isu men's golf media guide

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Table of ContentsRoster and Schedule...................................... Meet the Redbirds......................................... Meet the Coach................................................. 2013-14 Season Recap...................................... 2014-15 Season Preview................................... Weibring Golf Club..................................... Conference Courses......................................... Golf in the Community.................................... Cutting Edge Technology................................. Swing Training in Horton Fieldhouse............. Strength and Conditioning..............................ISU Academics................................................. Athletic Study Center....................................... Campus Life..................................................... The Redbird Family.......................................... Missouri Valley Conference............................. University Leaders....................................... Connect with the ‘Birds....................................

Golf FactsHead Coach.......................................Ray KralisAlma Mater/Year.....................Illinois State/ ‘90Office Phone..............................(309) 428-7962Email......................................rakrali@ilstu.edu

Athletics CommunicationsAssociate AD/Communications...Mike WilliamsOffice Phone..................................(309) 438-7748Men’s Golf Contact.................Connor Szymanski Office Phone..................................(309) 438-0144SID Fax..........................................(309) 438-5684Cell Phone.....................................(708) 528-6278 [email protected]

Quick FactsInstitution......................Illinois State UniversityLocation.............................................Normal, Ill.Founded........................................................1857Enrollment.................................................20,502Nickname...............................................RedbirdsColors..............................................Red & WhiteMascot.........................................Reggie RedbirdAffiliation................................NCAA Division IConference.................................Missouri ValleyFacility..................................Weibring Golf ClubUniversity President.........................Larry Dietz Director of Athletics........................Larry Lyons

CreditsThe 2014-15 Illinois State men’s golf virtual guide was written, designed and edited by Connor Szymanski, student assistant in the office of Athletics Communications and Director of Communications Lauren Hutchcraft. Assistance provided by Associate Athletics Director/Athletics Communications Mike Williams, Assistant Athletics Communications Director John Twork and graduate assistants Marissa Olberding, Ronan O’Shea and Casey Richards. Photography by Dennis Banks.

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Date:

Sept. 14-15

Sept. 28-30

Oct. 6-7

Oct. 20-21

Tournament/Host:

D.A Weibring IntercollegiateIllinois State University

Badger InvitationalUniversity of Wisconsin

Firestone InvitationalUniversity of Akron

Georgetown IntercollegiateGeorgetown University

Course/Location:

Weibring GC- Illinois StateNormal, IL

University Ridge GCMadison, WI

Firestone CCAkron, OH

Members Club at Four StreamsBeallsville, MD

SpringJan. 24

Feb. 9-10

Feb. 23-24

Mar. 2-3

Mar. 13-15

Apr. 4-5

Apr. 11-12

Apr. 27-28

Tinervin Cup Illinois State University vs. University of Illinois

Barona Collegiate CupSan Diego State University

Mobile Bay Intercollegiate University of South Alabama

Louisianna ClassicsUniversity of Louisiana-Lafayette

Seminole IntercollegiateFlorida State University

ASU Redwolf ClassicArkansas State University

Hoosier InvitationalIndiana University

MVC ChampionshipMissouri State University

Coral Creek Club, Placida, FL

Barona Creek GCSan Diego, CA

Magnolia Grove GCMobile, AL

Oakbourne CCLafayette, LA

Southwood GCTalahassee, FL

Ridge Point CCJonesboro, AR

Indiana University GCBloomington, IN

The Club at Porta CimaLake of the Ozarks, MO

Fall

Peoria, Ill. / Peoria Notre Dame HSSpringfield, Ill. / Northern Illinois

Parkland, Fla. / Marjory Stoneman Douglas HSAmherstburg, Ontario / St. Thomas of Villanova HS

Mt. Zion, Ill. / Mt. Zion HSValparaiso, Ind. / Valparaiso HS

Normal, Ill. / Normal Community West HSQuincy, Ill. / Quincy Senior HS

Aurora, Ill. / Waubonsie Valley HSNormal, Ill. / Normal Community West HS

2014-15 Roster and Scheudule

Jordan Fahel................Josh Edison..................Tyler Gentilella............Tyler Pope-Ferguson....Christian Crabill..........Kyle Meihofer..............Turner Reid.................Zach Burry...................Jason Marrs.................Steven Mullins.............

Senior.............................Junior..............................Junior...................Junior................Sophomore...........................Sophomore.......................Sophomore..............Freshman..........................Freshman.......................Freshman................

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2013-14: Appeared in a total of 30 rounds during the season ... Averaged 74.8 strokes per round ... shot a season low of 68 at Palm Valley Course inGoodyear, Ariz. ... competed in every tournament for the Redbirds throughout the fall and spring seasons.

