manner and is always first to acknowledge his teammates’ hard work.

And his humble attitude and natural skill have not gone unnoticed.

This season, Unruh is one of the Bears’ leading scorers, averaging nearly 13 points per game, and three-point marksmanship is his primary weapon on the offensive end. He was 12th in the nation in three-point shooting percentage (44.2 percent) and 21st in 3-pointers made per game (2.92).

Seven times this season he’s knocked down five 3-pointers, including a four-game stretch in Big Sky play in which he hit five threes in each contest. At one point this season he was ranked in the top 10 nationally in three-point shooting percentage and 3-pointers made per game.

There’s no doubt Unruh’s consistent offensive per-formances this season have led to him becoming one of the players his teammates rely on night-in and night-out.

But his development vocally has been a noticed change.

“Tate is a vocal leader,” Connor Osborne says. “He leads by example and really encourages the guys. He’s not always the most vocal guy, but his attitude really impacts the team.”

Osborne is another Bear who has undergone an off-court transformation this year. His road there hasn’t necessarily been easy, but he says he has learned how to excel as a leader with the help of those seniors from two years ago.

His leadership may look different than that of Unruh’s, but his impact for Northern Colorado has been and will continue to be no less important. Osborne says that he learned a lot from Beitzel, a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award finalist, but he really found his inspiration from Montgomery, who was a post player like Osborne.

“I’d say Taylor and Devon were both very good leaders,” Osborne says. “I really noticed that both were vocal, and I’ve tried to add some of that to the way I act on the court.”

The parallel between Osborne and Montgomery is especially evident to Hill, who is quick to compare the two and says there is no question that Osborne,

a redshirt junior, resembles Montgomery. After seeing plenty of playing time during his

true-freshman campaign, during the 2009-10 season, Osborne broke his hand before his sophomore season started and was forced to take a redshirt. Fortunately, the injury kept him out just until the end of December, allowing him time to still practice with a team that took home a Big Sky championship.

“I think he did a great job of learning from Taylor

and being able to practice against Taylor from Christmas on that year,” Hill says. “There are a lot of things that Connor is starting to [do] on the floor and in the locker room that were very similar to what Taylor did. People didn’t really understand the importance of Taylor Montgomery when he was here. It was when he left and we didn’t have that presence that he was sorely missed. Connor is starting to pick that up.”

The work that players like Montgomery and

CONTINUES FROM PG 7

43

Osborne do on the court is not often recognized by casual fans, but each team needs a player like them, willing to stand as a defensive pillar and be the leader when the opposition has the ball. Osborne has developed into that defensive stopper, patrolling the paint and directing his four team-mates where to be on the defensive end.

There are stats, however, that showcase Osborne’s importance to the Bears. At the time of publication he was second on the team in rebounding, averag-ing more than four per contest. He was also leading the team in blocks, and he is the Bears’ active career leader with 52 career blocks.

Osborne can also score on the low block when needed, as he showcased last month when he scored 19 points in a home loss to North Dakota.

His success on the court has helped him progress into his current position: a player who leads by example. Unruh says he has no trouble recognizing Osborne’s role as one of the team’s most important leaders.

“I think a lot of people think he is a quieter leader,

but if you come to one of our practices you will see that Connor doesn’t give a darn about what people think about him,” Unruh says. “That’s something you kind of have to have as a leader.”

Osborne and Unruh are very different from each other in terms of on-court style and they each have different roles on the team, but the leadership they both provide gives Northern Colorado a unified presence on and off the floor.

“I think we work really well together,” Unruh says. “Especially with Connor being with the big guys a lot more, and I’m with the guards. We can kind of even out our words of wisdom. It works pretty well.”

“They are both very cerebral and both have a real-ly high IQ,” Hill says. “They also play very hard and try to lead by example. Your best leaders are guys [who] lead by example, in terms of how hard they play, but also they must have the IQ to be able to lead from a neck-up standpoint. They understand the game and are able to help me as a coach with their teammates in that aspect. That’s where both

of these guys are special.”Part of the reason Osborne and Unruh are so com-

plimentary to each other is the fact that they have been working together since the beginning of their college careers. Both players joined the program together in 2009, and since then have experienced quite a few ups and downs.

