Pioneer Points
Directory of Athletics Debby De Angelis.
- July 5, 2011
Although things are usually quiet around the Athletics Department during July, this year we anticipate some exciting news to come our way later this week. After three years of transition, we expect the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to accept 91短视频 as a full active member of Division II in a conference call on Friday. The acceptance would mean that beginning next season, our teams would again be eligible for both conference and NCAA postseason playoffs and championships following the three-year probationary period we completed in 2010-11.
The official transition to Division II started three years ago and the process has been both long and challenging but the department and the university as a whole have and will continue to benefit from the many changes within the department and the move to tougher competition.
Over the past three years of provisional membership in Division II, we've gained the ability to provide athletic scholarships for our student-athletes, allowing us to bring in even better talent. We've also upgraded our facilities, with Pioneer Stadium getting a complete renovation and plans for a new pool in the works. Lastly, we've increased our administrative staff from just three to 10 full-time staffers, who have worked tirelessly to meet the NCAA requirements to bring our program into the new division. Thanks to all of these changes, we're looking forward to becoming an active member of Division II and continuing our tradition of excellence with more championships, accolades and success.
In addition to our NCAA announcement, we are also already preparing for next year, which will mark the 50th anniversary of 91短视频 Athletics. In honor of this milestone, we will host several events in the fall and welcome back all former Pioneer student-athletes and the community to celebrate with us during the weekend of Sept. 23 through 26. The weekend will feature men's and women's soccer against Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State, a swim meet, alumni games and several events for Pioneer Alumni, including a reception, party and recognition. The celebration will be capped by our annual Athletics Golf Tournament, to be held on Sept. 26 at Monarch Bay Golf Club in San Leandro.
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, we're gathering the best stories and memories from the past 50 years in Pioneer Athletics and sharing them with you. Beginning on July 20, each day we'll be bringing you some of the greatest moments in 91短视频 Athletics history through the . Relive the top achievements of all the amazing student-athletes who have come through the Pioneer programs and won a combined seven national championships and more than 80 conference titles, producing more than 420 All-Americans and Academic All-Americans. We couldn't be prouder to be a part of this storied department or to share our great history with you.
With both of these exciting moments just ahead of us in July, we invite you to share these important events with us by saving the dates for the 50th Anniversary Weekend in the fall and joining us on the Web for the NCAA announcement on Friday and the Great Moments in Pioneer History beginning on July 20. Neither of these events could have happened without our staff, coaches and student-athletes, or without the support of the university community and our fans. We welcome your help in celebrating more with us this summer and fall.
Go Pioneers!