PHOTO GALLERY

The Cal State Monterey Bay Athletic Department motto became “Building Champions, One Victory at a Time” under the guidance of Director of Athletic #Vince Otoupal#.  The student-athletes have done just that this past season by raising their level of play in their sport as well as performing in the classroom.

"We have closed another good academic year for the Otters. We performed well in the classroom and in our respective areas of competition. We set a record for grade point average and graduation.”

CSUMB had 69 student-athletes receive all-academic honors.  The Otters were also recognized for their athletic performance with 11 All-Conference honors, seven All-Region honors and one All-American selection.  Softball head coach Andrea Kenney was named CCAA Coach of the Year.  Junior softball pitcher Diane Ortiz was selected CCAA Newcomer of the Year and CCAA Co-Pitcher of the Year. Men's basketball player Davion Berry and men's golfer Dylan Jackson became CSUMB's first CCAA Freshman of the Year in their respective sports.

“We set new high water marks in women's basketball, softball and both golf teams."

Women's basketball made their first post-season appearance in program history this season by qualifying for the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The softball squad won CSUMB's first regular season championship this past spring. They also recorded the program's first NCAA West Region victory.  The CSUMB golf teams made their NCAA Division II National Championship debut with the women finishing in seventh place and the men taking eleventh place.

"Otter student-athletes are proving through not only words but by action that they are becoming Champions in the classroom, in competition, and in the community."

In addition to the University's service learning requirements, the Otter sports teams volunteered their time with numerous programs within the tri-county area. From serving food at Dorothy's kitchen in Salinas to participating in Campus Clean-up Day, the student-athletes take on their role as ambassadors for the university with pride.  CSUMB Athletics continued its partnership with Seaside Police Activities League and First Tee of Monterey County. Throughout the year, CSUMB teams put on Otter Pups Kids Club free sports clinics.
 
The Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) under the direction of former softball player Easton Henrikson formed a new competition among the teams called the Otter Cup which covers the NCAA Division II CHAMPS Life Skills. CSUMB athletic teams received points for personal development, career development, community service and Otter Pride (supporting other teams in their competition).
Associate Athletic Director Stephanie Duke believes Henrikson did a great job this year in re-invigorating our Life Skills program by creating the "Otter Cup" which promoted healthy competition amongst teams.

One of the SAAC fundraisers this year was Penny Wars. Each athletic team was designated a jar and whichever team collected the most money won the competition.  Quarters, nickels, dimes and bills that were collected were negative points. CSUMB doubled the amount of money raised from last year for the NCAA Division II partner Make-A-Wish Foundation, finishing in the Top 5 among conference schools. Duke concluded that CSUMB raised more money for non-profit organizations than in previous years and had more of athletes involved on campus and in the community.

“We have been aggressive in setting our goals and in measuring success. I know that. But we are not done either. We have much to do here.  We have academic awards to win and championships to win.   We will continue to get better as the CSUMB Athletics Department.”

"Otter Athletics will not be the same next year. We will be different than this year. We will be better."