California State University Sacramento - Statesman Yearbook (Sacramento, CA)

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by D.R. Berry Staff Writer CSUS’ Hornet Stinger Foundation, pushing its theme of ‘‘A New Sports Era,”” saw a growth of almost $100,000 in the yearly de- posits and passed its 1985 fund-raising goal by $3,000. Dick Sperbeck, executive director of the Stinger Board of Directors, said the foundation gave approximately $229,000 to the school.” Sperbeck said funds for next year will be limited to athletic scholarships as the foundation will be eliminating several pro- Stinger Injects $100,000 Into “Sports Era” grams it has been funding. For the year 1985, the Stinger Foundation deposited $353,630 compared to 1984 when the deposit totalled $255,099. A foundation goal of $350,000 was set for 1985 and it raised $353,630. The foundation based its goal on: $140,000 for scholarships for student athletes, $50,000 for recruiting, $26,000 for the sports informa- tion office and related services to CSUS, $89,000 for operations and office personnel, $20,000 for post-season travel and $25,000 for the foundation reserve. Some of the programs the Stinger Founda- tion funded last year will now be taken over by the athletic department. The foundation also raises funds through the donations in a membership drive, a golf tour- nament, a big-ticket party and tennis tourna- ments. (from 2 5 86) eee ee

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Life Goes On For Ex- Hornet Baseball Star by Gary Sekikawa Staff Writer The final out was made, eliminating the CSUS baseball team from last year’s playoffs. The season had ended. For senior second base- man Bobby Haase, the loss also marked the end of his collegiate career. “It was over,’’ Haase said. ‘‘Everybody real- ized we wouldn't see a l ot of the guys again.”’ Haase remained part of the Hornet baseball program, however, after head coach John Smith asked him to say at CSUS as an assi- tant coach. “John and | got along well,’’ Haase said. “Sac State baseball is about loyalty. | put in some hard years. As a result, he gave me this opportunity.” When Smith offered him the assistant coach- ing job, Haase was grateful. “| helped get the program going.”’ Haase said. ‘‘Now I’m getting a chance to continue with it. ’ Haase believes the program is solid, and will only improve with additional funds for scholarships and field improvement. “| like the things we're doing,’’ Haase said. “And feeling | had a part of it.” The transition from playing to coaching has been difficult, however. Spring had always meant playing baseball, but this year was different. “It was hard to give up baseball,”” Haase said. ‘‘l loved getting out there and getting dirty. It’s been rough, but it would be rougher not to be around the game at all.”’ Haase has been around the game since he was eight, when he started playing little league. As a youngster, he learned the most from his father, who was a coach. “He gave me my love for the game,’’ Haase said. Despite an interest in several sports, he chose to concentrate solely on baseball. Fol- lowing his senior year at Valley High School, he earned a spot on the Kennedy American Legion team. In 1981, Kennedy made it to the legion world series in South Carolina, an experience that still ranks as his most memo- rable. After returning from South Carolina, Haase began his college career by playing at Co- sumnes River College. Following two years there, he transferred to CSUS, turning down scholarship offers from other four-year col- leges in order to say stay close to home. Although the Hornets were successful during his two seasons, what he remembers most is the relationship that developed between the team’s players. “Everyone went out together,”’ he said. ‘‘We did everything together. They talk about teams being a family. That’s what we were.”’ When he became a coach, Haase worried about how the people he played with only a year before would treat him. “! was looking for a rough year,” he said. “But it hasn’t been as bad as | thought it would.’” Last season, he was always listening to instructions; this season he is giving them. The toughest part about coaching for him, however, is yelling at his players. “| can't do it,’’ he said. ‘It’s so hard to be mean.” Like any young baseball player, Haase fanta- sized about playing in the major leagues. Realizing that a professional career was noth- ing to bank on, he has worked to complete his education and obtain a degree in criminal justice. For now, he is a coach, but he is prepared for a life without baseball. “| had my dreams,” he said. ‘‘| wanted to play pro ball, but if | counted on that, look where |’d be. Nowhere.” “It's easy to say ‘baseball is my life,’ ’’ he said, “But it’s not. If coaching doesn’t work out, that’s all right. Life goes on.” (from 2 19 86) SIA ad ed 23

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Ron Preble Helps Head Soccer Out Of The Doldrums With just two minutes left in the game, No. 21 of CSU, San Francisco hit and sent No. 11 of CSUS, Ron Preble, crashing to the hard ground. Preble landed on his hip causing him to walk with a slight limp and sit very careful- ly. Sounds like a good football tackle, right? Wrong. This hit took place on a soccer field. Twenty-year-old Preble, who plays for the CSUS men’s soccer team, learned to dribble while other children were taking their first wobbly steps. ‘I guess you could say | was born with a soccer ball at my feet,’’ Preble said. Preble’s first experience with organized soccer came at the young age of eight. He played for a team coached by his father who played semi-pro soccer in Scotland and Puerto Rico. Preble completed his last two years of high school in Maryland where, his junior year, he was awarded All County First Team and vot- ed Most Valuable Player. In his senior year he was once again honored with All County First Team, and two newspapers in Baltimore and Washington D.C. named Preble All Metro. During Preble’s senior year, he was nominat- ed to the All State Team. With all these outstanding accomplishments under his belt, Preble moved to Elk Grove where he attended Cosumnes River College. There he achieved repeated successes. In just two soccer seasons, Preble made All League First Team, All Northern Cal, was a scholar athlete, and was again named MVP. Preble’s decision to transfer to CSUS was based on the soccer program's new coach. “| used to play against Dean Wurzberger’s team and had developed a great respect for his soccer tactics. When | heard he was the new soccer coach for CSUS, | decided to play for his team,” Preble said. “Ron Preble’s an excellent player, athlete, and leader. He’s what every coach likes to see in an athlete,” Wurzberger said. With such enthusiastic support from his coach it is no wonder Preble is the captain of his team. To fill the captain’s shoes, Preble continually strives to b e at his best, to moti- vate and lift up his teammates and to be where he is needed. In reflection of Preble’s accomplishments as captain, Wurzberger said, ‘Preble encourages the players through his actions and words. He has a positive atti- tude that helps to keep the team up.” ““A successful soccer player is someone who considers himself a student of the game. Soccer is a very skillful artistic game that requires a lot of confidence,’’ Preble said. He displays his skill as an athlete in the position of center mid-field. “‘Center mid-fielder is to soccer what a quarterback is to football. My job is to distribute the ball. It's my responsi- bility to get the ball, then successfully give it away,’’ he added. Preble is captain of a group that contains no outstanding “‘super stars’’ but plays well as a team. “This year has been a tremendous building period for the team. It’s amazing how the players have really come together and jelled as a team,’’ he said. THE CSUS men’s soccer team is packed with talented players. So far the team has proved its competitiveness and skill with a solid re- cord of 7-7-4. The team’s mutual goal is to win next year’s National Playoffs. Represent- ing his team’s outlook, Preble said, “Next year we're going to be incredible! We're gonna do it!’ (from 11 5 85)