Sarah Rauen Named UMC Volleyball Head Coach

CROOKSTON, Minn. – University of Minnesota Crookston Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson announced the hiring of Sarah Rauen as head volleyball coach for the Golden Eagles. Rauen brings seven years as a NCAA Division I assistant to the table after serving the last four seasons as an assistant at North Dakota State University and the previous three at her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

“We are very excited to be able to add Sarah to our staff at Minnesota Crookston,” Helgeson said. “She knows what it takes to recruit elite talent to a volleyball program and is already familiar with the region with the deep recruiting ties she has developed during her seven years as an assistant at NDSU and Green Bay. Sarah offers us a great fit for our university and is someone who aligns with the vision we have for this program moving forward.”

Rauen spent the last four seasons at North Dakota State working under Kari Thompson. Her emphasis as an assistant for the Bison was on recruiting in Minnesota and Wisconsin, assisting in all areas of the program with an emphasis on defense and passing. In addition, she oversaw the academic progress of the volleyball student-athletes.

“I would like to thank Stephanie Helgeson, Kamille Wahlin and the entire search committee for the time and effort they put in to showing me what it means to be a part of the Minnesota Crookston campus and Golden Eagle Athletics,” Rauen said. “After spending time on campus and meeting the staff and returning players, it was clear that the program has a bright future. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to join the Golden Eagle community.”

At NDSU, Rauen was a part of one of the nation’s biggest improvements in the win column as they earned nine more victories than the previous season in 2014. Last season, Rauen helped NDSU to an 11-5 conference mark. She was instrumental in helping libero Mikaela Purnell to Summit League Defensive Player of the Year honors. In addition, under Rauen’s leadership, libero Emily Milligan was second in the Summit League in 2014 with 530 total digs. In total, Rauen helped coach nine Bison student-athletes to All-Summit League honors during her four seasons.

Prior to her arrival at NDSU, Rauen spent three seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater of Green Bay. While at UWGB, she had the opportunity to work under her college head coach Debbie Kirch, now the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics at Northern Kentucky University. Rauen helped train AVCA All-Region and Honorable Mention All-America libero Brittany Groth, who was a two-time All-Horizon league performer and UWGB’s all-time digs leader. Groth ranked third nationally in digs per set and the Phoenix were sixth in team digs in 2012.

As a player for the Phoenix, Rauen was a defensive specialist on Green Bay’s 2003 Horizon League Championship squad. She set the school record for career digs for the Phoenix with 1,519 from 2003 and 2006 and finished third on the single-season chart with 518 digs as a junior.

Rauen spent the 2007 season on Kirch’s staff at UWGB as a student assistant and was an assistant coach for a pair of regional championship teams at De Pere High School in De Pere, Wis., in 2008 and 2009. She also coached for the Fox Cities Elite Volleyball Club.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Green Bay with a degree in human biology in December 2007. Rauen was a standout in the classroom, earning CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in 2006. She is originally from Stacy, Minn.

Petersen Steps Down as Lynx Associate Head Coach

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL –  The Minnesota Lynx today announced that Jim Petersen has informed the organization of his decision to step down as associate head coach.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to have had one of the best jobs in the WNBA for the last eight years and it turned out to be way more than I ever could have possibly imagined,” Petersen said. “As hard as it was to come to this decision, I know that it’s the best thing for myself and my family. I’m forever grateful to this team, in particular Glen and Becky Taylor, Roger Griffith and Cheryl Reeve, for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Lynx assistant and associate head coach. There are countless others to thank, including the players, coaches, personnel staff, support staff, trainers and fans. I will continue to support the team and I expect this historic run to continue for the Minnesota Lynx.”

During his eight seasons with the Lynx, Petersen led opponent scouting efforts as well as played an integral role with in-game strategies. He also worked tirelessly in player development and orchestration of the male practice squad. Petersen helped the Lynx win WNBA Championships in 2011, 2013, and 2015.

The Lynx coaching staff, led by head coach Cheryl Reeve, has built a culture of winning, with three WNBA titles in six years and 155 regular-season victories since 2011, which is the most prolific six-year haul in WNBA history. Under Reeve, Petersen helped develop dominant post players in Rebekkah Brunson and Sylvia Fowles and coached numerous WNBA All-Stars.

“I very much enjoyed the time that Jim and I shared together over the last seven seasons,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. “Jim fully immersed himself into the WNBA and worked extremely hard to become the very best assistant in the league. He was committed to helping us build a culture of winning that has allowed us to enjoy a historic run of success during his time with the Lynx. He brought a prodigious understanding of the game of basketball that benefited all those around him. We are all grateful for his years of dedication on and off the court."