2012-13: Did not compete in the 2012-13 season.

2011-12: Competed in eleven rounds during the season ... had a best three-round score of 227 (76-74-77) at the Firestone Invitational ... finished the season with an average round score of 77.9 ... had a low round score of 74 twice (Cardinal Intercollegiate and Firestone Invitational). Prior to ISU: Finished fourth individually at 2011 IHSA State Finals ... finished sixth individually at 2010 IHSA State Finals ... set record for most tournament wins in Peoria Notre Dame High School history ... recorded 12 tournament wins while in high school ... part of teams that finished fourth in state in 2011, and second in state in 2008.

Personal: Born June 16, 1993 ... majoring in business administration ... son of Matt and Margaret Fahel.

Meet the Redbirds

Jordan FahelSenior | Peoria, Ill. |

Peoria Notre Dame HS

Fahel’s Statistics

Year....................Rounds....................Strokes.................Average................Low Round ......................Three-Round Low2013-14...............30.......................2,244....................74.8......................68.......................................214

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Meet the Redbirds

2013-14: Competed in 27 rounds during the season ... led Redbirds to a second place finish at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship shooting a three-round score of 215 (71-71-72) ... shot a season low of 68 in the second round of the ASU Redwolf Intercollegiate.

2012-13: Competed in 35 rounds during the 2012-13 season ... named Golfer of the Week, after posting a career-best, three-round score of 209 (65-72-72) at the NYX Hoosier Invitational ... ended the season with a stroke-average of 76.5 ... finished tied for 12th at the Kemper Intercollegiate Tournament, carding a three-round score of 221 (73-77-71). Prior to ISU: Attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Coral Spring, Fla. ... finished second place at 1A districts in 2011 ... team placed seventh at the 1A in state meeting ... placed eleventh at state in 2011 as an individual ... finished seventh at the Dixi Armature tournament in 2011. Personal: Born January 6, 1994 ... majoring in finance ... son of Raymond and Kristine Gentilella.

Gentillella’s Statistics

Year..................Rounds...................Strokes.....................Average....................Low Round ............... ...Three-Round Low2013-14............27........................2,021.......................74.9..........................68..................................215

Tyler GentilellaJunior | Parkland, Fla. |

Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS

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Pope-Ferguson’s Statistics

Year...................Rounds...................Strokes...................Average.........................Low Round .............Three-Round Low2013-14................3........................221......................73.7................................70............................221

Tyler Pope-FergusonJunior | Amherstburg, Ontario |

St. Thomas of Villanova HS

2013-14: Played in the season opening Weibring Intercollegiate tournament, but did not compete in any other tournaments due to injury.

2012-13: Competed in 18 rounds during the season ... averaged a total of 8-over-par for the season battling with vigorous courses.

Personal: Born December 29, 1993 ... majoring in business administration ... son of Robert and Brenda Pope-Ferguson.

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2013-14: Contended in 15 rounds during the season ... finished the season with an average 76.3 strokes per round ... led with the team best score in the final tournament at Indiana University Golf Course carding a 217 (75-70-72).

2012-13: Competed in 12 rounds during the season ... finished the season with a season-stroke average of 79.8 ... had his best tournament performance during the Jackrabbit Invitational, carding a three-round score of 230 (74-75-81). Prior to ISU: Began his college golf debut at Northern Illinois in 2011-12 ... was all-conference four-years in high school ... team finished second in state in 2010-11 ... finished his senior year of high school with a career best stroke average of 72.6 ... member of a team that went undefeated in two of his four years in high school (2009, 2010). Personal: Born November 12, 1992 ... majoring in criminal justice and sociology ... son of James and Mary Edison.

Edison’s Statistics

Year.................Rounds....................Strokes...................Average.........................Low Round ..............Three-Round Low2013-14............15.......................1,145.....................76.3................................70..............................217

Josh EdisonJunior | Springfield, Ill. |

Northern Illinois

Meet the Redbirds

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Meet the Redbirds

2013-14: Competed as an individual in the ASU Redwolf Intercollegiate averaging 79 strokes per round.

Prior to ISU: Attended Mt. Zion High School in Mt. Zion, Ill. ... won sectionals and helped advance high school team to state for first time in school history during senior season ... set school record in both low score (69) and nine-hole score (31) in 2012 ... All-Conference in 2009. Personal: Born March 23, 1995 ... majoring in business management ... son of John Crabill and Tina Stephens.

