Gonzaga University - Spires Yearbook (Spokane, WA)

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questioning the future of athletics. He built a solid, though not a spectacular, program. He now heads to Montana State where another challenge awaits. We wish him the best of luck and sincerely hope that the only coach he loses to is Adrian Buoncristi- ani, the Zag's new mentor. Strong student representation on the athletic council pulled out an outstanding feat in electing Adrian Buoncristiani the new helsman of the Zag hoopsters. The new coach brings with him not only a score of previous successes but the vim, vitality, and hustle of a young and eager man. Combined with the already proven talents of Larry Koentopp, twice named, Gonzaga University Coach of the Year, some lush years are hopefully ahead for the Gonzaga Athletic Program. Koentopp assumed the duties of Athletic Director after Hank Anderson re- tired the position in early February. While in the midst of a spectacular winning streak for his baseball team, Koentopp was busy attempt- ing to upgrade the quality of the schoolls non- revenue Big Sky Sports. Koentopp said, My major concerns right now are swimming and wrestling. We are having a hard time being representative in our conference in these departments. Koentopp said that the main problem there is lack of scholarship monies. We find it fairly easy to fund basketball because it, for the most part, is a self-producing sport. When we play away, schools guarantee us so much money just for showing up and playing. This, unfortunately, isn't the case for the other sports. What we are trying to get the athletes to do is go after federal money whenever possible. There's plenty of money around, all the player has to do is know where to look for it. Wealso try to encourage the players by helping them secure part-time jobs. About six or seven baseball players are employed in service stations throughout Spokane, Koentopp said. Other Zag teams have been representative in the Big Sky this year, Koentopp feels. Our golf team is liable to finish second place this year while finishing third last year. This is only beacuse Weber State has really been loaded down with golfers for the past few campaigns, Koentopp said, The tennis team also wins its share of matches. Koentopp feels how- ever, that swimming and wrestling need the bulk of the monetary support in the coming year. f'This can be accomplished, he said, Through more scholar- ship monies and a possible recruiting budget, however small it may be. New assistant basketball coach and Pavilion superintendent Bob Fitzgerald has been described by Coach Buoncristiani as a, winner in every way. If Bob has any faults at all, it's that he works too hard. These three sparkplugs combined with the winning ways of swimming coach Tony Priano, wrestling coach Rick Lifer, tennis coach Kent Brennan, and graduate assistant basketball coach jim Bresnaban should be able to rekindle the ashes of the fire that is the Gonzaga Athletic Program. At SPIRES press time the Zag baseball team was winning its way to another NCAA Regional Tourna- ment and a national ranking. With a record of 40 wins against only eight setbacks, with Z8 victories in succession the Zags were most likely the hottest thing in Collegiate baseball. Friday, May l9, found the Bulldog nine in Ogden Utah to play in the Big Sky Championship Tourney. They were heavily H K K K, N-N0 ,fi

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