Sonoma State Seawolves

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Sonoma State Seawolves
Sonoma State Seawolves logo.svg
University Sonoma State University
Conference CCAA (primary)
NCAA Division II
Athletic directorNicole Annaloro
Location Rohnert Park, California
Varsity teams11 (4 men's, 7 women's)
Basketball arenaThe Wolves' Den
Baseball stadiumSeawolf Diamond
Softball stadiumSeawolf Softball Field
Soccer stadiumSeawolf Soccer Field
MascotLobo the Seawolf
NicknameSeawolves
ColorsNavy, Columbia blue, and white [1]
     
Website sonomaseawolves.com
Team NCAA championships
3
Individual and relay NCAA champions
1

The Sonoma State Seawolves are the athletic teams that represent Sonoma State University, located in Rohnert Park, California, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Seawolves compete as members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association for all 11 varsity sports.

Contents

History

Three NCAA national championships won by women's soccer in 1990, men's soccer in 2002, and men's golf in 2009 also highlight SSU's athletic achievements. In 2008, the athletics department created the Seawolf Sports Network, allowing home basketball games to be broadcast via streaming video over the internet in an effort to further increase interest in its sports programs.

From the school's opening in 1962 until 2002, the school's teams were known as the Cossacks, a nod to the Russian settlers at Fort Ross. The Cossacks name was deemed offensive because of the group's "fanatical intolerance of non-Christians. Cossack-led pogroms through the ages left hundreds of thousands of Jews and others dead." In November 2000, Sonoma State's academic senate voted 24–3 in favor of renaming the mascot, this time without any reference to a human group. The student senate subsequently passed a nearly identical resolution.

Then-school president Ruben Armiñana formed a "naming committee" composed of students, athletic department members, faculty and others. After many months of surveying thousands of students, staff, faculty and alumni, the group presented Arminana with two possible alternatives—Condors (for California's state bird, which does not live in Sonoma County) and Seawolves, a nod to Sonoma's own Jack London, author of The Sea-Wolf. Armiñana chose the latter. [2]

Individual teams

Men's sportsWomen's sports
BaseballBasketball
BasketballCross country
GolfGolf
SoccerSoccer
TennisSoftball
Tennis
Track and field†
Volleyball
Water polo
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor.

Baseball

Sonoma State's baseball team is particularly noteworthy with repeated conference championships. Former Major League Baseball player Steve Blateric managed the Seawolves from 1980-1985. Current manager John Goelz has over 1,100 wins and has been with the program since 1986. [3] As of 2023, 48 players have been selected in the Major League Baseball draft with five players advancing to the majors. [4] [5] Nick Nosti and Alex Crosby both represented their national team. [6] [7] Former player and current assistant coach Zack Pace also manages the Sonoma Stompers. [8] Former assistant coach Tony Arnerich and player Tommy Everidge are both current hitting coaches for the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics.

Men's soccer

The men's soccer team appeared in the 1991 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship, but lost to Florida Tech. They would later win the championship against Southern New Hampshire University in 2002.

Softball

Sonoma State's softball team has continued to show its relentless fight to be at the top. In the past four seasons Coach Jennifer Bridges has led the softball team to four straight NCAA tournament appearances and a pair of CCAA tournament championships.

Women's volleyball

Sonoma State's volleyball team has come very far to become 16th in the nation for Division II schools. Head coach, Bear Grassl, had received Coach of the Year this last year. The Women's volleyball team is expected to finish third in the CCAA in their 2014 season.

Championships

Appearances

The Sonoma State Seawolves competed in the NCAA Tournament across 13 sports (5 men's and 8 women's) 105 times at the Division II level. [9]

Team

The Seawolves of Sonoma State earned 3 NCAA team championships at the Division II level. [10]

Results

School yearSportOpponentScore
1990–91Women's soccer Keene State 2–0
2002–03Men's soccer Southern New Hampshire 4–3
2008–09Men's golf CSU San Bernardino 1,179–1,179

Individual

At the Division III level, Sonoma State garnered 1 individual championship. [10]

Club sports

Sonoma State also has a strong club sports program led by lacrosse, 2002 USLIA National champions, rowing, and women's volleyball, the 2018 and 2019 Division II National Champions. In 2008, the Men's Volleyball Club finished as runner-up at the National Championships. In 2010, the Men's Volleyball Club won the division II NIRSA National Championship, and senior setter Scott Fontana was named MVP.

In 2017, Sonoma State Rowing saw success during the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association. Both the Men's Varsity 8+ and Novice 4+ won gold, competing in the lightweight category. [11]

In 2018, Sonoma State Women's Club Volleyball won the Division II National Championship. Outside hitter Rachel Hadley was named MVP. Right side hitter Bailey Oliver and Libero Becca Steiner were named 1st-team All-Americans, and Setter Samantha Wallace was named All-American Honorable Mention.

