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2009 WHEATON FOOTBALL YEARBOOK2009 Thunder Football Season PreviewWhen the Wheaton College football team opens its 2009At tailback, junior Rocky Gingg returns after a breakseason on September 12 at Bethel University, the Thunder through sophomore campaign that saw him earn First Teamwill be looking to continue its tradition of success, particular- All-CCIW accolades. Gingg averaged 4.6 yards per carryly during the past decade. Wheaton has won a league-best with 15 touchdowns last season. His 1,290 yards last yearfive CCIW Championships since 2000, with five NCAA Divi- is the second-highest single-season total in school history.sion III Playoff appearances. The Thunder posted an 11-3 “Rocky is a tough guy. It takes multiple hits to bring himoverall record in 2008, with the program’s first-ever NCAA- down. He may not get you a 50-yard run, but he will get youIII Semifinal appearance and first by a CCIW team since a ton of 10 and 20-yard gains.” Sophomore Charlie Velling1988.is among a group of players who could see time at tailback.Over the past two seasons, two Thunder players have “We are excited about the play of Charlie Velling. He hadsigned NFL contracts. 2008 D3football.com “Defensive a great spring,” notes Swider. Juniors Drew Johnson andPlayer of the Year” Pete Ittersagen signed with the Jackson- Brady Wright will also be in the mix at the position.ville Jaguars in April. Ittersagen’s signing followed the draftThe Thunder will have an open spot at fullback with theing of defensive end Andy Studebaker in 2009. Studebaker graduation of last year’s key contributors. Swider mentions,is currently on the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster.“There will definitely be some competition for the fullbackLooking forward to the 2009 season, head coach Mike position.”Swider notes, “We graduated 28 players last year. That wasSwider says, “At wide receiver we are led by three experithe largest senior class in our program’s history.” Swider enced kids: Fred Ellis, Danny Hindman and Andy McClain.adds, “The positive of this is that is what we are supposed Ellis and Hindman are returning starters who will bring signifto be doing – graduating players. The hard part is that you icant experience.” The Thunder mentor adds, “We will havehave to replace those kids - not only their leadership on the numerous other players competing for time at receiver.”field, but off of it as well.”Ellis caught 35 passes as a junior, averaging 16.4 yards“Even though we had a record number of graduates last per catch, with six touchdown receptions. Hindman caughtyear, at Wheaton we do not use the word rebuilding. I prefer 36 passes for 349 yards, with a touchdown grab. McClainto say that we are reloading with players that are ready to averaged 17.6 yards per catch on eight receptions laststep in and fill spots for us, and those kids are not fresh- year.men,” notes Swider. He adds, “We have a number of returnAll-Conference tighting players with experience who understand Wheaton foot- end Mike Berttucci reball and have invested in the program. They have worked turns for his seniorhard for the opportunity that is in front of them.”campaign. Last seasonIn May, Wheaton hired Joe Davis as offensive coordinator. Berttucci averaged 15.6Davis comes to Wheaton from North Park University where yards on his 16 recephe has spent the last three years as the associate head tions, including fivecoach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.trips into the end zone.“We are excited about Joe Davis joining our program. He Swider notes, “Mike ishas brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm.” Swider notes, an excellent receiver.“Our offense will be similar to what people have seen in the He is capable of beingpast. We will still consider ourselves a multiple offense, with very productive for aa variety of personnel groups and formations.”tight end.” JJ Clark andWheaton will open the 2009 campaign with an experi- Austin Zoerhof will alsoenced offense that features eight returning starters and a compete for time asyoung defense that returns two starters. Swider mentions, well.