Junior Zach Brockman had a pair of hits for the Bears this past weekend at Creighton.

March 20, 2006

BYU Game Notes in PDF Format
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University of Northern Colorado Bears (7-14)
vs. BYU Cougars (7-12)
Thursday, March 23, 2006 * 7:00 p.m. MT
Friday, March 24, 2006 * 7:00 p.m. MT
Saturday, March 25, 2006 * 1:00 p.m. MT
Provo, Utah * Larry H. Miller Field (2,300)

The Series: BYU leads 42-16.

The Coaches: Kevin Smallcomb is 92-92 (.500) in his fourth year at Northern Colorado and 342-239 (.589) in his 15th year as a collegiate head coach.

Vance Law is 202-167-2 (.547) in his 7th season at BYU.

Radio: The series can be heard on 1310 KFKA and free online at UNCBears.com. KFKA's Chris Ott will have the play-by-play.

Livestats: Available through links at UNCBears.com.

GAME INFORMATION
The University of Northern Colorado baseball team hits the road once again this week, this time heading westward to take on the Brigham Young Cougars in a three-game set Thursday through Saturday. The teams play at 7 p.m. on each Thursday and Friday and will play at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

THE BEAR FACTS
Northern Colorado and BYU are playing for the second straight season after renewing their rivalry last season following a seven-year break. The teams split a pair of games in Greeley in 2005, with the Bears winning 12-7 and BYU winning 6-2.

The games will be the first of two meetings between the teams this season, as the Cougars will pay a visit to Greeley on April 25-26.

Last week showed a tale of two teams, as the Bears had 42 hits in a two-game sweep of Nebraska-Kearney at home but had only eight total hits in two games at Creighton (both losses). Creighton, who has now won 15 games in a row, entered the Top 30 national polls following the wins.

The Bears will play at Nebraska following the BYU series, and then return home for four games, one with Air Force and three with South Dakota State.

OPPONENT INFORMATION

BYU: The Cougars, who will host Southern Utah on Tuesday before playing the Bears, are fresh off a weekend sweep of New Mexico State, defeating the Aggies by scores of 3-1, 10-3 and 8-6. NMSU scored a combined 34 runs in three games against the Bears earlier this season. BYU started the season slow, losing their first eight before finally topping Saint Mary's on Feb. 25. They also have wins over Southern Utah and UC Riverside. BYU is hitting just .222 as a team, but they have a combined 4.11 ERA entering this week.

Series History: The rivalry between these teams dates back to 1958, when the teams first met in the NCAA District 7 Playoffs. The squads have played 58 times prior, with BYU coming out on top 42 of those. The Bears and Cougars split a two-game set in Greeley last season and will also play in Greeley later this year. The meeting in Provo is the first for the teams since 1992, although UNC played on the Cougars field two years ago in a neutral site matchup with Utah Valley State. BYU has won six in a row against Northern Colorado in Provo.

THE BEAR NECCESSITIES
If you don't have time to read everything in this packet, these are the key notes about the Bears.
The Bears have won four of its last eight games ... the Bears last played at Creighton, losing twice to the Bluejays, who are now ranked nationally; the third game in the CU series was cancelled due to snow ... Northern Colorado finally opened the home season on March 14-15, playing a pair of games with Nebraska-Kearney; the Bears won 10-9 in 11 innings and 22-6 to sweep the series ... the Bears had played 17 games away from home to start the season, the longest stretch in school history without a home game to start the year (the original home opened with Air Force on Feb. 21 was snowed out) ... the Bears then beat Sacramento State 12-3 in the series opener two Friday's ago, before dropping the final two games 5-2 and 6-0 to the WAC team; the win on Friday helped Bears coach Kevin Smallcomb top his alma mater and former coach John Smith for the first-time ever ... junior Tyler Pearson appeared in his 44th career game on March 11 at Sacramento State, moving him into 8th place on the Bears career list; he now has 46 career appearances, which is 7th all-time ... Brennan Garr now has a career-high 16-game hitting streak; he has hit safely in 44 of his last 47 games dating back to last year ... the Bears have won five in a row and 15 of 17 against Air Force, including seven in a row on the Falcons home field; the team's will meet four more times this year ... senior pitcher Chris Johns was named D-I Independent Pitcher of the Week on March 14 after winning at Sacramento State ... senior transfer Zach Harris was named the Division I Independent Newcomer of the Week on Feb. 28 after hitting .500 (7-of-14) and driving in seven runs in the New Mexico State series ... earlier this season the Bears were shutout 5-0 and 2-0 in back-to-back games at Texas A&M, the first time since the 1986 season (a stretch of 944 games) the team had been shutout in back-to-back contests ... the team's closer Garr missed the first three games of the season due to an off-season injury, but returned to strike out the side in the ninth inning in the Bears win over Air Force; Garr hit 94 on the radar gun in his first live action since the summer ... he tied the school record for saves in a career (8) with a save at New Mexico State on Feb. 24.

