Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown University women's soccer and head coach Erik Burstein have announced rising seniors Savanna Harrison and Sam LaBianca, along with junior Kayla Argen as team captains for the upcoming 2020 season. The trio of Golden Bears are all first-year skippers. Over the last three years, they have helped lead the Golden Bears to a ton of success, including earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament in two of the last three seasons. KU has played in NCAAs in eight of the last 11 years and has qualified for PSACs in 11 of the last 12 seasons. "The entire coaching staff is very excited to announce that Sav, Sam and Kayla will lead our women's soccer program moving forward," said Burstein. "In the past we have always waited until late spring to announce our team captains, but these three student-athletes are not only ready to take on a leadership role, but their uncompromising commitment to the program, their strong belief in our culture and the standards and expectations they have for themselves and their teammates are exactly what we need this spring, and moving forward." Harrison had a breakout junior season in the midfield last season, seemingly a magnet on the ball on both sides of the field. She played and started in 17 of the 18 games this season as a center midfielder. The Perkasie native may not have the flashy numbers in the statistical categories, but her importance to head coach Erik Burstein and both the KU offense and defense could not be underestimated. Harrison has one goal in her career, tallied last season, and has played in 53 career games. She will be back next year as a senior to help solidify the midfield. Harrison received her first postseason accolade in 2019, earning All-PSAC Second Team recognition. In the classroom, Harrison is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Dean's List. LaBianca made a shift around the field this past season. After predominantly playing in a midfield role her first two seasons in Maroon and Gold, the Beachwood, N.J., native played most of 2020 in the center of the KU defense. LaBianca started a career-high 15 games and played in 17 overall last season, finishing with six shots, three of which were on goal. In the classroom, LaBianca is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Dean's List. Argen once again played a prominent role in the midfield for Kutztown in 2019. She started a career-high 17 games and played in all 18. Argen finished the year with three goals and tied a career-best with five assists for 11 points. Her five assists led the team. In the classroom, Argen is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Dean's List. The Golden Bears finished the 2019 campaign at 11-7 overall and now has won 10 or more games in 18 straight seasons.

Kutztown University cinema, television and media production student Nicholas Lipari and professor Michael Johnston attended the 36th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January. Lipari was one of 30 students selected from across the country for the SBIFF Film Studies Program - a three-day symposium dedicated to film appreciation, criticism and analysis. Lipari attended panels, screenings, meet and greets and awards ceremonies. He listened to Oscar-nominated screenwriters, producers and directors, like David O'Russell, Greta Gerwig and Adam Driver, talk about their careers and creative processes. https://sbiff.org/education/film-studies-program/

More than 1,770 students have been named to the Fall 2019 Dean's List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for the Dean's List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

85 Kutztown University students have been inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) as part of the December 2019 class. To be inducted at KU, students must attend an orientation, a three-hour leadership training seminar, three success networking team meetings and three speaker broadcasts featuring leading figures delivering success-related messages to members.

Congratulations to Shae-Lynn Harris for receiving the Fall 2019 PSECU Community Internship Scholarship. Harris is a senior social work major interning at Reading Area Community College.

Kutztown University has awarded 137 President's Academic Honors Scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year. President's Academic Honors Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who have a 3.25 cumulative weighted high school GPA and a 1270 total on the SAT or 27 composite on the ACT. The student will receive $1,000 per year for four years as long as the student participates in the Honors program and completes a minimum of 30 credits per year. KU's Honors program requires students to complete a minimum of 21 credits of honors coursework, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, complete 30 hours of community service by graduation, complete living and learning events, attend one Work in Progress Sessions (WIPS) and complete a capstone or senior honors thesis project.

Kutztown University has awarded 58 Sesquicentennial Academic Honors Scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year. Sesquicentennial Academic Honors Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who have a 3.25 cumulative weighted high school GPA and a 1410 total on the SAT or 31 composite on the ACT. The student will receive $7,000 per year for four years as long as the student participates in the Honors Program, lives on campus for the first three years and completes a minimum of 30 credits per year. KU's Honors program requires students to complete a minimum of 21 credits of honors coursework, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, complete 30 hours of community service by graduation, complete living and learning events, attend one Work in Progress Session (WIPS) and complete a capstone or senior honors thesis project.

