Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown University will have 28 student-athletes representing its women's lacrosse program for the 2024 season. Read the full season preview. Kutztown women's lacrosse had a season for the record books in 2023. KU had one of, if not its best season in program history last year and looks to accomplish more in 2024. In one of the biggest single season turnarounds in program history, the Golden Bears had a record-tying 13 wins (finished 13-6), their first-ever IWLCA national ranking and first-ever NCAA Division II Championship tournament appearance. Kutztown also clinched its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship berth in the conference tournament era, finishing 9-3 in the PSAC and defeating No. 15 East Stroudsburg 12-9 in the quarterfinal round. It was the second victory in-a-row over the Warriors, as they also won the regular season finale, 16-14, on Apr. 29, for the program's first win over a nationally ranked opponent since the lacrosse program returned to varsity status in 2008. The Maroon and Gold ended 2023 18th nationally in the poll. Its nine-win improvement over 2022 was tied for the biggest increase in wins in program history. Kutztown enters this season ranked 19th in the country and was picked third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division, behind West Chester and East Stroudsburg at one and two, respectively.

Kutztown University inducted 34 students into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at the induction ceremony held Tuesday, Feb. 27. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest and most selective collegiate honor society that inducts persons from every academic discipline. Distinguished junior and senior level students join a century-old community of scholars and professionals that includes individuals who have distinguished themselves in positions of leadership and whose careers have been characterized by achievement.

Joe Jardine (Mohrsville, Pa./Schuylkill Valley), Jacob Solonoski (Weatherly, Pa./Weatherly), Kiana Young (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), Taniyah Lawler (Chester, Pa./Chester), Beth Schearer (Springfield, Pa./Springfield), Raechel Bonner (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), and Taylor Funk (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) of the Kutztown University track and field program earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Indoor Track & Field All-Atlantic Region honors, as announced by the organization Tuesday afternoon. To earn All-Region honors, an athlete must either be top five in their event in the region or be a member of one of the region's top-three relay teams. On the men's side, Jardine has been far and away the best and most consistent pole vaulter in the region during the indoor season. The Mohrsville native won the PSAC title with a jump of 5.06m (16'7.25"), which is the best in the Atlantic region, the second-best in KU history, and the 12th-best mark in the country this season. Jardine will have the chance to battle for a national championship this Saturday, March 9 as he competes in the NCAA DII Indoor Championships at the Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg, Kan. Solonoski capped off his spectacular indoor campaign with a third-place finish and a personal best of 17.41m (57'1.5") in the weight throw at the PSAC Indoor Championships. It was the first conference medal for the junior from Weatherly, Pa. as his mark was the fourth-best in the Atlantic region this season. On the women's side, the 4x400m relay squad of Young, Lawler, Schearer, and Bonner earned an All-Region nod after becoming the third 4x400 team in KU history to win the PSAC title with a time of 3:54.70. That foursome broke the school record in the event at the Fasttrack National Invitational on Feb. 9 with a time of 3:54.05. When adjusted for track size, their PSAC title-winning race was the second-best mark in the region. Funk competed in four meets for the Golden Bears in the pole vault this past season. The freshman cleared the bar at 3.60m (11'9.75") at the Bison Opener on Dec. 2, which stood as the joint fifth-best mark in the region throughout the season. That jump is also tied for the sixth-best mark in KU history. Outside of Jardine this weekend, the Golden Bears as a team are back in action on March 22-23 to kick off the outdoor season at the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational in Lynchburg, Va.

Kutztown University has conferred degrees for 404 students for the 2023 fall semester and 2024 winter session. Kutztown University announces degree conferment twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. Commencement exercises are held in May and December; however, students finish the requirements for graduation throughout the entire year. The cumulative grade point average necessary for honors distinction is: with honor (cum laude) 3.40; with high honor (magna cum laude) 3.60 and with highest honor (summa cum laude) 3.80. Students who have requested privacy (FERPA) are not listed publicly.

