Rockford University

The awards continue to roll in for the Rockford University baseball program this week, as the Regents had a pair of players named to the D3baseball.com Team of the Week. Troy Tucci was selected as the designated hitter, while Zack Jones was chosen as a starting pitcher. This marks the first time in school history that Rockford has had two players in the same week named to any D3sports.com Team of the Week. Troy Tucci had a monster weekend at the plate and was a key piece to Rockford starting the season 4-0. Tucci opened with a 4-for-4 performance that included a home run, a double, three runs scored and two runs batted in. Later in the week, Tucci had a key two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to jump-start Rockford's 5-4 comeback win over Central College. Tucci then finished his week by going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two stolen bases, two runs batted in and three runs scored. For the week, Tucci hit .615 with a 1.154 slugging percentage, while tallying eight hits, four doubles, a home run, six runs batted in and two stolen bases. Zack Jones was nearly perfect in his season debut against Central College this past Saturday. Jones picked up the win and did not allow a hit over his five shutout innings of work. He finished the game with nine strikeouts, including striking out five of the first six batters he faced. The Rockford University baseball team returns to the diamond on Saturday, March 7 to face Bluffton University. First pitch is set for 10 AM central time in Fort Myers, Florida.

Rockford University junior catcher Christian Garcia was named the NACC Baseball Position Player of the Week Tuesday morning when the conference released its first set of baseball awards for the 2020 season. This marks the first time Garcia has been honored by the NACC with a weekly award during his collegiate career. Christian Garcia had an incredible opening weekend to help lead Rockford to a 4-0 start to the season. Garcia hit .615, with a .688 on-base percentage and a 1.385 slugging percentage. He opened the weekend with four-hit performance that included two home runs, three runs scored and four runs driven in. He then concluded the weekend by going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a run scored and three runs driven in. For the week, Garcia tallied eight hits, three home runs, one double, five runs scored, eight runs driven in and three walks. The Rockford University baseball team returns to the diamond on Saturday, March 7 to face Bluffton University. First pitch is set for 10 AM central time in Fort Myers, Florida.

Junior catcher Christian Garcia has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March 1, 2020. Garcia had an incredible opening weekend and helped lead Rockford to a 4-0 start to the season. He hit .615 with a .688 on-base percentage and a 1.385 slugging percentage. Garcia opened the weekend with four-hit performance that included two home runs, three runs scored and four runs driven in. He then concluded the weekend by going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a run scored and three runs driven in. For the week, Garcia tallied eight hits, three home runs, one double, five runs scored, eight runs driven in and three walks.

Senior guard Emily Cox has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, February 23, 2020. Cox concluded her collegiate career on Saturday with a career-high 38 points on 57.7% shooting in Rockford's 84-56 win over Illinois Tech. She also drained five triples to break Rockford's single-season made three-pointer record (48). Cox rounded out her day with a career-high 8 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal.

Junior guard Nathaniel Shead has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, February 9, 2020. Shead turned in a pair of brilliant performances off the bench to help keep the Regents in the thick of the race for one of the six spots in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament. The junior opened with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 block in Rockford's 88-77 road win over Marian University. He concluded his week with a team-high 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 6 rebounds and 1 assist against first-place Benedictine University. For the week, Shead averaged 19.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 blocks and shot 59.3% from the floor.

Senior forward Jamar Rivera has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, February 2, 2020. Rivera averaged 21.5 points on 79.2 shooting, 7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Regents last week. He opened with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting, 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block against MSOE. Rivera then finished his week with a season-high 26 points on a blistering 85.7% shooting, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks against Concordia Wisconsin.

Senior guard Linzy Keller has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 26, 2020. Keller recorded her first double-double of the season and led Rockford to a double-overtime win in its only game of the week. She finished with a career-high 29 points, including going 14-of-15 at the free throw line, a season-high 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

Junior guard Brandon Emerick has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 19, 2020. Emerick averaged 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.0 assists last week for the Regents. His best performance came in Rockford's 90-84 overtime win against Dominican, where he helped lead Rockford back from a nine-point deficit with less than 2:30 left in regulation. Emerick scored eight points over the final 1:44, including the game-tying three-pointer with 4.2 seconds remaining to force overtime. He then added eight more points in the overtime period to finish with a game-high 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists.

Junior guard Brandon Emerick has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 12, 2020. Emerick scored over 20 points in both of Rockford's NACC road games this past week. He opened with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 assists in Rockford's first win at Lakeland since January 21, 2010. Emerick followed that up with 23 points, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 rebound at Aurora. For the week, Emerick averaged 22.5 points on 48.3% shooting from the floor, including 42.1% from three-point range. He also added 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.5 assists to his totals.

