A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT MAY 2004
This past year, the Athletics Department adopted the motto, "Building Champions." For the Lions' staff, this phrase describes an active and deliberate process to create winning programs in which the experience becomes special for our student-athletes and one that makes our fans proud. This report will focus on our success this year, postulate the reasons why and discuss the implications for the future.
The mission of the department is to provide an environment for student-athlete development that supports the pursuit of the highest level of success athletically and academically for the growth of the whole person in the tradition of the Jesuit and Marymount ideals.
The purpose of the intercollegiate Athletics Program at Loyola Marymount University is to support the overall mission, goals and objectives of the University by complementing its primary academic pursuits with championship sports programs.
Additionally, Loyola Marymount University Athletics supports "Pursuing Victory with Honor."
| Perspectives and Achievements |
The 1997-98 academic year was the last year of a decade long decline in the success of the overall athletic program. In that year, Athletics fielded 18 teams of which only three could be considered to have winning records. There was one team that had won a conference championship and that was baseball. The overall winning record of the program was approximately 42% and the conference record was even lower. The crew program was suspended temporarily because the boathouse had sunk. Relatively new programs, like water polo and softball, were floundering because of poor facilities, inadequate funding for scholarships and operations and the lack of full-time coaches and incomplete staffs. Other programs were not achieving for various reasons.
As this report is being composed, our overall winning record is 64% and we are winning 69% of our conference contests. We have won three conference championships - women's basketball and men's and women's water polo. We have realistic expectations to compete for the championship in baseball, while crew and softball have just finished in second place. It is with confidence that LMU can expect to have earned more championships than in any year in its history. In addition, Lions teams have already appeared in five post-season NCAA tournaments. That is the most post-season appearances in a year in University history. Finally, LMU will most likely finish third in the West Coast Conference Commissioner's Cup - a measure of the quality of the over-all athletics program. This will be the first time the program will finish in the top half of the standings. The Commissioner's Cup standings only include the 12 WCC sports that are sponsored by the conference. It could be argued that by including the sports of men's and women's water polo (both who have won championships and have competed in the NCAA Final Four) along with the success of softball, that LMU has as well-rounded and successful athletic program as any in the WCC.
The achievements of the women's basketball team are particularly noteworthy. Perhaps no team better depicts the transformation in LMU Athletics and deserves examination than this one. In her 9th year as head coach, Julie Wilhoit's team won its first ever regular season championship, first ever West Coast Conference tournament championship and made its first ever NCAA tournament appearance. The journey for this program and Julie has been long but worth it for two reasons. The first is in the achievement of the goal of winning a championship this year. The second is the establishment of a solid foundation for building future championships. This program is no longer in a "building" mode, but rather a re-loading mode. This staff will stay intact, the recruited class of freshman is projected to be the best in program history and the expectation - even though we graduate five key seniors - is that we will again be competitive in our bid for a second conference championship.
This year's success of the women's basketball team was not serendipitous. It was rather the confluence of the right mix in staff, the execution of a long-term plan and the support of people who value the success of the program. It is a trial-tested formula that requires patience, commitment and the faith that the outcome will be worth the time and energy. For those who have been involved in the program from both near and far, that faith has been rewarded.
Two years ago, it was noted at the Trustees meeting that Athletics was on the verge of a "golden era" in its history. Indeed, this year has been the most successful of a five-year period of steady improvement. Has this period been simply coincidental or are there reasons for this success? The Athletics Department postulates that it is not coincidental. Rather, this success is the result of the "L" factor.
The "L" factor begins with Leadership. President Robert B. Lawton S.J. has publicly articulated the role and expectation of the Athletics program within the future of the institution. He has gone beyond words to develop a strategic plan, which includes Athletics, while regularly attending sporting events and hosting teams and athletes for meals in recognition of their success. He meets regularly with the Athletics Director and stays current with developments. His impact as the leader who provides the vision and plan for Athletics, cannot be underestimated or taken for granted, nor is it coincidental that Athletics has enjoyed it best ever success during Fr. Lawton's tenure.
