Athletics' Spring Update: Just the Beginning

Athletics' Spring Update:  Just the BeginningFollowing a fall season with the University's first NAIA National Championship in women's cross country, the spring semester has historic highlights both on and off the field for CSUSM Athletics as well.The busy season began with the passage of the Athletic Fee Referendum by a 70 percent student vote approval in support of the expansion, adding men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, and cheer/dance teams and laying  the groundwork for CSUSM to move to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of Division II. On the facilities front, the brand new CSUSM softball field (located behind The Clarke Fi9eld House/University Student Union) opened on January 30, with help from generous donors, support from community members, and new Head Softball Coach Dave Williams' commitment to the project.  A baseball field is currently in development and is expected to be ready for play by next spring.The softball and baseball teams are both more than 10 games over .500 and on pace to match or surpass their best finishes to date.  Cougar softball has given the home fans plenty to cheer about this season as they progress towards the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) conference championship tournament.  The team was ranked #24 in the first in-season national poll in late March.  Cougar baseball propelled to a program-best 10-game win streak in March.On the track, Coach Steve Scott's track & field team has already qualified 23 student-athletes for the National Championships in Marion, Indiana, representing the University in more than 30 events .Finally, the Cougar men's and women's golf teams are poised to make a run at the regional and potentially national championships.  The men are currently just outside the national top-25, while the women will likely be ranked in the season's next poll.With the conference, regional, and national championships all coming up in May, and new sports and facilities on the horizon, now is just the beginning of a very exciting time for Cougar Athletics.  Visit www.csusmcougars.com to get the latest results and news and follow all of your Cougar teams.