Coaches & Staff
This is UCF Baseball Staff Players
2005 Review
2006 Opponents
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Coaches & Staff
2006 UCF Baseball
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2005 Review
Jay Bergman Head Coach 24th season at UCF Overall Record: 1,133-623-3 Record at UCF: 917-510-3
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Entering the 2006 campaign, head coach Jay Bergman will guide his team into a new era of baseball at UCF. Beginning his 24th season at the helm of the UCF baseball program, Bergman has the task of taking UCF from the Atlantic Sun Conference into one of the premier baseball leagues in the nation in Conference USA. The exciting conference transition for the Golden Knights features an ideal opportunity for Bergman to take his program to another level – to become one of the top programs in one of the top five conferences in the nation. Bergman, a consistent winner throughout his decorated coaching career, has turned UCF into one of the winningest programs in the NCAA in the 2000s. The Golden Knights rank 17th in the nation during the decade in victories (255), which is an average of 42 wins per season. The 255 games won also puts UCF third among C-USA schools, trailing only Rice (291) and Tulane (272). The Golden Knights are 16th in the NCAA annals for winning percentage during the decade with a mark of .687. The dean of all UCF coaches, Bergman has the most wins of any coach at UCF as he has been coaching baseball for 35 years. Upon entering his 36th collegiate season, Bergman has qualified for 12 NCAA Regional berths (9 UCF, 3 Florida), won six Atlantic Sun titles (the most of any coach or conference team) has been named the 1995 Atlantic Region Coach of the Year and was a two-time Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year (2001, 2002). Even more impressive, Bergman has never experienced a losing season at UCF. His numbers just continue to amaze as he is 1,133-623-3 over his brilliant career, including an impressive 917-510-3 mark in 23 seasons at UCF. For the 15th time under Bergman, UCF captured a 40-win season in 2005, which marked the fifth time in six years UCF has reached the 40-
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win plateau. The Golden Knights ended the season 42-18 and left the Atlantic Sun with the most tournament championships in league history with six. Seven of Bergman’s players were drafted following the 2005 campaign, the most of any baseball program in the state of Florida. The seven UCF players drafted was the second-highest amount in school history. Bergman’s 1998 squad had a school-record 10 players taken in the draft. Five players collected all-league honors in 2005, including A-Sun first team selections Dee Brown and Tim Bascom. The 2004 season again proved why Bergman is one of the top mentors in the nation. The veteran head coach guided UCF to a 47-18 record, the fourth-highest win total in school history, along with a spot in the regional championship game at Florida State. The Golden Knights won the A-Sun Regular Season championship with a 24-6 conference record. The 2004 club featured one of the top pitching duos in the nation in Matt Fox and Kyle Bono. The two earned All-America honors, marking the second time in four years UCF had two pitchers garner AllAmerica honors. Fox finished the season 14-2 and was a first round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. Bono was selected in the eighth round as four Golden Knights were drafted and signed professional contracts. During the 2003 season, several of Bergman’s players received honors on and off the field. Senior Ryan Bear became the second first team Academic All-American in three seasons at UCF. The outfielder was also named to the A-Sun first team to finish an outstanding career for the Knights. Bear was one of four players from the 2003 team to be drafted or sign with a Major League Baseball team, continuing UCF’s long tradition under Bergman of sending players to the professional ranks. Bergman’s 2003 squad also landed three players on the A-Sun allfreshmen team. The 2002 campaign was another masterful coaching job by one of the nation’s top leaders. After losing perhaps the greatest one-two pitching combination in NCAA history in Justin Pope and Jason Arnold, Bergman led the Golden Knights to their second consecutive Atlantic Sun Championship and the team’s eighth NCAA appearance. UCF finished the 2002 season 41-22 as UCF had six players earn all-conference honors including the A-Sun Freshman of the Year, Dee Brown. Bergman won his 1,000th NCAA game May 3 at Florida Atlantic to become just the 25th coach in NCAA history to reach the 1,000-win plateau. The 2001 season was the best in a legacy of great seasons. The Golden Knights shattered the record books individually and as a team. The 2001 team set records for UCF in Division I wins with 51, and won 22 conference games for the second season in a row. The 51 wins ranked third in the nation, tied with Stanford and only behind Tulane and national champion Miami. The winning percentage ranked sixth in the nation. The biggest testament to Bergman was a wire-to-wire ranking. The 2001 UCF squad never dropped out of the Top 25 in any of the three national collegiate baseball polls. Their No. 7 ranking entering the postseason tied for the highest in conference history and is the highest in the school’s history. The pitching staff set a new team record for strikeouts and was nationally ranked in ERA and strikeouts per nine innings. Unfortunately, the Golden Knights came up short, finishing second to South Carolina in the Columbia Regional after being only one of three visiting teams to earn a No. 1 seed in an out-of-town regional. In 1995, Bergman was named Division I Atlantic Region Coach of the Year after guiding the Golden Knights to a 49-13 (.790) record and becoming the 50th coach to win over 700 games. During the 1995 campaign, UCF set school and state records with a 29-game win streak, one more than the 28-game streak it set during the 1985 season in which UCF went 52-34-1. It was also during 1995 that UCF claimed the No. 10 ranking in the nation. When the Atlantic Sun opened its doors to UCF in 1993, Bergman’s squad scrapped its way to an even 31-31 record, but made a grand entrance by winning the A-Sun Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
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The 1989 season marked the first time UCF had participated in the Division I NCAA Tournament., as it qualified with a 42-22 record. The Golden Knights marched into Gainesville, Bergman’s old stomping grounds, and knocked the host Gators into the elimination bracket before Miami sent them packing in the next game. UCF lost later to Villanova in the regional semifinals. Bergman began his coaching career with a seven-year stint at Seminole Community College in nearby Sanford, where his teams posted an overall record of 180-79 (.695). Beginning in 1968, Bergman’s teams qualified for six consecutive state tournaments and he was a three-time Division II coach of the year. He departed SCC after the 1973 season for a three-year assistant coaching stint at Florida before taking the reigns in 1976. The University of Florida can thank Jay Bergman for its baseball program’s success, as he brought the Gators into the national spotlight with their first ever NCAA Regional appearance during his tenure at UF. Bergman left Florida with the highest winning percentage in school history (216-113, .657). In his first 13 years of coaching, 57 of his former players went on to the professional ranks (21 SCC, 36 Florida). Over Bergman’s 35-year head coaching career, many of his former players have earned national, regional and conference honors for academic and athletics excellence. More than 100 of Bergman’s former players have signed professional contracts and 10 of those players, including five first-round selections, have played in the major leagues. Currently, Mike Maroth of the Detroit Tigers, is set to embark on his fifth season in the majors. Fourteen UCF players had been recognized as All-Americans in one form or another. In 2004, Matt Fox, Kyle Bono, Taylor Meier and Clay Timpner all collected All-America honors. Bergman’s players are recognized off the field as well as on. In 