Indians Finish Fourth at Tusculum/Kiawah Island Intercollegiate
Blum finishes in 11th place
2/4/2007

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. - Newberry shot a second round total of 316, good for a total of 645 and a fourth place finish at the Tusculum/Kiawah Island Intercollegiate on Sunday at Cougar Point Golf Club.

Rollins won the team title, winning in a playoff over top-ranked Florida Southern. Individually for the Indians, Franziska Blum shot a two-under par 70 in the second to finish with a 153, good for a 11th place finish.

Stephanie Hemann shot a shot a 161 to finish tied for 21st place while Ashley Ratcliff finished in 30th place, shooting a 165. Eva Cormann and Sarah Grigor rounded out the scoring for Newberry, shooting totals of 166 and and 180 respectively.

Newberry will hit the links again starting on February 19 as they compete in the Old North State, which is being hosted by Pfeiffer.

Lady Indians split Opening Day doubleheader at Lander
Powell hits home run in first collegiate game
2/3/2007

GREENWOOD , S.C. - The Newberry College softball team split its season-opening, non-conference doubleheader at Lander on Saturday, winning the opener, 4-3, and losing the second game, 6-5. Newberry and Lander are both 1-1 overall.

In the first game, the Bearcats' Daisy Stewart gave Lander a quick 1-0 lead when she hit a solo home run in her first collegiate at-bat. Newberry tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning on an RBI single by senior Jenny Raines ( Blythewood , S.C. ). The Lady Indians took a 3-1 lead in the sixth on a two-run home run by freshman Sara Powell (Ocean View, Del.), then scored its final run in the seventh inning when Allison Porter (Chapin, S.C.) drew a bases-loaded walk to round out the Lady Indians' scoring.

Christina Kirby ( Delmar , Del. ) started the season at 1-0 with the win, striking out four, walking six and allowing three earned runs on seven hits in the complete seven innings pitched. Lander's Brittany Wallace (0-1) took the loss, striking out four, walking five and allowing three earned runs on four hits in six innings pitched.

Powell went 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI and Raines went 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Lander's Melissa Ryals went 2-for-3, while Stewart went 1-for-3.

In the second game, Ashlea Burdette (1-0), earned the victory for Lander, striking out three and allowing two earned runs on 11 hits in the complete seven innings. Newberry's Stephanie Monette ( Conway , S.C. ) took the loss to go to 0-1 on the year, striking out three and allowing four earned runs on nine hits in six innings pitched.

Burdette went 3-for-4 with one double, two runs scored and one RBI, while Corrie Bessinger went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and Ryals went 2-for-3 with four RBI.

Newberry's Courtney Lindler ( Irmo , S.C. ) went 3-for-4 with one home run, one double, three runs scored and one RBI; Ginna Dean ( Willow Springs , N.C. ) went 2-for-4 with one triple, one run scored and one RBI; Powell went 3-for-4; and McKenzie Phillips ( Wallace , N.C. ) went 2-for-3.

Lander commited six errors, while Newberry had four.

Newberry plays its home opener on Tuesday, as the Lady Indians host USC Upstate for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

Etheridge double-double leads Indians to 64-53 win over Mars Hill
Martin scores 15 as Indians even conference record at 5-5
2/3/2007

NEWBERRY , S.C. - The Newberry College men's basketball team scored 42 second-half points en route to a 64-53 victory over the visting Mars Hill Lions in South Atlantic Conference action here Saturday.

Newberry (10-9, 5-5 SAC) was led by the first career double-double of Cory Etheridge (Columbia, S.C.), who scored 10 points and brought down 13 rebounds, marking the first time the junior reached double digits in the rebounding column.

Jamison McIver was the leading scorer for Mars Hill, which dropped to 7-13 overall and 3-7 in conference play.

Neither team had much success in the opening half, as only 11 field goals were scored between the two sides in the first 20 minutes. Newberry took a 22-21 lead into the locker room despite shooting only 23.8 per cent from the field in the opening half, while Mars Hill was an abysmal 20.7 per cent shooting at

halftime.

But the Indians began to find their stride in the second half, shooting 57.7 per cent from the floor in the second stanza.

Mars Hill began the second half on a 5-0 run, but Newberry bounced back on buckets in the paint from Eric Nwawel ( Cameroon ) and Tommy Burke ( Newberry , S.C. ). A Tony Blake free throw with 13:55 to play gave the Lions a 29-28 advantage, but the Indians took the lead for good on a bucket in the paint from Terrance Spillers ( Charleston , S.C. ) with 12:38 to play.

Newberry stretched that advantage to 11 points with a 13-3 run capped by two free throws from Zach Chandler (Greenville, S.C.) after a technical foul on the Mars Hill bench, making the score 43-32 in Newberry's favor with 6:29 to play.

The Lions tried to reel the Indians back in, going on a 15-8 run that was punctuated by a Stoney Polite triple with 3:13 to play, narrowing Newberry's lead to 50-47.