Another "L" component is the LMU administrative and operation staff and faculty. The past five years' success has been correlated with increased funding for scholarships, positions and operations. Lane Bove, Vice President for Student Affairs, is an ardent supporter of Athletics and in conjunction with fellow vice presidents, has allocated a budget that permits success. This attitude has spread to other parts of the campus. Admissions and Financial Aid provide Athletics with quick and reliable information about the admissibility and financial support for prospective student athletes. A caring faculty, Learning Resource Center and Registrar Office encourage and foster academic success of our student-athletes and compliance with NCAA rules. The O&M staff and Public Safety ensure that our facilities and competition venues are not only safe for competition, but also pleasant for watching a game. LMU develops and supports the culture of success.
The final "L" component are Lions. Lions are those fans who come and support our student-athletes at games and who contribute in so many ways toward success. Lions can be found as members of LionsFund and they are alums, parents, community members, businesses and all who love LMU Lions Athletics. They value the contribution that Athletics makes to campus life and the recognition it brings to the institution. Lions are also students who attend games as Cage members, Lion Pride members, band and spirit squad participants and in the student who attends contests to cheer their classmates on to victory. The Lions population has grown in recent years - it is no longer an endangered species. It is healthy, strong and powerful. And its future is bright.
The program's mood in 1998-99 prior to Fr. Lawton's arrival could be categorized in general as dismal and the results were bleak. Today's Athletics program is quite the opposite. Attitudes are positive, the environment is electric and the accomplishments are plentiful. The Department acknowledges all those who have fostered this change and is grateful to all who have contributed to this evolution.
At the heart of every institution are people. Successful departments and programs are characterized by having people who are highly motivated and competent as well as in tune with the values and mission of the institution. Athletics is fortunate to have a vast core made up of these individuals. We will continue to make efforts to retain and attract people at all levels - coaches, staff and student-athletes - who have characteristics and values that are important to Loyola Marymount University.
It should be noted that as programs become successful, the coaches who are leading these programs become attractive to other institutions. One avenue to retain our coaches is to remove obstacles for success and convert them into assets. The major obstacle for Athletics is our lack of quality facilities. The successful completion of our capital campaign has become vital to ensuring the quality of the program through the retention of coaches and the recruitment of student-athletes. Therefore, the two elements of our slogan, "Building Champions," people and facilities will remain our highest priorities.
For the past year, the Department has been engaged in a self-study as part of the NCAA Certification process. In November, a Peer Review Committee will be on campus to conduct the on-site visit. The University's commitment to Athletics has been substantial since the last review seven years ago and the expectation is the review will lead to full accreditation. The Department wishes to thank all who have participated in this broad-based process.
Finally, we continue to be committed to recruiting student-athletes who have the potential to win championships, graduate in four years and who leave LMU as better people because of their experience. Our winning records, graduation rates and testimonials of life after graduation are indicators that these goals are being achieved. Yet, we feel that there is still a great deal of room to grow and improve. Our Department's commitment is to fulfill the great promise of LMU Athletics.
