FGCU Men's Golf Bios

Another team I will bring into play or in this case, on the fairway, is the men's golf team. The men's golf team is coming off a season that had some rough starts, but will bounce back. The team finished fifth out of seventh in the A-SUN Tournament.


The team is led by head coach Eric Booker. Booker enters his third season as head coach for the Eagles.

Prior to his coaching career, Booker graduated with his degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University. After graduating, Booker served as a teaching coach before deciding to play professionally and join the PGA from 1990-2007. Booker finished in the top-5 three times in tournaments on the PGA Tour and also played in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship.

Booker played in 62 career events on the PGA Tour, with his best finish being a tie for 3rd place at the 1999 Honda Classic. Booker won the 1997 Nike Greater Austin Open and 1998 Nike Lehigh Valley on the Web.com Tour as over the course of his career where he recorded 14 top-10 finishes. In 1998, he was ranked fourth on the money list as he posted his best single season with nine top-10 showings in 23 events.

After his 17 years in the PGA, Booker took the position as head coach. In his first season as head coach, the Eagles also secured top-10 single-season program records in birdies (5th, 398), par-4 scoring (6th, 4.22) and par-or-better rounds (T-9th, four). Additionally, Booker guided FGCU to either 2nd- or 3rd-place finishes in four-straight tournaments, marking the first time since the 2011-12 season that the Eagles secured four-straight top-3 showings and that squad incredibly won four straight tournaments.

In his second season, FGCU continued to improve under Booker’s tutelage, highlighted by a head-to-head victory over FAU in October. In the rain-shortened, one-round event, FGCU posted an incredible round of 273 to emerge victorious. The 273 total was tied for the 3rd-lowest round in program history (lowest: 267), and the 15-under score was the 2nd-lowest in program history relative to par (lowest: -16).

For Booker's third season, he will make sure that the boys give all they got on the fairway.


Joining to back up Booker is Austin Schultz.

Schultz enters his second season as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

Prior to coaching, Schultz was a golfer for NCAA DII Florida Southern College of the Sunshine State Conference.

In his freshman year at FSC, Schultz played 28 rounds in nine tournaments. Schultz's best finish was a tie for 5th (213) at the Bobcat Invitational and his best round was a 69 in the final round of the NCAA D-II National Championships. Schultz finished tied for 19th (221) at the NCAA D-II National Championships, tied for 13th (220) at the NCAA D-II Super Regional, had seven rounds of par or better on the season and shot a 224 to finish tied for 21st at the SSC Championships (4/14-16/13). As a result, Schultz was named a member of the PING All-South Region Team and was the Mocs top finisher in one tournament and finished as its No. 3 golfer in four other tournaments.

In his sophomore year at FSC, Schultz played in 29 rounds and had a stroke average of 74.04. Schultz qualified for the Division II South/Southeast Super Regional where his low round was a 69, had 3-under 69 in the Second Round at the 33rd-Annual Matlock Invitational, which tied for the second-lowest round to par on the team during the season. Schultz's best finish on the year was a tie for 12th at the AFLAC/Cougar Invitational with rounds of 73-70-70 (216/+3). He also finished tied for 13th at the Sunshine State Conference Championship following rounds of 72-74-72 (218/+2).

After his time with FSC, Schultz transferred to FGCU at his junior year. Schultz played in nine of 10 tournaments and posted a 75.92 stroke average to finish third on the team in that category with 21 of 26 rounds used in FGCU’s team score. Schultz broke into the top-20 twice after finishing tied for 19th out of 64 golfers at the Pinetree Intercollegiate, finished tied for 10th out of 46 golfers at the Grub Mart Intercollegiate, posted a career-low 4-under 68 during the final round of the Jim West Intercollegiate, recorded three rounds of even par or better on the year. Schultz also had two eagles on the season, tied for the 14th-most in single-season program history.

In his senior year, Schultz played 29 rounds in nine tournaments and posted a team-low 74.19 scoring average. He was responsible for five of FGCU’s eight total rounds in the 60s all year and was one of only two team members to compete in all nine tournaments on the year. Schultz had four top-11 finishes and consecutive runner-up performances in his final two tournaments, finished in the top 25 in almost every tournament except one and of all 27 rounds played, his score was used 26 times. Schultz finished the year with 80 birdies, the 14th-most in single-season program history, tied his career-low round with a 68 at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic at Old Corkscrew Golf Club and all four of his rounds of 69 came in the spring, including two consecutively to end the A-Sun Championship after shooting a 3-over 75 in the first round where he responded with consecutive 3-under rounds to finish at -3 (213) for the tournament, just one shot behind the medalist in which the runner-up performance at the A-Sun Championship came just a couple weeks after his first career runner-up showing at the East Carolina Intercollegiate. Schultz played three consistent rounds of 73-73-72 (218) to finish second in the field of 77 golfers en route to his only A-Sun Men’s Golfer of the Week honor, finished in a tie for 7th at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic and tied for 11th at The Legacy Intercollegiate and his 3.17 scoring average on par 3s led the team. As a result of his hard work, Schultz was named A-SUN Men's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year, a member of A-SUN All-Conference Second Team and a member of the A-SUN All-Academic Team.

After finishing his golfing career with FGCU, Schultz became assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Booker. In his first season, Schultz helped coach two different ASUN Golfer of the Week and A-SUN All-Freshman Team members, the first such selection for FGCU since 2013. For Schultz, he will continue to spread his experience for FGCU.

With a new team means changes. Keaton Jones and Casper Howells departed as they graduated.

Sophomore Christopher Abdilla, junior Willam Kelly and senior Anthony Quintessenza have also departed from the team.

This year's team consists of three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and three freshman.

The three seniors have been with FGCU since day one: James Leadbetter, Grant Renegar and Michael Keymont.

The first of three seniors is James Leadbetter.

At 6-3 and hailing from my second home, Bradenton, Florida, Leadbetter has been more than ready for the Eagles.

Prior to FGCU, Leadbetter spent his freshman year at Arkansas. He utilized a redshirt his freshman year and transferred to FGCU as a redshirt sophomore.

In his redshirt sophomore year, Leadbetter participated in seven of FGCU’s nine tournaments during the year with a 76.05 scoring average, which was 4th-best on the roster. Leadbetter had a pair of top-20 finishes, including a tie for 19th at the A-SUN Conference Championship where he opened the tournament with a season-low 71 before finishing with a pair of 76s for a season-low-tying 223 total and out of 21 total rounds, his score was used 18 times, including a stretch of 14 in a row from late September through mid March. Leadbetter's best finish of that season was a tie for 18th out of 67 golfers at the Pinetree Intercollegiate after opening with a 77, he responded with two rounds of 73 for a 223 total.

During the summer, Leadbetter finished 12th in the Rice Planters Amateur Championship with rounds of 75-73-66-72

In his redshirt junior year, Leadbetter played in four tournaments, recording a 75.40 scoring average over 10 rounds. Leadbetter secured three par-or-better rounds with a career- and season-low 70 (-1) in the final round of the Frontier Secure Intercollegiate. His best finish was 10th at the one-round, rain-shortened FAU Dual after an even-par round of 72. Leadbetter also tied for 11th playing as an individual at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic (Oct. 24-25) with rounds of 76-72-76 (224) and in the pair of three-round tournaments, he played in as a member of the five-man lineup, his score was used in the team total all six rounds.

For Leadbetter's final season, it will be a journey for the ages.


Next on the tee is Grant Renegar.

At 5-11 and coming to you from McComb, Mississippi, Renegar can make Dustin Johnson break a sweat.