Clemente Martin ( Freeport , Bahamas ) responded with a personal 9-4 run, using a tip-in, an alley-oop dunk, a free throw and two other jams to seal the victory and bring the hometown crowd to its feet. Martin scored 15 points to lead all scorers.

The Indians outrebounded the Lions 40-37 in the game and shot an overall 42.6 per cent compared to Mars Hill's 28.6 per cent.

Newberry takes a break from conference action, as the Indians host the Tornados of Brevard College at 7 p.m. Monday. Conference play resumes on Wednesday with the Indians ending a three-game homestand against Lenoir-Rhyne at 8 p.m.

63-47 victory over Mars Hill sets school record
7th straight win gives Newberry 19 wins for first time ever
2/3/2007

NEWBERRY , S.C. - In a span of 3:53 from the 19:30 mark to 15:37 remaining in the second half, the Newberry College Lady Indians took control. The scarlet and gray blitzed the Mars Hill College Lions with a 14-4 run to open the second frame after a grueling first half left both sides with 27 points.

Newberry (19-2, 8-2 SAC) bolted out of the locker room with tenacity on the glass, claiming four offensive boards in a 14-second span before junior forward Tonique Frasier banked a close range leaner for the opening points of the second half.

After Mars Hill (12-9, 5-5 SAC) re-tied the game at 29-29 on an Allison Schafer jumper, Monica Alexander sunk a three ball when Ashlee Wright kicked it out after drawing a double team. That was the only lead the Lady Indians needed in the second half going ahead for good with 18:55 still to go.

The Lady Indians continued consistent shooting from outside the paint, hitting 8-of-17 jump shots from in and around the perimeter.

Though the scarlet and gray hopped out to a lead as large as 16 late in the game, Mars Hill drew within 10 points at the 9:35 mark when Ariel Okunowo converted a second chance bucket to cut the lead to 48-38.

Newberry then stepped up the defensive pressure scoring five points in 16 seconds off of Mars Hill turnovers, capped off by a marvelous sequence. Senior Tygress Hope intercepted a pass and went cross-court to Ashlee Wright. The junior guard then drove the lane finding Frasier in the paint. Tonique cashed in on the lay-up while being fouled by Abby DeBusk sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Frasier converted the old-fashioned three-point play and gave the Lady Indians a 53-38 edge with just over seven minutes remaining.

Mars Hill couldn't mount a miracle comeback in a spirited Eleazer Arena and the Lady Indians went on to record a school record 19th win, 63-47. Saturday's victory was Newberry's seventh straight.

19 wins in a season bests the previous high of 18, set three times including the last two seasons

consecutively. Newberry also accomplished the first back-to-back-to-back 18-win seasons.

Norcross , Ga. native Monica Alexander led all scorers with 17 points. The 5-5 guard also recorded six assists and snared five rebounds.

Tonique Frasier picked up her eighth double-double of the season with a 13-point, 11-rebound effort.

Newberry also received quality efforts from many sources including juniors Tosha Goodman and Ashley Marine. The two shooting guards combined for 16 points, eight a piece, and seven rebounds. Marine's four rebounds set a new season-high and tied a career-high.

Tiffany Smalls registered a career-high four steals and 19 minutes. Smalls also picked up three points.

Newberry's bench outscored Mars Hill's 13-0.

The Lady Indian defense forced 20 Lion turnovers which resulted in 25 Newberry points. Newberry held an opponent under 50 points for the 10th time this season.

Newberry next suits up on Wednesday, February 7 with a 6 p.m. bout with Lenoir-Rhyne College in Eleazer Arena. Newberry beat the Bears by just three points in Hickory , N.C. , 60-57.

Lady Indians Move to No. 4 in Latest NCAA South Atlantic Region Poll
Newberry is the highest-ranked SAC school in this week's poll.
1/31/2007

INDIANAPOLIS , IND. - The Newberry College women's basketball team moved up one spot to fourth in this week's NCAA Division II South Atlantic Region poll, which was released on Wednesday afternoon.

The Lady Indians (17-2, 6-2 SAC) are currently in a three-way tie for first place in the South Atlantic Conference with Wingate and Carson-Newman.  Newberry sports a n in-region record of 8-2 and is the highest-ranked SAC school in the South Atlantic Region.

Tolbert Leads No. 16 Newberry past Pioneers 34-8 in wrestling action
Senior scored a fall in 3:14
1/30/2007

SPARTANBURG , S.C. - Quinn Tolbert scored a fall in the 174-pound weight class as the 16th-ranked Newberry College Indians won eight of 10 matches on the evening to defeat Spartanburg Methodist Junior College 34-8 on Tuesday evening.

Tolbert, the sixth-ranked 174-pound wrestler in NCAA Division II, scored his fall in 3:14 over Joe LaFaille of SMC.  A pair of Indians recorded technical fall victories on the evening as well.  Dwayne Tolleson earned a technical fall victory in 6:58 over Tim Burdine.  Kelly Anundson earned his team-leading 22nd victory when he recorded a technical fall in 5:52 over Jeremiah Webb.