Christian CrabillSophomore | Mt. Zion, Ill. |

Mt. Zion HS

Crabill’s Statistics

Year...................Rounds.................Strokes......................Average.......................Low Round ..............Three-Round Low2013-14...............3.......................237..........................79...............................76..............................237

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Meet the Redbirds

Kyle MeihoferSophomore | Valparaiso, Ind. |

Valparaiso HS

2013-14: Compted in seven tournaments in his freshman season ... led the team with best score in Wolf Run Intercollegiate carding a 231 (79-79-73) ... averaged a score of 76.2 per round.

Prior to ISU: Attended Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Ind. ... received All-State honors (2012, 2013) ... received MVP three years in a row (2011, 2012, 2013) ... was All-Conference all four years of high school ... was a state finalist in 2013 ... placed 8th in state in 2009 ... helped lead best four-year team record of (92-5) ... finished with an average stroke score of 71.3. Personal: Born February 19, 1995 ... majoring in finance ... son of Kent and Nancy Meihofer.

Meihofer’s Statistics

Year.................Rounds.....................Strokes...................Average........................Low Round ..............Three-Round Low2013-14............21.........................1601......................76.2..............................70.............................216

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Meet the Redbirds

Turner ReidSophomore | Normal, Ill. |

Normal Community West HS

2013-14: Did not compete in any team tournaments as a freshman.

Prior to ISU: Attended Normal Community West HS ... Big 12 Conference Champion (2012, 2013) ... set the Golf-Rader Classic Tournament record with a 66 (2013) ... finished senior year with a stroke average of 74 ... was a state qualifier (2013). Personal: Born December 10, 1994 ... majoring in molecular and cellular biology ... son of Darrell and Suzann Reid.

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Meet the Redbirds

Zach BurryFreshman | Quincy, Ill. |

Quincy Senior HS

Prior to ISU: Attended Quincy Senior HS in Quincy, Ill. ... finished fifth and eighth place at the state finals his junior and senior year with his team placing third and fourth in state those years as well ... honor roll all four years of high school Personal: Born December 7, 1995 ... majoring in accounting ... son of Matt and Stephanie Burry.

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Meet the Redbirds

Jason MarrsFreshman | Aurora, Ill. |

Waubonsie Valley HS

Prior to ISU: Attended Waubonsie Valley HS ... set a school record at state shooing a 146 two-day total ... team captain his senior year ...won All-State, All-Conference and Conference MVP ... honor roll all four years of high school.

Personal: Born September 13, 1995 ... majoring in accounting/finance ... son of Joseph and Leigh Ann Marrs.

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Prior to ISU: Attended Normal Community West HS ... shot lowest score on the team as a junior during two invite tournaments which led to first place finishes ... won the MVP award twice in four years ... finished tied for third in 3a state tournament ... finished second place in regionals and Big 12 Conference tournament individually his senior year.

Personal: Born September 18, 1995 ... majoring in business administration ... son of Bill Mullins and Lori Gilmore.

Steven MullinsFreshman | Normal, Ill. |

Normal Community West HS

Meet the Redbirds

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Meet the Coach

Dedication and hard work are two qualities that allow people to reach success. Illinois State’s men’s golf program has done just that under the leadership of head coach Ray Kralis. Kralis believes the foundation has been set for the men’s

program to be successful and has high expectations for the upcoming season. Entering his sixth season at the helm of the men’s squad, Kralis has put ISU in contention every year for a chance to hoist the Missouri Valley Conference Championship trophy. Even in the last two years, the men’s team finished a close second place in the MVC Championship. Kralis has led both the men’s and women’s Illinois State golf programs to four Missouri Valley Conference Championships, is a three-time recipient of the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year award, was named Central Illinois Professional Golfers’ Association Teacher of the Year in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2005, and has produced 21 All-Missouri Valley Conference golfers. Kralis came to Illinois State as a student-athlete in 1986, and graduated cum laude in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. As a player, he was an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 1988, led the ISU men’s golf team as a co-captain in 1989 and 1990 and was a member of the 1989 team that won the MVC Championship. After graduation, Kralis worked as the assistant golf professional at the Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State, while assisting the ISU men’s golf program for two years. He then left to complete a PGA apprenticeship as the first assistant at the Franklin Hills Country Club in Franklin Hills, Mich. Kralis returned to Bloomington-Normal in 1994 as the

