A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
May 2002
Annually, I provide to our Trustees and fans a report card of the progress that the athletics program has made. Over the course of this summer, I will write numerous articles that will inform you about our achievements this year, updates on our current initiatives and what the future holds. I would like to begin this series of article by providing a historical context of the program.
Between 1952-1997, as best as I can determine from our records ( I apologize in advance for any inaccuracies), LMU's athletic conference success had consisted of nine championships - four women's volleyball, three men's basketball and two baseball. In other words, LMU's athletics program averaged one conference championship every five years. The merging of two universities into one and the impact of Title IX on athletic programs for both men and women caused a great strain on LMU. This strain resulted in an institution that was seeking its own level of commitment to athletics within the educational mission of the university while trying to compete with marginal resources.
In more recent history, the University has concluded that a successful athletics program is a wise investment in resources. Five years ago, Loyola Marymount University made a commitment to support its overall athletics program. It has maintained this staunch support during this five-year period. LMU has increased its number of student-athlete scholarships, enhanced operational budgets and strengthened its salary commitment in order to fill new positions and be able to retain coaches and staff that were assets to the program and University. The initial success from this infusion is obvious and it is expected that it will continue to grow in terms of wins and losses, championships and NCAA appearances.
One measure of the impact of the institution's investment into athletics is the number of championships that have been recorded. In the last five years, we have won seven conference titles (three in baseball, two in women's water polo and one each in women's tennis and men's water polo) and one individual champion in women's cross country. This computes to 1.4 championships per year average during the past five years. The impact of the University's commitment and support is real and tangible. Nearly all Lions athletic teams have achieved new benchmarks during the past five years. For those that haven't, we have turned the programs around and they are heading in a positive direction.
Below, I have listed an athletic history sport by sport. You may find this history of interest. One may conclude that the trend is definitely positive and that the University's Athletics program is entering a "Golden Era" of success. Indeed, it has already begun. You should know we would not have achieved the success that we have without your support. We will always be grateful for all you do for LMU and its Athletics program. As always, thank you and ...
Go Lions!
Bill Husak, Athletics Director
Historical Perspective by Team/Sport
- Men's Basketball: Men's basketball is the most visible and best fan-supported program in athletics. From 1953 and the Bill Donovan era through the Charles Bradley era that ended in 2000, the team won 579 out of 1333 games it played (43%) and in conference won 71 out 221 games played (29%). In 2000, when arguably the team was the worst team in Division 1, LMU made a coaching change and hired Steve Aggers to lead the program. In Coach Aggers first two years, his teams have finished 18-39 overall (32%) and 7-19 (27%). Fan observations would confirm that last season and the first half of this season, the team over-achieved based upon its talent level. The second half of this season could be considered as an underachievement of the program.
From all accounts, our prospects are bright yet it will not be easy to turn a historically poor tradition. We have recruited the best freshman class in LMU basketball history. Although the team will be young (the six seniors that are graduating from this program all will earn their degrees), the talent level will be a significant upgrade from what LMU fans have seen in the past decade. Furthermore, Steve Aggers is the type of person that an institution like LMU wants as its head coach. He is ethical, a teacher/coach and has a plan to make the program a champion.
- Women's Basketball: Women's basketball began in 1981. From 1981-1998 the program won 136 of the 409 games played (32%). The women's team began play in the West Coast Conference in 1985 and from this point till 1997 won 36 out of 149 conference games (22%). During this time period, the team enjoyed two winning seasons and finished 6th or worse in the conference 11 out of 13 seasons. In the last four seasons, the team has won 57 of the 114 games (50%) it has played and won 27 of the 56 conference games (48%). In this period it has achieved the following firsts: winningest season in team history; back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in history; won a tournament game for the first time in history; played in a tournament championship game for the first time in history; and played for the first time ever in a post-season tournament.
This team will also be very young next year and has an outstanding crop of freshman recruits including the Colorado High School 4-A Player of the Year. Like Steve Aggers, Julie Wilhoit is the type of coach that LMU wants. She has been committed to building a program on a sound foundation and recruiting student-athletes that the University can be proud of having them represent LMU. We expect great things from this program in the future.
- Baseball: Baseball began West Coast Conference play in 1968 and in the 30 year period between 1968-97 won three conference championships or one every ten years and made five NCAA tournament appearances while advancing once to the College World Series. During that period the team's record was 814-805-3 or approximately a 50% winning ratio. In the five years since Frank Cruz has arrived, the team's record is 149-146-1 or a 51% winning ratio. In this five-year period, the baseball team has won three conference championships and has made three NCAA appearances.