2002, 13 players were named to the Atlantic Sun all-academic team. In 2001, Chad Ehrnsberger became the first athlete in UCF sports history to earn first-team Academic All-America status. Ehrnsberger and Bill Oakley were also regionally recognized. In 1998, Matt Lubozynski was a second team Academic All-American. Bergman received his master of science degree in sociology from Appalachian State in 1966 and his undergraduate degree in history/ government from Rollins College in 1963. A member of the Rollins College, UCF, Winter Park High School and Richmond County (Va.) Baseball Coaches Halls of Fame, Bergman is a popular clinician at various camps and events around the country and has also participated in the NCAA Youth Education through Sports baseball clinic at the College World Series in Omaha. Bergman also served for four seasons as a member of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee, which is responsible for administering policies and rules for baseball and its post-season tournaments. From 1995-97, Bergman was a member of the NCAA Regional Baseball Committee. The coach served as UCF’s associate athletics director under AD Gene McDowell. When Steve Sloan arrived in 1993 to take over as the Athletics Director, Bergman focused specifically on baseball and relinquished the administrative role. Within a short time after Bergman’s arrival at UCF, he revived the Dugout Club as a successful fund-raising organization for the team. Before his first season at UCF, he and his players built an 8-foot wooden fence at the former UCF Baseball Complex and solicited local businesses for advertising support. Two years later, the team had lights installed. In 1996, new bleachers, dugouts, concession stands and a press box were added. The complex served as the Golden Knights home field until 1998. In 2001 Bergman received the greatest gift of all for all his hard work and dedication, a brand new state-of-the-art facility which bears his name. In 2001, UCF dominated its opponents at the new ballpark going 30-7, including a 19-1 start, with a .331 batting average and a 2.95 ERA inside the friendly confines of Jay Bergman Field. In November 1984, Bergman coordinated the first Old-Timers Baseball Weekend in Orlando with a game including Major League legends Lou Brock, Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Brooks Robinson,
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The Bergman File Born: February 6, 1939 High School: Winter Park High School, 1959 College Education: Rollins College, 1963; BA in history/ government Appalachian State (N.C.), 1966; MS in sociology Coaching Career: Head Coach, Seminole Community College, 1967-1972 Assistant Coach, University of Florida, 1973-1975 Head Coach, University of Florida, 1976-1981 Head Coach, University of Central Florida, 1983-Present Wife: Sherry Children: Jay, Catherine, Mike & Tiffany
Year-by-Year Record
at Seminole Community College (180-79) Year Overall Win% 1967 6-8 .429 1968 17-13 .567 1969 32-6 .842 1970 30-11 .732 1971 28-12 .700 1972 34-15 .694 1973 33-14 .702 Totals 180-79 .695 at Florida (216-113) Year Overall Win% Conference Win% 1976 21-27 .438 10-13 .435 1977 39-18 .684 14-9 .609 1978 34-15 .694 18-4 .818 1979 40-20 .667 16-8 .667 1980 40-16 .714 16-8 .667 1981 42-17 *^ .712 16-7 .696 Totals 216-113 .656 90-49 .647 at UCF (917-510-3) Year Overall Win% Conference Win% 1983 28-27-1 .509 11-10 .524 1984 34-29-1 .539 9-19 .321 1985 52-34-1 .603 Independent 1986 46-13 .780 Independent 1987 33-27 .542 Independent 1988 40-20 .667 Independent 1989 42-22 ^ .656 Independent 1990 40-20 .667 Independent 1991 41-21 .661 10-8 .555 1992 35-23 .603 9-11 .450 1993 31-31 #^ .500 9-9 .500 1994 29-26 .527 8-10 .444 1995 49-13 #^ .790 23-7 .766 1996 43-22 #^ .662 9-9 .500 1997 40-24 #^ .625 7-10 .412 1998 41-21 .661 14-7 .667 1999 38-21 .644 19-11 .633 2000 43-19^ .694 22-5 .875 2001 51-14#^ .786 22-5 .875 2002 41-22#^ .651 23-7 .767 2003 31-25 .554 14-16 .467 2004 47-18 ^ .723 24-6 .800 2005 42-18 .700 19-11 .633 Totals 917-510-3 .642 228-155 .595 Career 1,133-623-3 .645 318-214 .598 * SEC Champions. # A-Sun Champions. ^ NCAA Regional Appearance
Boog Powell and Early Wynn at Tinker Field for the benefit of the children’s trauma center at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Bergman has a wife Sherry, and four children, Jay, Jr., Catherine, Michael and Tiffany. Jay, Jr. played for the Golden Knights from 1983-84 during his father’s first two seasons at UCF.
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Craig Cozar Cozartt Recruiting Coordinator/ Pitching Coach 10th season at UCF
38 Craig Cozart has quietly become one of the elite recruiting coordinators and pitching coaches in the nation as he enters his 10th year as a member of UCF’s coaching staff. Cozart has been at the controls of one of the nation’s top pitching staffs since taking over as the pitching coach for the Golden Knights. With a great eye for talent and an outstanding ability to develop pitchers, 23 hurlers under Cozart’s watch have been drafted into professional baseball in just nine seasons at UCF. Even more impressive, only three of the 23 players drafted under Cozart’s tutelage were drafted coming out of high school. One of Cozart’s latest high draft picks was Mike Billek in 2005. Undrafted out of high school, Billek was the sixth top-three round selection to be coached by Cozart. Billek was selected in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. In addition, five UCF recruits were selected during the 2005 MLB Draft, the most in UCF history. All five players who were drafted have enrolled at UCF and are on the 2006 roster for the Golden Knights. The five drafted players were part of Cozart’s first full recruiting class at UCF. In 2004, Cozart coached two All-Americans for the second time in four years as Matt Fox and Kyle Bono formed one of the nation’s elite pitching tandems. Fox finished the year 14-2 with a 1.85 ERA en route to consensus All-America honors, while Bono was 8-2 with a 1.94 ERA en route to second-team All-America status.
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The two were part of a pitching staff that finished 10th nationally in ERA with a 3.42 mark. The 2004 UCF staff also shattered the school record for shutouts with 13 as the Golden Knights’ possessed one of the nation’s top staffs. In all, UCF’s pitchers were 47-18 with a 3.42 ERA in 542 innings of work. Under Cozart, the Knights issued just 228 walks in 542 innings while accumulating 483 strikeouts and holding the opposition to a .246 batting average. Three pitchers from the 2004 staff were drafted including Fox in the first round by the Minnesota Twins and Bono by the world champion Boston Red Sox in the eighth round. Bono earned the largest signing bonus in draft history for an eighth-rounder. In addition, junior left-hander Jaime Douglas was a 26th-round selection of the Anaheim Angels. The rise of Bono under Cozart is a reflection of his outstanding coaching efforts. Bono was an undrafted high school prospect who was not even a front line starter in high school before quickly ascending into UCF’s all-time leader in career ERA after two successful years under Cozart. Freshman Taylor Meier was also named a Freshman All-American in 2004. A 21st-round selection in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft, Meier was part of Cozart’s first recruiting class at UCF. The lanky righthander finished the 2004 season 6-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 74 innings. Meier totaled 56 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .223 batting average. In 2003, Cozart continued the tradition of sending his pitchers to the professional ranks as senior walk-on David Torres was drafted by the New York Mets, while Mark Michael landed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 2003 team totaled an impressive 445 strikeouts while only issuing 195 walks. Cozart also molded a young pitching staff with a freshman at closer. Cozart guided freshman closer Kyle Bono to a 4-2 record with a 0.83 ERA and two saves in 23 appearances. In 2002, the UCF pitching staff was once again one of the nation’s best, finishing 20th in the nation in team ERA with a 3.82 ERA. Even more impressive, only two times in 63 games did UCF allow more than 10 runs in a game.
