Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
8/25/11

The University of Alaska Fairbanks today accepted an invitation for its men’s ice hockey team to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

“The WCHA’s decision will benefit student-athletes from multiple schools, fans from various communities and the sport as a whole,” said UAF athletic director Forrest Karr.

The Nanooks will join the new conference for the 2013-14 season.
The Alaska Nanooks have been part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association since 1992. They were granted affiliate membership in 1992 and full membership in 1994. The change comes after months of uncertainty, as hockey programs throughout the nation have worked through the process of conference realignment.

“There is a collective sense of relief,” Karr said. “We can now turn our attention to making sure all CCHA student-athletes have a quality experience over the next two years and to helping build on the WCHA’s solid foundation.”

The Nanooks’ move to the WCHA also means UAF will fall into the same conference as intrastate rival, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers noted that UAA athletic director Steve Cobb and Chancellor Tom Case were strong advocates for the Nanooks’ inclusion in the WCHA conference.

“I would like to thank UAA for helping make this happen. Their work and support is an example of the community spirit that makes the University of Alaska great,” Rogers said. “We cooperate off the ice, and compete on the ice.”

Hockey coach and Nanooks alumnus Dallas Ferguson said he is looking forward to joining the new conference, which stands to include both new rivals and old.

“The WCHA provides a unified group of schools that are committed to Division I hockey. Membership in this conference will provide advantages for both our fans and our student-athletes,” Ferguson said, noting that he is thankful the Nanooks now have a clear path forward for the coming years. “Our leaders were on top of the process and even though there was some uncertainty I was comfortable knowing our university was supportive of the program to the highest degree.”

UAF’s hockey tradition spans three decades and includes two CCHA coaches of the year, strong finishes in the conference in the last decade and a bid to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. In addition to their strength on the ice, Nanooks hockey student-athletes are consistently strong in the classroom, with average GPAs in recent years nearing 3.5.

The WCHA was founded in 1951 as the Midwest Collegiate Hockey League. Since then, teams representing the men’s WCHA have earned a record 37 NCAA championships, finished as the national runner-up another 27 times, and qualified for a berth in collegiate hockey’s national championship round, the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, in 55 of 59 seasons overall. The conference has also extended invitations to four other CCHA-member schools: Bowling Green State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University and Western Michigan University. Six other teams are committed to becoming part of the conference in the 2013-14 season: University of Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State University, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, St. Cloud State University and Northern Michigan University.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Forrest Karr, athletics director, at 907-474-6812 or [email protected]. Doug Spencer, WCHA associate commissioner for public relations, at 608-829-0100 or [email protected].

ON THE WEB: www.alaskananooks.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: A news release from the WCHA on their invitation to UAF and other schools is available at http://www.wcha.com/men/pres1112/201108/aug25wcm.php.

MG/8-25-11/042-12

Jamie Foland
907-474-6807
6/7/11

University of Alaska Fairbanks athletics director Forrest Karr announced that Mick Durham has been named the next head coach for the Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball program.

“Mick has significant experience and has been very successful coaching at a high level,” said Karr. “He is the kind of coach that any parent would want their son to play for.”

Durham has spent the past three seasons as an assistant men’s basketball coach at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. During that time the Aggies record was 55-44.
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Jamie Foland
907-474-6807
4-27-11

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Athletics will hold its annual All-Sports Banquet Saturday, May 7 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge in the Edgewater Banquet Room.

This is the athletic department’s premier end-of-the-year event where each team’s Most Valuable Player and Dr. William Wood Scholar-Athlete will be recognized. In addition, awards for the Humanitarian of the Year, the Harris Shelton Spirit of Competition recipient, the Intercollegiate Athletics Council Male and Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, the Athletic Director’s Coach of the Year and Staff Person of the Year and the Most Outstanding Female and Male Athlete of the Year will be presented.