The Kutztown University men's basketball team was picked fifth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Preseason Coaches' Poll, released by the league office Thursday afternoon. KU will have 16 players on its 2019-2020 roster. The Golden Bears finished last season 16-14 overall, the fifth straight season of at least 16 wins and sixth consecutive season it made the postseason. They have won at least one postseason game each of the last five seasons, advancing to at least the PSAC Quarterfinals each of those seasons. Head coach Bernie Driscoll, in his 20th season, holds a 323-218 (.597) overall record, seventh in PSAC history in career wins. Kutztown returns three starters that started in the two PSAC Tournament games last season, including senior Josh Townsend (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter), junior Facundo Arens (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Bahia Blanca) and sophomore Austin Laughlin (Glen Mills, Pa./Garnet Valley). Townsend and redshirt-juniors Moe Williams (Townsend, Del./Life Center Academy) and Tarojae Brake (Coatesville, Pa./Octorara Area (Lock Haven)) were named team captains for the upcoming campaign. Townsend averaged nearly a double-double with career-highs of 10.6 ppg and 8.5 rpg (sixth in PSAC) in 24.0 minutes per game last year. His 256 rebounds this season rank in a tie for seventh all-time in program history for rebounds in season. Arens started in 28-of-30 games, averaging 6.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.0 apg in 27.4 minutes per game, all career-highs. Laughlin ranked second on KU with 27 made three-pointers in his first collegiate season. Williams played in 20 games, missing time due to injury, but still finished the year second on KU scoring 12.0 ppg and led KU at 8.7 rpg in 27.9 minutes per game. The program is also excited about what Brake will bring to the table after sitting out last season following a transfer from Lock Haven. Sophomores Kyree Generett (York, Pa./William Penn), Da'Quan Granberry (Linwood, Pa./Chichester) and Akello Mosby (Philadelphia, Pa./Carver) all appeared in at least 24 games and their experience will once again help the lineup in 2019-20. Defending PSAC East champion East Stroudsburg was tabbed first with four first place votes, followed by Shippensburg with three first place votes. West Chester and Millersville come in at third and fourth respectively, as KU rounds out the top-five. Kutztown begins its regular season in West Chester, with games against Lincoln Friday, Nov. 8, and against Claflin the following day Saturday, in the PSAC/CIAA Challenge. The home-opener is set for Wednesday, Nov. 13, against the University of the Sciences at 7 p.m. PSAC play begins Saturday, Nov. 23, at Clarion. Full Poll Results Men's East (# of 1st place votes) 1) East Stroudsburg (4) 2) Shippensburg (3) 3) West Chester (1) 4) Millersville 5) Kutztown (1) 6) Lock Haven 7) Shepherd 8) Bloomsburg 9) Mansfield Men's West 1) IUP (7) 2) Slippery Rock 3) Pitt-Johnstown (2) 4) Mercyhurst 5) Cal U 6) Gannon T7) Edinboro T7) Seton Hill 9) Clarion

The defending co-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division champion Kutztown University women's basketball team is the favorite to repeat in 2019-20, as KU was voted first in the PSAC East Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference office Thursday morning. KU had seven-of-nine first place votes. KU will have 14 players on its 2019-20 roster. The Golden Bears finished their historic 2018-19 season at 19-12 overall and 14-6 in the PSAC, winning a share of the PSAC East title, the program's first since 1996. They hosted the PSAC final four for the first time in program history and advanced to its first ever PSAC Championship game. Kutztown will be a deep and experienced team this season, and returns three starters, including All-PSAC East First Teamer Rylee Derr (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) and Second Teamer Karen Lapkiewicz (Southampton, Pa./Saint Basil Academy). Derr scored 526 total points, which ranks second all-time in program history for points in a season, and made a school-record 89 three-pointers last season. Lapkiewicz finished with career-highs of 11.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg in 29.5 minutes per game. Brianna Tarabocchia (Woodcliff Lake, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) is the third starter back, averaging 8.1 ppg and 5.0 rpg in 24.1 minutes per game. Gabbi Wright (Elkins Park, Pa./Cheltenham) and Zoe Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) both played in all 31 games last year and could see more time starting this year. Alexis Smith (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin) played in 27 games in 2018-19 and provides great outside shooting for KU. KU's 253 made 3-pointers were the most in a season. Head coach Janet Malouf, in her 26th season, holds a 372-323 overall record, fourth in PSAC history in career wins. PSAC co-champion Bloomsburg was picked second with two first place votes, followed by Shippensburg in third and West Chester and Millersville tied for fourth. KU begins its season with exhibitions at Division-I Penn State and Iona Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, respectively. The regular season begins Nov. 8-9 with the PSAC/CIAA Conference Challenge at Lincoln University, facing off with the host Lions that Friday and St. Augustine's Saturday. PSAC play then begins Saturday, Nov. 23, at Clarion. Kutztown has its home-opener the following Saturday, Nov. 30, against Penn State Lehigh Valley at 1 p.m. Full Poll Results Women's East 1) Kutztown (7) 2) Bloomsburg (2) 3) Shippensburg T4) West Chester T4) Millersville 6) East Stroudsburg 7) Lock Haven 8) Shepherd 9) Mansfield Women's West 1) IUP (5) 2) Cal U (2) 3) Edinboro (1) 4) Pitt-Johnstown 5) Seton Hill (1) 6) Gannon 7) Slippery Rock 8) Mercyhurst 9) Clarion

