Former Pioneer Gridder Named Director of Athletics and Recreation

Former Pioneer footballer Andy Hamilton was recently named the new Director of Athletics and Recreation at Grinnell.  A member of the class of 1985, Andy has been a fixture in our department since, coaching several sports including football, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's tennis.  He has also served as the Sports Information Director, as an Assistant AD, and as the Interim AD.  On a personal note, Coach Hamilton was the offensive coordinator my first three seasons at Grinnell, calling plays for arguably the best offense we've had at Grinnell.  I'm very excited to have Hamilton at the helm.  I love the continuity this provides to our department, but I also love that it does not signal complacency.  I believe we'll continue to push and improve and our department will be stronger across the board in years to come.

The flip side of Hamilton moving into his new role is that Greg Wallace will be moving to Senior Faculty Status.  Wallace was the head coach while I played at Grinnell, and has been the AD during my time as the head coach.  Greg has been a tremendous friend and mentor over the years, and it will be different not having him in our office.  Special thanks to Coach Wallace for his years of service, and I look forward to his new role working with athletics and admissions.

Footballer Graham Fisher Off to a Hot Start on the Diamond

Graham Fisher '16, an imposing figure on the mound

Three time all-conference punter Graham Fisher has gotten off to a hot start on the diamond as well.  Graham is second on the Pioneers with a .320 batting average and 6 rbi's, and leads the team with 15 total bases and the only home run so far on this young season.  Graham is also 2-0 on the mound, and has yet to allow a run.  He was named the Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week last week, and has the Pioneers rolling with a 6-2 start.  The Pioneers play Fontbonne University early this morning, and then wrap up their Spring Break trip with a double header against St. Olaf and a game against Keuka College Sunday.

Keep up the good work Fisher, and keep it rolling Pioneers!

What a Weekend!

We had a fantastic weekend hosting the Division 3 Indoor Track and Field National Championship.  Three Division 3 records were broken (Luke Winder of North Central in the men's pole vault - 18'01", Nia Joyner of Illinois Wesleyan in the women's 60m - 7.49, and Amy Regan of Stevens - women's 3000 - 9:30.80) as well as multiple facility records.  Three people won multiple events (Regan won the women's 3k and 5K, Kim Gallavan of Baldwin-Wallace won the women's shot put and weight throw, and Josh Thorson of UW-Eau Claire won the men's 3k and 5k).  UW-Eau Claire won the men's championship while Baldwin-Wallace won on the women's side.

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and that was definitely the case with the Championship.  It took months of work from our planning committee, special thanks to Eloise Miller '15, Ben Cooprider, and Justin Thaxton, as well as those on the NCAA committee.  We had great help from our entire department, as well as countless students, staff (Facilities Management, Dining Services, Conference Ops, etc), community member, and alumni.  Thanks to all for such a great weekend!

It's Time!!

The Calm Before the Storm

After months of preparation and anticipation, the Indoor Track and Field National Championship is finally here!  We are hosting for the second time (2012), and it's going to be a great weekend.  If you're in the area, stop by and check it some of the best athletes in Division III!

Signing Day 2016

Our next new Pioneer is another Iowa boy, Rick Johnson from Davenport Central.  Rick comes with strong family ties to Grinnell and will be a great addition to our defensive front seven.  He has played both Defensive End and Outside Linebacker, and is versatile enough to play either for us next year.

We have one more Early Decision addition to announce, but things are starting to take shape for the young but talented defense, and we look to round out our class through Regular Decision.  2016 is going to be an exciting year!

View Rick Johnson's highlights here.

Ed Hardman Makes Speech at Kipp Schools Dinner

Senior outside linebacker and track star Ed Hardman was recently invited to give an address at a dinner for the Kipp Schools in Chicago.  Hardman is a Kipp School alum, and he will be teaching at a Kipp School in Chicago beginning this fall.  Kipp Schools "are a non-profit network of college-preparatory, public charter schools serving elementary, middle, and high school students.  They [we] have a 20-year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life."

At the dinner, Hardman was invited to introduce keynote speaker, former Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.  Ed's is an inspiring story, some of which he tells in his speech, linked below.  Simply put, we need more like Ed!