“We were talking about it the other day, how we all got here [in 2009], and now it’s just me, [Osborne] and [Emmanuel Addo]. Its kind of fun to look back and see all the things we have done,” Unruh says. “Experiencing a really successful team, looking on the outside in. Then having a really hard year last year and seeing the total opposite end of that spectrum. It’s been good for me to learn what it takes to win and be successful at this level.”

Osborne says he has matured a lot in the last four years to get to where he is now, and Hill says he recognizes Osborne’s and Unruh’s growth as well, although he says it hasn’t been easy.

“You know, they are both very quiet people off the floor,” Hill says. “We have had to pull it out of them, so to speak, when they step across the line during practice sessions. That growth pro-cess that those two guys have had to go through hasn’t always been easy on them because of their kind of introverted personalities, but they are doing a great job of trying to break out of that and advance.”

Northern Colorado fans have seen Unruh evolve the past two seasons into a player his coaches always knew he could be. Osborne has also come into his own and stepped up this season to fill Montgomery’s and Proctor’s successful, though sometimes overlooked, role.

Hill says he looks forward to the future with these two and recognizes the potential that both have. There’s no doubt both will continue to grow throughout the rest of this season and into the next as they fill another role: senior leader.

Unruh says what’s most important to them is not just focusing on who they are on the court but also doing their best to influence their teammates to become even better men.

“Better person, better player, everyday—that’s kind of a motto that we throw around the locker room a little bit,” Unruh says. “As long as you’re really trying to get better off the court and on the court everyday, then you’re going to succeed. So that’s kind of our deal.”

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North Colorado Sportsmedicine at North Colorado Medical Center offers comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation care for injured athletes of all ages and skill levels. The staff at North Colorado Sportsmedicine also offer injury prevention and performance enhancement training using the Frappier Acceleration Sports Training program, designed to make athletes faster and stronger while reducing the risk of injury. This performance enhancement program features state-of-the-art motion analysis software used to improve skills.

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Go Bears!!!

47

North Colorado Sportsmedicine at North Colorado Medical Center offers comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation care for injured athletes of all ages and skill levels. The staff at North Colorado Sportsmedicine also offer injury prevention and performance enhancement training using the Frappier Acceleration Sports Training program, designed to make athletes faster and stronger while reducing the risk of injury. This performance enhancement program features state-of-the-art motion analysis software used to improve skills.

To schedule an appointment, please call (970) 392-2496.

Rehabilitation Center1801 16th Street - Greeley970-392-2496

More information visit www.BannerHealth.com/NCMC

We’ve got the program to keepyou on top of your game.

Go Bears!!!

CONTINUES FROM PG 8

your form down, it just works with practice.

“I want to keep improving on it out to the three-point [line]. I mean I’ll shoot 3-pointers if I’m open, but I want to really be a threat out there. All my coaches have always told me how much that will open up the rest of my game, if I can prove I’m a shooter, too. If I’m a threat for a pick-and-pop, it will be really hard to guard me. So I always have wanted that to be part of my game. I’ve always wanted to be more than one-dimensional.”

BG: NCAA Division I athletes have usually played multiple sports in their life. How about you? Do you enjoy anything other than basketball?

BK: “Oh, man. I tried baseball when I was younger, and I was horrible. I was so bad, and I hated it. I like baseball, don’t get me wrong—I love playing catch—but I hated playing it. My strike zone was too big, and I just hated it. When I did make contact I remember hitting a line drive straight to the outfield wall, but that didn’t happen very often to make the game very fun.

“The thing that I really love other than basketball is skateboarding, as weird as that sounds. I still love it, and that’s what all my friends did and still do. That’s always been a little bit of an interest be-sides basketball. And I’ve always loved swimming, too. This spring and summer I’m going to start swimming a lot more, because I used to swim a lot, and love it and it’s good exercise, and I’ve gotten away from that a little bit this year. My mom is a lifeguard, and my sister is a lifeguard. We’re just a bunch of fish! So, swimming and skateboarding, as weird as that sounds. Oh, and kayaking! I love kayaking, too. I have a kayak back home, and take it out on the bay as much as I can. We live two blocks away from a beach that’s in the bay, so there aren’t a lot of waves, but it’s still lots of fun. And if I ever get to a beach on the ocean, I can do that, too. I love ocean kayaking.”