The public is invited to join the student-athletes, coaches and staff in recognizing the 2010-2011 achievements of the department’s 10 varsity sports. The cost for the dinner event is $35. Advance purchase is required and no tickets will be sold at the door. All reservations must be made by May 4, 2010.

Please call the UAF athletic department at 474-5977 to make reservations or for more information.

Nick Steyn
907-474-6805
10/18/10

They had to beat two ranked teams to do it, but the Alaska Nanooks hockey team stormed its way to a second consecutive Brice Alaska Goal Rush tournament championship Saturday. The No. 14 Nanooks topped No. 18 Colorado College 2-1 for the win.

Jarret Granberg (Foremost, Alberta) opened the scoring with his first goal of the season in the first period. Granberg’s shot was dropped into the net by a botched glove save by Tiger goalie Joe Howe 6:04 into the game.

Carlo Finucci (Burnaby, BC) gave the Nanooks the go-ahead point in the second. Tied at 1-1, Finucci slapped a pass from Derek Klassen (Whitehorse, YT) past Howe at 12:03.

But the key to the tournament was its MVP, Alaska goaltender Scott Greenham (Addison, ON). To say Greenham played well would be shortchanging him. Greenham allowed just two goals in two wins.

Colorado College took 23 shots in the tournament finale, and Greenham saved 22 of them. Individually, he improves to 3-1.

Andy Taranto (Woodridge, IL) picked up his second assist of the season on Granberg’s goal. Klassen and Nik Yaremchuk (St. Albert, AB) each picked up their first assist on Finucci’s score.

By the numbers, the Nanooks were outshot 23-19. They had four power play opportunities but were never able to cash in.

The Nanooks, now 3-1, open conference play at Michigan State next Friday. They play a Spartan team that stands 1-1-1 after a 3-2 win over Maine Friday.

2010 Brice Alaska Goal Rush All-Tournament Team selections

F – #9 Kevin Petovello (Alaska)
F – #27 Jeremy Welsh (Union)
F – #15 Andrew Hamburg (Colorado College)
D – #11 Joe Sova (Alaska)
D – #10 Gabe Guentzel (Colorado College)
G – #27 Keith Kinkaid (Union)

MVP – Scott Greenham (Alaska)

Jamie Foland
907-474-6807
9/22/10

The Nanook Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010 will be inducted this Saturday, Sept. 25 at 10:30 a.m. in at the Carol Brown Ballroom in the Wood Center on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.

Tickets to the induction brunch are $30 per person and may be purchased at the UAF Athletics ticket office from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday as well as 8:30 am. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24.

This year’s class, which was announced in mid-July, includes former athletic director John C. Gilmore, former vice chancellor of student affairs Harris Shelton, and former student-athletes Sigrid Aas (women’s skiing and cross country), Mallory (Bergstrom) Larranaga (women’s volleyball), Melissa Mulloy-Mecozzi (rifle), and Stuart Watkins (rifle).

Six plaques, featuring the inductees’ individual picture and accomplishments, will be placed into the Nanook Hall of Fame display case at the Patty Center in time for the Nanooks’ volleyball match at 7 p.m. against Simon Fraser. All six class members will be presented with a replica plaque at the induction brunch on Saturday morning and recognized twice with their plaques at both of the Alaska Nanooks home events later in the day: first at the Blue vs. Gold hockey game at 5 p.m. at the Patty Ice Arena and then the volleyball match that follows.

Jamie Foland
907-474-6807
7/19/2010

Three women and three men have been named the 2010 inductees to the Nanook Hall of Fame, University of Alaska Fairbanks athletic director Forrest Karr announced Saturday.

This year’s inductees are former athletic director John C. Gilmore, former vice chancellor of student affairs Harris Shelton, and former student-athletes Sigrid Aas, Mallory (Bergstrom) Larranaga, Melissa Mulloy-Mecozzi and Stuart Watkins.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the department’s rich history,” said Karr.

The induction ceremony will take place Sept. 25 at the Carol Brown Ballroom at the Wood Center. Tickets and pricing will become available in August.

