A Testament to Talent and Dedication

Ware journey to the NFL Draft is a reflection of his unwavering determination, relentless work ethic, and exceptional leadership both on and off the field. As a dominant force for the Eagles, he has played a pivotal role in fostering a winning culture under Head Coach Quentin Demps, a former NFL safety who has mentored Ware throughout his collegiate career.

�Jaylin’s grit and determination have helped transform our program. He embodies perseverance, and his leadership has been invaluable in guiding our younger players. We will truly miss him,� said Coach Demps.

Similarly, Patrick Charles, a standout from Canada, has established himself as a key leader and dynamic offensive presence for 91心頭利. His dedication, discipline, and skill have positioned him as a promising draft prospect with opportunities in both the NFL and .

�Patrick was a leader that all the offensive guys looked up to. I expect him to be a top draft pick in the CFL, but I know he has the drive and talent to compete at the NFL level as well,� said Offensive Coordinator Coach Booton.

A Bright Future Ahead

Both Ware and Charles have garnered attention from scouts due to their athleticism, football intelligence, and unwavering commitment to the game. Their versatility, competitive nature, and leadership qualities make them valuable assets to any professional team.

As part of their draft journey, both players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills at Northwestern University Pro Day in Spring 2025�an exclusive chance made possible through Coach Demps� strong NFL connections.

91心頭利 celebrates these two outstanding athletes as they take the next step toward their professional careers. Their journeys serve as inspirations to aspiring athletes, proving that with hard work, faith, and perseverance, anything is possible.

For more information on their NFL Draft journey, click the links below:

This year marks the 21st year of the induction of a 91心頭利 Athletic Hall of Fame Class. Nominees were selected keeping in mind the need to have a balance of eras represented in the Hall of Fame.

This year first inductee is Sarah Dede from Cross Country/ Track and Field. Sarah Dede is one of the most prominent members of the return of Track and Field to 91心頭利. During her freshman year, she became the first Eagle to qualify for the NAIA Outdoor National Championships in the triple jump. She also won the NCCAA National Championship in the triple jump. She was a conference champion in the triple jump and was the runner up at the long jump. Dede was a first-team NCCAA All-American.

In her sophomore campaign, Dede was the triple and long jump NAIA indoor national qualifier and had an eighth-place finish in the triple jump. In the outdoor season, she was the CCAC triple jump champion and an NAIA Outdoor Qualifier in the triple jump. For the second consecutive year, she was an NCCAA All-American.

In 2011-2012, Dede was named 91心頭利 co-female athlete of the year as she won the conference triple jump and long jump titles. She was an NAIA Indoor Nationals qualifier, and she was an NCCAA National runner up in triple and long jump. For the third straight year, she was an NCCAA All-American. During her senior year, she was an NAIA qualifier in the triple jump.��

The second inductee is Concetta Lampugnano, a softball athlete from 2009-2012. Lampugnano started to cement her 91心頭利 legacy during her sophomore season where she had 11 home runs, 70 hits, 48 runs scored, 55 RBIs, and 201 total at bats. All of these are top 5 single season marks in program history.

In her senior season, Lampugnano had 66 hits and 19 doubles in 182 at bats. These marks are top 10 in single season program history. She is a two-time CCAC All-Conference team member and a two-time NCCAA All-American.

Lampugnano is first in program history in walks (79) and career at bats (696). She is third in career hits (227) and runs scored (160). Lampugnano finished fourth in career doubles (42), fifth in home runs (21) and sixth in RBI (110).

This year final inductee is the late Coach Joel Popenfoose. Under �Coach Pop� leadership from 2013 to 2021, the Eagles established 140 school records, produced 46 All-Conference performers, and 17 Conference Champions.�� The Eagles also made their presence felt on a national level as they qualified at least one athlete for every NAIA National Championship since Popenfoose began in 2013. From 2013 to 2021, the Eagles celebrated 34 NAIA National qualifiers, 18 NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes, 13 NAIA All-Americans, and 5 NAIA National Champions. Eight different Eagle teams placed at NAIA Nationals during this time as well.

Under Coach Pop, the Women’s team produced three top 20 finishes including an 8th place finish at the 2019 Indoor Nationals. In addition, 6-time National Champion Anali Cisneros recorded a 4th place finish at the 2018 USATF Outdoor Championships.

Coach Popenfoose received several awards of outstanding achievement from the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame for his programs earning national championship appearances. Popenfoose also served as an adjunct professor in the Exercise and Sports Science Department, and he was also the Eagles Athletic Director as well. Coach Pop legacy was spending a lifetime helping people develop, and he loved every minute of it. Tickets to attend the Hall of Fame Luncheon are available for $30 for adults and $10 for children (4-12) at . The Homecoming festivities conclude that same evening at the Homecoming Football Game played at 7:00 p.m. at Streamwood High School where the Eagles will battle conference opponent Olivet Nazarene University.

