Football

Category: Football

Six to be inducted into Lawrence Hall of Fame

A championship-winning coach and five former student-athletes will be inducted into the Lawrence University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 16.

Long-time swimming and diving coach Kurt Kirner will be enshrined with two-sport star Shannon Arendt LaRoux, runners Courtney Miller Cameron and Shelley Ebert Navis, basketball star Felice Porrata and baseball star Steve Blomberg.

The induction ceremony takes place at the Blue and White Dinner at the Warch Campus Center on Oct. 16, and the inductees are also introduced at the Hall of Fame football game vs. Carroll University at 5 p.m. on Oct. 17 on Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Steve Blomberg ’74

Steve Blomberg’s athletic career at Lawrence was brief, but the Brookfield, Wis., native stands as the finest hitter in school history.

Blomberg played two seasons of baseball at Lawrence before signing with the Kansas City Royals. He went on to play five seasons in the minor leagues and reached as high as Double-A before retiring.

A standout running back, Blomberg played varsity football as a sophomore and rushed for more than 1,000 yards, breaking or tying six school records along the way.

An outfielder on the baseball team, Blomberg was a career .481 hitter, hitting .485 in 1971 and .475 in 1972. Blomberg, whose season batting average record stood for 24 years, is the only player in Lawrence history to hit .400 in back-to-back seasons. A two-time All-Midwest Conference selection, Blomberg also earned Topp’s District All-America honors twice.

Known for his powerful bat, Blomberg posted a career .915 slugging percentage and still holds the season record at .984. He set career records with 12 home runs and seven triples and set season records with seven triples, nine home runs and 30 runs batted in. Blomberg continues to hold the game record of three homers.

Lawrence’s 1972 team tied with St. Olaf College for the Midwest Conference championship, the Vikings’ first league title.

During his one season of football, Blomberg was a first-team all-conference selection and was named the team’s Most Valuable Back. The Vikings finished 6-3 as Blomberg ran 204 times for 1,060 yards, a 5.2-yard average, and caught 16 passes for 239 yards.

Blomberg tied All-American Chuck McKee’s season record of 78 points scored in the process. He also broke the season records for punt returns, punt return yards, kickoff returns, kickoff return yardage and kickoff return average.

After playing five seasons in the minor leagues, Blomberg retired after playing the 1976 season with the Shreveport Captains of the Double-A Texas League. Blomberg hit .248, belted 38 homers and drove in 149 runs during his pro career.

A salesman for Waters Industrial Supply Co., Blomberg and his wife, Jeanne, have two children, Sam and Rebecca, and live in Waukesha. He also has a son, David, who resides in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Courtney Miller Cameron ’04

Courtney Miller displayed consistent excellence in cross country and collected a fistful of Midwest Conference track championships to stand as one of the great distance runners in Lawrence history.

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Miller is the only cross country runner in Lawrence history to finish in the top 10 at the Midwest Conference Championships four times and is one of just three four-time all-conference honorees.

Miller posted second-place finishes at the MWC Championships in 2001 and 2003 and took ninth in 1999 and 2000. Part of a stellar group of distance runners, Miller led the Vikings to MWC cross country titles in 1999 and 2001 and second-place finishes in 2000 and 2003.

Running in the toughest regional in the nation, Miller grabbed one of the few individual qualifying spots for the NCAA Division III Championships in 1999 when she finished 26th to earn All-Midwest Region honors. She went on to finish 128th at the NCAA meet.

Miller, who was twice named the MWC Performer of the Week, took home individual titles at the Beloit Old English Classic and the Wisconsin Private College Championships in 2001 and won the Lawrence Invitational in 2003.

Miller, who didn’t compete during the 2002-03 academic year due to injury, also starred on the track for the Vikings. Miller was named the Outstanding Performer at both the 2004 indoor and outdoor Midwest Conference Championships and won five individual track titles and one relay championship.

Miller capped her 2004 indoor season at the MWC Championships by winning the the 800 meters in 2:18.94 and taking first in the 1,500 in 4:47.70. She also placed third in the 3,000 and ran a school-record time of 10:38.70. Miller also holds the indoor mark in the 1,000 meters at 3:04.67. At the MWC’s outdoor meet, Miller won the 800 (2:19.93) and 1,500 (4:51.11) and took second in the 5,000.