Prior to FGCU, Renegar played his first two years at Meridian Community College (MCC), an NJCAA DII Independent college (formerly in the Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges [MACJC]). There, Renegar claimed his first collegiate victory at the 2016 Mississippi College Invitational with a 7-under 209 three-round total, helped lead his team to an 8th-place finish at the national tournament in 2016 with a four-round 296 (+8) total as a freshman. Renegar entered his sophomore season at MCC ranked 29th in the country among all junior college players by Golfstat and 8th overall among players in the D-II ranks. Renegar landed on the MACJC State Golf Championship All-Tournament Team with a with a two-round 145 and was named to the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) First Team All-State with a 72.08 stroke average.

Renegar transferred to FGCU his junior year where he played 19 rounds in seven tournaments where he posted a 75.37 scoring average became the just the fifth player in program history to post multiple wins in the same season as he claimed medalist honors at the one-round, rain-shortened FAU Dual and the East Carolina Intercollegiate in which the two wins were tied for the 2nd-most in a single season in program history (Joseph Lamielle: 5 victories in 2003-04). Renegar shot a season-best 66 in the FAU Dual, tied for the 8th-lowest round in program history and relative to par, the 6-under performance is tied for the 7th-best in program history and signed for rounds of 73-76-73 (222) to finish 1st in a field of 65 at the East Carolina Intercollegiate where he won the medalist honor with a par on the second playoff hole. Renegar also secured four top-20 finishes on the year, tied for 11th out of 90 golfers at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic following rounds of 75-75-74 (224) and tied for 19th at the A-SUN Championship with rounds of 76-73-76 (225).

For Renegar, he will show that he is Mississippi's finest for FGCU.


The last senior is Michael Keymont.

At 6-2 and hailing from Orlando, Florida, Keymont is also a transfer for the team.

Prior to FGCU, Keymont spent his first two years at Eastern Florida State College of NJCAA DI Region 8/FCSAA. There he finished his two-year stay at Eastern Florida ranked 30th in the nation by Golfstat for all junior college golfers at the Division-I level. Keymont posted a scoring average of 74.51 as a sophomore and helped lead Eastern Florida to the NJCAA D-I District 4 title for the third time in four years with a 222 total to tie for 12th at the tournament where he shot a four-round 289 at the national championship as Eastern Florida tied for 4th.

Keymont transferred to FGCU where he played six of the team’s 10 tournaments, posting a 77.50 scoring average over 18 rounds where his score was used in the team total 11 times including a season-low 73 (+1) in the final round at the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate and Fort Lauderdale Intercollegiate. Keymont's best three-round performance was a 227 (76-77-74) at the season-opening EKU Intercollegiate and a best finish was a tie for 35th at the Fort Lauderdale Intercollegiate following rounds of 81-76-73 (230).

For Keymont, he will give it all he's got.

The three juniors have been the backbones to help Leadbetter, Renegar and Keymont: Remec Carlson, Robert Renner Jr. and Andrew Potter.


The first of three juniors is Remec Carlson.

At 6-2 and hailing from Bradenton, Florida, Carlson comes with plenty of passion.

Prior to FGCU, Carlson started his collegiate golf career at the University of Utah, but did not play for the Utes.

After transferring to FGCU as a redshirt sophomore, Carlson made one appearance as an individual at the East Carolina Intercollegiate where he recorded rounds of 84-78-80 (242).

For Carlson, he will make his mark this season.


Next up is Robert Renner Jr.

At 5-7 and hailing from Arlington Heights, Illinois, Renner is here to make a statement out of the rough.

In his freshman year, Renner utilized a redshirt season and did not compete in any tournaments, but in his redshirt freshman year, Renner made his only appearance of the year as an individual at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic where he shot rounds of 76-77-78 to finish with a 231 total and in a tie for 32nd out of 71 golfers.

In his redshirt sophomore year, Renner played in three tournaments and posted a 75.57 scoring average over seven rounds. He secured a career-best 70 (-2) at the one-round, rain-shortened FAU Dual to finish in a tie for 6th, competed at the WKU Kenny Perry Invitational where his scores of 76-78-71 (225) were used in the team total each round in which the final-round 71 (-1) marked his second career under-par round. Renner also played as an individual at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic posting rounds of 77-75-82 (234).

For Renner, he will show everyone that he is one of Illinois' top collegiate golfers.


The last junior and my personal favorite men's golfer is Andrew Potter.

At 6-2 and hailing from Naples, Florida via Queensland, Australia, Potter is here to bring FGCU from down under to the top.

In his freshman year, Potter played in four tournaments, three of which came consecutively to end the season and posted a 76.50 stroke average over 12 rounds, half of which were played as an individual and three of which were below par.

Potter had a season-best finish of a tie for 10th at the FAU Slomin Autism Championship as an individual, opened that tournament with a 5-under 66 in his first competitive round in five months, missing tying the program’s record-low round by just two shots. The 66 was the best performance by a Green and Blue member since October of 2013.

Potter followed it up with a 1-under 70 in the second round as the 36-hole 136 total was two shots shy of matching the program record and finished with a final-round 75 for a 211 total, tied for 21st at the East Carolina Intercollegiate and was solo 24th at the A-SUN Championship after closing with a 1-under 71 in six possible rounds, his score was used in the team total each time.


In his sophomore year, Potter played in eight of the team’s 11 tournaments and completed 24 rounds in which he led FGCU with a 74.04 scoring average. Potter secured four par-or-better rounds and a pair of rounds in the 60s, three top-10 finishes and four top-20 showings in which his score was used in the team total 22 of 24 rounds, including 12 in a row to end the season.

Potter was consistent all year as he only shot in the 80s once, but bounced back from that round to post a top-10 finish and all but six of his rounds were 75 or lower. Potter's best finish was a tie for 4th out of 90 golfers at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic with rounds of 74-72-75 (221) and also a tie for 4th at the FAU Slomin Autism Championship with rounds of 69-72-76 (217). His best round was a 69, recorded twice in consecutive rounds – the first was during the final round of the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate and and the second occurred in the first round at FAU. Potter finished the year strong with a tie for 8th at Cape Fear (81-73-69: 223), tie for 4th at FAU and solo 18th at the A-SUN Championship (76-73-74: 223).

For Potter, he will give it a go to make it further than you can imagine.

Hoping to bring more experience to the table are three sophomores: Doug Smith, Landon Weber and Brent Fredericksen.


The first of three sophomores is Doug Smith.

At 6-0 and hailing from Windermere, Florida, Smith came to make his presence ready off the rough.

In his freshman year, Smith played 21 rounds in seven tournaments with a 75.05 scoring average to rank 3rd among all A-SUN freshmen. Smith posted two top-10 finishes in seven tournaments, had three top-20 showings and was never outside the top 30 and secured two par-or-better rounds and a season-low round of 69. Smith played as an individual in the fall finale at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic and qualified for each of the Eagles’ six spring tournaments where he was just one of two FGCU golfers to play in every event.

Smith made three eagles, tied for the 4th-most in single-season program history. His best finish was a tie for 4th out of 93 competitors at the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate with rounds of 75-71-76 (222) and his best three-round total was a 221 at the Fort Lauderdale Intercollegiate with following rounds of 78-69-74 to tie for 10th out of 83 golfers. In addition, Smith was the only member of the Green and Blue who played in multiple events and did not shoot in the 80s all year and as a result of his hard work, Smith was named a member of the A-SUN All-Freshman Team.


Next up is Landon Weber.

At 6-2 and coming locally from Ft. Myers, Weber brings local experience to the table. Although joining the team in the spring, he did not play in any tournaments, but rest assure, he will be ready


The last sophomore is Brent Fredericksen.