We expect baseball to be one of the stalwart teams in our athletics program. After three consecutive conference championships, seven juniors being drafted and beginning professional careers dismantled the team. Coach Cruz has been recognized as being a tremendous professional in the field and is rebuilding the team to contend for the conference championship.
- Women's Volleyball: Women's volleyball began play in 1982 and West Coast Conference Play in 1985. Our current coach Steve Stratos began his tenure at LMU in 1990. Prior to Steve, the program had a winning percentage of 50% (138-140) in overall play and 59% (39-27) in Conference, one WCC Championship and one post-season appearance in the NCAA. Since Steve's arrival the team has won 70% (232-101) of all its contests and 77% (118-36) of its conference matches. In addition, it has won three WCC Championships since 1990 and has been to post-season on eight occasions, once reaching the Sweet 16.
It can be argued that women's volleyball has been the most successful athletic team in LMU history. In the last five years it has remained nationally ranked in the Top-25 every year and has finished in the top half of the Conference. It is the expectation that this program should compete for the Conference Championship every year and indeed in Coach Stratos' tenure has never finished lower than fourth in the Conference.
- Men's Soccer: As an NCAA sport, men's soccer began in 1980. From 1980 through 1997 the men's soccer team's overall record was106-254-26 (27% winning ratio) and 4-50-1 (7% winning record) in WCC play. Four years ago, Paul Krumpe was hired as our coach and during his tenure he has achieved the following records: 32-34-7 (44%) overall record and 6-13-5 (25%) conference record. In addition, the last two years have been two of the best three years in program history and for the first time ever this past season LMU was selected to participate in the men's NCAA tournament.
We feel that we have one of the best soccer coaches in the country in Paul Krumpe. In men's soccer, the WCC is one of the top three conferences in the country. His leadership will continue to attract quality athletes and we expect to compete for the WCC Championship every year. In the past two years, this program has become fully funded from a scholarship perspective and his operating budget has allowed him to travel and play some of the best teams in the country. In addition, we feel that soccer can become the University's "football" that outdoor fall sport that students and fans can rally around.
- Women's Soccer: This program is a very young program having begun play in 1993. In its first three years, the team won 24% (14-40-4) of the games it played and 20% (4-15-1) of its WCC contests. Six years ago, Gregg Murphy took over the reins of the program and it has demonstrated steady growth. Coach Murphy's LMU record stands at 54% (60-43-8) overall winning percentage and 40% (17-22-3) in the WCC. In addition, the five best records and conference finishes in program history have occurred in the last five years. Like so many of the programs, women's soccer has benefited from the University fully funding its scholarship budget and the stability afforded in keeping its head coach. The WCC is traditionally one of the top three conferences in women's soccer in the country and the competition is stiff. We also expect that this program will continue to compete annually for the Conference Championship.
- Men's and Women's Crew: This program has undergone a revival under the leadership of Head Coach Patrick Kelly who was hired three years ago. The tradition of crew is second to none in the Athletics Department. Women's crew holds the distinction of being the only team ever to win a national title. Inattention to the crew program had caused a serious decline in the enthusiasm of its participants until the arrival of Patrick Kelly. Under Coach Kelly's leadership, scholarship support has grown immensely so that he is capable of recruiting athletes that will allow the program to be competitive, the construction of the Jane Browne Bove Boathouse was completed, equipment was purchased for practice and competition and he has established ties back to the alums. We believe that this program is capable of becoming one of the premier programs on the west coast.
- Women's Swimming: In all candor, the 11-year history of the swim program could best be described as a participatory one in which little success was realized. Until recently, almost no scholarship dollars were awarded the program, one aquatics coach and a grad assistant coached this team as well as the two water polo teams and the operating budget was meager. The addition of small scholarship support and staff as well as the construction of the new pool has moved the program forward. This year was the best in program history highlighted by its highest finish ever at the Pacific Coast Swim Conference Championships, the first time the team has ever beat another NCAA Division 1 University in a dual meet and a basketful of school records. We expect that this trend of improvement will continue and we expect to slowly improve the budgetary situation for this team. However, it will be very difficult to become truly competitive without a tremendous infusion of dollars for scholarships, coaches and operating.
