CRAWFORD COURT Home of UC Irvine Women’s Volleyball UC Irvine’s student-athletes have the opportunity to compete in top-of-the-line facilities. In addition to a 5,000-seat arena used for basketball and volleyball, UCI also boasts a $2.8 million-dollar pool as well as several beautiful courses scattered around Orange County, serving as “home” venues to the golf teams. UCI’s newest additions include women’s soccer and women’s volleyball locker rooms as well as a women’s staff locker room, all housed at Crawford Court. 28 SPORTS MEDICINE UCI’s strength and conditioning program plays a key role in the success of Anteater Athletics. All student-athletes are trained and closely monitored throughout the year by head strength coach Mike Nagler in the Ed Carroll Strength and Conditioning Center, a 4,700 square-foot facility, containing top of the line Hammer Strength and Power Life Equipment. The facility holds 12 power racks and nine Olympic lifting platforms. Student-athletes train with 4,000 pounds of free weight, two complete dumbbell sets and four glute-hamstring machines. STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING At UC Irvine, the physical well-being of the Anteater student-athletes is corrected, maintained and improved within the UCI Sports Medicine Department, a unique collaboration between the athletics training staff, physicians, and strength and conditioning specialists. The Sports Medicine Center is housed in the Carlos A. Prietto Sports Medicine Center. Director Jim Pluemer’s staff includes NATA-certified athletic trainers Mike Burns, Jason Polhamus, Carey Balderrama, Bill Dent, Jose Sanchez, Karen Zieger and Colleen Duff and is complimented by certified athletic trainer interns and student trainers. 29 CONFERENCE STAFF THIS IS THE BIG WEST Commissioner – Dennis Farrell Senior Associate Commissioner – Rob Halvaks Associate Commissioner – Jody McRoberts Assistant Commissioner – Mike Daniels he Big West has established an impeccable pedigree in the sport of Assistant Commissioner – Erica Monteabaro Twomen’s volleyball entering its 26th season of conference sponsorship. Information Director – Mike Villamor Since 1984, the Big West Conference has enjoyed unparalleled success Assistant Information Director – Julie St.Cyr in the sport of women’s volleyball and has positioned itself as Assistant information Director – Christopher Hargraves one of the nation’s elite conferences. Director of New Media – Steve Chen The Big West has sent a representative to the Final Four in 14 of its Administrative Assistant – Pat Sampson 25 years as a volleyball conference. In 2001, Long Beach State earned its Administrative Assistant – Beth Holtermann eighth trip to the Final Four and reached the national championship match for the fourth time. The Big West dominated postseason play from 1998-2004 with the conference sending at least four schools to the NCAA Tournament. The Big West has only sent less than three teams to the NCAA Tournament three times. In addition, Big West schools have tallied an impressive 103- 61 record (.628) against non-conference opponents all-time in the NCAA Tournament. In 1999, the Big West comprised half of the contingent at the Final Four in Honolulu, Hawai’i, with the presence of Long Beach State and Pacific. It marked the first time since 1994 that two teams from the Brad Evans same conference competed at the prestigious event. Seattle Sounders FC The alumni who have competed in the Big West reads like a Who’s Who of volleyball superstars. Long Beach State’s Misty May, a two- time NCAA Player of the Year, is widely considered the best collegiate volleyball player ever. She is now known as one of the world’s top beach players. Long Beach State’s Tara Cross and Danielle Scott, and Pacific’s Elaina Oden have contributed greatly to the success of the United States Olympic Team in indoor volleyball. The conference was represented in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, by former Big West athletes - Misty May (Long Beach State), Danielle Scott-Arruda (Long Beach State), Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Long Beach State), Jennifer Joines (Pacific) and Heather Bown (UC Santa Barbara). 6 national championships 8 national players of the year Over 100 All-America awards 3 National Coaches of the Year Mark Wagner Whitney Pavlik Scott Brooks Boston Red Sox – AAA 2008 AVP Rookie of the Year Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach 30 ACADEMIC SUCCESS UC Irvine Athletics maintains an enduring commitment to the academic progress UCI/Big West Scholar-Athletes of its student-athletes. Through the programs offered by the Athletics Department 2008-09 Alexandra Bubica, Riley Cropper, Lauren Kellerman, as well as the resources available on camps, student-athletes are capable of Taryn Robertson, Devon Sutherland making great strides academically while fulfilling their commitment to athletics 2007-08 Alexandra Bubica, Lauren Kellerman, Caroline Kim, as well. UCI Athletics makes every effort to provide a comprehensive network Taryn Robertson of