Nevada

Pack Sets Multiple Records in 2013

2013-05-24T23:45:27Z

An updated record book, chronicling the Nevada Wolf Pack softball team's success in 2013, is now available at http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/unv/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/199.pdf.

The record book available now will hold current statistics when the Pack begins its 2014 season next Spring.

In 2013, the Wolf Pack was 30-23 overall and set or tied a number of the program's offensive records, including those for slugging and on-base percentage, and led the country in doubles per game. In Mountain West play, the Pack was 9-9 and finished tied for fourth, three spots higher than it was picked in the pre-season.

Nevada doubled 102 times, breaking the record set by the vaunted offense of 2008 despite playing nine less games. The rate of 1.92 per game made Nevada the national leader on a per-game basis. The Pack slugged .477, seven points better than the offense of 2009 and got on base at a clip of .399, 11 points better than the group in 2008. The Pack scored 10-or-more runs in nine games, winning all of them. In 23 games, the team in Navy scored at least six runs, going a spectacular 20-3 in those games. As a team, Nevada hit .311, one point shy of the best number for any Nevada lineup.

Six players drove in at least 30 runs, with three players doubling at least 15 times. The six players that had 30 RBI also each hit at least five home runs. The Pack scored 284 runs in 53 games or 5.36 per game for the 45^th best number nationally.

Individually, Nevada junior and All-Mountain West performer Karley Hopkins set the single-season record for runs scored, crossing the plate 45 times. Erin Jones tied the previous record for doubles in a season, collecting two bases on 18 occasions.

These record-setting offensive performances helped Nevada win 30 games for the first time since 2009, but it wasn't solely about the bat in 2013. Defensively, Nevada set the school record for fielding percentage at .965. The Pack made only 52 errors, the fewest of any team in the program's history, with 1,063 putouts and 362 assists. Hopkins fielded .972 in 53 games at second base, while freshman Jasmine Jenkins, who was also All-Mountain West selection, fielded .961 in 46 games at third base.

Dickerson Goes Deep Twice

2013-05-22T19:57:19Z

Former Nevada freshman All-America Chris Dickerson homered twice on Tuesday night in the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees. Dickerson's first home in the third inning tied the game at one and his second was a monster shot that went 406 feet to tie the game in the fifth inning at two. The Orioles won 3-2 on a walk-off home run by Nate McClouth in the bottom of the 10th.

Dickerson earned the start in center field for the Orioles and was 3-for-4 with the two home runs. It was the first two home run game of his career.

Dickerson played three seasons at Nevada from 2001-03 and earned Collegiate Baseball freshman All-America honors in 2001. Originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds he also played for the Brewers, Yankees and joined the Orioles this season. In 15 games this season he is batting .371 with three home runs and eight RBI.

Shipley, Byler And Klein Named To March Madness MW Baseball Teams

2013-05-22T17:53:06Z

Nevada's Braden Shipley, Austin Byler and Brooks Klein have been named to March Madness Mountain West baseball teams. Shipley, the Wolf Pack's ace pitcher, was named the first team as was Byler the team's third baseman while Klein earned second team honors in the outfield.

Shipley is 7-3 on the season with a 2.81 ERA in 99.1 innings on the mound. He tops the team in wins, ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts with 94. Shipley, from Medford, Ore., was 5-1 with a 2.76 earned run average in Conference play this year. He was second in the league with an opposing batting average of .211 and 61 strikeouts. Shipley threw a league-high 71.2 innings.

Byler batted .346 with 35 runs scored, 10 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 40 RBI. He tops the team in average and home runs. In MW play he hit .308 with 16 runs scored, three doubles, a home run and 13 RBI. An injury has forced him to miss the last four games and will not return this season.

Klein the Pack's starting right fielder is batting .338 with 33 runs scored, 12 doubles, four triples and 42 RBI. He tops the team in RBI, doubles, triples and is second with seven home runs. In MW play he batted .301 with 14 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, two home runs and drove in 21.

Nevada opens play in the MW Championship tonight against Fresno State at 7 p.m. at Pete Beiden Field in Fresno, Calif.