At 5-9 and hailing from Staten Island, New York, Frederickson is here to bring his NY style to FGCU.

Frederickson only played one tournament at the Patriot Intercollegiate where he recorded rounds of 76-73-79 (228).

For Fredericksen, he will get more time to play.

You got to have freshman to help understand what to expect and these three boast with excelllence: Cole Castro, DJ Griffiths and Mark Iwinski Jr.


The first freshman is Cole Castro.

At 6-2 and hailing from Homestead, Florida, Castro brings a fulfillment to make Phil Mickelson quiver.

Prior to FGCU, Castro played golf for South Dade High School. A four-year letterwinner, Castro was a two-time All-Dade County Player of the Year, three-time All-Dade County selection, a FHSAA State Medalist,and a representative of the South Team in The Florida Cup where he posted six top-10 finishes and five top-5 showings in the Florida Junior Tour, AJGA and Amateur Tour.

For Castro, he will turn the heads to see what he's made of.


Next up is DJ Griffiths.

At 5-9 and hailing from Binghamton, New York, Griffiths bring plenty of New York experience as Fredericksen.

Prior to FGCU, Griffiths played golf at Susquehanna Valley High School. There, he won the IMG Junior Worlds Qualifier at Charleston Springs GC in New Jersey in the spring of 2016 by four strokes, played in the U.S. Open Sectional tournament which he qualified for at a local U.S. Qualifier, had four top-10 finishes in American Junior Golf Association tournaments and qualified for the NYS High School Championship Final at Cornell University since 7th grade.

For Griffiths, he will Bring New York style strongly to the mix.


The final freshman is Mark Iwinski Jr.

At 5-9 and hailing from Ft. Myers, Iwinski also brings local experience to the table.

Prior to FGCU, Iwinski played at Riverdale High School. There, he was the 2016 First TEE of Naples Collier Player of the Year with 1st-place finishes at the Strand and Esplanade where  he won the Jeff Straus Invitational at Old Corkscrew GC with a 71 and finished 10th at the South Florida PGA Titleist Junior Championship. Iwinski had 3rd-place finishes in both his conference and district as a senior, finished 15th at the South Florida Junior PGA Championship at Port St. Lucie and was the Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association Player of the Year.

For Iwinski, he will make sure to keep putting his foot in the door.

Obviously, I never seen a golf game for the men, but seeing the work they do brings wonders for the team. I know they will have a good season and continue to work hard.

PC: FGCUathletics.com

FGCU Beach Volleyball Bios

After indoor volleyball season ends, volleyball is not quite over yet as there is beach volleyball left.

The FGCU beach volleyball team is sometimes, for the indoor volleyball players, spring training.

Last season. the beach volleyball team went 15-9 overall with a 6-4 record inn conference. They would enter the A-SUN Tournament as the No. 3 seed where they would earn wins over Mercer and UNF before falling to Stetson twice in the tournament including the championship finals.


The team is led by head coach Matt Botsford from the indoor volleyball. Botsford enters his fifth season as head coach for the beach team since

In his first season, Botsford's sqaud struggled badly going 2-18 with a 0-8 record in conference and lost both matches in the tournament.

In his second season at the helm, Botsford's squad went 4-11 with an 0-8 record in confernece. They would make it to the conference tournament, but would end up 1-2 in the tournament.

Botsford's Eagles eclipsed the 10-win mark for the first time in program history during his third season, compiling a 11-8 record with an 3-5 record in conference in 2016. FGCU defeated Coastal Carolina and North Florida in the A-SUN Tournament before falling in back-to-back matches to Stetson and North Florida.

Botsford's squad produced one of its most successful seasons ever at 15-9, with the win total representing the most in program history. The Eagles earned a trip to the A-SUN finals after downing North Florida and Mercer in the conference championship, but fell to nationally ranked Stetson 1-3 in the championship match. The second-place A-SUN finish tied a program-best.

For Botsford leaving behind indoor volleyball until next season, his squad will keep getting stronger with him behind the helm.


Helping Botsford is Chris Sweat. Sweat enters his fourth season as assistant coach.

A 2007 graduate from FGCU, Sweat brings a wallop of experience to the table (17 years to be exact).

As an athlete, Sweat placed first at the AAU National Championship tournament in Imperial Beach, Calif. in 2000 and compiled a five-year streak with a top-3 finish or better in that tournament.

As a coach, Sweat boasts five years of high school experience as the coach of the girls’ volleyball team at local Barron Collier High School.  He has also coached the prestigious USA South Volleyball club for six years.

Most notably, Sweat has helped coach former FGCU volleyball player and current AVP Beach Volleyball pro Brooke Youngquist-Sweat. With guidance from Sweat and his brother Nick, the former Brooke Youngquist-Sweat is part of the current number 2 team in the nation and was named the AVP’s Best Defender in 2013.

As a former volunteer assistant with the program, Sweat officially joins the staff with over a decade of beach volleyball experience and unparalleled passion for the sport.

With the help to back up Botsford, Sweat will give it all he's got to make the team successful.

The beach team did lose lose three seniors as they graduated: Leigh Pudwill, Caroline Jordan and Madi Wilcox.

Halie Werkmeister has also departed from the team.

The indoor volleyball players that help the team are as noted with their overall records: Karissa Rhoades (26-19), Kaiti Krivdo (5-7), Giovanna Borgiotti (10-14) and Amanda Carroll (20-14).

Freshmen Alayna Ryan, Snowy Burnam and Cortney VanLiew will also be joining the beach team.

There are five players playing beach only (two seniors, two juniors and one freshman).

The two seniors have been around for a long while: Ashley Glickert and Mackenzie Allen.


The first is Ashley Glickert.

At 5-10 and hailing from Chesterfield, Missouri, Glickert can show you what shes got.

Joining the team her sophomore year, Glickert played alongside Katherine Puisis, Rhoades and Caroll mainly at the No. 3 spot. Glickert went 1-3 alongside Puisis, 1-3 with Caroll and 7-4 with Rhoades.

In her junior year, Glickert played alongside Borgiotti primarily at the No. 2 position where they went 10-14 overall.

For Glickert and her senior year, she will make impact.


If anyone has a lot of experience as a beach volleyball player, it's Mackenzie Allen.

At 5-10 and hailing from Naples, Florida is an ultimate force.

Allen originally played indoor volleyball her freshman and sophomore years.

She did not play beach for her freshman year, but in her sophomore year,  pairing mainly with Carroll and Rhoades, Allen established a 2-6 record with Rhoades and a 7-4 record with Carroll finishing with a 9-10 overall record.

In her junior year, Allen paired with all season with Carroll going 12-11 as the No. 1 position.

For Allen she's gonna blow her competition in the sand.

Two returning juniors come into play with ease: Katie Puisis and Kellie Pernula.


The first of the two juniors is Katie Puisis.

At 5-11 and hailing from Mason, Ohio, Puisis is a great part of the team.

In her freshman year, Puisis played at the No. 3 and No. 5 position teaming with Leigh Pudwill and Glickert. She went 5-7 overall with 1-3 with Glickert and 4-4 with Pudwill.

In her sophomore year, it was Puisis' moment to shine. Playing at the No. 3 position, Puisis paired with Rhoades where they went 15-9 overall. Because of her hard work, Puisis was named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference First Team.

For Puisis, her moment will shine again.



The last member of the team is Kellie Pernula.

At 5-7 and hailing from Plant City, Florida, Pernula brings a great depth to the team.

In her freshman year, Pernula played mainly extra matches. Teaming with Amanda Carroll, Pernula went 1-2 in the season.

Pernula redshirted as a sophomore due to an injury, but her road to recovery will be out of this world.


