In light of the current state of the economy, California Baptist University is discontinuing its men’s and women’s tennis programs effective immediately, Kent Dacus, CBU Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services, announced Monday.
                                                                             

The cuts are expected to help offset the impact of the potential loss of state financial aid for students recently proposed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“It is with great regret that California Baptist University has made the difficult decision to discontinue its men’s and women’s tennis programs,” said Dacus. “These are extraordinary times in higher education with troubles in the state, national and global economy causing so much uncertainty. It is because of this uncertainty that the CBU leadership felt it was prudent to reduce expenses in the area of athletics to help us meet the challenges of a rapidly changing market place.”

Dacus said student athletes in the discontinued programs are welcome to remain at CBU.  He added the university will try to help those who wish to continue playing collegiate tennis get placed at other schools.

The decision reduces the number of intercollegiate sports offered by CBU to 20, which is still the most among athletic programs in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). Biola University is next with 17, while both Azusa Pacific University and Fresno Pacific University sponsor 16 sports.

“Despite this action, CBU will continue to offer a very strong athletics program and we expect great things with the remaining 20 teams and approximately 400 student athletes,” said Dacus.

This past year, the Lancer men finished 19-3 overall, 14-2 GSAC. The Lancers played in the NAIA National Championships for the second straight year, advancing to the semifinals for the first time ever. They spent the entire season in the top five of the NAIA, reaching a program-best No. 2 before finishing the season at No. 4. They were 13-3 against nationally-ranked teams. Four players were named NAIA All-American, including junior Alessandro Ventre, who was named to the first team for the third straight year.

The Lancer women won a school-record 17 matches, going 17-8. They finished tied for third in the GSAC at 13-5 and spent the entire season ranked in the NAIA Top 10. For the second straight year, they advanced to the NAIA National Tournament, losing, 5-4, in the round of 16 to Lindsey Wilson (KY).

CBU enjoyed a banner campaign this past season, winning a pair of national championships. The Lancers won their fourth straight NAIA Championship in men’s swimming and diving and then collected their first-ever national title in softball. Currently, the Lancers are fifth in the 2008-09 Learfield Sports Director’s Cup Standings with 692.5 points, 136 of which came from tennis. The final standings, which will include baseball, will be released June 19.

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California Baptist University has announced the two latest additions to its intercollegiate athletics’ program–men’s and women’s distance track.

The Lancers will begin running only the distance events in the 2009-10 season, and current cross country coach Wade Watkins will oversee the program. The addition brings the number of sports offered by CBU to 22.

“Adding these sports provides a cost-effective complement to our cross country programs,” said CBU Vice President for Student Services and interim Athletic Director Kent Dacus. “It also gives an additional opportunity for those athletes to participate in both cross country and the distance events on the track.”

CBU will participate in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. The 2010 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships are March 4-6, while the outdoor championships are May 27-29.

During the indoor season, the Lancers will participate in the 600 meters, 800 meters, 1,000 meters, mile, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, 3,000-meter race walk, 4×800-meter relay and distance medley relay events. During the outdoor season, the Lancers will participate in the 400 meters, 800 meters, 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, 5,000-meter race walk, 3,000-meter steeplechase, 4×800-meter relay, half marathon and marathon.

The Lancers previously sponsored track and field, dropping the program in 2002. CBU rose to national prominence in the late 1990s running in every NAIA Indoor and Outdoor National Championship from 1996-2002 on the men’s side. CBU finished fourth or better at the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001 indoor championships and garnered the university’s first-ever NAIA National Championship, winning the 1999 indoor title. The Lancers also finished in the top 10 in the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001 outdoor championships.

The women ran in three indoor and three outdoor championships, earning three Top 25 finishes.

CBU won two straight GSAC Men’s Track and Field titles in 1996-97 and is the only program other than Azusa Pacific or Point Loma Nazarene to win a GSAC men’s track title.

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California Baptist University cross country Head Coach Wade Watkins has announced the 2009 men’s recruiting class.
 

A total of 14 runners comprise Watkins’ first full recruiting class. The program was reinstated as a varsity sport in the summer of 2008.

“If 2008 saw the resurgence of CBU cross country, then 2009 will show the growth from having a full year of being able to recruit some of the finest athletes within the state and from other states as well,” said Watkins. “While the process is never ending, and we are always in search of new athletes, these outstanding young men will be the future of CBU cross country.”

Mitchell Moore (La Habra HS)

Moore was a six-time All-Freeway League selection in cross country and track at La Habra (Calif.) High. An eight-time CIF participant, Moore has a PR of 15:01 (3 miles) and was the undefeated league champion and the Orange County Division III Champion. He also won the Woodbridge Senior Race.

Patrick Mynes (Corona HS)

A four-time CIF participant, Mynes was a three-time all-league selection. He also earned all-county honors and was a scholar-athlete. He has a PR of 15:10.

Sergio Rodriguez (Los Altos HS)

Rodriguez ran for head coach Jeff Hess, who trained under Watkins as a prep at Los Altos High. Rodriguez was a three-time CIF participant and a Miramonte League Champion and has a PR of 15:24.

Victor Delgado (Beaumont HS)

Delgado was a three-time CIF participant and was a state finalist in 2008. He finished fifth at the CIF Division III finals and was a three-time Mountain Pass League Champion. Delgado also won the Mt. SAC Division III Invitational and was named to the All-Riverside Team this past season. His PR is 15:30.

Chase Williams (Corona HS)

A prep teammate of Mynes, Williams was a four-time CIF participant and was a CIF individual participant in the 1,600-meters in 2008. Williams, who has a PR of 15:55, earned three all-league honors as well as earning scholar-athlete honors.

Daniel Knauer (Murrieta Valley HS)

Knauer ran four varsity seasons at Murrieta Valley High. With a PR of 15:20, Knauer earned all-county honors this past season and was a three-time all-league first team selection. This past season, he was named team MVP.

Mark Langworthy (Calvary Chapel-Murrieta HS)

A four-time scholar-athlete, Langworthy also was a three-time all-league selection. His PR is 15:56 and he made three CIF appearances.

Chris Cline (Hidden Valley HS, Grants Pass, Ore.)

A four-year varsity runner, Cline was a four-time Oregon State Meet participant. In 2008, he finished eighth at the state meet, helping the Mustangs win the state title. He was named all-conference and all-state second team. Cline also earned four scholar-athlete honors and participated in the prestigious Border Clash last November.

Jonathan Monteon (Don Lugo HS)

A three-time CIF participant with Don Lugo High in Chino, Calif., Monteon was also a scholar-athlete recipient.

Axel Ambriz (Concordia-Irvine)

A transfer from GSAC-rival Concordia, Ambriz is expected to be an important part of the program in 2009. In 2007 at Concordia, Ambriz helped lead the Eagles to the GSAC title, finishing 33^rd in the GSAC Meet, running a 27:08. He also ran at the 2007 NAIA Championships, where he finished 165^th, running a 26:47.8. His season best was 26:45.76 at the Willamette Invitational in Salem, Ore.

Coe Phillips (Ramona HS)

A local talent, Phillips prepped at nearby Ramona High, just blocks from the CBU campus.

Kevin Wunderly (Deer Valley HS)

Wunderly earned scholar-athlete honors at Deer Valley High in Northern California. He was also a New Balance Festival Champion this past fall.

Adrian Gracian (Canyon Springs HS)

Michael Doss (Big Bear HS)

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