Burton Receives Team USA Invitation

2013-05-21T17:19:31Z

University of Nevada senior point guard Deonte Burton has received an invitation to try out for a spot on Team USA's World University Games roster. The tryouts will be held June 24-July 1 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The World University Games will be played in Kazan, Russia July 6-17.

A third-team Mountain West selection Burton averaged 16.3 points per game to rank second on the team and fifth in the conference this past season. His 3.61 assists per game led the team and were sixth in the MW. The 6-1 point guard also ranked sixth in field goal percentage (44.9 %), fifth in steals (1.35 spg), fifth in assist to turnover ratio (1.53) and third in minutes played (34.1 mpg) in the conference.

Burton ranks 10th on Nevada's career scoring list with 1,459 points. His 121 steals is eighth and 373 assists is ninth all-time at Nevada.

In his first season at Nevada he was named the Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and earned Player of the Year honors as a sophomore after helping the Wolf Pack to a conference title. His sophomore year he was named to the AP honorable mention squad.

Burton's career honors
2010-11: WAC Freshman of the Year, Honorable mention All-WAC, WAC Newcomer team,
WAC Player of the Week, Preseason WAC Newcomer of the Year by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, Nevada Rock Award co-recipient
2011-12: WAC coaches preseason Player of the Year, WAC Coaches preseason first-team, WAC media preseason team, WAC Player of the Year, First-team All-WAC, Honorable mention AP All-America, First-team NABC District 6, Nevada team MVP, Nevada Rock Award co-recipient, three-time WAC Player of the Week
2012-13: CBSSports.com preseason MW team, Preseason All-MW media selection, top under-the-radar player by CBSSports, 35th best point guard by CBSSports.com, third-team MW, shared team MVP honors with Malik Story, MW Player of the Week

MLB.com Article On Braden Shipley

2013-05-21T14:03:56Z

Nevada ace pitcher Braden Shipley continues to receive national attention prior to June's MLB draft. The latest article on Shipley was written by MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. Here is a link to the article http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=48048602&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
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What Sets Our Graduating Student-Athletes Apart

2013-05-17T00:17:56Z

Nevada Athletics held its annual graduation reception at Legacy Hall today, and Wolf Pack Director of Athletics Doug Knuth, a former student-athlete himself, took some time to congratulate the 34 student-athletes who are finishing their collegiate careers.

Knuth - who played tennis at the University of Connecticut - explained to the student-athletes that being a football player or softball player at the University of Nevada will be something that defines them for the rest of their lives. He also told them that while the job market is tough, their experiences as student-athletes have given them skills that set them apart from their peers, including an understanding of hard work and teamwork, time management skills and a goal-driven focus.

He also took a moment to recognize the wide variety of majors that our graduates have, including swimmer Misha Fotoohi who is earning her degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. Others include biology, chemistry, civil engineering, communications, community health science, economics, English, environmental science, finance, general studies, human development and family studies, journalism, management, marketing, mathematics, mechanical engineering, nutrition, psychology and secondary education.

Congratulations again to all of the student-athletes who are heading out into the world - we hope you enjoyed watching them compete and grow as much as we did!

Here are just a few of our graduates from the reception today (L to R): Christina Gough & Kayla Williams (women's basketball), Keith Fuetsch (men's basketball), Stephen Jeffers (football), Gabby Guieb, Kaitlin Sartini & Chelsey Larsen (women's swimming & diving):

Nevada is the top non-BCS school in the nation at converting talent to the NFL Draft

2013-05-13T23:10:47Z

Is there a better school at developing NFL talent than Nevada? Not among non-BCS schools according to research at Emory University.
Nevada, which has had nine NFL draft picks over the past three years is the top non-BCS school in the nation when it comes to converting talent to NFL draft picks.
Click here for the rankings and an explanation on their formula.

Wolf Pack Soccer Upgrades

2013-05-10T22:41:34Z

Thanks to the generosity of longtime University of Nevada donor Dixie May, the Wolf Pack women's soccer team will have some protection from the elements at its matches at Mackay Stadium next year.

