Thursday, June 16, 2016

Conference and Region Champs Holding Tryouts Aug. 1-5

PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College men's soccer program is holding tryouts starting Monday, August 1 for those interested in playing for the fall 2016 team.

Below is a list of the tryout dates/times:
DateTime
Monday, August 110 AM-12:30 PM
Tuesday, August 210 AM-12:30 PM
Wednesday, August 310 AM-12:30 PM
Thursday, August 310 AM-12:30 PM
Friday, August 510 AM-12:30 PM

Following the tryout on Friday, August 5, the team will be finalized by head coach Dan Klaus and assistant coach Tom Wang.

All interested student-athletes will need a current physical and must have it completed prior to tryouts. The paperwork can be picked up in the Athletics office in M Building (M219) or found here:  Athletic Physical Packet Student Checklists. Interested student-athletes can also fill out the Prospective Athlete Form.

Men's Soccer: Niko Mihalopoulos 2015
The Harper College men's soccer team will hold tryouts beginning Monday, August 1. 
Please contact head coach Dan Klaus (dklaus@harpercollege.edu or 847-927-0974) for more information.

Under Klaus' direction, the Harper program has been extremely successful. In 2015, the Hawks finished with an 11-4-3 overall record and went 8-1-1 in North Central Community College Conference (N4C) play to win the conference regular season title outright. More importantly, they went 3-0 in the Region IV Tournament, including wins over defending Region IV Champion Rock Valley College in the Region IV Semifinals and Joliet Junior College in the Region IV Championship, to become the 2015 Region IV Champions. Six Harper College men's soccer players were named to either an All-Region or All-Conference team. Finally, Niko Mihalopoulos was selected as a Second Team All-American, becoming the first Hawks men's soccer player since Matt Polovin in 1993 to win the award.

In 2014, the Hawks finished with an 8-6-2 record and finished runner-up to Rock Valley College in the Region IV Tournament. Six players were named to either the All-Region or All-Conference team.

This year, the team opens regular season play on August 17 against Waubonsee Community College at 5 PM on the campus of Harper College.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Barajas Honored as Male Athlete of the Year

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper men's track and field student-athlete Juan Barajas (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Schaumburg) capped off his Harper College athletic career in the spring of 2015 in impressive fashion. Barajas was a national champion in the 5k and placed second in the 10k at nationals to complete his long list of accolades. Barajas can add one final accomplishment to his career, as he has been selected the 2015-16 Harper College Male Athlete of the Year.
Male Athlete of the Year: Juan Barajas 2015-16
Barajas is the 2015-16 Harper College Male Athlete of the Year (Photo Courtesy of Digital Sports Photography, Herkimer, NY)
"His success is a result of countless hours of training and commitment to both his running and his academics," said Harper head track and field coach Renee Zellner. "Juan is both humble and kind and has been a positive role model for the sport. He clearly deserves this very special honor."

At the 2015 NJCAA Division III Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship, Barajas won the 5k by nearly 15 seconds over his nearest challenger, and his second place finish in the 10k was also worthy of All-American distinction.  At the end of the season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recognized him as the Central Region Men's Track Athlete of the Year.

Over the summer, Barajas committed to continue his running career at Eastern Illinois University and has nearly completed his first full year there.

Barajas also did well in the classroom throughout his time at Harper College as he earned N4C Academic All-Conference honors as a member of both the track and field and cross country teams.
In the fall of 2014, Barajas captured the individual title at the 2014 DIII Men's Cross Country National Championship and helped the Hawks to their fourth straight national title in men's cross country. He also won the Region IV Championship individual title.

During his freshman track and field season, Barajas was an All-American in both the 5k and 10k, placing second in both races. During the fall of 2013, he was an All-American at cross country nationals as the Hawks won their third consecutive national title in men's cross country. He was also the Region IV Runner of the Year and a Harper College Athlete of the Week.

