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From the Desk of Dr. Steve
Nichols: No More Sneaking Up on People |
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This series of messages is
from Dr. Steve Nichols, CSUSM Director of Athletics. It is
intended to give viewers of The Cougars Online a perspective of
the athletic department from its top administrator. Subsequent
updates will be posted periodically. |
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A few musings as we begin the 2007-08 school year… The Cal State San Marcos Cougars might have caught a few folks sleeping last Fall. Expectations for our fledgling soccer program were undoubtedly, deservedly low – so more than a few eyebrows were raised, I’m sure, when the men’s and women’s squads posted a combined 19-11-2 mark in their inaugural seasons. And I don’t know that anyone saw Juan Mejia and the rest of the Cougar cross-country team coming. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, Juan established himself as the best distance runner in our program’s admittedly short history, earning All-American status and decimating the school record for the 8k. The team finished second in the highly competitive NAIA Region II. I doubt we will sneak up on anyone this year. Word is out about the quality of our soccer program, and Juan Mejia is back – as are fellow senior Sergio Gonzalez, and, on the women’s side, Morgan Sjogren, Whitney Patton, and softball player / triathlete Joy Leon. Our Fall sports squads won’t have the benefit of anyone taking them lightly this year. Oh well: I take that as a complimentary acknowledgement of the tremendous accomplishments of those teams. As we embark on a new academic year, there are a few new faces in the Athletics suite. Kelly Howard Warren takes over the reigns of our softball program, replacing Jennifer Milo (whom I stole from the coaching ranks to be the Associate Director of Athletics for Development). I can’t imagine anyone better qualified than Kelly to build on the great foundation Jen created for Cougar softball. Also joining us is Jenny Cole, who takes over as our new assistant golf coach. Like Kelly Warren, Jenny enjoyed a standout athletic career at UCLA, to which Jenny adds a long history of professional tour experience as well. She should be a tremendous asset to our golf program. While we are very happy to welcome Kelly and Jenny to the Athletics team, it is with very mixed emotions that we say good bye to Cory Scoggin, our former assistant golf coach. Cory has been associated with Cal State San Marcos Athletics since 1999 – as a student and an All-American golfer, a coach, our team photographer, and as one of the most genuine, nicest people you’d ever want to meet. Cory got a great offer from USD to be their full-time assistant coach, a position at an NCAA school that could be a tremendous stepping-stone for his long-term coaching aspirations. We couldn’t be happier for him – but we will miss him a great deal around here. As we kick off another exciting year of Cal State San Marcos Athletics, I hope you will have the opportunity to join us in rooting for our Cougars. The first home soccer games are on August 20 against Fresno Pacific, and cross-country competes in the Aztec Invitational at Balboa Park on September 15. See you there! Sincerely, |
