Brad Oleson Helps Team To Championship, Makes Spanish National Team Pre-Roster

Former Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball NCAA All-American and all-time leading scorer Brad Oleson, added a championship title to his basketball career list of accomplishments as the North Pole native helped Caja Laboral Vitoria down Regal FC Barcelona 79-78 in overtime in Spain’s ACB League Championship game.

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Cody Burgess Named WBB Head Coach

University of Alaska Fairbanks Director of Athletics Forrest Karr announced Thursday that Cody Burgess has been named the next head coach for the Alaska Nanooks women’s basketball program. Burgess will take over as the eleventh head coach in program history.

"Cody has the plan, passion and broad support necessary to provide the foundation that Nanook women's basketball has been missing,” said Karr. “She is an emerging leader that brings integrity, trust, stability and coaching ability to the job, and I cannot imagine a better candidate for this position."

Congratulations Jordan Hendry!

Congratulations to Alaska Hockey alumnus Jordan Hendry, who lifted his first Stanley Cup tonight with the Chicago Blackhawks. He is just the second alumni to ever win the Stanley Cup, following former Nanook Shawn Chambers. Chambers won twice in his career with the New Jersey Devils (1995) and the Dallas Stars (1999).


Stars coach Ken Hitchcock hugs Shawn Chambers after Dallas' title-clinching victory in Game 6.

2 Finalists Left for Women's Basketball Head Coaching Position

Cody Burgess

A UAF alumnae, Burgess was a power forward for the Nanooks from 2002-2005. She brings nine years of combined playing and coaching experience at a diverse range of college levels.

This season she was an assistant coach at Moberly Area Community College (Moberly, MO) of the National Junior College Athletic Association (Division I). She helped guide the Lady Greyhounds to a 17-14 record that included a win over 10th ranked State Fair CC. While Burgess’ main role with MACC was as the recruiting coordinator, her other responsibilities included developing practices, coordinating the competition schedule, website maintenance and media relations, fundraising and monitoring the student-athletes’ academic progress.

Prior to MACC, Burgess spent two seasons as an assistant coach at William Woods University of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (Division I) and the American Midwest Conference. In 2008-09 Burgess helped lead the Owls to a 21-10 record, a NAIA Tournament Bid and a conference championship title. The season was a huge turnaround success on the laurels of a dismal 4-23 campaign in 2007-08.

After closing out her collegiate career Burgess spent one season as the girl’s basketball assistant coach for North Pole High School, helping to guide the Patriots to a second place finish at the Alaska state championships in the 4A division.

During her time at Alaska, she was selected Daktronics First Team All-West Region in 2005 and Second Team All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2003 and 2005. She led the GNAC in scoring during the 2003 and 2005 seasons and was a team captain for the Blue and Gold as a senior (2004-2005). She holds career records in the GNAC for her scoring average in all games (19.3) and in league games (20.0) as well as the all-time records for free throws made (188) and attempted (225), which were set during the 2004-05 campaign.

Before playing at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Burgess played two seasons at Wenatchee Valley College, where she was named First Team All-Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges in 2002, as well as team MVP.

Burgess received her Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management, Forestry option from UAF and a Master's in Education in Athletic Administration at William Woods University.

Nichole Schutte

Nichole Schutte completed her second season as an assistant coach with the Western Oregon University women's basketball program in 2009-10. With the Wolves, she was responsible for post-player development, coordination of the strength and conditioning program, and implementation of individual defensive fundamentals and recruiting.

Schutte, who recently completed her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counselor Education from WOU, earned her undergraduate degree in Applied Studies from Northwest Nazarene University (2008), where she was also a two-sport star for the Crusaders (women’s basketball and track).

She was named to the All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference second team in basketball as she averaged 11.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest and ran the sprints (100m and 200m) and the relays (4x100m and 4x400m) for the track team.

Heidi O'Connor-Brook Joins Ski Team

Alaska Nanooks women’s skiing coach Scott Jerome announced the signing of Heidi O’Connor Brook of Whitehorse, Yukon, to a National Letter of Intent. She will enter the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a freshman in the fall with four years of NCAA eligibility remaining.

"I am very pleased that we have another Yukon skier joining our program,” said Jerome. “Heidi has been a solid junior skier in Canada for several seasons. She is a hard worker and will make her mark both in the classroom as well on the ski trails."

Jarrett Miller Returns to Alaska to Play for Nanooks

“Jarrett's previous collegiate experience will provide additional leadership for the UAF basketball program,” said Johnson. “He is returning to Fairbanks after playing two years of competitive basketball on the junior college level. The California junior college conferences provide numerous Division I players; therefore, the ability to compete and have any level of success is commendable.”

Miller attended Ben Eielson High School from 2004-08 and was a member of the Ravens’ men’s basketball team. As a senior, Miller came back from an ACL injury during his junior year to garner Second Team All-State honors and Aurora Conference MVP. His other prep highlights include earning all-conference and all-region team honors in 2005 and 2006. He was also a member of the 2007 ACS Pepsi Invitational All-Tournament team.

“Jarrett is also a scorer and an adequate defender at his position. He feels comfortable in making the adjustments needed to be successful on the DII level. As a coach I am seeking the foot speed he displayed in high school and the toughness with scoring he developed at West Hills Community College. The current players and coaching staff are excited to have Jarrett join us.

At-Large Academic Team Honors

The College Sports Information Directors of America picked men’s hockey senior Dion Knelsen for the University Division District 8 First Team, while women’s skiing senior Julia Pierson was chosen to the College Division District 8 Second Team. Men’s skiing transfer Lex Treinen was also listed on the College Division District 8 First Team.