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Von David Stertzbach finished the year 7-0 with a 1.81 ERA, ninth in the nation. Bo Hall, one of four pitchers to be drafted after the 2002 season, ended the year with a perfect 10-0 mark. In 2001, Cozart’s pitching staff was again one of the nation’s finest. The team ranked 16th in the nation with a 3.62 ERA. Justin Pope and Jason Arnold, two All-American pitchers may have put together the best 1-2 pitching punch in the history of college baseball. Pope went on to be drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round, while Arnold was a second round pick of the New York Yankees. Both pitchers combined for a 29-4 record, a 1.82 ERA and 308 strikeouts in 242 innings pitched. Both were ranked in the Top 10 in ERA, wins and Top 15 in strikeouts per nine innings. Both Arnold and Pope each won New York-Penn League pitcher-of-the-week awards, while Arnold threw the first nohitter in the history of the Staten Island Yankees and was recognized by Baseball America as the top professional debut from the class of 2001 college draftees. From 1997 to 2001, Cozart saw his pitching staff improve from a 33rd ranking in ERA with a 4.60 to a 10th place ranking in 1998 (3.94) to a best under his coaching of 3.62 during the 2001 season, which ranked 16th in ERA. The 1995 second team All-Atlantic Sun honoree and three-time allacademic team member led the Golden Knights in wins for two consecutive seasons in 1995 and 1996 with 10 and seven. Cozart finished his career second all-time in UCF wins (24), fourth in appearances (65), fourth in starts (40) and fourth in strikeouts (204). After Pope and Arnold’s 2001 season, Cozart fell to fourth in wins, sixth in strikeouts and fifth in starts. In 1995, Cozart was selected to participate in the NCAA Youth Education through Sports (YES) baseball clinic at Creighton during the College World Series with head coach Jay Bergman. During one stretch of his junior season, he won eight consecutive starts spanning more than a month and a half. In his last start in the streak, he beat 12th-ranked Miami in Coral Gables allowing only two earned runs in 7.2 innings. Drafted in the 45th round by the Atlanta Braves in 1995 and again in the 28th round by the San Francisco Giants in 1996, Cozart decided to forego the professional ranks to further his education and begin his coaching career. Cozart, 31, earned his bachelor of arts degree in education in December of 1996. Cozart is married to the former Michelle Cutright, a UCF volleyball standout during the 1990s. They are the proud parents of a five-year old son Caleb and three-year old son Jacob.
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The Cozart File Born: March 12, 1974 High School: The Master’s Academy, 1992 College Education: University of Central Florida, 1996 BA in education College Baseball: University of Central Florida, Pitcher, 1993-96 Coaching Career: Student Assistant Coach, University of Central Florida, 1997 Assistant Coach, University of Central Florida, 1998-Present Wife: Michelle Children: Caleb, Jacob UCF Pitchers Drafted During Cozart’s Tenure 1st Round, Matt Fox Minnesota Twins (2004) 1st Round, Justin Pope St. Louis Cardinals (2001) 2nd Round, Jason Arnold New York Yankees (2001) 3rd Round, Mike Billek Chicago Cubs (2005) 3rd Round, Mike Maroth Boston Red Sox (1998) 3rd Round, Kevin Gordon Colorado Rockies (1998) 8th Round, Kyle Bono Boston Red Sox (2004) 9th Round, Todd Bellhorn New York Mets (1998) 9th Round, Von David Stertzbach Anaheim Angels (2003) 14th Round, Jason Graham Detroit Tigers (2002) 17th Round, Darren Newlin Toronto Blue Jays (2005) 18th Round, Casey Kennedy Los Angeles Dodgers (2000) 19th Round, Bo Hall Milwaukee Brewers (2002) 19th Round, Travis Held St. Louis Cardinals (1998) 22nd Round, Zach Sutton Baltimore Orioles (2002) 26th Round, Jaime Douglas Anaheim Angels (2004) 27th Round, Brad Busbin Philadelphia Phillies (2002) 29th Round, Lester Victoria Minnesota Twins (1998) 37th Round, Troy Satterfield Pittsburgh Pirates (1999) 42nd Round, Taylor Cobb Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2005) 42nd Round, Matt Lubozynski Anaheim Angels (1998) 47th Round, Dan Stillman Anaheim Angels (2000) 47th Round, David Torres New York Mets (2003)
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The Wolfe File
Derek W olf e Wolf olfe Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Sixth season at UCF
44 Derek Wolfe is in his sixth season on the UCF coaching staff and his third as a full-time assistant coach in charge of UCF’s batters. His responsibilities include coaching the outfielders and first basemen, hitting instruction, assisting in recruiting and serving as the on-field coordinator of Jay Bergman baseball camps. Wolfe has seen 12 position players drafted since arriving at UCF prior to the 2001 season. In last summer’s MLB Draft, the Golden Knights had four position players selected, including UCF’s all-time leader in single-season home runs, Dee Brown. Brown was a 10th-round pick of the Washington Nationals after the senior outfielder belted 18 home runs in 2005 for the Golden Knights. In his second year as hitting coach, the Golden Knights averaged 7.8 runs per game and clubbed 63 home runs. The 63 homers tied for the second-best mark in single-season history at UCF. Following the 2005 season, Wolfe served as the head coach for the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Wolfe guided the Diamond Dawgs to the regular season championship and was named the league’s coach of the year. In Wolfe’s first season as UCF’s hitting coach in 2004, the Golden Knights hit .304 with 115 doubles, 24 triples, 27 home runs and 369 RBI. Under his guidance, Clay Timpner was named an All-American in 2004 after hitting .371 with six home runs and 43 stolen bases. Timpner was a fourth-round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants following the 2004 season. Timpner and Brown were named to the 2004 A-Sun first team. Brown had a power surge under Wolfe, hitting six home runs. Brown led UCF with a .373 batting average and 68 RBI last season.