The lone freshman on the whole team is Kayla Whetstone.

At 5-8 and hailing from Arlington, Texas, Whetstone is here to put her foot in the door.

Prior to FGCU, Whetstone played for Arlington Lamar High School as an outside hitter under head coach Heather Woodman. Whetstone totaled 828 kills, 30 assists, 1212 digs, 75 aces and 133 blocks in her career. She was All-District First Team as a senior and All-District Second Team as a junior.

After indoor, Whetstone played beach volleyball where she was a member of the 692 Beach National Team and the High Performance A2 Team.Whetstone won and placed in various beach tournaments across the nation including NVL, AAU, ROX and USAV.

With her prior experience with beach volleyball, Whetstone will make the magic happen.

I only have been to one beach volleyball, and I'm hoping to go to more this school year. The reason I didn't go to almost all of them was either A: there were not many at home or B: It was conflicting with my schedule for academics or with other sports. This year, I'm hoping to go to more than one match before I graduate and see what the team this year can do.

Photo Credit: FGCUathletics.com

FGCU Men's Basketball Bios

Another season occurs for the FGCU men's basketball and the run for another chapter of Dunk City.

Last year, the men's basketball team went 26-8 with a 12-2 record in conference. They won the conference tournament and an automatic bid in the national tournament as the No. 14 seed, but would fall to FSU in the first round by a score of 86-80.



The team is led by Joe Dooley. Dooley enters his 5th season as head coach for FGCU.

 A native of West Orange, N.J., Dooley came in clutch after Andy Enfield's departure for USC.

Prior to his coaching career, Dooley played for George Washington University where he was a four-year letterwinner and started his last two seasons and elected a team captain as a senior.

After his tenure with GW, Dooley began his coaching career as an assistant coach for South Carolina and East Carolina before securing the head coach position for ECU. Dooley lead the program to a 57-52 record over four seasons prior to his stint at New Mexico where he was one of just two head coaches in ECU history to produce a winning record at the D-I level. In his first season at the helm in 1995-96, Dooley also became the winningest first-year head coach in more than 20 years with a 17-11 mark.

 In 2007, he was rated the fourth-best recruiter in the nation by Rivals.com for the class that included McDonald's All-American Cole Aldrich and Tyrel Reed. He also brought in future NBA draftees Sasha Kaun and Mario Chalmers. Kansas produced 300 wins, nine straight Big 12 regular-season titles, six Big 12 Tournament championships, six NCAA Sweet 16s, five NCAA Elite Eight appearances and two Final Fours, including the 2008 National Championship.

After his tenure with ECU, Dooley served a three year tenure as an assistant coach with New Mexico and a one year tenure with Wyoming before taking a position as an assistant coach with Kansas. Dooley’s 10 seasons with Kansas yielded nine in which the Jayhawks averaged more than 75 points per contest, including 80 or more three times. Kansas finished in the top three in the Big 12 in scoring seven of 10 years, highlighted by the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns in which it posted a league-high 81.6 and 81.2 points per game, respectively.

In July 2010, Dooley was ranked first in the Top 25 High-Major Assistants by Foxsports.com, which was up from his No. 6 ranking by the media outlet in 2008.

After his 10 year tenure with the Jayhawks, Dooley became head coach for FGCU.

From the first time he set foot on the beach-lined campus, Dooley stressed the importance of filling Alico Arena, and the fans responded during the 2013-14 season as the Eagles posted a season-high-tying 15 home victories inside the friendly confines. A record 73,780 fans – including 13 sellouts, six standing-room sellouts and an average of 4,340 – witnessed Dunk City in action at Alico, roughly 12,000 more than the previous two seasons combined. Dooley completed his first season on the FGCU sidelines in 2013-14, guiding the Eagles to their first A-Sun regular-season championship and first trip to the NIT. FGCU finished the year with a 22-13 record, including a record 14 wins as part of a 14-4 A-Sun mark. The 22 victories were the most in Dooley’s tenure as a head coach, and represented the second-most in FGCU’s Division-I era (2007-08).

In his second season, Dooley posted his second-consecutive 22-win season with FGCU as the Eagles made their third-straight postseason appearance by hosting a CIT (CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament) opening-round game. The Green and Blue finished with a 22-11 overall record, including an 11-3 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

In his third season, Dooley posted his third-straight 20-win season (21-14) with FGCU in 2015-16 as the Eagles won their second Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Championship in four years. FGCU won its third NCAA Tournament game in four years with a 96-65 victory over 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson in the First Four with the 31-point margin of victory in that round of the tournament being the largest in NCAA history. The Eagles would go on to face top-seeded North Carolina in the First Round and trailed by just one at halftime, 41-40, before falling to the Tar Heels in Raleigh, 83-67.

In his fourth season, Dooley was named the A-SUN Coach of the Year and District 3 Coach of the Year after guiding FGCU to a 26-8 record, matching the program’s Division-I single-season wins record and posting the first single-digit loss campaign in the D-I era. The Eagles set a D-I program record for regular-season wins with 23, and finished the A-SUN slate at 12-2 for a program-best .857 winning percentage. Those 12 wins were enough for FGCU to claim its first outright ASUN regular-season title in program history (second overall; shared in Dooley’s first season in 2013-14), and followed it up with a second-straight A-SUN Tournament Championship. The Eagles played their sixth NCAA Tournament game in five seasons after receiving a program-best No. 14 seed and fell just short to No. 3 seed Florida State, the second-tallest team in the nation by a score of 86-80.

With his experience as head coach, Dooley will make other teams aware Dunk City is always ready.

The team has lost eight players: Marc-Eddy Norelia and Demetris Morant have graduated and are playing professional ball overseas in Greece (Morant) and France (Norelia).

Kevin Mickle has graduated and transferred to Ohio University using his last year of eligibility there as a grad student.

Junior Rayjon Tucker transferred to the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

Junior Maxx Bleecher quit to be with his fraternity and sophomore Rendjis Feikners quit to go back to Latvia.

Junior Reggie Reid transferred to NCAA DII Texas A&M-Commerce.

C.J. Williamson was dismissed prior to last season due to disciplinary reasons and is now playing for NJCAA Chipola College.

This year's squad consists of four seniors, four juniors, five transfers, two sophomores and four freshman.

The four seniors that come into play strongly are as followed: Josh Ko (G), Christian Terrell (G), Antravious Simmons (F) and Brandon Goodwin (G).



First up is Josh Ko.

A 6-1 guard from Kailua, Hawaii, Ko came with a strong purpose and opportunity.

Prior to FGCU, Ko played for the University of Pittsburgh of the ACC his freshman and sophomore years. He played a total of 15 games before transferreing to FGCU as a preferred walk-on. Ko sat out the whole season upon transferring due to the NCAA transfer rules and was listed as a redshirt junior.

In his redshirt junior year, Ko appeared in five games where he had seven points (1.4 PPG), five rebounds (1 RPG), five assists and two steals.

For Ko, he will make his presence known that he's ready for his senior year.


Next up is my best friend Christian Terrell.

The 6-5 guard from Jacksonville, Florida can really bring impact as a 3-point specialist.

In his freshman year, Terrell played in all 33 games with one start. Terrell had 110 points (3.3 PPG), 52 rebounds (1.6 RPG), 26 assists, seven blocks and nine steals. Terrell's hard work earned him a spot for the A-Sun Conference All-Freshman Team and was the first FGCU selection since Bernard Thompson and Brett Comer were selected during the 2011-12 season.