Loyola Marymount University 2003-04 Athletics Review
Student-Athlete of the Year: Female: Kate Murray, Women's Basketball
Male: Jonathan Higashi, Baseball
Athlete of the Year: Female: TBA
Male: TBA
National Scholar-Athletes: Students over 3.0 GPA - 132
| Women's Volleyball: | 26-7 Overall / 10-4 WCC (3rd) / NCAA Second Round |
| Head Coach: Steve Stratos (14th Year) | Dina DeBernardi | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - September |
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| LMU Four Points Sheraton Classic MVP |
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| WCC Player of the Week - September 8 |
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| WSU Cougar Mania All-Tournament |
| Kealani Kimball | NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship |
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| First-Team WCC All-Conference |
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| WCC All-Academic Team |
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| WCC Player of the Week - October 27 |
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| LMU Furama Hotel Invitational All-Tournament |
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| LMU Four Points Sheraton All-Tournament |
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| WSU Cougar Mania Tournament MVP |
| Kelli Nerison | Honorable Mention AVCA All-American |
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| First-Team AVCA West All-Region |
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| First-Team WCC All-Conference |
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| WCC All-Academic Team |
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| WCC Player of the Month - October |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - October |
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| LMU Furama Hotel Invitational MVP |
| Tiana Newsome | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
| Nicole Oehlman | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
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| LMU Furama Hotel Invitational All-Tournament |
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| LMU Four Points Sheraton All-Tournament |
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| WSU Cougar Mania All-Tournament |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Kacey Knauf, Elizabeth Samson, Sandra Krone, Michelle Look, Jody Carlson, Kealani Kimball, Audrey Francis, Dina DeBernardi, Megan Wooton, Catherine Svorinich, Kelli Nerison, Jacene Dimson |
| Women's Soccer: | 9-8-3 Overall / 2-5 WCC (5th) |
| Head Coach: Gregg Murphy (8th Year) | Kelly Yukihiro | WCC Player of the Week - Sept. 29 |
| Laura Trask | Second-Team Soccer Buzz West All-Region |
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| Second-Team WCC All-Conference |
| Shari Nishikawa | Second-Team WCC All-Conference |
| Lori Sims | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - November |
| Kylie Beren | Third-Team NSCAA Scholar West All-Region |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Wende Blasquez, Whitney Temple, Caroline Dugoni, Corey McAuliffe, Alex Mueller, Jaclyn Stansbury, Kandace Logan, Tana Smothermon, Haleigh Roach, Stephanie Tobin, Laura Trask, Jennifer Cefalia, Alicia Lloyd, Jennifer Horn, Kylie Beren, Sara Aldama, Kristen Frawley |
| Men's Soccer: | 12-7-1 Overall / 3-3 WCC (4th) / NCAA Second Round |
| Head Coach: Paul Krumpe (6th Year) | Kevin Novak | Honorable Mention SoccerTimes.com All-American |
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| Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
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| Second-Team NSCAA West All-Region |
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| College Soccer News National Team of the Week - Sept. 29 |
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| Soccer America National Team of the Week - Sept. 29 |
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| WCC Player of the Month - September |
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| WCC Player of the Week - Sept. 22 |
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| Falcon Invitational All-Tournament Team |
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| LMU Fall Classic All-Tournament Team |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - September |
| Michael Erush | First-team WCC All-Conference |
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| First-Team NSCAA West All-Region |
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| First-Team Jewish Sports Review All-American |
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| Falcon Invitational Most Outstanding Defender |
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| Falcon Invitational All-Tournament Team |
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| Soccer America National Team of the Week - Oct. 6 |
| Bobby Burling | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
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| LMU Fall Classic All-Tournament Team |
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| Falcon Invitational All-Tournament Team |
| Shaun Kalnasy | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
| Matt Kovar | First-Team WCC All-Conference |
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| WCC Player of the Week - Nov. 17 |
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| LMU Fall Classic All-Tournament Team |
| Armando Melendez | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
