College Division / Mitch Polin : CS San Bernardino Considers Division II

It has not taken Cal State San Bernardino long to emerge as one of the Southland’s best National Collegiate Athletic Assn. Division III athletic programs.

After only their fifth year of competing in intercollegiate sports, the Coyotes already have an impressive record.

The school’s 15 men’s and women’s athletic teams combined for a winning percentage of 55% this year and 74% last year. Among the best programs this year were the men’s basketball and golf teams, both which advanced to the Division III playoffs.

San Bernardino is the fastest-growing school in the state university and college system. The school had an enrollment of 9,600 this year and is expected to increase to 11,000 for the next academic year.

The Coyotes also are one of the few schools in the state that compete as a Division III independent. David Suenram, who became the school’s athletic director in April, said that has created problems scheduling opponents and hurt the school’s chances of making the Division III playoffs in some sports.

Suenram, 54, said the school has tried to join the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference--the Southland’s only Division III conference--but has been unable to gain entrance.

“We’re an independent and any big state school, and I don’t care what school it is, it is always going to be kind of an outsider in Division III,” Suenram said.

Suenram said San Bernardino’s future is probably not in Division III.

“We haven’t burned the Division III bridge entirely but we’ve started the process internally to see what we have to do to go to Division II,” he said. “Over the long haul we understand that we are going to outgrow Division III. We already have in some cases.”

Suenram said the school is expected to make a decision about moving to Division II during the next academic year.

“I think we need to know what we’re going to do by the next school year,” he said. “I think it’s essential that we decide what we want to do.”

If the Coyotes decide to upgrade, Suenram said the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. would be the ideal conference for his school. He said he has discussed the possibilities with CCAA conference officials.

“We’re interested in them and I think they’re interested in us,” he said.

With Cal State Northridge leaving the CCAA after the 1989-90 season, San Bernardino might be in a good position.

In order for San Bernardino to make the leap to Division II, Suenram realizes improvements are needed in the school’s athletic program.

He said San Bernardino needs better facilities such as track and field and swimming stadiums.

“I think in most sports we’re in a position where we could get by with what we have,” he said. “It’s just a case of upgrading.

“But I think the thing that’s going to determine your success over time, more than facilities, are your staff and budget.”

Although the school has relied heavily on part-time coaches, Suenram said the Coyotes need more full-time coaches to be competitive in Division II.

He also estimates that the school will need from $150,000 to $200,000 a year to cover the cost of athletic scholarships. Division III schools do not award scholarships.

“We have to upgrade and we have to realize that at first there’s going to be a few lumps and bruises,” he said. “But we’re better off taking them from the inside than the outside.”

Although Cal State Bakersfield entered the season as the defending champion in NCAA Division II women’s softball, the Roadrunners didn’t look the part early in the season.

Bakersfield had graduated four players, including three of its best starters, from the 1988 team. The Roadrunners were also inexperienced with only one senior on their 15-player roster.

The prospects did not improve by conference play, when Bakersfield struggled to a 7-11 record and fourth place.

However, the Roadrunners started to improve by the season’s end; they finished second to top-ranked Cal State Northridge in a tournament at Sacramento State.

Bakersfield was selected to the playoffs as an at-large team with a 32-22 overall record, and made the most of the opportunity.

They won three consecutive games to sweep through the four-team NCAA West Regional into the national tournament. The Roadrunners won three of their four games in the national tournament, including an 8-5 victory over Sacramento in the championship game for its second consecutive title.

With pitcher Margaret Harvey as its only senior, Bakersfield appears to be in good position for another title next season.