JV Teams for both the Soccer and
Women’s Basketball Programs
Blackburn has announced that the
school will be starting junior varsity teams for both
the men’s and women’s soccer and the women’s basketball
programs. JV teams will provide more opportunities for
the incoming freshmen to see more playing time and
enhance their skill to a greater level.
Aydin Gonulsen is an NAIA Hall of Fame coach who has won
three NAIA National soccer championships at SSU/UIS.
Gonulsen, head soccer coach at Blackburn College,
believes that by having a junior varsity team, the
soccer program as a whole will be strengthened. The JV
team will allow incoming freshmen to be able to play
right away instead of waiting until their skills are
good enough to play at the higher level.
“It is a superb recruitment tool,” states Gonulsen.
“Practice is a good way to enhance one’s skills, but
being able to play in games helps that much more.”
“Providing a young player with more playing
opportunities lifts their spirits and gives them the
edge they need to want to become a better player.”
Blackburn’s women’s basketball coach, Mike Williams,
echoed the same feelings as Gonulsen. Coach Williams
likes the idea of having a JV team because it will help
improve the women’s basketball program overall. The last
two years, the basketball team has been in the Top 4 in
the SLIAC Conference. Incorporating a JV team would help
players develop skills and hopefully push the team to
the top of the conference or at least keep them in the
top 4.
“Young kids can develop their skills faster if they are
given the opportunity to play junior varsity,” says
Williams. “With the JV team we will be able to recruit
more and also reach out to more schools.”
Coach Gonulsen is the coach of both the men’s and
women’s soccer teams. The men came off an 8-7 record
this past season. This was their first winning season in
five years. The women struggled this year but Gonulsen
has high hopes for next season as this junior varsity
program is brought in.
Mike Williams’ women’s basketball team came off a great
year with a 12-14 record. They made it to the SLIAC
Conference tournament this year where they lost to
Maryville. He hopes to continue improving on their
record and play. |
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