La Verne athletes meet to celebrate
Campus Times
May 16, 2003
Liz Lucsko was "truly surprised" when she received the Jesse
Iles Scafani Award, presented to her by Julie Kline Tuesday night at the
Sports Recognition and Awards Banquet. Lucsko was also the recipient of
the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Athlete of the
Year Award, SCIAC Athlete of the Week Award for April 29, and SCIAC Champion
for the 100-meter hurdles, long jump, 4 x 100 meter relay, and was named
All-American in the long jump.
It has been a tradition for as long as anyone can remember. It is the
gathering of student athletes to celebrate their seasons. However, it has
only recently been a combined event at the University of La Verne.
In the past at ULV, it was a series of three or four banquets a year.
Each season had an event to honor the athletes, but over the years it has
become a single award ceremony for all the athletes.
"The value of this (event) is that it pulls all teams together,"
said Jim Paschal, athletic director. "It is a community of all 20 teams."
The night was meaningful in bringing all the teams together under one
roof. It gave other players a chance to see how other teams performed in
their seasons.
"It is a good idea to honor scholar athletes," said Jennifer
Stout, volleyball player. "It is a good opportunity for all the athletes
to be in the same place."
Will Darity, sports information director and assistant track coach,
was the master of ceremonies for the evening in the Supertents Tuesday.
After Darity's opening remarks, Jim May, head athletic trainer, stepped
up and offered these words for the athletes in the audience, "Take
advantage of your opportunities."
Each coach then took the stage to recognize athletes from their respective
sports, starting with fall, moving to winter and ending with spring. First
and second team all-conference athletes were recognized as well as region
winners.
Don Morel, head football coach, started his speech with a mention of
injured quarterback Rollie Dykstra and the football team's great commitment.
It was a night of honoring great individual athletes and outstanding
teams.
It also marked some new beginnings. It was the last banquet for Jack
Coberly, men's volleyball coach, who will be replaced by his son, Morgan
Coberly.
He concluded his speech by saying, "Live your dreams. Work to excel."
It also was the last time Julie Kline will represent the softball team.
She invited the new coach up as her last order of head coach. Kline
said she was truly honored to have been associated with the women on the
softball team.
"As we know, character is who we are," Kline said.
Mention was given to Beth Thompson, athletic trainer, as this was her
last year at ULV as well.
This was also the last banquet for Paschal.
He was given a standing ovation, as students and coaches recognized
him for his years of service as a coach and athletic director.
Many students were given recognition for outstanding performances as
was Matt Durant, strength and conditioning coach at ULV.
This year's athletic performances were some of the best in ULV history
with six Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Athlete
of the Year awards, given to Robert Casillas for water polo, Sydni Myrick
for women's basketball, Liz Lucsko and Brandon Tedrow for track and field,
Gina Meza for softball and Amy Kratochvil for women's volleyball.
"Our athletic community is very important to campus life, and this
recognizes this community," said Don Flora, women's volleyball coach.
The golf team was not able to attend the banquet because it was at nationals
in Delaware, Ohio.
The ceremony ended with a video of all the sports, athletes and coaches
from the year.
The video concluded with a tribute to Paschal from his years as a coach
to his time as athletic director.
