UMC Sports Signings

Cloquet Product Oakes Signs NLI with UMC Volleyball

CROOKSTON, Minn. –The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program announced the signing of Alex Oakes (S, 5-9, Cloquet, Minn.) to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Golden Eagles beginning at the start of the 2015 season.

“Alex is a very talented setter with a high upside,” said UMC Head Coach Lee Anderson. “She is going to

red-shirt as a freshman and the year of development is going to be really good for her. I think Alex is going to be a great collegiate level setter and I am very excited that she decided to make UMC and the Golden Eagle Volleyball program her home!”

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release of information.

Alex Oakes, 5-9, S, Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet H.S.

Has been a member of the Cloquet H.S. varsity team since seventh grade. Oakes helped lead Cloquet H.S.

to a Lake Superior Conference championship in 2014. She was a First Team All-Lake Superior Conference in 2014 and a 2012 First Team All-Lake Superior Conference pick. Oakes was a First Team All-Area pick and an All-State Academic pick. She served as captain for her high school volleyball team. Oakes averaged 6.1 assists per set last season and had 20 service aces on the season. She competed for Minnesota North volleyball on the club level, which also produced current UMC player Casey Cashman.

Oakes is the daughter of Lisa and Greg Oakes. She was born Aug. 2, 1996. Oakes plans to major in elementary education.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

 

Floor General Critchley Signs NLI with UMC Men’s Basketball

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball program announced the signing of Kobe Critchley (6-0 160, G, Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Golden Eagles beginning at the start of the 2015 season.

“We are thrilled that Kobe is a Golden Eagle,” said UMC Head Coach Dan Weisse. “He will be a big part of our program for the next four years. He has the intangibles that we are looking for at his position and players love playing with him because he is an unselfish, hard-nosed player that simply makes his teammates better. He is the kind of player that will help change the culture of a program. He is the son of a very good high school coach and that has helped him understand the game at an early age. I am looking forward to coaching him for the next four years.”

Critchley is the first signee for the 2015-16 class for first-year Head Coach Dan Weisse. This is the first full recruiting class for Weisse who signed two players late last year but this is the first full cycle for Weisse and his staff.

Critchley is the first piece of the puzzle as the Golden Eagles look to replace seven seniors from this year’s roster who will graduate. The Golden Eagles will return 10 players to the roster for the 2015-16 season but will have to concentrate a lot on youth with just two seniors Derrick Redd, Jr. (G, Menifee, Calif./Sports and Rec Management) and John Hughes (F, San Diego, Calif./Management).

Kobe Critchley (6-0 160, G, Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area H.S.)

Critchley is the 30th ranked player in the state of Minnesota per Northstar Hoops Report. He averaged 11.0 points per game and shot 33.0 percent from beyond the arc as a junior for Roseville Area H.S. In addition, Critchley averaged 4.7 rebounds per game, 9.2 assists per game and 2.3 steals per game. Critchley is a member of the Minnesota Cyclones AAU program, where he plays for his dad Ted Critchley, who is also his coach for Roseville Area H.S. He was the floor general for a Roseville Area H.S. team that went 14-14 last year. Crichley was a two-time All-Suburban East Conference pick. He is the school’s all-time assist leader and steals leader and was the state’s leader in assists last season. Critchley is known for his toughness and his creation and control of the game.

Critchley is the son of Ted and Stephanie Critchley. She was born Sept. 8, 1996. Critchley plans to major in health science.

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release of information.



Weber Signs With UMC Women’s Basketball

CROOKSTON, Minn. –  University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball announced the signing of Lindsey Weber (F, 5-11, Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Golden Eagles beginning at the start of the 2015-16 season.

“We are excited to add a long and versatile player like Lindsey to our team,” said UMC Head Coach Mike Roysland. “She has the ability to play with her back to the basket or to step out and shoot the ball. I am really impressed with her work ethic, she is someone who never takes a play off. He is also a good passer. I could see Lindsey playing either the three or four for us.”

