May 18, 2023
BOSTON — Max Strus had spent two seasons punishing defenders as a shooting guard at Lewis University, a Division II school in Romeoville, Ill., before he delivered some news to his coach that was not entirely unexpected: He wanted to transfer to a major Division I program. For the coach, Scott Trost, it was bittersweet. He was sad to see Strus go, but he also knew that Strus was ready for his next challenge. “And who’s to say if he would be where he is today if he didn’t make that move?” Trost said. On Wednesday night, seven years after he transferred to DePaul and nearly four years after he matriculated to the N.B.A. G League as an undrafted free agent, Strus was sinking 3-pointers and making defensive stops for the Miami Heat in their 123-116 victory over the Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. But perhaps the oddest part about his unlikely presence was that it was not odd at all — at least not for the Heat, who have a league-high nine undrafted players on their 17-man roster. On Wednesday, three of those players — Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin — scored 15 points each while combining to shoot 16 of 27 from the field. “I think it’s something unique that we’ve all gone through,” said Vincent, the team’s starting point guard, “and we know how difficult it can be. So we just try to motivate each other and keep each other going.”
Image
Miami Heat guard Max Strus, left, has gone from a two-way player to one of the Heat’s best 3-point shooters.Credit...Charles Krupa/Associated Press
The conference finals have coincided with pre-draft buzz of the highest (and tallest) order. On Tuesday, as N.B.A. hopefuls began to cycle through Chicago for the league’s scouting combine, the San Antonio Spurs landed the No. 1 pick in the draft, set for June 22 at Barclays Center. Barring a cosmic catastrophe, the Spurs will select Victor Wembanyama , a 7-foot-4 teenager from France and the most celebrated prospect since LeBron James. A gifted player who has size and skill, along with an innate feel for the game — yes, he really did tip-dunk his own 3-point miss earlier this season — Wembanyama could be a transformational force for the Spurs. But beyond Wembanyama and the rest of this year’s picks, teams have another roster-building option at their disposal: plumbing the pool of the undrafted, a strategy that has proved increasingly viable as basketball continues to expand its global reach and more talent rises to the surface. “When you’re in that position, you’re willing to do anything,” said Martin, who was an all-conference player at Nevada but went undrafted in 2019. “And I think more teams are starting to appreciate that.”
Consider that 126 undrafted players, representing about a quarter of the league, found their way onto N.B.A. rosters this season. But no team leaned on the overshadowed, the snubbed and the slighted more than the Heat did, with undrafted players scoring a league-high 33.8 percent of the team’s points during the regular season, according to N.B.A. Advanced Stats. The Nets ranked second in that category, with undrafted players accounting for 24 percent of the team’s points. Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra noted that two of his best players — Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, who has been sidelined with a broken hand since the first round — were high first-round picks. Forward Jimmy Butler, who was brilliant on Wednesday, collecting 35 points, 7 assists and 6 steals, joined the team in a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. But he was a late first-round pick, by Chicago, in 2011. In other words, the Heat like name-brand stars, too. Some teams, like Oklahoma City and San Antonio, have stockpiled draft picks through trades, but the Heat have not. Instead, Spoelstra said, the team has needed to be creative about how to fill out its roster. Many of Miami’s undrafted players have come up through its G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce . Spoelstra said players in the G League or from overseas are often just as talented as some N.B.A. reserves. “It’s all about timing and fit, and what a player’s fortitude is,” he said, adding: “If you have a big dream and want to be challenged, we feel like this can be the place for a lot of those kinds of guys.”