NORTHERN COLORADO NOTES

Tartler Steals the Show: Senior transfer Seth Tartler has definitely brought speed to the Bears team. Tartler is 4-for-5 in stolen bases this season (in 21 games) which is tops on a team that usually hits more home runs that it steals bases in a season. Tartler's four swipes is already more than any Bear stole all of last season (2005's team leader had 3 stolen bases).

Complete But Not Victorious: When Chris Johns tossed a complete game on March 17 at Creighton, it marked the second time a Bears pitcher had a complete game this season (Seth Gilleland did it earlier this year against Texas A&M). Unfortunately for Northern Colorado, both efforts were wasted by quiet bats, as the Bears lost both of those games by identical 2-0 scores.

Tough Schedule Ahead: When you look at the Bears upcoming schedule, there are some powerhouses still to be played this season. The Bears just finished a series with Creighton (who is No. 27 nationally this week in the Collegiate Baseball News poll) and will play at Nebraska next week, who is No. 2 in the CBN poll. Also in that top-30 are No. 10 Arkansas and No. 11 Wichita State, who are both on the Bears schedule this season.

Johns Named D-I Independent Pitcher of the Week: Senior pitcher Chris Johns was named Division I Independent Pitcher of the Week on March 14. In a start at Western Athletic Conference (WAC) school Sacramento State last week, Johns pitched eight innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out three and walking zero in the Bears 12-3 victory. Johns had a perfect game through five innings before allowing a hit to the leadoff batter in the sixth inning. After allowing two hits in each the sixth and seventh innings, he retired 7 of the final 8 batters he faced before giving way to the Bears bullpen in the ninth inning. He is the first UNC pitcher to earn Pitcher of the Week honors since Craig Ayers did on April 13, 2004.

Extra Inning Success: The Bears played their first extra inning game of the year on March 13, defeating Nebraska-Kearney 10-9 in 11 innings, thanks to a balk by the Lopers that plated the winning run. Northern Colorado played four extra inning games a year ago, compiling a 3-1 record. The Bears have been successful in extra inning games under Coach Smallcomb, as they are now 11-4 in those contests in four seasons under Smallcomb.

Pearson Enters Career Appearances Top 10: With an appearance against Sacramento State on March 11, junior Tyler Pearson made his 44th career appearance at Northern Colorado, putting him in the program's career top-10 list for appearances. Pearson now has 46 career appearances, including nine appearances this season (he has a 2-0 record and 5.55 ERA), and is now in seventh place by himself. He made 20 appearances (three more than he made in 2004) in 2005, which ranked him second in a single-season in school history, one off the record. Pearson had a breakout season in 2005, entering the Bears starting rotation and showing impressive control. On March 27 of last year (at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), he tossed the team's first complete game in 366 days and repeated the feat the next time out in a win at Southern Utah. During the year he had a stretch of 111 batters (26.2 innings) where he did not issue a walk. Pearson finished the year 6-3 and led the team in wins, innings pitched (78) and strikeouts (52).