Redbirds’ assistant men’s golf coach, while also working as a PGA teaching professional, until he was hired as the women’s head golf coach in 2000. During his run as the women’s coach he quickly helped the program climb to the top. He led the Redbird women’s team to back-to-back MVC Championships in 2004 and 2005, along with second-place finishes in 2003 and 2006. Kralis was the MVC Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2005 and produced 10 all-conference golfers. Among them was stand out golfer Samantha Richdale, who was a 17-time player of the week and earned a spot on the Missouri Valley All-Centennial team. In 2005, the team shot a 909 at the Rivercut Golf Course, which is the fourth-lowest in Valley Championship history. In the spring of 2007, Kralis stepped down as women’s head coach and turned his proven program over to current coach, Darby Sligh. In 2005, Kralis took over the men’s program from mentor and former head coach, Harland Kilborn. Kralis led the men’s golf team to the MVC Championship in 2005 and 2007, and produced eight all-conference golfers. In 2005, Kralis became the first head coach in MVC history to capture both the men’s and women’s conference championships in the same year. In 2007, he was named MVC Coach of the Year and guided Matt Miller to the MVC Player of the Year award. Throughout his tenure, success for his players has come both on-and-off the course. In the spring of 2005, the men’s golf team posted a cumulative 3.09 grade-point average (GPA) and in the fall of 2007, the men’s team averaged a 3.2 cumulative team GPA. These scores were good enough to take claim to the Illinois State Team GPA Award. Kralis is happily married to Raquel Kralis, an Illinois State graduate. Together they have three sons, Tyson (10), Braden (7) and Keaton (4). The Kralis family resides in Bloomington.

Ray Kralis - Head Coach

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2013-14 Season Recap

During the fall of the 2013-14 season, the Illinois State men’s golf team started off strong.The Redbirds kicked off the season on the right foot by placing third at the Weibring Intercollegiate (Sept. 15-16) at their home course Weibring Golf Club. Senior and now graduated Parker Freiburg led the team shooting a 215 (73-72-70). The next weekend, the Redbirds contended in the Wolf Run Intercollegiate (Sept. 21-22) and finished in eleventh place. The ‘Birds then headed north for the Badger Invitational (Sept. 29- Oct. 1). Jordan Fahel led the team to a third place finish shooting a career best 215 (71-74-70) tying for third place in individual scoring. For the final tournament of the fall season, ISU competed in the Firestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio (Oct. 7-8). Tying for eighth place, Freiburg again led the way carding a 215 (76-71-68), with his final round of 68 tied for second lowest round of the tournament.

After just short of a three month break, the Redbirds returned for the first tournament of the spring to compete in the Tinervin Cup (Jan. 25) going head-to-head against instate rival, Illinois. The ‘Birds fell by the score of 6-3 at the Coral Creek Club in Placida, Fla. Continuing to stay south and away from the cold, ISU entered the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate in Mobile, Ala. (Feb. 17-18). Senior Wils Hawn shot a personal best with 6 birdies in the tenth place finish. Next, at the Snowman Getaway (Feb. 24-25) in Goodyear, Ariz., the Redbirds won the tournament,

beating Air Force in a playoff led by a stellar round from Freiburg shooting 8-under-par.

The ‘Birds then reached the heart of their schedule where the competition was at its highest. The next two tournaments had a spread of competitors that included three of the top 50 teams in the nation in both. First, at the Lousiana Classic (Mar. 10-12) the Redbirds took eleventh place finishing above Kansas. The Seminole Intercollegiate (Mar. 14-16) followed

with the ‘Birds finishing ninth place ahead of Penn State and three others.

ISU bounced back to finish third in the ASU Redwolf Intercollegiate (Apr. 7-8) with Tyler Gentilella carding a score of 215 (77-68-70), tying for third overall best individual

score. The final tournament of the regular season was the Hoosier Invitational (Apr. 12-13) at Indiana University. The Redbirds took sixth place after shooting a strong team final round of 289 that was only topped by two teams, one of which was Indiana who won the tournament.

Illinois State tooks its positives from the season and used them in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship (Apr. 28-29). The Redbirds took home second place behind Wichita State for the second year in a row. Hawn led the team in the final tournament of his ISU career shooting 4-under-par as the season came to a close.

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After finishing second at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship for the past two years, the Illinois State men’s golf team, led by head coach Ray Kralis and senior Jordan Fahel, are ready to carry last season’s momentum into the 2014-15 season.

“While we feel like there is unfinished business

after coming so close to capturing last year’s MVC Championship and the NCAA bid that goes with it, we really have to keep focused on the process of preparing and competing and take each day one at a time.” Kralis said. “Jordan Fahel and Tyler Gentilella will be expected to lead us with a strong combination of experience and past success, and I believe both have another gear that could significantly impact our performance.”