Newberry will travel to Pembroke , N.C. on Thursday evening to grapple the UNC Pembroke Braves.  First match is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.

Mills Named Second Team All-American by the Don Hansen Football Gazette
Benedict earns honorable mention honors
1/30/2007

PITTSBURG , Kan. - Sophomore free safety Derrell Mills has been named a Second Team All-American by the Don Hansen Football Gazette.  Mills is the only South Atlantic Conference player named to either the first, second, or third teams.

Mills was a major force on defense for the Indians in 2006.  The Gray, Court , S.C. native intercepted a team and SAC-high six interceptions and made 64 tackles, good for third on the team.  Mills was named to the All-SAC First Team and was named to the All Southeast Region First Team by D2football.com and the Don Hansen Football Gazette.  He also earned All Southeast Region Second Team honors by Daktronics in 2006.

Junior offensive lineman Heath Benedict earned Honorable Mention All-America accolades as well.  The Greer, S.C. native was a major reason why Newberry led the league in rushing in 2006.  Benedict graded out at 91 percent and had over 100 knockdown and pancake blocks on the season.  He was named to the All-SAC First Team and was the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the league's top blocker.  Benedict was also named to the All Southeast Region First Team by Daktronics, D2football.com, and the Don Hansen Gazette.  He also was named to the Associated Press's Little All-American First Team, becoming the first Newberry football player to earn this honor since former player Jerry Hefney earned honorable mention honors in 1979.

Indians stay in national statistical rankings
Three Newberry players in Top 100 in individual ranks
1/30/2007

INDIANAPOLIS , Ind. - The Newberry College men's basketball team is noted in the NCAA's weekly Division II basketball statistical rankings, released Tuesday.

Zach Chandler ( Greenville , S.C. ) had a slight statistical drop-off last week, but remains in the Top 15 nationally in steals per game. The senior guard is ranked 12th in Division II with 2.6 steals per game.

Sophomore forward Clemente Martin ( Freeport , Bahamas ) is averaging 2.3 steals per game to rank 34th nationally.  USC Upstate's Jeremy Byrd and Bridgeport 's Japhet McNeil are tied for the lead with 2.6 steals per contest.

Terrance Spillers ( Charleston , S.C. ) has cracked the Top 100 in rebounds per game, ranking 98th at 7.8 per game. The junior's 16 rebound performance at Claflin on January 17 marked the most rebounds in a single game by a South Atlantic Conference player this season.

As a team, Newberry's highest statistical ranking is in blocked shots per game, where the Indians are averaging 4.0 rejections per contest which is good for 38th nationally. Freshman Kendrick Johnson ( Orangeburg , S.C. ) is the team's individual leader with 2.3 blocks per game. Conference rival Wingate University leads Division II in blocks per game at 7.3 bpg.

The Indians (8-9, 3-5 SAC) start their second go-round through South Atlantic Conference competition on Wednesday when they travel to Jefferson City , Tenn. to play the Carson-Newman Eagles (7-12, 0-8 SAC) at 8 p.m.

Newberry Holds Football Banquet
Newell, Stepp take home most valuable defensive and offensive honors
1/27/2007

NEWBERRY , S.C. - The 2006 Newberry College football team was honored on Saturday evening at their annual banquet.  The Indians enjoyed the most successful season in school history, finishing with a record of 11-2 and capturing their first-ever South Atlantic Conference championship.

For the award portion of the program, linebacker Will Newell and quarterback Josh Stepp were voted on by the team as the defensive and offensive most valuable players.

Newell was a major reason the Indians led the SAC in total defense in 2006.  The sophomore led the team and the SAC in tackles with 133 and was a First Team All-SAC selection.  He was also named to the All Southeast Region Second Team by Daktronics and the All Southeast Region Second Team by D2football.com.  The Irmo, S.C. native also took home most valuable inside linebacker honors on the evening.

Stepp wrapped up his career at Newberry by becoming the most prolific passer in Indian football history.  Stepp holds every single-season and career passing mark in Newberry history.  In 2006, the Pelion S.C. native threw for 2,593 yards and 28 touchdowns.  He was named the SAC's Offensive Player of the Year and earned All Southeast Region Second Team honors by Daktronics and D2football.com.  Stepp was also one of 24 players to be nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which goes to best Division II football player every season.

Tymere Zimmerman took home the most valuable wide receiver trophy on the evening.  The Bennettsville, S.C. native leaves as the sole leader in every single-season and career receiving mark.  In 2006, he led Newberry with 62 receptions for 695 yards and 12 touchdowns.  He earned his third-straight All-SAC First Team accolade and also leaves as the SAC career leader in career receptions (250) and touchdown receptions (40).

The most valuable offensive back award went to junior Alex Haynes.  Haynes led the Newberry rushing attack and the SAC in rushing yards with 1,007.  His rushing yards was the eighth-highest in a single-season at Newberry.  The Summerville, S.C. native earned First Team All-SAC honors and was named to the All-Southeast Region First and Second Teams by D2football.com and Daktronics.