Garr Ties School Career Saves Mark: With a save versus New Mexico State on Feb. 24, junior Brennan Garr tied the school's career record for career saves (8, also held by Greg Cook - 1972-74). Garr tied the single-season saves record last season when he had seven saves (and also led the team with a .365 batting average), when he was the runner-up for the D-I Independent Player of the Year award.

Ray in Power Slump: Junior catcher John Ray needs just one more home run to enter the school's career top-10 list (he currently has 23 round-trippers). He has struggled at the plate this season, going homerless in 72 official at-bats, the longest stretch of his Northern Colorado career without a home run. Dating back to last year, his last home run came 81 at-bats ago, on May 20, 2005 against South Dakota State.

Garr Returns to Lineup, Continues Hot Hitting Stretch: The Bears top returning player, INF/RHP Brennan Garr missed all three games at Texas-Pan American Classic (Feb. 3-5) due to an injury he suffered in the off-season. Garr, who did not participate in team drills in the fall, did return to the lineup on Feb. 8 against Air Force, entering the game to pitch the ninth inning. Although it was not a save situation Garr, the program's single-season and career saves leader, struck out the side and hit 94 on the radar gun. Garr, who led the team in hitting a year ago, saw his first plate appearances of the season at Texas A&M (Feb. 17-19) where he singled in each contest. Dating back to last season Garr has a hit in 44 of his last 47 games, including a career-high 16 straight this season.

Home Sweet Home: Northern Colorado is 2-0 at home this season and have won 15 of their last 20 at Jackson Field dating back to last season. The Bears were 13-8 at home last season after compiling a 15-6 at home in 2004. Overall they have won 30 of 43 and 49 of its last 64 games at Jackson Field dating back to 2003. The Bears held a 23-6 overall record at home and a 12-0 regular season mark against NCC teams in 2003, Coach Smallcomb's first at Northern Colorado (the Bears also posted a 14-game winning streak at Jackson Field and a 17-game winning streak against NCC schools).

Tuesday's Gone: Northern Colorado likes playing on Tuesday's. In the four years under head coach Kevin Smallcomb the Bears have compiled an 18-10 record on Tuesday's. UNC has won 10 of its last 15 games played on a Tuesday, including a 10-9 victory over Nebraska-Kearney on March 14 in their last Tuesday outing. The Bears are 13-3 (losses to Southern Colorado and Air Force - twice) on Tuesday's at Jackson Field under Smallcomb, and have won 8 of their last 9 on a Tuesday at home. The Bears next game on a Tuesday is on April 4 when they host Air Force.

Gorman Lights It Up: If you could cork an aluminum bat, someone would be best served to check Grady Gorman's bat. The junior outfielder was a combined 8-of-10 in the last game at New Mexico (March 5) and single game at Air Force (March 7), as he registered a career-high four hits in each game. Gorman had three singles and a home run in the 7-3 win over Air Force. Gorman moved his batting average from .310 to .404, an increase of 96 points in those games.

Bears and Falcons Play Second of Six This Season: Northern Colorado and Air Force met for the first of six times this season on Feb. 8 in Pueblo at Runyon Field. The Bears came out of top 13-5 thanks in-part to a six-run fourth inning that got the offense started. The second meeting of the year came on March 7 at The Academy as the Bears came back from an early 2-0 deficit to win 7-3. The Bears have now won five in a row and 15 of 17 in the series over the Falcons. UNC has also won seven in a row at The Academy. The two teams will next meet on April 4 in Greeley.

SEASON NOTES

A Strong Tradition: With the move back to Division I, the Northern Colorado baseball program is no stranger to success at that level. The Bears have appeared in 10 Division I College World Series, including nine from 1952-1962. From 1957-62 the Bears made six consecutive appearances, the second longest streak in CWS history (trailing only seven straight from 1981-87 by Oklahoma State). The Bears were last in the CWS in the 1974 season. UNC has appeared at the CWS in 1952, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1974.