Kloss Honored as Female Athlete of the Year

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College women's track and field student-athlete Leah Kloss (Grayslake, Ill. /Grayslake Central) had an extremely impressive spring 2015 season for the Hawks as she was a national champ in three different events at the national meet. For her efforts, she has been named the 2015-16 Harper College Female Athlete of the Year.
Female Athlete of the Year: Leah Kloss 2015-16
Kloss (Harper singlet, in the lead) was honored as the 2015-16 Harper College Female Athlete of the Year. (Photo Courtesy of Digital Sports Photography, Herkimer, NY)
"Leah is an exceptional athlete. She has the ability to learn and excel in new skills quickly. She is highly competitive and works hard to improve her fitness and technique," said Harper head track and field coach Renee Zellner.

Kloss displayed her versatility throughout the spring of 2015, culminating in a very successful all-around performance at the 2015 NJCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship. She won both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash at nationals and was also a member of the Hawks' 4x100 meter relay team that won a national title and set a school record. At the conclusion of the spring season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recognized her as both the Central Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year and Central Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year.

She also placed fourth in the nation in the long jump, fifth in the hammer throw, and fifth in the javelin. Aided by a large number of points from Kloss in the various events, the Hawks secured a third place finish as a team at nationals.

Kloss was also recognized as a N4C Academic All-Conference student-athlete during the spring semester.

Showing her perseverance and versatility in the spring of 2016, she won the hammer throw, placed second in the javelin (All-American), and was a member of the 4x100m relay team that set a new school record at the 2016 NJCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship. She also anchored the fourth place 4x400m relay team. She was also recognized as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Central Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year for a second straight year.

"Not only is she talented, but she is humble and an excellent role model for both female and male athletes. Leah is an ideal student-athlete to achieve this prestigious honor," Zellner said.

Kramolisch Emerges as Top Hitter

PALATINE, Ill. – Coming into the 2016 Harper College baseball season, Paul Kramolisch (/Bolingbrook) was expected to be a key part of the Hawks' pitching staff. However, his success at the plate was pretty unexpected.

Kramolisch made the most of his opportunity as a hitter and emerged as the Hawks' top hitter while also serving as a reliable option in multiple positions in the infield. He also held his own on the mound and finished with the lowest ERA on the team. For these reasons, Kramolisch is being recognized as the 10th Harper College Athlete of the Week for the 2015-16 school year.

Athlete of the Week: Paul Kramolisch 2016
Kramolisch is the 10th Harper College Athlete of the Week for the 2015-16 school year. (Jim Cummins)
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound freshman hit a team-best .309 (17-for-55) in 28 games. Kramolisch was also tied-second on the team in RBIs (8) and led the team in on-base percentage at .387. One of his most impressive games came at Rock Valley College on March 29. In game one, he was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI, stolen base, and run scored. Later in the season against Rock Valley (April 16), Kramolisch was 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored in the first game of a doubleheader in Palatine.

In the field, he rotated between several infield spots and only committed six errors on 110 total chances for a .945 fielding percentage. He recorded 30 assists and 74 putouts and also helped turn four double plays.

On the mound, Kramolisch made seven appearances (five starts) and threw 23 1/3 innings (fourth on team). The righty posted a solid 3.86 ERA, best on the team, struck out 15 batters, and threw two complete games.

Hayes Lands Job as Boomers PA Announcer

Schaumburg Boomers Website
Daily Herald Article

PALATINE, Ill. –
Current Harper College Student Athlete Success Center Coordinator/Athletics Program Assistant Steve Hayes, who also serves as the Public Address (PA) Announcer for Hawks home contests during the school year, will be taking on a new role this summer. Hayes recently auditioned for and accepted the position of PA Announcer for the Schaumburg Boomers Professional Baseball Team.
Steve Hayes Schaumburg Boomers 2016
Hayes was recently named the PA Announcer for the Schaumburg Boomers Professional Baseball Team. (Bill Smith)
Hayes will be the PA Announcer for Schaumburg Boomers home baseball games that run from late May-early September. The Boomers play in the independent Frontier League.