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Born: February 10, 1971 High School: Lake Mary, 1989 College Education: Tennessee-Wesleyan, 1994; BS in physical education College Baseball: Florida Junior College, 1989; Tennessee-Wesleyan, 1990-94 Coaching Career: Assistant Coach, Hiwassee(Tenn.), 1995 Head Coach, Hiwassee (Tenn.), 1996-2000 Assistant Coach, UCF (2000-present) Wife: Wendy Children: Hayden, Julie Freshman Matt Ray hit .316 with 21 stolen bases en route to A-Sun all-freshman honors while junior shortstop Chandler Rose hit .308 as he was named to the A-Sun second team. In 2003, Wolfe assisted in the continued development of Timpner and Brown in the outfield. Timpner was second on the team with a .347 batting average and was one of the top defensive outfielders in the nation. Brown drove in 34 runs and totaled eight sacrifice flies for the Knights. Under Wolfe’s leadership, senior Ryan Bear was one of the top players in the conference in right field and first base. Bear hit .390 to pace the Knights attack and was a first-team A-Sun member. In 2002, Wolfe had the opportunity to help guide two outfielders to Freshmen All-America honors. Both Dee Brown and Clay Timpner were named to various Freshmen All-America teams around the nation while Brown was also voted the A-Sun’s Freshman of the Year. Timpner also received A-Sun all-freshmen team honors. As assistant hitting coach, Wolfe helped contribute to UCF’s .335 batting average in 2001 that ranked eighth in the nation. In 2002, two UCF players finished in the top two of the conference in batting as David Mann hit .410 while Brown hit .397. Mann also became just the fifth player in school history to reach the magical .400 mark. Wolfe came to UCF after spending five years as the head coach of Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tenn., where he left as the winningest coach in the school’s history. As the head coach at Hiwassee, Wolfe led the Tigers in breaking several school records including single-season wins (30) and team batting average (.297). As a player, Wolfe (1989-94) began playing at Florida Junior College before an injury prompted him to transfer to Tennessee Wesleyan. As a first baseman and pitcher, Wolfe played for Mike Policastro, and helped lead Tennessee Wesleyan to three conference championships and a national ranking as high as eighth his senior season. Wolfe, who is originally from Florida, started his career at Lake Mary High School. Playing for coach Allen Tuttle, he was named as a member to the all-Seminole Athletic Conference first team. He also played little league in Altamonte Springs where he and his teammates earned the privilege to play in the Big League World Series. While at TWC, the Bulldogs won three Tennessee-Virginia Athletic Conference Championships. Wolfe earned a B.S. in physical education at TWC. Wolfe moved on to take an assistant job at Hiwassee during the 1995 season, before taking full control in 1996 form former head coach Harold Zonder, who left the job the next season to pursue full-time duties as a scout for the Detroit Tigers. Wolfe is married to Wendy Wolfe, a former basketball player at Tennessee-Wesleyan College. They have two children, Hayden (7) and Julie (5).
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Ric h W allace Rich Wallace Volunteer Assistant Coach First season at UCF
39 Former UCF standout Rich Wallace enters his first season as UCF’s volunteer assistant coach. The Orlando native was a four-year letterwinner for Jay Bergman from 2000-03 and was part of three teams that participated in the NCAA Tournament. During Wallace’s career, the Golden Knights won three Atlantic Sun regular season championships and a pair of A-Sun tournament titles. Wallace will serve as the team’s first base coach in addition to coaching the catchers. He will also assist in coaching the hitters and has an active role with the Jay Bergman Baseball Camps. During his career at UCF, Wallace was named a third-team allAtlantic Sun member during his freshman season after batting .380 with five home runs and 38 RBI. Wallace was also named a Freshman AllAmerican by Collegiate Baseball News in 2000. He left UCF as the school’s all-time leader in being hit by a pitch, both in career and single-season totals.
Support Staff
Eric Gunderson
Jason Baum
Athletic Trainer
Associate Sports Information Director
Eric Gunderson enters his third season as the baseball athletic trainer at UCF. He is in his first year as a full-time trainer for the Golden Knights, the first under head coach Jay Bergman. Gunderson earned a master’s degree in health services administration from UCF in the summer of 2005. Gunderson serves as UCF’s travel coordinator in addition to his role in the training room. He is also the official athletic trainer for the Jay Bergman Baseball Camps. The 2003 University of Georgia graduate worked with the Bulldog baseball, football and swim teams during his education at Georgia. Gunderson married the former Kaisa Schedler in the summer of 2004.
Jason Baum enters his fourth season a member of the UCF Sports Information Office and his first year as an associate sports information director. Baum is the sports information contact for football and baseball at UCF. During his tenure at UCF, he has played a key role in the promotion of six All-Americans on the diamond for the Golden Knights. Baum earned a B.S. in sport management from West Virginia University in the spring of 2000. During his time at WVU, Baum served as the SID for women’s soccer, swimming and baseball. After graduating from West Virginia, Baum spent two years at the University of Maryland as a media relations assistant. Baum served as the primary contact for the Terrapin volleyball, baseball and swim teams, while also assisting with coverage for the nationally ranked men’s basketball and football teams. Baum also served as the media relations coordinator for the 2001-02 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships. Several of Baum’s media guides earned recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America. Five of his guides at Maryland were ranked first in the district and his 2001-02 swimming guide was voted third in the nation. His 2002 UCF volleyball guide was ranked third in the district. A native of York, Pa., Baum is a member of CoSIDA. He also is a member of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the Football Writers Association of America. Baum is married to the former Andrea McGarvey.
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Jennifer Alger
BJ FFaulk aulk
Academic Advisor
Strength and Conditioning
Jennifer Alger is entering her first year as a full-time academic advisor in Academic Services for Student-Athletes at UCF. For the previous two years, Alger served as an assistant academic advisor for the football team while earning her MBA and master’s of sports business management from the DeVos Sports Business Management Program at UCF. She received her bachelor of science degree in marketing from St. John’s University (N.Y.). While at St. John’s, Alger was a member of the swim team, competing in the individual medley and distance freestyle events. After graduation, she worked for Drug Free America Foundation in St. Petersburg as a research specialist aiding in the development of projects geared toward drug awareness and prevention. Alger is a native of Orlando and enjoys swimming, running and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.
Assistant strength and conditioning coach BJ Faulk works with UCF’s baseball, football and men’s basketball teams. He has more than 12 years experience in the field and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. Prior to arriving at UCF, Faulk spent five years at Wake Forest, working with the Demon Deacons baseball, football, men’s basketball, women’s soccer, tennis and volleyball teams. A former track and field athlete at Illinois State, he began his career at his alma mater, working with current UCF Director of Strength and Conditioning Ed Ellis. The El Paso, Ill., native earned a bachelor of science degree in exercise science from Illinois State in 1995.
Dr ober Dr.. R Rober obertt “Bo” Henderson
Tomm ommyy Me Meyyer erss Equipment Manager
Chiropractor
Dr. Robert “Bo” Henderson begins his third year working with the UCF baseball team as the chiropractor. Dr. Henderson is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. The Orlando native is a chief physician at Henderson Chiropractic, P.A. in Orlando. Henderson is a board certified chiropractic neurologist. He and his wife Naomi have two children, Bo and Kyndall.
Tommy Meyers begins his first season as the equipment manager for the UCF baseball team. Meyers also coordinates the equipment for softball, track field and cross country at UCF. Meyers graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. in 2003 with a degree in general studies. Meyers is currently enrolled in graduate school at UCF to earn a master’s degree in sports administration.
