What sets them apart as big men or women on campus is what they do wearing the Gannon uniform.

So without any further ado, I present JC’s BM(and W)OC’s:

Mani Brueckner, women’s soccer — Just when the Knights lost one of their best all-time players in Amanda Sharbaugh, Brueckner, a freshman forward, turned in a season for the ages, by being named the PSAC Player of the Year and the program’s first NCSAA All-American.

In her first season, Brueckner’s 13 assists shattered the previous Gannon record by four and her 33 points were the fourth-highest single-season total. Gannon fans can only hope the sequel is as good.

Robbie Bennett, men’s soccer — No sophomore slump for this South African, who was named an All-American as well as an All-Atlantic Region selection for the second straight year. Bennett helped lead Gannon to the Sweet 16 and a 13-6 season, the most wins in a season since 2007.

Bennett also had a flair for the dramatic in 2012, scoring four game-winning goals and three game-tying goals.

Lauren Sazama, volleyball — In a scene from the movie “Rudy,” Notre Dame coach Dan Devine orders a player he’s perceiving as defiant by saying “You’re an All-American and our captain, act like it.” Words volleyball coach Matt Darling likely never had to say to Sazama, a senior outside hitter.

To talk about Sazama is to drain the vocabulary of superlatives: Atlantic Region Player of the Year, PSAC Player of the Year, PSAC Tournament Player of the Year, a four-time All-PSAC selection as well as a three-time All-Atlantic Region player.

Opposing teams did all they could not to hit it to the area Sazama patrolled, a place rallies went to die.

Jen Papich, women’s basketball — Her team-high 12.3 points-per-game average was good enough to win PSAC Basketball Athlete of the Year, but the forward probably could’ve averaged twice that if she had to. As the cornerstone of an extremely balanced team, Papich did it all for the Knights, averaging 5.7 rebounds and shooting 46 percent from the field.

With a height-shooting touch ability reminiscent of Kevin Durant, Papich is quickly climbing Gannon’s scoring list as she enters her senior season— one that’s filled with sky-high expectations for the Knights.

Darrell Blanton, men’s basketball — A model of consistency, the senior forward scored at least 15 points in 19 out of Gannon’s 29 games. For the second year in a row, Blanton led Gannon in scoring (15.6 points per game) and rebounding (6.7 per game) on his way to earning all-PSAC West first-team honors.

Though listed generously at 6-feet, 4-inches, Blanton used his strength to muscle his way under the basket to become one of the PSAC’s premier post players. His powerful jump stops and thunderous dunks alone earn him a spot on my list.

Shayne Herold, baseball — Though he played just one season for Gannon, the right-handed pitcher has made it count. Herold, a transfer from Ashland, is 8-0 and leads the PSAC with a miniscule 1.07 ERA and six saves.

Herold has the Knights in prime position for the postseason, as they are currently tied with California (Pa.) atop the PSAC standings.

JOE CUNEO

cuneo001@knights.gannno.edu

Carolynn Masters, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs, said the center will include two different facilities. One is a human performance lab dedicated to conducting cardiovascular testing, strength and bone density testing and other types to test to improve exercise and workout patterns.

The second part of the center will be a motion-analysis lab providing physical therapy services and treatment plans customized based on the individual’s results in certain targeted tests. Masters said the lab will have specialized software that tracks movement, offering feedback on possible improvements.

Jason Willow, Ph.D., an assistant professor in sport and exercise science, said the lab will be a high-tech facility dedicated toward improving performance and physical abilities for sedentary and active individuals alike.

“The purpose of the center is to encourage those who are or wish to be physically active to do so, but in a healthy manner that utilizes their strengths and keeps them motivated,” Willow said.

He said the lab will help pinpoint the mistakes individuals unknowingly do while working out – like picking the wrong type of running shoes, which results in injury – and correct misinformation they have as well.

Such misconceptions include experiencing muscle pain after working out after a long time of physical idleness.

“They would think they did something wrong,” Willow said. “That thinking discourages them, and they don’t know that what they’re experiencing is normal.”