BG: Let’s switch gears a bit. Talk about your recruit-ing process. How did you become a Bear?

BK: “Well, my recruiting process was pretty long. It went a lot of different directions. At the time [former] Coach [Shawn] Ellis was here, and he

did a lot of the recruiting with me, and [Northern Colorado] Coach [B.J.] Hill was recruiting me as well. One of my mentors in high school always told me to go where you’re really wanted, and I kind of kept that in mind. Coach Ellis called me on his wedding day, and things like that really meant a lot. For a time, I had narrowed it down to three other schools, but [Ellis] kept calling me and kept calling me, so I opened my recruitment back up, and he stayed with me, and I finally came out here and saw it and really liked it.”

BG: What do you particularly enjoy about playing for Coach Hill?

BK: “I like his systems a lot. They cater to the play-ers’ strengths. He sees what works, and he sticks to it. That’s a big thing. He’s got a good head for bas-ketball, strategy-wise, so I like that. That’s probably the thing I enjoy the most. He knows what he’s doing on the sidelines and in the huddles.”

BG: Coming from the Bay Area … Oakland A’s or San Francisco Giants

BK: “Oh, Giants, for sure. My dad is actually a [Philadelphia] Phillies fan and my whole family is from Philly, so I was a Phillies fan when I was little, but I’ve lived in the Bay Area longer than I have anywhere else in my life, at this point, and [redshirt-freshman] James [Davis Jr.], my room-mate, is a huge Giants fan. They’ve been having success, so I figured I’m a Giants fan now. That’s the team I follow the most. I’m starting to follow all the Bay Area teams the most, I guess, because I follow the 49ers the most in football, and I follow the Warriors in basketball. So, I guess I’m a Bay Area fan now. I’m kind of a convert, but that’s what makes the most sense to me.”

BG: Speaking of your dad, he has a pretty extensive journalism background, currently serving as the Business Editor for the San Francisco Chronicle. Has his love for the written word rubbed off on you?

BK: “I love writing. I wrote for the school newspa-per in high school once, and it was a really funny article and everybody liked it. Somebody had peed on the gym floor, or something like that, and it

was a really big deal, so I made a big joke about it with my story, and everybody really thought it was funny. But, yeah, I love writing. I still read the newspaper every day. I was going to be a jour-nalism major for a while, but now I’ve switched and am a communications major, but I still love it. I read books for fun. I’m one of those guys. You don’t see them a lot in the athletics world, but my dad definitely rubbed off on me. I’d rather write a paper than take a test any day.”

BG: So, maybe you won’t follow him into the newspaper world, but where do you see yourself in 10 to 20 years?

BK: “I know I just don’t want to work in an office. I’d rather just work physically … you know, there are a million things I’ve thought about. Preferably I’d like to do something that helps people. If I ever make a lot of money I’d start a youth center back in Oakland or San Francisco, in the Bay Area, or some-thing like that. A million things have popped into my head. I’d like to be an EMT (emergency medical technician) or a firefighter or something like that. I would love that. I’d love to own a restaurant or even work construction, too. I just want to work with my hands and try and help people.”

BG: We’ll end with a serious one. This year hasn’t quite gone as hoped, but the foundation is clearly there for any who have watched this year. What’s your and your teammates’ offseason got to be like to improve next year?

BK: “Everybody has been working hard. This season hasn’t gone the way we have wanted it to, but I know that everybody in the program has been working hard. That will eventually show up. In the offseason I know we’re all going to put our heads down and keep focused on our goal, and that’s doing well in our conference and winning our conference tournament, which is so achievabl with this group. We’re all gaining more and more experience so we definitely know what it takes, and we know we’re going to have to keep working to get there. I mean, I know what I’m going to do. I’m just going to bust it and keep working to get in more, work to contribute and work to win.”

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