Miller claimed her first league title when she won the 800 at the 2000 MWC indoor meet with a time of 2:19.78. She also was part of the winning sprint medley relay team at the 2003 indoor MWC Championships. Miller teamed with Shelley Ebert, Sarah Slivinski and Jess Moser for a winning time of 4:16.80. Miller also was chosen as a MWC Performer of the Week during both the indoor and outdoor seasons during her career.

Miller won the school’s Outstanding Freshman Athletic Award for Women and claimed the Ruth Bateman Award for excellence in scholarship, athletic ability and leadership by a female athlete.

Miller earned degrees in German and violin performance at Lawrence and went on to earn her master of music degree in violin performance from the University of Illinois. Miller plays with the Victoria Symphony, and she and her husband, Matt, live in Victoria, B.C.

Kurt Kirner

Kurt Kirner took Lawrence swimming to a new level as his teams won a pair of Midwest Conference titles and he coached nearly 200 league champions.

A native of Prairie du Sac, Wis., Kirner took over for another Lawrence Hall of Famer, Gene Davis, in 1991. He coached both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams for the next 16 seasons before moving to Division II Hillsdale College.

Kirner’s men’s team won the Midwest Conference Championships team title in 1996 and 2000. Kirner was named the MWC Men’s Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2006 and was the Women’s Coach of the Year in 2007.

Kirner, who coached eight current Lawrence Hall of Famers, had a remarkable record in the biggest meets of each season. The Lawrence men posted an average finish of 2.6 at the MWC Championships, and the women’s average finish at the league meet was 2.9. Following his first season as head coach, the Lawrence men finished third or higher in the Midwest Conference in 13 of the next 15 seasons. The Lawrence women did the guys one better, finishing third or higher in the league in 14 of Kirner’s final 15 seasons.

Kirner saw a remarkable 187 swimmers crowned Midwest Conference champions during his tenure at Lawrence. The 1995-96 men’s team had a stunning 36 competitors take the top spot in 1996 as Lawrence won 12 individual titles and six relays at the MWC Championships. The women’s team set a best of 19 league champions in 1993 and had 18 in 1995.

Lawrence established itself as the state’s dominant private college program during Kirner’s tenure. The Lawrence women won eight team titles at the Wisconsin Private College Championships and finished second eight times. The Lawrence men won six titles at the Private College Championships and finished second 10 times.

Kirner also broke new ground for Lawrence swimming at the NCAA Division III Championships. Becky Wagenaar was Lawrence’s first female All-American and earned All-America honors three times. Tracy Maschman was an All-American in 1995 and 1996, and Chas Mitchell eared All-America honors on the men’s side in 1996.

Kirner’s teams were also great in the classroom as perennial winners of the Scholar All-America Team award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. The 1996-97 men’s team posted the highest grade point average in the nation.

In addition to his coaching duties at Lawrence, Kirner served as the building and programming director for the Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center from May 1993-May 2006.

Kirner coaches the women’s swim team and is an assistant professor at Hillsdale College. He and his wife, Susan, have two sons, Quinn and Clayton.

Shannon Arendt LaRoux ’04

Shannon Arendt starred on the field and on the court for the Vikings. A standout infielder for the Lawrence softball team, Arendt also was a powerful outside hitter for the volleyball squad.

The Hortonville, Wis., native started for four years at second base and received postseason honors in three seasons. Arendt was an All-Midwest Conference selection in 2003 and 2004 and earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region honors in 2001.

A career .324 hitter, Arendt batted in the No. 2 spot in the lineup and piled up 26 doubles, three triples and one homer while driving in 62 runs and scoring 88 times.

Arendt helped Lawrence to a 71-57-1 record in her four seasons, and the Vikings qualified for the MWC Tournament for three consecutive seasons (2002-04). Lawrence won the 2003 North Division title and hosted the four-team conference tournament.

Arendt was a force as an outside hitter on the volleyball court and earned All-Midwest Conference honors in 2002 and 2003. She also led Lawrence to its best season in school history in 2001 when the Vikings went 19-12 and finished third in the Midwest Conference.

Arendt’s name is all over the Lawrence records, and she ranks second with 1,357 career kills. A career .187 hitter, Arendt had three of the top six season kill totals when she graduated. She posted a career-high 27 kills in a match twice, and her 448 kills in 2003 led the team.

Arendt’s wicked serve accounted for 199 career aces, which is tops in Lawrence history. She also holds the record for aces in a match (12) and season (69). Arendt has three of the top four season totals for aces in Lawrence history.