In his sophomore year, Terrell started 24 of his 35 games played backing up Filip Cvjeticanin before being named a starter for the rest of the season. Terrell had 446 points (12.7 PPG), 177 rebounds (5.1 RPG), 82 assists, 13 blocks and 42 steals. Terrell was named on the A-SUN All-Tournament Team for his hard work in the conference tournament.

In his junior year, Terrell's stats dropped a bit. Starting 31 of his 33 games, Terrell had 337 points (10.2 PPG), 105 rebounds (3.2 RPG), 80 assists, eight blocks and 26 steals. Terrell was ranked 4th on FGCU in scoring, 3rd in 3-point percentage (.351 – 53-151) and 3rd in assists.

With his hot shots, Terrell will be making sure that everyone is keeping eyes on him.


You need a guy with a big body and Antravious Simmons is a god fit.

The 6-9 forward from Miami, Florida certainly has the body to box out opposing big men and it shows.

Simmons has more physic to be a football player than a basketball player and arguably it's true. Simmons originally played offensive line in high school before being a basketball player to transform his body better to play basketball.

Prior to FGCU, Simmons played his freshman year for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) of the Atlantic 10 Conference, he played in three games for VCU averaging 0.7 PPG and 0.7 RPG before transferring to FGCU.

In his redshirt sophomore year, Simmon was not originally expected to be eligible to play, but the NCAA gave him a waiver 24 hours before the season started. Simmons started 16 of his 34 games played where he had 269 points (7.9 PPG), 178 rebounds (5.2 RPG), 23 assists, 14 blocks and 14 steals.

In his redshirt junior year, Simmons started 11 of his 34 games played with 185 (5.4 PPG), 117 rebounds (3.4 RPG), 13 assists, six blocks and 10 steals.

With his strong physic, Simmons will show that no one can step up to him in the paint.


Last, but never least is Brandon Goodwin.

A 6-2 guard from Norcross, Georgia, Goodwin came with a opportunity for redemption.

Prior to FGCU this season, Goodwin played his first two years at the University of Central Florida (UCF) of the American Athletic Conference.

In his freshman year as a Golden Knight, Goodwin played in 28 games with nine starts with 83 points (3 PPG), 53 rebounds (1.9 RPG), 49 assists (1.8 APG), one block and 13 steals (0.5).

When sophomore year hit for Goodwin, things turned around. He managed to get 307 points (10.2 PPG), 117 rebounds (3.9 RPG), 127 assists (4.2 APG) four blocks and 37 steals (1.9 SPG) before transferring to FGCU.

After sitting out one whole season because of the NCAA Transfer Rule, Goodwin went off for his redshirt junior year. Starting all 34 games played, Goodwin had the program’s single-season scoring record  of 629 points (18.5 PPG), 154 rebounds (4.5 RPG), 139 assists (4.1 APG), two blocks and 41 steals (1.2 SPG). As a result, Goodwin was named 1x A-SUN Player of the Week, a league record 6x A-SUN Player of the Week, a member A-SUN All-Tournament Team, the A-SUN All-Tournament MVP, a A-SUN All-Conference First Team member, a NABC District 3 First Team member and the first unanimous winner of the A-SUN Newcomer of the Year.

For Goodwin, he will make everyone know that second chances can make people stronger.

To back up the seniors, four juniors come in profoundly: Ricky Doyle (F), Michael Gilmore (F), Dolan Mahoney (G) and Zach Johnson (G).


The first of four juniors is Ricky Doyle.

The 6-10 forward from Cape Coral, Florida came with strong local talent.

Prior to FGCU, Doyle spent his first two years at the University of Michigan of the Big Ten Conference.

In his freshman year at Michigan, Doyle started 19 of his 31 games with 190 points (6.1 PPG), 98 rebounds (3.2 RPG), eight assists (0.3 APG), seven steals (0.2 SPG) and 12 blocks (0.4 BPG).

In his sophomore year, Doyle started 11 of his 36 games with 136 points (3.8 PP), 71 points (2 RPG), two assists (0.1 APG), three steals (0.1 SPG) and seven blocks (0.2 BPG) before transferring to FGCU.

Doyle sat out the whole season due last year due to the NCAA Transfer Rule, but you can bet he'll be ready for this season.


Next up is Michael Gilmore.

The 6-10 forward from Jacksonville, Florida came to FGCU, like Goodwin, looking for a second chance.

Prior to FGCU, Gilmore came as a double transfer for Miami and VCU.

After sitting out the whole season while being with the U, Gilmore transferred to VCU.

In his freshman year at VCU, Gilmore played in 25 games with 51 points (2 PPG), 39 rebounds (1.6 RPG), four assists (0.2), six blocks (0.2) and five steals (0.2).

In his sophomore year at VCU, Gilmore produced better numbers. Starting 18 of his 30 games played, Gilmore had 96 points (3.2 PPG), 84 rebounds (2.8 RPG), 12 assists (0.4 APG), seven blocks (0.2 BPG) and 12 steals (0.4 SPG) before transferring to FGCU in the spring.

This season, Gilmore will sit out two semesters per NCAA transfer rules, and will be eligible to begin playing with the Eagles in December of 2017 following completion of the fall semester. He will be eligible for the duration of the 2017-18 season and the entire 2018-19 campaign.

For Gilmore, I'm looking to see him make his debut for FGCU.


A player who I can relate to is Dolan Mahoney.

The 6-2 guard from my town I lived in since I was 9: Bradenton, Florida came to make a difference with FGCU.

Beginning as a walk-on his freshman year, Mahoney played in 10 games with five points (0.5 PPG), one rebound (0.1 RPG), one assist, (0.1 APG) and two steals (0.2 SPG)

In his sophomore year, Mahoney played in five games with five points (1 PPG) and one assist (0.2 APG).

For Mahoney, he will make his presence known to represent Bradenton with ease.


Last but not least is Zach Johnson.

The 6-2 guard from Miami, Florida, Johnson can overcome many odds that fit the eye.

He was originally suppose to play the start of his freshman year at FGCU, but had to medical redshirt, but was able to maintain all four years of elgibility.

In his redshirt freshman year, Johnson went on a tear. Starting 20 of his 35 games, Johnson had 387 points (11.1 PPG), 89 rebounds (2.5 RPG), 115 assists (3.3 APG), 19 blocks (0.5 BPG) and 31 steals (0.9 SPG). Johnson's 387 points set the FGCU freshman scoring record, surpassing the previous mark of 374 by Anthony Banks. Johnson was so successful that he was named a member of the A-SUN All-Freshman Team and the A-SUN All-Tournament Team. Johnson's golden moment was during the Conference Championship finals against Stetson where he made the game saving block to help the Eagles advance to the national tournament.

In his redshirt sophomore year, Johnson had 393 points (11.9 PPG), 93 rebounds (2.8 RPG), 102 assists (3.1 APG), 12 blocks (0.4 BPG) and 45 steals (1.4 SPG). Johnson was  ranked 2nd on the team in points and assists.

With his slashing ability and speed, Johnson will give it all he's got.

FGCU managed to ink five transfers to join: Troy Baxter Jr. (F-UNLV), Kyle Hoffman (G- Ottawa/Kansas), Mark Matthews (G- UNCW/USC Aiken), Brady Ernst (F- Iowa State/Indian Hills CC) and Dinero Mercurius (G- USF/UTRGV/Daytona St.)


The first is Troy Baxter Jr.

The 6-8 forward from Tallahassee, Florida came with a good amount of height.

Prior to FGCU, Baxter played his freshman year at UNLV of the Mountain West Conference (MWC). There, Baxter averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game and reached double-figure points four times.

Baxter will be listed as a redshirt sophomore and will have three years of eligibility remaining, but will sit out this season due to compliance with the NCAA Transfer rule, but I assure he will be ready for next season.