Hayes has a wealth of experience in PA announcing that began in 1999. He has announced baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, cross country, and football events at all levels from pee-wee to the NJCAA Division III level. He is currently the announcer for baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball home games at Harper.

Hayes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communication from Marquette University and worked in radio and television in Milwaukee.

He says he is looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of another great season for the two-time Frontier League champion Boomers.

"There's no such thing as a bad day at the ballpark," Hayes said. "I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Boomers organization."

Harper Softball Takes Interim Tag off Scott Plaza

PALATINE, Ill. – After meeting with Harper College Interim Head Softball Coach Scott Plaza, Director of Athletics and Fitness Doug Spiwak removed the interim tag from Plaza's title and officially made him the Head Coach last week.


Softball: Scott Plaza Head Coach 2016
After a season of coaching the Harper College softball team on an interim basis, Scott Plaza is now officially the Head Coach of the Hawks. (Tracy Timberlake)
"Scott was an instant success with the student-athletes. He and his assistant coach, Sean Stochl, created a positive learning environment that is consistent with the Athletics' Mission. I saw growth and development on the team. The team genuinely appeared to be enjoying their experience," Spiwak said. "Scott was able to take players with varying levels of experience and put together a cohesive team. The decision was Scott's as to whether he wanted to continue after his first year of coaching softball. He did not hesitate when the position was officially offered to him. I am looking forward to seeing what the team looks like next year as he has already signed some excellent players.

In Plaza's first year as softball coach, the Hawks saw substantial growth from their group of players. He also coached an All-Region and All-Conference player in Jordan Dallmann (Roselle, Ill. /Lake Park). Dallmann was named to the NJCAA Region IV Division III Softball First Team, and she was voted Second Team All-Conference for the North Central Community College Conference (N4C).

As Plaza gears up his second season and first full school year of coaching, he has already began to build a strong base for the program with the current group as well as several recruits who have signed their NJCAA National Letters of Intent.




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Scott Plaza and Sean Stochl worked well together in their first seasons as softball coaches. (Tracy Timberlake)
"I'm excited to have my first season under my belt, and it was a great learning experience," Plaza said. I'm planning to take those experiences along with a great group of returners to keep moving forward and build the program for success. It will be a lot of fun to see the Harper softball program progress in the near future."

Commencement Showcases Accomplishments of Harper Hawks

Harper College Graduation Ceremony Video
Graduation Photos                                                                
Daily Herald Article

PALATINE, Ill. – Around 650 Harper College students took part in the 2016 Harper College commencement ceremony on Saturday afternoon at the college's new outdoor pavilion, and approximately 3,500 spectators attended the ceremony. About 20 Hawks student-athletes walked in graduation, and many others received their degrees as well from the college.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle delivered the commencement speech to graduates, and Harper College President Dr. Kenneth Ender introduced Preckwinkle.

Graduation: The Harper Hawk and Eric DeBold 2016
The Harper Hawk and new student trustee Eric DeBold pose for a picture at Harper College's commencement ceremony. (Nick Wenzel)
Harper College Director of Athletics and Fitness Doug Spiwak was at the commencement to witness Hawks student-athletes walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.

"I tell our student-athletes to always "keep an eye on the prize." Our goal is to have every athlete leave Harper with a degree or certificate. Seeing the student-athletes receive their diplomas is one of the most reward aspects of my job," Spiwak said. "When they walk up to the stage wearing a silver stole that has the Harper Hawk logo along with the words "Student Athlete", I know that they have received an excellent education and the full support of the athletics program. These are the feature leaders of our community."

Harper College student-athlete Emily Butler, who played softball for two years (2015, 2016) for the Hawks, took part in commencement and received her Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree. Butler, who will continue her education and softball career at Elmhurst College in the fall, applauded the new venue and reflected on her Harper experience.
 