A fine defensive player as well, Arendt ranked second in school history with 1,604 digs when she graduated. She also piled up 100 career blocks.

Arendt, who received a degree in biology with an interdisciplinary in psychology, received her nursing degree from Rush University. She works as an aesthetic nurse at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery. Arendt and her husband, Alex, have a dog, Gunner, and a cat, Gizzie.

Shelley Ebert Navis ’03

Shelley Ebert blazed to eight Midwest Conference track titles, set six school records and was a key contributor on a pair of conference championship cross country teams.

A two-time qualifier for the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships, Ebert earned berths in the 800 meters for the 2002 indoor national meet and the 2003 outdoor championships.

Ebert continues to hold the school record both indoors and outdoors in the 800. She set the indoor mark of 2:18.01 at the 2002 NCAA Division III Championships and set the outdoor record of 2:14.30 in 2003.

A native of Janesville, Wis., Ebert dominated the 800 in the Midwest Conference for most of her career. She won the title indoors in the 800 for three consecutive years, 2001, 2002 and 2003. Ebert was named the Most Outstanding Performer at the 2003 MWC Indoor Championships.

Ebert took the title in the 800 at the MWC outdoor meet in 2002 and 2003 and also claimed the title in the 1,500 meters in 2003. Ebert was named the Most Outstanding Performer at the MWC Outdoor Championships in 2003. She also claimed three MWC track performer of the week awards.

A track team captain, Ebert also was a part of four school relay records and a pair of conference title winners.

Ebert teamed with Sarah Slivinski, Jess Moser and Courtney Miller to win the sprint medley relay at the 2003 indoor conference championships in 4:16.80. At the same meet, the 4×400 relay team of Ebert, Slivinski, Moser and Kim Boeckers finished second and set the school record of 4:09.03. The same relay team set the school record of 4:03.28 outdoors in 2003 and won the title at the MWC Championships.

The sprint medley relay team of Ebert, Slivinski, Sally Schonfeld and Kate Okenatez set the school record of 4:16.47 in 2000. The distance medley relay team of Ebert, Schonfeld, Moser and Katy Roll set the school record of 12:10.49 in 2002.

Ebert was part of an outstanding group of cross country runners and helped the Vikings to team titles at the 1999 and 2001 Midwest Conference Championships. The Vikings finished second in 2000 and took fourth in 2002.

Ebert earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lawrence. She has a master’s degree in professional development from Winona State University and a post-master’s school counseling certificate from UW-Whitewater. She is married to another Lawrence cross country and track standout, Peter Navis ’03, and they live in Fort Atkinson with their two children, Rachel and Michael.

Felice Porrata ’05

Felice Porrata quietly went about her business on the basketball court at Lawrence and emerged as one of the greatest players in school history.

Porrata’s competent consistency resulted in spectacular career numbers, and she was just the second player in Lawrence history to be a four-time All-Midwest Conference selection. The native of Glenview, Ill., joined Hall of Famer Jackie Huss as the only other four-time all-conference pick. Porrata was a first-team selection in 2004 and 2005 and a second-team pick in 2002 and 2003.

Porrata scored 1,186 career points, which ranked only behind Hall of Famer Sarah O’Neil when she graduated. Porrata averaged 12.8 points per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the floor. Porrata also ranks third with 645 career rebounds (6.9 average), and she is the only player in Lawrence history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.

Not only was Porrata one of the league’s top scorers during her career, she also was a fine defensive player. Porrata ranked second in Lawrence history with 241 steals when she graduated and was second with 54 blocks.

A team captain, Porrata led Lawrence to three appearances in the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament during her four seasons. Lawrence made the tournament in 2002, 2003 and 2005.

The Vikings reached the conference championship game in 2005 and finished second in the league. Lawrence’s 18 wins in 2004-05 tied for the highest win total in school history and still ranks second all-time.

Porrata also played one season of softball and emerged as a contributor for the Vikings. Porrata played as a senior in 2005 and started 16 games in the outfield. The Vikings went 9-4 in Midwest Conference play, won the league’s North Division and hosted the Midwest Conference Tournament on their way to a 17-win season.

Porrata, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, lives in Kansas City, Mo. She works as a freight broker at Efreightship.

Boone named defensive coordinator for Lawrence football squad

APPLETON, Wis. — Yon Boone has been named the defensive coordinator for the Lawrence University football team, head coach Rob McCarthy announced.