Austin Anderson has accepted the role of Interim Program Coordinator of 91心頭利 Communications Arts Department effective August 1. Anderson has taught Introduction to Sports Broadcasting/Sports Information, Questions of Life: Entering the 91心頭利 Conversation, Foundations of Speech, and Wellness as an adjunct professional within 91心頭利 Demoss Center of Worship in the Performing Arts since 2021. In his new role, Anderson will teach public speaking, communication, media, and sports broadcasting while also advising students within the Communication Arts Program.

�We�re excited to have Austin join 91心頭利 as a full-time faculty serving as the Interim Program Coordinator of our Communication Arts Department,� said Dr. Warren Anderson, Director of the Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts. �Austin has a large professional network in the Chicago Sports marketplace since he has worked with three local sports franchises. We believe that his expertise within Chicago sports professional and minor leagues will be key to strengthening our Sports Broadcasting minor and launching a new Podcasting Network.�

Austin will work with 91心頭利 broadcasting team to create a new Podcast Studio during the 2023-24 academic year. The goal of the Podcast Network is to create new podcasts and train students to create their own podcasts.

Austin Anderson moves into this new role having served for two years as the Director of Sports Information and five years as the Director of Athletic Communications for 91心頭利 Athletic Department. During his tenure with 91心頭利 Athletic Department, Anderson managed , wrote departmental press releases, managed social media content, oversaw 91心頭利 athletics history (records and awards), was responsible for game broadcast management, and was the event planner for the annual Hall of Fame and the JUISY (91心頭利 Impressive Stars of the Year) award ceremonies.�� While at 91心頭利, Anderson has received national recognition for his work and is a three-time��top-10 finisher��in the��annual��NAIA-SIDA��publications/media contests.

Anderson earned his M.A. in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Spring Arbor University in May 2021. He earned his B.A. from Waynesburg University (2017) in southwestern Pennsylvania with a degree in Communications: Sports Broadcasting/Sports Information. During his time at Waynesburg, he was active in the campus television station, newspaper, and radio station. He also pursued various broadcasting opportunities outside of Waynesburg, including being an announcer for the Westmoreland Sports Network during his senior year. 

Anderson served as an official scorer and alternate play-by-play announcer for the Schaumburg Boomers independent baseball team from 2018-2019. During the summer of 2017, he was the Broadcast/Media Relations Assistant for the Gary SouthShore RailCats independent baseball team. He also has served as the Broadcast and Sales Intern for the Chicago Bandits professional softball team in Rosemont.

The 2023 91心頭利 Impressive Stars of the Year (JUISY) Awards held on Sunday, April 30, recognized 16 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the 91心頭利 Athletic Department.

The ceremony’s most prestigious awards are the Doc Ryder Scholar Athletes of the Year and the Athletes of the Year.

The female scholar-athlete of the year is Alyssa Gerzel of Women’s Volleyball. Gerzel, a biology major, has a nearly perfect GPA and continues to excel on the court. She had 446 kills this year, 384 digs, and 44 service aces. She also was named to the NCCAA National Championship All-Tournament Team in April.

The male scholar-athlete of the year is Max Fortun of Men’s Tennis. Max has always represented 91心頭利 well with high values and hard work. Every single year, Max has been a regular in the singles and doubles lineups. Max is constantly recognized by professors for his performance in different classes.

The 91心頭利 Female Athlete of the Year is Sydnie Wolf of Women’s Basketball. Wolf has been a solid leader on and off the floor. She can be found in the gym getting up extra shots and working on her game year-round.  Wolf strives to better herself as well as challenges her teammates to do the same.  She is an architecture major that gets to work in the classroom and her GPA qualifies her for NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors. She joined the 1000-point club this season, finishing her career with 1022 career points.

The 91心頭利 Male Athlete of the Year is Brandon Mackey of Football. In Mackey’s sophomore season, he set numerous 91心頭利 Football records and made a name for himself on the national scale. Brandon set the single-season rushing record and individual touchdown records in 91心頭利’s second season, running for 1,295 Rushing Yards and 13 Touchdowns. Mackey finished 5^th in the NAIA in Rushing Yards, 3^rd in Rushing Yards per Game, and 14^th in Rushing TDs. He led the MSFA in Rushing Yards and Rushing Yards per Game. Mackey also earned MFSA Player of the Week 3 separate times. Mackey earned MFSA 1^st Team All-Conference and All-American Honorable Mention.