The seventh-ranked Kutztown University field hockey team had three student-athletes selected to the 2019 Victory Sports Tours/NFHCA Division II Senior Game team, and another was named as an alternate, as announced Thursday. Senior midfielders Molly Bobjak and Mackenzie Fuhrman, along with forward Kyra Wozniak earned spots on the roster, while midfielder Gabby Hess is an alternate for the showcase. The three game selections is tied for the most under head coach Marci Scheuing and the four overall are the most. The Senior Game is currently projected to take place Saturday, Nov. 23, at 5 p.m., at Millersville University's Biemesderfer Stadium. The game features the top senior players in the nation. The selected seniors are given the opportunity to represent their institution while competing against their peers. There are 34 field players and four goalies who were tabbed to the game. These four Golden Bear seniors have been instrumental to the program throughout their four years. Over the past four seasons, this group has been a part of three straight seasons posting .500 or better records, totaling 43 victories thus far. They helped KU qualify for the PSAC tournament last season for the first time since 2015. They also have eight wins against nationally-ranked opponents throughout their careers. Bobjak is a two-year team captain. She has played in 55 games, starting 37 in the midfield during her time at KU. Bobjak has one goal and 10 assists thus far throughout her career, including a career-high five assists this season. She is also a member of the Dean's List, the NFHCA National Academic Squad and is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. Fuhrman has started all 65 games of her career. She has totaled 16 goals and 26 assists, ranking fifth all-time at KU for career assists. Mackenzie is a two-time First-Team NFHCA All-American and All-PSAC. She was voted the 2018 team MVP. In the classroom, Mackenzie is a member of the Dean's List, the NFHCA National Academic Squad and is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. Wozniak has played in 64 career games, starting 50 of them at forward. She ranks seventh in program history with 46 career goals and reached the century mark with 100 points. She is a two-time Second Team All-American and First Team All-PSAC member. Wozniak is a member of the Dean's List, the NFHCA National Academic Squad and is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. Hess has played in 45 games, starting the last 31 in the midfield during her four-year career. She has scored two goals and recorded the first assist of her career this season on the game-winning goal over then top-ranked Shippensburg. Kutztown has five regular season games remaining including tonight, Thursday, against third-ranked Millersville at 7 p.m., at Andre Reed Stadium.

Students from the Special Education Program on Visual Impairments paired with the Vision Resource Center of Berks County to host a Dine in the Dark at the Crowne Plaza in Reading Sept. 26. More than 215 people in the community attended the event. Kutztown University students in the vision program planned activities to raise awareness of visual impairments and taught patrons how to eat without vision. Watch the WFMZ news story here.

