UWF ATHLETICS 
MARCH 30, 2011

I have to admit it—I'm hooked on UWF Athletics.  Where else can you get Division I performance and excitement at Division II prices?  Like the individual teams I've learned to respect, athletic success starts at the top.  Athletic Director Dave Scott has assembled an athletic program that has to be the envy of all of Division II.  That's no small accomplishment in this era of tight budgets and increased competition for the entertainment dollar.  Matt Rowley is the sports information director and he is tireless in his efforts to spread the UWF story. I can't imagine the job being done better.  I'm contnually surprised that neither man has been wooed away from UWF by the Division I schools who have the big budgets.  (For the record, I'm not employed by the university in any manner.)  The place to go for up-to-date  information about the UWF Athletic Department is GOARGOS.com


BASEBALL
Right now you can see arguably the best team in Division II Baseball.  As I write this, Mike Jeffcoat's Argos are 28-4.  He has built a strong and deep pitching staff.  The offense is explosive, scoring 15 runs 3 separate times and plating 24 in another recent game.  This team can run, hit, throw and field with anyone.  They play at Spooner Field—a venue that once was home to professional baseball in Pensacola. It's been my pleasure to enjoy big time baseball and a manager (head coach) with a Big League approach.  Yes, he'll confront an umpire but he'll do it without sounding shrill.  You take this guy seriously when he speaks. His team is one of big time attitudes and talents.  Go HERE for links to baseball photos of various games.

NCAA CHAMPIONS!

Coach Mike Jeffcoat carries the championship trophy to a huge community celebration!

SOME NCAA TOURNAMENT PHOTOS


TENNIS
Walk up campus to the Ralph "Skeeter" Carson Soccer Complex and you'll see more championship athletics.  Derrick Racine has assembled  men's and women's teams that are made up of nationally and internationally recognized tennis players. He's won National championships and conference titles and in the best tradition of UWF coaches, he has done it with class.  He has fostered a team attitude in a sport that is largely composed of individual competition.  Players encourage each other in the team spirit Coach Racine has created.  He starts each match by announcing the line-ups in what has become a hilarious and enthusiastic tradition.  You have to hear it to understand. He adds a big time flair to the event and his cadre of great players take it from there.  HERE are links to Tennis action.



BASKETBALL
Earlier this year  I had the opportunity to observe the men's and women's basketball teams in action.  Neither Coach Bergen nor Coach Stinnett won a championship this year.  It wasn't for want of preparation and effort. They're bringing back strong teams for next year.  This is modern basketball and games, and entire seasons, often hinge on a few breaks.  I've seen (and photographed) players from each team diving for loose basketballs in games that were seemingly out of reach. There is a culture of winning in that field house and it's quality entertainment to boot.  WOMEN'S BASKETBALL          MEN'S BASKETBALL


SOCCER
Soccer!  I never played the game.  I couldn't.  Back in "my day" there were no soccer teams anywhere.  I think I missed something.  Watching the 2 UWF soccer teams and their exceptional coaches and players has made me a soccer fan.  There were championship teams at the UWF Soccer Complex again this year.  The formula is simple: Find the best women's coach (Joe Bartlinski) and the best men's coach (Bill Elliott) and assemble the best local and international players you can find.  The trump card in recruiting is also simple. The world has a lot of good soccer players. The players with character that matches their great ability will want to play for coaches of like character and ability.  It works best when players and coaches trust and respect (and like) each other. Coach Elliott won the Conference with a record of 14-5-2 and was selected for the NCAA Tournament!  Joe Bartlinski was 17-2-2 and 7-0 in winning the conference.  His Argos also made the NCAA Tournament!  In a hard fought match I'll take the guy with character every time.  Players reflect their coaches and the 2 UWF soccer teams are a study in class and character.  WOMEN      MEN          


ALL UWF SPORTS
The above programs are but a part of the UWF athletic package.  The university also fields hard working and exciting teams in VOLLEYBALL,  CHEERLEADING,  SOFTBALL,  Cross Country and Golf.  They are all worth following. Click the highlighted words to see action photos from these sports.  The volleyball team plays in the fieldhouse and you'd be advised to forget any preconceived notions about the game.  These are amazing athletes.  The UWF Cheerleaders combine breathtaking gymnastics moves with traditional cheerleading routines. They're a show to see. The UWF Softball team is usually successful and plays in a beautiful stadium located near Spooner Field.  I hope to someday have the opportunity to photograph Cross Country and Golf—both are successful and respected.  All of their contests were "away" events this year and I've not been able to see them in action..