Sports

Photo by PERRY KNOTS

Volleyball team now at 11-5, had been on 5-game winning streak

Special to the Gargoyle | gargoyle@flagler.edu

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. − Senior libero Sarah Spraggins (Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher HS) tallied 12 digs which not only set a new school career record, but also led Flagler College to a 3-0 (25-16, 27-25, 25-17) win at Palm Beach Atlantic in a non-conference volleyball match Saturday afternoon at Rubin Arena.

Spraggins broke the mark set by Kristin Hubbard (2000-03) of 1,176 and now has 1,177 in her four-year career.

Photo by JOHN JORDAN

With new rules on practice, the team is finding out how they can prepare

By Kate Shoaf | gargoyle@flagler.edu

A new season means major changes for the men’s basketball team here at Flagler College.

As the latest addition to the NCAA Div. II South region, Flagler’s sports teams are still adapting to the new rules that now apply to them.

Kyle Cregan, assistant coach of the men’s basketball team, said there are now certain limitations the team must face and that they have had to learn how to be “more time efficient.”

“The NCAA limits our practice time, eight hours a week before the season starts and 20 hours a week during the season,” Cregan said about the biggest change the team has faced.

Another major change this year is the recruiting process. Flagler has expanded its recruiting efforts as far as Colorado for the first time in the program’s history.

Cregan said normally Head Coach Bo Clark focuses on getting players from Orlando and Jacksonville, but becoming part of the NCAA has compelled coaches to “step out of the box” and recruit players from all over the country.

Granddaughter of legendary NFL quarterback lives up to family name

By Kathy Novak | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Jillian Unitas is used to the word legacy – not because of the gift shop at Flagler College, but the one in her family. Unitas’ grandfather, Johnny Unitas, was one of the NFL’s MVPs three separate years, and an incredible influence – on the field and in the younger Unitas’ life.

“He influenced me by example – personality, the way he handled things. He was very laid back, never sweat the small stuff,” said Unitas.

Her grandfather still holds several records to this day including his most impressive, throwing touchdown passes in 47 consecutive games.

Sports have always been a huge part of her life as well as the rest of the Unitas family.

File Photo

Getting paid to play the sport you love… in the Philippines

By Lindsey Williams | gargoyle@flagler.edu
For some, it might take a moment to accept a three-year position to play professional ball across the globe. But for Flagler 2004 graduate Robbie Reyes, the answer came naturally. On Aug. 31, Reyes jumped at the opportunity to play basketball in the Philippines. With nothing more than the lines of modern technology as a means to conduct an interview, Reyes reflects on his new life and shares his adjustments as an American playing a familar sport in a foreign land.

By Brian Vigna | BVigna@flagler.edu

Flagler College has been around for 40 years and our once tiny sports program is now our still-tiny-but-growing sports program. This year the school has even added a softball team to comply with NCAA Div. II regulations.

As we continue to expand one question is still unanswered: Will we ever have a football team? I know, I know. We’re too small and still not ready for one.

But wouldn’t it be satisfying to go to a Flagler Stadium and see a bunch of gargantuan men pummel one another for the big win? Could you imagine the changes on campus and in the athletic department if we had our own football team? There might even be school spirit … maybe.

Saints eligible for post-season play for 2008-2009 season

From Staff | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Flagler College has finally received the news it was looking for throughout this three-year process: Welcome to NCAA Div. II.

During a teleconference with the NCAA and with recommendation from the Div. II membership committee, Flagler’s last year of provisional status has been waived and all of its 13 teams are eligible for post-season play starting this fall.

From Staff | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Flagler has added a new sport to its roster: fast-pitch softball, a move that has been on the agenda since Flagler made the switch to NCAA Div. II.

Most teams in the region have softball teams in place, and Flagler needed to make the addition. The team will begin play on Feb. 1 against Florida Tech.

From Staff | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Flagler College has finally received the news it was looking for throughout this three-year process – welcome to NCAA Div. II. During a teleconference last month with the NCAA and with recommendation from the Div. II membership committee, Flagler’s last year of provisional status has been waived and all of its 13 teams are eligible for post-season play starting this fall.

Midseason surge helps team leave tough start in the past

By Devon Jeffreys | djeffreys@flagler.edu

A 10-game losing streak that stretched across 20 days in February would have knocked many teams down but for the Flagler baseball team, it served as motivation.

Now, with just ten games left in the 2008 season, the Saints sit at 22-17, seemingly headed toward an above .500 finish.

“When we were 3-10, I did not expect us to win 21 games all season, that was a shocker,” third baseman Joey Rivera said. “Pretty much we all just do our part and it helps.”

By Ryan Day | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Tennis head coach Walter Shinn is quick to tell you that the Flagler tennis program’s best days are ahead of it.

“I’d say the biggest problem this year for the men’s team has been our inability to stay healthy,” Shinn said. “Every match someone was playing with pain. Harry [Snoxell] had a hurt elbow, Kyle [Maloof] had a bad wrist, Jeremy [Lamande] was hurt as well.”

“My elbow started hurting halfway through the season,” freshman David Cotrone said. “It got so bad I have to have surgery on it two weeks into the summer.”