Kutztown University field hockey had four student-athletes on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Scholars of Distinction honors for 2023, announced Monday, Feb. 19. Jillian Buchman (Drums, Pa./Hazleton), Megan Doyle (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown), Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) and Hannah McConnell (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) all were recognized by the NFHCA for their hard work in the classroom. It is the fourth straight honor for Buchman and Gatehouse and first for Doyle and McConnell. This year, 121 student-athletes were recognized as NFHCA Division II Scholars of Distinction. The Division II Scholars of Distinction program recognizes student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher through the first semester of the 2023-24 academic year. Since head coach Marci Scheuing arrived prior to the 2013 season, Kutztown has consistently paired high-level of play on the field and academic performance in the classroom. Multiple Golden Bear student-athletes have been honored as NFHCA Scholars of Distinction each season since 2014 --including a program-high seven following the 2016 season. The NFHCA will announce the National Academic Team awards on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and the National Scholar-Athlete on Monday, Feb. 26.

The Kutztown University Field Hockey team had 17 of its members receive recognition on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II National Academic Squad, announced Wednesday, Feb. 14. The program honors student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher through the first semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. 383 student-athletes from 34 Division II institutions have been named to the 2023 NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad. The NFHCA will announce the Scholars of Distinction on Monday, Feb. 19, and the National Academic Team awards on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and the National Scholar-Athlete on Monday, Feb. 26. A list of KU's award winners can be found below: National Academic Squad (17) *Four-year member *Shannon Barrett (Shavertown, Pa./Dallas) Shae Bennett (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs) Paige Bucher (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) *Jillian Buchman (Drums, Pa./Hazleton) Megan Doyle (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) *Alyssa Eager (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) *Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) Alexis Hanlin (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs) *Mia Kepler (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) Hannah McConnell (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) Greenleigh McGehee (New Tripoli, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) *Lulu O'Neill (Collingswood, N.J./Collingswood) *Andie Sierer (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) Jordan Stroup (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood) Jessica Traynor (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) Ella Weidenhammer (Newport, Pa./Newport) *Abby Wheeler (Bethlehem, Pa./Northampton)

The Kutztown University men's and women's cross country teams have been awarded All-Academic honors by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The organization announced that Robby Lloyd (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North), Kayden Platania (Buena, N.J./Buena Regional), Jaelyn D'Amelio (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), Ana Fratanduono (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), and Erika Moriarty (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) also received individual All-Academic Athlete honors, along with the team honors. To be eligible for a All-Academic team distinction, the teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and their score at the respective regional championship meets must be compiled. The men's team achieved a 3.23 GPA and an 11th-place finish at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship. This is the seventh time in program history that the men's team has received this honor and the first since 2017. The women's team finished with a 3.59 GPA and a 10th-place finish at regionals. This is the 20th time that the women's squad has earned this honor and the first since 2017. For individual All-Academic distinction, athletes must have a 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top 30 percent of the regional championship meet. Robby Lloyd (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) and Kayden Platania (Buena, N.J./Buena Regional) are the 14th and 15th men in program history to receive this honor. Meanwhile, Jaelyn D'Amelio (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), Ana Fratanduono (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), and Erika Moriarty (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) are the 36th, 37th, and 38th women to win this award in program history.

Congratulations to Kutztown University junior Emma Hope for winning a 2023 PennACE Student of the Year Award. Hope, a psychology major, is the first KU student to win this internship-focused award. As a transfer from Lehigh Carbon Community College, she completed a virtual summer internship at the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Kutztown University will have 23 student-athletes representing its women's acrobatics and tumbling program for the 2024 season. Read the full season preview. Kutztown University acrobatics & tumbling made substantial strides as a second-year program in 2023, finishing with its first winning record and first victory over a nationally ranked opponent. The Golden Bears will try to carry that momentum forward into a new season and elevate their goals for 2024. The 2024 schedule pits KU against a nice mix of familiar and new opponents. The Golden Bears open at home with a tri-meet against fourth-ranked Gannon and East Stroudsburg, Saturday, Feb. 10, at Keystone Arena.

Kutztown University will have 30 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2024 season. Read the season preview online. The Kutztown University baseball team came in ranked No. 5 in the 2024 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon, Jan. 25. It's the highest preseason ranking for the Golden Bears since the 2015 season, where they were also ranked fifth. KU entered last season ranked seventh in the division before head coach Eric Folmar led a 15-win turnaround, winning 26 games, the most since the 2014 season. The Golden Bears finished tied for fourth in the PSAC East, but just missed out on the conference tournament for the first time since 2014 due to a tie breaker. Having only graduated three players, the Golden Bears return the majority of their roster. The Golden Bears kick off the 2024 season Saturday, Feb. 17 with a doubleheader against Mount Olive in North Carolina. The first game is set to start at noon.