The Redbirds started off the fall season strong finishing first place at the D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate tournament held at the Weibring Golf Club, ISU’s home course in Normal, Ill. Next, the Redbirds competed against top ranked competitors in the Badger Invitational in Madison. The ‘Birds took ninth place after a hard faught battle to surpass Rutgers in the final round. Next on the schedule was the Firestone Invitational. Again, with tough competition, the ‘Birds finshed 7-of-17 with freshman Zach Burry leading the team tied for fifth in individual scoring for the tournament. To close out the fall season, the Redbirds competed in the Georgetown Intercollegiate. They finished fourth place, beating out U.S. Naval Academy and Penn State by one stroke each.

ISU now looks forward to the spring season which will be full of opportunities to showcase their many weapons on their 10-man squad.

“Our depth will be one of our strengths this year,” Kralis said. “The competition for playing time among the freshmen and those returning will make us stronger individually and as a team.”

After a three month break, the Redbirds will head south to compete against in-state rival Illinois in the Tinervin Cup in Placida, Fla. Illinois State will take a short break before competing in Borona Collegiate Cup in San Diego, Cal. Next, the Redbirds have back-to-back-to-back tournaments, the first being the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate Tournament in Mobile, Ala., then travel to Louisiana for the Lousiana Classic, and lastly in the roadtrip is the Seminole Intercollegiate in Talahassee, Fla. After a few weeks off, ISU will then make its way to the ASU Red Wolf Intercollegiate in Jonesboro, Ark., before going back to the Midwest to compete in the Hoosier Invitational in Bloomington, Ind. as the last tournament of the regular season.

Kralis touches on the positives they need to bring into the MVC Championship.

“From a scheduling standpoint, we will again see a number of top teams on great venues, and that will serve as great motivation for our players as we grow through the season preparing for a strong MVC run in the spring.”

Illinois State will finish their season by competing in the MVC Championship at the Club of Porta Cima in Sunrise Beach, Mo. ISU has not won the MVC championship since 2007, but Fahel and Gentilella, with the support of the team, hope to lead the ‘Birds to claiming the first place trophy this year.

2014-15 Season Preview

Jordan FahelTyler Gentilella

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• ISU’s home course at Weibring Golf Club• Par 4 away from the dorms• Home of D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate,

hosted by Illinois State• The course underwent a $1.7 million

renovation for the new millennium, which was designed by ISU alumnus and PGA Tour professional D.A. Weibring

• The course has received updates almost every year since 2003

• 6,915-yard, par-71 golf course

Weibring Golf Course

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D.A. Weibring helped design and oversee the renovations that occured in to the Weibring Golf Course. Click here to learn more about the construction of the Jim and Carol Mounier Golf Training Center!

The Jim and Carole Mounier Golf Training Center opened in the fall of 2013. ISU golf has full access to this state-of-the-art practice facilty.

Weibring Golf Course

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The Missouri Valley Conference Championship Tournament is held at one of four locations throughout the Midwest. The rotating locations are the Prairie

Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan., the Dalhousie Country Club in Cape Girardeau, Mo., the Club at Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach, Mo. and

TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. All four courses challenge MVC golfers due to their high championship quality and level of difficulty. This year, the MVC

Championship will be held at the Club at Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach, Mo.

Conference Courses

TPC Deere RunSilvis, Ill.

The Club at Porto CimaSunrise Beach, Mo.

Prairie Dunes Country ClubHutchinson, Kan.

Dalhousie Country ClubCape Girardeau, Mo.

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In recent years, Golf Digest listed Bloomington-Normal as the fifth best American city for golf in their “Best in America” Metro Golf Rankings. Besides the Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University, the ISU men’s golf team has several other golf courses in the Bloomington-Normal area to prepare them for the fall and spring seasons. The various practice facilities get the Redbirds ready for championship competition. When the weather affects outdoor practice, the ISU golf teams can head to the All Seasons Golf Learning Center, a covered driving range, and still get a strong workout in. The Bloomington-Normal community has several features that benefit the golf teams. Local courses include:

Bloomington Country Club • Crestwicke Country Club The Den at Fox Creek • Highland Park Golf Course

Ironwood Golf Course • The Links at Ireland Grove •Prairie Vista

The Den at Fox Creek - Designed by Arnold Palmer

Crestewicke Country Club

Bloomington Country Club

Prairie Vista

Golf in the Community

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V1 Pro - #1 Swing Analysis SystemV1 Pro is the #1 video swing analysis system in golf. From local golf pros to top PGA instructors, thousands of golfers’ swings are analyzed and improved each year using V1 Pro. Through our partnership with the PGA of America, V1 Pro has become the most preferred swing analysis system of America’s Top 100 Golf Instructors as well as the world’s best tour players, golf courses and academies.