Heath Benedict took home the most valuable offensive lineman award on the evening.  The junior had over 100 knockdown and pancake blocks on the season as was named to the All-SAC First Team.  Benedict was also the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the top blocker in the SAC.  The Greer, S.C. native took home several postseason honors, including being named to the Associated Press' First Little All-American Team.

Jonathan Breaux was named the most valuable defensive lineman on the evening.  The junior was the leader on the interior for the Indians in 2006, recording 26 tackles.  The Ladson, S.C. native was named to the All-SAC Second Team in 2006.

The most valuable outside linebacker award went to Stewart Good.  The red-shirt sophomore finished the 2006 season fourth on the team in tackles with 48.  He also contributed 4.5 tackles-for-loss and had one interception on the season. 

Free safety Derrell Mills was named the most valuable defensive back on the evening.  The sophomore finished the season third on the team in tackles with 64.  He also led the Indians and the SAC in interceptions with six.  The Gray Court, S.C. native was named to the All-SAC First Team along with being named to the All Southeast Region First Team by D2football.com.  Mill also earned a spot on the All Southeast Region Second Team by Daktronics in 2006.

The most valuable special teams award went to freshman wide receiver Kelton Tindal.  Tindal was instrumental not only as a kick returner, but as punt and kick blocker as well.  The Sumter , S.C. native was second on the team in kickoff return yards with 169 while blocking four kicks on the season.  Tindal also saw time at wideout, finishing with fourth on the team n receptions with 26 and third in reception yards with 432.

Sonnichsen Named Head Volleyball Coach at Newberry College
Former collegiate player, Division I head coach, to lead the Indians.
1/26/2007

NEWBERRY , S.C. - Newberry College Vice- President for Intercollegiate Athletics Director Andy Carter is pleased to announce the hiring of Matt Sonnichsen as the school's new head volleyball coach.

Sonnichsen comes from Grinnell College in Grinnell , Iowa where he was an assistant coach during the 2006 season under his father, Tom.

Before he came to Grinnell, Sonnichsen was the top assistant coach at the University of California at Santa Barbara .  While at UCSB, he was responsible for team training, international student-athlete recruitment, and team travel.

Sonnichsen has extensive head coaching experience on the Division I level.  He served as the head coach at the University of Tulsa for eight years.  While at Tulsa , Sonnichsen led the Hurricanes to their first winning season in 20 years in 2000.  His squad finished in second in the Eastern Division of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2004 and earned a third place finish in Conference USA (C-USA) in 2005.  He coached four players who were named Academic All-Americans as well as coaching over 30 Academic All-Conference selections while at Tulsa .

In the winter of 2006, Sonnichsen was the first coach from the U.S.A. to coach a team in the Puerto Rican Women's Professional Volleyball League.

Sonnichsen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1994.  While at UCLA, he was a member of the two-time NCAA Champion Bruins men's volleyball team, playing from 1986-89.  He was a three-time All-American and was a NCAA All Tournament selection from 1987-89.

As a professional volleyball player, Sonnichsen played for the USA National Team from 1990-91 and played in the Goodwill Games in Seattle , Washington .  Sonnichsen also played in the Swiss Professional League with two different clubs; LUC Lausanne and MTV Nafels.

"We are truly blessed to get someone with Matt's credentials and pedigree to lead our Volleyball program, said Carter. From the beginning of the selection process, Matt set himself apart from the competition with passion and fire for wanting to build a championship program at Newberry College . He is a first class person and will build a first class program. He and his family are a great fit for Newberry College."

"I am excited about joining Newberry College and calling Newberry , South Carolina home, said Sonnichsen.  During my interview, I was very impressed with Athletic Director Andy Carter and the staff and coaches that he has assembled during his tenure.  Newberry College is enjoying tremendous growth academically and athletically, and has empowered me to build a winning volleyball program." 

"While my background as a player and coach is with NCAA Division I athletics, Newberry College allows me the opportunity to build a winning volleyball program within a personally supportive environment, while being able to spend more time with my wife and daughter.  It is a great situation - I get to work at a place that supports coaches first and foremost, and I get to raise my family in a wonderful part of the country."

Indians 16th in Latest NCAA Rankings
Washington, Tolbert nationally ranked. 1/25/2007

NEWBERRY , S.C. - The Newberry College wrestling team is ranked 16th in this week's NCAA Division II national rankings, which were released on Thursday.

The Indians (13-5-1) totaled 43 points in the latest poll.  Newberry is also joined in the poll by South Atlantic Conference member Carson-Newman, who checks in the 18th spot this week.

Two Newberry grapplers are also ranked individually on a national level in their respective weight classes.  Tony Washington ranks fourth in the 141-pound weight class while Quinn Tolbert is ranked sixth in the 174-pound weight class.

Newberry will take to the mat for the final time at Eleazer Arena this season tonight as they face Belmont Abbey at 7:00 pm.