Senior guard Linzy Keller has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 5, 2020. Keller led the Regents to a 63-54 win over Mount Mary in their lone game of the week. She poured in a game-high 21 points on an incredible 71.4% shooting from the floor and went a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line. Keller also added 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists to her totals.

Junior guard Brandon Emerick has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, December 22, 2019. Emerick led all scorer's in Rockford's 71-69 win at North Park University last Wednesday. Emerick poured in a game-high 26 points on 47.4% shooting and drained a career-high 8 three-pointers. He also added a career-high 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

Junior guard Kivontay Shaw has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, December 15, 2019. Shaw shot 47.6% (10-of-21) from the field, 50.0% (5-of-10) from three-point range and was perfect at the charity stripe, to average 14.5 points per game last week. He opened with 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal at Knox. Shaw then concluded his week by nearly recording his first double-double of the season. He finished with 11 points, a season-high 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block at Edgewood.

Rockford University junior guard Brandon Emerick has been voted the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week. Emerick becomes the first RU men's basketball player to receive a NACC weekly award this season, and it is also the first time in his career that he has been named the conference's player of the week. Brandon Emerick helped lead the Regents to a perfect 2-0 record in NACC play last week. He opened with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a career-high 8 steals in Rockford's 87-80 win over Marian. Emerick followed that up with a career-high 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including making a career-high 7 triples, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds in a 101-93 victory over Aurora. For the week, Emerick averaged 23.5 points on 65.4% shooting from the floor and 68.8% shooting from three-point range. He also averaged 6.0 steals, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds. The RU men's basketball team will put its three-game winning streak on the line Wednesday, December 11 at Knox College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.

Junior guard Brandon Emerick has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, December 8, 2019. Emerick helped lead the Regents to a perfect 2-0 record in NACC play last week. He opened with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a career-high 8 steals in Rockford's 87-80 win over Marian. Emerick followed that up with a career-high 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including making a career-high 7 triples, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds in a 101-93 victory over Aurora. For the week, Emerick averaged 23.5 points on 65.4% shooting from the floor and 68.8% shooting from three-point range. He also averaged 6.0 steals, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Vincent Eugene has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, December 1, 2019. Eugene was a force off the bench last week for the Regents. He opened with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists on the road against Beloit. He then capped off the week with his best performance of the season thus far in a thrilling win at Dominican. Eugene poured in a season-high 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while adding 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. For the week, he averaged 16.0 points on 61.1% shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 0.5 steals.

Junior Kivontay Shaw has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, November 24, 2019. Shaw got off to a hot start in NACC play at MSOE with his best statistical game so far this season. He poured in a season-high 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, grabbed 6 rebounds and had 1 steal.

The Rockford University football program had seven players recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Friday morning when the NACC released its 2019 all-conference teams. Wide receiver Kalan Miller and linebacker Jallen Bashford highlighted the group with their Second Team All-NACC selections, while LaVar Johnson Jr., Adam Ambrogio, Gerardo Zamudio, Jermaine Johnson and Joey Owens all received NACC Honorable Mention status. This marks the second time in the past three seasons that Rockford has had seven players earn postseason recognition from the NACC. Freshman Jermaine Johnson received NACC Honorable Mention status as a returner. Johnson led the NACC with 456 kick return yards and was second averaging 24.0 yards per kick return. In addition to his return duties, Johnson also played a key role on the RU defense down the stretch run of the season. Over the Regents' final three games, Johnson tallied 11 total tackles, two interceptions and one pass breakup.

The Rockford University football program had seven players recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Friday morning when the NACC released its 2019 all-conference teams. Wide receiver Kalan Miller and linebacker Jallen Bashford highlighted the group with their Second Team All-NACC selections, while LaVar Johnson Jr., Adam Ambrogio, Gerardo Zamudio, Jermaine Johnson and Joey Owens all received NACC Honorable Mention status. This marks the second time in the past three seasons that Rockford has had seven players earn postseason recognition from the NACC. Sophomore wide receiver Joey Owens was selected NACC Honorable Mention. Owens made a splash in his first full season as a starting wide receiver. He finished the regular season fourth in the NACC in both receiving yards (636) and receptions (45), while adding a pair of receiving touchdowns. Additionally, Owens' 45 receptions are tied for fifth most in a season in school history and his 636 receiving yards are sixth all-time in a season.