 
"The ceremony was really beautiful and scenic. It was an amazing experience to be the first class to be able to be under the pavilion. The faculty and staff at Harper helped me get what I needed and got me on the right path," she said.

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Emily Butler and her family enjoyed graduation day at Harper College.
New Harper College student trustee Eric DeBold, who was sworn into the position in April, was a firsthand witness to the reactions of graduates. DeBold was in the last seat on stage as graduates passed by upon receiving their diplomas.

"Everyone's time at Harper was summed up in their expressions in the very moment after getting their degree. It was the most authentic moment, and I got to see it happen for the entire graduating class," DeBold said.

Gutt and Kloss Exhibit Excellence in Track and Field


PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College women's track and field athletes Ali Gutt (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) and Leah Kloss (Grayslake, Ill. /Grayslake Central) showed consistency throughout the season and excelled at the 2016 NJCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship. The pair, who were recognized with numerous postseason awards, won a combined three national titles and scored big points in numerous events at the national meet to help the team to a third place showing, can now lay claim to being Harper's first-ever Harper College Female Co-Athletes of the Week.

Gutt had an extremely impressive freshman season as she was a two-time national champion, winning at both 800 meters and 1500 meters. In the 800m, she ran a national meet record and school record 2:16.85 to win by almost four seconds. In the 1500m, Gutt blitzed the 14-runner field with a time of 4:52.91 to win by over five seconds. She also helped the 4x800m relay team score six points with a third place finish in 10:43.35.

Prior to the national meet, she was named the Central Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). After nationals, Gutt was voted as the USTFCCCA Women's National Track Athlete of the Year.

"Ali is an exceptional athlete. Her times demonstrate that commitment to her training results in success," said Harper head track and field coach Renee Zellner. "Coach (Jim) Macnider is able to bring out the best in the distance crew. I look forward to watching Ali continue to improve her times this fall and during the track and field season. Not only is she talented, but she is a great support for her teammates."

Kloss capped off her sophomore season with a national title in the hammer throw. Her best throw of 43.19m (141'8") gave her a dominating win in the event. Kloss took second place (All-American) in the javelin throw as well.

She also placed third in the shot put, fourth in the 100-meter dash, and seventh in the 200-meter dash. In the relays, Kloss was a part of a 4x100m relay team that placed third and set a school record in 49.58 seconds. She also anchored the 4x400m relay group that took fourth in 4:15.10. At the 2016 Harper College Spring Sports Banquet, Kloss was named Team MVP by her peers.

Similarly to Gutt, Kloss' efforts were noted by the USTFCCCA as she was tabbed the Central Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year for a second straight season. Earlier this month, Kloss received the top honor for a female athlete as she was named the 2015-16 Harper College Female Athlete of the Year.

In the spring of 2015, she won three national titles (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay) at the 2015 NJCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship and set school records in both the 200m and 4x100m relay. At the end of the 2015 track and field season, she was recognized as both the Central Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year and Central Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year. Kloss also scored points in the long jump, hammer, and javelin in helping the team place third overall at the meet.

Athlete of the Week: Ali Gutt and Leah Kloss 2016
Gutt (left) and Kloss (right) are the first-ever Harper College Female Co-Athletes of the Week. (Photos Courtesy of Jim Cummins and Digital Sports Photography, Herkimer, NY)
Academically, she was honored as a N4C Academic All-Conference student-athlete during the spring semester.  

"Leah is an outstanding athlete. She is multi-talented and able to excel in a variety of events. She can sprint, hurdle, jump, and throw, which demonstrates her versatility," Zellner said. "Leah enjoys the challenge of learning a new event, and it does not take long for frustration to turn into success. I see Leah taking on the challenge of competing in the heptathlon in the future. Leah has been a bright star in my coaching career, and I look forward to watching her continued success academically and athletically."