Lady Indians Check in at No. 5 in Latest NCAA Regional Poll
Newberry earns highest regional ranking in school history
1/25/2007

INDIANAPOLIS , IND. - The Newberry College women's basketball team earned a spot at number five in the latest NCAA Division II South Atlantic Region Poll which was released on Thursday.  The fifth ranking is the highest ever in Lady Indians history.

Newberry (16-2, 5-2 SAC) is also joined by fellow South Atlantic Conference members Wingate, Carson-Newman and Catawba, who all check-in in at second, fourth, and ninth respectively.

"We are honored to receive this recognition within our very competitive region, said Newberry head coach Jason Brink. This is a tribute to the ongoing hard work of our team. However, I have stressed to our team

that we must press on and continue to grow. How we finish the season is far more important than being ranked today."

Newberry holds off Catawba's second half rally to win, 83-77
Hinds and Martin each score 17 points for Newberry; Spillers one point short of double-double
1/24/2007

NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Newberry College men's basketball team scored a season-high 50 first half points en route to an 83-77 victory over Catawba College at Eleazer Arena Wednesday night.

Newberry (8-8, 3-4 South Atlantic Conference) was led in scoring by the Bahamian duo of Clemente Martin and Alonzo Hinds, who each scored 17 points. Hinds fell just short of a double-double, dishing out eight assists.

Catawba (9-9, 4-3 SAC) had four players in double figures, including Chris Wooldridge who had a game-high 19 points as well as nine rebounds.

The Catawba Indians took an early 9-2 lead in the first two-and-a-half minutes of the game, but Newberry clawed back to tie the game at 19-all on a jumper by Kendrick Johnson (Orangeburg, S.C.) with 13:45 left in the opening period. Newberry would not trail at any point in the rest of the game.

Two free throws from Catawba's Ahmad Murphy tied the game at 43-all with 3:51 left in the half, but Newberry went on a 7-1 run to end the half with 50 points, marking the Indians' highest point total in a half this season.

Newberry stretched its lead to 10 points with 11:38 left in the game on a layup by Terrance Spillers ( Charleston , S.C. ), who finished one point short of his second career double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds.

But Catawba would rally back down the stretch, when a jumper by Wooldridge narrowed the deficit to 77-75 with 2:45 remaining.

After trading buckets, Martin stole the ball from Catawba's Martin with 38 seconds, eventually forcing Catawba to foul Hinds to stop the clock. The senior guard made four free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the win for Newberry.

Sophomore guard Matt Alexander ( Norcross , Ga. ) scored a career-high 11 points off the bench for Newberry to round out four players in double figures.

Catawba's Antonio Houston hit for 18 points, while Murphy scored 16 and Brian Graves scored 15 in the losing effort.

The Newberry Indians look to get back to .500 in conference play on Saturday, as they take the short trip to Clinton , S.C. , to face archrival Presbyterian College in the final SAC matchup between the two at the Pendleton Center . Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Lady Indians stay among nation's best statistically
Newberry ranks in top 50 in seven statistical categories
1/17/2007

INDIANAPOLIS , Ind. - In national statistics updated through January 14, the Newberry College Lady Indian basketball program ranks in the top 50 in seven seperate categories. Newberry is in the top 10 in two categories. Through 16 games, the Lady Indians boast the 8th best scoring defense in the entire nation, allowing just 51.1  points per game.

Newberry is also ninth in steals per game as a team, swiping 13.8 per contest.

The scarlet and gray rank 16th in scoring margin (17.1), 12th in win-loss percentage at 14-2 (87.5 percent), 27th in rebounding margin (+7.1), 34th in field goal percentage (44.3 percent), and 37th in three-point field goal percentage (35.8).

For the third straight week, individual Lady Indians Monica Alexander and Tonique Frasier stayed in the top 50 in four categories collectively. Junior guard Monica Alexander moved up to 29th in the nation in assists per game (5.0). Frasier, a junior as well, ranked 20th in field goal percentage (54.8), 35th in steals per game (3.0), and 44th in rebounds per game (9.0).

Benedict, Mills Named Football Gazette's All-Southeast Region First Team
Stepp, Zimmerman earn second team accolades.
1/10/2007

MONTICELLO , ARK. - Newberry College offensive lineman Heath Benedict and free safety Derrell Mills have been named to the All-Southeast Region First Team by The Don Hansen Football Gazette, which was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Benedict, a junior from Greer , S.C. was a key standout on an offensive line that averaged 185.5 rushing yards per-game in 2006 that led to running back Alex Haynes topping the 1,000 yard mark for the season.  Benedict graded out at over 90 percent for the season and had over 100 knockdown blocks, topping theIndian offensive line in that category.

Benedict has enjoyed a busy off-season in the postseason honors category.  He was named First Team All-American by D2football.com and was also an First Team Little All-American selection by the Associated Press.  Benedict was also named a Second Team All-American and a First Team All-Southeast Region selectee by Daktronics.  Benedict also was a All-South Atlantic Conference First Team selection and was the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the league's top blocker.