Lindsey Weber (F, 5-11, Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine H.S.)

Weber averaged 4.6 points per game for Kettle Moraine H.S. in 20 games as a junior. She has played AAU for the Wisconsin Lakers. She was treasurer at her school for the National Honors Society. Has also been involved with Life of an Athlete, Best Buddies, has been a LINK crew leader and has worked with Habitat for Humanity.

Weber is the daughter of J.J. and Lisa Weber. Her father J.J. was a 1,000 point scorer for the University of Wisconsin from 1983-87 and finished his career second all-time in blocks at Wisconsin and number one in field goal percentage. Weber went on to play for the Milwaukee Bucks. Her sister Olivia Weber plays for California Baptist University. She was born Dec. 28, 1996. Weber plans to major in animal science at UMC.

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release of information.

UMC Volleyball Adds Middle Hitter Schapekahm

CROOKSTON, Minn. –  The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team announced the addition of Callie Schapekahm (MH, 6-0, Eagan, Minn./Eagan H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent to begin playing for the Golden Eagles in the Fall of 2015. Schapekahm joins Alex Oakes (S, 5-9, Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet H.S.) as signees for the 2015 class.

“Callie is a very skilled middle hitter who has played at a very high level throughout her high school and club years,” said Head Coach Lee Anderson. “I think she has the ability to come in and challenge for playing time early in her career.  She is a great addition to the Golden Eagle Volleyball family and I am very excited that she is coming to UMC!”

Callie Schapekahm, MH, 6-0, Eagan, Minn./Eagan H.S.

Schapekahm was a two-time AAU National Champion with Northern Lights. Several current member of the UMC team also competed for Northern Lights such as Erin Schwarz, Sierra Trost, Alyssa Muelken, Kaycie Hagen and Rachel Freudn. Her club team also earned a GJNC title. As a member of Eagan H.S. volleyball team, helped team lead to 2013 state championship and runner-up finish in 2014. Schapekahm was a two-time All-South Suburban Conference pick and was a 2014 All-State pick. She earned All-Tournament at the state tournament in 2014. Schapekahm was also a member of the National Honor Society. She also participated in track and was a member of student government.

Schapekahm is the daughter of Steve and Denise Schapekahm. She was born Nov. 23, 1996. Schapekahm plans to major in health management.

UMC Men’s Basketball Adds Sharp Shooter Gamble

CROOKSTON, Minn. –  The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team announced the signing of Connor Gamble (G, 6- 0 155, Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Golden Eagles beginning at the start of the 2015-16 season.

“The first thing you think about is that he is a shooter,” said UMC Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dan Weisse. “ I would consider him one of the best shooters in the state of Minnesota. But the more I watched the more I saw his game really expand. He is more than a shooter. He can handle the ball and he understands how to play. He also has the values we are looking for in a student-athlete at UMC. Connor is a great addition to our program.”

Gamble gives UMC two preps from the state of Minnesota along with Kobe Critchley (G, 6-0 160, Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area H.S.) as the Golden Eagles put together the building blocks for the future. UMC will have a young roster for the 2015-16 season. They return 10 players but will have just two seniors with Derrick Redd, Jr. (G, Menifee, Calif./Sports and Rec Management) and John Hughes (F, San Diego, Calif./Management) after graduating seven seniors this season.

Connor Gamble (G, 6-0 155, Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area H.S.)

Gamble is a Top-1oo prospect in the state of Minnesota per Northstar Hoops Report. He was an All-Suburban East Conference pick last season. Gamble holds the school record for three pointers  and is ranked second all-time in free throw percentage in the Stillwater Area High School history. Gamble played AAU for the Minnesota Cyclones where he was teammates with fellow signee Kobe Critchley under played under Critchley’s dad Ted Critchley. He averaged 14.7 points per game and shot 33.3 percent from beyond the arc for Stillwater H.S. as a junior.

Gamble is the son of Mike and Beth Gamble. He was born June 9, 1997. Gamble plans to major in sports and rec management.


All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release of information.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.