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Men's Basketball
2009-10 VINCENNES TRAILBLAZERS Front row, left to right: Keith Ford, Jeramy Lucas, Ryan Allen, Philip Freeman, Fred Ford and Monty Wilson. Second row, left to right: Tenale Roland, Forrest Fairchild (manager), Jacob Dunn (manager), Assistant Coach Brian Davis, Assistant Coach D.J. Ragland, Head Coach David Ragland, Assistant Coach Kente Hart, Assistant Coach Eric Murphy, Casey Jewell (manager), Brandon Darrett and Bryce Walker. Third row, left to right: Thomas Nugent, Ivan Vrdoljak, Jon Nwannunu, Chris Henderson, Jan Petrovcic, Daimion Garrett and Donald Stewart.
Trailblazer Summer Basketball Camps Dates Announced
(Additional information coming soon...) The dates for the 2010 Trailblazer Summer Basketball Camps are:
Trailblazers guard/forward J.P. Olukemi recently signed a national letter of intent to play at Oklahoma State in 2010-11. The 6-7 LaHabra, CA, product who led VU in scoring at 14.9 ppg last season, will graduate in December at VU as a redshirt on the 2009-10 roster and enroll at OSU for the Spring 2010 semester. Olukemi will have three years of eligibility remaining for the Cowboys (23-12 in 2008-09). Olukemi, who battled a knee injury during part of the Trailblazers’ 22-9 campaign last year, was limited to 24 games. He shot .516 from the floor and averaged 4.2 rebounds per contest. The months-long task of whittling down the list of possible Div. I programs for his services didn’t diminish Olukemi’s excitement about playing at the next level. "I really liked the coaches at Oklahoma State and I think they can help me get to the next level as a player. I had a great time on my visit and felt like that was the place for me,” Olukemi said. “Their style of play fits me the best of all the programs I considered, and I believe we can definitely win and make some noise in the NCAA tournament" Combining a strong, aggressive style of play and versatile scoring abilities that allow him to get to the basket in a variety of ways, Olukemi cemented himself last summer as a top junior college returner when he earned praise from several NCAA Div. I coaches and scouts at Jerry Mullen’s Top-120 Camp. In fact, well-known basketball skills evaluator Mike Mitchell named the former California All-State prep performer as the top swingman coming back to the JUCO ranks this season and described Olukemi as “an unquestioned upper-major” recruit. "He's super-skilled. He can pass well and has a really high basketball IQ," Ragland said. "He can defend 1 through 4… he really does a good job with guards. His shot is probably what he needs the most work on.” In Stillwater, Olukemi would likely pair with guard James Anderson – entering his junior season with OSU – to provide plenty of offensive punch. As a sophomore, Anderson averaged a team-leading 18.2 ppg. He will also play for second-year OSU Coach Travis Ford and a staff of up-and-coming assistants made up of Chris Ferguson, Steve Middleton and Butch Pierre. The Vincennes University Alumni Association and the Vincennes Trailblazers Photos from the 2009 Blazer Golf Scramble
A behind-the-scenes look at Trailblazer Basketball game preparations |
- Lady Trailblazers notch 8th straight with 82-72 win at Mineral Area
- Trailblazers overtake Mineral Area with strong 2nd half for 85-71 victory
- VU Track & Field has successful day at DePauw Tiger Indoor Invitational Frazier, Wilson and women’s 4x400 relay qualify for indoor nationals
- Energy savings to cut budget at VU
- Bluegrass Jam is Feb. 14 at VU
- VU Health Watch Wednesday Continues
Lady Trailblazers notch 8th straight with 82-72 win at Mineral Area
February 6, 2010
PARK HILLS, MO – The NJCAA No. 25-ranked Vincennes Lady Trailblazers improved to 18-4 on the season and extended their winning streak to eight games Saturday by beating host Mineral Area 82-72.
VU got 18 points from sophomore Ashley Buis. Sophomore Megan Craft finished with 17 points and 13 assists, while sophomore MyQueisha Bratton had 16 and freshman Charae Richardson chipped in with 10.
The Lady Trailblazers led 41-38 at halftime.
VU now turns its attention to another meeting with powerhouse and 2009 NJCAA national runner-up Jefferson College. The Lady Trailblazers travel to Hillsboro, MO, Monday for a match-up with the Lady Vikings at 7 p.m. Vincennes time.
The Lady Trailblazers follow up the clash with Jefferson by heading to Lincoln Trail on Wednesday, Feb. 10, for a 6:30 p.m. (Vincennes time) game with the Lady Statesmen. The game will precede a contest between the VU and Lincoln Trail men at 8:30 p.m. (Vincennes time).
Trailblazers overtake Mineral Area with strong 2nd half for 85-71 victory
February 6, 2010
The Vincennes Trailblazers outscored Mineral Area 27-13 over the final 10 minutes Saturday to pull away and top the visiting Cardinals 85-71, behind five 3-pointers by sophomore Fred Ford en route to a game-high 25 points. VU also got four treys from freshman Keith Ford, who had 19 points; and three from sophomore Daimion Garrett on the way to 12 points.
The Trailblazers (17-7) hit 13-of-29 from behind the arc and recorded VU’s 499th home victory. VU will go for No. 500 on Feb. 12 against Kankakee on the first night of the Feb. 12 and 13 Beckes Sodexo Classic.
Freshman Jan Petrovcic pulled in 17 rebounds and Garrett added 11 boards Saturday night, while Fred Ford and sophomore Ryan Allen both dished out six assists.
Guard Drew Thomas scored 18 of his team-high 20 in the first half for the visiting Cardinals (16-9).
