UU’s Wallace is preseason All-American

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – Urbana University senior linebacker D’Gary Wallace has been selected first team Preseason All-American by USA College Football for the upcoming season. The 26th annual preseason team recognizes outstanding student-athletes who have been nominated by members of the Football Writers’ Association, head coaches and sports information directors.

Wallace, a two-time all-Mountain East Conference first-team selection, racked up numerous postseason awards after leading the league with 115 tackles in 11 games in 2014. His 68 solo stops were also a league-best as he finished second in tackles-for-loss (18.5) and sixth in sacks (6.5). Wallace has recorded 40.5 tackles-for-loss through three seasons, which ranks him fifth all-time amongst Blue Knights.

Fellow linebacker, junior Kevin Chapple was named to USA College Football’s honorable mention team. Chapple started 10 games in 2014 before suffering a season-ending injury, totaling 51 tackles, 17.5 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks. He finished among the MEC top-five leaders in sacks, tackles-for-loss and forced fumbles, earning him honorable mention all-conference recognition.

All players listed on the preseason teams are eligible to participate in the 2016 USA Freedom Bowl held in Savannah, Georgia on January 18, 2015.

UU opens the 2015 campaign under first-year head coach Tyler Haines on September 5 when it hosts Glenville State at noon.

UU hires assistant coach

Urbana University men’s basketball head coach Rob Summers has added Michael Hunter to his 2015-16 coaching staff as assistant coach. Hunter most recently coached at NAIA Goshen College (Indiana) where he served as assistant coach for two seasons.

“Michael is the type of coach you need in your program if you want to be successful,” Summers said. “He is a relentless recruiter and will assist the program greatly with his on-court development of our players. Being a former collegiate basketball player from this area will allow him to relate to our guys and give the team the competitive edge it needs.”

A native of nearby Columbus, Ohio, Hunter was a two-year starter at power forward for nationally-ranked Columbus State Community College. He moved on to Ohio Northern where he started every game and helped guide the Polar Bears to a 40-11 record from 2005-2007.

“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to work with coach Summers, at a school rich with basketball tradition,” Hunter said. “I’m looking forward to helping re-establish Urbana basketball as a force to be reckoned with on the floor, while producing quality young men.”

As Goshen’s top assistant coach, Hunter served as the program’s recruiting coordinator, academic coordinator and strength coach. He played a significant role in the team’s 10-game win improvement from 2013-14 to 2014-15, while coaching two all-conference post players. Hunter also directed the Leaf’s offseason basketball camps.

Prior to his job at Goshen, Hunter spent three years with Heidelberg’s men’s basketball team working with post players from 2010-2013.

Hunter started his coaching career at his alma mater Ohio Northern after his playing days were through. He took on the role of team manager and was responsible for overseeing practices and coordinating team travel. A year later, he was promoted to student-assistant coach.

Over the past 10 years, Hunter has worked for the Next Level Basketball School. He was also active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes during his time at Heidelberg.

Hunter graduated from Whetstone High School where he earned all-conference and all-district honors on the court. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management at ONU and received his master’s in education at Heidelberg.

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