Facilities and Grounds
Paul Bender Director of Capital Projects
Joel DeJesus Senior Groundskeeper
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Robert Sample Superintendent of Grounds
Ruben DeJesus Senior Groundskeeper
Tom Snyder Events Operations Manager
Kara Tyree Administrative Operations Manager
Jeremy Menna Grounds Supervisor
John Flannigan Senior Groundskeeper
Nate McNure Senior Groundskeeper
Stephen Pecoraro Senior Groundskeeper
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Jay Bergman Head Coach 24th season at UCF Overall Record: 1,133-623-3 Record at UCF: 917-510-3
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Entering the 2006 campaign, head coach Jay Bergman will guide his team into a new era of baseball at UCF. Beginning his 24th season at the helm of the UCF baseball program, Bergman has the task of taking UCF from the Atlantic Sun Conference into one of the premier baseball leagues in the nation in Conference USA. The exciting conference transition for the Golden Knights features an ideal opportunity for Bergman to take his program to another level – to become one of the top programs in one of the top five conferences in the nation. Bergman, a consistent winner throughout his decorated coaching career, has turned UCF into one of the winningest programs in the NCAA in the 2000s. The Golden Knights rank 17th in the nation during the decade in victories (255), which is an average of 42 wins per season. The 255 games won also puts UCF third among C-USA schools, trailing only Rice (291) and Tulane (272). The Golden Knights are 16th in the NCAA annals for winning percentage during the decade with a mark of .687. The dean of all UCF coaches, Bergman has the most wins of any coach at UCF as he has been coaching baseball for 35 years. Upon entering his 36th collegiate season, Bergman has qualified for 12 NCAA Regional berths (9 UCF, 3 Florida), won six Atlantic Sun titles (the most of any coach or conference team) has been named the 1995 Atlantic Region Coach of the Year and was a two-time Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year (2001, 2002). Even more impressive, Bergman has never experienced a losing season at UCF. His numbers just continue to amaze as he is 1,133-623-3 over his brilliant career, including an impressive 917-510-3 mark in 23 seasons at UCF. For the 15th time under Bergman, UCF captured a 40-win season in 2005, which marked the fifth time in six years UCF has reached the 40-
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win plateau. The Golden Knights ended the season 42-18 and left the Atlantic Sun with the most tournament championships in league history with six. Seven of Bergman’s players were drafted following the 2005 campaign, the most of any baseball program in the state of Florida. The seven UCF players drafted was the second-highest amount in school history. Bergman’s 1998 squad had a school-record 10 players taken in the draft. Five players collected all-league honors in 2005, including A-Sun first team selections Dee Brown and Tim Bascom. The 2004 season again proved why Bergman is one of the top mentors in the nation. The veteran head coach guided UCF to a 47-18 record, the fourth-highest win total in school history, along with a spot in the regional championship game at Florida State. The Golden Knights won the A-Sun Regular Season championship with a 24-6 conference record. The 2004 club featured one of the top pitching duos in the nation in Matt Fox and Kyle Bono. The two earned All-America honors, marking the second time in four years UCF had two pitchers garner AllAmerica honors. Fox finished the season 14-2 and was a first round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. Bono was selected in the eighth round as four Golden Knights were drafted and signed professional contracts. During the 2003 season, several of Bergman’s players received honors on and off the field. Senior Ryan Bear became the second first team Academic All-American in three seasons at UCF. The outfielder was also named to the A-Sun first team to finish an outstanding career for the Knights. Bear was one of four players from the 2003 team to be drafted or sign with a Major League Baseball team, continuing UCF’s long tradition under Bergman of sending players to the professional ranks. Bergman’s 2003 squad also landed three players on the A-Sun allfreshmen team. The 2002 campaign was another masterful coaching job by one of the nation’s top leaders. After losing perhaps the greatest one-two pitching combination in NCAA history in Justin Pope and Jason Arnold, Bergman led the Golden Knights to their second consecutive Atlantic Sun Championship and the team’s eighth NCAA appearance. UCF finished the 2002 season 41-22 as UCF had six players earn all-conference honors including the A-Sun Freshman of the Year, Dee Brown. Bergman won his 1,000th NCAA game May 3 at Florida Atlantic to become just the 25th coach in NCAA history to reach the 1,000-win plateau. The 2001 season was the best in a legacy of great seasons. The Golden Knights shattered the record books individually and as a team. The 2001 team set records for UCF in Division I wins with 51, and won 22 conference games for the second season in a row. The 51 wins ranked third in the nation, tied with Stanford and only behind Tulane and national champion Miami. The winning percentage ranked sixth in the nation. The biggest testament to Bergman was a wire-to-wire ranking. The 2001 UCF squad never dropped out of the Top 25 in any of the three national collegiate baseball polls. Their No. 7 ranking entering the postseason tied for the highest in conference history and is the highest in the school’s history. The pitching staff set a new team record for strikeouts and was nationally ranked in ERA and strikeouts per nine innings. Unfortunately, the Golden Knights came up short, finishing second to South Carolina in the Columbia Regional after being only one of three visiting teams to earn a No. 1 seed in an out-of-town regional. In 1995, Bergman was named Division I Atlantic Region Coach of the Year after guiding the Golden Knights to a 49-13 (.790) record and becoming the 50th coach to win over 700 games. During the 1995 campaign, UCF set school and state records with a 29-game win streak, one more than the 28-game streak it set during the 1985 season in which UCF went 52-34-1. It was also during 1995 that UCF claimed the No. 10 ranking in the nation. When the Atlantic Sun opened its doors to UCF in 1993, Bergman’s squad scrapped its way to an even 31-31 record, but made a grand entrance by winning the A-Sun Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
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The 1989 season marked the first time UCF had participated in the Division I NCAA Tournament., as it qualified with a 42-22 record. The Golden Knights marched into Gainesville, Bergman’s old stomping grounds, and knocked the host Gators into the elimination bracket before Miami sent them packing in the next game. UCF lost later to Villanova in the regional semifinals. Bergman began his coaching career with a seven-year stint at Seminole Community College in nearby Sanford, where his teams posted an overall record of 180-79 (.695). Beginning in 1968, Bergman’s teams qualified for six consecutive state tournaments and he was a three-time Division II coach of the year. He departed SCC after the 1973 season for a three-year assistant coaching stint at Florida before taking the reigns in 1976. The University of Florida can thank Jay Bergman for its baseball program’s success, as he brought the Gators into the national spotlight with their first ever NCAA Regional appearance during his tenure at UF. Bergman left Florida with the highest winning percentage in school history (216-113, .657). In his first 13 years of coaching, 57 of his former players went on to the professional ranks (21 SCC, 36 Florida). Over Bergman’s 35-year head coaching career, many of his former players have earned national, regional and conference honors for academic and athletics excellence. More than 100 of Bergman’s former players have signed professional contracts and 10 of those players, including five first-round selections, have played in the major leagues. Currently, Mike Maroth of the Detroit Tigers, is set to embark on his fifth season in the majors. Fourteen UCF players had been recognized as All-Americans in one form or another. In 2004, Matt Fox, Kyle