Stanford Today Edition: March/April, 1998 Section: News on Campus: Sports Briefs WWW: Sports Briefs
ATHLETIC FACILITIES CRUNCH From recreational facilities to television revenues and the relationship between the athletic department and the office of undergraduate admission, Ted Leland, director of athletics, covered a range of complex issues during his first report to the Faculty Senate in five years. To respond to the increasing demand for recreational and intramural sports, he announced plans to build some new facilities near the Medical School and a new swimming pool in the DeGuerre complex. But every time the university builds a new weight room or pool, Leland said, it fills up. "At some point in time, we've got to stop building . . . [and] turn our attention to other priorities within the department," he said. About the athletic department's reliance on football income, Leland said: "It's a real concern for all of us." And he said he is concerned about how much pressure is being put on coaches to win football games "when if you win it is a $600,000 payday." As to the relationship between the admission office and the athletic department, he said that alumni would chase him out of the university if he attempted to win the Rose Bowl by admitting students who can't compete in the classroom.
SOCCER KUDOS Men's Soccer Coach Bobby Clark, whose team made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years, was named NSCAA/Umbro Far West Region Coach of the Year. The team, which finished 13-5-2 and ranked No. 15 in the Soccer America Top 20 poll, was undefeated in its first 15 games. Two of its five losses were to eventual Final Four teams. Jamie Clark earned First Team Far West Region All-America honors; second team honors went to Adam Zapala, Simon Elliott and Shan Gaw. In women's soccer, three players were named to the All Pac-10 First Team: Emily Burt, Ronnie Fair and Trayce Lawyer. Elie Foster and Rita Hermiz made second team.
A WINNING HAND Water polo finished 19-7 and second in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, losing 5-4 to USC in the championship game. Earlier, Stanford beat California 5-4, with just two seconds left. The winning shot was made by Layne Beaubien, a right-hander, who did the job using his left hand. Brian Heifferon was named to the MPSF 1997 First Team, and Beaubien and Chris Aguilera to the second team. Stanford will lose only one senior and has a formidable group of redshirt frosh ready to play next year. All come with national achievements, including playing on the U.S. Junior National Team.
RUNAWAY SUCCESSES Payton Jordan, who coached from 1957 to 1979, and Brooks Johnson, who coached from 1979 to 1992, were named to the U.S. Track Coaches Hall of Fame. Octogenarian Jordan still runs track, this year breaking world records in his age category for the 100- and 200-meter sprints. Johnson is administrator for track and field and cross-country events at Disney's new Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando. At Stanford, the success of the cross-country teams the men won the NCAA championship and the women took second place also led to a slew of honors. Ten athletes were named All-Americans, and Coach Vin Lananna was chosen Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year (as well as District 8 Coach of the Year). Making the All-America list: Nathan Nutter (third time), Mary Cobb (third), Brad and Brent Hauser (second for both), Sarna Renfro (second), Jason Balkman, Jonathan Riley, Jason Lunn, Julia Stamps and Sally Glynn. ST