Bears Sign Two During Early Signing Period: Northern Colorado signed two players during November's early signing period, Seth Loman (Colo. Springs, Colo./Lamar CC) and Sean Peery (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Hutchinson CC). Loman (6'4, 220 lbs.) is a switch-hitting first baseman who is in his second year at Lamar Community College. Last season he played with current Northern Colorado pitcher Seth Gilleland. Loman helped lead the Running Lopes to a 51-11 record and an Empire Conference Championship while leading the team with 12 home runs and 62 RBIs; overall, he hit.372 in 61 games. After his stellar season at Lamar, where he was a first-team all-region selection, Loman was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 47th round (pick No. 1414) of last June's First-Year Player Draft. He attended Doherty High School and spent his freshman season at the University of Arkansas, where he redshirted. His father, Doug, played for two years (1984-85) with the Milwaukee Brewers. Peery (6'3, 215 lbs.) is a right-handed pitcher who has spent the last two years at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, where he a teammate of current Bear pitcher Jason Banks. Last season, Peery helped lead his team to the Junior College World Series as he tossed 23 innings for the Dragons, compiling a 2-0 record and 3.96 E.R.A. During the year, Peery fired one complete game shutout and struck out 17 batters while walking just eight. Hutchinson finished the year 37-20 overall, won the regional championship and advanced to their first-ever NJCAA World Series. Peery pitched the final 7 1/3 innings of the regional championship game, allowing five hits and two runs in picking up the victory. He attended Highlands Ranch High School.

Garr on 2006 Wallace Award Watch List: Junior INF/RHP Brennan Garr is one of 120 Division I baseball players currently on the 2006 Brooks Wallace Award Watch List. The award, given by the College Baseball Foundation, is given annually to the nation's best collegiate baseball player (Nebraska's Alex Gordon won the award last season). As a sophomore in 2005, Garr led the Northern Colorado team in hitting (.365) while adding 66 hits, 11 doubles, eight home runs and 36 RBI in 51 games. He was also the Bears closer, matching the school record for saves in a single-season (7) while compiling a 3.78 ERA and 3-1 overall record. The Wallace Watch will be trimmed to 12 semi-finalists by late May. Then the selection committee will narrow the list to three finalists following the NCAA Super Regionals at a press conference in Omaha. The finalists, their head coaches, and their parents will be invited to Lubbock, Texas, for a schedule of special events tied to the award banquet, which will again be nationally televised by Fox Sports Network. The award is dedicated to the memory of former Texas Tech shortstop and assistant coach Brooks Wallace, who was a slick-fielding shortstop at Texas Tech from 1977 to 1980. In the summer of 1984 he was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease courageously until his death on March 24, 1985, at age 27. The selection committee for the Wallace Award is comprised of a national panel of preeminent coaches, sports information directors, former winners and beat media who most closely follow the sport. Screening Committee members will evaluate the candidates and will continue their review throughout the entire baseball season. The list will expand and contract during the regular season and additional Wallace Watch candidates may be added as the season progresses. Voting for the three finalists and the Wallace Award winner will be conducted by confidential balloting, with totals tabulated by the J.W.Anderson & Associates accounting firm in Lubbock, Texas.

Smallcomb Tops Alma Mater and Mentor: Northern Colorado head coach Kevin Smallcomb reached a personal milestone on March 10 at Sacramento State when the Bears topped the Hornets 12-3. The victory for Smallcomb, a native of Santa Rosa, Calif., marked his first over his alma mater (he attended Sacramento State in 1980 and 1981) and his former coach, John Smith. The two teams squared off in 2004, with the Hornets winning all three, although two of the three came by only one run. Smallcomb was a standout infielder for the Hornets and still ranks in the school's top-10 for stolen bases in a season (40 - 4th) and career (52 - 6th).