Kutztown University senior Ashley Gatto is one of 11 students across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education enrolled in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) this fall. THIS is a prestigious program that offers invaluable firsthand experience in state government. Gatto will earn 15 credits toward her major while gaining invaluable experience working and living at the state capitol. Originally from Dingmans Ferry, Pa., Gatto is a 2016 graduate of Delaware Valley High School. Currently majoring in public administration at Kutztown University, she has earned the internship position within the state department of Environmental Protection. "A critical part of the State System's mission is to prepare students to be leaders in their communities and the Commonwealth," State System chancellor Dan Greenstein said. "Students who participate in THIS receive an unforgettable experience, making a direct contribution to workings of state government." More than 600 students from the State System universities have participated in THIS since the program began in 1989, each gaining valuable insight into the workings of state government at the policy-making level. Interns have worked with dozens of state agencies, as well as in the offices of the governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the attorney general. State System students interested in participating in THIS in a future semester may obtain information on the program by contacting their individual campus coordinator or their university's cooperative or internship office, or by calling the Dixon University Center at 717-720-4089. More information on the program can be found at: www.passhe.edu/this.

Two Kutztown University physics majors, Anna Faretty and Gerald Curran, presented original research at the 50th annual meeting of the APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for Dr. Kunal K. Das as well as a URC grant for Faretty. Based on this work, they are currently writing a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Six Kutztown University geology students presented research at the Geological Society of America meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, Sept. 22-25. Three research projects were a part of Dr. Sarah Tindall's Roadmaps in GeoScience (RiGS) program, which she funds through a National Science Foundation grant. Dr. Edward Simpson supervised three additional research projects that focused on different aspects of paleontological discoveries made during field expeditions with his students to a major dinosaur quarry in Utah. Students: Claire Santa, Lara Ilsemann, Robert Edris, Mark Domin, David Muller and Eric Dinter, also toured geological sites in Arizona, including Red Rocks of Sedona, Grand Canyon, S P volcanic crater, Meteor Crater (group photo at rim of 50,000-year-old, milewide asteroid impact crater), and Petrified Forest National Park.

Kutztown University will have 17 student-athletes representing its women's bowling team for the 2019-2020 season. KU was ranked seventh in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Division II/III Preseason Poll, which was recently released by the organization. The Golden Bears head into their new season under the direction of first-year head coach Angela Reynolds, who joined the team in August. Kutztown went 74-57 last season with eight wins over teams in the NTCA National Top 25, including four in the top 10. The Maroon and Gold reached the sixth round of the East Coast Conference Championship in March. KU opens the 2019-20 season this coming Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13, with the Bud Whitman Memorial at Berks Lanes in Sinking Spring.

Kutztown University has announced its student members of the 2019 Homecoming Court. Winners will be announced at halftime of KU's homecoming football game, 2:05 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at Andre Reed Stadium. Finalists for Homecoming Queen are Karlie Doyle, Ashley Lipari, Natalie Perkowski, Emily Rudderow, Alyssa Sheldon, Victoria Tennyson and Xiomara Toledo. Finalists for Homecoming King are Cameron Crisologo, Noah Hartley, Braden Hudak, Jacob Khalife, Robert McGowan, Matthew Miller and Patrick Moyer.

The Kutztown University softball team had eight student-athletes recognized as 2019 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America scholar-athletes. The eight student-athletes for the Golden Bears are second-most among Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division teams. The scholar-athletes include Erin Fortney, Tamara Jennings, Ava Bottiglia, Alyssa Donato, Alyssa Oakley, Kay Solderitch, Paola Texidor and Zoe Texidor. Kutztown as a team held a 3.36 GPA overall. More than 8,000 student-athletes (8,161), a first in NFCA history, were named 2019 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes, the Association announced. The rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division III led the way with 1,928 student-athletes earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2018-19. NCAA Division I and Division II followed with 1,769 and 1,306 honorees. High School weighted and High School unweighted earned 1,225 and 793 distinctions. NAIA and two-year programs each amassed 570 recipients.

Kutztown University will have 16 student-athletes representing its men's and women's tennis teams for the 2019-2020 season. The Golden Bears are set to play at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Individual Championships Oct. 5-7, in Bloomsburg, Pa.