assistance for the Student-Athlete’s use in the pursuit of a degree and offers 2006-07 Lauren Kellerman, Caroline Kim, Trisha White access to a wealth of resources such as study table, tutors, The Learning and 2005-06 Keegan Featherstone, Caroline Kim, Jennifer Moser, Academic Resource Center (LARC), the Career Center and the Counseling Center. Terri Peterson, Trisha White 2004-05 Sami Cash, Keegan Featherstone, Stacy Gorin, Ashlie Hain, UCI Lauds & Laurel Athlete of the Year Dana Kurzbard, Jennifer Moser, Terri Peterson, Trisha White 2004 Ashlie Hain and Kelly Wing 2003-04 Sami Cash, Keegan Featherstone, Stacy Gorin, Ashlie Hain, Big West Scholar-Athlete of the Year Dana Kurzbard, Jennifer Moser, Brenda Waterman and 1993-94 Popi Edwards Kelly Wing 2002-03 Sami Cash, Robyn Chung, Ashlie Hain, Lindsay Hess, Dana Kurzbard, Jennifer Moser, Brenda Waterman Big West Fall All-Academic Team 2001-02 Rebecca Larsen, Martina Privara, Brenda Waterman 2005 Jennifer Moser, Terri Peterson 2000-01 Larissa Carter, Jacqui Cosgrove, Rebecca Larsen, Sara Ness, 2004 Ashlie Hain, Dana Kurzbard, Jennifer Moser Brooke Witt, Teri Zartman 2003 Ashlie Hain, Dana Kurzbard, Jennifer Moser 1999-00 Larissa Carter, Jacqui Cosgrove, Sara Ness, Brooke Witt 2002 Rebecca Larsen, Martina Privara, Brenda Waterman 1998-99 Larissa Carter, Jacqui Cosgrove, Christine Howard, 2001 Rebecca Larsen Sarah Libecap, Sara Ness, Cassie Werhas 2000 Jacqui Cosgrove, Brooke Witt 1997-98 Sarah Libecap 1998 Sarah Libecap 1996-97 Shannon Connolly, Jennifer Dunn 1997 Sarah Libecap, Anastasia Paveloff 1995-96 Jennifer Dunn, Sarah Libecap, Anastasia Paveloff, 1996 Sarah Libecap, Jennifer Dunn Amy Pimentel 1995 Amy Pimentel 1994-95 Jennifer Dunn, Stacy Mitchell, Amy Pimentel 1993 Popi Edwards 1993-94 Popi Edwards 1992-93 Anastasia Arnold, Kris Puttler Irvine Exchange Club Scholar-Athlete of the Year 1991-92 Anastasia Arnold, Amy Colyar, Kris Puttler 1989-90 Ali Wood 1990-91 Kris Puttler 1985-86 Cindy Rohrig 1989-90 Kris Puttler, Rhonda Schnitger, Katrina Vlachos 1983-84 Michelle Kelley 1988-89 Rebecca Sprague, Katrina Vlachos, Ann Warmus, Alsion Wood 1987-88 Katrina Vlachos, Ann Warmus University’s Academic Challenge Award 1985-86 Elizabeth Blackador, Cindy Rohrig, Gayle Wheeler 1984-85 Dori Bowman, Gina Elchuck, Patricia O’Mara, Cindy Rohrig, 1992-93 Anastasia Arnold Nancy Westbrook Big West Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year 2008-09 Lauren Kellerman 31 Women’s Volleyball player Ben Orloff was named the Brooks Wallace Taryn Robertson led the Award winner for the nation’s best Big West Conference with Hillary Packard, who was a member of shortstop. an 11.08 assist average the women’s golf team that competed and garnered American at the NCAA Championship, won her first Volleyball Coaches collegiate tournament in 2009 and was Association All-West named Big West Golfer of the Month. Region honorable mention honors. TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE Men’s tennis player Fabian Matthews, a first team singles honoree, helped UCI Men’s water polo player to the regular season co- Brandon Johnson garnered championship. All-America third team recognition by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches. Men’s basketball player Eric Wise was named to the All-Big West second team as well as the freshman squad after leading UCI with a 14.2 scoring average, which ranked seventh in the conference. Lauren Collins won the Big West high jump with a school record mark of 6-1 ¼ and went on to place ninth at the NCAA Goalkeeper Andrew Fontein, Championships. who was named the Big West Tournament Most Valuable Player, helped the Anteaters to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and a No. 7 national ranking. Candice Chavez and Laura Olvera earned All-Big West honors in cross country last season. 32 Women’s basketball player Rebecca Maessen earned All-Big West Honorable Mention distinction after Men’s volleyball player Carson leading the Anteaters with Clark was named to the NCAA a 12.7 scoring average, the All-Tournament team as well eighth best mark among as second team All-American Big West players. The men’s 4x400 relay team of George Hernandez, Charles Jock, Tim Murphy and Oliver Plattner won the Big West Championship in 3:10.22 and Daniel Bibona, an All-American, advanced to the NCAA was the 2009 Big West Pitcher West Regional. of the Year after going 12-1 overall. Men’s golfer John Chin has been named the Big West Conference Player of the Year the last two seasons. Women’s tennis player Stephanie Hammel was a first team honoree in both singles and doubles as well Big West Freshman of the Year. Women’s water polo player Gianna Rossi was named Big West Player of the Year as well as the Most Valuable Player of the Big West Championship. 33 In 2007, the FBI heralded Irvine, California as the number one safest large city in America. UCI opened its new Student Center which includes two food courts, a performance area, a ballroom as well as space to study, surf the web, relax, shop, play billiards and video games.