The Rockford University football program had seven players recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Friday morning when the NACC released its 2019 all-conference teams. Wide receiver Kalan Miller and linebacker Jallen Bashford highlighted the group with their Second Team All-NACC selections, while LaVar Johnson Jr., Adam Ambrogio, Gerardo Zamudio, Jermaine Johnson and Joey Owens all received NACC Honorable Mention status. This marks the second time in the past three seasons that Rockford has had seven players earn postseason recognition from the NACC. Freshman punter and kicker Gerardo Zamudio was also named NACC Honorable Mention. Zamudio led the NACC in three different punting categories. He finished the year with a NACC best 35.5 yards per punt, 14 punts inside the 20-yard line and 56 total punts. His 35.5 yards per punt was also sixth best in program history. As a kicker, Zamudio connected on 19 extra points and one field goal, for a total of 22 points.

The Rockford University football program had seven players recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Friday morning when the NACC released its 2019 all-conference teams. Wide receiver Kalan Miller and linebacker Jallen Bashford highlighted the group with their Second Team All-NACC selections, while LaVar Johnson Jr., Adam Ambrogio, Gerardo Zamudio, Jermaine Johnson and Joey Owens all received NACC Honorable Mention status. This marks the second time in the past three seasons that Rockford has had seven players earn postseason recognition from the NACC. Senior tight end Adam Ambrogio earned his third postseason award from the NACC after being named NACC Honorable Mention. Ambrogio was once again one of the top tight ends in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. He finished the year with 24 receptions for 283 yards and four touchdowns. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Ambrogio ranks sixth in school history in receiving touchdowns (12) and tenth in receptions (80).

The Rockford University football program had seven players recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Friday morning when the NACC released its 2019 all-conference teams. Wide receiver Kalan Miller and linebacker Jallen Bashford highlighted the group with their Second Team All-NACC selections, while LaVar Johnson Jr., Adam Ambrogio, Gerardo Zamudio, Jermaine Johnson and Joey Owens all received NACC Honorable Mention status. This marks the second time in the past three seasons that Rockford has had seven players earn postseason recognition from the NACC. Senior running back LaVar Johnson Jr. was named NACC Honorable Mention. Johnson finished in the top ten in the NACC in a trio of categories. He ranked third in rushing touchdowns (10), fifth in rushing attempts (163) and eighth in rushing yards (725). All three of those totals also rank in the top ten in school history for a single season. For his career, Johnson is now third all-time in rushing touchdowns (19), fourth all-time in rushing yards (1,623) and fifth all-time in rushing attempts (339).

The Rockford University football program had seven players recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Friday morning when the NACC released its 2019 all-conference teams. Wide receiver Kalan Miller and linebacker Jallen Bashford highlighted the group with their Second Team All-NACC selections, while LaVar Johnson Jr., Adam Ambrogio, Gerardo Zamudio, Jermaine Johnson and Joey Owens all received NACC Honorable Mention status. This marks the second time in the past three seasons that Rockford has had seven players earn postseason recognition from the NACC. Junior linebacker Jallen Bashford also received Second Team All-NACC recognition for the first time in his career. Bashford demolished both the school and NACC single-season total tackles records (149) and also tied the RU single-game tackles record (19) on three separate occasions. Additionally, he is currently the NCAA Division III leader averaging 14.9 tackles per game this season. Through three years, Bashford is now third in school history with 303 total tackles and is just 51 behind the all-time leader. Bashford also ranked in the top ten in the NACC in two additional categories. He finished the regular season fourth in the conference in fumble recoveries (2) and ninth in interceptions (2).

The Rockford University football program had seven players recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Friday morning when the NACC released its 2019 all-conference teams. Wide receiver Kalan Miller and linebacker Jallen Bashford highlighted the group with their Second Team All-NACC selections, while LaVar Johnson Jr., Adam Ambrogio, Gerardo Zamudio, Jermaine Johnson and Joey Owens all received NACC Honorable Mention status. This marks the second time in the past three seasons that Rockford has had seven players earn postseason recognition from the NACC. Senior wide receiver Kalan Miller was voted Second Team All-NACC for the first time in his career. Miller capped off his collegiate career with his best year as a Regent. He set career-highs in receptions (45), receiving yards (597) and receiving touchdowns (8). Miller's 45 receptions are tied for fifth most in a season in program history, while his eight receiving touchdowns rank fourth all-time in a season. Miller was also in the top six in all three categories in the NACC, ranking fourth in both receptions and receiving touchdown and sixth in receiving yards. His outstanding senior year helped cement him as one of the top pass catchers in school history. Miller currently sits as the program's all-time leader in receiving yards (1,726), is tied for second all-time in receiving touchdowns (18) and is third all-time in receptions (113).