Bono, Taylor Meier and Clay Timpner all collected All-America honors. Bergman’s players are recognized off the field as well as on. In 2002, 13 players were named to the Atlantic Sun all-academic team. In 2001, Chad Ehrnsberger became the first athlete in UCF sports history to earn first-team Academic All-America status. Ehrnsberger and Bill Oakley were also regionally recognized. In 1998, Matt Lubozynski was a second team Academic All-American. Bergman received his master of science degree in sociology from Appalachian State in 1966 and his undergraduate degree in history/ government from Rollins College in 1963. A member of the Rollins College, UCF, Winter Park High School and Richmond County (Va.) Baseball Coaches Halls of Fame, Bergman is a popular clinician at various camps and events around the country and has also participated in the NCAA Youth Education through Sports baseball clinic at the College World Series in Omaha. Bergman also served for four seasons as a member of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee, which is responsible for administering policies and rules for baseball and its post-season tournaments. From 1995-97, Bergman was a member of the NCAA Regional Baseball Committee. The coach served as UCF’s associate athletics director under AD Gene McDowell. When Steve Sloan arrived in 1993 to take over as the Athletics Director, Bergman focused specifically on baseball and relinquished the administrative role. Within a short time after Bergman’s arrival at UCF, he revived the Dugout Club as a successful fund-raising organization for the team. Before his first season at UCF, he and his players built an 8-foot wooden fence at the former UCF Baseball Complex and solicited local businesses for advertising support. Two years later, the team had lights installed. In 1996, new bleachers, dugouts, concession stands and a press box were added. The complex served as the Golden Knights home field until 1998. In 2001 Bergman received the greatest gift of all for all his hard work and dedication, a brand new state-of-the-art facility which bears his name. In 2001, UCF dominated its opponents at the new ballpark going 30-7, including a 19-1 start, with a .331 batting average and a 2.95 ERA inside the friendly confines of Jay Bergman Field. In November 1984, Bergman coordinated the first Old-Timers Baseball Weekend in Orlando with a game including Major League legends Lou Brock, Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Brooks Robinson,
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The Bergman File Born: February 6, 1939 High School: Winter Park High School, 1959 College Education: Rollins College, 1963; BA in history/ government Appalachian State (N.C.), 1966; MS in sociology Coaching Career: Head Coach, Seminole Community College, 1967-1972 Assistant Coach, University of Florida, 1973-1975 Head Coach, University of Florida, 1976-1981 Head Coach, University of Central Florida, 1983-Present Wife: Sherry Children: Jay, Catherine, Mike & Tiffany
Year-by-Year Record
at Seminole Community College (180-79) Year Overall Win% 1967 6-8 .429 1968 17-13 .567 1969 32-6 .842 1970 30-11 .732 1971 28-12 .700 1972 34-15 .694 1973 33-14 .702 Totals 180-79 .695 at Florida (216-113) Year Overall Win% Conference Win% 1976 21-27 .438 10-13 .435 1977 39-18 .684 14-9 .609 1978 34-15 .694 18-4 .818 1979 40-20 .667 16-8 .667 1980 40-16 .714 16-8 .667 1981 42-17 *^ .712 16-7 .696 Totals 216-113 .656 90-49 .647 at UCF (917-510-3) Year Overall Win% Conference Win% 1983 28-27-1 .509 11-10 .524 1984 34-29-1 .539 9-19 .321 1985 52-34-1 .603 Independent 1986 46-13 .780 Independent 1987 33-27 .542 Independent 1988 40-20 .667 Independent 1989 42-22 ^ .656 Independent 1990 40-20 .667 Independent 1991 41-21 .661 10-8 .555 1992 35-23 .603 9-11 .450 1993 31-31 #^ .500 9-9 .500 1994 29-26 .527 8-10 .444 1995 49-13 #^ .790 23-7 .766 1996 43-22 #^ .662 9-9 .500 1997 40-24 #^ .625 7-10 .412 1998 41-21 .661 14-7 .667 1999 38-21 .644 19-11 .633 2000 43-19^ .694 22-5 .875 2001 51-14#^ .786 22-5 .875 2002 41-22#^ .651 23-7 .767 2003 31-25 .554 14-16 .467 2004 47-18 ^ .723 24-6 .800 2005 42-18 .700 19-11 .633 Totals 917-510-3 .642 228-155 .595 Career 1,133-623-3 .645 318-214 .598 * SEC Champions. # A-Sun Champions. ^ NCAA Regional Appearance
Boog Powell and Early Wynn at Tinker Field for the benefit of the children’s trauma center at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Bergman has a wife Sherry, and four children, Jay, Jr., Catherine, Michael and Tiffany. Jay, Jr. played for the Golden Knights from 1983-84 during his father’s first two seasons at UCF.
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Craig Cozar Cozartt Recruiting Coordinator/ Pitching Coach 10th season at UCF
38 Craig Cozart has quietly become one of the elite recruiting coordinators and pitching coaches in the nation as he enters his 10th year as a member of UCF’s coaching staff. Cozart has been at the controls of one of the nation’s top pitching staffs since taking over as the pitching coach for the Golden Knights. With a great eye for talent and an outstanding ability to develop pitchers, 23 hurlers under Cozart’s watch have been drafted into professional baseball in just nine seasons at UCF. Even more impressive, only three of the 23 players drafted under Cozart’s tutelage were drafted coming out of high school. One of Cozart’s latest high draft picks was Mike Billek in 2005. Undrafted out of high school, Billek was the sixth top-three round selection to be coached by Cozart. Billek was selected in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. In addition, five UCF recruits were selected during the 2005 MLB Draft, the most in UCF history. All five players who were drafted have enrolled at UCF and are on the 2006 roster for the Golden Knights. The five drafted players were part of Cozart’s first full recruiting class at UCF. In 2004, Cozart coached two All-Americans for the second time in four years as Matt Fox and Kyle Bono formed one of the nation’s elite pitching tandems. Fox finished the year 14-2 with a 1.85 ERA en route to consensus All-America honors, while Bono was 8-2 with a 1.94 ERA en route to second-team All-America status.
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The two were part of a pitching staff that finished 10th nationally in ERA with a 3.42 mark. The 2004 UCF staff also shattered the school record for shutouts with 13 as the Golden Knights’ possessed one of the nation’s top staffs. In all, UCF’s pitchers were 47-18 with a 3.42 ERA in 542 innings of work. Under Cozart, the Knights issued just 228 walks in 542 innings while accumulating 483 strikeouts and holding the opposition to a .246 batting average. Three pitchers from the 2004 staff were drafted including Fox in the first round by the Minnesota Twins and Bono by the world champion Boston Red Sox in the eighth round. Bono earned the largest signing bonus in draft history for an eighth-rounder. In addition, junior left-hander Jaime Douglas was a 26th-round selection of the Anaheim Angels. The rise of Bono under Cozart is a reflection of his outstanding coaching efforts. Bono was an undrafted high school prospect who was not even a front line starter in high school before quickly ascending into UCF’s all-time leader in career ERA after two successful years under Cozart. Freshman Taylor Meier was also named a Freshman All-American in 2004. A 21st-round selection in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft, Meier was part of Cozart’s first recruiting class at UCF. The lanky righthander finished the 2004 season 6-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 74 innings. Meier totaled 56 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .223 batting average. In 2003, Cozart continued the tradition of sending his pitchers to the professional ranks as senior walk-on David Torres was drafted by the New York Mets, while Mark Michael landed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 2003 team totaled an impressive 445 strikeouts while only issuing 195 walks. Cozart also molded a young pitching staff with a freshman at closer. Cozart guided freshman closer Kyle Bono to a 4-2 record with a 0.83 ERA and two saves in 23 appearances. In 2002, the UCF pitching staff was once again one of the nation’s best, finishing 20th in the nation in team ERA with a 3.82 ERA. Even more impressive, only two times in 63 games did UCF allow more than 10 runs in a game.
