PSU Magazine Winter 1994

Several theories have been advanced. Robert Lockwood, Univer– ·ity facu lty athletic representative, believes it has to do with the exce l– lence of the program and the nati onal attention given PSU. "It's a program that people look to and see success," Lockwood concludes. "Not just last year, but success fo r a number of years. People come because they want to be involved with a . " wmner. athy Nelson, women's volleyball coach, also po ints to the excellence of the program at a national leve l as a key to success. "This is my first year he re,~ ut several of our playe rs recruited by former coaches were definitely Di vision I players," says Nelson. "Year i.n and year out, we make it to the elite fin al eight. That's a bi g recruiting tool." 16 P u Magaz ine If a winning tradition is the gate to success at PSU, the athletes hold many of the keys. "I can tell you one thin ," Tim Walsh, PSU head footh 11 coach, says. "When an athlete come · t visit Portland State he is goin to walk away thinking it's more like a Divi ion I program becal e of the fa il ities, C ivic Stadium, the fan support, un.J th media attenti n we get. "W en I o into a home and meet the parents fa prospect, I tell them that ip the ex t four years their son's goin to visit Georgia, Te 'a , Alabama and Nebraska and other tares, by playing football for P U . "And the metro area , combined with the h igh aliber of education offered at PSU, will lead t many opportunities when an athelete walks out our front door." Fan support. Thar's the backbone of P U athletics, accord ing to Randy ordl ff'79, P U thletic director. "If we were onl averagin 2,000 peu le a game e c uldn't afford to brin in teams like orth A labama or Amer- i n International. We have to guarantee them their expenses, and it costs approximately 30,000 t b bring one of tho~e teams to P .rtlcnd. "We have a uniqu situation," says Nordloff. "Our fomhall pr ram is going to make money this year, and I can guarantee you that it is the only one to do so in the history of Division II." According to an Athletic Department survey commissioned last year, of the top 20 NCAA II pr grams in the country, P U was number one based on revenue earned. Much of PSU's athletic success can be attributed to the coaching staff, many of whom have had long tenure at the Uni versity. Th is "Habilizing fac tor," according to Lockwood, has been a prime reason PSU has J one well and been able to attract athletes. Head baseball coach Jack Dunn, now in his 20th year, has never had a los ing season. Q uite an accomplish– ment considering PSU baseball is played at the Di vision I leve l as part of the PAC- 10 orthern Division. Likewise, Teri Mari ani '76, women's softball coach, in her 17th year, has been a consistent fo rce in guiding PSU appearances. Volleyball coaches Jeff and Marty Mozzochi, t<x1k the team to the Division II national championship four times during their nine years at the University. They were recruited away by Oregon rate last year. In the same way, former head football coach Mouse Davis (1975-80) turned a perennial loser into one of he nation's premiere NCAA II football programs. H was e\'entually followed by Pokey Allen (1986-92 ), whose zany personality anll wide-open offense coaching-style captured the fans' imagination. People flocked to Civic Stadium in unparalleled numbers for a Division II school ro support the Vikings, pushing attendance past the 20,000 mark. Attri uting Portland State's success to the player · is a hit more complicated. Choo. ing which college to attend can be both exciting and difficult. The choice is complicated when an athlete nurtu res the hope of a professional sports career. Conventional wi dom suggests choosing a high-profile Division I school that lend itself to mass media coverage, bowl games, and a shot at a national champion: hip. It's a buyers' market for the true blue chiP ~-~..-___.,­ prospect when the college recruiter · come a-courting. John Charles, a star PSU quarter– back in 1991 -92, was skeptical about playing football for a Division II schoo l. "In retrospect, I think there is a big misconception out there that the only way you can •ct to the pros is to play fo r a big school," Charles say . "That's JW•t not the case, although I can relate to the apprehension some guys fee l that they won't get noticed by the couts. I made a good dec ision by attending PSU. l had a lot of fun play ing ball , and I got drafted by the Atlanta Falcons." PSU may not lure all the top high school, All -American blue chip playe rs. But that doesn't mean it has to settle fo r the K-Mart "blue light" spec ials either. Be ides, the blue chip tag isn't alway · an accura te litmus test. Case in po int is P U's own Neil Lomax from Lake Oswego. He fa iled to get recruited