“Coach Boone brings a great deal of passion and energy to the football program,” McCarthy said. “His experience makes him an asset in so many ways both on and off the field. He is a relentless recruiter, and he really cares for his players. He will be instrumental in our building of a strong defense here at Lawrence and in our local and national recruiting efforts.”

Boone comes to Lawrence from Saint Anselm College, where he coached for the past three years. Boone was the linebackers coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Saint Anslem. Boone was part of the staff that led Saint Anselm to a 6-5 record in 2014. That was the first winning season for Saint Anselm in 14 years and tied the school record for victories in a season.

“Myself and my family are excited for the opportunity that Rob McCarthy has provided us to be part of the Lawrence family,” Boone said.

“My plan is to rebuild the defense so that it is simple to execute, with a priority of creating a physical presence on the field. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running in recruiting efforts, both nationally and most importantly here in our home state of Wisconsin.”

Boone was at Eastern Kentucky University in 2010 and 2011, where he served as a graduate assistant. Boone was the safeties coach in 2011 after coaching the outside linebackers in 2010. Boone earned a master’s degree in sport administration from Eastern Kentucky in 2011.

Boone also spent two years at Wofford College as a defensive assistant. He worked with the safeties, helped with recruiting and served as video coordinator and equipment manager.

Boone broke into coaching when he interned at Hamline University, assisting with both video and recruiting. Boone earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies education from Hamline in 2008.

Boone and his wife, Brittany, are both natives of Naples, Fla.

More than 150 Lawrence student-athletes named to Academic All-MWC team

APPLETON, Wis. — More than 150 Lawrence University student-athletes have been named to the Academic All-Midwest Conference team.

Lawrence had 153 student-athletes meet the minimum grade point average of 3.33 during the 2014-15 academic year. The top team for the Vikings was women’s indoor track, which had 17 student-athletes honored. Other top performing teams were women’s cross country and women’s soccer with 13 selections apiece, women’s swimming and diving with 12 and men’s soccer and women’s outdoor track with 11 apiece.

A total of 1,859 student-athletes were selected across the conference, and that surpasses the total of 1,752 honored during the 2013-14 academic year.

Complete List

Speckman named Lawrence football offensive coordinator

APPLETON, Wis. — Acclaimed coach Mark Speckman has joined the Lawrence University football staff and will serve as offensive coordinator, Vikings head coach Rob McCarthy announced.

Speckman joins the staff at Lawrence after serving for the last two seasons as the running backs and tight ends coach of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

“Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our football program,” McCarthy said. “With him as our offensive coordinator, our offense will have an identity.”

Speckman has a long and successful history as a head coach and is one of the experts in the game on the “Fly” offense.

“I look forward to becoming a member of the Lawrence University football family,” Speckman said. “With the new leadership of Rob McCarthy and the renovation of the Banta Bowl, this is an exciting time for Viking football. I also look forward to working with the outstanding student-athletes that attend Lawrence University.”

Speckman was a head coach at the collegiate level for 15 seasons, including 14 at Willamette University. Speckman coached Willamette 1998-2011 and compiled a record of 83-59. The Bearcats won the Northwest Conference in 1999 and 2008 and made appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 1999, 2004 and 2008.

Speckman’s 2008 team finished with an 11-1 record and was ranked as high as fourth nationally. Speckman was a finalist for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and was named American Football Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year in 2008.

Speckman, who has been named a conference Coach of the Year 10 times, also served as the head coach at Menlo College in 2012 before going to the Canadian Football League.

Speckman served as a prep head coach at four different high schools from 1981-94 before joining the staff at Willamette as the offensive coordinator in 1995.

“Coach Speckman has had success building a successful Division III football program, and he will play an important role as we rebuild the program here at Lawrence,” McCarthy said. “Mark is a passionate coach and motivator. This, coupled, with his proven ability to recruit high-caliber student-athletes from throughout the country, will make him a valuable asset to both the football program and the university.”

Speckman has served as a consultant to high-powered college football programs like Wisconsin, Oregon and Stanford and also has worked with the staffs of the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.

“Securing a coach with as much experience as Mark Speckman bodes well for the future of Viking football,” Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski said. “We are very excited to watch how his influence will help to move our program and department forward in a positive direction.”

A sought-after football theory and motivational speaker, Speckman drew media attention as a player decades ago. Born without hands, Speckman played linebacker at Menlo and later at Azusa Pacific University and was a NAIA All-American. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific in 1977 and picked up a master’s degree in health and human services from Columbia Pacific University in 1994.