Next up is Kyle Hoffman.

The 5-9 guard from Lawrence, Kansas comes to FGCU as a double transfer walk-on.

Prior to FGCU,  Hoffman played on the junior varsity team for Ottawa University of the NAIA Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) before transferring to Kansas.

Hoffman will be listed as a redshirt sophomore and will have three years of eligibility remaining, but will sit out this season due to compliance with the NCAA Transfer rule,


Another local product joining the squad as double transfer walk-on is Mark Matthews.

The 6-6 guard from Ft. Myers comes back to his hometown to make his return.

Prior to FGCU, Matthews started his freshman year at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington (UNCW) of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). There, in 23 games played, Matthews had 78 points (3.3 PPG), 37 rebounds (1.6 RPG), 13 assists (0.6 APG), one block (0.1 BPG) and 10 steals (0.4 SPG).

After his freshman year with the Seahawks, Matthews transferred to NCAA DII USC Aiken of the Peach Belt Conference. There, Matthews started 25 of his 26 games played where he had 403 points (15.5 PPG), 208 rebounds (8 RPG), 59 assists (2.7 APG), two blocks (0.1) and 23 steals (1.1 SPG).

Matthews joins FGCU as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining, but despite transferring from DII to DI, Matthews will sit out this season due to compliance with the NCAA Transfer rule. I can assure that he will bring his local talent to the extreme next season.


The final double transfer joining FGCU to bring height to the depth is Brady Ernst.

The 6-10 forward from Clinton, Iowa came for a recovering redemption.

Prior to FGCU, Ernst started his freshman year at Iowa State of the Big 12 Conference. Ernst saw action in six games before being shut down for remainder of season due to a knee injury.

Hoping for another chance to play, Ernst transferred as a redshirt freshman to Indian Hills Community College of NJCAA Region 11/Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). There, Ernst started 23 of his 28 games played where he had 263 points (9.4 PPG), 183 rebounds (6.5 RPG), 12 assists (0.3 APG), 31 blocks (1.1 BPG) and nine steals (0.3 SPG).

Ernst joins FGCU as a redshirt sophomore and will have three years of eligibility remaining and is automatically eligible due to the 4-2-4 transfer rule with the NCAA and NJCAA. I look forward to the depth of height he brings for FGCU.


The last of the transfers that is to me the most unique player on the team: Dinero Mercurius.

The 6-4 guard from Orlando, Florida comes to FGCU as a triple transfer (yes, there is such title as a triple transfer) and as a three point specialist.

Prior to FGCU, Mercurius started his freshman year at USF of the AAC. Starting three of his 29 games played, Dinero had 97 points (3.3 PPG), 55 rebounds (1.9 RPG), 21 assists (1.1 AGP) and 11 steals (0.5 SPG).

After transferring to the University of Texas Rio-Grande Valley of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) his sophomore year and sitting out via the NCAA Transfer rule, Mercurius transferred, as a redshirt sophomore, to Daytona State College of NJCAA Region 8/Florida Collegiate School Athletic Association (FCSAA). There, Mercurius had 515 points (17.8 PPG), 132 rebounds (4.6 RPG), 82 assists (3.8 APG), seven blocks (0.2 BPG) and 50 steals (1.7 SPG). Because of his hard work with the Falcons, Mercurius was named to the Mid-Florida Conference First Team.

Mercurius joins FGCU as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining and is automatically eligible due to the 4-4-2-4 transfer rule with the NCAA and NJCAA.

I look forward to Mercurius opening the banks with his money making 3's.

Two returning sophomores join the fray for FGCU: Raysean Scott Jr. (F) and Christian Carlyle (G).


The first of two sophomores is Raysean Scott Jr.

The 6-7 forward from Compton, California came into play with good measures.

Starting five of his 25 games played as a freshman, Scott had 84 points (3.4 PPG), 52 rebounds (2.1 RPG), nine assists (0.4 APG), three blocks (0.1 BPG) and four steals (0.2 SPG).

With a new style of play, Scott will give it all he's got.


Lastly is Christian Carlyle.

The 6-6 guard from Jacksonville, Florida came as a wild card in the beginning.

In his freshman year, Carlyle played in 20 games with 45 points (2.3 PPG), 21 rebounds (1.1 RPG), 18 assists (0.9 APG), two blocks (0.1 BPG) and eight steals (0.8 SPG).

For Carlyle, he will take the world by storm.

FGCU managed to ink four freshman on the team: Darnell Rogers (G), Ryan McAdoo (G), Brian Thomas (F) and Ryan Roucant (C).


The first of the freshman class is Darnell Rogers.

The 5-2 guard from Baltimore, Maryland came to make a statement. Yes he is considered to be currently the shortest player in the NCAA, but remember the old saying: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."

Prior to FGCU, Rogers played at Indian Land High School under head coach Nate Smith. There, he was a one-time All-County Lancaster Player of the Year and two-time Region 4-2AA Player of the Year. Rogers also led Indian Land to win its first Region 4-2AA Championship in 30 years and won it again in 2014-15.

Rogers then transferred to Shiloh High School his senior year where he finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,776 points.

After graduating, Rogers enrolled at Believe Preparatory School where he averaged 23 points, seven assists and two steals per game.

With his ability, Rogers will make his presence known that he's ready.


Joining FGCU as a preferred walk-on and a basketball blood background is Ryan McAdoo.

The 6-5 guard from Boca Raton, Florida brings NBA blood with him from his father, Bob McAdoo (Yes, the same Bob McAdoo from the 1982 and 1985 NBA Champion L.A. Lakers).

Prior to FGCU, McAdoo played at St. Andrews School under head coach John O'Connell. There, McAdoo averaged 6.2 points, 5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game as a senior and garnered Most Improved Player honors after increasing those numbers from 3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.5 apg and 0.6 spg as a junior.

With his basketball family background, McAdoo will keep the family blood in order.


One player who made the right choice to come to FGCU is Brian Thomas.

The 6-9 forward from Kennesaw, Georgia made the right move by not going to Kennesaw State.

Prior to FGCU, Thomas played for Kell High School under head coach Jermaine Sellers. Thomas was rated a 3-star recruit by Rivals and tabbed as the 16th-best player in the entire talent-laden state of Georgia. Thomas averaged 11 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks per game as a junior and was named an all-region performer the same year. According to HoopSeen.com, Thomas was named as the top recruit in the entire A-SUN Conference.

With his height and blocking ability, Thomas will be the sure factor for the team.


Last, but not least on the team who I knew prior to FGCU is Ryan Roucant.

The 6-10 center from Estero, Florida brings local talent to the mix.

Prior to FGCU, Roucant played for Estero High School under head coach Willie Neal. There, Roucant averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks per game as a junior and was a Summa Cum Laude graduate.

Roucant is a preferred walk-on, but will redshirt to maintain all four years of eligbility.

For Roucant, he will surely bring it on for the locals.

I've hung around some of the greatest players from Dunk City and meeting the new players and getting to know who they are is quite nice.

This season may have some curves and hurdles coming to them, but I know they can bounce back and show what Dunk City is all about.

PC: FGCUathletics.com

FGCU Men's Tennis Bios

Now that I have talked about the women's tennis team, why don't we talk about the men's tennis team.

The FGCU men's tennis team returns for the next season coming up after struggling last. The team 10-13 overall with a 3-3 record in conference. Luckily, the men were able to make it to the conference tournament as the No. 4 seed. They defeated No. 5 seed Upstate 5-1 in the quarterfinals and No. 1 seed UNF 4-3 in the semifinals before defeating No. 6 Lipscomb 4-2 in the championship and securing an automatic bid for the national tournament before falling to UF in the first round. Now of course with every team, they will lose someone that has been a key part of the team.


