Viewpoints
May 23, 2013 | 19
Serving students since 1922
Sports
Former UCLA assistant to lead basketball program Tim Cornell asst. Sports Editor The Riverside City College Athletics Department confirmed the hire of Phil Mathews as the new head coach for the men’s basketball team. Mathews was hired after an intense interview process that featured many well qualified candidates. The spot opened up a month ago after former head coach John Smith accepted the associate head coach position at Cal State Fullerton. Mathews has an impressive and long resume. He has been a coach at the high school or college level for 41 years. Having spent four years experience as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska as well as nine years as the head coach for San Francisco made Mathews a top candidate. Though Mathews has spent a lot of time away from Southern California basketball, he is no stranger to this area. He spent his previous three years as an assistant coach at UCLA. He was mainly in charge of training low post players and was a major factor in recruiting. UCLA had the number one ranked recruiting class in the country in 2012 largely due to Mathew’s recruiting efforts. Not only does he have Div. I experience, he also has an impressive record at the junior college level. He was head coach at San Bernardino Valley College for two years in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The team had a combined record of 51-17 in those two seasons. Every single player from his first season at SBVC moved onto a four-year college with a scholarship. This is an impressive feat for any coach, and one that surely stuck out for the RCC athletics department. Mathews compiled a 349-73 total record at the junior college level in 12 seasons. His team won the conference championship in 11 of those 12 seasons. Mathews will be a perfect fit for the Tigers next season. The vast amount of experience working with low post players as well as guards will benefit the Tigers. He worked primarily with guards at
This month in Tiger Athletics Baseball Season Record 25-14
Track and Field
Men’s Tennis Conference 13-8
Last Game: May. 4 at El camino L 7-1
Season Record 18-3
Conference 10-0
Season Record 0-0
Last Game: April 16 vs. Ventura Loss 5-1
Conference 0-0
Next Event : Apr. 26 OEC Finals @ Santa Ana
Apr. 4
RCC at Cypress
L 2-1
Apr. 4
vs San Diego
W 9-0
Apr. 9
Apr. 6
RCC vs.Cypress W 3-2
Apr. 5
vs San Diego Mesa
L 5-4
Apr. 13
at San Antonio Relays
Apr. 9
vs. Golden West
Apr. 9
SoCal Quarterfinals W 5-1
Apr. 19
OEC Prelims
Apr. 11
at Golden West W 3-2
Apr. 11
OEC Tournament
Apr. 26
OEC Finals
Apr. 12
vs Orange Coast W 4-2
Apr. 16
SoCal Semifinals
May 4
SoCal Prelims
Apr. 16
at Orange Coast W 5-4
Apr. 20
SoCal Finals
May 11
SoCal Finals
Apr. 18
at Santa Ana
W 8-6
Apr. 24
at Ojai State finals
May 17
at San Mateo State finals
Apr. 25
State finals
L 3-2
Apr. 20
vs Santa Ana
W 5-0
Apr. 23
at Saddleback
W 7-1
Apr. 25
vs Saddleback
May 3
El Camino Compton
L 5-1
SoCal Hep/Dec at Cerritos
Loss series 2-1
Softball Season Record 45-6
Swim/Dive
Women’s Tennis Conference 18-3
Last Game: May. 19 vs Palomar L 7-2
Season Record 15-3-1
Conference 8-1
Season Record 6-1
Last Game: Apr. 2 vs. Orange Coast: Win 7-2
Apr. 3
at Saddleback
W 2-0
Mar. 19
at Cypress
W 7-2
Apr. 5
at Orange Coast
W 7-0
Mar. 28
vs. Saddleback
W 7-2
Apr. 10
vs Santa Ana
W 4-2
Apr. 2
vs. Orange Coast W 7-2
Apr. 12
vs. Cypress
W 6-2
Apr. 4
at El Camino
L 7-2
Apr. 13
vs Citrus
W 15-0
Apr. 9
vs. Palomar
W 5-1
Apr. 16
vs Palomar
W 5-4
Apr. 16
at Mt. San Antonio W 5-3
Apr. 17
at Santiago Canyon L 4-3
Apr. 20
vs. Fullerton SoCal
Apr. 20
at Golden West
Apr. 22
vs Mt. San Antonio W 5-4
Apr. 24
vs Fullerton
May 4-5
vs. Ventura
W 9-0
Regionals
Conference 5-1
Next Game: State championships @ East LA
Apr. 5
at. RCC Invitational
Apr. 12-13
at El Camino
Apr. 18
OEC championships at
OEC Dive Championships
Golden West Apr. 25
State Championships at East LA
L 5-3
W 3-2
Win Series 2-0
Nebraska and greatly increased their three point shooting and assist to turnover ratio. The Tigers have seen much success over the past decade behind coach Smith. Mathews will look to continue that success and make a push for another state championship. With the returning talent from last year coupled with an athletic red shirt and freshman class, the Tigers could compete for a state championship as early as next season. The Tigers start a new era next season, but will always remember the past coaches who helped build the outstanding reputation of RCC basketball. Phil Mathews will look to add to the four state championship banners the Tigers already have. The most recent from 2009 won by coach Smith. The future for the Tigers looks bright behind Mathews. Tiger’s players and fans should be excited for the seasons to come.
RCC coach gets inducted Travis west Sports Editor Riverside City College men’s water polo coach David Almquist has reached an all-time high as he was inducted to the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame. Almquist is a Riverside native who has left his mark on the city in more ways than one. His coaching career began at Poly High School in 1974-1975 and continued with Almquist also representing his country in the Olympics. He was the assistant coach for the 1988 silver medal team in Seoul, South Korea. In 2009, Almquist led his team to a 50 win season that is the longest in school history. Almquist plans to retire at the end of the season.
Staff photo
Home grown: David Almquist has
been inducted to Riverside sport hall of fame
JUMP
START YOUR FALL Enroll in Summer Classes at University of La Verne.
Tuition is $550 per unit. 10 Week Courses: 6WDUWLQJ 0RQGD\ -XQH 8 Week Courses: 6WDUWLQJ 0RQGD\ -XQH
For more information visit: laverne.edu/summer Yvonne Gutierrez-Sandoval Director of Extended Learning Ygutierrez-sandoval@laverne.edu (909) 593-3511 x5124 1950 Third Street, La Verne, CA 91750 laverne.edu