Athletics
The appeal of athletics at Chico is the opportunity for student-athletes
to compete at a high level while pursuing an education of quality. The
overriding factor in our athletic success is the Chico experience: an almost
undefinable mood which makes the student-athlete perceive Chico as “home,”
not just a place to go to school. This factor, along with excellent coaching
and fine facilities, has contributed to Chico’s position in the top ten
of the NCAA Division II rankings in many different sports.
Facilities
Facilities include two gymnasiums with four competition-size basketball
courts; six handball/raquetball courts; two swimming pools; tennis courts;
stadium and all-weather track; soccer and multipurpose fields; baseball
stadium, softball diamond; putting greens and sand traps; weight training
room; climbing wall; dance studios; and athletic training rooms.
The intercollegiate athletics program sponsors thirteen different sports,
seven women’s and six men’s. Beginning in the fall of 1998, Chico became
affiliated with a new conference, the California Collegiate Athletic Association,
which is composed of twelve schools: Cal Poly Pomona; CSU, Bakersfield;
CSU, Dominquez Hills; CSU, Los Angeles; CSU, San Bernardino; CSU, Stanislaus;
Sonoma State; San Francisco State; UC Davis; UC San Diego; and Grand Canyon
University. It is a scholarship Division II conference whose teams have
won over 140 NCAA National Championships.
Baseball—Head Coach Lindsay Meggs took over a struggling Wildcat baseball
program in 1994 and produced national champions for the 1997 and 1999 seasons.
Through disciplined coaching techniques and strong recruiting practices,
Coach Meggs has regained the respect and reputation for winning that Wildcat
baseball has known in the past. The Wildcats have played in the post season
regional six of the last seven seasons and made four appearances in the
NCAA Division II College World Series in Montgomery, Alabama. The 4,200-seat
Nettleton Stadium has added to the excitement of the sport and gives Wildcat
baseball fans a wonderful place to take in a ballgame.
Men’s Basketball—The Chico State men’s basketball team, skillfully coached
by Head Coach Prescott “Puck” Smith, is both exciting and successful. The
Wildcats’ exciting style of play, which features a pressing fast-break
attack, has been ranked high nationally in three-point field goals and
scoring. A main feature in the basketball schedule each year is the annual
Mac Martin Chico Invitational Basketball Tournament, originating in 1960.
Women’s Basketball—The Chico State women’s basketball program continues
an exciting, winning tradition. Head Coach Lynne DeYoung took over the
program in 2002 and is focused on giving the athletes a fulfilling and
successful experience. With a number of talented high school and community
college recruits entering the program, the future looks even more promising
for the Wildcats. The annual Coslet Classic tournament gives Wildcat basketball
fans an early-season look at the team and its Division II competition.
Cross Country—Gary Towne, a long-time cross country and track and field
assistant, took over the cross country head coaching position in 1996.
In recent years the teams have made several trips to the National Championships,
highlighted by both men’s and women’s squads finishing among the top ten
in the nation in 2000. Cross country is one of the programs that attracts
a large number of participants each year.
Golf—The men’s golf program was reinstated in 1998 after a seven-year layoff,
and women’s golf was added in 2001. Both are under the direction of Head
Coach Keith Thomas, who took over in 2001. The teams play a fall and spring
schedule, building up to the CCAA championship, West Regional, and National
Championship. Wildcat golfer J.J. Jakovac took home the prestigious Division
II individual national title in 2002. The Wildcats practice on three Chico
courses and host an invitational each year.
Men’s Soccer—One of the most respected and successful athletic teams on
campus, the Chico State men’s soccer team, coached by alumnus Mike O’Malley,
has been consistently ranked as one of the top teams in the CCAA. The Wildcats
have won 14 league championships, participated in 11 NCAA tournaments,
and have finished as high as third in the nation three times. Numerous
players have gone on to play professional soccer in both the NASL and MISL.
Chico’s soccer team has a faithful following of students, alumni, and children
and adults from the community.
Women’s Soccer—The women’s soccer program at Chico State is one of the
most successful women’s sports on campus. In 2002 Head Coach Kim Sutton,
who brought with her a tradition of winning, was hired as just the second
coach in the program’s 30-year history. Throughout this effort, the women’s
team has consistently maintained a graduation rate of 94 percent and better,
with several student-athletes achieving national recognition in the classroom
as well as on the field.
Softball—The Chico State softball program, under the direction of Head
Coach Teri Rupe, is committed to academic as well as athletic success.