Rockford University sophomore forward Neve Yerk has been named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week. Yerk becomes the first RU women's basketball player to earn a weekly award from the NACC since November 25, 2013 (Lindsay Lengjak). Neve Yerk averaged a double-double to help lead the Regents to a 1-1 record this past week. She opened with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal against Concordia Chicago. Yerk then concluded the week with her second double-double of the season. She poured in a career-high 36 points, 16 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists and 1 block in a 93-89 double-overtime win at Principia. For the week, Yerk shot 52.6% (20-of-38) from the floor and 93.8% (15-of-16) from the free throw line, while averaging 28.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals. The RU women's basketball team returns to the court on Saturday, November 23 at MSOE. Tip-off between the Regents and Raiders is set for 6:15 PM in the Kern Center.

Rockford University junior linebacker Jallen Bashford has been named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Football Defensive Player of the Week. This marks the second straight week that a Regent football player has been honored by the NACC with a weekly award (Gerardo Zamudio - K/P). Jallen Bashford capped off his record-breaking season with yet another outstanding performance on Saturday. Bashford tied his own single-game school record with an astounding 19 total tackles, including one tackle for loss. His performance against the Red Devils brought his season total to 149 tackles, which shattered both the NACC (126) and Rockford University (96) record for tackles in a season. Additionally, Bashford is currently the NCAA Division III leader averaging 14.9 tackles per game this season.

Sophomore forward Neve Yerk has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, November 17, 2019. Yerk averaged a double-double to help lead the Regents to a 1-1 record this past week. She opened with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal against Concordia Chicago. Yerk then concluded the week with her second double-double of the season. She poured in a career-high 36 points, 16 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists and 1 block in a 93-89 win at Principia. For the week, Yerk shot 52.6% (20-of-38) from the floor and 93.8% (15-of-16) from the free throw line, while averaging 28.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals.

Rockford University freshman kicker/punter Gerardo Zamudio was named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance this past Saturday. Zamudio becomes the first Regent to earn a weekly award from the NACC this year and the first RU kicker to be selected the conference's special teams player of the week since the 2017 season. Gerardo Zamudio was flawless in the kicking game this past weekend. He connected on a career-long 31-yard field goal and was a perfect 2-for-2 on extra points. He also averaged 35 yards per punt, with a long of 47 yards and dropped two kicks inside the 20-yard line. The Rockford University football team concludes its season this Saturday at home against Eureka College. Kickoff between the Regents and Red Devils is set for noon at Sam Greeley Field.

Sophomore defensive back Michael Gay has been named Regent of the Week for the week ending Sunday, November 10, 2019. Gay made an immediate impact for the Rockford defense in his first start of the season on Saturday. His biggest play of the game came early in the third quarter, when he intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. He also forced a fumble to end another Concordia Chicago drive early in second quarter, while adding six tackles and one pass breakup.

The Rockford University men's soccer program had a pair of individuals recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Wednesday morning for their outstanding play on the field this past season. Senior forward Ryan Munch garnered Second Team All-NACC honors, while freshman goalkeeper Francesco Martincig earned NACC Honorable Mention. This marks the first time either has received an award from the NACC during their career. It is also the first time since the 2011 season that Rockford has had multiple players receive all-conference recognition. Freshman Francesco Martincig burst onto the scene this year and was rewarded by being named NACC Honorable Mention. Martincig started all 20 matches in goal and led the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in minutes played (1683:11). Martincig is also ranked in the top five of the NACC in two additional categories. He is leading the conference in shutouts (3) and is fourth in saves (79).

The Rockford University men's soccer program had a pair of individuals recognized by the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference on Wednesday morning for their outstanding play on the field this past season. Senior forward Ryan Munch garnered Second Team All-NACC honors, while freshman goalkeeper Francesco Martincig earned NACC Honorable Mention. This marks the first time either has received an award from the NACC during their career. It is also the first time since the 2011 season that Rockford has had multiple players receive all-conference recognition. Senior Ryan Munch highlighted Wednesday's all-conference awards with his Second Team All-NACC selection. Munch had an outstanding year for the Regents, leading the team in goals (8), game-winning goals (3) and points (18), while also finishing second in assists (2). Munch's totals also rank him near the top of the conference in a trio of categories. He is currently eighth in the NACC in game-winning goals and eleventh in both goals and points. His 18 total points are the most in a single-season for a Regent since Rockford joined the NACC back in 2006, and his eight goals are tied for the most in a single-season (Philip Pressgrove, 2011).