SANDRA CHALMERS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

1997:

Bob and Ruth Mangrum donate a generous amount toward the construction of an Olympic size soccer, field and track course for CSUSM. Key figures in this time period include Dr. Steven Nichole, CSUSM’s first athletic director and Debbie Dale, the driving force and “team mom” of Cougar Athletics. Steve Scott, the greatest mile runner in American history, became the program’s first cross-country and track coach and still holds that position today.

1998:

Men’s and women’s golf, cross-country and track and field were first introduced as official intercollegiate sports and the first year of construction began on the Mangrum Track and Soccer Field. These “lifelong sports” became the focus of Cougar Athletics and the programs became almost instantly successful competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). From their very first season of competition, the women’s golf team qualified for the NAIA National Championships and has continued to do so every year since. Overall, between 1998 and 2005, all four of our team sports men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s cross-country finished in the top-5 nationally at least once.

2002:

Cara Rumble, a runner for our track and field program, won the individual NAIA National Championship in the marathon in 2002.

2003:

$1.2 million donated in the honor of M. Gordon Clarke, by his wife, Helene Clarke toward the construction of the Clarke Field House/University Student Union facility completed in 2003. “The Clarke” now houses gym facilities open to students and athletes.

2006:

The Athletic Fee Referendum paved the way for men’s and women’s soccer, baseball and softball to become official Cougar athletics. The first oncampus athletic event took place on Aug. 25, 2006, as a shocking crowd of hundreds watched the CSUSM men’s soccer team defeat Cal Poly Pomona on a goal in the 92nd minute.

2008:

Coach Steve Scott’s women’s cross-country team recorded its best finish ever in 2008, taking third place at the NAIA National Championships. CSUSM women’s golf hosted the NAIA National Championships at Lake San Marcos, tying a team-best third place finish at Nationals. Women’s soccer win Conference Championship in its third season. Dennis Pugh joins Cougar Athletics as new baseball coach and changes the team’s statistics with dramatic wins.

2009:

Women’s cross-country earns a national title, first ever in CSUSM history, by capturing the NAIA National Championship. The men’s cross-country team reached a team-best #3 national ranking. Both softball and baseball teams earned a trip to the Conference Championship game.

2010:

Men’s and women’s basketball join Cougar Athletics with men’s basketball coach, Jim Saia and women’s coach, Sheri Jennum. Women’s volleyball also gets its start with new coach, Denis Palpallatoc. Women’s cross-country earns its second national title, entering the event as the #1 ranked team. Men’s cross country finished 12th at nationals.

Kyle Trembley contributed to this report.
Photos courtesy of csusm.edu