The 2002 team made its first trip to a national championship in more than
20 years and finished as one of the top four teams in the nation. Wildcat
softball combines speed and power on offense, with a focus on consistent
pitching and solid defense, to create a level of play which is exciting
to watch. Each year promising young athletes are brought in from both the
high school and community college levels to compete for starting positions.
Track and Field—Chico State has a rich tradition in track and field. Head
Coach Kirk Freitas is respected throughout the region as one of the top
coaches, and Oliver Hanf was hired as the head women’s track and field
coach in 1998. At the national level, Chico State has earned more than
60 All-American certificates since 1990, which go out to athletes who finish
in the top six places for each event at the Division II National Championships.
Volleyball—The Chico State women’s volleyball team is dedicated to achieving
high standards for excellence and prominence, both on the court and in
the classroom. Head Coach Jim Moore, who’s had great success at the Division
I and II levels, was hired in 2001 and is working toward bringing the team
to the top of the conference standings. With a steady flow of talented
recruits and an experienced coach at the helm, the future promises to be
bright.
Athletic Training—The Chico State athletic training program, under the
direction of Head Athletic Trainer Scott Barker, ATC, offers a practical
learning environment for graduate students aspiring to the field of athletic
training. The experience includes assisting the certified athletic trainers
with injury prevention, injury evaluation, and injury management. The students
also receives valuable field experience by working with one of Chico State’s
thirteen intercollegiate athletic teams, including coverage of daily practice
and home and away events. Athletic training is an allied health profession.
Recreational Sports
More than 7,000 students participate annually in Chico State Recreational
Sports programs. Recreational Sports offers students the opportunity for
fun, exercise, competition, social interaction, and stress release in an
on-campus sports setting. This comprehensive recreational sports program
includes activities for men, women, and coeducational groups. The program
offers both competitive and recreational opportunities for students, staff,
and faculty.
All Recreational Sports programs are free to all current Chico State students.
Recreational Sports programming includes open recreation, recreational
clubs, special events, intramural sports, and sport clubs.
Open Recreation
Several hours are reserved on a daily basis in each of the
Recreational Sports facilities for student walk-in use. Students can play
basketball in Acker Gymnasium, swim in Acker Pool, use the cardiovascular
equipment in the fitness room, tone up in the weight room, or try the climbing
wall.
Recreational Clubs
Several student sports-related organizations use Recreational
Sports facilities as a place to practice. These organizations focus on
skill development and participation and welcome new student participation.
These clubs include under-water hockey, wrestling, fencing, and badminton.
Special Events
Recreational Sports offers approximately thirty special events
each year. Special events are one-day or weekend student sports activities.
Some special events are typical sports activities such as a softball tournament,
while some special events are more unusual, such as innertube water polo.
Some of the more popular special events include night golf, three-on-three
basketball, and the annual whiffleball tournament.
Intramural Sports
Recreational Sports runs several student sport leagues
each semester. Students can enter their own team or join a team as a free
agent. Leagues are divided into different skill and gender divisions. Teams
play once a week for five weeks at a regular day and time. Most leagues
have a two-week, single elimination post season tournament. Recreational
Sports provides sports officials for many leagues, while others are self-officiated.
Intramural Sports include flag football, spring and fall basketball, spring
and fall volleyball, indoor and outdoor soccer, arena football, tennis,
softball, and ultimate.
Sport Clubs
Sport Clubs are student-organized, student-run sports teams.
The purpose of these groups is to allow members to compete at a high level
of competition approaching that of varsity sports. Sport Clubs represent
the university in their respective leagues as they compete against other
university teams. Many Chico State sport clubs are nationally ranked and
regularly compete at the national level. In addition to involvement in
the sport, these teams provide excellent opportunities for student leadership.
Sport Club teams receive partial funding from the university. Teams raise
the remainder of their annual budgets through fundraising and team dues.
Sport Club teams include men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s rugby,
women’s rugby, inline hockey, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, men’s
ultimate, women’s ultimate, olympic weight lifting, men’s water polo, women’s
water polo, cycling, and water skiing.
Job Opportunities
Recreational Sports offers numerous on-campus employment
opportunities each semester, employing approximately 50-60 students at
any given time. Job opportunities include sports officials for all officiated
intramural sports, sport supervisors for all intramural sports, facility
supervisors for all open recreation activities, lifeguards for all pool
programming, and climbing wall staff for instructing students on climbing
wall techniques and safety.
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