“We took the biggest hit defensively, graduating a lot of kidsThe Thunder will bringon that side of the ball. However, we have a lot returning back considerable expestarters on offense.”rience on the offensiveOFFENSE: The offense that Joe Davis inherits will have line this season. “Weconsiderable veteran leadership. “We definitely will have will have three returningstarters,” notes Swider.some experienced players on offense,” notes Swider.Quarterback Sean Norris returns for his senior season un- He adds, “We expect Justin Carpenter, Dan Dipzinski andder center. Norris earned Second Team All-CCIW recogni- Nick Biggee to anchor the offensive line. This position retion last season. “Sean is as tough a football player that I quires so many people to be on the same page. Having exhave coached,” notes Swider. “He is a tremendous leader perienced players, like we do, is critical.” Swider concludes,and his teammates have great respect for him.” Norris threw “We have good depth competing for the other spots alongfor 3,137 yards as a junior, completing 58% of his passes side those three returners.”Biggee, a Thunder junior, will move to center after servingwith a school single-season record 32 touchdown tosses.asa starter at guard last year. The 6’5” and 270-pound CarSwider notes of two sophomores, “Garrett Meador and Danpenter will return as a starter at tackle for his senior seasoniel Harrist will be competing to back up Sean.”and Dipzinski (6’ 2” and 270-pounds) will resume his role as2009 Thunder Football - 6

2009 WHEATON FOOTBALL YEARBOOK2009 Thunder Football Season Previewa starter at guard.DEFENSE: On defense, Wheaton returns just two starters.“The defense is where we have the most holes to fill,” notesSwider. He adds, “We graduated a lot of kids on that side ofthe ball.”One of the returning starters is 6’ 4”, 280-pound defensivetackle Nick Theobald. A Second Team All-CCIW selectionlast season, he will be expected to anchor the Thunder defensive line this season. “Theobald is going to be a solidforce for us up front. We are counting on Theo to anchorour defensive line. He is the strongest player on our footballteam. We expect him to be an impact player for us.” Lastyear Theobald tallied 37 tackles, including 5-1/2 tackles forloss, with seven quarterback hurries.Junior Nic O’Neal gained valuable experience on the defensive line last year, recording five tackles for lost yardage.This season he could see increased action. “Nic O’Nealearned some valuable playing time last season and we expect him to contribute this year. He can play inside or outsideon our defensive line. He will play an important role on thedefensive line for us.” Swider notes, “Ryan Dougan, GrantTallon, Robert Ramsay, Charley Mitchell and Josh Bishopwill compete for the remaining spots on the defensive line.”Seniors Steve Lutes and Ryan Hoyt are leading candidates to start at linebacker for the Thunder. Swider mentions, “Lutes and Hoyt are experienced seniors who haveshown a lot of leadership. Now we need them to step up onthe field.” He adds, “They are perfect examples of our modelin recent years, that we don’t fill spots with freshmen.”“Kyle Notch, Jordan Langs and Corey Hart will be competing with Lutes for time at outside linebacker,” notes Swider.He adds, “Mike Dozeman, JD East, Joey Anderson, JordanChapman, and Austin Driggers will compete with Hoyt at inside linebacker.”At cornerback, senior Tyler Langs is an experienced veteran who is slated forhis third season as astarter. He recorded 79tackles last year, with 62solo stops and tied forthe team lead with fiveinterceptions,addingseven pass break-ups.Swider says of him, “Tyler is a great player withgreat instincts. He is anathletic kid who bringsa lot of experience ashe prepares for his thirdseason as a starter forus.”Swider mentions, “Atthe other cornerbackspot alongside Tyler wehave three guys whowill compete for that position: Bryan McBroom,Tim Shaw and BuddyLegens.” The Thunder mentor continues, “Brian Hollettcomes back with some experience at safety. He saw time inour nickel package and he did a great job for us in the playoffs.” Hollett recorded 25 tackles last season, with 17 solotackles and four pass break-ups. Swider concludes of hisdefensive backs, “Brian Mullen, Jon Sesso and Brian Lefflerwill also compete for time at the other safety position.”SPECIAL TEAMS: Sophomore Scott Roche will competewith Tom Aagaard and Dan DeMerchant for the kicker position that had been filled by Tim Ellingsen, an All-CCIW picklast season.Sean Norris will return to his role as Wheaton’s punter thisseason. Last year, Norris averaged 34.1 yards per punt, withnine kicks inside the 20-yard line. With the use