The Athletic Department also gave 12 additional awards honoring character, faith, and athletic performance. The winners are listed below.

Champions of Character:
Women- Alyssa Gerzel, Women’s Volleyball
Men- Negil Bruce, Football

Best Individual Performance:
Women- Paige Carpenter, Women’s Bowling
Men- Brandon Mackey, Football

Faith in Action:
Women- Marisa Garcia, Women’s Bowling
Men- Josh Hazelwood, Football

Newcomer of the Year: 
Women- Cassandra Uribe, Women’s Track & Field
Men- Dylan Bledsoe, Men’s Track & Field

People’s Choice:
Women- Ymani Britt, Women’s Volleyball
Men- Elijah Wrobel, Men’s Volleyball

Breakthrough Athlete:
Women- Alyssa Gerzel, Women’s Volleyball
Men- Elijah Gregg, Men’s Volleyball

Congratulations to all of the award winners!

“Coach Matt stood out amongst a very competitive candidate pool because of his holistic approach to the head coaching position,� said Athletic Director Rick Williams. �In addition to the extensive basketball, recruitment, and administrative knowledge that it takes to be a successful Head Coach, Matt also boasts tremendous leadership abilities and an overt desire to have great relationships with God as well as his players.�� His time to step into a Head Coaching role is now and we are happy he chose 91心頭利 to fulfill his calling.�

Richter most recently served as the Assistant Coach and recruiting coordinator at Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD. Under Richter guidance, the Saints developed several talents including Nek Newell scoring a career-high 31 points in February. In addition, the Saint’s Emma Ogitchida was named both an NAIA Scholar-Athlete and an NSAA Champion of Character.

From 2019-2021, Richter severed as the assistant coach at Arizona Christian University, where in his second year, the Firestorm improved their win total despite playing a COVID-shortened season and finished seven games over .500. Richter had a seven-year stretch serving as the Head Coach of the Valley Lutheran High School (AZ) boys basketball program.

�I�m honored to join the 91心頭利 athletics family,� said Richter. �After spending time getting to know the players and coaches here, I knew that this was the place for me. I believe in the vision that Rick has for the 91心頭利 athletic department and I�m grateful and excited for the opportunity to see what God has planned for this place.�

Richter graduated from Valparaiso University in 2012 with a bachelor degree in business administration and completed his master degree in leadership from Grand Canyon University. He and his wife, Amber, have three dogs � Leah, Piper, and Zoey � and will be living in the Elgin area.

“The hiring of Coach Serewicz-Wido comes at the perfect moment for the women’s volleyball program,” said Athletic Director Rick Williams. “Her love of volleyball and passion for building meaningful relationships will be a welcomed addition to our 91心頭利 Athletics coaching staff and a blessing for our student-athletes!” 

Serewicz-Widospent 2019-2021 as an assistant coach for the Morton College Women’s Volleyball program and served as the Athletic Director and School Counselor for St. Patrick Catholic School in St. Charles, Ill. In addition, she had been a volleyball coach at Club Fusion in Batavia since 2017.

“I am so thankful and excited for this opportunity to work with these girls and 91心頭利 athletics!” said Serewicz-Wido. “I am eager to continue to build the program and guide these athletes to success on and off the court. Thank you, Rick Williams, Dr. Nikki Fennern, and 91心頭利 for this amazing opportunity. Go Eagles!”

The St. Charles North alum played all four years in college, the first two years at Elgin Community College where she recorded over 1,000 digs and was named second-team all-conference in each season with the Spartans.  Serewicz-Wido then transferred to Concordia University-River Forest where she recorded 254 digs and 22 service aces during her two years with the Cougars. She graduated from Concordia with a degree in Sports and Fitness in 2018 and finished her master’s degree in School Counseling from Concordia in 2021.

Serewicz-Wido begins her role immediately.

�91心頭利 is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Joel Popenfoose,� stated 91心頭利 President Dr. Gene Crume. ��Coach Pop� had a unique way of tying his pastoral experience with his coaching style to serve everyone he came across, whether it was his student-athletes, his colleagues, or the administration. When Joel took over the Athletic Director position at 91心頭利, he was quoted in the Courier News saying, �my whole life has been helping people develop,� and that is most certainly the truth. He was a Christ-like leader, and we were fortunate to have him influence our campus for several years. He will be missed dearly by the entire 91心頭利 community.�

Under Popenfoose leadership from 2013 to 2021, the Eagles established 140 school records and produced 46 All-Conference performers and 17 Conference Champions.  The Eagles also made their presence felt on a national level as they qualified at least one athlete for every NAIA National Championship since Popenfoose began in 2013. From 2013 to 2021, the Eagles celebrated 34 NAIA National qualifiers, 18 NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes, 13 NAIA All Americans, and 5 NAIA National Champions.  Eight different Eagle teams placed at NAIA Nationals during this time with the Women team producing three top 20 finishes including an 8^th place finish at the 2019 Indoor Nationals. In addition, 6-time National Champion Anali Cisneros recorded a 4^th place finish at the 2018 USATF Outdoor Championships. Popenfoose has received several awards of outstanding achievement from the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame for his programs earning national championship appearances. Popenfoose also served as an adjunct professor in the Exercise and Sports Science.