Christine Legters, Ph.D., an associate professor in physical therapy, said the center will also provide motion analysis and physical therapy services to individuals who need it. She said it will provide students with hands-on experience with equipment they are most likely to deal with once they start their careers.

“I hope that we not only provide real learning experiences for the students, but also provide service to the Gannon and Erie community more so than we are providing now,” she said.

Legters said the intent behind those wellness services is for the students and faculty to do annual physical therapy examinations on all Gannon’s employees.

“In addition to going for your annual physician checkup, we want people to start thinking about the importance of going to their annual physical therapy checkup, too,” she said.

The center will serve as a space for collaboration between faculty and students in the physical therapy, sport and exercise science, human performance, occupational therapy and biomedical engineering programs.

Masters said the construction of the center falls within the strategic mission and goals of the university.

“The center will set the university apart from other universities in the area and will prepare our students for the outside world so they can be the best at what they do,” Masters said.

She also added that the center will encourage prospective students to attend the university and help retain current students as well.

“This center will set us apart from other universities and help attract students to our campus,” she said.

Construction of the field house will begin this summer with the demolition of Crispo Apartments, a residence hall housing upperclassmen.

HIBA ALMASRI

almasri002@knights.gannon.edu

Jared Wiesen, a freshman utility player, leads the team with a .349 batting average and said that Herold was one of the first veteran players he reached out to on the team for leadership.

“He was the one who always put in extra time to talk about the game, take extra swings in the cages and put some extra effort in to help my fielding,” Wiesen said. “Shayne definitely helped guide me through the hardships of being a freshman.”

Herold started in right field for Friday’s first matchup against Mercyhurst, and drove in three runs in Gannon’s 7-4 victory. Aaron Cox pitched a complete game and struck out eight while only giving up one earned run to improve his record to 6-0.

Herold pitched a complete game in Friday’s second contest with Mercyhurst. He gave up two earned runs and struck out seven batters to remain perfect on the season with an 8-0 record. Nico Baldelli, a senior catcher, had two hits in the game and batted in four runners in the Knights’ 7-2 win. Coach Nate Cocolin said Baldelli has done a good job anchoring the batting order and has played well defensively.

“He’s our rock behind the plate,” Cocolin said. “He’s been extremely consistent and has handled our pitching staff very well all year.”

Matt Tobin, a sophomore pitcher, gave up two earned runs in six innings of work in Gannon’s 2-1 loss to Mercyhurst in Saturday’s first matchup. Mercyhurst only had two hits in the contest while Gannon had nine, but the team was unable to give Tobin run support for a win.

Matt Wilwohl, a redshirt freshman pitcher and outfielder, dropped his record to 2-5 on the season with a 4-0 loss to Mercyhurst in Saturday’s weekend finale. Wilwohl pitched four innings and gave up three earned runs. David Spaeder, a junior pitcher, came into the game as relief and pitched two shutout innings.

The Knights conclude their regular season by hosting Slippery Rock University for two games Friday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Gannon University Field. Gannon then goes on the road to Slippery Rock for two games Saturday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Cocolin said he understands the playoff implications of this weekend.

“A bad weekend, and we could be out of the playoffs,” Cocolin said. “A good one and we could win the league.”

Wiesen said the need to have a strong weekend offensively and defensively has brought the best out of the team.

“It’s natural to feel some pressure with Gannon history on the line, but I feel like the team is staying loose,” Wiesen said. “We’re meshing together more now than we have all season.”

CONNOR SONDEL

sondel001@knights.gannon.edu

The Knights offense was led by Caitlyn Fisher, senior attacker, converting three goals off five shots. Jess Fugate, senior midfielder and winner of Gannon’s athlete of the week, and Natalie Bonnepart, senior defender, both pitched in with two goals respectively.

The Knights conclude their season with a 10-8 record and a 6-5 record in PSAC action. The team will be losing eight seniors to graduation.

“Eight players sounds like a lot to lose, but there is a great legacy behind Gannon lacrosse and it doesn’t stop with this graduating class,” Bonnepart said.