FlightScopeFlightScope Skills is a software application to allow golfers who are connected to a FlightScope X2 radar unit to test their accuracy. It works by presenting a sequence of virtual targets in a session. Each shot is scored, based on its proximity to the target, and calculated to give an overall score/performance for the session. The software is fully customizable. Golfers can create their own targets, based on shape, distance and size depending on their goal. Golfers can also create extra pressure during the session by adding a time limit and can even have targets pop up randomly to mimic a real golf round.

TOMIThe Optimal Motion Instructor (TOMI) is a putting training system designed to help golfers understand the errors in their putting stroke. TOMI captures eight key parameters of a golfer’s putting stroke. It evaluates strengths and weaknesses in which golfers can tweak to perfect their game on the green.

Cutting Edge:Golf Technology at ISU

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Golf Technology

V1 Pro #1 Swing Analysis SystemV1 Pro is the #1 video swing analysis system in golf. From local golf pros to top PGA instructors, thousands of golfers’ swings are analyzed and improved each year using V1 Pro. Through our partnership with the PGA of America, V1 Pro has become the most preferred swing analysis system of America’s Top 100 Golf Instructors as well as the world’s best tour players, golf courses, and academies.

Flight ScopeFlightScope Skills is a software application to allow golfers, who are connected to a FlightScope X2 radar unit to test their skills. It works by presenting a sequence of virtual targets in a session. Each shot is scored, based on its proximity to the target, and cumulated to give an overall score/performance for the session. The software is fully customizable. Golfers can create their own targets, based on shape, distance and size depending on their goal. Golfers can also create extra pressure during the session by adding a time limit and can even have targets pop up randomly to mimic a real golf round.


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Golf Technology




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Golf Technology




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Installed in 2012, the golf training room is designed to give Illinois State golfers a competitive edge by providing them with a state-of-the-art practice facility.

Located inside Horton Fieldhouse, the room enables Illinois State golfers to hone their skills indoors during inclement weather.

Featuring multiple holes and a wide range of inclinations, the room provides numerous opportunities to work on a variety of shots. Known affectionally as “the Classroom,” the training room serves as a significant upgrade over previously used putting greens.

Swing Training in Horton FieldhouseIllinois State Men’s Golf

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Golf Training Room in Horton




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Illinois State Men’s Golf

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Director of Strength and Conditioning Jim Lathrop and his staff, using proven methods and

exciting new resources available are committed to helping you advance

your game physically.

Owen Strength and Conditioning Center

Over 9,000 Sq. Ft. state-of-the-art work out facility

Creates individualized programs to enhance physical preparation in all sports

Energetic atmosphere in which all student-athletes can boost individual performance and train for

championships

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Arts & SciencesBusiness

EducationApplied Arts & Technology

Mennonite College of NursingFine Arts

Six Academic Colleges138 Majors, 67 Minors Offered

Fell Hall

State Farm Hall of Business

We at Illinois State University work as a diverse community of scholars with a commitment to fostering

a small college atmosphere with large-university opportunities. We promote the highest academic

standards in our teaching, scholarship, public service, and the connections we build among them. We devote all of

our resources and energies to creating the most supportive and productive community possible to serve the citizens of

Illinois and beyond.

Illinois State’s Mission

ISU Academics

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Cook Hall

Community ServiceIllinois State golf student-athletes do a lot more than win tournaments and earn degrees. They also play an active role in several community service projects. The Karin L. Bone Study Center is utlized as a home-base for student-athletes to sign up for various projects throughout the area.

Nearly 80 percent of Illinois State’s student-athletes participate in community service projects. Illinois State Redbird golf team members are part of this group that helps in the community. Redbird student-athletes completed more than 3,300+ hours of community service in 2013-14.

Student Athlete Support:On the Course and Inside the Classroom

Karin L. Bone Study CenterThe Redbird academic support services staff appreciate the daily student-athlete challenge to balance responsibilities because most staff members are former college student-athletes themselves. With the unbridled support of Redbird coaches and athletics administration, Dr. Paul Downey and the staff help student-athletes balance the demands they face athletically, academically, socially and personally. Beyond their own caring, concern and constant availability to help, the academic support staff ’s greatest asset is the comfortable, computerized Karin L. Bone Study Center. That is where programs like targeting for special needs student-athletes, a four-year career development program, popular community service projects as well as counseling and assistance help Redbird student-athletes from all 19 sports take place daily. In addition to departmental and college on-campus academic recognition, the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll and conference scholar-athlete teams, Redbird student-athletes have achieved:

• 22 Bone Scholars (Illinois State’s top academic scholarship on campus).• 44 Academic All-American honors.• More than 2,000 hours of student-athlete community service annually.• The 2013-14 men’s golf team had a team grade-point average of 3.39.