Ed Hardman Speech

Signing Day 2016

We are continuing to highlight the new Pioneers that have committed through Early Decision.  It is a great group of guys that will have an immediate impact for us.

Next up is safety Max Hill, from Chaminade College Prep in California.  Max can cover a lot of ground from his spot as a safety, but he's also a very good tackler and an aggressive run-stopper.  He's a great special teams guy as well, willing to contribute to team success in any way he can.  We're very excited to add him!  Can't wait to get you out here Max!

Max Hill Highlights

Signing Day 2016

Jordan Hall, Quarterback and Defensive Back from Whitney Young in Chicago, IL has decided to join the Pioneers for the fall of 2016.  Jordan's primary position was at cornerback, but he has the skills, the talent, and the mentality to play any number of positions for us next fall.  He is the third player from Whitney Young that we've added over the past few years (Barrett Morrissette '16 and Cole Riley '19).  We're very excited to add Jordan, and can't wait to see him in the Scarlet and Black next fall!

Jordan Hall Highlights

Signing Day 2016

Alex Quist (left) will bring size and leadership experience

Alex Quist from Saint Peter, MN is the first offensive lineman to commit to the Pioneers in the class of 2016.  Alex will be a valuable addition to The Drove, as he has good size and technique.  He played guard at Saint Peter High School, and will likely stay at that position for us.  We are very happy to add Alex to the 2016 Pioneers!

Alex Quist Highlights

Jacob Beecher Named Co-Recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award

As previously noted, the Pioneers added to their lineup of postseason awards in 2015, adding the scholar-athlete award.  The award goes not just to the Pioneer with the best GPA, but rather to the Pioneer who has an outstanding GPA, challenged himself in his area of study, and also excelled on the playing field.  Two Pioneers were selected for the inaugural award, one being safety/outside linebacker Jacob Beecher.

Jacob has been a two-sport athlete at Grinnell College since day one.  Contributing to both the football and baseball teams, Jacob has stayed busy but has not let it affect his studies.  He is a bio-chemistry major who finished with an outstanding GPA, was named academic all-conference four times and was named to the Dean's List twice.  As if that weren't enough, he graduated a semester early and will begin his studies at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences this fall.

Congratulations Beech.  Best of luck!

Signing Day 2016

The first player in the class of 2016 from the state of Iowa is Zisimos Doulaveris, a defensive tackle from Columbus Catholic in Waterloo, IA.  Z will provide added size in the interior of the defensive front, eating up blockers and freeing up our inside linebackers like Ryan Slager to make even more tackles this year.  I'm excited to add Z to the lineup for 2016!

Signing Day 2016

Bradford Knowlton, a linebacker from Punahou High School in Hawaii, will also be joining the Pioneers in 2016.  Brad has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline, as well as the physicality to stuff the inside run.  He has played with and against the best players in the state of Hawaii, and is ready to make an immediate impact.  We are very excited to have him join the Black Swarm Defense!

Bradford Knowlton Highlight

Signing Day 2016

Michael O'Shea with another powerful run through the defense

The next addition to the Grinnell Pioneers is Michael O'Shea, from St. Paul Academy.  Michael is a multi-talented player that could fill many roles on either offense or defense.  We'll likely take a look at him as an H-Back or as another running back.  Michael will bring added size and speed our offense, able to run between the tackles with power, as well as the speed to take those carries all the way to the end zone.  He is also an effective blocker.  We're very excited to add a weapon like Michael to our offense!

Michael O'Shea Highlights

Tazon de Estrellas

Colton Feller, Kevin Hwang, and Morgan Kinsinger in 2013

ESPN recently put out a great piece on the Tazon de Estrellas, the all-star game that pits the best players from Division III against the best players in Mexico.  Over the years the Pioneers have represented team Stars and Stripes very well.  Going back to 1998, ten different Pioneers have participated in the all-star game.

1998 - Richard Wemer - WR (known as the Aztec Bowl at the time)
2001 - Jeff Pedersen - TE (known as the Aztec Bowl at the time)
2010 - Marquis Bradley - LB
2011 - Logan Granera - WR
2011 - Robert Seer - WR
2012 - Tom Brinkman - DL
2012 - Brian Taylor - DL
2013 - Colton Feller - LB
2013 - Kevin Hwang - S
2013 - Morgan Kinsinger - OL

Signing Day 2016!