Image
Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem, center, rarely plays now, in his 20th season, but he unleashed a vintage performance on April 9 with 24 points. He’s retiring after the playoffs.Credit...Lynne Sladky/Associated Press
And if Spoelstra needs any help gauging (or enhancing) that fortitude, he can turn to Udonis Haslem, a power forward who went undrafted in 2002, spent his first professional season in France and joined the Heat the following year. Now 42, Haslem has been with Miami ever since . “I think organizations are doing a better job of doing their homework and not just assuming, because a guy didn’t get drafted, that he can’t help you win,” Haslem said. “You can’t measure character or discipline or accountability at the draft combine, and a lot of those things sometimes get overlooked.”
Haslem has played sparingly in recent seasons, but he has outsize influence in the locker room, including as the self-appointed dean of the undrafted. Those who are new to the team get a one-on-one conversation with Haslem, who tells them about his three championship rings and about how anything is possible. But they had better be prepared to work, because Haslem will be watching. “I take it personally when an undrafted guy comes here,” he said. “I want them to be successful because I feel like that’s a piece of my legacy.”
His legacy now includes the likes of Vincent, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee as a junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was early in his rehab when Joe Pasternack was hired as the team’s new coach. “The first call I got,” Pasternack said, “was from Gabe Vincent saying: ‘Coach, tell me what you need me to do. Do you need me to call the players? Set up a team meeting?’ That left an impression.”
Vincent was back in uniform for the start of his senior season. But after averaging just 12.4 points a game, he landed in the G League with the Stockton Kings. A few weeks into Vincent’s first season there, Pasternack had an opening for a full-time assistant and offered him the job. Pasternack believed in Vincent as a player, but he also knew he was grinding away without any guarantees. Image
Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent hurt his knee in college and went undrafted.Credit...Bob Dechiara/USA Today Sports Via Reuters Con
“I just saw so many kids in the G League not going anywhere,” Pasternack said. “But I also thought he was such an unbelievable leader that he’d be a great assistant coach.”
Vincent politely declined the offer. “I was sort of like ‘Joe, what are you talking about?’” Vincent recalled, laughing. “I don’t know why he keeps telling that story, and I’ve told him that: ‘Joe, this does not make you look good!’”
Vincent signed a two-way deal with the Heat during the 2019-20 season and slowly began to work his way into the rotation. He averaged a career-high 9.4 points a game this season. He is due for a significant payday this summer as an unrestricted free agent. Strus thought he could someday make a living playing basketball in Europe. That was the goal when he was at Lewis University. It was not until his second day on campus after transferring to DePaul that his mind-set changed. Dave Leitao, who was then the team’s coach, told him that he could have a future in the N.B.A. “It was huge,” Strus said. “I’d never been told that in my life.”
As a first-year pro during the 2019-20 season, Strus was cut by the Celtics and then tore his left A.C.L. in a game with the G League’s Windy City Bulls. He signed a two-way deal with the Heat the following season. On Wednesday, he grabbed the game’s final rebound. “I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity they’ve given me here,” he said. Advertisement