People and programs not only contribute to an outstanding Redbird student-athlete graduation rate of more than 85 percent, but also prepare them to be leaders for a lifetime. Illinois State’s Karin L. Bone Athletics Study Center has been the model other universities have tried to copy. Redbird student-athletes continually rank above the national average for graduation rates, and generally graduate at a higher level than non-athletes at Illinois State. With very speciific programs aimed at the unique needs of the student athlete and an extremely dedicated staff, Illinois State provides one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.

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Student Athlete Support:On the Course and Inside the Classroom

Campus Life

ISU is officially sponsored by NIKE

•Three different dorms to live in•On-campus apartments at Cardinal

Court•High-end off campus apartments•Prominent Greek Life•Uptown Normal and downtown

Bloomington area with restaurants and bars

• Brand new Hancock Football Stadium

What to know about ISU’s Campus

Receive a great education and fun college experience all while playing

the sport you love

Redbird Fun Facts:Famous alumni from ISU includes; Craig Robinson, Gary Cole, John

Malkovich, Jane Lynch, Doug Collins and D.A. Weibring.

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The Redbird Family

When you become a Redbird you receive more than just an education, you become part of a family. With a faculty and staff that have a true passion for what they do, we offer you the

chance for a successful athletic and academic career with every aspect of the university doing what they can to help secure your future. Come join the family and meet some of the best

friends you’ll ever have at a place you’ll never want to leave!

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The Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference has demonstrated throughout history that it finds the strength, resources, competitive determination and leadership to rise to even higher levels when confronted with change or significant challenges. In 2012-13, the winds of change that have dramatically affected Division I conference realignment in recent years finally touched The Valley. For the first time since 1996, the MVC will experience the addition and departure of a member institution. The Valley formally welcomed Loyola University Chicago into the membership on July 1, 2013. Loyola is the 33rd institution to enter the Missouri Valley Conference and the first-ever member university from the Chicago metropolitan area. In

March 2013, Creighton University, an MVC member for nearly 60 years, had announced its departure from the MVC for the newly configured Big East Conference. If the Missouri Valley Conference has been anything over the past 107 seasons of athletic competition, it has been resilient. The Valley – which will experience its 108th season of athletics competition in 2014-15 -- has weathered many kinds of storms, including changes in its membership. In 1928, six institutions (Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma) left the league to form the Big Six Conference. Another major exodus from the MVC took place in the 1970s when four institutions departed over a three-year period. Each time there has been a setback or a major change in membership, the Conference has retooled and reinvented itself. The nation’s second-oldest NCAA Division I conference continues to be a leader in college athletics and is one of the nation’s most progressive conferences. League members have worked together to focus on common goals and objectives, putting a high value on league harmony while continuing to invest in athletic programs to compete at the highest level. The Valley brand remains very strong, both regionally and nationally, and the great athletic tradition of The Valley remains a compelling force in recruiting student-athletes and in marketing all the MVC programs.

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Quality facility upgrades from Redbird Arena to Duffy Bass Field to Hancock Stadium provide a visual picture of the quality leadership Larry Lyons has shown during more than 27 years with Illinois State athletics, leading up to his May 2013 appointment as Director of Athletics.

When Hancock Stadium, the new “front door” to the Illinois State University campus and Bloomington-Normal community, opened last year, it is the latest and largest in a long line of Redbird Athletics facility improvements and other projects with the Lyons’ touch.

It is hardly ironic that the native of nearby Pontiac, Ill., is beginning his tenure as athletics director focused on the completion of the $26 million renovation of Hancock Stadium. His creative talents in finance, facilities and administrative leadership have enhanced opportunities for Illinois State University student-athletes to achieve their goals and reach for their dreams. In the process, those student-athletes have won conference championships and earned academic degrees at the highest levels in more than 100 years of Redbird Athletics history.

Beyond facilities, Lyons’ leadership has resulted in financial stability through the enhancement and quality expenditure of all five principal forms of funding; student fees, development dollars, income fund, tuition waivers plus branding and ticket revenue. Lyons has been the athletics department’s liaison to the University for human resources, administrative and fee-related projects.

Also serving as campus representative to the ISU Foundation Board of Directors for three terms, the certified public accountant became known throughout college athletics for his fiscal skills. His ability to craft winning competitive bids for post-season tournaments, both conference and NCAA, has provided the competitive “home court” advantage for many quality Redbird teams, and has helped Illinois State earn a national reputation for hosting significant competitions.

Additionally, Lyons has served as the liaison to the Weibring Golf Club, supervised the athletic training, athletic equipment and the strength and conditioning units, while providing administrative leadership for men’s and women’s golf and baseball. He also assisted with administrative leadership roles with the football and men’s basketball programs and was instrumental in the fostering the current apparel and equipment contract with Nike.

