Help support Cooper Land’s basketball journey

Raider fans,

First of all I would just like to thank all of you for all of the support and encouragement you have offered me and my family over the past four years. It has been an absolute honor to play at Wright State, for fans like you for the past four seasons.  You and your families have accepted and supported me as one of your own, and I cant thank you enough, that is something I will never forget.

I would like to share with you that Athletes In Action has offered me a position on their basketball team traveling to Israel this summer. My brother and closest friend Taylor has also been invited and I truly feel this will be a priceless, life changing experience for both of us.

As the athletic arm of Campus Crusade for Christ, Athletes in Action’s goal is to share with people about the need for a personal relationship with God through Jesus. This project is very unique than other AIA tours, in that we will practice with a Palestinian club team in the Bethlehem/Jerusalem area for a week and then play in a tournament at the end. This will provide us the opportunity to display the love of Christ in words and deeds as we get to know them and share Christ out of this relationship. AIA is also looking at the potential to add some medical missions to this year’s project. I will leave Israel with a taste of what ministry as a professional player might look like overseas. We will also spend time doing Bible studies at many biblical sites around the country for our discipleship times.

Our team will work with the Campus Crusade ministries, YWAM and Global Sports Partners. This will provide a boost for the local ministry and provide some credibility to continue to use sports to share Christ and connect them with CCC and the local church so they can grow in a relationship with Him. It is also a vision trip to prayerfully consider returning to Israel and play on a team in the region for a season or possibly another country.

To make this possible is to raise $4,700 to cover my expenses during the trip. I would ask you to pray about joining me on this adventure to make Christ known by giving a donation to help me reach my goal, any amount would be greatly appreciated. All gifts are 100% tax deductible and checks should be made out to Athletes In Action, and mailed to 3745 capetian court apt 102, Fairborn, OH 45324. If you would like to donate online visit this link https://give.ccci.org/give and type in my account number (5611508) in the box on the right hand side of the page.

Thank you for taking the time to consider participating with me to make Christ known to Palestinians as well as deepen my walk with Him. I’m sure the impact of my time spent with AIA will have a ripple effect in my life and the lives of others. I look forward to hearing from you and donation or not I would just like to thank you again once again for all your support and encouragement, it has been a real pleasure to get to know you!

Cooper Land

Raider Basketball to Play in Global Sports Shootout – Will Meet Ohio State and Florida

DAYTON – The Wright State men’s basketball team will play in the four-game Global Sports Shootout to start the 2011-12 season, facing Ohio State, Florida and North Florida on the road and Jackson State at home.

The Raiders open the season and the tournament at Ohio State, which finished the season at 32-2 with the second best RPI in the nation.  WSU will then host Jackson State on Nov. 16 before traveling to play Florida on a neutral court in Tampa Nov. 21 and at North Florida Nov. 23.

“I am excited to participate in this event as we will have a chance to compete against two of the best teams in college basketball in The Ohio State University and the University of Florida,” WSU head coach Billy Donlon said.  “North Florida and Jackson State both will compete for their league championships, which will also help prepare our team for Horizon League play.  I believe our team will need to grow up quickly and the only way to do that is by playing the best, and we will certainly do that with our non-conference schedule.”

The Raiders have played twice at OSU, the most recent was early in the 1992-93 season.  WSU has never met the other schools.  Florida finished 26-7 last year with the nation’s eighth best RPI.  North Florida advanced to the championship game of the Atlantic Sun Tournament while Jackson State of the SWAC ended the season at 17-15, 12-6.

WSU finished last year at 19-14 overall and will take a 10-day Italian Tour Aug 20-30.  During the early signing period, the Raiders inked 6-4 guard Kendall Griffin, 6-8 forward Alex Pritchett and 6-9 forward Tavares Sledge. Last week, Donlon signed 6-3 guard Jason Cuffee and 6-2 junior college guard John Balwigaire.

GLOBAL SPORTS SHOOTOUT

November 11 – 25, 2011

NOV. 11                       WRIGHT STATE @ OHIO STATE

NOV. 16                       JACKSON STATE @ WRIGHT STATE

NOV. 21                       WRIGHT STATE @ FLORIDA   (St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL)

NOV. 23                       WRIGHT STATE @ NORTH FLORIDA

Gazdik Named Assistant AD for Marketing & Promotions

Mark Gazdik, assistant athletic director for marketing at Southern Illinois University, has been named to a similar position at Wright State University, announced WSU director of athletics Bob Grant Tuesday.