Gutt will now gear up for the fall 2016 cross country season. Last fall, she was an All-American, placing second at the 2015 NJCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championship. As a team, the Hawks finished runner-up for the second consecutive season. She also won the individual title at the Region IV Championship hosted at Harper College. 

Kloss will finish up classes at Harper College and continue to train. She has several schools interested in her and will make her final decision in the near future.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Skinner, Becker Wrap Up Successful Collegiate Careers

PALATINE, Ill. – Former Harper College baseball players Andrew Skinner and Kurt Becker wrapped up their collegiate baseball careers with outstanding senior seasons. Skinner finished his playing career at NAIA school Missouri Valley College, and Becker played at NCAA Division II school Lewis University for the last two years.

Skinner, who played for the Hawks in 2012 and 2013, had an impressive spring 2016 season for the Missouri Valley Vikings. He was named a 2016 Heart of America Athletic Conference First Team All-Conference selection at the designated hitter position. Skinner hit .341 and led the team in slugging percentage (.635), home runs (11), doubles (13), and triples (2). The senior also led the conference in RBIs (68) and RBIs per game (1.33) while playing in 50 games. 

During his junior year, Skinner hit a team-best .380 with six homers, 33 RBIs, a .595 slugging percentage, . 445 on-base percentage (OBP) and 46 hits and 38 games. He was selected Second Team All-Conference in 2015. The Vikings posted a 57-45 record in Skinner's two seasons on the team.

The Chicago native was a Second Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Region selection as a sophomore in 2013 for the Hawks. Skinner hit .331 with team highs in homers (3), RBIs (31), and stolen bases (13) in 39 games. 

Academically, Skinner will continue to finish up classes in the nursing program before graduating from Missouri Valley College. 

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Andrew Skinner and Kurt Becker 2016
Former Harper baseball player Andrew Skinner (left) and Kurt Becker (right) both just wrapped up their collegiate baseball careers. (Photo Courtesy of Missouri Valley College and Steve Woltmann)
Becker, who played for the Hawks in 2013 and 2014 and was named the 2014-15 Harper College Male Athlete of the Year, also finished his college career on a high note. The senior third baseman started 46 of 47 games and hit .362 (third on team) with five homers, 31 RBIs, seven doubles, four triples (most on team), a .546 slugging percentage, and a .439 OBP. 

As a junior, he started 42 games and hit .305 with four home runs and 30 RBIs. Becker was also the recipient of the Br. David Delahanty Award, given to Lewis student-athletes for academic excellence, and named to the Academic All-GLVC Team. 

The Palatine, Illinois native had an outstanding two-year career at Harper. As a freshman, he hit .377 with two homers, 28 RBIs, 14 doubles, and three triples in 37 games and was named a Second Team All-Region Selection as well as Team MVP. 

His sophomore season (2013) smashed all expectations. He hit an outstanding .494 with three homers, 30 RBIs, 15 doubles, four triples, 14 steals, a .531 OBP, a .694 slugging percentage and also had a 24-game hitting streak and was named a 2014 NJCAA DIII Baseball Second Team All-American, the first Hawks baseball All-American since 1997. 

On top of that, Becker also earned NJCAA Div. III Player of the Week, N4C Conference MVP, First Team All-ConferenceFirst Team All-Region, Harper College Athlete of the Week, and Team MVP honors. He also was a strong student at Harper, earning N4C Academic All-Conference honors both years while also being a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He also helped out in the community as a little league coach and flag football team coach. 

Reflecting back on his Harper experience, Becker fondly remembers a few things.

"Going to Harper and being at home for two years was nice. The weights and conditioning helped me as a baseball player," he said. "I'm going to be friends with some of the guys for a while. Those friendships are fun."

This upcoming fall, he'll be student teaching at Lake Park High School in Roselle as a math teacher before officially graduating from Lewis University.

Women’s Soccer Practices Begin August 1

PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College women's soccer program will begin practicing for the fall 2016 season on Monday, August 1 at 2 PM. 

