Pioneer Points
Director of Athletics Debby De Angelis.
- November 24, 2010
Now that the weather outside is starting to feel like winter, it seems appropriate that we are getting underway with our winter sports. Both men's and women's basketball have kicked off their seasons, while women's swimming is in full swing. We're looking forward to this week's first edition of the Battle of the Bay with San Francisco State and are already preparing for what will be an awesome Homecoming Week in February.
Meanwhile, we've closed out another very successful volleyball season under Head Coach Jim Spagle. After guiding the Pioneers to a tie for second place in the CCAA in just their second season in the conference, Spagle was named CCAA Coach of the Year by his peers. East Bay was the only team to beat conference champ and NCAA Division II West Region champion Cal State San Bernardino and went on to post its 14th 20-win season in Spagle's 15 years at the helm.
We also had three players named to the all-conference teams for their efforts. Senior Roxanne Neely, one of just three players who made the tough transition from Division III to Division II with the Pioneers, had an outstanding season and was rewarded with first-team All-CCAA honors. Fellow seniors Lauren Massa, another holdover from the Division III days, and Jit Athwal were both named to the All-CCAA Second Team after helping the Pioneers post three wins over nationally ranked teams and to become a nationally ranked team themselves in 2010.
With volleyball season behind us, we're looking forward to big things from the men's and women's basketball teams in 2010-11. Though both squads have just gotten underway, it's already time for the first edition of the Battle of the Bay on Friday at San Francisco State. Come out and cheer on your Pioneer teams against the Gators at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at SFSU's Main Gym. Be sure to also check out the pregame barbecue to ramp up the excitement at Pioneer Heights at 4 p.m.
We're also gearing up for Homecoming 2011 which is scheduled for the week of Feb. 1 and will feature matchups with Cal State Monterey Bay and cross-bay rival San Francisco State. In preparation, the Pioneers are set to retire the old Pioneer Pete mascot before unveiling his new look during Homecoming. Be sure to mark Jan. 20 on your calendar for the annual Mascot Games, featuring professional mascots from around the Bay Area. Celebrate the end of an era with the old Pioneer Pete, as we send him off with a great retirement party, mascot games for Stomper from the A's, the 49ers Sourdough Sam and others, and a great matchup with 2010 men's Division II national champion Cal Poly Pomona.
Though basketball is just getting started, Pioneer women's swimming is in the middle of another exciting season. New Head Coach Ben Loorz has put together an impressive schedule for the team, including their next meet, the UNLV Invitational, which will feature teams from both Division I and Division II and will be the Pioneers' first preview of championships scoring. East Bay will also host its second and final dual meet of the season against San Jose State on Jan. 14, so get out there and support those Pioneer swimmers.
Lastly, good luck to our students during finals and enjoy your time off this month. Hope to see you all back in the stands for basketball this winter season.
Go Pioneers!