Cal Poly Senior Class: Chris O’Brien, Dylan Royer, Drake U’u
This isMUSTANG
ď °WINNING TRADITION The Mustangs have increased their win total each year under Joe Callero, finishing last season with 18 victories – the second highest total in Division I history. During one of those victories, a 100-54 win against Cal State Northridge on Jan. 21, 2012, the Mustangs matched a 25-year-old NCAA record by hitting their first 11 threepoint attempts.
BASKETBALL DEFENSE Last season marked the second straight year that the Mustangs ranked among the nation’s top 25 defensive programs. Taking pride in defense, Cal Poly allowed just 60.5 points per game during the 2011-12 season.
TELEVISION Head coach Joe Callero speaks with Fox PRIME TICKET’s Crystina Poncher. The Mustangs are regularly featured on national and regional television broadcasts.
SUPPORT: Cal Poly has enjoyed a 42.5 percent increase in attendance during the past three seasons. WORK ETHIC Former walk-on Dylan Royer finished last year as the top three-point shooter in the Big West Conference. Also fifth among NCAA Division I players, Royer led the nation – more than 4,000 players – during parts of the 2011-12 season.
Joe cALLERO
Head Coach | Fourth Season | Central Washington, 1986 Twitter: @CoachCallero • During the 2011-12 season, Callero directed Cal Poly to its highest victory total in five years (18) and to the semifinals of the Big West Conference Tournament for the first time since the 2006-07 season. • Under Callero, Cal Poly has ranked defensively as one of the top 25 programs in NCAA Division I basketball during each of the previous two seasons. Last season alone, Cal Poly allowed just 60.5 points per game to finish 24th nationally. • In three years at Cal Poly, Callero has produced five professional players, seven All-Big West selections, two allconference first team members, one Big West Freshman of the Year selection and one national team representative. • Callero has helped increase Cal Poly’s win total by an average of 3.7 victories each year. • Under Callero, Cal Poly annually features one of the more ambitious schedules in the nation. During the 2012-13 season, the Mustangs will play a minimum of 10 games against opponents that qualified for postseason play last year. • Since Callero’s 2009 arrival, the Cal Poly program has experienced a 42.5 percent increase in attendance inside historic Mott Gym. • Callero led Seattle (2001-09) prior to arriving at Cal Poly, helping the Redhawks successfully transition to the Division I level. Seattle won 75 games during his final four years and, during the 2006-07 season, Callero helped the Redhawks to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 38 seasons.
Coacoh’sprofessionals Caller Callero’s Former Players Now Playing Professionally
Brian Scalabrine • • • •
2008 NBA Champion Chicago Bulls (2010-12) Boston Celtics (2005-10) New Jersey Nets (2001-05)
Ryan Darling •Germany
Amaurys Fermin •Dominican Republic •Dominican Republic Men’s National Team
Lorenzo Keeler •Mexico
Shawn Lewis •Spain
Austen Powers •China •NDBL
Will Taylor •Germany
Om a r lowery
Assistant Coach | Fourth Season | Concordia (WI), 2002 “Omar has continued to develop a national reputation as an elite-level recruiter and developer of young men. His ability to identify recruits that fit our program both academically and socially has helped us improve our win-loss record each year.” – Joe Callero
• Serves as Cal Poly’s recruiting coordinator. Responsible for helping to strengthen Cal Poly’s rebounding efforts and post play. • As an assistant coach at Texas State (2006-09), helped recruit seven players ranked among the top 40 Texas high school prospects. • Also served as a graduate assistant at Eastern New Mexico (2004-06) and as a varsity assistant coach at Hale HS (2001-02) in West Allis, Wisc., and Milwaukee’s Marquette HS (2002-03). • Played at Concordia (Wisc.) University. In 2000, earned All-Lakeshore Conference first team praise and helped program to its first appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Mitch freeman
Assistant Coach | Fourth Season | Washington State, 2004
“Mitch has continued to develop as an assistant in our program. His attention to detail in practice, recruiting and with scouting reports has helped us build a program that is always prepared on and off the court.” – Joe Callero
• Serves as Cal Poly’s lead scout in charge of game preparation and defense. • Helped Cal Poly rank as one of the top 25 defensive programs in NCAA Division I basketball during each of the last two seasons • Served under Joe Callero at Seattle (2005-09), helping guide 2008-09 Redhawks squad to the program’s highest winning percentage in 45 years.