All-interested student-athletes will need a current physical and must have it completed prior to practicing. The paperwork can be picked up in the Athletics office in M Building (M219) or found here: Athletic Physical Packet Student Checklists Interested student-athletes can also fill out the Prospective Athlete Form

Please contact head coach Dwayne Cruz (dwayne@ahaces.com or 224-381-2832) for more information.

Women's Soccer: Alyciah Gutierrez 2015
The Harper College women's soccer team starts practicing Monday, August 1. (Jim Cummins)
The Hawks finished with a 10-8 record in 2015 and had five All-Region and All-Conference players. Harper advanced to the Region IV Championship with a thrilling overtime win over defending champ Rock Valley College and finished runner-up to College of DuPage. This year, the Hawks start regular season play on August 31 at home against Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Former Football Coach Tim Hatfield Passes Away

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College athletics mourns the passing of former football coach Tim Hatfield. Hatfield was an assistant coach for the Hawks from 1991-1996.

During this time, the Hawks participated in the RC Cola Bowl five times (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996), winning in both 1991 and 1996.

"I am truly saddened by Tim's passing. He was a friend and one of the best coaches I have ever worked with. Tim dedicated himself to the athletes and the program. He spent countless hours preparing scouting reports, practice schedules and game plans. The athletes performed to the best of their abilities because Tim prepared them to be their best," said Harper College Director of Athletics and Fitness Doug Spiwak. "He loved the game of football and the athletes that played for him. He brought a level of intensity to the game that drove the team to win. He balanced his work ethic with his good nature and humor. Tim was a friend as well as a mentor to the athletes. I am honored to have known and worked with Tim." 

Tim Hatfield
Tim Hatfield was a football coach for Harper College from 1991-1996.
Hatfield was born on May 30, 1958 in Riverview, Michigan and died on June 2, 2016 in Fox River Grove, Illinois. Memorial visitation will be Friday, June 17 from 3 PM until 9 PM at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rte. 176), Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Interment will be private.

Cole and Smith Sign with Harper Baseball


Baseball: Zach Cole and Kayson Smith Signing Day 2016
Kayson Smith (left, sitting down) and Zach Cole (right, sitting down) with assistant coach Isaac Valdez (back left) and head coach Cliff Brown (back right). (Bill Smith
PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College baseball program added two players to its 2016 recruiting class recently as Zach Cole and Kayson Smith signed their NJCAA Letters of Intent to play for the Hawks and head coach Cliff Brown next season.

Cole, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound middle infielder, attended Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia and played for coach Jason McDaniel. A two-year varsity player, he was a 2016 Southeast Honorable Mention and 2016 MVP. In 2015, he was an All-Region player and Underclass Honorable Mention.

Cole is looking forward to his chance to play for Harper College and plans to major in Secondary Education.

"Harper is a whole different environment, and I look forward to experiencing this," he said. "Coach (Cliff) Brown and Coach Isaac (Valdez) are giving me an opportunity to play and continue my career in baseball."
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Smith (left) and Cole (right) with their families on signing day. (Bill Smith)
Smith, a 6-foot-2, 210-pounder who can play third base and first base, attended Pope High School/Performance Learning Center. Smith and Cole were teammates on the East Cobb Nationals Baseball team for the last three years.

He is eager for the chance to play at Harper while completing his core classes.
"I feel like Harper would be a great baseball experience, and I will be able to advance more as a player," Smith said. "It's also an opportunity for me to complete my core classes and start my college baseball career."

Burnett Signs with Peru State College

Burnett Bio
Burnett Stats
Peru State Men's Basketball

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College men's basketball player showed off his incredible basketball skill in one season for the Hawks. Burnett recently signed to continue his basketball career at Peru State College in Nebraska.

Burnett will play for the Bobcats, members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Heart of America Athletic Conference. Peru State is coached by Eric Behrens, who was hired as the Men's Basketball coach in April 2014. Under Behrens' direction, the Bobcats made the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship tournament, the first time the program had done so since the 1996-97 season.