Kutztown University is set to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Presented by Distinguished Concerts in International New York (DCINY), the Kutztown Chamber Players will perform Mediterranean-inspired music by Greek composer Dinos Constantinides at 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30. Constantinides' work has been performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. KU will perform his work alongside members from the Louisiana State University School of Music. Kutztown University's own Chamber Players are conducted by KU orchestra director Dr. Peter Isaacson. Performing faculty members Dr. Maria Asteriadou and Kurt Nikkanen have given their students firsthand, real-world experience in preparing for this event. Alongside an array of international artists, Kutztown musicians shine in their involvement; their participation is a testament to the talent, skill and dedication at Kutztown University. "I hope this concert helps to raise awareness in musical circles that KU has an excellent music department where students are given outstanding musical training and exceptional experiences," Isaacson said. "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to perform in such an esteemed venue." The concert provides an opportunity to enrich students with real world experience. "This performance will give our students positive exposure to the professional world of performing - away from the academic setting at KU," Issacson said. "From this project, they have already grown from working with Professor Nikkanen and Professor Asteriadou. They will gain further insights from hearing other performers at this concert and the ways in which they approach the music of Constantinides."

The Kutztown University Rock Ensembles have announced their audition results for their Rock Ensemble I, II and III groups for the 2019-2020 year. For the past two years, Rock Ensemble I has been named by DownBeat Magazine as one of the premiere undergraduate ensembles of its kind. Under the direction of professor Kevin Kjos, KU Rock Ensembles respect the tradition of American rock and soul music while looking to the future to give the students who play and sing in these groups an all-encompassing view of the American musical style that took over the world. Students perform music from the rock genre and all its subcategories: indie, funk, soul, rhythm and blues, folk, country and more. During the past year, the ensembles have performed music as far ranging in style as Belinda Carlisle, Thank You, Scientist, The Main Squeeze, Queen, The Beatles, Tower of Power, Living Color and more. Through participation in the Rock Ensembles, student musicians get a taste of the real world and the music they will be asked to play and create in the commercial marketplace. With the guidance of their professors, students learn to write their own arrangements for a band with full rhythm sections, horns and multiple vocalists, prepare their own parts based on recordings and charts and record and perform at a professional level. Rock Ensemble I records at least twice an academic year and produces an annual CD (or CDs). The recordings are recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by professional sound engineers Steve Jankowski and Johannes Lang and KU students. Full roster with instruments and sections can be found here. For more information, visit the KU music ensembles website.

Kutztown University and the Kutztown University Foundation have named 36 students as Presidential Ambassadors for the 2019-2020 school year. Founded in 1997, the Presidential Ambassadors is a Kutztown University student organization that works directly with the President's Office and the Kutztown University Foundation and Alumni Relations. The mission of the group is to support events that connect current students with alumni, faculty, staff and university friends, to act as ambassadors of the university and to create new traditions which enhance KU Pride. The Presidential Ambassadors' major fundraiser is the Tuition Sweepstakes. The winner of the sweepstakes is awarded one semester of in-state tuition to Kutztown University. Proceeds from the sweepstakes benefit ambassador programs and Kutztown University, including support of Dinner with Golden Bears, Grin and Bear It, Professional Headshots for KU Juniors and Senior, Love a Donor Week, Ladies Tea Scholarship, General Fund Scholarship, Play for Kay, Wounded Warrior 5k Race, campus and community wide events as well as many other events geared towards philanthropic efforts. The organization strives to build philanthropy and stewardship with the Kutztown University community. Learn more at www.kuf.org/alumni/presidential-ambassadors. 6.2.5

Kutztown University will have 13 student-athletes representing its women's swimming program for the 2019-2020 season. Read the full season preview online. Last season was one of the most successful seasons for the Kutztown University women's swimming team in the last decade. KU is hoping to see similar results this year as it begins competition for the 2019-20 campaign with a home meet today, Thursday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m. at Keystone Pool against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) foe Shippensburg. The Golden Bears finished PSACs with 283.5 points and a 10th-place finish, their highest since placing ninth in 2012. The Maroon and Gold also had a strong dual season with an 8-2 record for the program's highest win total since 2010-11 when they went 9-1. "Last year was a pleasant surprise," said head coach Tim Flannery, entering his 24th season at the helm. "I wasn't expecting to go 8-2 [in duals] and beat LIU Post, but we did. It was good from the standpoint that we had a lot of freshmen that came along and continued to get better as the season went on. They moved into bigger roles and will be some of our leaders this year." Kutztown has its earliest meet in over a decade today, Thursday, Sept. 19, when it hosts Shippensburg. But the Golden Bears will be prepared and there are positives to take out of the early start. "This is actually a good thing for us," Flannery said. "It helps us to be able to get into the water and practice earlier. It will give me a better look at the team altogether and give us time to put together our lineup." Kutztown will have three straight meets on the road following Shippensburg, and won't return to Keystone Pool until Saturday, Nov. 9, when it will have back-to-back home meets on consecutive weekends. Senior day is set for Saturday, Jan. 25, at home against Lock Haven.