Kutztown University will have 24 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2024 season. Read the full season preview. With the dawn of a new season here, preseason expectations are at an all-time high for every team. On Wednesday afternoon, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced the East and West Division softball preseason polls, as voted on by the head coaches; Kutztown was voted fourth in the East. The Golden Bears finished last season 30-26 overall and 22-10 in the conference. It was the fourth-straight season they won at least 30 games, not including the shortened 2020 COVID season. They went 1-2 at the PSAC Tournament at Veterans Park the first week of May and qualified for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament for the third-straight season, where they defeated No. 19 and host Charleston in the opener before dropping the next two to Shippensburg and the Golden Eagles to end the year. In 2024, Kutztown is set to return seven of its 10 starters that were in the lineup at PSACs and NCAAs. The regular season begins for Kutztown at the UNC Pembroke Invitational for a three-day event running Feb. 2-4. KU takes on Felician in the season opener that Friday at 10 a.m. and then will play the host Braves following that game at 12:30 p.m. The Golden Bears will then face off against West Virginia State on Saturday at 10 a.m. before squaring off against the Golden Falcons again on Sunday at 10 a.m.

2,093 students have been named to the Fall 2023 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.

Kutztown University football placed four players on the 2023 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District teams, the organization recently announced. Trey Bernstein (York, Pa./William Penn), Jalen DeVose (Lansdale, Pa./La Salle College H.S.), Nick Lovenguth (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) and Tyler Whary (Hereford, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) were the Golden Bears' representatives. The CSC Academic All-District teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The program recognizes honorees in four divisions --NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. In order to be nominated for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically and have at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average. Graduate students must have at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA as an undergraduate and grad student unless they are in their first semester of grad school. Athletically, student-athletes must have competed in 90% of their institution's games or started at least 66% of their team's games. Academic All-District honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America ballot based on academic and athletic merit by an organization-appointed committee. Whary, the 2023 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, advanced to the Academic All-America ballot from Kutztown. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced Jan. 23, 2024. Whary led the Golden Bears with a career-high 89 tackles (46 solo), while compiling 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. The Hereford, Pa., native graduate posted a 3.57 GPA as an undergrade, earning his degree in business administration. He is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration. Bernstein, from York, Pa., started all 15 games at center for the PSAC and Super Region 1 champions. A senior criminal justice major, Bernstein held a 3.73 GPA at the time of his nomination. He helped pave the way for KU's potent rushing attack, which ranked fourth in the PSAC at 157.9 yards per game. DeVose appeared in all 15 games at linebacker, starting a pair. The senior out of Lansdale, Pa., registered a career-high 58 tackles (33 solo) along with an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery. DeVose is a psychology major with a 3.79 GPA. Lovenguth, a junior from Downingtown, Pa., is a key member of Kutztown's special teams unit and a tight end. The biology (pre-medicine) major, who has a 3.53 GPA, served as the Golden Bears' long snapper and was a short-yardage red zone threat. Lovenguth recorded five catches for 32 yards and three touchdowns on offense. He also collected four tackles in his special teams role.

Kutztown University women's soccer junior defender Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) was named a Third Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators (CSC), as announced by the organization Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 20. Curtis becomes the third Academic All-American in program history, joining Katie Oliveri (2013) and Maria Borland (2011). To be nominated for the award, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.50 GPA and meet high athletic standards. A select group of student-athletes advance to the national ballot from the All-District teams, which CSC members then vote on. In the classroom, Curtis is studying Biology & Chemistry and currently has a 3.80 GPA. She is one of four PSAC student-athletes to earn this award along with Rebecca Kotula (East Stroudsburg), Karah Van Horn (Mercyhurst), and Ella Fadale (Gannon). On the field, Curtis was named the 2023 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year. The Warrington native started in all 22 games this season, leading the team to 12 shutouts, which is tied for the third-most in a season in KU history. She also chipped in a career-high five goals, including three game-winners. The Central Bucks South product has already won a plethora of awards this season, most notably a First Team All-America nod from United Soccer Coaches. Throughout her career in the Maroon & Gold, Curtis is a three-time All-PSAC East first-teamer, a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region first teamer, a two-time D2CCA All-Atlantic Region first teamer, and a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. Curtis will return for her senior year in 2024 with the chance to become one of the most decorated Golden Bears in program history.