- Women's Water Polo: It is felt that perhaps one of he best opportunities to win a national championship rests in this sport. Coach John Loughran began the women's team in 1998 and since that time has compiled an 85-52 (62%) record. Last year's team for the first time ever won the Western Water Polo Conference Women's Championship and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Final four where the team finished third in the country. It has duplicated the feat again last week beating the University of Michigan and finishing third in the NCAA Tournament.
This program has benefited from a commitment to fully fund the program from a scholarship perspective for this coming year and provide operational and staff support. We are hopeful of great things from women's water polo in the future.
- Men's Water Polo: Our records indicate that water polo began in 1979 however actual team records were recorded beginning in 1986. From 1986 through 1997, the men's water polo team had four winning seasons and a record of 138-156 (47%). In the last four years the team has a record of 70-48 (59%) against the best competition in the country. This past year was its first championship season winning the Western Water Polo Association Championship and finishing third in the NCAA Championships.
Two years ago, we were able to provide a full-time assistant for our Head Coach and Aquatics Director John Loughran. John is responsible for three teams that play in three different seasons. This is the greatest responsibility of any of our head coaches. In the past five years the scholarship commitment has grown so that men's water polo is now fully funded. These two major factors as well as the addition of the new pool have contributed to the success of this sport. This past year we have truly been able to compete for the national championship and now our goal is to win one.
- Men's and Women's Cross Country: The history of the men's and woman's cross-country team is somewhat incomplete. From athletic records that are available, the teams were formed in the very early 1980's. For the first five or so years it experienced moderate success, but since the mid-80's both teams have finished annually near the bottom of the West Coast Conference standings. This year, a very young men's team finished sixth in the conference and for the first time ever an LMU woman won the individual championship.
In the last few years, we have increased the scholarship support to both of these programs. In addition, this sport was one of the last two sports in the program to have a part-time coach. For the coming year we have hired we will have a full-time coach to lead this program with the expectation of winning WCC Championships.
- Men's Golf: The historical record for the men's golf program begins in 1971 when the Rev. Tom Higgins, S.J. began as coach of the program. During the past 32 years, Fr. Higgins has kept the program operating with a budget that was atrocious. He only recently earned a salary, was given scholarship support and operated under a budget that was not sufficient. In those 30+ years we have never finished better than third in the WCC. The change in format two decades ago from dual matches to tournaments makes it difficult to compare histories. Recently, Fr. Tom Higgins, S.J. stepped down as the coach and the Department will be searching for someone to fill his shoes. This is an area that needs attention and it is the desire of the Athletics Department that we can and should be a program that competes for the WCC Championship.
- Men's Tennis: The men's tennis records begin in 1974. During its 25 year history the record has been 201-350 (36%) and has had an inconsistent past with respect to being competitive. Three years ago, the head coaching position was upgraded to a full-time slot. The first two years the team posted a record 26-25 (52%). This past year we hired Nik DeVore as its head coach and the team finished with a record of 20-6, its best in program history, and a third place finish in the Conference. It is believed that under Coach DeVore's leadership the program can become a leading contender yearly for the conference championship.
- Women's Tennis: The women's tennis program has a 27-year history at LMU and its only coach has been Jaime Sanchez. During his tenure, Coach Sanchez has a career record of 346-303 (53%) and his teams have never finished below 4th place in the WCC. Last year's team had its highest finish ever in the WCC at 2nd place and for the first time an LMU women's tennis player competed in the NCAA's - our doubles team was nationally ranked. This year the team finished with a 14-11 record, its first WCC Championship ever, and its first NCAA Team appearance in history. This success coincides with an enhanced scholarship commitment to the program and we expect that commitment will enhance our ability to compete for the conference championship every year. Coach Sanchez epitomizes the loyal alum who comes back to his institution to lead his teams to quality seasons even under adverse circumstances. He is the 12th winningest coach in NCAA history.
- Softball: Our softball records begin in 1991. In the first five years of the program the team won 31% of its games (58-127-1). In 1996 Gary Ferrin became the head coach and in 2000 became a full-time head coach for the program. During his tenure, the team has performed at a 57% clip (225-171). We have also gone from being an independent program to joining the Western Athletic Conference two years ago. In spite of all the teams in that conference having far greater resources, we have competed admirably. This year we finished with a record of 38-34 and a 14-10 Conference finish good for 4th place. Next year, we are joining forces with five other universities that are of a more similar nature and we hope to become very successful in this new league. There is no doubt that an infusion of scholarship support and full-time status of the head coach has contributed greatly to this success.