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| Soccer America National Team of the Week - Nov. 17 |
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| WCC Player of the Week - Nov. 3 |
| Joe Stoakley | Falcon Invitational All-Tournament Team |
| Junior Ybarra | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Patrick Parker, Bobby Burling, Laszlo Reinhardt, Shaun Kalnasy, Diego Souza, David Niemeyer, Aneesh Rana, Joseph Stoakley |
| Men's Water Polo: | 17-14 Overall / WWPA Champions / NCAA Championships - Third Place |
| Head Coach: John Loughran (6th Year) | Endre Rex-Kiss | Second-Team USWPA All-American |
| WWPA Coach of the Year |
| First-Team NCAA All-Tournament Team |
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| Honorable Mention WWPA All-Conference |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - October |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - November |
| Ian Elliott | First-Team WWPA All-Conference |
| Ryan Chapatte | First-Team WWPA All-Conference |
| Tamas Szego | Second-Team WWPA All-Conference |
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| Second-Team NCAA All-Tournament Team |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Nicholas Oster, Benjamin Easton, Tamas Szego, Matthew Reynolds |
| Women's Cross Country: | 5th Place, WCC Championships |
| Head Coach: Scott Guerrero (7th Year) | National Scholar-Athletes: | Melani Hom, Katherine Strachan, Alexis Gernhardt, April White, Shannon Williams, Catherine Lima, Trinity Amalfitano |
| Men's Cross Country: | 4th Place, WCC Championships |
| Head Coach: Scott Guerrero (7th Year) | Kenny Arehart | WCC All-Academic Team |
| Bernie Ochoa | WCC All-Academic Team |
| Andrew Thompson | WCC All-Academic Team |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Andrew Thompson, David Steinhafel, Connor Stinson, Warren Anderson, Kenneth Arehart, Daniel Judnick, Adam Bacon, Bernardino Ochoa |
| Women's Basketball: | 24-6 Overall / 13-1 WCC (1st) / NCAA First Round |
| Head Coach: Julie Wilhoit (9th Year) | Kate Murray | West Coast Conference Player of the Year |
| Russell Athletic/WBCA Region 8 Coach of the Year |
| First-Team WCC All-Conference |
| West Coast Conference Coach of the Year |
| WCC All-Academic Team |
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| WCC All-Tournament Team |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Month - December |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Month - January |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Month - February |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Week - December 15 |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Week - February 2 |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Week - February 23 |
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| 2003 Marriott Beach Classic All Tournament Team |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - December/January |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - February |
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| LMU Student-Athlete of the Year |
| Raelen Self | West Coast Conference All-Academic first-team |
| Adrianne Slaughter | First-Team WCC All-Conference |
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| WCC Tournament MVP |
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| 2003 Furama Classic All-Tournament Team |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Week - December 1 |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Week - January 26 |
| Bianca Ziemann | 2003 Furama Classic All-Tournament Team |
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| West Coast Conference Player of the Week - December 29 |
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| 2003 Marriott Beach Classic All Tournament Team |
| Rachael Ziemann | WCC All-Tournament Team |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Kate Murray, Raquel Castellanos, Adrianne Slaughter, Raelen Self, Jennifer Henry, Rebecca Hogue, Jevay Grooms, Jenni Smith, Bianca Ziemann, Rachael Ziemann |
| Men's Basketball: | 15-14 Overall / 5-9 WCC (t-6th) |
| Head Coach: Steve Aggers (4th Year) | Sherman Gay | WCC Defensive Player of the Year |
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| First-Team WCC All-Conference |
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| Pete Newell Award Winner (Team MVP) |
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| LMU/'Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - December/January |
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| WCC Player of the Week - Dec. 22 |
| Charles Brown | WCC Player of the Week - Jan. 5 |
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| Mohegan Sun Classic All-Tournament Team |
| Damian Martin | WCC All-Freshman Team |
| Jason Dickens | WCC All-Academic Team |
| Keith Kincade | Mohegan Sun Classic All-Tournament Team |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - November |
| Dustin Brown | Mohegan Sun Classic All-Tournament Team |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Jason Dickens |
| Women's Swimming: | 1-9 Overall / 8th Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference |
| Head Coach: John Loughran (6th Year) | Krista Zabor | Sr. Raymunde McKay, RSHM Award |
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| Senior Highest GPA Award |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Megan Evans, Sarah Black, Nicole Boston, Kadee Whipple, Bayley Diamond, Krista Zabor, Amanda Luciano, Miranda Mooers |
| Women's Tennis: | 9-10 / 2-0 WCC |
| Head Coach: Jamie Sanchez (28th Year) | Carla Arguelles | First-Team WCC All-Conference Singles |
