Brandon Raphael, who has spent more than eight years in sales management, business-to-business outside sales, marketing and business development, has been named the Director of Development for the Broncos’ athletic department.

Raphael comes to CPP after serving as the Director of Sales for CD Chivas USA, a Major League Soccer franchise located in Carson. During his two seasons with the suburban Los Angeles club, he restructured the sales and service departments and helped oversee the club’s increased season ticket holders and game-day revenues.

“We are looking forward to Brandon being a part of our team,” said CPP Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brian Swanson. “His development, sales and management experience will be instrumental in helping move our program forward.”

He served two separate stints with the Mandalay Sports Entertainment company, based in Los Angeles. He served as its National Sales Manager Consultant in 2007 where he worked with its three Minor League Baseball franchises.  He got his start with Mandalay in 2000 where he worked as a Senior Corporate Marketing Manager with the Las Vegas 51s, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate from 2000-2003 and the Frisco Roughriders, the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate from 2003-2005.

After his time with Mandalay, he served nearly two years with the Las Vegas-based Everycontractor Inc. as its Vice President, Business Operations.

Raphael grew up in suburban St. Louis and was graduated from Maryville University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.

He and his wife Kimberly are the parents of son Caden and expectant parents in September. They will reside in Upland.
 
 

Three-time defending conference champion and NCAA Division II National Runner-up Cal State San Bernardino was tabbed the coaches’ pick to capture the 2009 California Collegiate Athletic Association title, it was announced on Tuesday.

The Coyotes, winners of three straight CCAA titles and six overall since 2001, totaled 119 points and nine first-place votes. UC San Diego, which tied for second place a year ago, finished second in the poll after collecting 106 points and three first-place votes. Cal State L.A. and Sonoma State tied for third with 92 points and Chico State rounded out the top five after receiving 81 points. All five teams advanced to postseason play in 2008.

Cal Poly Pomona (72) was picked sixth and followed by San Francisco State (55), Humboldt State (47), Cal State Monterey Bay (38), Cal State East Bay (28), Cal State Stanislaus (23) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (21).

The upcoming season marks the first campaign that Cal State East Bay will compete in the CCAA. The Pioneers will not be eligible for the conference title until 2010.

Cal State San Bernardino is coming off its finest season in program history after recording a 30-4 overall record and advancing to its first-ever national championship final. The Coyotes fell in a hard-fought five-game set to Concordia-St. Paul.

Entering her 19th season at Cal State San Bernardino, head coach Kim Cherniss is faced with the challenge of replacing three All-Americans, including CCAA Player of the Year Jessica Granados.

The 2009 campaign is slated to begin Wednesday, August 26, when UC San Diego hosts Cal Baptist. CCAA play is scheduled to begin Wednesday, September 9, when Cal State East Bay entertains UC San Diego.

 2009 CCAA Volleyball Coaches Poll

After taking a two-year hiatus from serving as an assistant coach for the University of Redlands baseball program, Jerry Renfro has returned to the coaching staff as the associate head coach, according to an announcement made today by Head Coach Scott Laverty.
 
As the team’s associate head coach, Renfro is in charge of working with the hitters and will assist Laverty in his head coaching duties as needed.
 
Renfro coached under Laverty from 2002-07 and was a member of the staff that guided the 2006 team to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) title. During his tenure at Redlands, Laverty’s teams combined for a 111-88 record.
 
After the 2007 season, Renfro sustained injuries after falling from a ladder. In his two years away from the game, he has been recovering from knee replacement surgery.
 
A seasoned veteran, he has served as a baseball coach at Rio Hondo College (1973-75), Los Angeles Valley College (1975-79) and Esperanza High School (1997-2000). In addition, he dabbled in coaching softball at Rim of the World High School from 2000-01. He starred on the diamond at the University of Southern California, Rio Hondo College and Pepperdine University and garnered All-Conference laurels competing for Rio Hondo and Pepperdine.
 
“We are extremely lucky to have Coach Renfro back to work with our players,” Laverty said. “His great knowledge of the game will help us continue to build on the success we have had over the past five years.”
 
Renfro currently resides in Crestline with his wife, Paige, and has three grown children.

The Cal State San Bernardino women’s volleyball team is the coaches pick to repeat as CCAA champion. Given that coach Kim Cherniss returns much from a team that was the 2008 national runner-up – it’s a no-brainer.

The Coyotes did graduate one of the best offensive players in school history in Jessica Granados, as well as perhaps the best defensive player in Meghan Haas. But Cherniss always has younger players waiting their turm to emerge as the marquee player.

Cherniss is particularly high on incoming freshman Rachel Tayor as well as junior transfer Nicole Moore. Also expect a breakout year from returning junior Jane Chafeh who appears ready ti make the move from supplemental player to lead performer.

UC San Diego, which gives the Coyotes fits, again appears to be the biggest challenger.

Cal Poly Pomona is picked sixth. The Broncos graduated some key players Vanessa Williams and Jenna Young, as well as Allie Newman, one of thr most improved players in the conference a year ago.

Backup setter Cally Young had family issues and opted not to come back. Neither did defensive specialist Rafaela Rosa. So the Broncos have a lot of question marks.

The teams began official practices on Monday. They open the season Aug. 28.