Skiing Adds UAA Transfer Lex Treinen

Alaska Nanooks skiing head coach Scott Jerome announced that two-time All-American Lex Treinen of Anchorage, Alaska and the University of Alaska Anchorage will transfer to the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the fall and ski for the Blue and Gold next season. He will enter UAF as a junior and has two seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining.

Treinen, who missed half of his sophomore season due to an iron deficiency, came back strong and closed out the year at UAA, earning his second career All-America honor by placing ninth in the men's 20K freestyle event in 49:41.6 at the 2010 NCAA Skiing Championships. His effort helped UAA to a seventh place finish at the event. Other accomplishments during the 2009-10 campaign include making the 2010 National Ski Coaches Association All-Academic team.

Nanooks gain German Skier Marion Ruf

Ruf, who has been training and racing for several years in attempts to make the German national team, has competed internationally for her country at the World Junior Championships and Under-23 World Championships. Despite falling short of her bid for a spot on the national team, Ruf has seen much success at high levels of international skiing including four top-ten finishes at German national championships over her career. She has the ability to make a big impact on the Nanooks’ program, which in turn will give her the opportunity to extend her skiing career.

Volleyball lands Tereza Bendlova and Ilicia Weissenbuehler

Alaska Nanooks head women’s volleyball coach Phil Shoemaker announced the signing of Tereza Bendlová, a 5-9 outside hitter from Prague, Czech Republic, and Ilicia Weissenbuehler, a 5-5 setter from Emmett, Idaho, to National Letters of Intent. Bendlová will enter the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a graduate student with one year of NCAA eligibility remaining, while Weissenbuehler will be a freshman with four seasons to play.

Rifle Signs Ryan Dunham-Bender

A senior at Delta High School in Delta Junction, Dunham-Bender has shot competitively for five years with the Delta Rifles club team. The Rifles have garnered the National Scholastic Team Championship title at the National Rifle Association’s National Championship four times since 2007.

Dion Knelsen Signs with Norway

The Norwegian Elite League, or Get Ligaen, is the highest tier of professional hockey in Norway and it is there that Knelsen will develop his professional hockey game throughout the 2010-11 season.

"I am thrilled to be playing with Sparta for the upcoming season,” said Knelsen. “I know they are an excellent organization, playing out of a passionate hockey-town in a competitive league. They are giving me a great opportunity early in my pro career, and I will do everything I can to help them win a championship. I am looking forward to learning the European game and having a very successful season with the Warriors."

Lemley Signs 3 Alaskan Swimmers

Brooke Underwood
A four-year swimmer for the West Valley Wolfpack, Underwood was twice a member of the Girl’s Region VI championship teams in 2008 and 2009. She was named the Wolfpack’s Most Inspirational Swimmer this season, as voted by her teammates.

Madison Franz
Another Wolfpack standout, Franz will follow her teammate (Underwood) as they hit the water sporting Alaska Nanooks’ swim caps beginning this fall. Franz also swam four seasons for West Valley specializing in long distances in the pool.

Kyle Perkins
Perkins comes to the Nanooks after swimming four seasons for the North Pole High School Patriots, where her specialty stokes included the backstroke and freestyle. She was a member of the Patriots swim team that captured the Region Championships in 2007. She was also an individual champion at the Region VI meet as a junior, making her an automatic state qualifier in 2008.

26th Annual IBEW Nanook Fund Golf Scramble

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Athletics will host the 26th Annual IBEW Nanook Fund Golf Scramble on June 11 at the North Star Golf Club.

IBEW is in its seventh year as the title sponsor for the tournament, which is the major fund-raising event for student-athlete scholarships. Proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the Alaska Nanooks.

2009-10 Athletes of the Year

Sartz was the national runner up in smallbore at the 2010 Rifle Championships, where the Nanooks finished second overall to Texas Christian University. With two first-team All-American nods at this year's championships, Sartz finished his career at Alaska as an eight-time NRA All-American - a feat only two previous shooters had accomplished.

Thigpen led the Nanooks in kills and points, and was second in digs and service aces as a senior and was the team's MVP for the third time in her four-year career. She garnered Great Northwest Athletic Conference First Team or Honorable Mention accolades all four years.

Forward Javed Williams set to play for Nanooks

A 2009 graduate of Sandy Point High School, Williams played basketball and football during his prep career. Williams and the Tuff Knots won their first St. Kitts Amateur Basketball Championships in 2007, topping the 18-time champion Rams Hitters. He was named Most Valuable Player at the Reach One Teach One basketball camp, hosted by the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame Coach John Spezia.

Spikers Add Keri Knight

Knight, who will graduate from Ralston Valley High School next month, played outside hitter for the Mustangs for four seasons. As a junior she was named the best offensive player and garnered Jefferson County All-Conference honors. Her season was highlighted by a career-best performance of 17 kills in 18 attempts against Arvada West High School.

Skiing Adds David Norris and Eric Ryan

"David is quite possibly the strongest skier that we have recruited to Alaska,” said Jerome. “He is one of the top skiers in the US in his age group. I am very pleased that David decided to ski and run for the Nanooks. Clearly he has the work ethic and training background necessary to be competitive at the national level."

"Eric is one of the top junior racers in Alaska and we are excited that he has chosen to attend UAF and compete for the Nanooks,” Jerome said. “He had three top-five finishes at this year's junior national championships. This is the type of skier we aim to recruit to our program.”

Chad Johnson Named to Team Canada

“I am truly honored and excited to have received the invite to represent Canada at the World Championships,” said Johnson. “It has always been a dream of mine to represent Canada and have the honor of wear the Canadian jersey.”