The team is led by head coach C.J. Weber. Weber enters his 7th season as head coach.

Weber graduated from Eastern Illinois and was an outstanding tennis player and student. While playing tennis his senior year, he was three-time Ohio Valley All-Conference selection, as well as a Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year. Weber was also a four-time recipient of EIU's Scholar-Athlete Award and garnered Academic All-America first team honors as a senior, following his selection to the Academic All-America District first team as a junior and senior. Weber was also a two-time MVP and selected team captain as a senior and finished his career with a 44-18 singles record.

After graduating from EIU, Weber spent the 2004-05 season as the assistant coach of both Eastern Illinois' men's and women's tennis programs, and picked up experience managing and providing instruction at summer tennis camps at both Eastern Illinois and Illinois.

Weber spent the spring of 2006 serving as the volunteer assistant coach for the ninth-ranked Fighting Illini, coordinating practice sessions, providing on-court instruction and match preparation, overseeing fitness and conditioning, as well as providing administrative support. At Illinois, he coached three All-Americans, including NCAA Doubles Champions Ryan Rowe and Kevin Anderson, and helped guide the team to the semifinals of the USTA/ITA National Indoors Tournament and to the "Sweet Sixteen" of the NCAA Tournament.

He then was an assistant coach for the University of Miami. Over his five years as an assistant coach for Miami, the Hurricanes had four players earn a total of eight All-America honors. In 2011, Weber helped guide the Hurricanes to a No. 27 ITA ranking and a fourth place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season. For his efforts he was named the 2011 ITA Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year before being named head coach for FGCU.

In addition to collegiate coaching, Weber has helped train a list of ATP tour players, including current ATP No. 14 Kevin Anderson, spending significant time preparing him for the 2011 Australian Open and the BB&T Open in 2012 and 2014. Following the 2015 season Weber continued working with Anderson, helping him prepare for the grass court circuit in England, where he made the finals of Queens and lost in a 5 set thriller to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the fourth round at Wimbledon. Weber also spent time with Anderson in preparation for this summer’s hard court season and the US Open Series. Prior to his work with Anderson, Weber traveled with retired ATP No. 174 Ryler Deheart to various tournaments, most notably Wimbledon, the US Open and the French Open from 2009-10.

In his inaugural season, Weber led the men’s tennis team to a sixth-place finish in the A-Sun, qualifying them for its first-ever A-SUN Tournament berth as they finished 7-10 overall and 4-5 in conference play. The Eagles had a winning record at home (6-5) and hosted their first-ever night match in front of 200-plus people beating Kennesaw State 4-3. Weber had two players named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshmen team, a first for the program. Tianyu Bao was the first FGCU Eagle to be named the A-SUN Freshman of the Year and land on the All-Freshmen team, while Michael Beiler was honored to the All-Freshmen team as well.

In his second year at the helm, Weber guided the Green and Blue to an unprecedented number of program-firsts highlighted by their 4-3 win over tradition-rich Oklahoma State, fourth-place finish in conference play and first postseason victory after defeating USC Upstate in the 2013 A-Sun Tournament. Adding to the list of first-time successes, then sophomores Jordi Vives and Bao received All-Conference honors. Bao was a second-team member, while Vives was named to the All-Conference first team, the A-SUN All-Tournament team and an Academic All-Conference selection.

In his third season, Weber guided the Eagles to finish third in the conference and claim 12 wins. Highlighting the 2014 campaign was then-junior Vives, whom Weber led to become the first from FGCU to earn an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national rank - reaching a career-high No. 35, compile a nation-leading 14-match unbeaten streak and represent the Eagles in the NCAA Tournament for the first time, where he earned a win and advanced to the round of 32. Vives' success crowned him A-Sun Player of the Year and earned him spots on the All-Conference First Team, the A-Sun All-Tournament team and the Academic All-Conference squad. Bao was also named to the First-Team. Vives and Dean Tsamas earned the program's first regional ranking, appearing at No. 9 in the ITA Southeast Region.

Weber led the Eagles to an astounding 17-6 overall record in the spring of 2015 and a perfect 8-0 mark in conference play including other milestones. During the 2014-15 season, Weber's Eagles defeated four nationally-ranked opponents, most notably No. 71 Miami in February and capped the year with the program's first regular season title and tournament championship ring. Weber was later recognized by the ITA, being named the Southeast Region's Coach of the Year. FGCU had a total of six players win A-SUN All-Conference Awards including Vives (Player of the Year), Beiler (First Team) and Ricky Ventura (First Team). Second Team honorees included Vives and Eduardo Alfonzo in doubles as well as Austin Bates and Bao in singles. Bates was also named to the All-Freshmen Team. Ventura was also named the A-Sun Tournament MVP. The Eagles finished the year ranked sixth in the Southeast Region, the highest ranking in Division I history, as well as it's first national ranking at No. 75. Weber led the team to their first NCAA Tournament appearance before falling to UCLA in the first round.

FGCU repeated its regular-season title in 2016, finishing the year undefeated in conference play along with a 16-6 mark overall. Weber's Eagles again found themselves placed among the nation's best, climbing as high as No. 74 in the ITA Rankings over the course of the season. Facing a tough schedule featuring six NCAA Tournament team, the Eagles earned four wins against the nation's best. Weber was named the A-SUN Coach of the Year for the second time in as many seasons.

Adversity was the theme in 2016-17 as the Eagles faced numerous injuries, weather delays, and a tough schedule en route to their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three seasons. The Green and Blue were hampered by injuries throughout the season but hit their stride late in the year. The Eagles finished the regular season 8-12 and 3-3 in A-SUN play, facing the likes of Florida State, Miami, #29 South Alabama, #48 UCF and #34 Memphis. However, in the A-SUN Tournament, FGCU strung together three wins, including a semifinal victory over No. 1 UNF that concluded at 3:15 in the morning, to secure the program's second NCAA berth in three years.

With his great coaching experience with Eastern Illinois, Illinois and Miami, Weber has great potential for these young men for this season.


Helping out Weber this season is Lucas Vaz. Vaz enters his second season as assistant coach for Weber.

Hailing from Sao Pablo, Brazil, Vaz was a former tennis player for FGCU and was a dominate force for the team.

After spending his freshman year at Tulsa University, he transferred to FGCU from sophomore to senior year as an active player with an astonishing 65 career wins as well as becoming a member of the A-Sun All Second Team before becoming a student assistant for coach Weber.

Although Vaz is no longer a player on the team, his phenomenal experience as a coach will surely bring a lot to the table.

A new season means out with the old, in with the new.

The team lost Andy Alfonzo and Sam Chaffin as they graduated.

This year's team consists of two seniors, three juniors, one transfer and two sophomores.

The two seniors that have been a big part of FGCU are Austin Bates and Oliver Landert.


The first senior whom I consider to be the to be the voice of FGCU men's tennis is Austin Bates.

At 6-1 and hailing from Marietta, Georgia, Bates has more lung capacity than the city of Manhattan.

In his freshman year, Bates went all out. He went 6-2 in singles competition with a 3-0 record in conference and 6-5 with a 2-1 mark in doubles. He did so well that he was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Conference Second Team in singles and the A-Sun All-Freshman Team.