The Kutztown University Jazz Ensembles have announced their audition results for their Jazz Ensemble I and II groups for the 2019-2020 year. Under the direction of professor Kevin Kjos, KU Jazz Ensembles have had the opportunity to perform with and receive clinics from many of the greats in jazz performance and education including the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, the Count Basie Orchestra, Randy Brecker, Steve Wilson, John Riley, Tim Hagans, Scott Wendholt, Bob Mintzer, Michael Philip Mossman, Brent Wallarab, Scott Lee, Allison Miller, Mike Davis, Fred Sturm, Bob Baca, Tom Walsh, Steve Houghton, Ray Drummond, Bruce Barth, Cyrus Chestnut, Jeff Hirschfield, Bill Reichenbach and many others. The Jazz Ensembles will rehearse throughout the fall semester leading up to their fall performances. Jazz II is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, Schaeffer Auditorium. Jazz I is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, Schaeffer Auditorium. Listen to their recordings on Soundcloud to hear some tracks from the Kutztown Jazz Ensembles! Full roster with instruments and sections can be found here. For more information, visit the KU music ensembles website.

The Kutztown University Marching Unit (KUMU), an energetic part of the campus community, provides music, marching and entertainment for all KU Golden Bears football games, select away games, marching band festivals/competitions, professional sporting events, parades and campus spirit building activities. Under the direction of professor Daniel Neuenschwander, KUMU has announced its 2019 roster. Full roster with instruments and section can be found here.

Kutztown University will have 19 student-athletes representing its women's volleyball program for the 2019 season. Read the full season preview online Bolstered by the return of its leading offensive and defensive pieces, and its starting setter, the Kutztown University women's volleyball team is optimistic about taking steps forward to compete atop its new division in 2019. A shift to the Central Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference has the Golden Bears poised to take aim at favorite East Stroudsburg and head coach John Gump, now in his 23rd season at KU, is intrigued by the familiar faces in place to try and make it happen. With no seniors and seasoned underclassmen returning, Gump recognizes the upside of that experience. "A majority of our returnees played in meaningful matches last year and that should help a lot," said Gump. "When you're coming in, we can talk all we want about what to expect, but until you experience the speed, size and athleticism at this level it's a bit of an unknown. Nothing can replicate that." Kutztown began its season at Shippensburg University Sept. 6-7, and continues this weekend, Sept. 13-14, hosting the Kutztown Classic tournament.

Kutztown University has announced 87 student-athletes will represent its football team for the 2019 season. Read the full season preview here. Head coach Jim Clements, who enters his sixth season on the KU sideline having produced winning seasons in each of his previous five campaigns, knows that the 2019 team will need to forge its own identity, but hopes the experience of playing in last year's national tournament fuels the current roster's hunger to get back there. "Camp went well for us, but the biggest thing was to try and stay as healthy as we could," said Clements. "A lot of new faces were working hard. We have great depth at certain spots on the field and wish we had more at others, but overall the coaching staff took a lot of positives away from preseason." Kutztown committed just 13 turnovers a season ago, finishing plus-eight on the season. The Golden Bears were also one of the nation's top teams in red zone efficiency. If this year's team can limit self-inflicted mistakes the same way last year's did, Clements likes KU's chances to have another successful season. KU opened its season Saturday, Sept. 7, with a 54-16 win over Assumption College. Kutztown will be put to the test Saturday, Sept. 14, when it hits the road for the first time in 2019. The Golden Bears take on Cal U at 1 p.m.

Kutztown University has announced eight student-athletes will represent its women's golf team for the 2019-2020 season. The Golden Bears opened their season last weekend at the Evann Parker Memorial in North East, Pa., and continue Sept. 14-15 at the Le Moyne Invitational in East Syracuse, N.Y.

