1. Nov. 5, 2008
First game at Chaifetz Arena
The Saint Louis University men’s basketball team dominated Harris-Stowe 86-40 in exhibition play in the first ever basketball game played at Chaifetz Arena-but the game took a back seat to the importance of the occasion. The official opening of Chaifetz Arena was significant for every athlete at SLU. It was the symbolic event for the year’s most important sports story.
Chaifetz Arena may be home for men’s and women’s basketball as well as volleyball, but the building is used by all athletes. The opening of Chaifetz signified the end of dependence on the antiquated West Pine Gymnasium-the facilities at Chaifetz can now accomodate every sport at SLU, a major source of convenience.
Additionally, Chaifetz Arena includes a new weight room available for each sport. This has enabled the Athletic Department to increase the emphasis on physical training and lifting. Scott Charland’s emergence as SLU’s strength and conditioning coach was not a coincidence.
Chaifetz Arena also impacts perceptions of SLU beyond the realm of sports. Whether the arena is being used for concerts, Thomas the Tank Engine Live or the Ultimate Cage Fighting, citizens of St. Louis now have a reason to come to SLU’s campus more than ever before.
2. Sept. 6, 2008 Volleyball upsets No. 3 Stanford
The biggest win for any sports team at SLU this year was without a doubt the volleyball team’s victory over heavily-favored Stanford. A SLU record crowd of 2,152 attended the match, which was the second victory over a ranked opponent in SLU’s volleyball history.
Stanford eventually became NCAA runners-up after losing to Penn State in the national championship match. Only four teams defeated Stanford throughout the entire season.
SLU topped Stanford 3-1 (27-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22) in what was the signature moment of a historical season (see No. 5 in this list). Junior Sammi McCloud led the way with 19 kills-classmate Whitney Roth had 56 assists in the four sets.
After the game, Head Coach Anne Kordes expressed her feelings: “This is probably the most excited I’ve ever been about a group of volleyball players. This is a group that loves each other, works hard and has a passion for the game. What can I say about this match? It was just an incredible performance by a group of players who believe in each other.”
3. Lisch siblings finish SLU careers
On March 12, when the SLU men’s basketball team lost to Xavier in the Atlantic 10 tournament, the end of an era officially occurred.
It was the last game for a Lisch at SLU.
The combined numbers between Kevin and Theresa Lisch are astounding: 3,050 points; 6,738 minutes; 396 3-point baskets; 595 assists; 251 steals; 2,247 field goal attempts.
Individually, Theresa broke the SLU women’s basketball single-season record for points.
Additionally, Kevin and Theresa were each named to the Academic All-American teams (Kevin on the third team and Theresa on the first team).
Though Theresa has one more year of eligibility remaining, she chose to forego it-she has marriage plans with former Illinois guard Trent Meacham.
4. Nov. 21, 2008 Men’s soccer beats Drake in 2 OTs
In SLU’s first round NCAA tournament contest against Drake, two overtime periods were played. The game lasted 110 minutes.
For 109 minutes and 55.9 seconds, the contest was scoreless.
But finally, with 4.1 seconds remaining, SLU led 1-0 after junior Kyle Hayes tapped in from close range after a set piece.
Sophomore Charles Bryce won a free kick just outside the penalty box, stopping the clock and setting up the goal.
It was an unpredictable ending to a hard fought battle, but the Billikens were unable to carry their momentum into the next round.
The season ended against rivals Indiana four days later, ending the Billikens’ 45th overall trip to the NCAA soccer tournament.
5. Volleyball enjoys best ever season
It was a season of superlatives for SLU volleyball.
A few examples: Anne Kordes was named Collegiate Volleyball Update Coach of the Year. Four juniors (Sammi McCloud, Whitney Roth, Whitney Behrens and Bridget Fonke) were named to American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American teams.
But the individual accolades pale in comparison to what this team accomplished on the court. SLU went 13-0 in A-10 action, the first team to go undefeated in the conference since 1997. On Oct. 20, 2008, the Billikens entered the top 10 for the first time-they never looked back.
The season ended in the second round of the NCAA tournament against Michigan. The final Ratings Per Index for the team? No. 8 in the country.
Not too bad, considering all the juniors who will return for next season.
6. Feb. 21, 2009 Men’s basketball: SLU 57, Dayton 49
10,603 fans packed Chaifetz Arena on Mardi Gras weekend to witness the biggest victory for the SLU men’s basketball team in the 2008-2009 season.
Not only was the game the first sellout in the history of Chaifetz Arena, but it was also SLU’s only victory against a ranked opponent.
The Flyers entered the game No. 25 in the country and atop the A-10 standings, but SLU eventually came out on top in the defensive battle.
Kevin Lisch led SLU’s scorers with 16 points, including five crucial free throws in the final 40 secs. Tommie Liddell III chipped in with 10 points and five assists.
A handful of students made their way onto the court after the final buzzer sounded to celebrate with the players in what was the signature win of a developmental season.
7. MLS-bound: 3 Billikens drafted into pro soccer
In the Jan. 14 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, three former SLU players were selected to compete in the top level of soccer in the United States.
The first Billiken selected was Dado Hamzagic. The New England Revolution selected him in the second round (No. 25 overall), DC United picked up Brandon Barklage in the third round (No. 36 overall) and the LA Galaxy selected Kyle Patterson the fourth round (No. 48 overall).
There are currently six additional Billikens playing in MLS: Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo); John DiRaimondo (Colorado Rapids); Brian Grazier (Colorado Rapids); Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards); Brian McBride (Chicago Fire); and Tim Ward (Colorado Rapids).
Patterson has already recorded an assist in his young MLS career for the Galaxy, and Barklage has totaled 33 minutes of action for the senior club at DC United.
8. Indoor track: Cloudy becomes first A-10 champ
On Feb. 21, 2009, before Dayton and SLU tipped off later on the same day, the indoor track and field team had already made headlines.
In only the third season since the SLU track and field program began, Brittney Cloudy became the first ever SLU athlete to win an individual conference championship, winning the triple jump at the conference meet at the University of Rhode Island.
Cloudy had twice previously been named A-10 Rookie of the week, but her conference championship stands out as her best accomplishment of the year.
Her jump measuring 39-9.2 was good enough to top the SLU record books and the entire A-10.
9. April 1, 2009 Baseball team plays at Busch Stadium
It was by no means the result they were looking for, but it was a memorable experience nonetheless.
In the first ever NCAA baseball game at Busch Stadium, home of Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, the Billikens fell to Missouri 19-6.
Despite the loss, the opportunity to play in a big league ballpark game gave the players a chance to be exposed, and it gave the crew at Busch a chance to do a dress rehursal before the beginning of the Major League Baseball season.
10. Several club sports compete with best in the country
They may not have scholarships, but SLU’s club sport athletes still made a name for themselves this year.
Still competing is the No. 21 women’s ultimate Frisbee club, who this past weekend qualified for Nationals.
The Rugby Club also enjoyed a memorable season, going undefeated in their Union despite not playing in the fall semester due to probation.
Women’s club volleyball spent the majority of the season ranked in the top 25 nationally-men’s club lacrosse as well.
All in all, it was an exceptional season for club sports.
