Central Michigan University Athletics
2001-02 A Successful Year For The Chippewas
June 13, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT -- The Central Michigan University athletics department and its student-athletes put together another outstanding year on the playing field and in the classroom in 2001-02.
Central Michigan teams won three Mid-American Conference titles, highlighted by the softball team's 23-1 season, the best conference winning percentage (.958) in MAC history. It marked back-to-back regular season championships for the softball team and CMU went on to win its fourth straight MAC tournament title.
The wrestling team also continued its dominance in MAC action, winning its fourth straight conference title before taking the tournament crown. CMU wrestlers have now won 24 straight MAC dual meets.
The women's track team won its first ever conference title during the indoor season.
Central Michigan's academic support staff also helped the Chippewas earn the CHAMPS Program of Excellence Award, given out by the Division IA Athletic Directors Association. Only 24 schools nationally have been recognized with the award since 1997.
Strong individual performances were turned in by student-athletes as well. Two Chippewas earned Verizon Academic All-America honors with football wide receiver Rob Turner gaining first team laurels and softball outfielder Jen Skuta picking up second team honors.
Central Michigan also had three All-America selections on the track. High jumper Suzy Bozin earned the honor in both the indoor and outdoor seasons while Maria Derezinski was an All-American in the heptathlon during the outdoor season.
Two notable record-setting individual performances were also turned in by CMU athletes. Football freshman James King tied an NCAA single game record with four blocked punts against Michigan State and softball pitcher Amber Puchalski recorded a MAC-record 308 strikeouts during her sophomore campaign.
2001-02 By The Numbers
* Three All-America selections -- Suzy Bozin (2), women's track; Maria Derezinski, women's track
* Two Academic All-America selections -- Rob Turner, football; Jen Skuta, softball
* Two National Players of the Week -- James King, football; Chad Pleiness, baseball
* Three MAC team championships -- wrestling, women's indoor track, softball
* 13 individual MAC champions
* Two MAC Coaches of the Year -- Kathleen Raske, women's track; Margo Jonker, softball
* One MAC Freshman of the Year -- Kara Reighard, gymnastics
* 23 First team All-MAC selections
* 10 MAC Scholar-Athletes of the Week
* 38 MAC Players of the Week