Samkirby
Assistant Coach | Second Season | Seattle, 2008
“Sam is a young, bright and enthusiastic coach. These qualities make him an excellent mentor, teacher and motivator. We’re fortunate to have such a great young talent at Cal Poly.” – Joe Callero
• With eight guards on Cal Poly’s 2012-13 roster, pivotal in the development of the program’s backcourt play. • Also pivotal in Cal Poly’s recruiting, scouting and game planning efforts. • Played for Joe Callero at Seattle (2005-07), helping the 2006-07 Redhawks squad to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth in 38 years.
Mitch reaves
Director of Operations | Fourth Season | Washington State, 2008
“Mitch’s organizational skills, work ethic and ability to contribute in every aspect of the program has made him invaluable. He is the undisputed general manager of the Mustang men’s basketball program.” – Joe Callero
• Coordinates team travel, video exchange and team facility scheduling and oversees student managerial staff. • Served as Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at Seattle (2008-09) and as a student manager for Washington State’s 2006-07 and 2007-08 NCAA Tournament teams.
Eric esparza
Director of Community Relations | Seventh Season | Cal State Stanislaus, 1996
“Eric is the veteran of our staff. His community ties and historical knowledge of the Big West Conference and Cal Poly men’s basketball program have been very helpful to our overall improvement. He has a very endearing personality that helps keep our coaching staff laughing and loving our profession.” – Joe Callero
•
Oversees program’s civic outreach endeavors as well as assisting with travel plans and video scout work.
Student Managers Jordan Lewis
Jeremy Jauregui
Niromal Perera
• Four-year Letterwinner at Cal Poly (2007-12)
• Journalism Major
• Economics Major
Student Assistant
Student Manager
Student Manager
Cal Polystaff
Chris Giovannetti |Assistant Media Relations Director
• Oversees all communications efforts for the Mustang men’s basketball program, including publicity, press releases and press conferences, creative and design content, statistical organization and web site maintenance.
Shannon Stephens | Asst. Athletic Director, Academics • A standout pitcher for Cal Poly’s baseball program (1992-95), provides academic advising to student-athletes, monitors student-athlete progress toward degrees and ensures that each student-athlete meets NCAA academic requirements.
Kristal Slover | Head Athletics Trainer • Directs Cal Poly’s sports medicine efforts and provides daily support for the Mustang men’s basketball program.
Tom Barkett | Broadcaster • Serves as the play-by-play voice of Mustang men’s basketball for ESPN 1280 and GoPoly.com. Also handles play-by-play detail for Cal Poly’s football and baseball programs.
Senior Class Photo
President jeffrey armstrong
“Jeff Armstrong is a very passionate and professional advocate for our student-athletes, both on and off the court. He takes the time to support our department by attending games as well as offering encouragement to the students and coaches after big wins and tough losses. True leaders like Dr. Armstrong have inspired everyone at Cal Poly.” – Joe Callero
• Named Cal Poly president on Feb. 1, 2011. Arrived on the central coast after serving a 10-year term as dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and professor of animal science at Michigan State.
i rethctolerticosf don Oberhelman DA “Don is one of the top young athletics directors in the country. His enthusiasm, work ethic and competitive nature have positioned us for continued growth. He relates well to our student-athletes and coaches and he has a vision that will improve our facilities, infrastructure and marketing.” – Joe Callero
• Began duties in 2011 after serving as the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Associate Athletic Director at San Diego State. Also served as the senior associate athletic director at Southern Mississippi (2002-07), the education coordinator for athletics at Texas A&M (1998-02) and as a compliance assistant at Florida State (1995-98).
