VENTURA : Fans Cheer Championship College Team

Ten years ago, when Ventura College men’s basketball coach Phil Mathews walked into the gym for his first game, 25 people showed up to pull for the Pirates. All but five were players’ parents.

“You’d go into the building, . . . and it was empty,” said Bill Zavolosieck, a Ventura retiree and avid fan since Mathews took the helm. “Now, you have to get here two hours early.”

On Friday, just how much fortunes have changed for Mathews and the team was apparent as a spirited crowd of fans turned out to honor the coach and the Pirates for last weekend’s community college state championship.

Making their third championship appearance in as many years, the Pirates this time took home the top trophy, defeating West Valley, 80-61.

During an hourlong tribute, about 80 fans gathered at Ventura College’s central quad to cheer the 13 players--nine of them freshmen--who brought home the state championship for the fourth time in the school’s history.

“We were beaming, we were so happy,” said Rachel Szatkowski, 19, an English major who was at the championship game. “I was jumping up and down.” She and her childhood friend, Courtney Kittner, 19, who studies fashion design, went to all but one of the games this season--both home and away.

“These are my lucky shoes,” said Ralph James, a devoted fan. “I wear them to all the games. But they make a lot of noise and, to be honest, I’d rather wear tennis shoes.”

As Mathews addressed the crowd and introduced the players, he lauded the team’s rapid maturity.

“This team was very untested,” he said. “They’re from all over the country, and people didn’t know what to expect. But they surprised us.”

Mathews has been credited with establishing a rigorous Ventura College basketball program that requires students to perform well in the classroom, not just on the court.

He said that 98% of his players go on to a four-year university and that the team grade-point average is a 2.9, slightly less than a B, out of a possible 4.0.

To maintain those academic standards, Mathews said he might red-shirt most of this season’s championship players next year so they can focus on their studies. They would return to the court the following year.

Whatever the lineup, the fans seem sure to turn out.

“My husband and I have been to all three state championships,” said Marie Soo Hoo, a Ventura College personnel assistant and a graduate. “We’ll definitely be back.”