Gazdik, who also formerly worked at Xavier University, greatly increased revenue across the board for all sports at SIU, including a 21% jump in men’s basketball season tickets over the last four years. During his tenure in Carbondale, he oversaw all marketing, promotions, sales, game presentation and brand management. Gazdik also served as the Director of Licensing for SIU, managed the department’s retail partnerships, oversaw the Video Services Department and was the department’s day-to-day contact with Southern Illinois’ multimedia partner, Saluki Sports Properties.

“We are extremely excited that Mark is joining our team,” Grant said. “In an area that is paramount to our success, Mark’s depth and breadth of experience will be a big plus for us. In our search process, his accomplishments at Xavier and SIU grabbed our attention.”

In his new position, Gazdik will oversee all aspects of marketing and promotions including ticket sales and game atmosphere.

“In my conversations with Bob Grant, and the rest of the staff, it became clear that we have a shared vision that includes academic and athletic excellence on a national level, which makes Wright State University a very attractive place,” Gazdik said. “I appreciate the opportunity to join the Raider team, and am looking forward to working with all the Wright State University students, staff, alumni, and fans to reach new heights.”

A member of the Salukis’ senior administration team, Gazdik also served as one of the authors of the Salukis’ successful NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Grant proposal that was awarded for the 2010-11 season.

Prior to arriving at SIU, Gazdik was the Assistant Director of Marketing at Xavier University for nearly two years where he worked closely with current Raider Women’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Bradbury while marketing the Musketeers’ women’s basketball program. Gazdik also oversaw Olympic sports programs, department community outreach, fundraisers and special events; and served as part of the corporate sales team, producer for men’s basketball games, advisor to the X-treme Fans student group and adjunct professor in Xavier’s Sport Administration Graduate Program.

Gazdik began his career as the Marketing Assistant at Xavier and also served as Assistant Director of Sports Marketing at the University of Delaware.

Gazdik is a 2002 graduate of Xavier University with a degree in Sport Management. He received his master’s in Sport Administration from Xavier in December 2004. Mark and his wife, Stacy, have two sons, Noah and Jack.

Balwigaire Makes It Official

DAYTON – John Balwigaire, a 6-2, 170-pound guard at Mesa (AZ) Community College, has signed a national letter of intent to attend Wright State University and play basketball for Raiders next year, WSU head coach Billy Donlon announced today.

Balwigaire, a native of Hemet, CA, averaged 18.5 points, 2.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds for the Thunderbirds this past season under head coach Sam Ballard.  The West Valley High School graduate was named second-team All-ACCAC and first-team All-Region.  He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

“We would like to welcome John to the Raider family,” Donlon said.  “His skills and experience will help alleviate our loss in scoring from our four seniors—N’Gai Evans, Vaughn Duggins, Cooper Land and Troy Tabler.  He has an ability to score in multiple ways and, with his fine athleticism, should have a great impact on next year’s team.”

He shot 80.2% from the free throw line and 41.1% from the field overall.  The West Valley HS graduate shot 43.9% from three, which was second in the ACCAC.  Balwigaire also led the T-Birds with 1.8 steals per game.  He was twice named conference player of the week this year.  As a freshman, he helped lead Mesa to the Region I Champion as he averaged 8.7 points.

“John Balwigaire had a great career at Mesa,” Ballard said.  “He was an integral part of our Region 1 championship in 2010, and was probably the best guard in the conference last season, averaging almost 19 points a game. He is quick, athletic, and possesses great footwork. He has the best shot setup that I have coached in almost 30 years in the business. We hate to see him go, and I personally wish I could coach him forever. He has been a joy to me, my family, his teammates, and Mesa.”

As a senior, he was named first-team All-Sunbelt League when he averaged 12.0 points and 4.5 assists per game for the Mustangs.

During the early signing period, the Raiders inked 6-4 guard Kendall Griffin, 6-8 forward Alex Pritchett and 6-9 forward Tavares Sledge. Last week, Donlon inked 6-3 guard Jason Cuffee.  The Raiders finished the 2011 season with a record 19-14.  The team will play a tour of Italy August 20-30.