Home Openers: The Bears finally got to open the 2006 season at home on March 14-15, as they swept a two-game series from Nebraska-Kearney (10-9 in 11 innings and 22-6). The home games came after 17 straight on the road to open the season, the longest stretch in school history without a home game. The Bears lost their 2005 home-opening series to Creighton by a 0-3 margin, as the Bluejays swept by the Bears. It marked the first-time the team had been beaten in a true home-opening series since 2001, when Mesa State won 2-of-3 from the Bears (although UNC won its home-opener versus Regis to start that season, but it was only a single-game). Northern Colorado is now 6-5 in home openers over the past 11 years.

Snow Cancels Home Opener: The beauty of Greeley, Colo. in the winter is that January and February could bring 65 degree days or snow. Unfortunately for the Bears snow came a week prior to their scheduled home opener on Feb. 21 versus Air Force, forcing the cancellation of the game. A make-up date has not been set but the teams will most likely play a doubleheader at some point of the season. The Bears will now not play a home game until this week when they host Nebraska-Kearney. The Bears also lost their 2004 home opener, a two-game series with Nebraska-Kearney (Feb. 7-8), due to snow. Last season the Bears were to open the season at Air Force (Feb. 8), but snow also forced that series to be cancelled.

Gilleland Tosses Complete Game; Returns to Home State: Junior Seth Gilleland continues to impress in the early season, as he tossed a complete game at Texas A&M on Feb. 19. Unfortunately for Gilleland, the Bears came out on the losing end of the decision, losing 2-0. He allowed six hits and two runs in eight innings, while striking out two and walking only one Aggie batter. A native of Moriarty, N.M. (40 miles east of Albuquerque), got to return to his home state for the for two straight weekend, when the Bears played at New Mexico State and New Mexico in back-to-back weekends. Playing in front of a large crowd of family and friends at New Mexico, he was roughed up for nine runs (7 earned) in four innings of work.

Harris Named D-I Independent Newcomer of the Week: Senior transfer Zach Harris was named the Division I Independent Newcomer of the Week on Feb. 28. Harris, a transfer from Missouri State, hit .500 (7-of-14) with three runs scored, a home run, seven RBI, a .714 slugging percentage and a .533 on-base percentage in a weekend series at New Mexico State. Harris was 2-for-5 in the opener, with a pair of RBI and his third home run of the early season. He was a perfect 4-for-4 in the middle game of the series, driving in three runs. He concluded the weekend by going 1-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Garr Named Student-Athlete of the Month for February: Junior INF/RHP Brennan Garr was named the Northern Colorado Male Student-Athlete of the Month for February. During the month of February, Garr hit .346 (9-for-26) with four runs, a double, triple and five RBI in six games and appeared in two games on the mound, recording a save and striking out four in 1.2 innings of work. At New Mexico State, Garr entered the game with one out in the ninth inning to record his first save of the season and eighth of his career. That eighth save pushed him into a tie with Greg Cook (1972-74) for the school's all-time record. In his other appearance on the mound - vs. Air Force - Garr struck out the side in his first appearance of the year. At the plate, he had a hit in all six games he played, including multiple hits in two of the three games against New Mexico State. In the game he recorded the save, he also had a two-run single which proved to be the game-winner.

It Doesn't Happen Often: It had not happened in 944 games but when Texas A&M shutout the Bears 5-0 and 2-0 in back-to-back games it marked the first time since March 25, 1986 (a doubleheader sweep by Eastern Washington) that a team had shutout the Bears in back-to-back games. Northern Colorado had been shutout only four times all of the 2005 season and only eight times over a stretch of 264 games.

Pitching Reinforcements: The Bears have struggled pitching wise in recent years, especially in the starter's role. Under head coach Kevin Smallcomb, the Bears have had a team ERA that is above 7.00. But in the off-season, the team made a conscious effort to improve its pitching. Joining returner Tyler Pearson in the starting rotation this season is Chris Johns (a transfer from Louisiana-Lafayette), Seth Gilleland (a transfer from Lamar Community College), Eric Maydew (a transfer from Seward Community College) and Jason Banks (a transfer from Hutchinson Community College, who will most likely redshirt this season). The pitchers made an immediate impact in the season's opening weekend, as Johns allowed only one run in seven innings and Gilleland allowed two runs in 6.1 innings of work.

