PSU Magazine Fall 1999

FOOTBALL Portland State came within 19 points of an undefeated Big Sky Conference last season (5-6 overall, 4-4 in the Big Sky)-losing three of those games by a total of Ill"• - ·- nine points. That's how _., l ..- \ ,...--: d close the Vikings were • . I to returning to the play- offs, where they spent eight of 10 Division II Quarterback Jimmy Blanchard led all NCAA I-AA quarterbacks in passing efficiency last season. post-seasons prior to joining I-AA in 1996. With that near-miss in mind, PSU has loaded its offense with junior All-American candidates Jimmy Blanchard, the nation's 1-AA passing efficiency leader; Charles Dunn, a 1,500-yard runner; and Orshawante Bryant, the Big Sky's receiving leader (1,092 yards, 68 catches, 10 touch– downs) . Oct. 9 at Sacramento State 1 p.m. Oct. 16 Montana State 7:35 p.m. Oct. 23 at Weber State noon Oct. 30 at Cal Poly 2 p.m. Nov. 6 Cal State Northridge 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Northern Arizona 5 p.m. Nov. 27 NCAA first round playoffs TBA Portland State Football can be heard on KFXX 910 AM (Portland) and KSLM 1390 AM (Salem). MIGHTY VIKS Civic Stadium will see thousands of screaming kids-8,000 per PSU football game-if organiz– ers of the Mighty Viks have their way. The program, which started last year, is providing tickets free of charge to Portland-area youth organizations. Mighty Viks was made possible through corporate sponsors who bought large blocks of tickets to be distributed through organizations such as the Police Athletic League, Pop Warner, and public schools. Pepsi, G.I. Joe's, Crown Pacific, Standard Insurance, and venture capitalist Craig Berkman are some of the many commercial sponsors who contributed to Mighty Viks. Portland State's goal is to average at least 17,000 fans per game this season, and the attendance of local children through Mighty Viks could make this possible. Sponsors of the program also hope to create a new generation of fans for PSU footba ll. Children 13 and under are eligible for Mighty Viks by contacting PSU's Shannon Burley at 725-8277. VOLLEYBALL Despite losing two of the all-time greats in Viking volleyball, Tori Gomez and Hannah Long, Coach Chris Stanley's 1999 squad has plenty of experi– ence-the projected starting lineup features four seniors who played in all 30 matches in 1998. Oct. 9 Montana State 7 p.m. Oct. 20 University of Portland 7 p.m. Nov. 5 Northern Arizona 7 p.m. Nov. 6 Cal State-Northridge 7 p.m. Nov. 18-20 Big Sky Tournament TBA Above home games in Peter W. Stott Center on campus. WOMEN'S SOCCER As the young soccer program continues its climb in the Big Sky Conference, two new faces will lead the way on the Viking sideline. First-year head coach Dana Kusjanovic brings an impressive resume to PSU after coaching the last five seasons at the University of Northern Colorado (55-28-8). Assisting Kusjanovic will be Kim Street, a former goalkeeper at PSU. Oct. 12 Western Baptist 3 p.m. Oct. 17 Northern Arizona 1 p.m. Nov. 5.7 Big Sky Tournament TBA Above home games at Strauser Field in Delta Park. MEN'S BASKETBALL In its most successful season since returning to Division I, the team placed third last year in the Big Sky Conference (9- 7) and reached the Big Sky Tournament semifinals. All of that success, under first– year coach Joel Sobotka, is what the Vikings now wish to maintain and build on, but they face real challenges with only five returning players. The preseason opens Nov. 12 at home against Simon Fraser, and conference play starts Jan. 7 at Weber State. WOMEN'S BASKET– BALL After reaching the Big Sky title game last year, the Viks have their sights set on their first conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tourna– ment in 1999-2000. A veteran squad will be led by new head coach George Wolfe, a former assistant at Hawaii. The Big Sky season Senior point guard Monique Zampera is a leader on the veteran squad. opens Jan. 4 against Weber State at home. Tickets to athletic events are available through the PSU Box Office, (503) 725-3307, or by calling 1-888- VIKTIKS. For a complete schedule of matches see the Web site www.vikings.pd.x.edu FALL 1999 PSU MAG'AZINE 27