The Miami Heat’s Undrafted Players Are Their Secret Weapon

The Miami Heat’s Undrafted Players Are Their Secret Weapon
BOSTON — Max Strus had spent two seasons punishing defenders as a shooting guard at Lewis University, a Division II school in Romeoville, Ill., before he delivered some news to his coach that was not entirely unexpected: He wanted to transfer to a major Division I program. For the coach, Scott Trost, it was bittersweet. He was sad to see Strus go, but he also knew that Strus was ready for his next challenge. “And who’s to say if he would be where he is today if he didn’t make that move?” Trost said. On Wednesday night, seven years after he transferred to DePaul and nearly four years after he matriculated to the N.B.A. G League as an undrafted free agent, Strus was sinking 3-pointers and making defensive stops for the Miami Heat in their 123-116 victory over the Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. But perhaps the oddest part about his unlikely presence was that it was not odd at all — at least not for the Heat, who have a league-high nine undrafted players on their 17-man roster. On Wednesday, three of those players — Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin — scored 15 points each while combining to shoot 16 of 27 from the field. “I think it’s something unique that we’ve all gone through,” said Vincent, the team’s starting point guard, “and we know how difficult it can be. So we just try to motivate each other and keep each other going.”
The conference finals have coincided with pre-draft buzz of the highest (and tallest) order. On Tuesday, as N.B.A. hopefuls began to cycle through Chicago for the league’s scouting combine, the San Antonio Spurs landed the No. 1 pick in the draft, set for June 22 at Barclays Center. Barring a cosmic catastrophe, the Spurs will select Victor Wembanyama , a 7-foot-4 teenager from France and the most celebrated prospect since LeBron James. A gifted player who has size and skill, along with an innate feel for the game — yes, he really did tip-dunk his own 3-point miss earlier this season — Wembanyama could be a transformational force for the Spurs. But beyond Wembanyama and the rest of this year’s picks, teams have another roster-building option at their disposal: plumbing the pool of the undrafted, a strategy that has proved increasingly viable as basketball continues to expand its global reach and more talent rises to the surface. “When you’re in that position, you’re willing to do anything,” said Martin, who was an all-conference player at Nevada but went undrafted in 2019. “And I think more teams are starting to appreciate that.”
Consider that 126 undrafted players, representing about a quarter of the league, found their way onto N.B.A. rosters this season. But no team leaned on the overshadowed, the snubbed and the slighted more than the Heat did, with undrafted players scoring a league-high 33.8 percent of the team’s points during the regular season, according to N.B.A. Advanced Stats. The Nets ranked second in that category, with undrafted players accounting for 24 percent of the team’s points. Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra noted that two of his best players — Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, who has been sidelined with a broken hand since the first round — were high first-round picks. Forward Jimmy Butler, who was brilliant on Wednesday, collecting 35 points, 7 assists and 6 steals, joined the team in a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. But he was a late first-round pick, by Chicago, in 2011. In other words, the Heat like name-brand stars, too. Some teams, like Oklahoma City and San Antonio, have stockpiled draft picks through trades, but the Heat have not. Instead, Spoelstra said, the team has needed to be creative about how to fill out its roster. Many of Miami’s undrafted players have come up through its G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce . Spoelstra said players in the G League or from overseas are often just as talented as some N.B.A. reserves. “It’s all about timing and fit, and what a player’s fortitude is,” he said, adding “If you have a big dream and want to be challenged, we feel like this can be the place for a lot of those kinds of guys.”
And if Spoelstra needs any help gauging (or enhancing) that fortitude, he can turn to Udonis Haslem, a power forward who went undrafted in 2002, spent his first professional season in France and joined the Heat the following year. Now 42, Haslem has been with Miami ever since . “I think organizations are doing a better job of doing their homework and not just assuming, because a guy didn’t get drafted, that he can’t help you win,” Haslem said. “You can’t measure character or discipline or accountability at the draft combine, and a lot of those things sometimes get overlooked.”
Haslem has played sparingly in recent seasons, but he has outsize influence in the locker room, including as the self-appointed dean of the undrafted. Those who are new to the team get a one-on-one conversation with Haslem, who tells them about his three championship rings and about how anything is possible. But they had better be prepared to work, because Haslem will be watching. “I take it personally when an undrafted guy comes here,” he said. “I want them to be successful because I feel like that’s a piece of my legacy.”
His legacy now includes the likes of Vincent, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee as a junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was early in his rehab when Joe Pasternack was hired as the team’s new coach. “The first call I got,” Pasternack said, “was from Gabe Vincent saying: ‘Coach, tell me what you need me to do. Do you need me to call the players? Set up a team meeting?’ That left an impression.”
Vincent was back in uniform for the start of his senior season. But after averaging just 12.4 points a game, he landed in the G League with the Stockton Kings. A few weeks into Vincent’s first season there, Pasternack had an opening for a full-time assistant and offered him the job. Pasternack believed in Vincent as a player, but he also knew he was grinding away without any guarantees. “I just saw so many kids in the G League not going anywhere,” Pasternack said. “But I also thought he was such an unbelievable leader that he’d be a great assistant coach.”
Vincent politely declined the offer. “I was sort of like ‘Joe, what are you talking about?’” Vincent recalled, laughing. “I don’t know why he keeps telling that story, and I’ve told him that: ‘Joe, this does not make you look good!’”
Vincent signed a two-way deal with the Heat during the 2019-20 season and slowly began to work his way into the rotation. He averaged a career-high 9.4 points a game this season. He is due for a significant payday this summer as an unrestricted free agent. Strus thought he could someday make a living playing basketball in Europe. That was the goal when he was at Lewis University. It was not until his second day on campus after transferring to DePaul that his mind-set changed. Dave Leitao, who was then the team’s coach, told him that he could have a future in the N.B.A. “It was huge,” Strus said. “I’d never been told that in my life.”
As a first-year pro during the 2019-20 season, Strus was cut by the Celtics and then tore his left A.C.L. in a game with the G League’s Windy City Bulls. He signed a two-way deal with the Heat the following season. On Wednesday, he grabbed the game’s final rebound. “I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity they’ve given me here,” he said.

