The Catton Chronicles, Part II

FRIDAY 8/29

This morning I woke up a little stiff! I have a fat bruise on my leg, I guess from the game and I had not even realized it. We woke up and went to a local field and had practice. Man was it hot!

After practice we went to Safeway for some water and snacks, then rushed back to the hotel to get ready for the beach!! We went to the beach right next to our hotel. But before we hit the beach we had to get floaties and other intertubes of course! We then hit the beach where we met up with the men's team and had a blast! It was really windy today so the waves were crazy. They we tossing everyone around and dragging everyone every direction! We found it quite amusing that the mens team loved having the waves take them all the way to the sand..girls didn't like that as much because sand just kept going in not so comfortable places.

We then walked around and got ice cream and headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. The whole team split up, but the group of girls I was with decided to go to Chili's, but along the route to Chili's we ran into La Cucarachas. Yes... a Mexican grill in Hawaii. Weird because I didn't know if I was suppose to say mahalo or gracais. We left dinner looked at a couple more shops but had to be in early tonight because we have a game tomorrow at 11.

To be continued...

Hawaii Five-O

SSU senior Andrew Bailey

What a wonderful first day of class for the team. As we left beautiful Sonoma State to travel halfway across the pond to Oahu. Spirits were high that first day, with a sense of purpose that not only brought us together, but galvanized our resolve. We landed to beautiful weather and wonderful times as we played "four ball", which is very similar to four square in all but its name. Upon arriving at the hotel we dropped our bags off and cruised the beach, which is about two blocks from our hotel.

The first official day that we were here we caught up on some much needed sleep, and headed off to training at Hawaii Pacific. Despite the travel in our legs, and the laid back atmosphere, our training was very sharp and effective in gearing us up for our first official game. The weather has been interesting here, as was seen at the end of practice, which culminated with a down pour while the whole rest of the day prior and henceforth was gorgeous. The day ended with a wonderful dinner right on the beach at Shore Boards, as the sun set.

Game day brought about a sense of mixed emotions, excitement and anxiety, as our first test awaited. This game was a game that mom would be proud to put on the refrigerator. We won five to nothing and in convincing fashion. Ross had a hat trick, while Nate and Doug both chipped in with a goal a piece. Nate was first to score off a nice cross from Jack out of the back from the right side, that would carom off Ross and myself and trickle to the back post where Nate flew in to finish it.

Next, and by next I mean within fifteen seconds, Lafon stole the ball while they passed it back off the kick off and played the ball to me at the top off the box. I dropped the ball off to Ross whose shot would find the back of the net. It wouldn't take long for us to find the back of the net again as we had some great possession, and with Doug stepping out of the back the ball found his feet at the corner of the box where he blasted the ball into the top corner. To finish out the half Cam took the ball beating his defender and crossed the ball to a sliding Ross who would score his second of the day. The scoring would conclude in the second half with Casey dribbling to about the top of the box, playing the ball into me and me flicking the ball onto Ross who completed the day with a hatrick.

We had many more chances, but for our first game it was a job well done. We concluded the evening with some shrimp, shaved ice and some much needed beach action, as we finally can breath a little. As for tomorrow we will be back to business, as we prepare for our next game. Until then this is Andrew Bailey signing out, by the way, love you Mom.

Lindsay Catton from Hawaii

Women's Soccer star Lindsay Catton is doing a blog during the team's three-game road trip to Hawaii....

WEDNESDAY 8/27
On Tuesday night we arrived at the airport after a long, but fun four hour plane ride. We watched movies, took pictures, and of course had a little dance party to music on channel 2 of the radio stations too keep us busy on the plane. We were so excited to get to O'ahu! We got there at like 9pm so it was dark and really didn't get to see anything, so we got food checked into our hotel and feel asleep.

The next morning I woke up at like 6am and was in complete amazement with the beautiful scenery!! Kayce Brawley, Maddy Drake and I (and of course Luke and Dave) went and got breakfast for the whole team. But of course that was an adventure. Our van was to high for the parking garage so we had to sit in the back for weight while Dave had to help look for cars so we could back out, it was really quite entertaining! After breakfast, we headed to Hawaii Pacific to have a morning training. We had a great training; all the girls felt ready to play!! We were connecting well and had a great session overall. Although we probably all I
individually sweat out 5 gallons of sweat.

We then headed straight to the beach, and let me tell you it was so beautiful!!! We all ran into the water and had a blast! After that we got food, but then straight back to the beach! Some of us went snorkeling, but we weren't so successful in finding anything! Wait actually Kayce and I found a big thing of coral with little yellow and black fish near it. I'm still looking for Nemo.

After we left the beach, 6 of us went to Costco so we could buy food for the week. That was another adventure in itself. It took us about an hour total to travel there and back, but only about 20 minutes in Costco itself because we were on a mission to get out quick to shower! Oh and I even helped the checker guy.

We got back to the hotel and took fast showers and the team went to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. It was nice and after dinner everyone kind of spilt up and walked around. That didn't last to long because we were so tired, and we have a game tomorrow. Hopefully we get fully rested and get the first counted win for the season.


THURSDAY 8/28
Well, everyone got a great night of sleep!! We woke up and got some breakfast in us then relaxed and mentally prepared for our game. Our game was on the big island today so we had to catch a flight to get there. It was seriously the quickest flight ever!

We got to the airport and were picked up by the other teams coaches. We played at a high school field and it was so hot! It cooled off though but the combination of gnats and the heat was not a good one! We played University of Hilo and beat them 2 to 0. Getting the win of the official season felt great! As a team we started slow in the first half but then we picked it up in the second and got the win. Freshman Kiley Brown scored both goals (unassisted). I got a yellow card, it was deserved, I went to make a tackle and the girl turned so I came in from behind. Overall, it was a good game and left the team feeling confident for our next game against BYU-Hawaii on Saturday.