2012-13roster NO
NAME
POS
YR
HT
WT
HOMETOWN / LAST SCHOOL
2
Chris O’Brien
G
RSr
6-4
210
Irvine, CA / San Francisco
3
Maliik Love
G
JR
6-2
205
Oceanside, CA / The Bishop's School
5
Reese Morgan
G
RFr
6-2
195
San Pedro, CA / Peninsula HS
11
Max Betkowski
G
FR
6-2
195
San Francisco, CA / Galileo Academy
13
Dylan Royer
G
SR
6-1
190
Los Osos, CA / Morro Bay HS
22
Drake U’u
G
SR
6-5
215
Sacramento, CA / Hartford
23
Zach Allmon
F
FR
6-7
205
San Luis Obispo, CA / Mission College Prep
24
Jamal Johnson
G
JR
6-0
170
San Antonio, TX / Madison HS
25
Joel Awich
F
RFr
6-7
205
Oakdale, MN / Tartan HS
30
Joshua Hall
F
FR
6-8
190
Brush Prairie, WA / St. John’s NW Military Academy
33
Chris Eversley
F
JR
6-7
225
Chicago, IL / Rice
34
Brian Bennett
F
FR
6-9
240
Romeoville, IL / Plainfield East HS
35
Kyle Odister
G
JR
6-0
175
Sacramento, CA / New Hampton School
42
Anthony Silvestri
F
SO
6-7
210
San Francisco, CA / Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
44
Zach Gordon
F
FR
6-8
215
Lynnwood, WA / Archbishop Murphy HS
The Mustangs pose for their official team photo on the cliffs overlooking Pismo Beach.
Dylanroyer
13
6-1 • 190 • Senior • Guard | Los Osos, CA
• Finished fifth among NCAA Division I players last year with a 46.5 (72-for-155) percent three-point mark after leading the nation for portions of the 2011-12 season. • A former walk-on, earned a full scholarship for his senior season after averaging 7.5 points per game and starting 22 times last year
Chriso’brien
2
6-4 • 210 • Senior • Guard | Irvine, CA
• Returns to Cal Poly lineup after redshirting during the 2011-12 season. • As a junior during the 2010-11 season, led Cal Poly with an 80.6 percent free throw figure and a 1.53-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, averaged 5.9 points per game and started 26 of 30 contests.
Drake u’u
22
6-5 • 210 • Senior • Guard | Sacramento, CA • As a junior last season, started during 18 of 26 appearances and averaged 6.1 points per game. • Recorded five double-digit scoring games last season, including a career-high 13-point performance against Mississippi Valley State that helped Cal Poly clinch the Las Vegas Invitational championship.
Chriseversley
33
6-7 • 225 • Junior • Forward | Chicago, IL • Enjoyed breakout role with the Mustangs last year, recording 13 double-digit scoring games during Cal Poly’s final 18 contests and averaging 8.2 points per game for the season. • Grabbed at least nine rebounds during a game six times last year with 14 rebounds versus UC Riverside (Feb. 9) ranking as the highest total by a Mustang during the 2011-12 season.
Jam alJohnson
24
6-0 • 170 • Junior • Guard | San Antonio, TX • Posted 1.69-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season and averaged just one turnover per appearance. • Game high for points last season (nine) came during a start at NCAA Tournament participant UNLV.
Maliik love
3
6-2 • 205 • Junior • Guard | Oceanside, CA • Led Cal Poly last season with a 2.07-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. • The Big West Conference Co-Freshman Player of the Year selection two seasons ago, committed just one turnover every 2.3 games during 2011-12 sophomore season.
Kyle odister
35
6-0 • 175 • Junior • Guard | Sacramento, CA • After redshirting 2010-11 season, returned to Mustang lineup last year to shoot 40 percent from three-point range. • Made 26 reserve appearances last year, helping Cal Poly to a 10-3 record during games in which he sank at least one three-pointer.
Anthony silvestri 42
6-7 • 210 • Sophmore • Forward | San Francisco, CA • Three-year letterwinner at Sacred Heart Prep helped program to a 64-31 overall record in three years and to the CIF state championship title during 2008-09 junior season. • Earned walk-on position with Cal Poly for 2012-13 season.
Joel Awich
25
6-7 • 205 • Freshman • Forward | Oakdale, MN • Ready to make debut in Mustang lineup after redshirting during first season on campus last year. • As a senior at Maplewood HS, earned All-Classic Suburban Conference praise after posting 13 double-digit scoring games and helping program to a 25-4 overall record.
Reesemorgan
30
6-2 • 195 • Freshman • Guard | San Pedro, CA • Ready to make debut in Mustang lineup after redshirting during first season on campus last year. • The all-time California high school leader with 740 made free throws, averaged 22.8 points per game during four-year career at Peninsula HS and earned Parade Magazine All-America fourth team praise during 2010-11 senior season.