Cuffee Signs with Raiders

DAYTON – Jason Cuffee, a senior at Poca (WV) High School, has signed a national letter of Intent to attend Wright State University and play basketball for the Raiders next year, WSU head coach Billy Donlon announced today.

Cuffee, a 6-3, 200-pound guard, averaged 22.9 points, nine rebounds and four assists per game as he helped lead the Dots to a 23-4 record.  As a junior and senior, he was named to the first-team All State.  The Dots advanced to the semi finals of the state tournament in AA division.

“We are all very excited to have Jason join the Raider family,” Donlon said.  “His high school coach, Allen Osborne, is one of the best coaches in the Midwest and having played under his tutelage has greatly benefited Jason and will greatly benefit Wright State.  I would like to thank my staff for having done a terrific job of recruiting thus far this year.”

Cuffee also boasts a 4.0 GPA and was the starting quarterback for the Dots.  The senior joined the 1,000 point club, totaling 1,515 points for the Dots in his high school career.  He has also been selected for the North vs. South football and basketball games coming up in June.

“Jason’s a special kid and a special kind of player,” said Poca boys’ basketball coach and athletic director Allen Osborne. “I don’t go out on a limb too often about any single player we have but Jason’s one of those kids that gives you everything you ask for and can do just about anything.”

During the early signing period, the Raiders inked 6-4 guard Kendall Griffin, 6-8 forward Alex Pritchett and 6-9 forward Tavares Sledge.  The Raiders finished the 2011 season with a record 19-14.

Raiders Combine Basketball and Life Experiences During Trip to Italy

Official logo for WSU trip to Italy Summer 2011

DAYTON – The Wright State men’s basketball team has scheduled a trip to Italy where they will play up to four games, practice and use it as a cultural learning experience for the student-athletes.

The Raiders are scheduled to visit Rome, The Vatican, Florence, Venice and Milan from August 20-30. NCAA teams are able to make this type of trip once every four years but WSU has not done so since 1990 when they played in Germany, The Netherlands and France. Fellow Horizon League partners Milwaukee (2010) and Butler (2009) took this same trip recently. Detroit visited Spain in 2009 as did Cleveland State in 2008.

Wright State will also be afforded the chance to practice 10 days before leaving and, according to NCAA rules, newcomers and redshirt players, such as Julius Mays, will be able to make their Raider debuts in Italy. This will be important as no player on this year’s roster will have more than one year experience in a Raider uniform.

“Having already participated on a foreign tour as a coach, the life experience that our players will gain is immeasurable,” Donlon said. “We will be able to immerse ourselves in the Italian way of life while visiting many places that have notable historical and cultural significance.”

Fans can also be part of the trip through Basketball Travelers. The trip starts on August 20, arriving into Rome, and it will end August 30 with a flight from Milan. The cost will include guided tours, hotel accommodations for nine nights, airfare and ground transportation. There is also an option with ground transportation only. For more information, call 425-776-2775 or go to their website https://ems.resrunner.com/WrightSt

Emerald Jazz Dance Team Makes History!

The Wright State Emerald Jazz Dance team represented the University and Athletic Department by competing in the 2011 NDA College Dance Team National Championship. The team scored an average 9.418 out of 10 to capture a 4th place national ranking in the Division 1 Open Division after two days of competition. The “Open” division is defined by performing a dance genre of your choice. The team chose jazz and performed to medley of songs from the artist Journey. The event was held this past weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The dance team point total was the highest average score performed by a WSU dance team since the team began competing in the early 90’s! The event yielded 17 cheer divisions and 11 dance divisions with a record 250 teams consisting of over 7000 athletes.

We salute the Emerald Jazz for their talent, hard work and dedication! Congratulations Sarah Miller, Jenny Foster, Alex Haley, Jillian Witters, Mandy Riggins, Amy Sarno, Kendra Kerner, Vanessa Keen, Erin Shouse, Mariah West and Ashley Napier.

Top Five National Rankings
1) Sam Houston State University
2) Weber State University
3) Stephen F. Austin University
4) Wright State University
5) Villanova University

Check out their award winning performance by clicking on this link.