Andrew Diehl (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) of the Kutztown University men's cross country team has been named the 2023 PSAC Freshman of the Year, as announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon, Dec. 14. Diehl was spectacular in his first season in the Maroon & Gold and becomes only the second runner in program history to earn this award, joining two-time national qualifier and four-time All-PSAC finisher Steve Maine (2014). The Carlisle native paced the Golden Bears in four out of six meets this season and was the highest freshman finisher at the PSAC Championship at Bloomsburg in October, coming across the line in 16th for an All-PSAC Second Team finish. His performance at PSACs lifted KU to a sixth-place team finish, the highest for the program since 2019. Diehl opened his collegiate career with a first-place finish at the Panthers XC Invite. He then racked up three more top-20 finishes and an impressive 24th-place finish at the Lehigh Paul Short Run in September. Shippensburg's Garrett Quinan was named the PSAC Athlete of the Year along with his coach Steve Spence, who was named the PSAC Coach of the Year.

Junior Juliana Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Schalick) and senior Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) of the national champion, Kutztown Field Hockey team, capped the best seasons of their careers with one of the top honors in the sport. This week, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) recognized the duo as First Team All-Americans. It is the second straight season that Gatehouse has earned All-America First Team honors and it is the first All-America accolade for Donato. Earlier this season, Gatehouse was voted the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Defensive Athlete of the Year, along with being named to the All-PSAC First Team for the second straight season. The Sinking Spring native was the backbone of a KU defense that finished first in the conference and the nation in goals allowed (11) and goals against average (.497), starting all 22 games at center back. She ranked second on KU in points (19) and assists (5) and was fourth in goals scored (7). Gatehouse also received the PSAC Champion Scholar and NCAA Elite 90 awards. Donato, who also received PSAC First-Team honors earlier this season, ranked second in the PSAC and tied for third nationally in assists with 11. She was also fifth on the team in points with 17 and started all 22 games as an attacking midfielder, facilitating the offense all season. Kutztown concluded its best season in program history in 2023, finishing 19-3 overall and 7-2 in the PSAC, winning the program and university's first NCAA team championship, knocking off defending champion East Stroudsburg 2-1 in the championship game on Nov. 19, 2023. KU's 19 wins is a new program record and it also set a new record for shutouts in a season with 14.

Sadie Doss (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) and Cat Farole (Orefield, Pa./Parkland) of the Kutztown University women's volleyball team were honored Tuesday, Dec. 12 as a part of the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Division II Academic All-District honorees, an award that recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performance on the field and in the classroom. In order to be eligible for this honor, student athletes must have been a starter or key reserve on their respective teams throughout the 2023 season, must have participated in at least 50 percent of their team's games and must have at least a 3.50 GPA. It is the second Academic All-District recognition for Doss and first for Farole. Doss, who earned All-PSAC First Team and D2 CCA All-Region Second Team honors this season, started in all 27 matches and finished the 2023 campaign with 450 kills, which is fourth-most in a single season in program history. She ended her career with 899 kills, eight shy of top-10 in program history for kills in a career. Doss also had 254 digs, 17 assists, 12 service aces and a career-high 25 blocks this season. Farole started all 27 matches and appeared in 105 sets as a senior setter. She had a career-best year, finishing with 803 assists, 215 digs, 28 service aces and 13 kills. The duo is now among those eligible for consideration for the Academic All-America Team that will be announced Jan. 9.

Kutztown University inducted seven students into its Fall 2023 class of Alpha Phi Sigma, National Honor Society for Criminal Justice. The Kappa Alpha chapter of the Criminal Justice Honor Society (Alpha Phi Sigma) was established at Kutztown University in 2008. University students majoring in Criminal Justice and with a minimum of 3.2 GPA are eligible to join the Criminal Justice Honor Society. The Criminal Justice Honor Society was established in 1942, and it has 550 chapters throughout the United States. Alphia Phi Sigma has been affiliated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) since March 1976.

The Department of Psychology at Kutztown University is proud to present its Fall 2023 Student Award Winners: - Michelle Kenstler, Psi Chi Model Student. - Megan Tewksbury, Scientist/Practitioner Award. - Mandy Maiers, Field Experience Award. - Emma Meakim, Academic Achievement Award. - Samantha Smith, Student Leadership Award.