Mills, a sophomore from Gray Court, S.C. led the Indian defense and the SAC in interceptions with six.  He was a Second Team All-Southeast Region selection by Daktronics and also earned a spot on the All-SACFirst Team.  Mills also earned national player-of-the-week honors by D2football.com and the Gazette after he recorded a career-high 16 tackles and caused a key fumble and returned it for a touchdown in a thrilling 27-23 victory over Tusculum College on October 29.

Two other Indian players earning second-team nods were seniors Josh Stepp and Tymere Zimmerman.  Stepp, a native of Pelion , S.C. ,  re-wrote the record books in his three years as the Indians signal-call.  He leaves as the most prolific passer in school history.  In 2006, he was named the SAC's Offensive Player of the Year, throwing for 2,593 yards and 28 touchdowns.  He was named to the D2football.com's All-American Second Team and also earned Second Team All-Southeast Region honors by Daktronics.

Zimmerman, a native of Bennettsville , S.C. , leaves Newberry holding every single-season and career receiving record.  In 2006, he hauled in a team-leading 62 passes for 695 and 12 touchdowns.  He earned a spot on the All-SAC First Team for the third consecutive season and is the career conference leader in receptions (250) and touchdown receptions (40).  Zimmerman First Team All-American honors by D2football.com as well as being named to the All-Southeast Region Second Team by Daktronics.

Martin Named SAC Player of the Week
Sophomore leads Indians to first 2-0 SAC start in school history.
1/8/2007

ROCK HILL S.C. - Newberry College men's basketball player Clemente Martin has been named the SouthAtlantic Conference's Player of the Week, which was released on Monday afternoon by league officials.

Martin, a 6'4" sophomore forward from Freeport Bahamas , averaged a double-double for the week, leading the Indians to a 2-0 record in the SAC, the first time in school history that a Newberry men's basketball squad has won their first two league games.  He averaged 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per-game.

Against Wingate University , Martin recorded career-highs in points (24) and rebounds (14) to lead Newberry to an 89-79 victory over the Bulldogs.  In Saturday's 63-60 victory over Carson-Newman College , Martin grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.  He gave the Indians the lead for good when he broke a 58-58 tie with a free-throw with 1:32 remaining in the game.

"This honor is just a credit to Clemente and his teammates, said Head Coach Shaun Golden.  Clemente continues to grow not only as a basketball player, but as a person.  He has been a valuable player for us this season and will continue to be a major part of the team's success."

Benedict Named First Team All-American by D2football
1/8/2007

NEWBERRY , S.C. - Newberry College offensive lineman Heath Benedict has been named a First TeamAll-American by d2football.com which was released on Monday.  This is the second time that Benedict has been named to a first team all-american team.  In December, he was named to the Little All-American First Team by the Associated Press.

Benedict, a junior from Greer , S.C. , anchored an offensive line that lead the league in rushing yardage and paved paths for 1,000-yard rusher Alex Haynes.  He graded out at over 90 percent on the season and recorded over 100 knockdown blocks in 2006.  Benedict has been a steady recipient of postseason honors.  He was a First Team All-Southeast Region and Second Team All-American selection by Daktronics and was named to the All-Southeast Region First Team by d2football.com.  Benedict was also an All-South Atlantic Conference First Team selection and was the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the league's top blocker.

Two other Indians were earned honorable mention honors.  Seniors Josh Stepp and Tymere Zimmerman each earned honorable mention accolades.  Stepp, a native of Pelion , S.C. , leaves Newberry as the most prolific passer in school history.  He was named to the All-SAC First Team and was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year, passing for 2,593 yards and 28 touchdowns.  Zimmerman will leave as the school's most prolific pass receiver, holding every single-season and career receiving record at Newberry.  He earned his third-straight All-SAC First Team honor this season and became the league's career leader in receptions with 250.

The d2football.com All-American team was chosen by the staff of d2football.com with the input of coaches, sport information directors, and members of the media.  The team is comprised of the top 100 players in NCAA Division II football in 2006.

Seven Indians Named to D2football.com All-Southeast Region Teams
Four players named to first team.
1/5/2007

NEWBERRY , S.C. - Newberry College had seven football players named to either the first or second team All-Southeast Region by d2football.com.  Among the first team selections were offensive lineman Heath Benedict, running back Alex Haynes, wide receiver Tymere Zimmerman and free safety Derrell Mills.

Benedict, a junior from Greer , S.C. was a key component in Newberry's vaunted rushing attack in 2006.  Benedict was a First-Team All-South Atlantic Conference selection and was the  recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the top blocker in the SAC.  Benedict was named to the All-Southeast Region First Team by Daktronics and followed that honor up with being named a First Team All-American by Daktronics.  Benedict was also named to the Associated Press' Little All-American First Team.

Haynes, a junior from Summerville , S.C. finished the season rushing for a team and league-best 1,007 yards.  His rushing yards was the eighth-highest rushing mark in a single season at Newberry.  Haynes was named to the All-SAC First Team and was an All-Southeast Region Second Team selection by Daktronics.