Each inductee’s plaque will be added to the Hall of Fame display case at the Patty Center in time for the Nanooks’ volleyball match at 7 p.m. against Simon Fraser. Inductees will be in attendance at the match.

John C. Gilmore
John C. Gilmore served as Alaska’s athletics director from 1968-1982, making him the longest tenured athletics director in school history. He was originally hired as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences but quickly took over as director of physical education, recreation and athletics before becoming the athletics director.

When he arrived on campus, most athletic teams at Alaska were club teams and, aside from skiing, none competed in the NCAA. Gilmore led the transition into NCAA competition.

His firm belief in gender equality led to the expansion of women’s programs on campus, including the development of the women’s basketball team. His stance eventually led to the creation of the John C. Gilmore Award by the women’s swim team, which rewards the team member with the highest GPA during the season.

Gilmore also created the Arctic Swim Club to bring community swimmers young and old to campus to swim competitively. Before Gilmore, there was no age-group swimming at the Patty Center—a tradition continued today.

Harris Shelton

Harris Shelton served as vice chancellor of student affairs from 1974-1992. At the time, his office directly oversaw the athletic department and he took an active role in the everyday activities of the department.

Shelton defended the school’s athletic programs at a time of fiscal pressure. He took hockey off campus—first to the Big Dipper and later to the Carlson Center—at a time when its following was not near what it is today. Shelton also supported the hockey program’s move to the CCHA at a time when it was not guaranteed full membership in the name of expansion.

If not in the hockey team, Shelton’s impact can best be seen in the Student Recreation Center. He fully endorsed its construction to chancellor Patrick O’Rourke, and when the estimates came in millions of dollars over budget, Shelton lobbied in Juneau to raise the funds needed.

Mallory (Bergstrom) Larranaga
Mallory (Bergstrom) Larranaga played her record-setting volleyball career from 2001-2004. During that time, she amassed the Nanook career record for kills (1,363) and finished second in digs (1,269). She finished second in match kills (31) against Western Oregon in her senior season.

She finished fifth in GNAC history in career kills and points (1,543) and third in attack attempts (3,862). She set records in conference kills (1,110), points (1,250) and attack attempts (3,120). She is second in conference games played (277).

Larranaga was Alaska’s first volleyball All-American in 2003. She was a first team all-conference player in 2003 and 2004, a second team all-region player in 2004, and an AVCA selection in 2003 and 2004. She was named to the GNAC Academic Team in 2002 and 2004.

She is the first women’s volleyball player to be inducted into the Nanook Hall of Fame.

Melissa Mulloy-Mecozzi

Melissa Mulloy-Mecozzi was a four-time rifle All-American between 1997-2001. Her career at Alaska led to advanced competition on the Olympic level, where she finished 8th at the 2000 games in Sydney, Australia.

As a student, she was part of NCAA National Champion teams from 1999-2001. She was the USA Shooting National Champion in 2000, a UAF Female Scholar Athlete in 1999 and 2001, and the NCAA Alaska Woman of the Year in 2001.

Since college, she has continued shooting. She was a World Cup team member from 2000-2003, including a championship team in 2002. Her individual awards include the 2003 International Distinguished Award, silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games and the 2004 Olympic Quota Place.

Mulloy-Mecozzi is the fifth rifle athlete to be inducted.

Stuart Watkins

Stuart Watkins was a four-time All-American shooter who attended the University of Alaska from 1960-1964. After a storied high school career, he joined the campus ranks and was named the first All-American in Alaska history in his freshman year.

Watkins followed by being named second team All-American in 1962 and first team in 1963 and 1964. He was a Collegiate National Champion in both small and large bore in 1963.

In 1969, Watkins was named National Air Rifle Champion and in 1971 he won a gold medal in the Pan-American Games.