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| First-Team WCC All-Conference Doubles |
| Kimi Kaloi | First-Team WCC All-Conference Doubles |
| Patrycia Hubl | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference Singles |
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| WCC Doubles Team of the Month - February |
| Serena Fermin | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference Singles |
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| WCC Doubles Team of the Month - February |
| Robyn Baker | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference Singels |
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| Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference Doubles |
| Jennifer Baker | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference Doubles |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Robyn Baker, Serena Fermin |
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| Men's Tennis: | 12-9 / 2-3 WCC |
| Head Coach: Nik DeVore (3rd Year) | Nico Terrien | WCC Freshman of the Year |
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| First-Team WCC All-Conference Singles |
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| Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference Doubles |
| Ashton Politanoff | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference Doubles |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Linas Cicenas, Chaz Gallagher, Matthew Phillips, Carlos Malet |
| Men's Golf: | 5th Place, WCC Championship |
| Head Coach: Alex Galvan (2nd Year) | Chaz Inouye | Honorable Mention WCC All-Conference |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Gavin Witzer, Joseph Legacy, Chaz Inouye, Peter Heilbron |
| Women's Water Polo: | 24-5 / 11-0 WWPA, Fourth Consecutive WWPA Championship and Final Four |
| Head Coach: John Loughran (7th Year) | Devon Wright | WWPA Player of the Year |
| Coach of the Year |
| First-Team WWPA All-Conference |
| Jamie Kroeze | First-Team WWPA All-Conference |
| Teresa Guidi | First-Team WWPA All-Conference |
| Stacia Peterson | Second-Team WWPA All-Conference |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Devon Wright, Jessica Connor, Neisha Hoagland, Jamie Kroeze, Megan Pardi, Jenna Recupero, Brianne Castillo-Huang, Lindsay O'Farriell |
| Women's Softball: | 32-13 / 14-6 PCSC |
| Head Coach: Gary Ferrin (9th Year) | Danielle Kaminaka | PCSC Player of the Week - March 25 |
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| PCSC Player of the Week - March 2 |
| Lisa Abbott | PCSC Player of the Week - Feb. 19 |
| Sami Strinz | PCSC Pitcher of the Week - Feb. 19 |
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| PCSC Pitcher of the Week - March 2 |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Tara Sheehan, Casie Phillips, Megan Julian, Danielle Kaminaka |
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| Margo Pineda, Brittany Bassett, Lauren Hiramoto |
| Men's Baseball: | 27-20-1 / 17-7 WCC |
| Head Coach: Frank Cruz (8th Year) | Jonathan Higashi | LMU Student-Athlete of the Year |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Will Quaglieri | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month- February |
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| WCC Pitcher of the Month - February |
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| WCC Pitcher of the Week - March 2 |
| Stephen Kahn | WCC Pitcher of the Week - April 5 |
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| WCC Pitcher of the Week - Feb. 23 |
| Billy Lockin | WCC Player of the Week - March 9 |
| Clint McGill | WCC Player of the Week - Feb. 16 |
| Jeff Stephans | WCC Player of the Week - April 27 |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Clint McGill, William Quaglieri, Othon Corona, Anthony Santana, Matthew White, Brandon DiTolla, Jamie Mah, Adrian Nevarez, Jack Creighton, Jonathan Higashi, Brady Koch, James Cooper |
| Men's Crew: |
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| Head Coach: Pat Kelly (5th Year) | National Scholar-Athletes: | Adam Baker, Scott Henderson, John Voisinet, James Puccetti |
| Women's Crew: | Varsity 8 Titles: WCC, WIRA & SD Crew Classic |
| Head Coach: Pat Kelly (5th Year) | Caitlin McClain | First--Team WCC All-Conference |
| WCC Coach of the Year |
| First-Team WIRA All-Association |
| WIRA Coach of the Year |
| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Vanessa Glendenning | First-Team WCC All-Conference |
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| First-Team WIRA All-Association |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Lot Keijzer | First-Team WIRA All-Association |
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| LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Blake Boyer | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Kathryn Holzberger | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Beth Henderson | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Angela Tanner | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Naomi Hoogesteger | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Erin Ludwig | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| Sarah Daum | LMU/Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month - March |
| National Scholar-Athletes: | Caitlin McClain, Angela Tanner, Lot Keijzer, Jennifer Longhurst, Elizabeth Goldsmith, Vanessa Glendenning, Blake Boyer, Courtney Cox, Kathryn Holzberger, Gemma Gaudio, Elizabeth Greenawald, Naomi Hoogesteger, Erin Ludwig, Kristin Lumm, Ashlee Pierce, Jennifer Aronson |