Petersen was first hired in 2009 by then head coach Don Zierden as an assistant and remained on the bench when Jennifer Gillom took over the reins prior to the start of the season. Reeve retained Petersen on her staff for the 2010 season as an assistant. Petersen remained in that position until prior to the 2016 season when the Lynx announced Petersen had been promoted to associate head coach.

Petersen played eight seasons in the NBA (1984-92) with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. Petersen finished with career averages of 6.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg in 491 games, 208 starts.

After leaving the NBA, Petersen worked for the NBA Players Association in their player programs division, facilitating seminars in NBA locker rooms on topics such as AIDS awareness, substance abuse and career/financial planning for life after basketball.

Petersen currently serves as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ television analyst, teaming up with Dave Benz on Fox Sports North. Petersen has been a part of the Wolves’ broadcast team for the past 19 season.  

A native of St. Louis Park, Petersen won the Minnesota Mr. Basketball award as a high school senior in 1980. Prior to his NBA playing, WNBA coaching and broadcasting careers, Petersen played four seasons for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, winning the Big Ten Championship in 1982.

UMC's Hauser and Trost Announced as Award Recipients

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – University of Minnesota-Crookston's Baillee Hauser (Sr., Women’s Golf, Raymond, Minn./Health Management/Accounting) and Sierra Trost, Sr., Volleyball, Ham Lake, Minn./Biology) were announced as two of 139 recipients of the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award.

The honor, named for the late NCAA President Dr. Myles Brand, is bestowed to senior NSIC student-athletes who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher, are exhausting their eligibility and are on track to graduate. Each student-athlete will be recognized by the NSIC with a certificate of achievement and a wrist watch. Furthermore, Hauser and Trost will be recognized at an athletic event during this semester for their accomplishments.

A record number 139 student-athletes from the NSIC’s 16 institutions will receive the award in its eight year, seven more than last year’s record of 132.