CONNOR SONDEL

sondel001@knights.gannon.edu

But it turned out the only thing that moved more rapidly than the sport’s popularity was the time it took the students to introduce a club team at Gannon.

“From the point of where we started to where we were approved for club status, it was only about a month,” Stein, a team captain and vice president, said.

Lesniewski, a senior psychology major, and Stein, a sophomore Sports Management and Marketing major, had been playing for Penn State Behrend’s club team when they came up with the idea to start a team at Gannon.

“Over Christmas break, I was like, ‘You know, I don’t want to play there anymore,’ so I called Mark and was like ‘You want to try to start a team here?’ He said, ‘Let’s go for it,’” Stein said.

However, there was one catch to the proposition they faced: they wanted field a team by the time the spring season started in March.

This meant going through Gannon’s rigorous process to establish club activities for Stein and Lesniewski, who first met with Director of Student and Organizations and Leadership Development Beth Schick in February when they began drafting a constitution, per Gannon club rules. Stein and Lesniewski then met with Don Henry, director of recreation at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion, to discuss the final criteria to earn approval as a university club.

“At first,” Lesniewski, the club President, said, “Don Henry was pretty skeptical, as anyone would be.”

But the students continued to press on as they signed up more players and gained a coach, Tom Banko and an adviser in Matt Ward, the resident director of Finegan Hall.

Banko, a graphic designer in Gannon’s marketing department, helped recruit players from the team by designing and distributing posters around campus.

He said clubs face challenges different from varsity teams.

“It can be tough because the season is short and everyone has different schedules,” he said. “I try to rally the team to where we’re all on the same page and can all be together.”

When the Knights got the OK in late February, they wasted no time and started practice immediately.

“When we had that first practice, it was such a good feeling to know we did it,” Lesniewski said. “It was one of the greater things I’ve done at Gannon.”

At least 18 players now make up the team’s roster, which includes soccer players, wrestlers, and a water polo player as well as a swimmer.

Lesniewski said each Gannon club member must meet a set of requirements: maintain a 2.0 GPA, have a physical on file, carry medical insurance, sign a Gannon club sports agreement—a liability waiver—and register with USA Rugby, the national governing body of the sport.

However, the most daunting obligation the team faces, Lesniewski said, is Gannon’s requirement of having a balanced budget — one of many monetary challenges the team faces.

In addition, USA Rugby stipulates that teams pay for CIPP (Club Individual Participation Program), the body’s third party liability insurance, which costs each Gannon player $40 per year for coverage, Stein said.

It’s also up to the players to cover other expenses, including travel costs and the minimal equipment they use. Gannon paid for the team’s uniforms and dues to the Three River Conference, the league the team competes in.

“That’s pretty much all we ask of them to pay for,” Stein said. “Our goal is to be a cheap sport because rugby really doesn’t require much and we want to keep it low-cost for people to enjoy it.”

Gannon plays its home games at the Boys and Girls Club Field, located at East 10th and Gilson, but hopes to eventually move to Gannon University Field to attract more interest, Stein said.

The team currently carries a 1-3 record, having defeated Penn State Behrend 41-0 on April 13. Geneva College, Washington & Jefferson and Robert Morris universities all defeated the Knights, who will play their final three games of the season at the Mad Anthony Tournament, hosted by the Erie Rugby Club beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Boys and Girls Club.

Banko said that despite the Knights’ record, their future is bright.

“There’s a heck of a lot of potential on this team,” he said. “With some of these guys, I can’t believe that this is their first time playing.”

Stein, who will take over the reins once Lesniewski graduates, said getting enough players will remain his top priority.

“The big thing is looking for recruitment; anyone can join and there’s no experience necessary,” he said.

Lesniewski, whose father, John, is president of the Erie Rugby Club, said he doesn’t see participation being a problem.

“I know of six players already who will be freshmen in the fall,” he said. “I think it will be all right. I just told them to make sure they put posters and sign-up sheets in every single dorm.”

JOE CUNEO

cuneo001@knights.gannon.edu

Many Gannon University women’s basketball backers will remember Wright for the banners that decorate the Hammermill Center. There were many.