Zach allmon
23
6-7 • 205 • Freshman • Forward | San Luis Obispo, CA • Averaged 15.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game during 2011-12 senior season at Mission Prep to earn All-CIF Division 5-AA first team praise. • Along with Dylan Royer, one of two central coast natives on Mustang roster and the first Mission Prep player in 17 years to sign with hometown Cal Poly.
Bri anBennett
34
6-9 • 240 • Freshman • Forward | Romeoville, IL
• Averaged 15.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and shot 59.7 percent from the floor during senior season at Plainfield East HS to earn All-Southwest Prairie Conference praise and a spot on the Chicago Sun-Times All-Area and ESPN Chicago All-Area teams. • Assisted Plainfield East HS to 27-2 overall mark and a Southwest Prairie Conference title during senior season.
Zach gordon
44
6-8 • 215 • Freshman • Forward | Lynnwood, WA • Three-year starter at Archbishop Murphy HS averaged 13.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game during 2011-12 senior season to earn All-Cascade Conference praise. • Finished as leading rebounder in Archbishop Murphy HS program history.
Joshuahall
30
6-8 • 190 • Freshman • Forward | Brush Prairie, WA • Attended St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy (Delafield, Wisc.) prior to enrolling at Cal Poly, appearing in all 30 games during 2011-12 season. • Four-time All-Greater St. Helen’s League first team selection at Hockinson HS (2007-11) averaged 20.6 points per game during senior season.
Max betkowski
6-2 • 195 • Freshman • Guard | San Francisco, CA • Two-year letterwinner at Galileo Academy earned All-Academic-Neff League first team praise during 2011-12 senior season. • Earned walk-on position with Cal Poly after impressing during an October open tryout
11
Strength &Conditioning
campus life
When it opened in 2008, Poly Canyon Village was the largest student housing project in the nation. Spanning more than 30 acres, the state-of-the-art complex includes eating options such as Jamba Juice and Peet’s Coffee and features such as a swimming pool, study rooms and a community center.
Covering more than 165,000 square feet, Cal Poly’s new Recreation Center opened in 2011. The center’s three exercise areas contain state-of-the-art weight and cardio equipment, two gyms, three fitness studios for group classes and an indoor track. The Rec Center’s outside features two separate pools, three sand volleyball courts above and two different rock-climbing walls.
The sun sets over the Cal Poly campus (foreground) and the city of San Luis Obispo (background). Photo courtesy of Joe Christianson.
The centra
In San Luis Obispo, the Mustangs Play where Everyone Else Vacations
• • • •
San Luis Obispo sits approximately halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles Average Daily Temperature: 73 Degrees Average Days of Sunshine per Year: 315 Miles of San Luis Obispo County Beach: 80 Waves roll on the coast near the town of Shell Beach, located south of San Luis Obispo.
al coast
The cliffs overlooking Shell Beach.
Cal Poly’s senior class has some fun during the team’s annual photo shoot on the cliffs overlooking Pismo Beach.
The unive Mustang Way, the main route through the middle of the Cal Poly campus, earned the title with inspiration from the Cal Poly Athletics Department’s creed, The Mustang Way.
19,000 Students, Internationally-Honore Public Master’s Institution in the Western Pacific Ocean.
• • • • •
Median starting salary for Cal Poly graduat 82 percent of students report working full t one year of graduating 64 majors and 31 master’s programs 19-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the western United States for 20 successive
ersity
The gigantic Poly P overlooking the campus is a popular hiking and running destination for students.
ed Courses of Study and the Top-Ranked n United States ‌ all 11 Miles from the
tes: $50,000 time or attending graduate school within the top public master’s university in years.
Cal Poly Wears the Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 TB Cal Poly Wears the Nike Air Max Destiny TB
CalWill PolyWear willthe wear the 2012-13 Cal Poly 2011-12 Nike Home Jersey When Hosting Saint Mary’s, Nike road jersey when visiting UCLA, UC Santa Barbara and Long Beach State Saint Mary’s, Washington and Nevada
Cal Poly will wear the 2012-13
Cal Nike Poly Will Wear the 2011-12 Nike Road home jersey when hosting Jersey When Battling USC, UNLV Fresno State, Long Beach State, Hawai’i and DePaul
and UC Santa Barbara inside Mott Gym.
