Elon Phoenix Athletics

Frank Haith, a 1988 Elon graduate and head men's basketball coach at the University of Miami, will serve as one of two assistant coaches on the 2009 USA Basketball World University Games Team, which will compete in the 24th World University Games July 2-12 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Forget the “girly girl” high heels. When Caitlin Pascarelli walked across stage this weekend to accept her diploma, she sported the oversized black boots to the Elon Phoenix mascot uniform that disguised her identity at countless university functions in recent years – and it was the first time since the Phoenix was born in 2000 that the student behind the beak has publicized her role at Commencement.

Elon men's tennis standout Damon Gooch, the first Elon tennis player to compete in the NCAA Division I singles championship, staged an upset win in the May 20 first-round match at College Station, Texas.

Pat Irvine's two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning lifted the Elon Phoenix to a 13-11 Southern Conference baseball victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts, clinching the second consecutive league title for the Phoenix and the third in four years for the program.

Marty Baker, associate athletics trainer, will join the board of directors of the National Athletic Trainers' Association at its meeting in June.

Trustee Jay Hendrickson ’71 and his wife, Amy ’69, of Raleigh, N.C., are among the 12 recipients of the 2009 Southern Conference Distinguished Service Award. The SoCon award recognizes individuals from its member institutions who have contributed to all aspects of the university.

Elon's men's basketball, women's cross country, women's golf, softball and volleyball teams are among the top teams in the nation in the 2009 NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, which were announced April 22. The Elon teams rank in the top 10 percent of NCAA Division I teams in the nation in their sports.

Matt Matheny, a 16-year veteran assistant basketball coach at Davidson College, has been selected to lead Elon's men's basketball program. He was introduced as the 17th head men's basketball coach in Elon history at a March 29 news conference, vowing his goal is to ensure the academic success of the players and at the same time propel Elon to a spot in the NCAA Division I tournament.