Unfortunately, he was unable to play his sophomore year and utilized a medical redshirt due to an injury, but his junior year was his redemption. Bates finished the season with a 6-7 overall record in singles, including two crucial wins in conference play. Bates began the season with a win in his first match in more than a year, defeating Grand Canyon’s Valentin Lang 6-4, 7-5 and followed with a victory over UC Irvine’s Bruce Man Song Hing 3-6, 6-2, 11-9. He then defeated Kennesaw State’s David Durham and Arkansas’ Austin Robles to finish the fall season and came back from 0-5 down in the second set against Stetson’s Coilin MacNamara to win 6-4, 7-6 and later defeated Lipscomb’s Jorge Ortega 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 to help FGCU clinch a spot in the A-SUN Tournament. Bates also went 6-9 in doubles with wins over George Washington and #48 UCF in the spring.

For the voice of FGCU men's tennis,  I know Bates will go rampage on his opponents with more than just his voice.


The other senior whom I call FGCU's Swiss Superman is Oliver Landert.

Originally from Switzerland, the 6-0 senior, now residing in Naples, Florida, has tennis in his blood as his elder sister and new assistant coach. Alex, formerly played for FGCU's women's tennis team.

Prior to FGCU, Landert started his collegiate tennis career at Florida as a redshirt freshman. There he played against teams like then No. 4 UCLA and reached the semifinals in singles play at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Championships.

By sophomore year, Oliver transferred to FGCU and went wild. He tallied 31 total wins with a 3-1 record as No. 4  and a 7-4 record at No. 5. singles while winning all four of his A-SUN matches and was 3-0 in doubles. He earned A-SUN Second Team honors for his hard work.

By junior year, Landert finished the season 11-22 in singles and 17-16 in doubles. Landert began the spring with wins over Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman. He defeated Xavier’s Matt Bishop, claimed a victory over USC Upstate’s Ankush Arora in the A-SUN Quarterfinals.

Landert is still to me considered the Swiss Superman and I know there is no kryptonite that will stop him.

To backup the seniors, three juniors come into play: Javier Fernandez, Ezequiel Cerrini and Mateo Ruiz.


The first of three juniors with the speed of a Japanese bullet train is Javier "Javi" Fernandez.

The 5-8 sophomore from Ibiza, Spain is really fast in his game.

In his freshman year, Fernandez struck like a napalm strike. He tallied 15 singles wins including a perfect 6-0 mark in A-SUN play, playing mainly as the No. 5 and No. 6 on the court. He helped the team clinch the regular season with a win over Stetson and compiled 9-6 record in doubles. Fernandez was so phenomenal that he was named A-Sun’s Freshman of the Year and earned A-Sun Second Team and A-Sun All-Freshman Team honors.

In his sophomore year, Fernanadez won 11 matches in the fall, including victories over FAU, Florida State, Duke, UCF, and UNF. He won eight of his final nine matches to end the season, beginning with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Pierre Fossier of Stetson (3/23), followed with the first of two wins over Jonathan Deautreill (3/25). After a loss to USC Upstate, Fernandez won his final six matches (remaining two matches were unfinished), including clinching FGCU’s semifinal win over No. 1 UNF (4/22), defeated George Wong in the A-SUN Final 6-1, 6-0, claimed a first set win over #15 Florida’s Johannes Ingildsen, claimed 11 doubles wins, nine during the dual season, went 7-5 in doubles with four wins in the final six matches and won every match during the A-SUN Tournament. Fernandez paired with Bates to defeat Wisconsin’s Osgar O’Hoisin and Darius Mackenzie in the Spring Invitational. He remained a vital part of the lineup earning Second Team All-Conference honors with a 23-16 record overall and a 5-1 record in A-SUN play and was later named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team.

With his speed, Fernanadez is going to turn heads again


The second junior on the men's tennis team is Ezequiel "Eze" Cerrini.

Originally from Argentina and now residing in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, the 6-0 junior has a serve that can take out a tank.

In his freshman year, Cerrini made an immediate impact playing as the No. 5 and No. 6 singles before playing the No. 2 singles. There he had 13 wins in singles and five in doubles. Because of his success, he was named to the A-SUN All-Freshman team.

Following  an impressive freshman season with a 16-19 record in singles play and 12 more victories in doubles action. Cerrini won six of his first eight singles matches of the fall, defeating opponents from FAU, USF, UC San Diego, USC, UC Irvine and Florida State, went 4-2 in conference action, with wins against Stetson, USC Upstate, NJIT, and Kennesaw State, settled into the No. 4 spot, where he produced a 7-3 record, including a win in the A-SUN Tournament Championship over Daniel Cardenas. Cerrini partnered primarily with Andres Alfonzo at No. 2 doubles, producing a 5-6 record at that spot and a 5-11 mark overall … The duo went 2-1 in the A-SUN Tournament, including a vital win over No. 1 UNF in the semifinals that put the Eagles in front 1-0 in the match. Cerrini did so well that he earn A-SUN Second Team All-Conference honors.

Cerrini is surely going to make impact again for the team.

The last true junior on the team is Mateo Ruiz.

At 6-1 and hailing from from Bucaramanga, Colombia has came with a goal to make it to the top.

Prior to FGCU, Ruiz played his freshman year at Oklahoma State University. There he went 1-2 in singles.

After transferring to FGCU for his sophomore year, Ruiz got more time to play. Mainly playing at the No. 3 Singles, Ruiz went 13-16 in singles and 14-13 in doubles in his first season as an Eagle and picked up a vital win against No. 1 UNF in the A-SUN semifinals over #123 Jefta Kecic (April 22) teaming with Javier Fernandez to post a 7-5 record in doubles, the duo earned wins over Tennessee Tech (Feb. 18), NJIT (April 1), and Lipscomb (April 8) and won every match during the A-SUN Tournament, ending the season winning four of their last six matches.

For Ruiz, he's a great force for the team.



FGCU managed to ink a transfer for the team: Felipe "Feli" Escobar.

At 5-8 and hailing from Pereira, Colombia, Escobar came to make himself heard.

Prior to FGCU, Escobar played two matches at Texas Christian University. He went 0-2 in both one singles match and one doubles match.

Escobar joins FGCU as a junior and will have two years of eligibility remaining, but I know he can make his way to the top.


The lone true sophomore that I always tell to use his height to his advantage is Felipe "Pipe" Ramirez.

At 6-1 and hailing from Armenia, Colombia, Ramirez came as a wildcard for the men's team.

In his freshman year, Ramirez made an instant impact after becoming eligible in the spring and rose from No. 4 in the lineup to the top spot in both doubles and singles. Ramirez recorded an 11-6 record in singles and a 9-8 record in doubles, teaming mainly with Landert and Cerrini. Ramirez defeated Lipscomb’s #118 Rob Mitchell to in the A-SUN Final to clinch FGCU’s second NCAA Tournament berth in three seasons. Ramirez did so well that he earned A-SUN Freshman of the Year honors, a spot on the A-SUN All-Conference First Team, and A-SUN All-Freshman Team accolades and a spot on the A-SUN All-Tournament Team.

For Ramirez, I know he'll use his height and power to his advantage and make more impact.


The last member on the team is Juan Montes.

At 6-1 and hailing from Pereira, Colombia, Montes come with professional experience.

Prior to FGCU, Montes played professionally. He was ranked No. 1654 in the ATP ranking and, at one point, went as high as No. 1286 in the standings and secured eight ATP points throughout his amateur career while winning one futures competition in doubles and made it to the finals twice.

Montes is listed as a sophomore, but will sit out this season due to playing pro one year outside of the six-month window. He will have two years of eligibility remaining, but I know he will be a strong force for the team next year.

I have hung around so many men's tennis players and I have seen the fire and passion they possess.

For this season, I know that they will give all the teams what they got. No matter the outcome, they will do just fine this season. Below are a few personal photos with me and some of the tennis players.

PC: FGCUAthletics.com for individuals players