But I’ll remember Wright for his commitment to molding not just championship-caliber players but model student-athletes, all the while embodying the drive and unrelenting attention to detail that defines their coach.

While General Electric’s transportation division’s departure will leave a void, Wright’s move to Miami (Ohio) will also deprive Erie of one of its most powerful engines.

When a school newspaper reporter’s 9 a.m. class dragged on a few minutes one Monday in late February on which the two were to meet at 10, Wright wasn’t going to let it go unnoticed when I walked in at 10:06.

“Sorry, but I’m just really intense today,” he said at that moment, though he could’ve meant any time.

He is the same way on the court, where he is most comfortable. When Wright took the podium at his introductory press conference Friday, he seemed itching to get started with his new team.

A strict adherent of the take-it-one-game-at-time mantra, Wright rarely ever speaks of future opponents unless it’s the next one on the schedule.

He is even more demanding of his players, holding exhausting practices and multiple study tables every week.

But perhaps most impressive about Wright’s relationship with his players is the loyalty they feel toward their head coach. His players mirrored his intensity, his competitive spirit and even said many of the same we’re-good-but-there’s-work-to-do lines he used.

When Gannon won the Atlantic Regional championship by beating Cal in late March, a near dozen former players sat behind the Knights’ bench in support were proof of that allegiance.

“That’s a tribute to our culture here, and what we want our culture to be here at Gannon,” Wright said in the postgame press conference that night.

Wright’s teams at Gannon were known for their academic accomplishments as well as their community involvement.

During his tenure, his teams raised nearly $90,000 for breast cancer advocacy and research in the annual Pink Zone games and volunteered for many other causes. Gannon has also earned well over 70 conference all-academic honors in the last 11 years.

Wright’s teams have been in the top 25 in team GPA seven of the last eight years.

Graduating players became as customary for Wright just as graduating coaches has for Gannon.

The school can boast that its last men’s and women’s basketball coaches both left downtown Erie only to take jobs at Division I universities. Jerry Slocum, who coached the men from 1996 to 2005, has been the coach at Youngstown State since leaving. Wright’s predecessor, Jodi Kest, is also at the D-I level at Akron, another Mid-American Conference school.

“I think it looks good for Gannon that our coaches are so impressive that other Division I schools want them,” athletic director Mark Richard said.

It’s a branding tool more powerful than any billboard on campus.

Not long after Gannon launched it’s “Believe in the Possibilities” campaign in 2006, “Believe in Cleve” became the de facto slogan for those in the know.

It seems Miami believes as well.

JOE CUNEO

cuneo001@knights.gannon.edu

1. Kansas City    Luke Joeckel      OT          Texas A&M

Analysis: The Chiefs choose the draft’s premier offensive lineman to protect their new franchise QB Alex Smith.

2. Jacksonville   Dee Milliner      CB           Alabama

Analysis: The Jaguars aren’t short on needs, and even QB Blaine Gabbert’s job isn’t safe, but the Jacksonville secondary needs an infusion of young talent.

3. Oakland          Sharrif Floyd      DT           Florida

Analysis: The Raiders’ defensive line is in shambles after losing Richard Seymour and Desmond Bryant, so a top SEC run stopper fits the bill.

4. Philadelphia Dion Jordan        DE           Oregon

Analysis: Jordan may change from a Duck to an Eagle, but he’ll still be playing for Chip Kelly, and the Eagles need an explosive body on the defensive line.

5. Detroit             Ziggy Ansah        DE           BYU

Analysis: The Lions should grab one of the top offensive tackle prospects in Eric Fisher or Lane Johnson, but the departures of Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch will make Detroit call in Ansah for defensive line reinforcement.

6. Cleveland       Jarvis Jones        OLB        Georgia

Analysis: With Milliner and Jordan gone, the Browns may look to move back and pick up a second-rounder to make up for supplemental pick Josh Gordon. But if they stay at No. 6, look for them to add another linebacker to their 3-4.

7. Arizona            Chance Warmack             OG          Alabama

Analysis: The Cardinals have taken a chance on an aging Carson Palmer, but had better improve the line in front of him.

