ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — As part of the celebration of last year's NCAA Division III National Championship game appearance by Coach
Grey Giovanine's Vikings, Augustana has announced plans to host a reception to honor the school's seven men's basketball teams that have reached the final fours of their respective national tournaments.
The reception, which will include dinner, is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2017 at the Ken Anderson Academic All-America club at the northwest corner of the Knowlton Outdoor Athletics Complex. It will precede the Vikings' 7:00 p.m. season opener vs. Calvin at Carver Center. Three-time defending CCIW champion Augustana went 24-9 on its journey to the title game last year and was ranked third in the final D3hoops.com Top 25.
Players, coaches and staff wishing to attend the reception can obtain tickets, free of charge, at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/augustana-final-four-reunion-night-tickets-38042358719
Unveiling of the 2016-17 Final Four banner will take place in Carver Center at 6:30 p.m. and returning players, coaches and staff will be recognized at halftime of the Augustana-Calvin game.
In addition to last year's squad,
2016-17
Front Row (L-R): Joe Kellen, Nic Uhlir, Chrishawn Orange, A.J. Dollmeyer, Michael Hoekstra,
Jacob Johnston, Dylan Sortillo,Nolan Ebel, Jake Nowak, Brandon Schattner, Pierson Wofford.
Back Row (L-R): Brett Benning, Andy McLaughlin, Connor McCord, Donovan Ferguson,
Micah Martin, Roman Youngblut, Blake Janssen, Sam Koeppel, Lucas Simon, Austin Elledge.
which played in the national championship game in Salem, Virginia, the rest of the seven teams being recognized are:
The 1972-73 Vikings, who went 29-2, setting a school record for wins and finishing third at the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri.
1972-73
Front Row (L-R): Jim VanDeCasteele, Drew Boster, Mark Brooks, Bruce Hamming, John Laing,
Chuck Menzer, John Brundige. Back Row (L-R): Head Coach Jim Borcherding, Trainer Bill Kuehl,
Carl Fricke, Neil Johnson, Bruce Ator, Mike Michalski, Mike Kolze,Tom Miler,
Manager Bill Childers, Assistant Coach Dave Langrock.
The 1974-75 and 1975-76 squads, which claimed third place in the first two NCAA Division III Tournaments in Reading, Pennsylvania. The '74-75 Vikings finished the year with a 22-8 record and the '75-76 outfit went 21-7.
1974-75
Front Row (L-R): Mgr. Dennis Merdian, Greg Stivers, Dan Hillesland, Mike Michalski, Rick Kestner,
Bruce Hamming, Gregg Cornilsen. Back Row (L-R): Asst. Coach Dave Langrock, Barry Nelson,
Al Weir, Dan Robinson, Terry Lawrence, Bill Swieton, Cecil Youngblood,Tom Miler, Bruce Anderson,
Head Coach Jim Borcherding.
1975-76
Front Row (L-R): Mgr. Bob Dyer, Dan Johnson, Rick Kestner, Paul Schroeder, Gregg Cornilsen,
Dan Hillesland, Greg Stivers. Back Row (L-R): Asst. Coach Dave Langrock, Bruce Anderson,
Barry Nelson, Cecil Youngblood, Bill Swieton, Terry Lawrence, Dan Robinson, Tom Doyle,
Head Coach Jim Borcherding.
The 1980-81 Vikings, who reached the Division III national title game at Carver Center and finished 25-6 on the year. Each of Augustana's first four final four participants was led by Head Coach Jim Borcherding.
1980-81
Front Row (L-R): Greg Bone, trainer, Dave Anderson, George Wenzel, Shane Price, Craig
Brittnum, Jay Friestad, Bill Rapier and Ralph Schuetzle, manager. Back Row (L-R):
Head Coach Jim Borcherding, Wayne Rahlf, manager, Bill Schneider, Bob Vincent,
Maxwell Artis, Tom Novak, Luther Rivers, Odell Peden and Assistant Coach Dave Langrock.
Coach Steve's Yount's 1992-93 team, which finished 24-7 and advanced to the Division III national championship tilt in Buffalo, New York.
1992-93
Front Row (L-R): Aben Cooper, Josh Thompson. Back Row (L-R): Coke Baxter, Cardenal Collins,
Brent Shreeves, Tony Lavorato, Eric Rowell, Kirk Anderson, Matt Dutton, Brian Moe, Neal
Hubbard, Tom Wise, Matt Gullickson, Rick Kelley, Layne Pitzer and Mike Radue.
Giovanine's 2014-15 Vikings, who finished 27-5, reached the Division III national championship game at the Salem Civic Center and finished the year ranked second in the nation.
2014-15
Front Row (L-R): Hunter Hill, Brandon Schattner, Mark Roth, Nic Hoepfner, Kevin Schlitter,
Alex Dziagwa, Danielius Jurgutis, Joe Ranallo, Jordan Hathorn-Schaaf. Back Row (L-R):
Jawan Straughter, Jacob Johnston, Ben Ryan, Jake Gylten, Brandon Motzel, Michael Hoekstra,
Tayvian Johnson, Griffin Pils, Dylan Sortillo, Jake Norcia, Ryan Shoemaker.