Horn Of Plenty: Sophomore Jeff Horn made the most of his first career start on Feb. 8 against Air Force. Horn entered the game 0-for-12 in 19 prior career games at the plate. He doubled in his first at-bat of the day on his way to a 3-for-5 performance and also drove in a pair of runs in the game. Horn was not in the original starting lineup but was a late addition due to sickness by usual starter Chad Clark.

Johns Named to UTPA All-Tournament Team: Bears senior pitcher Chris Johns was named to the All-Tournament team at the Texas-Pan American Classic. Against host Texas-Pan American on Feb. 3, Johns pitched seven innings, allowing six hits and only one earned run while striking out five and walking only one of the 26 batters he faced. Johns left the game with the contest tied 1-1, although the Bears would allow the winning run to cross the plate in the bottom of the ninth. The Bears finished the event by beating Lamar and falling to Gonzaga.

A New Spot for Ray: Catcher John Ray experienced a first in his collegiate career on Feb. 4 vs. Lamar at the Texas-Pan American Classic. Due to an injury to Brennan Garr, Ray moved to third base for the afternoon (he finished the game at first base), marking the first time in his career at Northern Colorado that he did not catch or play designated hitter. Ray started 47 games at catcher as a sophomore and seven contests at designated hitter.

Bears and Gonzaga Meet For First Time Since 1978: When the Bears met Gonzaga (Feb. 5) at the UTPA Classic, it was the first meeting between the teams since playing in the 1978 season. It was only the second meeting between the teams since the 1974 District 7 Playoffs, which were held in Greeley. The Bears won that meeting and advanced to play No. 1 Arizona for the right to play in the College World Series (which they also won and advanced to their 10th CWS). Gonzaga got the best of the Bears in 2006, however, winning 12-5 after scoring seven unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie.

A Lamar Connection: Northern Colorado has made the most of its connections with Lamar Community College, one of the top JUCO baseball programs in the state and region. Currently five players on the UNC roster have played at Lamar, including Roy Allen, Brad Beaman, Seth Gilleland, Chris Johns and Seth Tartler.

Bears Played 18 Games Against NCAA Tournament Teams Last Season: The Bears won 22 games last season and played against a very tough schedule, as they played 18 games against six teams that made the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Those teams were: Arizona, Arkansas, Creighton, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wichita State. The Bears were only 1-17 in those games (an 8-5 victory over Wichita State being the lone win).

Bears Return Three Players From 2005 D-I All-Independent Team: Northern Colorado returns three (of its five total) players who were named to the 2005 Division I All-Independent team. Those players include first-team selections Brennan Garr (INF/RHP) and John Ray (C) and second-team pick Tyler Pearson (RHP). The Bears did lose a pair of their All-Independent picks from last year, as 1B Phil Delich (1st team) and DH Jarrod Chacon (honorable mention) graduated.

Bears Win 2005 D-I Independent Invitational: With wins over South Dakota State (5-3), Utah Valley State (11-4) and NYIT (8-3) to end last season, Northern Colorado claimed the championship at the 2005 Division I Independent Invitational, after finishing third in 2004. The Bears hosted the event for the second season in a row (NYIT won in 2004). This season the event switches venues, this time to Sioux Falls Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D. where South Dakota State will host the event.

Draftable: Two current Bears players have been drafted in Major League Baseball's Amateur Draft, but each chose to attend college instead. Senior Brad Beaman was selected in the 42nd round (pick No. 1254) of the 2002 draft by the Anaheim Angels and John Ray was selected in the 41st round (No. 1236) of the 2003 draft by the Atlanta Braves.