Zimmerman, a senior from Bennettsville , S.C. , finished his four-year career at Newberry as the most prolific pass receiver in school history.  In 2006 he caught a team-best 62 receptions for 695 yards and 12 touchdowns.  He finished his career with 250 career receptions, making him the SAC's career leader in receptions.  Zimmerman was named to the All-SAC First Team and was named to the All-Southeast Region Second Team by Daktronics.

Mills, a sophomore from Gray Court, S.C. , stepped in during the mid-point of the season and made a splash, recording six interceptions.  He was an All-SAC First Team selection and was a All-Southeast Region Second Team selection by Daktronics.

Second team selections included quarterback Josh Stepp, offensive lineman Marchant Faustin, and linebacker Will Newell.

Stepp, a senior from Pelion , S.C. wrapped up his career as Newberry's most prolific passer.  Stepp holds every career passing mark in school history.  He was named the SAC's Offensive Player of the Year, as he passed for 2,593 yards and 28 touchdowns.  He was named to the All-Southeast Region Second Team by Daktronics and was a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy. 

Faustin, a sophomore from Summerville , S.C. anchored the left side of the offensive line for the Indians.  Faustin was an All-SAC First Team selection in 2006. 

Newell, a sophomore from Irmo , S.C. led Newberry and the SAC in tackles with 130 tackles from his inside linebacker position.  His 130 stops is the third-highest total in a single-season at Newberry.  Newell was a All-SAC First Team selection and was named to the All-Southeast Region Second Team by Daktronics.

Benedict Named to AP Little All-American First Team
Lineman earns fifth postseason honor.

12/14/2006

NEWBERRY ,  S.C. - Newberry College offensive lineman Heath Benedict earned his fifth postseason honor of the season on Thursday as he was named to the Associated Press' First-Team Little All-American Team.  Benedict is the lone representative from the South Atlantic Conference on the first team.  Catawba College 's Ron Ellington, was named to the third team.

Benedict, a red-shirt junior from Greer , S.C. , anchored an offensive line that produced 185.5 rushing yards per-game and averaged a SAC-best 392.3 yards of total offense per-game.  Benedict graded out at 90 percent for the season from his right tackle position and had over 100 knockdown blocks on the season.

Benedict was named to the All-SAC First Team this season and also was the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy which is given annually to the SAC's top blocker.  He was also named to the First-Team All-Southeast Region and Second-Team All-American teams by Daktronics, Inc,.

Newberry Eliminated from Division II Playoffs

Check out the Full story at http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=44393.

Willis Named SAC Coach of the Year
11/13/2006

ROCK HILL , S.C. - Newberry College head coach Zak Willis has been named the South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year, as voted on by the leagues' head coaches on Monday afternoon.

Willis has led the Indians to their best record in school history with a 10-1 record.  He also led Newberry to their first-ever SAC Championship this season.

Willis has a 23-18 career record at the helm of Newberry.  During his four seasons, Willis has been an instrumental force in bringing the program back to the upper level of the SAC.  He has led the Indians to back-to-back winning seasons in the conference since 1984-85 seasons.  

Newberry will face Albany State in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs on Saturday at Setzler Field.  Kickoff is set for 12 noon.

No. 11 Newberry Claims First SAC Championship, Defeats Lenoir-Rhyne 45-21
Zimmerman becomes South Atlantic Conference's all-time leader in touchdown receptions.
11/4/2006

NEWBERRY , S.C. - Newberry College racked up 434 yards of total offense whileTymere Zimmerman became the South Atlantic Conference's all-time leader in touchdown receptions as the 11th-ranked Indians reclaimed the Bishops Trophy, defeating Lenoir-Rhyne 45-21 on Saturday evening in front of a crowd of 3,981 at Setzler Field.

With the victory, Newberry (10-0, 6-0 SAC) wraps up the SAC regular season championship.  The Indians will travel to Clinton , SC for the annual Bronze Derby against Presbyterian next Saturday at 1:30 pm.

After Newberry went up 3-0 on a 22-yard field goal by Ryan Lukshis, the Indians used an 8-play 49-yard drive to go up 10-0 when Josh Stepp connected with Zimmerman on a 30-yard touchdown pass.  The touchdown was the 35th in the career for the senior Zimmerman, breaking the tie he had with former Lenoir-Rhyne player Terrance Steward with 34.

The Bears (3-7, 1-5 SAC) strung together a 10-play 81-yard drive in the second to make the score17-7.  Quarterback Justin Sanders lofted a 32-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Edwards with 8:23 remaining before halftime.

The Indians would score a touchdown with 6:00 remaining in the second quarter when Stepp found Charles Brandon open in the end zone for a 10-yard score.

In the second half, the Newberry ground game got going as Alex Haynes scored on a five-yard run with 10:13 left in the third quarter.  Fullback Cory Smalls capped off the Indians scoring when he plowed in from a yard and two yards out in the fourth quarter.