A gift from May allowed Nevada to purchase four of the 10-foot shelters from Kwik Goal, which will protect the student-athletes on both teams from the sun, wind, rain and snow during soccer season, which lasts from August to November.

Several members of the Wolf Pack athletics department pitched in to help put the shelters together for the soccer team last week and this week. No word on how many Wolf Pack staffers it takes to put together a nut and a bolt!

Former Wolf Pack Standout Turned Aspiring Filmmaker

2013-05-08T20:52:51Z

Former Wolf Pack rifle team member Heather Horn served as the official photographer at the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Now she has turned her talents to filmmaking and will be earning her master's degree in film production from Chapman University's Dodge College of Film & Media Arts on May 18. As part of her master's coursework, she served as director of photography on two films - Sarah Through the Wall and Mothership - that are available for public viewing.

The films can be viewed on the Chapman website and are up for Chapman's "Cecil Awards," an awards ceremony honoring the top films as voted on by students, faculty and friends.

You can see Horn's work and rate her films by visiting Chapman's website. You will have to register for a guest ID and will receive an email verification to be able to log in. Once you receive that email, you can see all of the films under Cecil Awards on the left side of the page. Scroll through the films to find Mothership and Sarah Through the Walls.

Horn shot for the Wolf Pack rifle team from 2006-10 and graduated from the University of Nevada with her degree in journalism in 2010.

Hope you enjoy seeing what a former member of the Wolf Pack is doing now that her time in college athletics is over.

Shipley To Make Final Home Start Friday

2013-05-08T16:25:26Z

Junior pitcher Braden Shipley, one of the top prospects in the 2013 MLB draft will make his final home start of the season on Friday night at 6 p.m. against UNLV. Shipley is currently 7-2 with 2.49 ERA and has 78 strikeouts in a Mountain West high 86.2 innings pitched.

Recently named to the Golden Spikes Award Watch list, here are two recent online articles on the hard throwing right-hander.

By Aaron Fitt / Special to goldenspikesaward.com

By Jeff Dahn / Feature writer Perfect Game

Limited Spots Left For "Pack Gives Back" Women's Basketball Clinic

2013-05-06T23:13:37Z

The Nevada women's basketball team will hold its second "Pack Gives Back" free clinic on May 11 at Lawlor Events Center. 20 spots remain for the clinic, which will go from 9 a.m.- Noon on Saturday. The free clinic is offered to girls aged kindergarten through eighth grade as a way of thanking the Northern Nevada community for its support during the season.

Registration will take place at the Virginia Street level entrance at 8:30 a.m. Participants will receive a free Nevada women's basketball t-shirt. Parents or guardians of interested girls are asked to call Nevada assistant coach Jacie Capra at (775) 682-6924 to register.

Wolfie Jr. Takes the Plunge

2013-05-03T22:45:32Z

On March 23, Nevada's own Wolfie Jr. went where few of his furry colleagues dare to go... into Lake Tahoe.

Wolfie Jr. joined about 300 of his closest friends, including several members of the Pride of the Sierra Marching Band, in the Polar Plunge Nevada, an event that raised awareness about Special Olympics Nevada.

More great photos of this event can be found on the Special Olympics Nevada Flickr page.

And Wolfie and the band even found time to take part in a Tahoe version of the Harlem Shake.

Special Olympics Nevada provides free year-round sports training and competition to over 3,000 athletes in the state. More information about the organization can be found by clicking here.

Inaugural Chili Cook-Off a big success

2013-04-25T21:25:12Z

Holly Aycock, Nevada's director of marketing and promotions, recaps the Chili Cook-Off:
The inaugural Wolf Pack Chili Cook-Off was held before 2013 Wolf Pack Silver and Blue Spring Game, presented by Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center, on Saturday, April 20th. Nine groups entered the chili cook off: Team Roberts; Moto Mud; The Hot Beans; Big Thick Steaming Bowl of Wolf Brand Chili; Battle Born, Tailgate Ready; Aultitude Tailgating; Wolf Pack Gridiron Chili; Spring Loaded Chili; and Nevada Cheer.