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Von David Stertzbach finished the year 7-0 with a 1.81 ERA, ninth in the nation. Bo Hall, one of four pitchers to be drafted after the 2002 season, ended the year with a perfect 10-0 mark. In 2001, Cozart’s pitching staff was again one of the nation’s finest. The team ranked 16th in the nation with a 3.62 ERA. Justin Pope and Jason Arnold, two All-American pitchers may have put together the best 1-2 pitching punch in the history of college baseball. Pope went on to be drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round, while Arnold was a second round pick of the New York Yankees. Both pitchers combined for a 29-4 record, a 1.82 ERA and 308 strikeouts in 242 innings pitched. Both were ranked in the Top 10 in ERA, wins and Top 15 in strikeouts per nine innings. Both Arnold and Pope each won New York-Penn League pitcher-of-the-week awards, while Arnold threw the first nohitter in the history of the Staten Island Yankees and was recognized by Baseball America as the top professional debut from the class of 2001 college draftees. From 1997 to 2001, Cozart saw his pitching staff improve from a 33rd ranking in ERA with a 4.60 to a 10th place ranking in 1998 (3.94) to a best under his coaching of 3.62 during the 2001 season, which ranked 16th in ERA. The 1995 second team All-Atlantic Sun honoree and three-time allacademic team member led the Golden Knights in wins for two consecutive seasons in 1995 and 1996 with 10 and seven. Cozart finished his career second all-time in UCF wins (24), fourth in appearances (65), fourth in starts (40) and fourth in strikeouts (204). After Pope and Arnold’s 2001 season, Cozart fell to fourth in wins, sixth in strikeouts and fifth in starts. In 1995, Cozart was selected to participate in the NCAA Youth Education through Sports (YES) baseball clinic at Creighton during the College World Series with head coach Jay Bergman. During one stretch of his junior season, he won eight consecutive starts spanning more than a month and a half. In his last start in the streak, he beat 12th-ranked Miami in Coral Gables allowing only two earned runs in 7.2 innings. Drafted in the 45th round by the Atlanta Braves in 1995 and again in the 28th round by the San Francisco Giants in 1996, Cozart decided to forego the professional ranks to further his education and begin his coaching career. Cozart, 31, earned his bachelor of arts degree in education in December of 1996. Cozart is married to the former Michelle Cutright, a UCF volleyball standout during the 1990s. They are the proud parents of a five-year old son Caleb and three-year old son Jacob.
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The Cozart File Born: March 12, 1974 High School: The Master’s Academy, 1992 College Education: University of Central Florida, 1996 BA in education College Baseball: University of Central Florida, Pitcher, 1993-96 Coaching Career: Student Assistant Coach, University of Central Florida, 1997 Assistant Coach, University of Central Florida, 1998-Present Wife: Michelle Children: Caleb, Jacob UCF Pitchers Drafted During Cozart’s Tenure 1st Round, Matt Fox Minnesota Twins (2004) 1st Round, Justin Pope St. Louis Cardinals (2001) 2nd Round, Jason Arnold New York Yankees (2001) 3rd Round, Mike Billek Chicago Cubs (2005) 3rd Round, Mike Maroth Boston Red Sox (1998) 3rd Round, Kevin Gordon Colorado Rockies (1998) 8th Round, Kyle Bono Boston Red Sox (2004) 9th Round, Todd Bellhorn New York Mets (1998) 9th Round, Von David Stertzbach Anaheim Angels (2003) 14th Round, Jason Graham Detroit Tigers (2002) 17th Round, Darren Newlin Toronto Blue Jays (2005) 18th Round, Casey Kennedy Los Angeles Dodgers (2000) 19th Round, Bo Hall Milwaukee Brewers (2002) 19th Round, Travis Held St. Louis Cardinals (1998) 22nd Round, Zach Sutton Baltimore Orioles (2002) 26th Round, Jaime Douglas Anaheim Angels (2004) 27th Round, Brad Busbin Philadelphia Phillies (2002) 29th Round, Lester Victoria Minnesota Twins (1998) 37th Round, Troy Satterfield Pittsburgh Pirates (1999) 42nd Round, Taylor Cobb Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2005) 42nd Round, Matt Lubozynski Anaheim Angels (1998) 47th Round, Dan Stillman Anaheim Angels (2000) 47th Round, David Torres New York Mets (2003)
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The Wolfe File
Derek W olf e Wolf olfe Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Sixth season at UCF
44 Derek Wolfe is in his sixth season on the UCF coaching staff and his third as a full-time assistant coach in charge of UCF’s batters. His responsibilities include coaching the outfielders and first basemen, hitting instruction, assisting in recruiting and serving as the on-field coordinator of Jay Bergman baseball camps. Wolfe has seen 12 position players drafted since arriving at UCF prior to the 2001 season. In last summer’s MLB Draft, the Golden Knights had four position players selected, including UCF’s all-time leader in single-season home runs, Dee Brown. Brown was a 10th-round pick of the Washington Nationals after the senior outfielder belted 18 home runs in 2005 for the Golden Knights. In his second year as hitting coach, the Golden Knights averaged 7.8 runs per game and clubbed 63 home runs. The 63 homers tied for the second-best mark in single-season history at UCF. Following the 2005 season, Wolfe served as the head coach for the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Wolfe guided the Diamond Dawgs to the regular season championship and was named the league’s coach of the year. In Wolfe’s first season as UCF’s hitting coach in 2004, the Golden Knights hit .304 with 115 doubles, 24 triples, 27 home runs and 369 RBI. Under his guidance, Clay Timpner was named an All-American in 2004 after hitting .371 with six home runs and 43 stolen bases. Timpner was a fourth-round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants following the 2004 season. Timpner and Brown were named to the 2004 A-Sun first team. Brown had a power surge under Wolfe, hitting six home runs. Brown led UCF with a .373 batting average and 68 RBI last season.
