Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Article on 1st yr Mustang Tony Spiridis

by Rusty Haines- My Kawartha.com

For link Click Here

Basketball player taking his game to the next level




Tony Spiridis. Thomas A. Stewart's Tony Spiridis pushes past IE Weldon player D. Marchen during the Kawartha senior boys basketball championship game at Kenner Collegiate on Wednesday (Feb. 23). TAS defeated Weldon 41-35. lance anderson/this week
Peterborough cager Tony Spiridis has taken his game to the next level.
The Thomas A Stewart grad has moved on from his high school gym to compete in the Ontario University Athletic men’s basketball league as a member of the University of Western Ontario Mustangs.
The “Stangs” are one of the country’s foremost university athletic programs, funding 38 varsity programs. The basketball programs alone account for 24 provincial championships over the years.
As excited as he is with his addition the team, Spiridis comments that it was the other things that Western provides that sealed his decision to become a Mustang.
“It offers good academics along with its athletic opportunities,” says Spiridis. “It was a good fit.”
Spiridis was accepted in Western’s Management and Organizational Studies program.
Throughout Spiridis’ high school basketball career his skills always spoke for themselves, but it’s the intangibles that are the first to be mentioned when discussing this Peterborough hard court standout.
“He picks things up very quickly,” remarks Mustangs’ head coach Brad Campbell, on how impressed he was with the Peterborough local made.
“He has a very high basketball IQ.”
The 6’4” Spiridis is also credited for being a team leader off and on the court during his high school career while guiding the TASS Griffins to three Central Ontario championships and to the provincial championships twice.
The Mustangs coaching staff feels that Spiridis has a huge amount of potential and in time will expand his role as his development as a player continues.
Campbell was also impressed with the impression that Spiridis made off the court.
“He’s an outstanding young man.”
It’s these attributes that cemented coach Campbell’s decision to offer Spiridis a spot on the 2011-12 roster.
The 19-year-old’s journey to the OUA began when his high school coach, Craig Muir, assisted Spiridis in setting up a trip to London.
A point guard in his final year of high school, the Western rookie will return to the more natural position of small forward when he joins the young Mustangs squad with hopes of rebounding from a tough, character building 2010 season.
Western began last season ranked sixth in the country, but as the season progressed, injuries and illness sidelined a number players contributing to their early exit in the playoffs against the eventual league champions, Lakehead University.
In discussing his goals, Spiridis is realistic and understanding of his first-year role.
“I want to improve my overall game and play as many minutes as I can," says the rookie.
The Mustangs kicked off their season in early August facing Michigan’s Oakland University and the University of St Louis, who is coached by basketball legend Rick Majerus.
Oakland and St Louis compete in the NCAA, the American college league.
Regular season play begins Nov. 11 versus York University at Alumni Hall, in London

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Mustangs Take Time For Paintball Team Building






Friday Sept 23 The Mustangs took some time out for some team building at Flagswipe Outdoor Paintball just outside London. The Mustangs were separated into two teams the Vets and the Rookies. Competitions took place on the various playing fields on Flagswipe's complex. In the end the two groups tied 3-3 in the 3hr event.  Thanks to the Flagswipe staff. 

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Mustangs Select Team Captains For 2011-2012

#10 Peter Scoltes
#6 Ryan Barbeau 

In a team meeting on Monday September 19th the Mustangs selected 5th yr guard Ryan Barbeau (5'10, Belleville) and 2nd yr forward Peter Scholtes (6'5, London) as their team captains for the 2011-2012 season.

Barbeau enters his final year with the Mustangs and boasts an impressive resume. The former 2009-10 2nd team OUA West All-Star also was a team member of two past CIS National Semi Final Mustang teams in 2008 and 2009. Barbeau averaged 14.4 ppg, 3.8rpg and 4.1apg last season. "Ryan is the most expereinced player on our team and is a former league all-star. Ryan continues to be an extension of the coaching staff on the floor and has done a great job helping his younger teammates" comments Coach Campbell.

Scholtes an OUA West All-Rookie Team selection last season has impressed early on vs NCAA competition this season scoring 17pts vs Oakland on Aug. 16 and 21pts vs St. Louis on Aug 23rd. Scholtes averaged 9.3 ppg and 4.0 rpg last season. "Peter is an emerging star in our league and has established himself as our vocal leader. Pete's work ethic and basketball IQ also commands the respect of his teammates" said Coach Campbell.

Next up for the Mustangs is their annual Alumni Game Friday September 30 at 8pm Alumni Hall 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

2011 Open Try-out Information

All candidates Meeting Monday Sept. 5 5pm Thames Hall Rm 3101 - if you plan on trying out you must attend.

To be eligible for Intercollegiate Sports, individuals must have a minimum of 3 full or equivalent courses. Graduate and transfer students, with some exceptions, are eligible for most sports. Students should check with the coach of their sport for specific requirements related to eligibility
Date(s), times and locations are subject to change, please make sure to check with the coach or the athletic office, 661-3551, Room 3170, Thames Hall or E-mail us at (mustangs@uwo.ca) for final details.

ALL PROSPECTIVE ATHLETES MUST CONTACT THE COACH BEFORE COMING TO TRYOUTS AND MUST ADHERE TO THE MEDICAL TRYOUT REQUIREMENTS LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: http://www.westernmustangs.ca/sports/2011/6/24/Medical_Info.aspx?tab=athletecoachform


SportCOACH/PHONE #TEAM MEETING INFORMATION
Basketball (Men)
Brad Campbell
Room 2146, Thames Hall
519-850-2416
bcampbe5@uwo.ca
Tryout Meeting: (All candidates required to attend)
Monday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m., in Thames Hall, Room 3101. Tryouts will begin Tuesday Sept. 13.