Published April 26, 2023
Dive Brief:
Lewis University, a Catholic institution in Illinois, will take over St. Augustine College, another private nonprofit institution in the state, the colleges announced Tuesday. The institutions’ respective governing boards unanimously approved the deal, which is still subject to state, federal and accreditor approvals. St. Augustine officials said they expect the merger to formally wrap up by the end of this year and that the two institutions will operate under the Lewis name by spring 2024. Both colleges said students should see no disruption while they wait for the regulatory green light. Dive Insight:
The colleges cast the merger as a way for Lewis — which at 6,500 students is the eighth largest private nonprofit college in Illinois — to reach more bilingual learners and Hispanic students in the greater Chicago area, where St. Augustine is based. St. Augustine, founded in 1980, was the first bilingual higher education institution in the Midwest. However, like many small private nonprofits in recent years, it has suffered continual enrollment declines, dropping from more than 1,500 students in fall 2010 to about 730 in fall 2021, according to the latest available federal data. Several other small colleges announced in the last couple of months they will either close or merge, often citing challenges recruiting students and managing pandemic-induced financial stress. Compared to St. Augustine, Lewis is a larger institution. It was founded in 1932 as Holy Name Technical School, an exclusively male institution that opened with 15 students. Not until the 1960s did Lewis start shifting into the Lasallian tradition. Lasallian institutions are affiliated with the De La Salle Brothers, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order. Lewis also experienced rapid growth, reaching 2,000 students by 1970. Around this time, the university considered a merger with what was then the College of St. Francis, another Illinois institution now known as the University of St. Francis. Now Lewis is the one expanding with its acquisition of the St. Augustine campus. Lewis has three other campuses, including one in New Mexico. “Our two institutions are well-matched in mission and values,” David Livingston, Lewis University’s president, said in a statement. “We fill a unique niche within higher education, serving students from all walks of life with affordable programs that deliver a liberal arts core and an emphasis on career and workforce preparation.”
In their statements on the merger, both institutions drew attention to Chicago’s fast-growing Hispanic and Latino population. Latino people will comprise more than 30% of the region’s population by 2040, according to the Chicago government . “And yet only about 30 percent of Hispanic adults in Illinois have a college credential,” St. Augustine officials said. “By equipping our students for success in today’s marketplace, we can be important in building an equitable, economically thriving Chicagoland.”

Lewis University to absorb St. Augustine College

April 26, 2023
The renowned institutions unite around strengths and shared sense of mission
ROMEOVILLE, Ill.–( BUSINESS WIRE )–The presidents of Lewis University and St. Augustine College today announced a plan to merge both institutions, with both Boards of Trustees unanimously approving the decision. The schools will now submit an application to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to make St. Augustine College a part of Lewis University. The joining of both schools is centered around a shared mission to expand access and opportunity for students who are often underrepresented and underserved in traditional higher education. “Our two institutions are well-matched in mission and values,” said Dr. David Livingston, Lewis University president. “We fill a unique niche within higher education, serving students from all walks of life with affordable programs that deliver a liberal arts core and an emphasis on career and workforce preparation. Through this merger, we will build upon the legacy and tradition of St. Augustine College, offering an expanded range of bilingual education programs, services and outreach to the growing Hispanic population in Chicago. No student today should face limited educational opportunity because of language. Especially not when the Hispanic community is the fastest growing population in Chicago.”
With this unified future, St. Augustine aligns with the Lasallian global network, one of the largest Catholic education networks in the world and one of the largest Catholic higher education networks in the United States. The merger builds on the legacies of both institutions – each established to meet the needs of underserved communities – providing education as a life-changing pathway to expanded opportunity. In a unified university, more degree programs than ever before will be at the forefront of an expanded bilingual educational experience. Students are expected to be able to attend courses in bilingual format at urban or suburban locations. “We are excited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. La única,” said Dr. Reyes Gonzalez, St. Augustine College president. “Together, we will realize the dreams held by our founders; dreams of providing education to all, regardless of social class. Our combined strength will allow us to support more students with a life-changing educational experience that equips them for success in the marketplace. We will create a wider bridge to economic prosperity, one that is as expansive as the enterprising spirit of our students. This is the educational experience that will make us a leader for our entire region.”
The merger is subject to the approval of the Higher Learning Commission, Illinois Board of Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Both schools will continue operating as independent institutions with no disruption to students or missions until the merger is complete. About Lewis University:
Lewis University is an innovative Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis University is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, and globally connected graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information. About St. Augustine College:
For over four decades, St. Augustine College has served underrepresented communities by preparing them for careers in Early Childhood Education, Respiratory Therapy, Social Work and much more. With more than 8,000 graduates, St. Augustine has provided equitable changes for a global society through academic excellence. To learn more about the work being done at St. Augustine, visit us at www.staugustine.edu .

