The Anderson University athletic department, athletic director Marcie Taylor and head football coach Steve Rock have tabbed Eric Lantz as the offensive coordinator.

Lantz spent the last four years as an assistant coach at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In those four years, Lantz served three seasons as the wide receivers coach and one season as the defensive backs coach. Prior to arriving at Rose-Hulman, Lantz spent the previous two seasons as the offensive quality control coach at NCAA Division I’s Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

“I am excited to welcome Coach Lantz to the Raven Football Family,” Steve Rock said. “Eric’s previous coaching experiences have prepared him well for his new role of offensive coordinator. Eric impressed me in the interview process through the way he has his offensive scheme organized in an easy way for the players to understand. Coach Lantz has extensive recruiting experience on a national level and takes great pride in his recruiting efforts.”

Lantz coached the wide receivers in his first three years with the Fightin’ Engineers. On game days, Lantz helped identify opponents’ coverages and outside pressures from the press box. Lantz also provided assistance with the punt return team. He coached a first-team all-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) selection in each of his three years as the wide receivers coach. In 2017, Rose-Hulman closed out the season ranked 13th in the nation in total offense. The Fightin’ Engineers also ranked fifth in the nation in red zone offense during the 2019 season.

While at Rose-Hulman, Lantz mentored Raymond Burtnick and Noah Thomas. Burtnick tallied 15 touchdown receptions in 2017, which tied for ninth in the nation. Thomas ranked eighth among NCAA Division III leaders in all-purpose yards in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He also ranked eighth in the nation in receiving yards per game and receptions per game in 2018.

As a defensive backs coach during the Spring 2021 season, Lantz was in charge of developing multiple defensive coverages. Lantz filled the role of Rose-Hulman’s pass game coordinator, which is responsible for defending the opponents’ pass game, especially on third down. He coached a first-team all-HCAC recipient and two second-team all-HCAC recipients. Lantz also served as the punt return coordinator, which allowed the fewest yards per punt return in the conference. He spent three years as the junior varsity team’s head coach and offensive coordinator. Lantz also served as a video coordinator for three years and the team’s graphic designer for four years.

While at Miami University, Lantz assisted with quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends. He provided analysis on opponents’ defensive fronts during different offensive situations. Lantz assisted in coaching the team’s kick and punt return teams.

During the Summer of 2016, Lantz served as the wide receivers coach at USA Football Development Games in Canton, Ohio. He coached high school athletes and ran drills on the fundamentals of the game.

Lantz received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Miami in 2015. He then earned a Master of Science in Physical Education/Coaching from Indiana State University in 2019.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.

https://athletics.anderson.edu/sports/fball/2021-22/releases/20210804fvmate

CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) released the following statement regarding initial policies and the league’s planned approach to competition for the 2021-22 season.

The HCAC Council of Presidents recently approved three COVID-19 policies ahead of the 2021-22 season.  These policies anticipate continued positive data trends of individuals that have received the COVID-19 vaccination and the recommendations for less testing requirements of vaccinated individuals.  The policies are thus aimed at encouraging all student-athletes to receive vaccinations, ensuring that the HCAC can conduct all sports in a safe environment and within the traditional season framework in the year ahead.  These policies are being released in advance of the determination of fall testing requirements, therefore some of the practical questions about timing of testing, local requirements, etc. will not be able to be answered until closer to the start of the season.

• Any individual choosing to remain unvaccinated for COVID-19 and wishing to participate in intercollegiate athletics within the HCAC must be tested and provide proof of negative COVID-19 test results in accordance with the testing frequency and type established by the respective institution and consistent with HCAC recommendations.  Any cost associating in administering these tests will not be provided by the institutions and instead will be the responsibility of each unvaccinated individual.  Institutions may exercise autonomy in choosing to reimburse testing costs for those students, coaches or institutional employees that are unable to be vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons.  The HCAC office will exercise this same authority with game officials that are unable to be vaccinated.

• Any contest that is unable to be completed due to COVID related roster issues will automatically be considered a forfeit for purposes of HCAC league standings (a loss for the team unable to compete and a win for the opposing team).  The game will not be able to be rescheduled.

• Spectator policies:  At this time, the HCAC does not plan to have conference wide limitations on spectator attendance.  In addition, at present, no member institution is planning on attendance limitations.  Decisions related to masking and distancing requirements will be determined by each campus.

The conference office and institutional leadership will continue to monitor developments related to COVID, and all policies are subject to change.

For more information on all things HCAC, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the HCAC’s home on the internet at www.heartlandconf.org. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference news by following @HCACDIII on Twitter and by liking the “HCAC DIII” Facebook page.

https://athletics.anderson.edu/general/2021-22/releases/20210730gm1e5e

Anderson University men’s basketball players Phil Bessick and Dalton DuBois were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court, which was announced on Tuesday.

Bessick has earned NABC Honors Court recognition in both years he has been eligible. DuBois was selected to the NABC Honors Court in his first year of eligibility.

The NABC recognizes men’s basketball players who are at least a junior in academic standing, have completed at least two semesters at their current institution and hold at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA.

https://athletics.anderson.edu/sports/mbkb/2020-21/releases/20210728nlomkv

The Anderson University men’s basketball program and head coach Owen Handy have announced the promotion of assistant coach Jalen Johnson on the Anderson men’s basketball staff.

Johnson will be entering his second year as an Anderson assistant coach. He competed for the Ravens from 2018-20 and spent the 2017-18 season at Presentation College. Johnson graduated from Anderson in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport & Recreational Leadership.

“I’m pleased to promote Jalen on our coaching staff,” Coach Owen Handy said. “He was a savvy and knowledgeable player, and has shown a quick aptitude for communicating what he knows. I’m excited to see him keep continuing to grow as a coach.”

https://athletics.anderson.edu/sports/mbkb/2020-21/releases/20210728m08j12

The Anderson University women’s basketball program and head coach Jon Gin have announced that the Anderson women’s basketball Elite Camp is set to debut on Aug. 7.

“I’m excited to be hosting our Elite Camp,” Gin said. “Camps are the perfect way for recruits to get an inside look at our program and what we are all about. Camps also allow our team to come together in the summer and give back to the Anderson Community. Hopefully this is just the first of many.”

The camp is offered for grades 9-12 and is set to start at 11 a.m. in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium. Registration is $60. In the morning, players will take part in stations, which include ball handling, shooting, defense, pick and roll, and posting up. During the afternoon, players will be competing in 5-on-5 games. The camp also provides the opportunity to visit campus and meet the team.

Players interested in the Elite Camp can register here.

https://athletics.anderson.edu/sports/wbkb/2020-21/releases/20210716j2jz1a