Published: June 04, 2008 11:34 pm      

COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: High marks on Monteagle Ridge

Consider this our token contribution to Niagara University’s Ray Kist Golf Classic fundraiser, which honors the memory of longtime athletic trainer and will be played Monday at Niagara Falls Country Club.

It’s the first (and, probably, last) all purple edition of the notebook.

First, let’s consider, is the current crop of Purple Eagles student-athletes the smartest ever?

Niagara reported an all-time high cumulative grade-point average (3.2) in the 2007-08 academic year — though we have read enough about grade inflation trends to be dubious of that record.

Still, it’s plenty impressive that nearly two-thirds (188 of 286) of Niagara’s athletes achieved GPAs of 3.2 or higher, 109 marked higher than 3.5 and 36 boasted 4.0s or better.

“Our academic performance this spring speaks for itself,” athletics director Ed McLaughlin said, succinctly — and ironically.

The volleyball team used a 3.76 in the spring to bring its full-year average up to 3.62 and edge women’s basketball (3.60) for top honors.

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Local tennis players Andria Janese (Niagara Falls) and Brittany Stallard (Grand Island) will join the Purple Eagles as preferred walk-ons next season, coach Paul Calkins announced Wednesday.

Janese helped the Wolverines to a 14-2 record as a senior and set a school record with 50 career wins. She was four times a scholar athlete and team MVP three years in a row.

Stallard led the Vikings to a perfect season, posting a 15-2 individual mark. She was 14-0 in Niagara Frontier League play.

Calkins also signed a pair of out of state players, led by Hillary Hansen, the No. 1 ranked Atlantic Canada Player and 2007 Prince Edward Island Junior Player of the Year. Hansen is the highest-ranking player Niagara has ever signed, according to a press release.

Alyssa Lucas, a two-time all-state player in Michigan, is the other signee.

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Barret Ehgoetz, the Purple Eagles’ all-time leading scorer, is playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the East Coast Hockey League, who hold a 3-2 series lead over the Las Vegas Wranglers heading into tonight’s sixth game of the Kelly Cup finals.

Ehgoetz, who had 71 goals and 95 assists in his Niagara career, has totaled 10 assists and a goal in 21 playoff games for the Cyclones, the AA affiliate of the Montreal Canadians and Nashville Predators.

“I definitely wouldn’t be here without my four years at Niagara,” Ehgoetz said. “Even today, things pop up and I rely on my experiences at Niagara. It was a great learning experience,”

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There are still openings for Niagara’s first basketball camp session, which begins June 30.

The day camp, open to boys and girls ages 8-16, features fundamental drills, lectures, contests, team play and swimming. For more information, contact Carolyn Neumann at 286-8605 or cneumann@niagara.edu.

Another session will be held in early August. Camps for other sports will mostly be held in July, but the women’s hockey team has the first of five Wednesday skill sessions coming up this week at Dwyer Arena.

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Former Purple Eagle Stacy Koslosky has been named the new women’s volleyball coach at D’Youville College. Koslosky was a two-year starter at Niagara, after helping Genesee Community College advanced to the NJCAA tournament twice.

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As for the 11th annual Kist Classic, Niagara alums can register to participate through the online Eagle’s Nest system, and non-alums can do so by calling Amy Morgan, alumni relations office coordinator, at 286-8787.

Last year’s event featured more than 100 golfers, and the foursome of Frank Fiannaca, Mark Gabriele, Jim Tooke and Matt Jacob took the title in a scramble format with a 20-under-par 50.

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258 or bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com.