Lewis University And St. Augustine College Plan Merger

04/26/2023 | 11:01am EDT
Message :
*Required fields
Click HERE  for Spirit & Lewis University photos
MIRAMAR, Fla., April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspiring pilots in the Chicago area can soon soar from a college classroom to the flight deck at Spirit Airlines  (NYSE: SAVE). The carrier and Lewis University  today announced a new partnership to launch the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program at the university's College of Aviation, Science and Technology in Romeoville, Illinois. The program provides graduates with a direct path to a rewarding career flying for Spirit. Lewis University students can gain valuable experience and complete the steps needed to become a Spirit First Officer while attending a leading aviation university and finishing their college degree. "We're on a mission to expand our pilot pipeline with more top-notch talent as we continue to grow, and the Chicago area is a great fit to launch the first university-based Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program in the Midwest," said Ryan Rodosta, Senior Director of Flight Operations and System Chief Pilot at Spirit Airlines. "We can't wait to welcome the next generation of pilots from Lewis University, which has exceptional resources and is highly regarded as a leader in aviation training." Lewis University students pursuing an aviation technology degree can apply for the program after obtaining a recommendation from a faculty member in the College of Aviation, Science and Technology and completing their sophomore year. If successful in Spirit's interview process, they will receive a conditional offer of employment, a Spirit Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and mentorship as they complete their degree and all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate. Graduates who meet all program requirements will join the team as a Spirit First Officer. "Lewis University is proud to partner with Spirit Airlines and the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program," said Dr. Ryan Phillips, Chair and Professor of Aviation and Transportation at Lewis University. "This agreement allows our high-achieving flight students to earn positions at Spirit. The agreement provides mentorship, resources, and training to Lewis University students and gives them the opportunity to secure a position flying for a mainline carrier after graduation." Spirit's signature yellow planes include some of the newest, most fuel-efficient aircraft in the industry that fly across a network of 90+ destinations. More than two dozen brand-new planes are planned for delivery in 2023, creating opportunities for First Officers to quickly upgrade to Captain. Spirit's Pilots recently approved a contract that provides a significant pay increase and other enhanced benefits. Spirit also offers its Pilots industry-leading training and great quality of life. Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway expands the carrier's presence in Illinois. Spirit currently offers about two dozen daily departures from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), which is also home to one of the airline's ten pilot crew bases. To learn more about the program and application process, visit www.lewisu.edu/spirit-airlines/
Recognition
Spirit was recognized by Forbes as one of  America's Best Employers for Diversity 2022  following its active efforts to create and celebrate a diverse workplace environment. Spirit was also recently named the  Value Airline of the Year  by Air Transport World (ATW). In addition, the airline was recognized as one of  LinkedIn's Top Companies in Travel & Hospitality  in 2022, which ranks the 25 best workplaces to grow a career in the industry. Spirit was also recognized for safety with the FAA's "Aviation Maintenance Technician  Diamond Award of Excellence " for the fourth consecutive year. About Spirit Airlines:
Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) is committed to delivering the best value in the sky. We are the leader in providing customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare. This allows our Guests to pay only for the options they choose — like bags, seat assignments, refreshments and Wi-Fi — something we call À La Smarte®. Our Fit Fleet® is one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the United States. We serve destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean, making it possible for our Guests to venture further and discover more than ever before. We are committed to inspiring positive change in the communities where we live and work through the Spirit Charitable Foundation . Come save with us at spirit.com . About Lewis University:
Lewis University is an innovative Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis University is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, and globally-connected graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spirit-airlines-and-lewis-universitys-new-pathway-program-for-aspiring-pilots-takes-flight-near-chicago-301808185.html
SOURCE  Spirit Airlines, Inc.

Spirit Airlines and Lewis University's New Pathway Program for Aspiring Pilots Takes Flight near Chicago

TimelyCare

TimelyCare is delivering a hybrid model of care in collaboration with on-campus Lewis University resources .

Students Can Access 24/7 Physical Mental Health Resources
Lewis University Students Can Now Login to TimelyCare Physical Mental Health Resources.

Adidas manufactures, designs, and markets shoes, clothing, athleisure, lifestyle products and accessories. Its products include footwear, apparel and accessories such as bags, sunglasses, fitness equipment, and balls. The company was founded in 1920 and is based in Herzogenrath, Germany.

Adidas

Silver Cross Hospital is an acute care/general hospital.

Silver Cross Hospital

OVP HEALTH provides emergency department and hospitalist staffing and management, inpatient and outpatient medication-assisted treatment, and counseling services. The company also operates primary care and after-hours medical facilities. It is based in Huntington, West Virginia.

OVP HEALTH

Pall (NYSE: PLL) manufactures and markets filtration, purification, and separation products and integrated systems solutions worldwide. The company's life sciences segment provides technologies that facilitate the process of drug discovery, development, regulatory validation, and production used in the research laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, food and beverage industry, blood centers, and hospitals at the point of patient care. It was founded in 1946 and is based in Port Washington, New York.

Pall

Lewis University

Lewis University is a Catholic and Lasallian University that offers undergraduate and graduate programs to students. The university is based in Romeoville, Illinois, United States.

Name	Alex Bratton
Firm
Work History
Other Seats	Lewis University

Wells Fargo Success Story

Professional Services

Platform Overview

Lewis University

Board of Directors

Lewis University Board of Director