Speckman, along with W. Jason Niedermeyer, authored the book, Figure It Out: How I Learned To Live In A Digital World Without Digits.

Lawrence opens its football season at the renovated Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl on Sept. 5 against Rockford University.

Renovated Banta Bowl field to honor Lawrence legend Ron Roberts

The name Roberts Field will sit atop the new scoreboard in the Banta Bowl.

APPLETON, Wis. — The field of the renovated Banta Bowl will honor legendary Lawrence University football coach Ron Roberts, university officials announced.

Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl is the new name of the facility where Lawrence’s iconic coach prowled the sidelines for 20 seasons. The naming of the field was done at the request of Tom Rogers, Lawrence class of 1965, who provided the lead gift for the stadium renovation.

“It was a fitting way to recognize what Ron Roberts had done for Lawrence. He just did an amazing job,” Rogers said.

“When we were talking about the Bowl and the naming rights, it was very apparent to me that he was the person after whom we should name the field. His former players said he was an amazing coach, and he had the ability to inspire them to do some great things they didn’t think they were capable of doing.”

Rogers was a student at Lawrence when Roberts began his coaching career in Appleton. Rogers was a soccer player who helped establish that program at Lawrence, but he was impressed by what Roberts did for the football team.

“They had the beginnings of some very good teams, and I was very aware that Ron Roberts had a tremendous impact on the football program,” Rogers said. “It was a very obvious choice.”

Lawrence Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski said this is a fitting tribute to a Lawrence legend.

“The Roberts family has been tremendously supportive of our programs,” Szkodzinski said. “Ron Roberts’ legacy is something that people continue to marvel at even today. Coach Roberts demonstrated excellence in every aspect while at Lawrence and in life. The idea of naming the field after Coach Roberts is absolutely appropriate, and we appreciate the generosity of Tom Rogers.”

Ron Roberts, left, coached the Lawrence football team for 20 seasons, won six Midwest Conference championships, reached the semifinals of the 1981 NCAA Division III playoffs and compiled a record of 121-54-1.

Ron Roberts served as Lawrence’s head football coach from 1965-83 and for a single season in 1992. His teams won six Midwest Conference championships and reached the semifinals of the 1981 NCAA Division III playoffs. Roberts compiled a career record of 121-54-1 and retired after the 1992 season with the 12th-best winning percentage (.690) in NCAA Division III football history.

“I wrote a thank you note to Tom Rogers,” said Marlene Roberts, Ron’s widow. “Tom said Ron had a positive impact on his life. His gift will have a tremendous impact on Ron’s memory so he will remain a visible part of Lawrence athletics.”

Ron Roberts passed away in December 2012, and Marlene said their three children, Ron Jr. ’84, Carrie ’86 and Elizabeth, were excited to hear the news about Roberts Field.

“I was so happy for Ron because this is something he would revel in,” Marlene said with a sparkle. “He would love it.”

The Banta Bowl, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this fall, is in the midst of a renovation project that will give the historic stadium a facelift. Lawrence has received $4.15 million toward the goal of $4.5 million for renovations. Lawrence’s Development Office is in a final push to complete the fundraising campaign.

The stadium floor will be raised and expanded to accommodate both football and men’s and women’s soccer. The grass field is being replaced with FieldTurf, an artificial surface that will allow more use of the facility.

Construction work on the Banta Bowl is progressing rapidly and scheduled to be completed in September.

A new building is currently under construction that will house the Lawrence locker room, a visiting team room, bathrooms, concessions and ticketing. The concrete structure of the stadium will be covered and new bleachers will be installed. A new scoreboard and sound system are also set to be installed.

A memorial to Bernie Heselton, long-time coach and director of athletics, is set to be included in the renovated stadium. Heselton served as Lawrence football coach from 1938-64, won six Midwest Conference championships and compiled a record of 111-79-5.

A fundraising effort also is under way to include a memorial for Carl Berghult ’64, a friend and fraternity brother of Rogers. Berghult, a native of Chicago, Ill., was a running back for the Vikings and played in the final years of Heselton’s tenure. After graduating from Lawrence, Berghult was a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve, and he was killed in the flight deck fire aboard the USS Enterprise on Jan. 14, 1969.

The aggressive construction schedule calls for having the field completed when Lawrence opens its football season with a non-conference game against Rockford University on Sept. 5.