8. Buffalo            Deandre Hopkins             WR         Clemson

Analysis: The Bills have plenty of needs, but if the goal is for either Tarvaris Jackson or Kevin Kolb to lead the offense, Buffalo needs a dynamic threat.

9. N.Y. Jets          Eric Fisher           OT          Central Michigan

Analysis: The Jets have two first-rounders to play with after trading Darelle Revis. Fisher drops to No. 9 and right into a starting role defending Mark Sanchez.

10. Tennessee   Barkevious Mingo           DE           LSU

Analysis: After seeing several defensive linemen come off the board, the Titans jump on the best available at defensive end, and that’s the 6-foot, 4-inch Mingo.

11. San Diego     Larry Warford    OG          Kentucky

Analysis: Mike McCoy is the Chargers’ new head coach who will look to return QB Philip Rivers to an elite form. A fresh offensive guard goes a long way.

12. Miami            Lane Johnson    OT          Oklahoma

Analysis: The Dolphins have 11 total picks in the draft, including five in the first three rounds. Look for them to move up and select a tackle, or stay put and select a tackle.

13. N.Y. Jets (Tampa Bay)             Manti T’eo          LB           Notre Dame

Analysis: With the departure of one defensive superstar in CB Darelle Revis, T’eo takes his athleticism and off-the-field baggage to the NFL’s biggest stage.

14. Carolina        Tavon Austin     WR         West Virginia

Analysis: Austin’s familiarity with athletic option quarterbacks makes him a natural fit with Cam Newton and the Panthers.

15. New Orleans          Kevin Minter          ILB          LSU

Analysis: While the Saints and new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan need pass rushers, they won’t feel comfortable passing on Minter.

16. St. Louis        Cordarrelle Patterson    WR         Tennessee

Analysis: The Rams have two first-round picks, and you can bet one of them will fill a hole in their receiving corps, which was quaked by the losses of Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson.

17. Pittsburgh    Eddie Lacy           RB           Alabama

Analysis: The Steelers have a few positions to upgrade after veteran departures at wide receiver (Mike Wallace) and linebacker (James Harrison). But the Pittsburgh offense is at its best with a committee of talented running backs, and Lacy is the next piece.

18. Dallas             Kenny Vaccaro  S              Texas

Analysis: The Cowboys have aging Will Allen and several younger raw safeties in their defensive backfield. Vaccaro can bring both youth and talent to the questions at the position.

19. N.Y. Giants   Alec Ogletree    ILB          Georgia

Analysis: The top defensive linemen have been picked clean by this point, but the Giants can still fill a need at linebacker with a premier SEC athlete. And Ogletree won’t be New York’s only linebacker pick in the draft.

20. Chicago         Arthur Brown    ILB          Kansas St.

Analysis: The Bears would have preferred Minter or Ogletree, but their needs in the middle linebacker spot are too big to ignore.

21. Cincinnati    Joseph Randle  RB           Oklahoma St.

Analysis: The Bengals will draft a complement back to BenJarvus Green-Ellis to shore up the run game.

22. St. Louis (Washington)           Jonathan Cooper                             OG          North Carolina

Analysis: Fixing the hole at guard is in the cards, but reuniting Rams DE Jake Long with his brother Kyle Long (Oregon-OG) is not.

23. Minnesota   Keenan Allen    WR         California

Analysis: With two near adjacent picks, expect the Vikings to draft two playmakers, one on each side of the ball.

24.  Indianapolis                    Damontre Moore        DE           Texas A&M

Analysis: The Colts’ pass rush will have to establish a new identity without veteran Dwight Freeney.

25. Minnesota   Xavier Rhodes   CB           Florida St.

Analysis: At 6-foot, 2-inches, Rhodes is an imposing threat to his wideout assignments.

26. Green Bay    Montee Ball       RB           Wisconsin

Analysis: The passing game is never in doubt when QB Aaron Rodgers is in the huddle, but when will the Packers develop a versatile running game?

