Chapman’s Currey Upbeat on Change
Chapman Athletic Director Dave Currey returned from San Antonio on Wednesday feeling upbeat about the university’s new NCAA Division III status.
“I was really pleased with the way Chapman University was accepted by the division afterward,” Currey said. “There was a tremendous congratulatory feeling from members, not just locally from California schools, but from throughout the country.”
Tuesday at the NCAA convention, Currey and Chapman President James L. Doti gave a presentation to the presidents of Division III institutions, who then approved the university’s switch from Division II and Division I baseball.
Chapman, in its first school year without any players on athletic scholarship, received a waiver to be admitted in the fall. Usually, the NCAA requires two years of Division III compliance before a school is admitted.
Currey said members were impressed with Chapman’s preparation and the presence of the university’s president.
“That was a tremendous lift for our cause, because when a CEO takes the time to get behind something, it shows commitment,” Currey said.
The next step for the program is another application to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which turned down Chapman last spring, suggesting it apply again in 1995.
Next fall, Chapman will compete as a Division III independent and Currey said he is happiest for coaches and players who will again have a shot at national recognition.
“Next year, we can compete for national championships,” Currey said. “I don’t know if we’ll get them, but at least that golden egg is in front of us.”
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Chapman men’s basketball Coach Mike Bokosky said he and assistant Terry Boesel are becoming comfortable with what it takes to win at the Division III level.
“We’ve learned what we have to do recruiting-wise, coaching-wise and preparation-wise to compete of this level,” Bokosky said.
After 13 games, the Panthers are 8-5 and 7-4 against Division III teams. They are 5-3 against SCIAC teams.
Solid numbers--it’s the most games Chapman has won since it won 12 in 1990-91--but not dominant. Tuesday, UC San Diego, for years the strongest Division III program in the West, showed Chapman how far it has to go.
The Tritons won, 77-61, avenging a 81-68 loss to the Panthers earlier this season. Bokosky said San Diego has improved significantly since the last time the teams played. He said Chapman has problems with teams that have larger players, because other than 6-foot-8 forward Stefan Mumaw, the Panthers don’t start a player taller than 6-2.
“We give up a whole lot because of that,” he said. “But I think our guys are able to compete and win games, despite the height and bulk disparity.”
Next up Friday at the Hutton Center, UC Santa Cruz, another bulky team.
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Concordia’s Gitte Mejer was named the Golden State Athletic Conference women’s player of the week after helping the Eagles to victories against Harding and Evangel.
Mejer, a 6-2 senior center from Aarhus, Denmark, had 29 points against Harding and 33 against Evangel. She also averaged 11 rebounds and made 24 of 30 free throws.
Mejer is leading the conference in scoring average (20.0) and field-goal percentage (59.9%). Tuesday she scored 26 in a 75-69 loss at Fresno Pacific.
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The Southern California College women’s team extended its winning streak to 11 games by soundly beating Azusa Pacific, picked to finish second in the preseason coaches’ poll, 71-48, Tuesday.
The Vanguards (13-3, 1-0) did it without Emily Wedel, who led the conference in three-point field-goal percentage (46.9%) during the pre-conference season but has dropped out of school.
Fortunately for the Vanguards, another outside threat, Erin Hartigan, will be eligible to play Saturday at Cal Baptist. Hartigan, an all-state guard from Utah, transferred from Loyola Marymount.
Notes
The SCC women’s basketball team is ranked second in the NAIA in scoring defense. Entering Tuesday’s game, the Vanguards had allowed 49.4 points a game, just behind William Carey (Miss.).