The awards continue to rack up for the Kutztown University women's soccer team, as Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South), Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin), Dana Wentz (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley), Lexy Endres (Medford, N.J./Shawnee), and Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) were named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Team, as announced by the organization Tuesday. Curtis and Economopoulos were named to the first team, while Wentz, Endres, and McDonald were named to the second team. The five Golden Bears named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Team are tied for the most in a season in program history (2018). The three second-team selections are the most in program history. This award comes after the Golden Bears had four named to the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team and the coaching staff of Erik Burstein, Maddy Reed, and Rob Miller were named the Atlantic Region Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. The PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and the PSAC East Freshman of the Year Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) were named to the first team. It's the second time Curtis has been named to the All-Region team by United Soccer Coaches, with her first nod coming after her freshman season in 2021. Curtis was also named to the CSC Academic All-District Team and D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team this year. It's Economopoulos' first nod of her career after already earning a D2CCA All-Region nod. The Grantville native finished second on KU in goals (8), assists (5), and points (21). It's the first time Dana Wentz (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley), Lexy Endres (Medford, N.J./Shawnee), and Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) have been named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Team. Wentz started all 22 games at fullback this past season, helping form one of the most formidable defensive units in the region. The Conestoga Valley product also added an assist in a win over Concord on Sept. 2. Endres led the Golden Bears with 10 goals on the season, while McDonald led KU with 10 assists. McDonald and Endres were already named to the CSC Academic All-District Team, with Endres also being named to the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team. The Golden Bears ended the season 15-2-5 (12-0-4 PSAC East) and went unbeaten in the regular season for the first time in program history. KU won its first PSAC Tournament game since 2017 and won an NCAA Tournament game for the second straight year.

After a historic 2023 season for Kutztown women's soccer, junior defender Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and freshman midfielder Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) were named All-Americans by United Soccer Coaches, as announced by the organization Thursday. Curtis was named to the first team, while Economopoulos was named to the second team. The duo becomes the ninth and tenth Golden Bears in program history to earn All-American status during their career in the Maroon & Gold. It's the fourth time that two Golden Bears have earned All-American in the same year, with the other times coming in 2016 (Alaina Curry, Maddie Mohr), 2017 (Maddie Mohr, Emily Zwiercan), and 2018 (Maddie Mohr, Jenna Bracken). Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) becomes only the second defender in KU history to be named an All-American, joining Chelsea Deeter after the 2010 season. She is the first defender in program history to be named to an All-America first team and joins Maddie Mohr (2017, 2018) and Kayla Argen (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) (2021) as the only first-team selections in program history. It's a well-deserved honor for the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, who blossomed into one of the best center backs in the nation over the course of the 2023 season. Curtis started in all 22 games this season, leading the team to 12 shutouts, which is tied for the third-most in a season in KU history. The Central Bucks South product was a steady presence at the back and a weapon on set pieces, netting five goals, three of which were game-winners. As she enters her senior year in 2024, Curtis has made 60 career appearances, 59 starts, in the Maroon & Gold. She is a three-time All-PSAC East first teamer, a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region first teamer, a two-time D2CCA All-Atlantic Region first teamer, and a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) joins Maddie Mohr in 2016 as the only freshman in program history to be named an All-American. She is one of two freshman to be named an All-American this season along with Gannon's Brooklyn Respecki. The Grantville native burst onto the scene in 2023, making 20 appearances while starting 18 games. She notched her first collegiate assist in a win over Lock Haven on Sept. 9 and followed it up with a spectacular two goal and one assist performance in a 3-0 win over No. 12 West Chester. Economopoulos ended the season second on KU in goals (8), assists (5), and points (21). It's the most points for a KU freshman since Mohr's All-American campaign in 2016. Economopoulos was also named the PSAC East Freshman of the Year, along with nods to the United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA All-Atlantic Region teams.

The Kutztown University football team won its first-ever NCAA Division II Super Region One championship Saturday, Dec. 2, with a 28-16 victory at Slippery Rock. The victory sends the Golden Bears (12-2) into the national semifinals 3:30 p.m. EST, Saturday, Dec. 9, against No. 1 Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo. The semifinal games will be carried on ESPN+. Kutztown also set a new school record for wins in a season and extended its school record for consecutive wins (12) by knocking off The Rock for the fourth time in a row and seventh time in their last 10 meetings dating back to the 2011 PSAC Championship game. KU won the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Championship (PSAC) Championship Nov. 11, 31-7 at home vs. Slippery Rock, its third in program history. Media interested in speaking with members of the KU football team ahead of Saturday's game should contact Bryan Salvadore, director of communications, at salvadore@kutztown.edu.