"I am truly excited to see the student-athletes in the NSIC continue to raise the bar each year as we continue to reach new record number of recipients of the Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award. This is one of the highest honors a student-athlete in the NSIC can achieve and our student-athletes have shown a commitment and dedication to both academics and athletics. These are characteristics in which Dr. Myles Brand emphasized. I am extremely proud of all these student-athletes for their devotion to their universities, the NSIC and to their personal academic and athletic goals. I have no doubt these student-athletes will continue to achieve success in life well beyond the classroom and the competition venues," said Lind. Dr. Myles N. Brand, visionary leader, educator and reformer, served as the President of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from 2003-2009. He passed away in September 2009 at the age of 67 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Brand presided over passage of the most comprehensive academic reform package for intercollegiate athletics in recent history - a package that refocused the attention of student-athletes, coaches and administrators on the education of student-athletes. Brand also changed the national dialog on college sports to emphasize the educational value of athletics participation and the integration of intercollegiate athletics with the academic mission of higher education. His impact on Division II ran deep by implementing an identity campaign and a strategic-positioning platform tied to specific divisional attributes. He challenged Division II to continue its game environment and community engagement focus, and improve academic success rates. The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with teams located in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. (some text taken from www.NCAA.org web site) Name Sport Hometown Major Augustana (9) Courtney Allen Soccer Lincoln, Neb. Athletic Training Jordan Bormann W. Golf Parkston, S.D. Biology Brandon Charbonneau Wrestling Emporia, Kan. Biology Mitch Gade Football Rochester, Minn. Accounting Emily Jacobson Soccer Golden Valley, Minn. Communication Disorders Chase Marso Football Brandon, S.D. Biology Abby Martin W. Golf North Prairie, Wis. Computer Science Hayley McCarron W. Basketball Sioux Falls, S.D. Media Studies Zach Tuschen Track & Field Sioux Falls, S.D. Biology Bemidji State (9) Gennadiy Adams Football Phoenix, Ariz. Business Administration Allison Cordes W. Basketball Roseville, Minn. Mathematics Mitchell Elbe Football Sayner, Wis. Elementary Education Alayna Krejci Softball Wausau, Wis. Elementary Education Ryan Rumpca Baseball Ramsey, Minn. Engineering Technology Jack Stigman Baseball Perham, Minn. Art & Design Sarah Stram Soccer Elk Grove Village, Ill. Chemistry/Biology Christine Szurek Soccer Andover, Minn. Business Administration Shane White M. Basketball Rhinelander, Wis. Chemistry Concordia-St. Paul (9) Riley Hanson Volleyball Nevis, Minn. Biology Liz Jarosz Softball Chippewa Falls, Wis. Sports Management Sam Johnson Football Appleton, Wis. Biology Emma Lange Volleyball Caledonia, Minn. Psychology Chance Maiers M. Golf Dyersville, Iowa Finance Erik Monson Baseball Bloomington, Minn. Exercise Science Brittany Neff W. Golf Hayward, Wis Biology Erin Spatenka T&F/CC Owatonna, Minn. Biology Savannah Stone W. Golf Crosslake, Minn. Psychology/Exercise Science University of Mary (9) Andrew Beyer Baseball Fargo, N.D. Accounting Katelynn Engh T&F/CC Maddock, N.D. Exercise Science Catherine Gibbens Tennis Rapid City, S.D. Elementary Education Sommer Haugrud Track & Field Pelican Rapids, Minn. Occupational Therapy Hannah Larson W. Basketball Bismarck, N.D. Business Administration Isaac Lindquist M. Basketball Milbank, S.D. Business Administration Michelle McGeary Soccer Gillette, Wyo. Exercise Science Zach Podoll Football Velva, N.D. Athletic Training Melanie Rodriguez Track & Field Burlington, Ontario Occupational Therapy Minnesota Crookston (2) Baillee Hauser W. Golf Raymond, Minn. Health Management/Accounting Sierra Trost Volleyball Ham Lake, Minn. Biology Minnesota Duluth (3) Breanna Colbenson T&F/CC Elmwood, Wis. Physical Education Samantha Hartmann Softball Maple Plain, Minn. Graphic Design & Marketing Matt Vogt Baseball Libertyville, Ill. Accounting/Finance Minnesota State (9) Adam Cooling Wrestling Madelia, Minn. Exercise Science Sammie Delzotto W. Basketball Eagan, Minn. Exercise Science Sydney Geisness Volleyball St. Croix Falls, Wis. Accounting Taylor Glover Track & Field Spencer, Iowa Nursing Krista Hassing Volleyball Blue Earth, Minn. Nursing Dana Mogren Softball Forest Lake, Minn. Elementary Education Kiana Nickel Soccer Wayzata, Minn. Communication Disorders Lexi Platz Volleyball Lafayette, Minn. Accounting/Sport Management Abigail Schmidt Tennis Redwood Falls, Minn. Accounting MSU Moorhead (10) Name Sport Hometown Major Zachary Drevlow Football Gwinner, N.D. Exercise Science Katie Holzheimer Track & Field Holloway, Minn. Exercise Science Shelby Iverson W. Golf Carlos, Minn. Early Childhood Education