Watkins has coached at the YMCA and high school levels, capped by a state championship in 1996 by Dimond High School’s (Anchorage) air rifle team. He is a life member of the National Rifle Association, National Education Association and the Military Marksmanship Association.

He is the sixth rifle athlete to be inducted.

Sigrid Aas

Sigrid Aas competed in cross-country skiing and running for Alaska from 2000-2004. In her senior season, she finished first at the NCAA Ski Championships in both the 15-kilometer classic and 5-kilometer freestyle events. She also led the team to its first CCSA Regional Championship.

As a runner, Aas placed third in the 5-kilometer and sprints at the 2003 USA National Championsips.

Aas was a five-time NCAA All-American and three-time GNAC Academic All-Star and the 2004 NCAA Woman of the Year. She graduated magna cum laude before moving back to her native Norway.

She is the first skier to be inducted into the Nanook Hall of Fame.

Jamie Foland

907-474-6807  
6/11/10
University of Alaska Fairbanks athletics director Forrest Karr announced Thursday that Cody Burgess has been named the next head coach for the Alaska Nanooks women’s basketball program. Burgess will take over as the 10th head coach in program history.

“Cody has the plan, passion and broad support necessary to provide the foundation that Nanooks women’s basketball has been missing,” said Karr. “She is an emerging leader that brings integrity, trust, stability and coaching ability to the job and I cannot imagine a better candidate for this position.”

A UAF alumna, Burgess was a power forward for the Nanooks from 2002-05. She has nine years of combined playing and coaching experience at a diverse range of college levels and hands-on knowledge of Fairbanks and UAF.

“This is an exciting time in my life to be coming back to coach at Alaska,” said Burgess. “My playing experience was positive and memorable. I hope to offer that same experience to the young women I will be coaching.”

After leaving UAF, Burgess spent one season as the girl’s basketball assistant coach for North Pole High School, helping guide the Patriots to a second place finish at the Alaska state championships in the 4A division.

This season she was an assistant coach at Moberly Area Community College. She helped guide the Lady Greyhounds to a 17-14 record. While Burgess’ main role was as the recruiting coordinator, her other responsibilities included developing practices, coordinating the competition schedule, website maintenance and media relations, fundraising and monitoring student-athletes’ academic progress.

Burgess also spent two seasons as an assistant coach at William Woods University. In 2008-09 Burgess helped lead the Owls to a 21-10 record, a tournament bid and a conference championship title. The season was a turnaround after a dismal 4-23 campaign in 2007-08.

“It’s obvious that Cody has learned a great deal during her postgraduate studies and coaching experiences,” said Karr. “More importantly, however, she conveys a wholesome, holistic view of intercollegiate athletics reflective of the view of education through athletics versus education for athletics. She has a vision, a commitment to make it happen and a willingness to keep learning and improving.”

During her time at UAF, she was selected Daktronics First Team All-West Region in 2005 and Second Team All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2003 and 2005.  She led the GNAC in scoring during the 2003 and 2005 seasons and was a team captain as a senior in 2004-05. She holds career records in the GNAC for her scoring average in all games (19.3) and in league games (20.0), as well as the all-time records for free throws made (188) and attempted (225), which were set during the 2004-05 campaign.

Before playing at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Burgess played two seasons at Wenatchee Valley College, where she was named First Team All-Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges in 2002, as well as team MVP.

“Cody was a junior college recruit who had a skeptical view of UAF and Alaska and then fell in love with both,” Karr said. “She leads by example and even recovered from a serious knee injury to earn First Team All-West Region in 2005. Cody knows the importance of in-state recruiting and she also has Pacific Northwest and Midwest recruiting connections. She has a unique background to be able to convince young women to come to UAF.”

Burgess holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management from UAF and a master’s degree in athletic administration from William Woods University.

“There is a lot of work ahead for all involved,” added Burgess, “but I am confident that I can lead the program in the right direction. I am blessed to have this opportunity and look forward to the journey ahead.”

JF/6-11-10/249-10