Enhancing the fan experience goes hand-in-hand with supporting student-athlete success, and the opening of Hancock Stadium, Redbird fans will enjoy a facility focused on the latest in comfort and service.

Arriving on campus during the construction of Redbird Arena (opening in 1989), Lyons has also had leadership roles in several major facility construction and renovation projects, including the Kaufman Football Building (2000), the Owen Strength and Conditioning Center (2005), the Hancock Stadium turf replacement (2007), video scoreboard installations in Redbird Arena and Hancock Stadium (2007), the Gregory Street Tennis Courts (2008), the Redbird Arena Media Room (2010), the Redbird Arena Video Production Suite (2010), and the Franke Family men’s basketball locker room (2012).

Lyons has also had a hand in the Hancock Stadium renovation,which was finished for the 2013 season. The renovations gave a new front door to the ISU campus and Bloomington-Normal community. Besides benefiting the community, the renovations to Hancock Stadium give Redbird fans a new experience on game days, while improving competitive opportunities and providing room for future growth.

As the landscape of college athletics becomes more complex and challenging, Lyons will continue to bring people and resources together to keep Redbird Athletics a model for success which other programs will continue to emulate.

Lyons earned a bachelor’s degree from Illinois in 1978 and a second bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois State in 1986. Lyons and his wife, Maureen reside in Normal, Ill. They have two grown children: daughter Kristin, a speech therapist at a children’s hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and son Matt, who has followed in his father’s footsteps and currently serves as Assistant Athletics Director for Development at Illinois State.

Larry Lyons - Athletic Director

University Leaders

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University Leaders

Larry Dietz - University President Larry Dietz became the 19th president of Illinois State University March 22, 2014.

He came to the University in June 2011 as Vice President for Student Affairs. He led the Division of Student Affairs,

which includes the Dean of Students Office, Student Health Services, Student Counseling Center, University Housing Services, Disability Concerns, Career Center, Campus Dining Services, Campus Recreation, Bone Student Center and Braden Auditorium, Student Affairs Information Technology, Health Promotion and Wellness, and the University Police, as well as other units. He is also a tenured associate professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations.

Previously, he served as vice chancellor for Student Affairs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) for 10 years. Dietz also served as special assistant to the chancellor at SIUC and as a tenured associate professor in educational

administration and higher education. Prior to his tenure there, he served as vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, among other leadership positions, at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for 15 years, and in leadership positions at Iowa State University for 13 years.

Dietz earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration, and his master’s degree in higher education and student personnel from Iowa State University and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern Illinois University. He attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University, a Fulbright International Education Seminar for Administrators in Germany and the Harvard Management Development Program.

Dietz was selected to represent the American Universities Iraq Consortium on a panel with Prime Minister Al-Malaki and represented SIUC at the Iraq Education Initiative in Baghdad. He had responsibility for SIUC’s campus in Japan and has negotiated agreements with institutions in China, Malaysia, Kuwait, Germany and the Czech Republic.

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Connect with the ‘Birds

Watching interviews with coaches and student-athletes

has never been easier for Illinois State athletics fans as the department has launched its own

page on YouTube.

YouTube is the leader in online video, and the premier destination to watch and share

original videos worldwide through a Web experience.

In addition to interviews and special features, the site also

has video tributes, official team introductions, season highlight

reels and clips from special events as posted on the site for

fans to view free of charge at any time.w

Subscribe to GoRedbirds.com channel

When Illinois State Athletics launched on Facebook, over 500 people became a fan of the page in less than 24 hours, proving that friends on the social networking site

care about their Redbirds.

Now, almost 20,000 fans on Facebook stay up to date by receiving free daily updates about their favorite Illinois State teams.

Illinois State Athletics keeps all of its friends updated with success stories from around the department with news clips, status updates and links to stories about

everything ISU.

The site also keeps all of its friends in the loop about upcoming events, award

winners and fun facts in a way that everyone can enjoy!

Log on Facebook and like the Illinois State University Athletics page

Do you want to know what is happening at all times in Illinois State Athletics?

Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch with the Redbirds through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to

one simple question: What are we doing?

All fans have to do is sign up on Twitter.com and subcribe for daily updates

on Illinois State Athletics and the ISU Redbirds!

Over 2,500 Illinois State fans, alumni and former student-athletes currently receive ISURedbirds’ daily updates on

their computers and cell phones and stay connected with their favorite university

and athletic teams.

Follow the Illinois State men’s golf team: @ISURedbirdGolf

#RedbirdGolf

isu men's golf media guide

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