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Born: February 10, 1971 High School: Lake Mary, 1989 College Education: Tennessee-Wesleyan, 1994; BS in physical education College Baseball: Florida Junior College, 1989; Tennessee-Wesleyan, 1990-94 Coaching Career: Assistant Coach, Hiwassee(Tenn.), 1995 Head Coach, Hiwassee (Tenn.), 1996-2000 Assistant Coach, UCF (2000-present) Wife: Wendy Children: Hayden, Julie Freshman Matt Ray hit .316 with 21 stolen bases en route to A-Sun all-freshman honors while junior shortstop Chandler Rose hit .308 as he was named to the A-Sun second team. In 2003, Wolfe assisted in the continued development of Timpner and Brown in the outfield. Timpner was second on the team with a .347 batting average and was one of the top defensive outfielders in the nation. Brown drove in 34 runs and totaled eight sacrifice flies for the Knights. Under Wolfe’s leadership, senior Ryan Bear was one of the top players in the conference in right field and first base. Bear hit .390 to pace the Knights attack and was a first-team A-Sun member. In 2002, Wolfe had the opportunity to help guide two outfielders to Freshmen All-America honors. Both Dee Brown and Clay Timpner were named to various Freshmen All-America teams around the nation while Brown was also voted the A-Sun’s Freshman of the Year. Timpner also received A-Sun all-freshmen team honors. As assistant hitting coach, Wolfe helped contribute to UCF’s .335 batting average in 2001 that ranked eighth in the nation. In 2002, two UCF players finished in the top two of the conference in batting as David Mann hit .410 while Brown hit .397. Mann also became just the fifth player in school history to reach the magical .400 mark. Wolfe came to UCF after spending five years as the head coach of Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tenn., where he left as the winningest coach in the school’s history. As the head coach at Hiwassee, Wolfe led the Tigers in breaking several school records including single-season wins (30) and team batting average (.297). As a player, Wolfe (1989-94) began playing at Florida Junior College before an injury prompted him to transfer to Tennessee Wesleyan. As a first baseman and pitcher, Wolfe played for Mike Policastro, and helped lead Tennessee Wesleyan to three conference championships and a national ranking as high as eighth his senior season. Wolfe, who is originally from Florida, started his career at Lake Mary High School. Playing for coach Allen Tuttle, he was named as a member to the all-Seminole Athletic Conference first team. He also played little league in Altamonte Springs where he and his teammates earned the privilege to play in the Big League World Series. While at TWC, the Bulldogs won three Tennessee-Virginia Athletic Conference Championships. Wolfe earned a B.S. in physical education at TWC. Wolfe moved on to take an assistant job at Hiwassee during the 1995 season, before taking full control in 1996 form former head coach Harold Zonder, who left the job the next season to pursue full-time duties as a scout for the Detroit Tigers. Wolfe is married to Wendy Wolfe, a former basketball player at Tennessee-Wesleyan College. They have two children, Hayden (7) and Julie (5).
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Ric h W allace Rich Wallace Volunteer Assistant Coach First season at UCF
39 Former UCF standout Rich Wallace enters his first season as UCF’s volunteer assistant coach. The Orlando native was a four-year letterwinner for Jay Bergman from 2000-03 and was part of three teams that participated in the NCAA Tournament. During Wallace’s career, the Golden Knights won three Atlantic Sun regular season championships and a pair of A-Sun tournament titles. Wallace will serve as the team’s first base coach in addition to coaching the catchers. He will also assist in coaching the hitters and has an active role with the Jay Bergman Baseball Camps. During his career at UCF, Wallace was named a third-team allAtlantic Sun member during his freshman season after batting .380 with five home runs and 38 RBI. Wallace was also named a Freshman AllAmerican by Collegiate Baseball News in 2000. He left UCF as the school’s all-time leader in being hit by a pitch, both in career and single-season totals.
Support Staff
Eric Gunderson
Jason Baum
Athletic Trainer
Associate Sports Information Director
Eric Gunderson enters his third season as the baseball athletic trainer at UCF. He is in his first year as a full-time trainer for the Golden Knights, the first under head coach Jay Bergman. Gunderson earned a master’s degree in health services administration from UCF in the summer of 2005. Gunderson serves as UCF’s travel coordinator in addition to his role in the training room. He is also the official athletic trainer for the Jay Bergman Baseball Camps. The 2003 University of Georgia graduate worked with the Bulldog baseball, football and swim teams during his education at Georgia. Gunderson married the former Kaisa Schedler in the summer of 2004.
Jason Baum enters his fourth season a member of the UCF Sports Information Office and his first year as an associate sports information director. Baum is the sports information contact for football and baseball at UCF. During his tenure at UCF, he has played a key role in the promotion of six All-Americans on the diamond for the Golden Knights. Baum earned a B.S. in sport management from West Virginia University in the spring of 2000. During his time at WVU, Baum served as the SID for women’s soccer, swimming and baseball. After graduating from West Virginia, Baum spent two years at the University of Maryland as a media relations assistant. Baum served as the primary contact for the Terrapin volleyball, baseball and swim teams, while also assisting with coverage for the nationally ranked men’s basketball and football teams. Baum also served as the media relations coordinator for the 2001-02 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships. Several of Baum’s media guides earned recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America. Five of his guides at Maryland were ranked first in the district and his 2001-02 swimming guide was voted third in the nation. His 2002 UCF volleyball guide was ranked third in the district. A native of York, Pa., Baum is a member of CoSIDA. He also is a member of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the Football Writers Association of America. Baum is married to the former Andrea McGarvey.
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Jennifer Alger
BJ FFaulk aulk
Academic Advisor
Strength and Conditioning
Jennifer Alger is entering her first year as a full-time academic advisor in Academic Services for Student-Athletes at UCF. For the previous two years, Alger served as an assistant academic advisor for the football team while earning her MBA and master’s of sports business management from the DeVos Sports Business Management Program at UCF. She received her bachelor of science degree in marketing from St. John’s University (N.Y.). While at St. John’s, Alger was a member of the swim team, competing in the individual medley and distance freestyle events. After graduation, she worked for Drug Free America Foundation in St. Petersburg as a research specialist aiding in the development of projects geared toward drug awareness and prevention. Alger is a native of Orlando and enjoys swimming, running and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.
Assistant strength and conditioning coach BJ Faulk works with UCF’s baseball, football and men’s basketball teams. He has more than 12 years experience in the field and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. Prior to arriving at UCF, Faulk spent five years at Wake Forest, working with the Demon Deacons baseball, football, men’s basketball, women’s soccer, tennis and volleyball teams. A former track and field athlete at Illinois State, he began his career at his alma mater, working with current UCF Director of Strength and Conditioning Ed Ellis. The El Paso, Ill., native earned a bachelor of science degree in exercise science from Illinois State in 1995.
Dr ober Dr.. R Rober obertt “Bo” Henderson
Tomm ommyy Me Meyyer erss Equipment Manager
Chiropractor
Dr. Robert “Bo” Henderson begins his third year working with the UCF baseball team as the chiropractor. Dr. Henderson is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. The Orlando native is a chief physician at Henderson Chiropractic, P.A. in Orlando. Henderson is a board certified chiropractic neurologist. He and his wife Naomi have two children, Bo and Kyndall.
Tommy Meyers begins his first season as the equipment manager for the UCF baseball team. Meyers also coordinates the equipment for softball, track field and cross country at UCF. Meyers graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. in 2003 with a degree in general studies. Meyers is currently enrolled in graduate school at UCF to earn a master’s degree in sports administration.
Facilities and Grounds
Paul Bender Director of Capital Projects
Joel DeJesus Senior Groundskeeper
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Robert Sample Superintendent of Grounds
Ruben DeJesus Senior Groundskeeper
Tom Snyder Events Operations Manager
Kara Tyree Administrative Operations Manager
Jeremy Menna Grounds Supervisor
John Flannigan Senior Groundskeeper
Nate McNure Senior Groundskeeper
Stephen Pecoraro Senior Groundskeeper
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