Signing Day is, and always has been, quite a bit different at the division 3 level.  Because we do not offer athletic scholarships and the corresponding letters of intent, and because there are several different deadlines throughout the year, it is difficult to hold a signing day similar to divisions 1 and 2.  However, the NCAA recently passed legislation allowing a Celebration Letter to be signed by any Division 3 student-athlete that has already submitted a deposit.

Here at Grinnell, we add to our roster through Early Decision 1, Early Decision 2, and Regular Decision.  We typically get slightly less than half our class through the Early Decision rounds, and we're sitting in a good place so far this year.  We've got two strong defensive players from the class of 2015 that deferred their admission for a year, and we've added an additional eight players through the Early Decision round.  Over the course of the next few days we'll highlight those guys, and celebrate their decisions to be Pioneers!

Up first, Trent and Trey Wiebusch from Providence Academy and Long Lake, MN.  Trent and Trey are from the class of 2015, but they deferred their decisions in order to complete year long service commitments.  Both are very good defensive players that can be used anywhere in the front seven.  They will add both size and physicality to the Black Swarm defense!  We're looking for an immediate contribution from both!

Trent Wiebusch Highlights

Trey Wiebusch Highlights

Congrats to Coach Booth!

Coach Booth (right) a first-time father

Assistant wide receivers coach Greg Booth and his wife Patricia recently welcomed their first child, a daughter, named Isabella.  Isabella came three weeks early, and has spent quite a bit of time in the hospital these first few weeks, but she is doing well now and all are home,  happy, and healthy!

Congrats to the Booths!

Greg Ruzich Named Co-Recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award

The Pioneers added to their lineup of postseason awards in 2015, adding the scholar-athlete award.  The award goes not just to the Pioneer with the best GPA, but rather to the Pioneer who has an outstanding GPA, challenged himself in his area of study, and also excelled on the playing field.  Two Pioneers were selected for the inaugural award, one being wide receiver Greg Ruzich.

Ruzich joined the team prior to his sophomore season, and his impact on the field increased each season.  As a senior, Greg recorded 30 catches, and established career highs for yards and touchdowns.  Playing in the slot, Greg was always a threat on the slant/skinny post route, as well as the shallow cross.

In the classroom he was a bio-chemistry major who carried a very strong GPA.  He was named academic all-conference three times, and named to the Dean's List twice.  Greg also spent a semester studying in Australia.  It's safe to say he made the most of his time at Grinnell.  Congrats Greg, best of luck in your future studies.

Morrissette Named All-American

Linebacker Barrett Morrissette's fine season season was rewarded with All-American recognition by USA College Football.  Barrett was previously named first time all-conference by the Midwest Conference coaches.  Morrissette joins Robert Seer (2nd team WR by BSN College Network) as the second All-American since I've taken over as head coach.

Congrats Barrett!

Politics and Football?

As I was watching the Packers - Redskins game (playoff football in our nation's capitol!) I was reminded of President Obama's recent comments on the Jerry Seinfeld show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.  Seinfeld asked the President what sport he thought was most like politics.  I think you'll appreciate his answer!

Ryan Slager Named Troy Barboza Most Courageous Player

First year Ryan Slager from Orland Park, IL was named the 2015 Troy Barboza Award winner.  Barboza played for the Pioneers in the mid-80's and went on to a career in law enforcement.  He went undercover to help take down a major drug operation in Hawaii.  As he was waiting to testify in the case, he was tragically murdered.  Each year the Pioneers honor the player who has displayed the most courage throughout the past year, and that definitely fits with Ryan.

Asked to start at inside linebacker from day one, Ryan rose to the occasion.  Posting 18 tackles in his first game against Beloit, Slager filled a need for the defense immediately.  He recorded 17 tackles against Illinois College, 19 against Knox, and 15 in the season finale against Lawrence.  All told, Slager accounted for 134 tackles on the year.  His 13.4 per game was good for second in the country.

As impressive as his debut was, we look for even bigger things from Ryan over the coming three years!