After the game we showered and got more pizza and went straight back to the airport! This day seemed so short and we are all so tired, but the win made it well worth it!! I'm actually typing this as we are walking off the plane.. Thank you palm centro :) well I do believe we are just going to bed to rest up for nothing but fun in the sun tomorrow!! (oh and practice too!!)

To be continued...

Undefeated Since 1996

By Bill Fusco, Director of Athletics

They are selling a T-shirt in the University Bookstore that reads on the front “Sonoma State Football, Undefeated Since 1996.” A clever retail marketing strategy or cruel joke? Perhaps it’s a little of both. Since SSU dropped football in 1996 it is a given that the shirt will keep selling for years to come.

It is impossible to avoid this time of year. College football is in the air. A true American tradition that will again captivate millions of fans across the country. But in our great State of California, you might find a college football game more difficult to locate than you think. The reality is that the majority of all four-year degree granting institutions in California do not sponsor intercollegiate football on any level.

Yes, the obvious ones are very visible like USC, Cal, Stanford, UCLA and Fresno State. San Jose State and San Diego State round out the seven schools that compete at the highest NCAA Division I level. The next level is the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division IAA) and features schools like UC Davis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Sacramento State and University of San Diego. The remaining 10 schools that sponsor intercollegiate football consist of only one school competing at the NCAA Division II level (where SSU competed) and that is the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State. Azusa Pacific is the lone NAIA school sponsoring football in California and then there are eight NCAA Division III schools, mostly in Southern California that field football teams every fall.

Out of approximately 70 four-year schools in California, only 21 sponsor a college football team. The question I am asked the most over the past 12 years is “When are we bringing back football?” The answer is simple. Unless Bill Gates shows up with a $100,000,000 endowment for SSU Athletics it will probably never happen. The reasons are simple. There are hardly any schools in NCAA Division II sponsoring football on the West Coast. Four to be exact. The travel required to play a competitive NCAA Division II schedule would be economically prohibitive. Title IX also is a major factor in this process. Add a football team of 85 male student-athletes, then gender equity would require you have to go out and find enough women’s teams to handle 125 new female student-athletes.

Since I enjoy college football and really dreamed about SSU having football again, perhaps the best I can do this fall is watch on TV or go over to Cal to see Pac-10 football. Or an even better idea is to save the gas and stay right on campus watching our top-ranked SSU “football” Soccer teams keep the winning tradition of Seawolves Athletics going strong.

Seawolves In Stripes

In case you haven't seen them yet, the men's soccer team is sporting a new look this fall. After talking to a few different people, I think the jury is still out.

What do you think?



Are they reminiscent of Scottish football power, Celtic.....


or old-fashioned prison garb.......



There is a poll up on the men's soccer page asking if you love or hate the new uniforms.
Either way, the new uniforms have been lucky...the Seawolves are 2-0 in stripes.

Soccer Debut Review

The soccer teams got their pre-season kicked off in fine fashion on Sunday afternoon. Though scores could not be publicized, it's safe to say both SSU teams looked very good in their debuts.

The women's squad got contributions from several impressive freshmen, including Taylor Colacion and Taylor Edmonds, against Santa Rosa JC. Tracy Webster also netted a couple of goals. The future definitely looks bright for the Seawolves.

On the men's side, it was Ross Middlemiss leading the way, finishing the game with a penalty kick goal and a pair of assists. The Seawolves have a phenomenal veteran core that has been playing together for quite a while now. In fact, all 11 starters on the Seawolves were on the team last year and 10 of the 11 have been on the team for at least two seasons. I can't think of another SSU team in recent history that can claim something like that.

It was great to see a bunch of former SSU players (Eric Larson, David Seidel, Tim Maycock, Brandon Boone, Chris Daly, and Jaime Rivera) suit up for the Sonoma County Sol on Sunday. Despite starting the game with just 11 players (three more joined the bench after the match had started), the Sol played very well.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

The 2008 football--- I mean, soccer--- season is here! Well, almost. The SSU men and women get their pre-season schedules underway this Sunday with a doubleheader at Seawolf Field. The women will host Santa Rosa JC (coached by former SSU All-American Emiria Salzmann) at 2:30 before the men host the Sonoma County Sol (coached by former Seawolf star and current assistant coach Benjamin Ziemer) at 5:00 pm.

The SSU men will enter the season ranked No. 6 in the nation. While a high early season ranking is nice, Coach Ziemer and his Seawolves will tell you what really matters....where you are at the end of the season. Will the Seawolves be playing in December? Only time will tell. For your first chance to see Bailey, Medina, Carr and the rest of the '08 Seawolves, come on out on Sunday!

Getting Back To The Show

Former Sonoma State pitcher Daniel Barone tossed a complete game three-hitter on Thursday for the Albuquerque Isotopes over the Portland Beavers. The Isotopes are the Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins.

Barone has battled a bad back this season, but looks to be returning to his 2007 form. Last season, after a tremendous minor league stretch, Barone was called up to the major leagues, where he pitched very well for the Marlins. A member of the Seawolves' 2004 NCAA West Regional runner-up squad, Barone became just the second player in school history to play in the Major Leagues. The first? That would be SSU Hall of Famer Marshall Brant, who appeared in a few games in the early 1980s.

With nine former Seawolves currently playing in major league organizations (by far the most in the CCAA), it's only a matter of time before SSU has another of their own in the "big show".