2011-12 Football News

Season
Three Willamette Football Players Chosen for Hampshire Honor Society
Three Willamette Football Players Chosen for Hampshire Honor Society

SALEM, ORE. -- Three Willamette University football players have been chosen for the sixth annual class of the Hampshire Honor Society, which was formed by the National Football Foundation in 2007. The Hampshire Honor Society recognizes college football players from all divisions who are seniors and have maintained a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or better during their collegiate careers.

Bearcats Add Game Versus Sewanee to 2012 Schedule
Bearcats Add Game Versus Sewanee to 2012 Schedule

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team has added a game against Sewanee: University of the South to its 2012 schedule. Willamette and Sewanee will play each other on Saturday, Sept. 29 in Sewanee, Tennessee. Sewanee will complete the home-and-home series by playing at Willamette in 2013.

Willamette and Menlo Cancel Football Game
Willamette and Menlo Cancel Football Game

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University and Menlo College (Calif.) have decided to cancel the football game between the two teams originally scheduled for Sept. 29 at McCulloch Stadium.

Willamette Announces 2012 Football Schedule
Willamette Announces 2012 Football Schedule

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University's Glen Fowles has announced the 2012 football schedule in what will be his first season as the team's head coach. The schedule features five home games, as well as five games on the road.

Willamette Hires Sheppard as Offensive Coordinator for Football Team
Willamette Hires Sheppard as Offensive Coordinator for Football Team

SALEM, ORE. -- Brian Sheppard has been hired by Willamette University as the offensive coordinator for the Bearcat football team, Head Coach Glen Fowles announced today. Sheppard also will serve as the teamâ??s quarterbacks coach.

Willamette Promotes Glen Fowles to Head Football Coach
Willamette Promotes Glen Fowles to Head Football Coach

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University has promoted Glen Fowles to be the head football coach of the Bearcats, Athletic Director David Rigsby announced today. Fowles previously was the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Bearcats. He replaces Mark Speckman, who resigned last week to become the head football coach at Menlo College.

Willamette to Hold Press Conference to Introduce New Head Football Coach
Willamette to Hold Press Conference to Introduce New Head Football Coach

SALEM, ORE. â?? Willamette University will hold a press conference to introduce its new head football coach on Tuesday, January 17 at 12 p.m. (PST) in the Kremer Board Room in Ford Hall (Room 102) on the Willamette campus. Athletic Director David Rigsby will introduce the new coach.

Full Access Sports Interviews David Rigsby
Full Access Sports Interviews David Rigsby

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University's official web streaming partner, Full Access Sports, set up a telephone interview with WU Athletic Director David Rigsby on Friday, Jan. 13. Rigsby and Craig Spivey of Full Access Sports discussed the departure of long-time head football coach Mark Speckman and the search for his replacement.

Head Football Coach Mark Speckman Resigns
Head Football Coach Mark Speckman Resigns

SALEM, ORE. -- Long-time Willamette University football Head Coach Mark Speckman, who has been with the Bearcats since being hired as the offensive coordinator in 1995, has resigned to take on a coaching position at another institution. A public announcement regarding his new position will be made on Thursday, Jan. 12. An updated story will be posted once additional information is available.

Head Football Coach Mark Speckman is Hired by Menlo College
Head Football Coach Mark Speckman is Hired by Menlo College

SALEM, ORE. â?? Willamette University football Head Coach Mark Speckman, who has been with the Bearcats for 17 seasons, including 14 years as the head coach, has resigned to become the head football coach at Menlo College, in Atherton, Calif. Speckman attended Menlo as a student and graduated in 1977 when it was a junior college. Menlo is now a four-year college that competes in the NAIA.

Abney Plays in Tazon de Estrellas
Abney Plays in Tazon de Estrellas

PUEBLA, MEXICO -- Jamiere Abney (Sr., TB, Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS) from Willamette University played in the 2011 Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars), but didn't record any statistics, as the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico defeated Team Stars & Stripes, 45-27, on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Abney Selected to play for Team Stars & Stripes in Tazon de Estrellas
Abney Selected to play for Team Stars & Stripes in Tazon de Estrellas

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior tailback Jamiere Abney (Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS) has been selected to play for the NCAA Division III All-Star team that will take on the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico in the 2011 Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) on Saturday, Dec. 17 in Toluca, Mexico. Abney and the other U.S. players will compete for Team Stars & Stripes.

San Francisco Chronicle Features Speckman in Article about 49ers
San Francisco Chronicle Features Speckman in Article about 49ers

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University football Head Coach Mark Speckman is generally considered the nation's expert on the Fly Offense. After all, it's Speckman who took a few plays involving a flanker going in motion and turned them into a complete offense, which he has used throughout his career as a high school and college head coach.

Pacific Lutheran Defeats Willamette in Defensive Battle, 13-6
Pacific Lutheran Defeats Willamette in Defensive Battle, 13-6

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific Lutheran University held Willamette University to just two field goals, as the Lutes defeated the Bearcats, 13-6, in a defensive battle at McCulloch Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12. The Lutes concluded their season at 6-3 overall, 4-2 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the year with a 4-6 record, including 3-3 in the NWC.

Rosselli Selected for D3football.com Team of the Week
Rosselli Selected for D3football.com Team of the Week

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University sophomore inside linebacker Jaden Rosselli (Santa Rosa, CA/Santa Rosa HS) has been named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for his defensive play in the Bearcat's 57-28 win over previously undefeated Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Rosselli is Chosen as NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week
Rosselli is Chosen as NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University sophomore inside linebacker Jaden Rosselli (Santa Rosa, CA/Santa Rosa HS) has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in the Bearcat's 57-28 win over previously undefeated Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, Nov. 5.