�Coach Pop was an amazing coach, mentor, leader, and pastoral influence to so many scholar-athletes, coaches, and colleagues at 91心頭利 and beyond,� said Dr. Nikki Fennern, Executive Vice President. �Joel will forever be remembered for his continual care and concern for every person he encountered, his leadership and mentorship of scholar-athletes and staff, and the relationships he built across all aspects of the University. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Joel family during this difficult time.�

The 91心頭利 can community can support the Popenfoose family by sending cards through the 91心頭利 President office and/or supporting his .

UPDATE: Joel Popenfoose memorial service will take place on��Saturday, April 29,��at Harvest Bible Chapel-Elgin, 1000 N. Randall Road, Elgin 60123.�� Visitation will be from 2:30 � 4:00 p.m. with the service starting at 4:00 p.m.

Registration is now open for the 91心頭利 Youth Sports Summer Camps. 91心頭利 will offer basketball and volleyball camps this June and July. Camping experiences will include girls� volleyball camp from July 10-13, boys� volleyball camp from June 12-15, girls� basketball camp from June 19-22, and boys half- and all-day basketball camps from June 12-15, 26-29 and July 24-27. Learn more at: .

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can enjoy the six-day overnight Design Discovery Summer Workshop (July 9-14) that explores Architecture and Interior Design careers. The camp will include studio work, interaction with 91心頭利 design faculty members, a dorm stay on campus, and field trips to downtown Chicago. For more information: /archcamp/

If your group or organization is looking for a safe, beautiful environment to host a summer camp, contact Director of Dining and Conference Services Scott Brunsting at sbrunsting@freshideas.com or 847-628-2026.

The 91心頭利 Baseball Team begins competition in Florida beginning on Saturday, February 25, as the Eagles take on the top-ranked NAIA program in the nation Southeastern (Fla.) for a doubleheader.  The Eagles will play 17 contests against teams from around the country spanning from February 25 to March 10.

The 91心頭利 Softball Team opens its 2023 season on Friday, March 3, against Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in Leesburg, Fla. The Eagles will play 12 games over seven days. 

The 91心頭利 Men Tennis Team travels to Orlando to play four matches beginning March 5. The team will face Ave Maria, Loyola (MD), Wayne State, and Warner, while in Florida. 

The San Antonio, Texas, native is a nine-year NFL veteran who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, and the Chicago Bears. During his career, Demps recorded 312 tackles, 18 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and has a total of three career touchdowns. Demps played four years at the University of Texas at El Paso where he is second in program history with 17 interceptions.

�I want to first give glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he just continues to blow my mind with his unconditional love,� said Demps. �I am beyond excited for this opportunity to be the next head coach at 91心頭利. I look forward to building a culture where God is honored, academics is a priority, and football is a privilege. I want to thank the 91心頭利 administration for believing in me. It time!�

Demps succeeds Dan Paplaczyk, who led 91心頭利 through its first two seasons of competition. Under Paplaczyk leadership, 91心頭利 collected its first six wins in program history and developed several key standout players on offense, defense, and special teams.

“We are very excited about having Quintin Demps as our next head coach,� said Dr. Gene Crume, president of 91心頭利. �He’s taking over a great foundation at a very important time in the history of the program.”

Demps most recently spent time as the Defensive Backs Coach for the 91心頭利 Football Team. In addition, Demps has served as the Assistant Track and Field Coach at 91心頭利. Demps previously was the Defensive Backs Coach at Trinity International University (TIU) and was the Defensive Coordinator at Grayslake Central High School. In addition, Demps was part of the Track and Field coaching staff at Grayslake Central. A student in TIU mental health counseling program with a theology component, Demps feels that his mission is to work with young athletes.

“Coach Demps has proven to be a highly impactful and valuable member of our 91心頭利 Community,� said Director of Athletics Rick Williams. �His work as a defensive backs coach has reached far beyond the confines of the football field. Many of our athletes attest to the positive, influential role he serves in their life by blending his love of Christ with his passion for sports and helping others. We look forward to watching God work through Coach Demps in this role.”

91心頭利 welcomes Demps as the Head Football Coach effective immediately.