Ron Roberts was the first-year head coach of the Vikings when the stadium, a gift from George Banta Jr. ’10 that was called the Lawrence Bowl until 1978, opened in 1965. Lawrence christened the stadium with a 26-21 victory over St. Olaf College on Oct. 2, 1965.

“I do remember the pressure was on to win that game,” Marlene Roberts said. “Ron was so happy to beat St. Olaf. To open the Bowl with a win was wonderful. Ron always thought the best of his players. He thought his players could do anything. He genuinely believed that. I think that incited and inspired them.”

A native of Chicago, Ill., Ron Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in history and physical education and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin. A Professor Emeritus of Physical Education at Lawrence, Roberts earned an advanced degree from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in educational administration from Brigham Young University.

A charter member of the Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame, Roberts came to Lawrence in 1963 as the offensive line coach under Heselton. Roberts, who was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996, also coached the wrestling and men’s tennis teams upon his arrival in Appleton.

Roberts won his first Midwest Conference championship in 1966 as the Vikings finished 7-1. In just his third season, the 1967 squad finished 8-0 to become only the fourth unbeaten, untied team in school history and won another conference title. Roberts’ teams would go on to win four more conference championships (1975, 1979, 1980, 1981).

Ron Roberts, right, shouts instructions to the field while being flanked by All-America quarterback Chuck McKee '68. — Ron Roberts, right, shouts instructions to the field while being flanked by All-America quarterback Chuck McKee ’68. McKee helped lead the 1967 team to a perfect 8-0 record.

In Roberts’ tenure as head coach, the Vikings posted 14 winning seasons, including an impressive 10-year stretch from 1974-83. During that time, Lawrence never lost more than two games in a season and posted a 77-15 record. Lawrence also put together a school-record 18-game winning streak during that time.

The 1981 season was perhaps the pinnacle of Roberts’ coaching career. Lawrence won the Midwest Conference championship and finished with a 9-0 regular-season record (10-1 overall). Lawrence then became the first Midwest Conference team selected for the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Lawrence also became the first Midwest Conference team to host, and win, a NCAA playoff game when Lawrence defeated Minnesota-Morris in the quarterfinals. Lawrence was finally eliminated in the national semifinals but no Midwest Conference team has ever advanced farther in the Division III playoffs.

Roberts, who also was Lawrence’s director of athletics, stepped away from football after the 1983 season but returned to the team to coach the 1992 season before retiring. When Roberts finished coaching football, only Cornell College’s Jerry Clark had won more games in the Midwest Conference.

Roberts also served as the head coach of the wrestling, tennis and track teams during his time at Lawrence. Roberts coached the wrestling team for 19 seasons in three different stints (1963-69, 1972-74, 1985-93). He coached the men’s tennis team for six seasons from 1964-69 and the team won the 1968 conference championship.

Roberts took over as director of athletics following Heselton’s retirement in 1971 and oversaw the introduction of women’s varsity sports at Lawrence. Women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross country, tennis, track and field, swimming and softball all began varsity play during Roberts’ tenure as director of athletics.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

McCarthy chosen to lead Lawrence football program

APPLETON, Wis. — Rob McCarthy is the new head football coach at Lawrence University, Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski announced today.

McCarthy, the defensive line coach at Carleton College and former long-time defensive coordinator at St. Olaf College, becomes the 28th head coach in Lawrence’s 122-year football history. A native of Deer River, Minn., McCarthy brings 25 years of coaching experience to Lawrence.

“I just think it’s a great, great opportunity,” McCarthy said of coming to Lawrence. “During my visits, I found a great excitement for football and a passion for excellence among the administration, faculty and alumni. That made me really want to be part of Lawrence’s rich football tradition.”

McCarthy said his first priority will be to build the Lawrence football family, and he wants to see greater depth in the program.

“No. 1, we want to build a football family where I is replaced by we, team is replaced by family. We will provide Lawrence student-athletes with a great experience. Winning will be a byproduct of doing things the right way,” McCarthy said.

“In addition, recruiting will be a priority. We have to get the numbers up to provide a quality experience. We want to recruit young men who want excellence in their lives, both in academics and athletics. We will recruit the top student-athletes from the Fox Valley, the state of Wisconsin and the country.”

Lawrence President Mark Burstein praised McCarthy’s commitment to the student and the student-athlete.

“One of the distinctive aspects of Rob’s candidacy was his strong support of students’ interest to pursue more than one passion or – as we like to say – multi-interested students,” Burstein said. “To reinforce this commitment, Rob has served through most of his career as the assistant men’s and women’s track coach where his student athletes have had significant success.”