A quartet from the national champion Kutztown Field Hockey team continued to rack up postseason recognition as Alyssa Eager (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley), Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), Mia Kepler (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) and Greenleigh McGehee (New Tripoli, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) were named to the 2023 NCAA Division II Championship All-Tournament Team. McGehee scored arguably the biggest goal in program history, as her redirected shot found the back of the cage to break a 1-1 tie with just 8:33 left to play in the national championship game victory over defending champion, East Stroudsburg, back on Nov. 19. The junior midfielder finished with three goals and three assists and started all 22 games this season. In the two national semifinal and final, combined, Kepler made 12 saves and allowed just two goals, seeing 14 shots on goal. The senior goalie, along with Eager and Gatehouse in front of her, helped break the previous program record with 14 shutouts this season. Kutztown set a new program record for wins in a season with 19 in 2023. It is the first All-Tournament honor for all four Golden Bears.

Three student-athletes from the PSAC champion Kutztown University football team were named to the Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) All-Super Region 1 Teams, Thursday. Linebacker Tyler Whary (Hereford, Pa./Upper Perkiomen), the 2023 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, and punter Nate Millard (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone) were First Team picks, while guard Adam Kase (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) secured a spot on the Second Team offense. For all three players, the all-region selection is the first of their respective careers. Whary leads the team in total tackles (78), quarterback hurries (eight) and is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (8.5). The Hereford, Pa., native also ranks second in solo tackles (40), pass breakups (five) and third in sacks (4.5). Whary has created matchup issues for the Golden Bears' opponents throughout the season and has pieced together back-to-back eight-tackle games in KU's NCAA DII playoff victories over No. 13 Virginia Union and No. 24 Charleston (W.Va.). After an outstanding freshman season that saw Millard average 40.2 yards per punt and land All-PSAC East Second Team honors, he's been even better in his follow up campaign. The native Berks Countian from Birdsboro continues to lead the PSAC and Super Region while ranking ninth nationally at 43.4 yards per punt. Millard has punted 51 times for 2,212 yards, placed 13 inside the opponent's 20-yard line and booted 12 50+ yards. He's also sent 31 of his 64 kickoffs for touchbacks and connected on his only field goal attempt of the year from 44 yards. Millard was an All-PSAC East First Team selection this fall. Kase, an All-PSAC East First Team offensive lineman, has started 22 games over the last two seasons, including all 13 this season. The Golden Bears rank fourth in SR1 in fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.23 per game), fifth in passing yards per completion (14.62), ninth in fewest sacks allowed (1.31 per game) 14th in rushing offense (168.0 ypg). Kutztown's three all-region selections were tied for the fourth most of any team behind only Slippery Rock (seven), Tiffin (five) and Charleston (four). The PSAC garnered the most picks of any conference with 20, while the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) had 13, the Mountain East Conference (MEC) 12 and Northeast-10 six. The Golden Bears have advanced to the national quarterfinals for the second time in three years and will try to bring home their first Super Region 1 title in program history when they face No. 15 Slippery Rock on the road Saturday, Dec. 2, at noon.

Kutztown University will have 72 student-athletes representing its track & field program for the 2023-24 season. Read the season preview online. The Golden Bears have two meets before the end of the fall semester, starting with the Bison Opener Saturday, Dec. 2 in Lewisburg, Pa.

The accolades continued to roll in for Kutztown women's volleyball outside hitter Sadie Doss (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) in her final season. On Wednesday, the graduate student was voted to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Atlantic Region Second Team. It is the first All-Region recognition for Doss, who was also voted to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference First Team for the second straight season. She gives the program its second consecutive All-Region performer in as many seasons. Doss is also a two-year team captain. Doss, a graduate student from Mechanicsburg, started in all 27 matches and finished the 2023 campaign with 450 kills, which is fourth-most in a single season in program history. She ended her career with 899 kills, eight shy of top-10 in program history for kills in a career. Doss also had 254 digs, 17 assists, 12 service aces and a career-high 25 blocks this season. Kutztown finished the 2023 season with a 10-17 overall record in head coach Allison Keeley's second season at the helm and will look to get back into contention for the PSAC playoffs next season, ending two wins shy of reaching the dance this season.

