Men’s teams have dealt with coaching changes, particularly in

basketball

Steve Virgen

The low point for the Vanguard University men’s teams came when the

school fired basketball coach Stephen French during the season. But,

the hiring of a coach that fits Vanguard’s needs has led to the

Lions’ newfound optimism for the basketball program, which mirrors

their feelings for all their programs.

Today’s Checking Out series highlights the past, present and

future of the Vanguard men’s teams.

The Lions have high expectations for the upcoming school year and

they are excited about the rebuilding process taking place with the

basketball program. Regardless of how the men’s basketball team

performs on the court, Athletic Director Bob Wilson already seems

pleased with the hiring of Jim Degroot. In addition, Wilson is

prepared to be patient, as Degroot continues to build.

“I think many people relate athletics just to winning and losing

and that’s not the case,” said Wilson, who was the basketball team’s

interim coach. “Here at Vanguard there’s a much greater message to be

sent. One of the most difficult things we went through this year was

the dismissal of our men’s basketball coach. Any time you have to

make a decision like that it’s difficult because it effects the lives

of a lot of people. The positive thing from that is that we replaced

[French] with a real, strong spiritual leader. I think that will be

reflective for years to come.”

Last season, the Vanguard men’s basketball team, which had

seemingly experienced a roller-coaster ride of promise, losses,

momentum and defections, ran into a dead end, as French struggled to

develop team chemistry. However, just as in every of the other sports

teams’ off-seasons, hope has been brewed.

Save from the basketball team, with the way the Vanguard men’s

teams finished last season, there is not only hope, but lofty

expectations for the Lions.

For the men’s soccer team, Coach Randy Dodge will be entering his

second year with the program and plans to build off a season that

ended on a high note. The Lions, playing with a relatively young

roster, finished their season with a four-game winning streak. They

battled back from an 0-4 start in December and ended their season

with an 8-12 record.

Led by Matt Hess, Vanguard is expecting to take its game to the

next level and to a new “home.” The athletic department has been

reconstructing new turf for the men’s and women’s soccer teams’

fields that should be ready for the upcoming season.

There are several developments occurring at Vanguard, including a

new basketball gym, which is projected to also have a weight room.

The gym is in its preliminary stages and is part of the university’s

strategic plan of adding new facilities. Vanguard will seek financial

backing before finalizing plans for the new gym.

Just as the soccer team, the men’s cross country and track and

field teams are also looking forward to the 2003-04 year as a time to

establish themselves as one of the best programs in the Golden State

Athletic Conference. Tony Magana, Mikael Larsson and Matt Meyer

headline a strong cast of distance runners, Wilson said.

The Vanguard men’s tennis team finished the season ranked No. 10

in the NAIA. Coach Mattias Johannson returns for his eighth season.

The former Lions’ standout has directed Vanguard to an 103-54 record

the past seven seasons.

Wilson expects the Lions to be in serious contention once again

for the NAIA Region II title. Vanguard lost in the title match last

season.

Wilson said the Vanguard baseball team will be in rebuilding mode.

The Lions finished 24-26, 13-15 in the GSAC last year.

As for the future of the Vanguard athletic department, Wilson

wants all of the coaches to be full-time employees. The softball,

volleyball, baseball and basketball coaching positions are full time.