“We are very excited about Summer coming to Briar Cliff,” said Briar Cliff head coach Mike Power.  “She brings great strength and athleticism to our team.  She plays a physical game and will be a nice compliment to our squad.”

The 5-9 forward averaged 15.1 ppg and 8.3 rpg this past season for the Stars, after playing her previous three varsity seasons at West High School.  Following her senior season, the 1,000-point scorer was selected to play in both the IGCA and IBCA all-star games. 

For the Stars, Gordon earned first team all-conference, first team all-Metro, first team all-Western Iowa, first team all-Northwest Iowa Honor and first team Iowa Girls Coaches’ Association All-District.  The Iowa Basketball Coaches’ Association All-Region team member  was also named third team Iowa Newspaper Association All-State and third team Iowa Girls Coaches Association All-State. 

For the Wolverines, she was a two-time first team all-Northwest Iowa choice and a two-time first team Iowa Basketball Coaches’ Association all-Metro selection.  She garnered second team all-conference accolafes as a sophomore and first team honors, junior year.  Aside from basketball, Gordon also earned two varsity letter in track.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – -

“We appreciate Cully’s hard work and contributions to the Iowa basketball program the last two years,” said McCaffery.  “We are thankful for Cully that he has been able to make a full recovery from his injury and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

Payne started the first 37 games of his career, before suffering a season-ending sports hernia injury after playing the first five games this past season.  The native of Schaumburg, Ill., averaged eight points and 3.8 assists while wearing a Hawkeye uniform.

 “I’m extremely thankful to the University and Hawkeye fans that have been supportive,” said Payne.  “My family and I felt like this decision was best for me moving forward.  I truly appreciate the experience I was offered and wish my teammates nothing but the best in the future.”

 KMART PRESENTS

RAW WORLD TOUR

Tyson Events Center – Sioux City, IA  

SATURDAY, May 28^th – 7:30 PM

JOHN CENA vs. THE MIZ

WWE Championship Match

RANDY ORTON vs. CM PUNK

Fan’s Choice Match – Submission Match or Falls Count Anywhere

SHEAMUS

DANIEL BRYAN

JOHN MORRISON

SANTINO MARELLA

SIN CARA

EVAN BOURNE

THE NEXUS

Card subject to change

PLUS many more of your favorite WWE RAW Superstars

Ticket prices: $60, $45, $35, $25, $15

Tickets available at Tyson Events Center Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have a quality coach and person like Nic ready to assume the leadership of this program,” said Gast.  “Todd has done a fantastic job preparing Nic for this challenge.  We anticipate an exciting future for our men’s basketball program and look forward to watching Nic develop into a great head coach.”

Nelson just finished up his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Charger basketball program.  In four seasons, Nelson has helped the Chargers to a 91-38 record and a pair of national tournament appearances.  The Chargers have regularly contended for the conference crown and have been a regular in the NAIA Div. II Men’s Basketball Top 25 Polls.  This past season, the Chargers were ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation, qualified for the national tournament and finished with a record of 23-9.

“I am really excited about this opportunity,” said Nelson.  “Briar Cliff is an excellent university with a great basketball tradition.  My goal is to build on the legacy that has been established over the years from Coach (Ray) Nacke through Coach (Todd) Barry.”

Nelson takes over the program from Barry, who produced a record of 139-80 in seven seasons.  The 2010-11 campaign was the program’s 45^th season of competition.  The program has produced 821 victories, 35 winning seasons, 18 national tournament appearances and four National Basketball Association draft picks. 

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to have worked for Coach Barry these past four years, and I learned a great deal from him.  I would also like to thank President (Beverly) Wharton and Steve Gast for giving me the opportunity to continue to be a part of the Briar Cliff family,” said Nelson.

Nelson came to Briar Cliff from Central College, where he served as an assistant coach for three seasons.  There, he assisted in making the program competitive within the Iowa Conference and helped the Dutch to their best record and conference finish in more than a decade.  With the entire starting five he helped recruit to Central leading the way, the Dutch won the 2009-10 regular season and conference tournament championship for the first time in fifteen years.  Prior to Central, Nelson was the varsity boys’ basketball coach at Ogden High School, where he guided the Bulldogs to a record of 39-10 over two years. Following the 2003-04 season, he was tabbed as the Mid-Iowa Coach of the Year.  During the 2000-01 season, he served as the sophomore boys’ coach at Sioux City West High School.

The 2001 Morningside graduate was a four-year baseball letterwinner for the Mustangs.  The two-time team MVP went on to play two seasons of professional baseball, including a season with the Sioux City Explorers in 2000.  The former four-sport standout at Central Lyon High School holds a master’s degree in health science from Fort Hays State University.  Nelson and his wife, Michelle, reside in Sioux City with their two daughters, Grace and Claire.