Tuesday, March 24, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – Guests for episode 58 of GNAC Insider included Simon Fraser director of athletics and recreation Dr. Milt Richards, Montana State Billings second baseman Brody Miller and Saint Martin’s catcher Chandler Tracy.

Dr. Richards is in his third full year leading Clan athletics. Recently, Simon Fraser moved up to seventh in the Division II Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, which is a competition that measures the overall success of a collegiate athletics program. The seventh-place ranking is the highest the Clan has ever reached since joining the NCAA in 2010. After a successful fall season that saw the Clan 18th in the standings, SFU teams posted three top 25 national finishes including a seventh place finish for the women’s indoor track and field team. Dr. Richards also welcomed two new coaches to the Clan family in Clint Schneider for men’s soccer and Kelly Bates for football. Richards talked about how proud he was of SFU' athletics program, along with the coaches and athletes that brought them to the seventh ranking.

Miller is in his senior season with the Yellowjackets. One of the most decorated hitters in MSUB and GNAC history, Miller has led the ‘Jackets to a 6-5 conference record where they sit in second place. The second baseman recently moved into fifth on the GNAC’s all-time hits list with 223 after a five-hit performance last weekend. Miller also has an outstanding glove as he is third all-time in the GNAC in assists with 423. MSUB earned Red Lion Hotels co-Team of the Week honors for its sweep of NNU last week which included two shutouts from the ‘Jackets. Miller discussed his teams performance last weekend and about his future aspirations to continue playing.

Tracy is also in his senior season with the Saints. With 40 career home runs, Tracy is the king of the long ball in the GNAC. He leads the conference in homers with nine this season while also topping the GNAC in runs scored, walks and slugging percentage. He reached the 40-home run mark this weekend in helping his Saints sweep Central Washington to move into third place in the conference standings. Saint Martin’s performance earned it the Red Lion Hotels co-Team of the Week. The stage is set for a battle between the two Team of the Week squads as the Saints travel to MSUB for its home opener Friday and Saturday. Tracy talked about owning the GNAC's home run title and about the team effort in the sweep last weekend.

GNAC Insider airs live at 7 p.m. Pacific time every Tuesday and is produced by the conference office. All episodes become available as free podcasts via iTunes, and for archived listening via GNAC.TV.