NIKEBASKETBALL.COM
ON THE ROAD WIT Domestic
In three seasons under Joe Callero, Cal Poly has competed in 11 different states, played at historic venues such as UCLA and DePaul and regularly faces some of the top programs in the nation, including San Diego State and Wisconsin.
Former Chicago Bulls forward Brian Scalabrine welcomed the Mustangs to the United Center prior to Cal Poly’s game at DePaul last season.
Mustang players pose at Hanauma Bay before Cal Poly’s 2010 ESPN BracketBuster victory against Hawai’i.
Cal Poly will make its return to a revamped Pauley Pavilion when facing UCLA on national television on Nov. 25.
TH THE MUSTANGS International
Cal Poly tuned up for its 2011-12 season with a summer tour of Costa Rica. Aside from playing three total games against the Costa Rica Men’s National Team and a professional club, the Mustangs visited Irazú Volcano, went zip-lining through the rain forest and performed community service, among other adventures.
Joe Callero shows a student at Guarderia El Manantial school his iPhone.
Near the rim of Irazú Volcano
Athletics facilities Completed in 2006, Alex G. Spanos Stadium regularly draws sellout crowds for Cal Poly’s championship football and men’s soccer programs. The best-attended series in the history of collegiate soccer plays out annually between Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara at Spanos Stadium.
Cal Poly men’s soccer fans rush the field after Cal Poly’s 2011 comefrom-behind upset victory against rival UC Santa Barbara.
Named after the St. Louis Cardinals All-Star shortstop and Mustang shortstop (1974-77), Ozzie Smith Plaza hosts Cal Poly’s baseball and championship softball programs.
le Not abAthletics Alumni
After earning a Super Bowl championship ring in February, former Mustang wide receiver Ramses Barden (2005-08) worked his way into a starting role with the New York Giants to open the 2012 season.
Former UFC light heavyweight titleholder Chuck Liddell wrestled at Cal Poly (1988-93).
Before he was a video game icon and Emmy award-winning commentator, John Madden was a Super Bowl-winning coach with the Oakland Raiders (1976) and an all-conference offensive and defensive lineman for the Cal Poly football program (1957-58).
At the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, discus thrower Stephanie Brown-Trafton (1999-03) won the first gold medal by a Cal Poly athlete.
2012-13schedule
Home Game
Away Game
* Big West Conference Game
All Times Pacific
122 TEAMS. 61 GAMES. FOR THE ELEVENTH TIME. A total of 122 teams – representing 15 collegiate athletic conferences – will compete in the two-day event (February 22-23), with the entire BracketBusters slate of matchups to be announced in late January.
February 22-23, 2013
Of the 61 games, 13 will be televised, with 5 contests on ESPN2, 4 will be aired on ESPNU and 4 on ESPN3. Please consult local listings for start times.
HOME TEAMS
AWAY TEAMS
Vermont, Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah, Campbell, High Point, Liberty, Presbyterian, UNC-Asheville, Winthrop, Cal Poly, Hawaii, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, Loyola, Univ. of Illinois Chicago, Valparaiso, Wright State, Youngstown State, Fairfield, Marist, Niagara, Rider, Siena, Akron, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan, Hampton, Drake, Indiana State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Wichita State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, UT-Martin, SE Missouri State, Murray State, Belmont, College of Charleston, Western Carolina, Davidson, Central Arkansas, Lamar, Oral Roberts, Texas A&M-CC, IPFW, IUPUI, Nebraska Omaha, Oakland, Western Illinois University, Utah State, UT-San Antonio, UTArlington and Saint Mary’s.
Albany, Montana, Northern Arizona, North Dakota, Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, Weber State, Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, Longwood, Radford, VMI, Cal State–Fullerton, Cal State–Northridge, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, Pacific, Cleveland State, Detroit, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Canisius, Iona, Loyola, Manhattan, Saint Peter’s, Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Kent State, Miami, Ohio, Morgan State, Savannah State, Bradley, Creighton, Evansville, Illinois State, Missouri State, Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, SIU-Edwardsville, The Citadel, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, UMKC, North Dakota State Univ., South Dakota State Univ., Univ. of South Dakota, Texas State, Denver, Idaho and Loyola Marymount.