27. Houston        Chase Thomas   OLB        Stanford

Analysis: The Texans would like a wideout opposite Andre Johnson, but at this point, they’ll wait until the later rounds.

28. Denver          Marcus Lattimore            RB           South Carolina

Analysis: Aging Willis McGahee and Ronnie Hillman are the only backs under contract past 2013-14, as Knowshon Moreno looks like he’s in his last season with the Broncos.

29. New England          Bjoern Werner           DE     Florida St.

Analysis: Werner strengthens a Patriots pass-rushing attack still learning to walk.

30. Atlanta          Johnthan Banks                                CB           Mississippi St.

Analysis: Without Dunta Robinson, Brent Grimes or Chris Owens, the Falcons need secondary help, and might trade up to get it.

31. San Francisco         D.J. Swearinger     S              South Carolina

Analysis: The defending NFC champs need a suitable replacement for Dashon Goldson.

32.          Baltimore            Tyler Eifert         TE           Notre Dame

Analysis: Will the Ravens land the next Ray Lewis in this draft? The gleaming Lombardi Trophy says no. But Baltimore has been seeking an athletic tight end since the days of Todd Heap.

The 2013 NFL Draft starts Thursday at 8 p.m., with the first round taking place.

DAN KUBACKI

kubacki001@knights.gannon.edu

Aaron Cox, a freshman pitcher and infielder, threw a complete game in Saturday’s first matchup to give the team a 3-2 victory and improve his record to 5-0 on the season. The team also relied on timely hitting in the first game from Jeff Bellanca, Mark DeVita and Bob Roach. Matt Tobin, a sophomore pitcher, said Cox’s remarkable season can be attributed to how hard he works on his game in practice.

“And what really makes the difference is his effort in the weight room,” Tobin said.

Tobin received the loss in the second game Saturday after giving up six runs in five innings. Justin Taylor, a sophomore pitcher and infielder for Cal. U., won the game 8-0, and held the Knights to only two hits in his complete-game victory, which brought his season record to 6-2.

David Spaeder, a junior pitcher, dropped the first game Sunday by the score of 7-0, and was responsible for three earned runs. Shayne Herold, a senior pitcher and outfielder, helped the club rebound with a 3-0 win in the second game Sunday.

Herold threw a complete-game shutout while only giving up three hits on senior day at Gannon University field. Coach Nate Cocolin said it was awesome to see Herold throw such a great game in front of his family, and it was even more important for the conference standings.

“It was really nice to see Herold go out and throw a game like that on senior day, and especially against a good Cal U team,” Tobin said. “He was hitting his spots and mixed his pitches up well.”

Jared Wiesen, a freshman utility player, continues to lead the team with a .337 batting average and nine RBI’s. Nico Baldelli, a senior catcher, has a .318 batting average and leads the team with 17 RBIs. Cocolin said Baldelli’s batting position has put him in a good spot drive in runners this season.

“Players have been doing a great job getting on base before Baldelli,” Cocolin said. “But his confidence at the plate with runners in scoring position has made the difference.”

The Knights continue PSAC action this weekend with four games against Mercyhurst. The Knights host Mercyhurst Friday at 1 and 3 p.m. for a doubleheader at Gannon University Field. Gannon will also take on the Lakers Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. in a doubleheader at Mercyhurst Baseball Field.

Gannon is 11-5 in PSAC play while Mercyhurst is 13-7. Cocolin said that the crosstown rivalry would be more evident because of the proximity to each other in the standings.

CONNOR SONDEL

sondel001@knights.gannon.edu

Gannon (9-6 overall, 5-4 PSAC) clinched a PSAC tournament berth Tuesday night when Millersville University defeated Shippensburg University.

Shippensburg defeated the Knights 13-8 Saturday on senior day when it scored six of the game’s final eight goals.

It has become almost a yearly occurance for the Knights to play Mercyhurst in a key spot ahead of the playoffs. Last season, Sarah Grzybinski scored a go-ahead goal in the second half befor the Knights narrowly held on for a 14-13 win in the season finale.