of Norris’ footWheaton had a net average of 33 yards per punt last season, holding opponents to nearly one yard per return.With the loss of All-American return man Pete Ittersagen,there are several players who could contribute on kick andpunt returns. “Freddy Ellis, Tyler Langs, Teddy Watkins andDrew Johnson are the guys we expect to be in the mix forreturns,” mentions Swider.Swider says of the newcomers to the Thunder programthis year, “We have 32 players in the incoming freshmenclass. This in an excellent class with a lot of depth. It is asgood as any group of new athletes that we have ever hadhere.” He adds, “We also have three transfers coming inwho are capable of contributing this fall.” The veteran headcoach concludes, “When you combine this year’s class ofnew players with last year’s group, this is the largest amountof players we have brought into the program in back-to-backyears.”2009 D3football.com Preseason 18.19.20.21.22.23.24.25.School (1st place votes)Mount Union (23)UW-Whitewater (2)Mary Hardin-BaylorNorth CentralHardin-SimmonsWHEATONUW-Stevens PointWillametteWesleyIthacaCortland StateMonmouthSt. John’s (Minn.)Washington & JeffersonHobartCase WesternWartburgWabashFranklinChristopher NewportMontclair StateSt. ThomasOccidentalOtterbeinDePauw2009 Thunder Football - 99197196194182168158124122121982008 8-311-29-210-110-310-211-28-28-37-39-19-28-2

2009 WHEATON FOOTBALL YEARBOOKHead Coach Mike SwiderThe 2009 season will mark Mike Swider’s 14th as head coachand his 25th as a member of the Wheaton College football coachingstaff. Since taking over the program in 1996, Swider has posted a107-32 record with a 77.0% winning percentage, which ranks himfirst all-time in both categories among Wheaton’s 21 head footballcoaches. He also holds the seventh-highest winning percentage ofany active Division III coach and the 12th-highest winning percentage of any coach in Division III history with 10 or more years ofexperience. During Swider’s tenure as head coach, the programhas produced 25 All-Americans and 141 All-Conference players.In 2008, Swider picked up his 105th career victory to pass HarveChrouser’s school record in a 14-0 win over Trine University onNov. 22. The Thunder posted an 11-3 record that year as theyqualified for the NCAA Division III Playoffs and reached the nationalsemifinals for the first time in team history. Wheaton finished theyear ranked No. 4 nationally and the team broke 17 single-seasonand career records on the season.In the 2007 season, Swider guided Wheaton to its fourth CCIWChampionship in five seasons as he was selected by his peers asABOVE: Mike Swider has been honored as the CCIW “Coach of the Year”the CCIW “Coach of the Year” for the fourth time in his career.four times in his career and was named the American Football CoachesIn 2004, Swider led his team to its third consecutive CCIW Association (AFCA) “North Region Coach of the Year” in 2003.Championship and NCAA Division III playoffs. The 2004 seasonalso marked the third consecutive year with 10 or more wins as the Thunder finished with a 10-2 record.In 2003, Swider guided Wheaton to a school-record 12 wins and the program’s first-ever appearance in the quarterfinal round ofthe NCAA Division III Playoffs. Swider was selected as the CCIW Coach of the Year for the second straight year. He also was chosen as the Division III North Region “Coach of the Year” by the American Football Coaches Association and Football Gazette.Wheaton is 170-59-1 since Swider joined the coaching staff in 1985. He took over the head coaching reins from J.R. Bishop,who coached from 1982-95.Swider also serves as a motivational speaker to a variety of groups and he is a director for the Bishop-Dullaghan summer footballcamps. A former quarterback who threw for 1,933 yards and 15 touchdowns in four seasons, Swider graduated from Wheaton in1977. In 1978, he earned a Master’s degree at Indiana University. From 1978-85, he coached at Westminster Schools of Atlanta,a highly-respected college preparatory school. Westminster won the Class AAA State title in 1978 and made the state playoffs inthree other seasons while he was there.Swider and his wife Nancy reside in Wheaton with their threeWheaton Football Coaching Recordschildren: Justin, Michael and Hannah.Coach/No. SeasonsWLTPct.Mike Swider/12107320.770Harve Chrouser/17104348.740J.R. Bishop/1484431.660Jack Swartz/841300.577Dewey King/729340.460Vic Gustafson/614275.359Carl DeVries/31153.658Fred Walker/411144.448Jack Conley/38112.429Rex Gary/2660.500Robert Woodruff/1620.750Jasper Turnbull/2680.429Albert Graf/1531.611Ed Coray/35143.295Mal Pearson/24131.250Wendel Smith/1251.313Jim Rexilius/1270.222Cliff Schimmels/1270.222The Swider family (from left to right): Justin, head coach Mike Swider, HanGary Taylor/22160.111nah, Nancy Swider and Michael.Bob Robinson/1150.167Dave Gillespie/1170.125No Coach Known/3270.222TOTALS445328 29.5732009 Thunder Football - 8

