(Tucson, AZ) Kim Doss
While Wednesday night brought news of possible budget and program cuts from the Pima Community College Governing Board, Tuesday night was a time for Pima Athletics to celebrate everything that makes intercollegiate athletics special: hard work and success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. It was a night where everyone–from student-athletes and coaches to academic support staff to athletic training staff–came together as one to look back on a year that saw the men’s basketball team go to the Final Four and track and field crown its fourteenth national champion in only thirteen years of existence.
Addressing the role of athletics programs at Pima, Dean of Athletics, Fitness and Wellness Edgar Soto said, “A lot of times, individuals look at athletics just as a measure of wins and losses, but that’s not the only thing that athletics provides. It provides leadership opportunities for students. It provides support for students with their academic pursuits. And that’s one of the great things here at Pima Community College, is that we not only have individuals who are successful on the field of play, but are also successful in the classroom, and our athletics programs promote that.”
The Lawrence R. Toledo Leadership Award kicked off the evening awards, honoring four student-athletes who seized the opportunity to demonstrate leadership while playing the games they loved. The family of Lawrence R. Toledo, the first Athletic Director at Pima, was on hand to present the awards to Gabriel Mendoza of the men’s soccer team, Christian Maddox of the football team, Tyra Yanez of women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and women’s basketball player Jacqulynn Nakai.
The importance of academics was highlighted by the men’s basketball team, which once struggled to keep players eligible. Since the hiring of head coach Brian Peabody, that has ceased to be an issue. The turn around in the classroom led to huge successes on the court this season, where the Aztecs advanced to the national championship game in Danville, Illinois.
Pima Men’s Basketball Coach Brian Peabody talks about his team’s 31-5 national runner-up season.
The team came up four points short in the NJCAA Division II title game last March, but their historic 31-5 season brought attention to the program and the individual players. One coach who took note was former Arizona Wildcat and NBA star Damon Stoudamire. Stoudamire is now the head coach at the University of Pacific in Stockton, California. Freshman center/forward Jeremiah Bailey will be joining the former Wildcat great next season.
With the successes in the classroom and on the field, it isn’t just the men’s basketball team sending players on to four year colleges and universities. Players from throughout the department earned opportunities to continue their education at four year institutions. More than 30 student-athletes have committed to playing at schools ranging from the University of Oregon to Arizona Christian University.
Backing up the point of Soto, the football program represented the importance of achievements beyond wins and losses. While head coach Jim Monaco’s squad went 0-7 in the Western States Football League and 2-9 overall, it also produced the most athletes who will continue their athletic pursuits at the highest level of college athletics.
Pima assistant softball coach Rebekah Quiroz talks about the importance of family while recognizing player Sierra Gentry. Quiroz said that Gentry’s parents traveled to every game, although they live in New Mexico.
As Monaco spoke about his team, he noted that many of them could not be there, because they have already moved on to their next school and are participating in spring practice. Eight members of last year’s team have signed at universities around the country, including three who will compete for PAC-12 schools next season.
National titles, along with all conference, all region and All American honors piled up as the evening wore on. The Aztecs track and field team did their part to bring national titles to Tucson. In only thirteen years of existence, the team has produced fourteen national champions. This year, it was Collin Dylla bringing home the honors, taking the NJCAA Indoor title in the 1000 meters.
Pima student-athletes wrapped up their year looking back on all the good things they accomplished in their studies and in their competition. Now, they and their coaches must wait for the decision of the Chancellor and Governing Board to see how many of them will have the same opportunities next season.