Four members of the Kutztown University women's soccer team were named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Atlantic Region Team, as announced by the organization Tuesday afternoon. Cassandra Baker (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin), and Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) were named to the first team, while Lexy Endres (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) earned a second-team nod. The four Golden Bears named to the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team are tied for the most in program history. It's the first All-Atlantic Region nod for Baker, Economopoulos, and Endres, while it's the second for Curtis. All four Golden Bears were also named to the All-PSAC East First Team earlier in the month. Economopoulos and Curtis both won major conference awards as they add another prestigious honor to their resumes after a historic season. Economopoulos ended the season with eight goals and five assists for 21 points, the second most on KU, en route to the PSAC East Freshman of the Year award. Curtis was shut down on the backline all season and was named the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year. The junior from Warrington was also named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team. Baker appeared in 19 games this season, allowing only nine goals in almost 1,700 minutes of action. The Harrisburg native's ten shutouts are the fourth most in a season in program history, while her 0.49 goals-against average is tied for the second-best in a season in program history. Endres was the lone Golden Bear on the second team after leading the Golden Bears in goals (10) and points (22). Economopoulos, Curtis, and Baker are all up for an D2CCA All-America nod, which will be announced in early December.

Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South), Skyler Jordan (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth), Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East), Taylor Rapel (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg), Joslyn Stoltz (Levittown, Pa./Calvary Christian Academy), and Dana Wentz (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) of the Kutztown University women's soccer team were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, as announced by the organization Wednesday morning, Nov. 22. The CSC Academic All-District teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The six Golden Bears recognized matches the same number from last season. It's the second CSC Academic All-District nod for Curtis and Wentz, while it's the first for Jordan, McDonald, Rapel, and Stoltz. Wentz, Rapel, and Stoltz previously won D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award Honorees advance to the Academic All-America ballot, which will be announced on December 20 for women's soccer.

Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), a senior at Kutztown University, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2023 NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship, announced Thursday evening at the annual banquet at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics in Manchester, N.H. Gatehouse, a sport management major, is a multi-year PSAC Scholar-Athlete, D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award winner, NFHCA Scholar of Distinction and NFHCA National Academic Squad and Dean's List member, boasting a perfect 4.0 GPA. Back on Nov. 3, at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's final four at East Stroudsburg, Gatehouse was awarded the PSAC Champion Scholar award for the second straight year. Earlier this season, for her success on the field, she was voted the PSAC Defensive Athlete of the Year, along with being named to the All-PSAC First Team for the second straight season. Gatehouse has been the backbone of a KU defense that ranks first in the conference and the nation in goals allowed (9) and goals against average (.338), starting all 20 games at center back. She is tied for the team lead with 19 points (7 goals, 5 assists). The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships. Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed. For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to https://www.ncaa.com/elite-90.

Sadie Doss (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) and Gabriela Fialova (Ledec nad Sazavou, Czech Republic/Sportovni Gymnazium Ludvika Danka) were at the forefront of the Kutztown women's volleyball offensive attack all season and the duo were rewarded for their efforts, being named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference teams, as voted on by the head coaches and announced by the league office, Thursday afternoon. Doss earned First-Team honors for the second straight season and Fialova was recognized on the Second Team in her first and only season with the Golden Bears. The duo accounted for 74% of the team's overall kills, tallying 875 out of the 1,190 team kills. Doss, a graduate student from Mechanicsburg, started in all 27 matches and finished the 2023 campaign with 450 kills, which is fourth-most in a single season in program history. She ended her career with 899 kills, eight shy of top-10 in program history for kills in a career. Doss also had 254 digs, 17 assists, 12 service aces and a career-high 25 blocks this season. Fialova, a graduate student from the Czech Republic, started in all 27 matches and ended the year with 425 kills, which ranks seventh at KU for kills in a season. She also recorded a team-high 366 digs, 31 assists, 49 service aces and 19 blocks. Kutztown finished the 2023 season with a 10-17 overall record in head coach Allison Keeley's second season at the helm and will look to get back into contention for the PSAC playoffs next season, ending two wins shy of reaching the dance this season.