2009 WHEATON FOOTBALL YEARBOOKAssistant CoachesRod SandbergDefensive Coordinator/Linebackers CoachRod Sandberg returns for his 15th season as an assistant coach. It will be theseventh season he serves as the defensive coordinator while continuing his roleas linebackers coach, a position he has held at Wheaton since the 1995 season.Sandberg also serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator.During his time as an assistant coach, he has coached five All-Americansand 21 All-Conference honorees. Prior to joining the Wheaton staff, Sandbergcoached at Georgetown College (Ky.) in 1993-94 and Aurora University in 1991.A 1991 graduate of Wheaton, Sandberg played defensive back for Wheaton from 1987-90.During his career he served as a 1990 team captain, he was a two-time All-CCIW selection,and as a senior received the James A. Parmalee “Most Respected” Player Award.Rod and his wife, Amy, live in Wheaton with their son Derek.The Sandberg family (Pictured from left to right): Amy Sandberg, Derek and coach Rod Sandberg.JOE DAVISOFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS COACHJoe Davis joins the Wheaton football staff for the 2009 season, as the offensive coordinator and quarterbackscoach. Davis came to Wheaton from North Park University where he has spent the previous three years as theassociate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Under his tutelage, North Park quarterbackShelby Wood set several school career records and he also established several new single-season records.Davis is a native of Brighton, Michigan and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Adrian Collegein 2002. He received a Master’s Degree in sports administration from Wayne State University (Mich.) in 2005. Prior to his time onthe North Park coaching staff, he spent three seasons as the quarterbacks coach at Wayne State.In his time as a quarterback for the Adrian football team, Davis graduated as the school’s record holder in eight different passingcategories. Among the records he set was the Bulldogs’ record for single-season passing yardage, throwing for 2,123 yards in the1999 season. He earned Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) All-Conference honors in 2001.Following his collegiate career, Davis played professionally for the Vienna Rangers in Austria where he earned All-Euro honorsin 2003, leading the league in touchdown passes. He also spent two seasons between the National Indoor Football League andthe Arena Football League. He also saw time with the Lubbock Lonestars, Evansville Bluecats and in the AFL with the Green BayBlizzard and the Columbus Destroyers.WALT WHITEHEADOFFENSIVE LINE COACHOffensive line coach Walt Whitehead returns to the Wheaton sideline for his14th season with the program. In his third stint at Wheaton, Whitehead was previously with the program from 1990-93 and again in 1999-2006. At the collegelevel, Whitehead has coached 15 All-Americans and in his time at Wheaton, hehas mentored 15 CCIW All-Conference players.Whitehead played at Purdue University from 1966-69 and was a graduate assistant therein the spring of 1970 while also being an assistant coach at Southwestern High School. During his career at Purdue, Whitehead was a member of the 1967 Rose Bowl team, and playedin the 1969 North-South Shrine Bowl. He also was awarded the Leonard Wilson “Most Respected” Player Award in 1969, and at the completion of his final season played in the 1970Hula Bowl.Whitehead’s 40-year coaching career continued as a head coach at Jefferson Morgan HighSchool (Pa.) in 1972-73 and followed with a two-year stint at Brownsville High School (Pa.).From 1976-88, he

2009 WHEATON FOOTBALL YEARBOOK 2009 Th u n d e r Fo o t b a l l - 2 W h e a t o n t h u n d e r F o o t b a l l 2009 t e a m P h o t o g r a P h Front Row (L-R): Mike Berttucci, Zach Bratkovich, Danny Hindman, Justin Carpenter, Josh Bishop, Nick Theobald, Dan Shear and Steven Lutes.