The Knights can still finish in fourth, fifth or sixth place depending on how they fare against Mercyhurst Wednesday and Indiana University of Pennsylvania Saturday. A fourth seed brings with it a quarterfinal home game April 30.

Should Gannon win both games and Mercyhurst loses to Lock Haven University Saturday, the Knights would be assured the fourth seed. The Knights have reached the postseason in four straight seasons.

JOE CUNEO

cuneo001@knights.gannon.edu

Wright was formally introduced as head coach of Division I Miami (Ohio) Friday after spending the previous 11 seasons as coach of Gannon where he built one of the best Division II programs in the country. He leaves after amassing a 233-100 record in 11 seasons at Gannon, which most recently includes a 31-5 record and an Elite Eight appearance in 2013.

“When I talked to the team a week and a half ago, I didn’t see myself standing here,” Wright said at a press conference Friday at Miami, which competes in the Mid-American Conference.

While Wright was unsure of his status, the opportunities have been there for him, Gannon athletic director Mark Richard said.

“These are not the first schools that have been interested, but he’s always kept us in the loop,” Richard said. “One thing that we knew is that it would have to be a great opportunity for him because he loved Gannon so much.”

Richard said Wright was offered the job early last week before deciding to accept on Thursday.

In an interview on Miami’s athletic website, Wright said he initially had no plans to leave after leading Gannon to a 31-5 season, which included a regular season PSAC West championship and an Elite Eight berth.

“To be honest with you I wasn’t even thinking about it, I was completely happy with where I was at,” he said. “(Athletic director) David Sayler called me to gauge my interest and the next day I called him and said can we talk?”

Rising junior guard Brittany Batts, one of five starters returning next year, said she and her teammates heard the news from Wright.

“They called us in for a meeting Thursday night and he told us it was a tough decision but God had given him a great opportunity,” Batts said. “Unfortunately we’ll be losing a great coach, but we realize the opportunity and we were nothing but happy for him.”

At Miami, Wright will be replacing Maria Fantanarosa, who was relieved of her duties after a 19-13 season.

Gannon, which will host the Elite Eight at Erie Insurance Arena in March, will try to replace Wright by beginning a national search immediately, Richard said.

Men’s coach John Reilly, who spent the last seven years since arriving at Gannon sharing a Hammermill Center office with Wright, said coaches leaving is anything but unusual.

“Unfortunately, that’s the business of it,” said Reilly, whom Wright told of the news via phone Thursday. “The men’s and women’s teams have a unique dynamic, probably different than any other team at Gannon. We travel together, our teams experience a lot of the same things and I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to work so closely with him.”

Wright leaves Gannon the most decorated coach in women’s history. His 233 win total is more than 120 wins better than his predecessor, Jodi Kest, and his .700 winning percentage is among the top 20 active Division II coaches in the country.

Wright, 47, recently finished his 27th year of organized coaching and will return to the Division I level, where he held assistant positions at Ball State, Butler, Duke and Northwestern.

After totaling at least 11 losses in each of his first four seasons, Wright’s teams have taken off during the last seven seasons, reaching the NCAA tournament five times and winning a conference title twice.

Gannon was champion of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference while it was a member in 2006-07, finishing with a 25-6 record. The Knights won 26 games two years later in advancing to the Sweet 16, but it was the next season when they reached new heights.

Gannon’s 2009-2010 team set the Division II record for wins by finishing 37-1 and made its games must-see theater, attracting unprecedented crowds.

An overtime loss to Emporia State in the Final Four was the Knights’ only defeat.

Wright also made his mark off the court through community involvement and service.

“You put basketball off to the side, he has done so much off the court with the Pink Zone game and the service the team has done,” Richard said. “He has touched a lot of young people’s lives within the women’s basketball community.”

Batts counts her and her teammates among them.

“He gave me the chance to play college basketball,” she said. “He molded us into a family, both the coaches and players; he was the one who founded this family.”

Wright said he intends to create the same family atmosphere at Miami.

Pointing at the players in attendance in the front rows at the press conference Friday, Wright said: “My first thing is to recruit these young ladies right here.”

JOE CUNEO

cuneo001@knights.gannon.edu