From the Desk of Athletics Director Ron Prettyman
Perspectives on the Toros Athletic Department
November 23, 2004

Ron Prettyman began his tenure as Athletics Director at Cal State Dominguez Hills in April, 1995, coming to the Toros from Vanguard University. During his administration, Prettyman has expanded the department from eight to eleven sponsored sports, and he oversaw and coordinated the acquisition of the Hughes Education and Athletic Center. Ron is a graduate of Southern California College and has a master's degree from Cal State Stanislaus.

From the 2004-05 Desk, Issue #1 From the 2004-05 Desk, Issue #2 From the 2004-05 Desk, Issue #3 From the 2004-05 Desk, Farewell Issue Issues From the 2003-04 Desk

Winter is here. I can tell by the snow on the mountains and by the opening of basketball season. Both are beautiful things to see each year.

I had the wonderful opportunity this November to accompany our Men's and Women's Soccer teams to Seattle for the opening rounds of the NCAA National Championships. Both of our teams played well and represented our University very effectively. Though both teams lost heartbreakers, they made me proud that they had played their hearts out for CSUDH. I want to congratulate our Women's Soccer team for winning the CCAA Championship this year. What a great accomplishment. We hosted the CCAA Championships on our campus. The CSUDH Athletics Department staff and coaches made this a first class event for all of the participating student-athletes. Rachele MacDonald and Kei Kamara were both named Players of the Year in the CCAA. These kinds of awards and recognition of our talented student-athletes is unprecedented as we also had several first, second team and honorable mention awardees. Congratulations to our soccer programs and student-athletes.

Our cross country and volleyball programs competed well this year, too. We had two All CCAA players awarded and several seniors on the volleyball team who we will miss next year. We wish them well as they move on into their careers.

We are really looking forward to a great year with our Men's and Women's Basketball programs. They have been preparing for the upcoming season. Coaches Powell and Girard are excited about their teams, and they are really looking forward to good seasons. Both teams are young, and the future looks bright for the CSUDH basketball programs.

I was saddened to see the unbelievable fights and brawls that occurred recently in professional and collegiate sports. This is something that cannot be tolerated and for which there is no excuse. Nor is it something that can be exclusively blamed on one person or one side. Players and student-athletes have a responsibility to maintain their composure and to present themselves as quality people who can handle adversity. By the same token, fans in the stands have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a civil manner and keep their unsportsmanlike comments and actions to themselves. The events of this past weekend need to serve as reminders that sport are supposed to be fun, and a way to represent our University and our program in a positive manner.

I look forward to seeing all of you at games this winter, where you will enjoy a delightful atmosphere of competition and excitement in the Torodome through the basketball season.

Have a great Holiday Season.

Ron Prettyman
Athletics Director
GO TOROS