The Trailblazers, who trailed 41-37 at halftime, benefitted from the Cardinals going cold offensively for extended periods of time. Mineral Area’s five-minute scoring drought near the 10:00 mark was all VU needed to take control once and for all. Garrett’s rebound and bucket with a little more than 9:00 to play was followed by a Monty Wilson three-point play and Keith Ford drilled his third trey to extend the VU advantage to 63-58.
Ford’s last 3-pointer made it 66-58 with less than 6:00 remaining before Mineral Area’s Carlton Guyton answered with a 3-pointer to cut it to five. But the Trailblazers reeled off the next seven unanswered over the following two minutes and put a halt to any Cardinal comeback thoughts by extending the lead back to 12 and maintaining the double-digit cushion the rest of the way.
The Trailblazers will head to Lincoln Trail Wednesday for an 8:30 p.m. (Vincennes time) game with the Statesmen, following the VU women facing Lincoln Trail at 6:30 p.m. (Vincennes time).
VU Track & Field has successful day at DePauw Tiger Indoor Invitational Frazier, Wilson and women’s 4x400 relay qualify for indoor nationals
February 6, 2010
VU Track & Field has successful day at DePauw Tiger Indoor Invitational Frazier, Wilson and women’s 4x400 relay qualify for indoor nationals
GREENCASTLE – The Vincennes men’s track & field team captured the seven-team Tiger Indoor Invitational Saturday at DePauw University, while the VU women came in second in their six-team meet at same event.
VU edged out Indiana State 119-112 on the men’s side, while ISU topped VU in the women’s meet 206-72.
VU’s Bellosie Frazier (weight throw), Jerome Wilson (triple-jump) and the women’s 4x400meter relay team qualified for the NJCAA Indoor Nationals on March 5 and 6 at Eastern Illinois University with Saturday’s efforts.
Trailblazers Shaun Smith, Montez Carter and James Rogan combined for a 1-2-3 finish, respectively, in the 55 Meters.
Rogan and Smith returned to go 1-2-3 with Desmond Lake for VU in the 200 Meters. Rogan also won the long jump and Wilson was best in the triple-jump.
Jamisha Abney captured the women’s 400 Meters and Cierra Gerbers came in first in the 3,000 Meters for the Lady Trailblazers.
VU will continue the indoor season by competing at both the Hoosier Hills Invitational at Indiana University on Feb. 12 and 13 and back at DePauw on Feb. 13.
Energy savings to cut budget at VU
February 5, 2010
VINCENNES, IND. – Vincennes University plans to cut energy usage by 20 percent over the next two years, according to VU President Dick Helton.
The goal is to simultaneously save money while making VU facilities greener and more sustainable.
Leading the effort will be veteran VU staff member Richard Davis who will begin a new assignment on Feb. 8. Davis will become VU’s first Director of Energy Conservation.
“This is an important position that could lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings for VU at a time when the state is mandating budget cuts. The challenge is to achieve substantial cuts in energy use at a time when VU is growing in enrollment. I am confident that Rick will be successful in leading this effort,” Helton said.
Davis’ responsibilities will include reviewing historical data on energy consumption and making recommendations on how energy usage can be reduced throughout the VU system. The recommendations will be specific for each VU building and will include input from individuals in each building.
“We believe the primary savings will be achieved by getting employees to think differently, monitor their own demands for energy, and making practical and lasting behavioral changes that will result in more efficient use of energy. This will ease current budget constraints as well as put VU on a sustainable path for the future,” Helton said.
RICHARD DAVIS
A 1974 VU graduate, Davis has been employed at VU for 35 years. He is a Licensed Master Electrician who has training and certifications from General Electric, Duke Energy, Vectren, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana State University, Andover Controls, Honeywell Controls, OSHA, Simplex, and AT&T. Prior to his recent appointment, Davis served for more than 15 years as VU’s Energy Management and Electrical Supervisor.
"I am excited about this opportunity to assist the University community in working together to create a positive impact on the environment and the budget," Davis said.
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College
VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport. VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.
In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, and secondary education programs in mathematics, science, and special education.
VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 26 other states, and 37 foreign countries. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory.
For more information, please contact Duane Chattin, Director of Public Information, at 812-888-4164 (office), 812-887-6397 (cell) or dchattin@vinu.edu
Bluegrass Jam is Feb. 14 at VU
VINCENNES, IND. – The 10th Annual Old Post Bluegrass Jam is coming to Vincennes University on Feb. 14. Admission is free and the public is invited to VU’s Beckes Student Union to enjoy acoustic musicians as they jam together from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST).
The VU Food Court and Grinder’s Coffee Shop will be open.
“We invite area musicians to bring their acoustic instruments and be prepared to find folks to jam with. The Bluegrass Jam is a lot of fun for both participants and the audience,” said Bill Stedman, one of the event organizers.
In addition to jams throughout the Student Union, there will also be groups performing on stage in the Food Court during the afternoon. Groups performing there include Mariah Creek at 1 p.m., Mountain Harmony at 2 p.m., Flat Mountain at 3 p.m., and Bales of Hay at 4 p.m.
VU’s Beckes Student Union is located at 1101 N. Second Street, Vincennes. Free parking is located on Third Street behind the building.
For more information call 812-882-0429 (evenings).
VU Health Watch Wednesday Continues
VU Health Watch Wednesday began with two e-text messages that provided H1N1 wellness tips and reminded subscribers to visit the VU Health Office web page.
Vincennes University students and employees seeking an H1N1 vaccination should go to the Knox County Immunization Clinic at 701 Dubois Street in Vincennes. Visit their website for more information.
Updates will be posted each Wednesday (or sooner if the situation warrants). The webpage includes links to the Center for Disease Control flu pages, preventative tips, and campus information.
