You are in the official 2009-2010 General Catalog for California State University, Fresno.
Athletics
Athletics Department
North Gym, Room 146
559.278.2643
THOMAS C. BOEH, Director of Athletics
Athletics
Academic excellence and athletics go hand in-hand at Fresno State. Fresno State is a member of the Western Athletic Conference. The broad-based intercollegiate athletics program provides athletes with opportunities for high-level competition to enrich their collegiate experience while they pursue a quality education.
To ensure academic development, California State University, Fresno - known in the athletics world as Fresno State - has instituted a support system designed specifically for student athletes. Services include academic advising, guidance and counseling, monitoring of progress, tutoring, and daily study halls.
Facilities
Bulldog Stadium, home of the football and women's soccer teams, has a 41,031-seat capacity. Beiden Field, a 5,422-seat baseball stadium, is considered one of the finest collegiate complexes in the country and home to the 2008 NCAA National Champion baseball team. Bulldog Diamond, home of the 1998 NCAA champion Fresno State softball team, seats 3,288 and is the finest on-campus facility of its kind in the nation. Fresno State has track and field facilities, two gymnasiums, and putting greens and driving areas complete with sand traps for golf. The strength and conditioning center is one of the best weight rooms on the West Coast with 10,800 square feet, and the resplendent Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center is home to the men's and women's tennis teams.
In 2003, Fresno State opened the Save Mart Center, the largest on-campus arena on the West Coast with a capacity of 15,596. In 2005, the Ricchiuti Academic Center was constructed during the same time the Duncan Building was expanded to house the new football offices and locker room.
Men's Intercollegiate Athletics
Baseball. In 2008, the Bulldogs won the program's first ever NCAA National title and third-straight WAC Championship. The Bulldogs have advanced to the NCAA Tournament 13 of the last 18 years and 29 times overall, including four College World Series appearances.
Baseball. The Bulldogs have advanced to the NCAA tournament 12 of the last 17 years and 28 times overall, including three College World Series appearances. The 'Dogs won the 2006 WAC title, advanced to the NCAA Championships, and finished in the top 25 rankings.
Basketball. Fresno State has advanced to postseason play in nine of the last 15 years. In 2007, the 'Dogs advanced to the NIT.
Track and Field. In 2005, the Bulldogs finished runner-up at the WAC Outdoor Championships.
Football. With nine bowl games in the last 10 seasons, the Fresno State Bulldogs are among the nation's elite Division 1 FBS programs. Fresno State's football program is producing high-caliber student-athletes, with a 109 Academic All-WAC players honored in the last 11 years, nearly twice as many as any other Western Athletic Conference school.
Golf. Fresno State finished in the Top 25 nationally 13 times in the past 24 years. The team was ranked as high as number four in the nation in 1999-00. In 2003, the Bulldogs captured their third WAC championship title since Fresno State's inception into the WAC in 1992. Nick Watney joined the PGA in the spring of 2003.
Tennis. The Bulldogs have received an NCAA berth 10 out of the last 15 years. Fresno State has reached the national quarterfinals in 1996 and the Sweet 16 in 1995, 1997 and 1999. The Bulldogs have also reached the finals of the WAC tournament the past three seasons. The team garnered five All-Americans from 1995-99.
Track and Field/Cross Country. Fresno State took third at the 2008 Outdoor Track and Field WAC Championship, sending seven Bulldogs to the NCAA West Regionals. The cross country team also took third at the WAC Championship in 2008, with one athlete earning an individual bid to the NCAA Championship.
Women's Intercollegiate Athletics
Basketball. The Fresno State women's basketball team won the WAC championship in 2008 and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
Cross Country/Track and Field. The Bulldogs have built powerful track and field and cross country programs. In 1991 and 1992, the track team won consecutive crowns. It also won the 2002 outdoor WAC championship.
Equestrian. After becoming a national power in the equestrian club ranks, Fresno State has emerged as a national leader on the Varsity Equestrian Championship circuit, reaching Top 10 status each of the last three years.
Golf. In 2008, the Bulldogs won the program's first ever WAC Championship and earned an automatic bid to compete in the NCAA tournament.
Lacrosse. The 2009 season will be the first year of play for the Fresno State women's lacrosse program. Sue Behme is the program's first ever women's lacrosse coach.
Soccer. In 2003, Fresno State ranked No. 3 nationally in average match attendance. In 2005, the Bulldogs won the WAC tournament and received a NCAA tournament berth.
Softball. The Bulldogs won the university's first-ever National Championship in 1998. The team has received 27 consecutive NCAA berths.
Swimming and Diving. The 2008-09 season marked the return of the Fresno State swimming and diving program after a four-year hiatus at the University.
Tennis. The Bulldogs have received an NCAA berth 13 years in a row and won the WAC title seven consecutive seasons. The 'Dogs have advanced to the finals in seven national tournaments since 2004, including a victory at the National Indoor doubles tournament in 2008.
Women's Track and Field/ Cross Country. The track and field team finished as the WAC Outdoor Runners Up in 2008 with three women winning individual conference crowns, 14 competing at the NCAA West Regional and two earning bids to the NCAA Championships. The indoor team boasted one WAC title in 2008
Volleyball. With 11 winning seasons in the last 117 years, Fresno State has six postseason appearances overall, including three trips to the NCAA tournament .
Sources/Resources