Stepp, completed 15-of-21 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns.  The senior also rushed for 74 yards and scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown.  Zimmerman finished with five catches for 54 yards. 

Newberry was led on defense by linebacker Will Newell, who finished with 14 tackles.  Mike Grase and Levi Bennett each recorded interceptions on the night.

Sander finished 14-of-25 for 194 yards and two touchdowns.  Pete Goodman caught three passes for 62 yards and a score.

All in the Family

By: Jim McLaurin

Reprinted with Permission from The State

Newberry football coach Zak Willis tells you right off the bat that the cornerstones of his program are Tymere Zimmerman and Josh Stepp. What he won't tell you is he's a pretty good stonemason.

With the Indians sitting on a 6-0 record entering Saturday's South Atlantic Conference game against Mars Hill, it is obvious Newberry's record-setting receiver and quarterback have elevated their games, and taken the team with them. And it's equally evident they are surrounded by good players and a good coach.

Both seniors were all-conference players last season and preseason All-Americans this season, and they have delivered. Every pass Stepp throws and Zimmerman catches bumps the school records a notch higher. The team's sixth consecutive win broke the school record for a single-season winning streak, one that had stood since 1945.

What isn't so obvious to the public is that football isn't the most important thing in team members' lives. It is almost as if football is the excuse for the team to get together, and winning is a result of being part of something bigger than themselves.

"A bunch of people think it's a fluke," said Stepp, who played at Pelion High. "Nobody really believed. The only people who believed are the ones who go between the white lines every Saturday.

"We believe in ourselves and each other. Everybody's got each other's back."

GETTING THEIR MAN

Winning fosters that kind of caring and closeness, but something had to come before that. That something, according to Newberry president Dr. Mick Zais, can be traced to the day he hired Willis.

"So much of coaching is motivation," Zais said. "There's an old saying that athletes don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. The thing that distinguishes coach Willis is how much he cares about the kids."

When Newberry athletics director Andy Carter interviewed Willis while he was at Pikeville (Ky.) College, Carter told him Newberry's facilities were probably the worst in the conference, and he might have difficulty recruiting because of it. Willis' response, Zais said, locked up the job.

"He said, 'Players don't play for facilities. They play for coaches who love them and care for them. They play for teammates with whom they've bonded, and they play for a school they believe in. We can be successful without the facilities, and then the facilities will come.'

"Then I knew we had the right guy."

Newberry had lost 18 consecutive conference games when Willis was hired before the 2003 season, and the Indians managed three wins that year. In 2004, Newberry was 5-6 but won only one conference game. Last year the Indians finished 5-4, their first winning season since 1998.

"It was the attitudes we had to change," Willis said. "Probably the biggest trick in the book is getting people to believe that they can win. It was tough."

SETTING PRIORITIES

Most people don't know this about Willis — he was a student at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, after graduating from Furman before he decided on coaching as his vocation.

"A lot of people expected me to go into the ministry," Willis said. "I realized I wasn't cut out for that. Any time you make a career decision as a young person, it's difficult.

"But looking back, I think I made the right decision, because I've been able to impact kids in a much more positive way than I would have in a church."

Still, he said, something was not right with his priorities, and it took a life-altering incident last year to make him realize it.

"When I went through that change in my life, my granny who had raised me was dying," Willis said. "She was in a hospice, and I wasn't getting to see her.

"I woke up one morning, and I said, 'What in the heck is going on? This woman raised me and made me who I am, and she's dying.

"The heck with this. I'm going home every Sunday and see my granny. She's not going to be here much longer. I went to see her a couple of times, and we went on a winning streak."

The Indians won four of their final five games last year, but Willis won't credit that success to his visits with his grandmother — they were a manifestation of something bigger.

"I had gotten away from the things I'd been taught growing up in McColl," he said. "I said, I want to get my life really, really straight with the Lord. I'd been going to church and all, but I wasn't where I needed to be. I wasn't trying as hard as I needed to.

"We decided to make a few changes, and as much as we could, recognize God in our program. We've won 10 out of 11 ballgames since that."

AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY...

His approach was a little unorthodox. He led his team in weekly devotions, but after losing to Carson-Newman in the fourth game last season, Willis decided Sundays were not for football. And he decided that because afternoon practices interfered with players' class schedules during the week, they would practice at 5:15 a.m.

"I thought it was crazy," Zimmerman said. "I thought coach was joking. But now I enjoy having the afternoons off. It gives me time to get school stuff out of the way without having to jam football in there."

As for taking Sundays off, well, that has worked, too.

"My coaches have a fresher perspective because they've got a day off, and we put our families first, which is something we ought to do," Willis said. "To be quite honest, most coaches don't do that. They put their job ahead of their family. I used to do it, too.”

The biggest reward, Willis said, is the team has bought into it.

"They are young people," he said. "Are they Bible-thumpers? No, and I don't want them to be. I want them to learn, and if we restrict them too much, they're not going to learn anything.

"What I want to have happen is what happened to me."

Reach McLaurin at (803) 240-3514.