The morning of the Chili Cook-Off, you could smell chili in the air and before the judging, the Nevada Band and Cheer Team entertained all the tailgaters. Judges for the Chili Cook-Off were Keith Hackett and Rory Hickok (Senior Associate Athletics Directors), head soccer coach Missy Price, head volleyball coach Ruth Lawanson, News Channel 4's Alyx Sacks, Wolfie Jr. and Alphie. Each of the chili was judged on aroma, consistency, color, taste and aftertaste. All of the judges did a great job and enjoyed everyone's chili.

The scores were tabulated and all contestants were invited down to the field at halftime of the game. The winner by just one-half of a point, was Battle Born, Tailgate Ready. Spring Loaded Chili took second place and Moto Mud was third place.

Battle Born, Tailgate Ready was presented the ultimate chili trophy to be displayed at their tailgates before every home football game. The title also comes with bragging rights for your fellow Wolf Pack tailgaters.

Nevada has strong history in the NFL Draft

2013-04-25T18:28:56Z

The Nevada Wolf Pack brand has become a fixture when it comes to the NFL Draft, which begins tonight and runs through Saturday.
Over the past two years, seven Nevada players have heard their names called at the draft, including a school-record four players last year when James-Michael Johnson (Browns), Brandon Marshall (Jaguars), Isaiah Frey (Bears) and Rishard Matthews (Dolphins) were all selected.
In all, 41 Wolf Pack players have been selected in the history of the draft. And a number of Pack players are hoping to hear their names called this week to add to the number, including Duke Williams, Zach Sudfeld, Khalid Wooten, Chris Barker, Jeff Nady, Stefphon Jefferson, Jeremiah Green, Albert Rosette and Nick Hale.
But the draft isn't the only road to the NFL. Sometimes, going undrafted works out in a player's favor because he might be able to pick from more than one offer as a free agent and select the situation that fits him the best.
A number of Nevada players have made it to the NFL without being draft, including Josh Mauga, Jonathon Amaya and Harvey Dahl.
Here's Nevada's NFL Draft history:
Year   Rd.   Pick   Player   Pos.   Team
2012   4   120   James-Michael Johnson   LB   Cleveland Browns
2012   5   142   Brandon Marshall   LB   Jacksonville Jaguars
2012   6   184   Isaiah Frey   DB   Chicago Bears
2012   7   227   Rishard Matthews   WR   Miami Dolphins
2011   2   36   Colin Kaepernick   QB   San Francisco 49ers
2011   3   66   Dontay Moch   LB   Cincinnati Bengals
2011   7   204   Virgil Green   TE   Denver Broncos
2009   7   243   Marko Mitchell   WR   Washington Redskins
2007   5   151   Jeff Rowe   QB   Cincinnati Bengals
2006   5   165   Tony Moll   G   Green Bay Packers
2004   3   86   Jorge Cordova   LB   Jacksonville Jaguars
2004   5   149   Maurice Mann   WR   Cincinnati Bengals
2003   3   71   Nate Burleson   WR   Minnesota Vikings
1998   4   108   DeShone Myles   MLB   Seattle Seahawks
1998   6   172   John Dutton   QB   Miami Dolphins
1998   6   175   James Cannida   DT   Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1996   2   31   Alex Van Dyke   WR   New York Jets
1993   5   117   Forey Duckett   CB   Cincinnati Bengals
1993   7   196   Brock Marion   DB   Dallas Cowboys
1991   7   189   Bernard Ellison   CB   Kansas City Chiefs
1991   9   233   Treamelle Taylor   WR   Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1990   12   331   Demetrius Davis   TE   Los Angeles Raiders
1989   8   196   Charvez Foger   RB   Dallas Cowboys
1989   9   230   Patrick Egu   RB   Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1987   5   135   Henry Rolling   LB   Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1986   3   68   Patrick Hunter   DB   Seattle Seahawks
1984   2-supp.   45   Derek Kennard   G   St. Louis Cardinals
1984   1-supp.   27   Tony Zendejas   K   Washington Redskins
1984   1-supp.   20   Al Williams   WR   Detroit Lions
1983   3   84   Charles Mann   DE   Washington Redskins
1981   5   136   Eric Sanders   T   Atlanta Falcons
1981   10   276   Frank Hawkins   RB   Oakland Raiders
1978   6   163   Doug Betters   DE   Miami Dolphins
1952   13       Pat Brady   QB   New York Giants
1951   16       Dick Afflis   OT   Green Bay Packers
1949   1       Stan Heath   QB   Green Bay Packers
1949   8       Dan Orlich   DE   Green Bay Packers
1947   2       Bill Mackrides   QB   Philadelphia Eagles
1947   23       Tom Kalmanir   HB   Pittsburgh Steelers
1946   3       Bob McClure   G   Boston Yanks
1945   24       Don Talcott   T   Philadelphia Eagles