In 2019, Sonoma State Women's Club Volleyball won the Division II National Championship, their second title in two years. Outside hitter Rachel Hadley was named MVP for a second year in a row. Right side hitter Bailey Oliver and setter Sam Wallace were named 1st-team All-Americans, and middle blocker Molly Armstrong was named All-American Honorable Mention. Coaches Robert Stamps and Chelsea Reilley were named National Coaches of the Year.

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The 1991 Sonoma State Cossacks football team represented Sonoma State University as a member of the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the 1991 NCAA Division II football season. Led by third-year head coach Tim Walsh, Sonoma State compiled an overall record of 9–2 with a mark of 5–0 in conference play, winning the NCAC title. The team outscored its opponents 265 to 175 for the season. The Cossacks played home games at Cossacks Stadium in Rohnert Park, California.

The 1989 Sonoma State Cossacks football team represented Sonoma State University as a member of the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the 1989 NCAA Division II football season. Led by first-year head coach Tim Walsh, Sonoma State compiled an overall record of 4–6 with a mark of 2–3 in conference play, placing fourth in the NCAC. The team was outscored by its opponents 205 to 196 for the season. The Cossacks played home games at Cossacks Stadium in Rohnert Park, California.

The 1988 Sonoma State Cossacks football team represented Sonoma State University as a member of the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the 1988 NCAA Division II football season. Led by Marty Fine in his second and final season as head coach, Sonoma State compiled an overall record of 5–5 with a mark of 3–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the NCAC. The team was outscored by its opponents 225 to 200 for the season. The Cossacks played home games at Cossacks Stadium in Rohnert Park, California.

The 1987 Sonoma State Cossacks football team represented Sonoma State University as a member of the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the 1987 NCAA Division II football season. Led by first-year head coach Marty Fine, Sonoma State compiled an overall record of 5–6 with a mark of 2–3 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the NCAC. The team was outscored by its opponents 257 to 184 for the season. The Cossacks played home games at Cossacks Stadium in Rohnert Park, California.

The 1986 Sonoma State Cossacks football team represented Sonoma State University as a member of the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the 1986 NCAA Division II football season. Led by Tony Kehl in his fifth and final season as head coach, Sonoma State compiled an overall record of 4–6 with a mark of 2–3 in conference play, placing fourth in the NCAC. The team was outscored by its opponents 235 to 199 for the season. The Cossacks played home games at Cossacks Stadium in Rohnert Park, California.

The 1985 Sonoma State Cossacks football team represented Sonoma State University as a member of the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the 1985 NCAA Division II football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Tony Kehl, Sonoma State compiled an overall record of 3–7 with a mark of 1–4 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the NCAC. The team was outscored by its opponents 301 to 153 for the season. The Cossacks played home games at Cossacks Stadium in Rohnert Park, California.

The 1984 Sonoma State Cossacks football team represented Sonoma State University as a member of the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the 1984 NCAA Division II football season. Led by third-year head coach Tony Kehl, Sonoma State finished the season with an overall record of 1–9 and a mark of 1–5 in conference play, placing sixth in the NCAC. The team was outscored by its opponents 288 to 126 for the season. The Cossacks played home games at Cossacks Stadium in Rohnert Park, California.

The 1982 Sonoma State Cossacks football team represented Sonoma State University as an independent during the 1982 NCAA Division II football season. Led by first-year head coach Tony Kehl, Sonoma State compiled a record of 2–9. The team was outscored by its opponents 309 to 129 for the season. The Cossacks played home games at Cossacks Stadium in Rohnert Park, California.

John Goelz is an American baseball coach who is the current head coach of the Sonoma State Seawolves. His career head coaching record is 1,150–810–5, as of the end of the 2023 season. Prior to his coaching career, Goelz played college baseball at San Francisco State. He was a pitcher for the Gators in the mid-1970s. He was named Northern California Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times and was California Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 2001, 2007 and 2008. Goelz has been recognized nationally by receiving awards from American Baseball Coaches Association and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association by being named NCAA Division II West Region Coach of the Year a total of five times.

References

  1. ↑ Sonoma State Seawolves Brand Standards Guide (PDF). June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Sonoma State U. Discards controversial Cossack mascot". March 2002.
  3. ↑ "John Goelz Head Baseball Coach". January 2024.
  4. ↑ "Sonoma State University (Rohnert Park, CA) Baseball Players". January 2024.
  5. ↑ "Sonoma State University". January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Team Italy - Attendance in alphabetical order". January 2024.
  7. ↑ "International stage Solano Mudcats alum Alex Crosby earns spot for Great Britain in World Baseball Classic". January 2024.
  8. ↑ "Catching Up with Sonoma Stompers Manager Zack Pace". January 2024.
  9. ↑ "NCAA Championships Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Championships Summary" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  11. ↑ "HereNOW".
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