Szkodzinski said McCarthy emerged from a talented group of candidates to be the next leader of Lawrence’s football program. A committee consisting of Lawrence administrators, faculty, students, trustees and alumni considered more than 100 applicants identified in a national search.

“We are very excited to welcome Rob to our staff as the next head football coach,” Szkodzinski said. “The applicant pool was tremendously competitive and Coach McCarthy distinguished himself as one of the top recruiters in our pool.”

Szkodzinski added that bringing McCarthy to Lawrence serves the best interests of the program and will keep the team moving forward. With the hiring of the McCarthy and the renovation of the Banta Bowl taking place this year, Szkodzinski reiterated the administration’s commitment to football and the Department of Athletics as a whole.

“Rob’s connections throughout the Midwest, Florida and nationally will serve our program well,” Szkodzinski said. “Not only will he be able to attract tremendous student-athletes to Lawrence, as he has at other excellent institutions, his experience as a coordinator led us to believe that he has the tools to help us succeed on the field as well. We know Coach McCarthy will be an asset to the entire department and look forward to watching our program move back toward the top of the Midwest Conference.”

This past fall was McCarthy’s first at Carleton after spending the previous 12 seasons at St. Olaf College. While at St. Olaf, McCarthy was part of a coaching staff that put together the best 12-year record in school history with a 73-47 mark. McCarthy was responsible for bringing a number of stellar players to St. Olaf, including one (Horace Gant Jr.) that went on to play in the NFL, a number of All-Americans and many All-West Region and first-team All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference picks.

McCarthy served in a variety of roles, most notably as defensive coordinator, for the Oles. He also worked as the special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator for St. Olaf, which won eight games in four different seasons during that 12-year span.

McCarthy began his coaching career at Concordia (Minn.) College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and speech, communications and theater arts in 1989. A standout defensive lineman for the Cobbers, McCarthy earned All-MIAC honors and helped his team to conference championships in 1986 and 1988.

After serving as an assistant coach at Concordia for the 1989 season, McCarthy moved to the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) in 1990. He served with the Tommies for five seasons and helped them win the MIAC championship in 1990. McCarthy then coached at Northwestern (Minn.) College and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire over the next five seasons. He helped Northwestern win the 1995 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference title and was part of the UW-Eau Claire team that took the 1998 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship.

McCarthy earned his Master of Science of Education in learning disabilities from UW-Eau Claire in 2000. He then returned to coach for one season at St. Thomas and one season at Pensacola (Fla.) High School before moving to St. Olaf.

After coaching for most of his career in Minnesota, McCarthy said Lawrence provided him exactly the opportunity he was seeking, both for himself and his family. McCarthy and his wife, Angie, have three children.

“It’s a great place to raise a family,” McCarthy said. “I wasn’t just going to leave. It needed to be the right program. When this came up and everyone raved about Appleton and Lawrence, we knew this was the one.”

Lawrence has been playing varsity football since 1893 and ranks third in Midwest Conference history with 16 league championships. The Vikings have won 496 games during their storied history, and that includes the distinction of being the first Midwest Conference team to host, and win, a NCAA Division III playoff game.

Lawrence has nearly 450 All-Midwest Conference selections since the league began choosing teams back in 1937. The Vikings have 66 All-America selections, starting with Claude Radtke in 1949. Lawrence also is the only school in the Midwest Conference to have a player, Scott Reppert in 2003, selected for the College Football Hall of Fame.

Lawrence football stars Taylor, Zablocki to play in Bowl of the Stars

APPLETON, Wis. — Two more Lawrence University football players have been selected to play in the Bowl of the Stars on Dec. 20.

Senior offensive lineman Luke Zablocki (Pulaski, Wis./Pulaski) and senior linebacker Brandon Taylor (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) are part of the Team Stars and Stripes, a group of NCAA Division III all-stars. Team Stars and Stripes will play the CONADEIP All-Stars in Puebla, Mexico.

Zablocki and Taylor join senior wide receiver Taylor Mandich (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest), who had been selected for the team last month.

This is the second consecutive season Lawrence has sent players to the Bowl of the Stars. Quarterback Luke Barthelmess and defensive back/wide receiver played in the game in 2013. Barthelmess led Team Stars and Stripes to a 29-7 victory and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Zablocki was a four-year starter on Lawrence’s offensive line, including the last three seasons at right tackle. Zablocki also did double duty by playing a limited number of snaps on the defensive line. He finished with 15 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

“The thing that attracted me the most was the opportunity to represent Lawrence University and its football program,” said Zablocki. “It is an honor to have been selected for this and follow in the footsteps of Sam Wagner and Luke Barthlemess.”