Three Bears Playing In the Minor Leagues: There are currently three former Northern Colorado players playing professional baseball in the minor leagues. Patrick Perry, the 2004 Division I Independent Player of the Year, was selected in the 7th round of the 2004 First-Year Player draft by the Boston Red Sox (making him the highest draft pick in 18 years for the Bears program - since former Bear and current Nebraska head coach Mike Anderson was selected No. 207 overall in 1986). Perry led all of Division I in batting (.478) and slugging (.844) in 2004 and set school records for RBI (74), doubles (27), and total bases (157) and ranked second in a season in each hits (89) and slugging (.844). Perry has played with the Lowell Spinners and last season with the Greenville Bombers (now known as the Greenville Drive). Trevor Allen, who earned All-American honors in 2003, was not selected in the draft, but signed a free agent contract with the Colorado Rockies organization in 2004. He ended last season with the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League. That is the same league that Perry is also currently playing in. The other player currently playing minor league baseball is Curt Borland, who will start the season with the Rockford Riverhawks, an independent team.

Forbes Going Strong: One of the most inspirational stories with the Bears program is hitting coach Chris Forbes. Besides being an outstanding coach (he helped the Bears hitters rank third in Division I in batting in 2004), as a cancer survivor he has been an inspiration off the diamond. Forbes was diagnosed with cancer in 1999 and is now in remission. He is active with both the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society and in summer 2004 he was part of the Climb 4 Hope team that trekked up Mt. McKinley to raise funding and awareness for Leukemia research. Forbes was nominated for the 2004 Lance Armstrong Foundation's Spirit of Survivorship Award. The award recognizes a cancer survivor who demonstrates a resilient attitude toward his or her illness and inspires others to live life to the fullest. Although he did not win, he did attend the LiveSTRONG Gala in New York City in October.

Division I Independents: This season (for the third straight year), 13 NCAA Division I Independent baseball teams have joined forces to award Player of the Week awards and compile individual and team statistics. The teams are Cal Davis, Dallas Baptist, Hawaii-Hilo, IPFW, Longwood, New York Tech, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Savannah State, South Dakota State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas-Pan American and Utah Valley State. Awards and statistics will be released on each Tuesday of the season beginning February 28. An index of award winners and other information on D-I Independent baseball can be found at: http://uncbears.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/012606aab.html.

Bears Radio Network: This season you can hear a majority of the Northern Colorado baseball schedule on the Bears' Radio Network. Newstalk 1310 KFKA in Greeley is the flagship station and KFKA's Troy Coverdale, Chris Ott or Clark Johnson will have the call all season long with a pre-game show starting 15 minutes before the first-pitch. If you are outside the Greeley area you can access all the games online through UNCBears.com (see the Events section at the bottom of the main page) or directly log into http://www.1310kfka.com. A full list of games that will be broadcast is available at UNCBears.com.

The Move to Division I: The 2005-06 sports season marks year No. 3 in the "reclassification" process to Division I for the Bears. On May 10, 2002 the UNC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a move for the Northern Colorado intercollegiate athletics program to NCAA Division I. The 2002-03 sports year marked the last season for the Bears in the North Central Conference and the NCAA Division II level and was an "exploratory" year in the move. 2003-04 was the first season of the four-year reclassification period and last season (2004-05) marked year No. 2. The program officially becomes a Division I school (and eligible for NCAA Championships) in 2007-08. The rest of the department will become an official member of the Big Sky Conference in 2006-07, but the Big Sky does not sponsor baseball. The baseball program will continue to search for conference affiliation.

Northern Colorado Coaches Radio Show Now on Wednesday: Fans came now attend the Coors Light Northern Colorado Coaches Show each Wednesday afternoon at Noon at Old Chicago (2349 W. 29th St.). The event, which used to be on Monday's, is open to the public and the cost of lunch is only $7, as fans hear about the happenings of UNC Athletics from in-season coaches. KFKA's Troy Coverdale serves as host and the show airs on tape-delay on Newstalk 1310 KFKA at 7 p.m. that night.