Kutztown University has announced 11 student-athletes will represent its men's cross country team for the 2019 season. Read the full season preview here. The Kutztown University men's cross country team is coming off the heels of one of its most successful seasons in the last two decades in 2018, and it looks to keep the success and momentum of the program going into 2019. The Golden Bears matched their best result at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships since 2002 with a fourth-place team finish last fall. They are once again expected to be near the top of the conference this season. Kutztown was voted fifth by the league's coaches in the 2019 PSAC Preseason Poll. Head coach Ray Hoffman, entering his 22nd year at the helm, road the legs primarily of his successful senior class last year, as four of the seven in the lineup at PSACs were seniors. Even though it will be tough to not be able to pencil them into the lineup this year, Hoffman knows he has the returning talent ready to step up and keep the ball rolling. "We lost five of our top seven runners from last year," said Hoffman. "That leaves a lot of open holes for us. The good thing is we had some younger guys that got a lot of experience last year that are back this year. I still feel that we are in a good position to continue that high standard that we've set." Kutztown's 2019 season begins with a meet at Franklin & Marshall tonight, Thursday, at 6 p.m.

Kutztown University has announced 16 student-athletes will represent its women's cross country team for the 2019 season. Read the full season preview here. The Kutztown University women's cross country team watched a decorated senior class run for the last time in Maroon and Gold after Fall 2018. But there is a strong group of experienced and talented returners that expect to keep the program near the top of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and Atlantic Region. "We had a great group of seniors last year that contributed from the first time they stepped on campus," said head coach Ray Hoffman, in his 22nd year in charge. "We couldn't have asked for more out of them. They set us up well for the future and helped guide the younger runners on how to be successful. We have a lot of holes to fill in the lineup, but I thought last year we had a lot of depth so the girls that are back I know we can rely on." Kutztown was picked fifth in the PSAC preseason poll. "I think that this group is competitive and can put us right into the top-four or top-five of the PSAC," Hoffman said. "They were behind some great leaders last year in those seniors, so now I'm excited to see who is going to step up and take on a leadership role. It's their time now to shine." Kutztown kicks off the year a week later than usual. The Golden Bears will be running at the Franklin & Marshall 5k Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 5, with a 6 p.m. start. Kutztown's annual home meet will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, beginning at 9 a.m., on the North Campus course. The 2019 PSAC Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 25, at Bloomsburg.

Kutztown University will have 31 student-athletes representing its women's soccer program for the 2019 season. Read the full season preview online The 2019 season will bring a new look to the Kutztown University women's soccer team. With the renovation of Kutztown Field, KU will have a ton of positive energy around the program, as it continues to compete to achieve its lofty, yearly goals of winning championships. Not only will the field be different for the Golden Bears this year, but the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) has also changed up its format for women's soccer. Since 2010, the PSAC has had a single division. With the addition of Shepherd University to the conference, the PSAC is now instituting two divisions (East and West), a first since it last had two divisions in 2009. Each team plays each other twice during the regular season. Kutztown was recently voted second in the Eastern Division of the PSAC preseason poll, behind defending conference champs and nationally-ranked Bloomsburg. Nationally-ranked West Chester, 2017 PSAC champion East Stroudsburg, and 2018 semifinalist Millersville round out the top-five in a very competitive division featuring a majority of the top teams in the Atlantic Region. But head coach Erik Burstein, beginning his 13th season as head coach, once again has an experienced and talented team that has played in big, postseason games earlier in their careers. "I have tremendous faith in this group," said Burstein. "We have some exceptional athletes who work hard, have great attitudes, buy into our culture, believe in our system and have worked hard to adapt to their new roles and responsibilities. They are an exciting group who truly want to be successful, and I believe they will be. However, we all know this new divisional format will provide some very different and unique challenges. We need to focus on one game at a time and make sure we finish in the top-four in the East. Once that is accomplished, we can start thinking about competing for championships. Stay humble and stay focused; one game at a time." KU finished the 2018 season at 14-4-2 overall and qualified for both the PSAC and NCAA Atlantic Region tournaments. It was the third consecutive NCAA berth and eighth in 10 years. Dating back to the 2008 season, Kutztown has earned 11 straight PSAC Tournament appearances. Kutztown begins its 2019 campaign with back-to-back road games. It will take on the University of Charleston (WV) in the season opener on Thursday, Sept. 5, and then play at Millersville on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The home-opener in the brand-new Keystone Field complex will be Saturday night, Sept. 14, under the lights at 6 p.m., against East Stroudsburg.