Jessamy Jones Tennis E. Grand Forks, Minn. Exercise Science Carly Masloski Volleyball Underwood, Minn. Elementary Education Lauren Meeker Softball Council Bluffs, Iowa Biology Molly Montonye T&F/CC Graceville, Minn. Medical Laboratory Science Matthew Nelson M. Basketball Rosemount, Minn. Mathematics Megan Selanders Soccer Littleton, Colo. Biochemistry/Biotechnology Carly Williamson Softball Council Bluffs, Iowa Speech Language Minot State (5) Kayla Barke W. Golf Williston, N.D. General Studies Zac Cunha Football Rocklin, Calif. Math & Physical Education Keaton Epps Football Wake Forest, N.C. Masters in Management Dalton Houghton Football Lethbridge, Alberta Corporate Fitness Nathan Mertens M. Basketball Devils Lake, N.D. General Studies Northern State (21) Jessica Anderson W. Basketball Fargo, N.D. Health & Physical Education Victoria Biach Volleyball Bradenton, Fla. Biology Anna Bondy Soccer Pierre, S.D. Finance Bethany Crosswait W. Basketball Spearfish, S.D. Biology Conner Doherty Football Brookings, S.D. Human Performance & Fitness Melissa Elkins Softball North Mankato, Minn. Biology Joe Gomez Wrestling Graham, Wash. Biology Eliza Jacob Swimming Anoka, Minn. Elementary Education Lauren Kunz Softball Sioux Falls, S.D. Business Administration Adam Leach Track & Field Grand Forks, ND Sports Marketing Colin McAlvain Football Windsor, Calif. Finance Lauren McCafferty Volleyball Aberdeen, S.D. Elementary Education Nick Murphy Football Elk Point, S.D. Accounting Joe Parsley Football Flandreau, S.D. Professional Accountancy Michaela Schlecht Track & Field Watertown, S.D. Multimedia Design Chad Stoterau Football Garretson, S.D. Management Matt Thorson Football Groton, S.D. Education Zachary Ulmer T&F/CC Lisbon, N.D. Business Marketing Jessica Vernon Softball/T&F Bellevue, Neb. Education/Special Education Kamie Wagar Swimming Valley City, N.D. Biology PaigeWaytashek W. Basketball Lino Lakes, Minn. Marketing Sioux Falls (14) Kyle Athmann Football Bird Island, Minn. Criminal Justice & Psychology Andrew Buchele Football Fountain Hills, Ariz. Business Administration Kara Bunkers Tennis Sioux Falls, S.D. Elementary & Special Ed Jordan Calef Volleyball Cedar Rapids, Iowa Business Administration Abby Folk Volleyball Rogers, Minn. Business Administration Chase Jensen Track & Field Fremont, Neb. Theology and Philosophy Alyson Johnsen W. Basketball Beresford, S.D. Biology and Psychology Samantha Knecht W. Basketball Platte, S.D. Business Adminstration Ben Loosbrock M. Golf Slayton, Minn. Business Administration Nathan Lucs Football West Des Moines, Iowa Exercise Science Luke Papilion Football Denver, Colo. Business Administration Brady Rose Football Cumberland, Wis. Business Administration Tyler Thielges M. Basketball Lamoure, N.D. Exercise Science Trevor Wescott Football Bates City, Mo. Business Administration Southwest Minnesota State (6) Brenna Giddings Soccer Anoka, Minn. Psychology Mattt Konrad Track & Field Estelline, S.D. Exercise Science Austin LaFollette Track & Field Edgerton, Minn. Biology & Chemistry Sarah Parker Volleyball Edwardsville, Ill. Social Work Jessica Thelemann Volleyball Le Sueur, Minn. Justice Administration Dana Wagner W. Golf Tomah, Wis. Cullinology St. Cloud State (5) Rachel Sakry T&F/CC Milnor, N.D. Biomedical Sciences Anna Schmitt Swim & Dive Kaukauna, Wis. Nursing Julie Schmitt Swim & Dive Casper, Wyo. Mass Communications Benjamin Watters Football Verona, Wis. Mechanical Engineering Macy Weller Volleyball Brooten, Minn. Accounting Upper Iowa (15) Billy Auer M. Golf Guttenberg, Iowa Biology Sawyer Bawek Baseball Arcadia, Wis. Pre-Med Chelsea Berry Volleyball/TF Arlington, Iowa Biology Sarah Benson W. Basketball Minong, Wis. Exercise and Sports Studies Brianne Fenton Soccer Crystal Lake, Ill. Mathematics/Sociology Zach Gardner Football Grimes, Iowa Accounting Kelsey Hinrichs Volleyball Swisher, Iowa Art Education Kelly Jachymowski Tennis Lino Lakes, Minn. Elementary Education Riley Kruel Softball Horicon, Wis. Biology Chandra Smith T&F/CC Bloomfield, Iowa Criminal Justice Grace Onsrud W. Golf La Crosse, Wis. Biology Carly Pagel W. Basketball Sumner, Iowa Business Admin./Financial Mgmt. Monica Rohe W. Golf Onalaska, Wis. Accounting/Finance Katie Sammons Softball Ottumwa, Iowa Elementary Education Alisha VanderWoude Volleyball Delton, Mich. Environmental Science Wayne State (6) Andrea DeSimone T&F/CC Plattsmouth, Neb. Special Education Nicholas Fly T&F/CC Omaha, Neb. Criminal Justice Alyssa Frauendorfer Volleyball Humphrey, Neb. Drafting/Construction Mgmt Corbin Lehn T&F/CC Shelton, Neb. Exercise Science Joey Lenihan Baseball Wayne, Neb. Sport Management Michaela Mestl Volleyball Kearney, Neb. Finance Winona State (7) Kalyn Biever Volleyball Kellogg, Minn. Health & Physical Ed Teaching Amanda Kaiser T&F/CC Colby, Wis. Nursing: Generic Option Madeline Martell T&F/CC Bonduel, Wis. Biology: Cell & Molecular Joshua Mongan M. Basketball Germantown, Wis. Accounting / Spanish Meg Riebau Soccer Appleton, Wis. Elementary Education Tara Roelofs W. Basketball Vernon Center, Minn. Exercise / Rehab Science Madeline Tompach T&F/CC Columbus, Wis. Biology #NSIC