Anderson Ravens and Lady Ravens

Anderson Ravens
University Anderson University (Indiana)
Conference Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA Division III
Athletic director Marcie Taylor
Location Anderson, IN
Varsity teams 18
Football stadium Macholtz Stadium
Basketball arena O. C. Lewis Gymnasium
Mascot Rodney the Raven
Nickname Ravens and Lady Ravens
Colors
     Orange       Black
Website www.anderson.edu/athletics

The Ravens is the name used for all of the men's intercollegiate athletic teams that play for Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. The female intercollegiate teams are known as the Lady Ravens.

Men's sports offered at Anderson University include football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, soccer, cross country, and track & field. Women's sports offered at Anderson University include basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf, cross country, and track & field.

Conference affiliation

The Ravens compete in athletics in the NCAA Division III and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Organization

Athletic's Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Athletics is to "embrace the holistic development of our programs, with a focus on academic excellence, athletic success, spiritual mentoring and social growth."[1]

Athletics at Anderson University are administered by the Anderson University Athletic Department.

Current facilities

Most athletic teams have on-campus facilities for competition, including Macholtz Stadium for football, and O. C. Lewis Gymnasium for basketball and women’s volleyball.

Team colors

The official school colors for Anderson University are Orange and Black. White is often used as a secondary color and for alternate jerseys.

Mascot

Formerly the Tigers, AU's nickname was changed to the Ravens in 1937.[2] The current mascot is Rodney the Raven.

Athletic team success and post season appearances

Football

Anderson professional players
Player Position League Team Years Ref
Brad Lamb WR NFL Buffalo Bills 1991–1993 [3]
Tim Mooney DE NFL Philadelphia Eagles 1987 [4]

In 1970 the Ravens played in the NAIA Division II National Football Championship and lost to Westminster (Pa.), 21–16.

The Anderson Ravens football team won the HCAC conference title in 2001 season.

Two former AU players currently playing professional football are Hyman Smith and Joel Steele. In 2008, a new all-weather synthetic field turf and outdoor game lights were installed at Macholtz Stadium.[5]

The Kevin Donley Era

Kevin Donley has been one of the most successful coaches in NAIA football. After graduating from Anderson College in 1973,[6] Donley returned to his alma mater in 1976 to serve two seasons as offensive coordinator. In 1978, at the age of 26, Donley was named the youngest head coach in the country. Over the next four years, Donley’s teams would compile an overall record of 28-9 (.757), winning the conference title in 1980 and 1981. Through 2009 and 63 years of Anderson football history, Donley’s overall winning percentage stands as the best among all Anderson football coaches.

1978

(5-4 overall, 4-4 conference)

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
September 16 at Hanover Hanover, IN L 10–12  
September 23 at Defiance Defiance, OH W 38–19  
September 30 Bluffton Anderson, IN W 17–7  
October 7 at Wilmington Wilmington, OH L 13–17  
October 14 Manchester Anderson, IN L 9–13  
October 21 at Findlay Findlay, OH L 0–19  
October 28 Earlham Anderson, IN W 42–10  
November 4 at Franklin* Franklin, IN W 21–20  
November 11 Taylor Anderson, IN W 21–7  
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

1979

(7-2 overall, 6-2 conference)

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
September 15 Hanover Anderson, IN L 0–26  
September 22 Defiance Anderson, IN W 16–7  
September 29 at Bluffton Bluffton, OH W 21–14  
October 6 Wilmington Anderson, IN W 35–6  
October 13 at Manchester North Manchester, IN W 38–20  
October 20 Findlay Anderson, IN L 6–21  
October 27 at Earlham Richmond, IN W 63–19  
November 3 Franklin* Anderson, IN W 42–35  
November 10 at Taylor Upland, IN W 21–13  
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

1980

(8-1 overall, 7-1 conference)

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
September 20 at Defiance Defiance, OH W 28–0  
September 27 Bluffton Anderson, IN W 27–0  
October 4 at Wilmington Wilmington, OH W 21–6  
October 11 Manchester Anderson, IN W 58–0  
October 18 at Findlay Findlay, OH W 10–0  
October 25 Earlham Anderson, IN W 34–0  
November 1 at Olivet Nazarene* Kankakee, IL W 24–14  
November 8 Taylor Anderson, IN W 55–12  
November 15 at Hanover Hanover, IN L 13–28  
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

1981

(8-2 overall, 8-0 conference)

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
September 19 Defiance Anderson, IN W 13–0  
September 26 at Bluffton Bluffton, OH W 34–0  
October 3 Wilmington Anderson, IN W 35–17  
October 10 at Manchester North Manchester, IN W 47–14  
October 17 Findlay Anderson, IN W 25–13  
October 24 at Earlham Richmond, IN W 32–3  
October 31 Olivet Nazarene* Anderson, IN L 13–14  
November 7 at Taylor Upland, IN W 29–22  
November 14 Hanover Anderson, IN W 28–23  
November 21 at Westminster* New Wilmington, PA (NAIA D-II Quarterfinal) L 6–21  
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Baseball

The baseball teams has qualified for postseason tournaments 30 of the last 32 years and 99 percent of the four-year players have graduated. Some notable accomplishments are:

Women's basketball

In more recent history, the women's basketball team made their first appearance in the Division III NCAA Tournament in 2000-2001.

Softball

The Softball team has posted a record of 214-195 over the past decade, reaching the NCAA regionals three times. In total, they have had 7 conference MVP's and 71 All-Conference players. The 1999 team was the most successful in school history. They finished with a total of 35 wins, including a 14-0 performance in conference play.[8]

Men's soccer

The Men's Soccer team also became the first NCAA team, regardless of division, to be named Academic All-Americans 12 straight years. The Women's team achieved 11 straight seasons. Major team accomplishments include, two HCAC tournament titles, two HCAC regular season titles, 38 All-Conference players, 28 NSCAA Academic All-American selections, three HCAC Players of the Year and two HCAC Freshmen of the Year.[9]

Cross Country teams

The Men's Cross Country Team since 1988 has won 14 conference titles, having perfect scored twice, 16 most valuable runner awards, and 5 freshmen of the year awards (since 2000). In addition, they have won 11 coach of the year awards. The Women's Cross Country Team has also won conference awards since 1993 including, 11 conference titles, 11 most valuable runner awards, 4 freshmen of the year awards (since 2000), and 10 coach of the year awards.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Anderson University Athletics Mission Statement". Anderson University. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  2. ↑ "History of the Raven" (pdf). Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  3. ↑ "Brad Lamb". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  4. ↑ "Tim Mooney". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  5. ↑ "The Raven's will open the 2008 season with New Game Day Turf". Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  6. ↑ http://www.indiana-football.org/?q=node/117
  7. ↑ "2003 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship".
  8. ↑ "Welcome to AU Softball". Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  9. ↑ "2000 & 2004 HCAC Champions 11 Straight NSCAA Team Academic Awards". Retrieved 2008-10-15.

External links

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