Burnett, a native of Joliet and graduate of Joliet West High School who spent time at Illinois Valley Community College prior to coming to Harper, was impressed with the Peru Sate program as a whole.

"He (coach Eric Behrens) was just an awesome coach, and when I went on my visit, the players worked hard at everything they did. I felt like I already had a connection with the coach," Burnett said.

The 6-foot-3 guard/forward started all 31 games for the Hawks and averaged a team-high 19.0 PPG to go along with 6.0 RPG. Burnett rarely left the court, as his 37.4 minutes per game was second-most in the nation. He shot a solid 45.9 percent (209-of-455) from the field in the 2015-16 season and 73.6 percent (120-of-163) from the free throw line. He finished the season on a high note as he averaged 25 points per game over his final four contests and was recognized as the Harper College Athlete of the Week.

Burnett was recognized as a NJCAA Region IV Division III Men's Basketball Player of the Week on two occasions this season (Nov. 30Jan. 18).



Men's Basketball: Allias Burnett 2015-16
Burnett is continuing his college basketball career at Peru State College in Nebraska. (Jim Cummins)
He is finishing up his associate degree at Harper College this summer and plans to study business at Peru State. One day, he plans to start his own basketball company for kids and young adults.

"I want to be able to teach them everything they need to know to become a complete player," Burnett said.

Reflecting on his year at Harper, Burnett speaks fondly of his athletic and academic experience.

"I enjoyed playing basketball, of course, and just enjoying experiencing new knowledge because it will help me grow as a person," Burnett said. "I also learned that everyone there is willing to help you succeed and want to see you do great in the future."

Gatlin Signs with Presentation College




Men's Basketball: Marcus Gatlin Presentation College Signing 2016
Marcus Gatlin is continuing his college basketball career at Presentation College in South Dakota. (Marcus Gatlin)
Gatlin Bio
Gatlin Stats
Presentation Men's Basketball

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College men's basketball player Marcus Gatlin (Chicago, Ill./Curie) blossomed into an outstanding player in his sophomore season for the Hawks. His successes on the court and in the classroom paid off, as he recently signed to continue his basketball career at Presentation College in South Dakota.

Gatlin will play for the Saints, members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and North Star Athletic Association. Presentation is coached by Jeremy Reigle, who has been the head coach for six years.

Gatlin, a native of Chicago and graduate of Curie High School, was drawn to Presentation College for a couple of reasons.

"What made me sign with Presentation College was the vibe I picked up right away from the South Dakota area and also the coaching staff. We laughed and shared smiles most importantly," Gatlin said. "Coach Reigle is a very determined man. I thought he was honest with me from day one, and that was my main choice of picking his school."


The 5-foot-9 point guard started all 31 games for the Hawks and averaged 18.0 PPG (second on team), 6.3 RPG (first on team), and 5.5 APG while averaging 36.9 minutes per game (fourth in nation). Gatlin shot 73.1 percent (179-of-245) from the foul line and was second in the country with 179 makes from the free throw line. 

As a freshman, he appeared in all 31 games (22 starts) and averaged 7.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 2.6 APG. Gatlin improved as the season went along and averaged 8.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 2.9 APG in 14 league games. On Feb. 16, 2015, he earned NJCAA Region IV Div. III Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors for the first time.

Off the court, Gatlin maintained a 3.2 GPA at Harper and plans to study exercise science at Presentation because of his love and passion for sports.

"I love the fact that sports can teach you a lot of things in life, such as hard work, patience, determination, and how to become a leader," he said.

Looking back at his time as a Harper Hawk, he says he has learned many valuable life lessons.

"Harper has taught me a lot. Coming to this college has made me look at life differently in a good way. It also made me mature enough to the point where I can thrive in the real world," Gatlin said. "Harper made me realize people are really watching you each and every day and look up to you as well. Lastly, Harper has made me become who I am today within two years. It's crazy, but it's the truth."