Rivalry Week

2013-04-23T22:31:55Z

Former Nevada assistant coach Lisa Dodd (above), will be back in Reno, this time as the head coach of rival UNLV.

The UNLV Rebels will be in Reno from Friday-Sunday with three points in the Governor's Series Presented by NV Energy on the line. Prior to Sunday's 12 p.m. game, Nevada's seniors will be honored in a ceremony on the field.

The three-game set has large post-season implications for Nevada, as the Pack is currently tied for third in the Mountain West, only a half game out of the lead. In addition, former Pack assistant coach Lisa Dodd will be back in Reno as the head coach of the Rebels for the first time.

Below is a complete summary of Nevada's noteworthy offensive accomplishments to date. Included in it is a breakdown of the overall strength of the Nevada lineup, which currently leads the Mountain West in 13 offensive categories. Nevada also ranks first nationally in doubles per game with 92 in 47 games (1.96) and is batting .311 as a team, good for 29^th in the country.

National Footprint - With the seventh week of NCAA statistics released on Monday, Nevada has found itself in the Top-45 nationally in a number of statistics and in the lead in one in particular ... The Wolf Pack is: First in the nation doubles per game at 1.96 (92 in 47 games); 29th in batting average at .311; 34th in slugging percentage at .483; 44th in scoring at 5.49 runs per game.

Individually ... Erin Jones is ninth in the nation in doubles per game at .36 (16 in 44 games) ... Karlyn Jones is ranked: First in fewest hit batters (one); 23rd in walks per seven at 1.22 (25 in 143.2 IP); Ashley Butera is ranked 41st nationally in sacrifice flies with 3.

Mountain West Leaders - As a team ... The Pack leads the Mountain West in 13 offensive categories ... They are ... Batting Average (.311) ... Slugging Percentage (.483) ... On-Base Percentage (.401) ... Runs Scored (258) ... Hits (402) ... RBI (243) ... Doubles (92) ... Home Runs (42) ... Total Bases (626) ... Total Plate Appearances (1,518) ... At Bats (1,296) ... Walks (165) ... Hit by Pitch (35).

In the circle ... Nevada is first in innings pitched (314.2) and batters struck out looking (79) ... Second in batters struck out (240) ... Defensively ... The Pack is second in fielding percentage at .966

Individually, Hopkins leads the MW in ... Hits (62) ... Runs Scored (42) ... Plate appearances (186) and at bats (165) ... Erin Jones leads the conference in doubles (16) ... Megan Sweet leads the MW in walks 31.

In total ... Nevada players appear in the top-10 in 15 offensive categories, a total of 47 times ... In the circle, Nevada pitchers appear in 11 categories, with 16 total appearances ... Defensively, Nevada players appear in two categories a total of three times.

Runs Created - Individually, Nevada infielder and designated player Erin Jones is succeeding by any offensive measure in the book, including new-age metrics such as runs created ... Per plate appearance, Jones is creating .225 runs, the third-best number in the history of the program for a season ... In total, the 2013 season could produce five of the top 12 individual offensive campaigns in the history of the program, as measured by runs created ... Karley Hopkins, Sara Parsons, Jasmine Jenkins and Megan Sweet are all on pace to finish inside the top 12.