Taylor also cited Barthelmess and Wagner in his motivation to play for Team Stars and Stripes.

“When they (Barthelmess and Wagner) came back, they talked about what an amazing experience it was, and I was hooked,” Taylor said. “Coming into this season it was one of my goals to play well enough to be selected for the Tazon de Estrellas, and it is exciting to see that the hard work has paid off.”

Taylor piled up a team-high 98 tackles in 2014 and finished with 281 stops for his career. Taylor had 6.0 TFLs and 1.5 sacks to go along with one interception and three pass breakups.

“The thing that I am most looking forward to about this game is that it is one last time to strap up against a good opponent and compete at a high level,” Taylor said. “I get the opportunity to represent the Lawrence University community, LU football and the United States on foreign soil, and that is already something I know I will never forget. It also helps that I have two of my best friends and teammates that will be experiencing this all with me.”

The Bowl of the Stars features 40 players from 18 NCAA Division III teams, and Team Stars and Stripes will be coached by Central College defensive coordinator Don DeWaard. Team Stars and Stripes will travel to Mexico on Dec. 14 and participate in practice and community service projects before it plays on Dec. 20.

Mandich, Swick named to All-MWC football team

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University football stars Spencer Swick and Taylor Mandich have been chosen for the All-Midwest Conference football team.

Swick (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) and Mandich (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest) were both chosen for the North Division second team.

Swick, a four-year starter at left tackle, battled through injury throughout the season but earned all-league honors for the first time. Swick anchored the offensive line throughout his four seasons and is the first Lawrence offensive lineman to be honored since Cullen Dunn in 2010.

Mandich, who returned after missing most of the 2013 season due to injury, proved to be Lawrence’s top offensive threat this

fall. He caught 43 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns.

Mandich grabbed a career-high eight passes in Lawrence’s win over Beloit College and posted a career-high 181 receiving yards in the Vikings’ victory over Maranatha Baptist University. Mandich also caught a career-best three touchdown passes and had a career-long 70-yard catch in the win over Maranatha Baptist.

Mandich finished fourth in the conference at 72.7 receiving yards per game and was seventh at 4.3 catches per contest.

Lawrence finished with a 2-8 overall record and finished 10th in the conference.

Fast start helps Grinnell roll past Vikings

GRINNELL, Iowa — The Grinnell College football team scored the game’s first 35 points and went on to a 52-14 victory Saturday over Lawrence University in the ninth-place game on Midwest Conference championship weekend.

Grinnell quarterback Sam Poulos completed 12-of-16 passes for 214 yards and five touchdowns to pace the Pioneers (3-7). Grinnell’s Jacob Meixler caught four passes, all for touchdowns, for 107 yards.

Lawrence quarterback Chance Byrd completed 21-of-42 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown. Starting linebacker Brandon Taylor did double duty as he played running back and carried the ball 15 times for 68 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (2-8).

Taylor also paced the Lawrence defense by making 12 tackles and recording a sack. Nick Ulloa and Jacob Lueck both recorded interceptions for the Vikings.

Grinnell scored five touchdowns on its first seven possessions of the game en route to building a 35-7 lead at the half. Meixler caught touchdown passes of 32, seven and 33 yards in the first half. He added a 35-yard scoring pass in the third quarter.

Lawrence got on the board when the Vikings moved 67 yards in 11 plays in the second quarter. Byrd capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Spina, who caught six passes for 57 yards on the day.

The Vikings also scored the game’s final touchdown when Taylor recorded his first career score. Byrd’s 31-yard completion to Taylor Mandich gave Lawrence a first down at the Grinnell four-yard line, and Taylor ran it on the next play for the touchdown.

Grinnell finishes in ninth place in the standings, and Lawrence is 10th in the 12-team league. Macalester College won the title with a 30-27 victory over Illinois College.

Box score

Football preview: Lawrence at Grinnell

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University football team wraps up its season on Saturday when the Vikings travel to Grinnell College in a matchup of Midwest Conference teams from opposite divisions. Lawrence, which finished fifth in the North Division, faces Grinnell, which took fifth in the South Division. The teams are playing for ninth place in the conference as the league plays games pitting North against South.

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