I am having difficulty coping with the fact that Thanksgiving is this week and we are already into the holiday season. Time goes by so fast and challenges each of us to use this precious resource in a manner that spreads enthusiasm and a positive attitude, as well as builds community each day.

Basketball Season Tips-Off
As I write this, I am returning from New York with our men's basketball team. A win over Cal in the Regional Final of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Hass Pavilion allowed us to advance to play the #23-ranked University of Memphis Tigers and #12-ranked Mississippi State University Bulldogs. The opportunity to participate on the national stage was a welcome challenge. These games against top-25 opponents were a learning experience that will make us better.

The women's basketball team started their season in the pre-season NIT against a challenging Arizona team before winning their home opener against UC-Riverside.

Competitive Success
We are in the process of concluding the fall season. The most visible measurement is wins and losses, as well as place of finish in the West Coast Conference. This report card documents our success in women's volleyball while demonstrating the work we still need to accomplish in men's and women's soccer and men's and women's cross country.

Women's volleyball just concluded its most successful regular season in school history. Jon Stevenson guided the Gaels to a school record 23 wins, while only losing three matches, and earned the highest national ranking in school history at #12. I look forward to watching our women's volleyball team compete in their second straight NCAA Tournament, which begins the weekend of December 3-5.

Our most important goal is to provide student-athletes with a quality education and competitive athletic experience. The head coaches are engaged in a conversation and evaluation of our academic performance, which continues to place high within both the West Coast Conference and the State of California. While I remain convinced that we are making significant progress on the field, it is not showing up in the win column as frequently as we would like. This requires us to examine our position and redouble our efforts.

Implementation of Strategic Plan
A report on the progress of our implementation of the strategic plan adopted by the Board of Trustees last March and the next steps that are planned is attached in a PDF format. I have been asked to report to the Trustees at their January meeting and look forward to doing so.

For updated Strategic Plan information, CLICK HERE

Fund-Raising
On November 13, I attended the President's Scholarship Dinner, which recognizes donors who provide grants-in-aid to Saint Mary's students, as well as our student-athletes. It was great to see so many of our donors share a meal with our coaches and student-athletes.

We continue to welcome the support of everyone through the Gael Athletic Scholarship Fund. Gifts to date for athletic grants-in-aid remain on target to reach our goals for 2004-05 and ahead of what was received by this time a year ago.

One topic that will require our attention in the near future is planning and developing athletic facilities that meet the needs of our student-athletes and recreation facilities to serve our students and campus community. I hope to move on these initiatives as soon as a new President is named.

Presidential Search
Like many of you, I am following the search for our new President with great interest. While I recognize our recent challenges as a College, I continue to believe in the incredible potential of Saint Mary's under the leadership of the Christian Brothers, a great faculty, talented students, and a caring group of administrators and staff.

For those seeking more information about the search go to www.stmarys-ca.edu.

Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The Honors Court has announced six individuals that will be inducted into the Saint Mary's College Athletic Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 1, 2005 at the Soda Center on campus.

Additionally, the Honors Court has chosen to honor the 1984 women's soccer team that won the NAIA National Championship at the event.

1984 Team
Caporicci, Sue
Champie Fitzsimmons, Marcie
D'Avolio, Kathy
Del Carlo Langley, Lyn
Del Fiugo Peterson, Lisa
Ferris-Jimenez, Dawn
Galvan, Sylvia
Garza, Rae
Jackson-Murphy, Wendy
Jenkins, Janne
Jenkins-Schulte, Jeanne
Jones-Gleason, Kathy
Laster Woods, Mary Jane
Litell-Overton, Beth
McDermott James, Molly
Meda , Stephanie
Noel Booras, Ann
Wagner, Anne
Wagner-Pease, Tessie

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our athletic heritage. Invitations will be mailed in February. Those wishing to reserve a seat now for this event, which is sure to be sold out, may contact Tom Carroll, Intern in the Director of Athletics and Recreational Sports Office at (925) 631-4399.

If you have any information regarding these individuals or the 1984 women's soccer team you would like to have considered for the event, please forward it directly to me, either through e-mail at cclapp@stmarys-ca.edu or by phone at (925) 631-4399.

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be an annual event held each spring.

Best wishes for a terrific holiday season and...Go Gaels!

Carl