Pioneers Athletics Receives Cal Pac Sportsmanship Award

The California Pacific (Cal Pac) Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics named Pacific Union College the winner of the 2010-11 Cal Pac Sportsmanship Award at the annual Cal Pac Convention on Sunday, August 21. The award honors the Pioneers athletic program as the best example of the value of respect in sport.

"We are very honored to receive this recognition from our fellow members in the Cal Pac Conference. We are proud to be a member of a conference that strives to make character such a focal point in our competition," said PUC athletic director Robert Castillo. "This is a testament to the quality and character of our student-athletes here at Pacific Union College and throughout the Cal Pac Conference," added Castillo.

The Cal Pac Conference recognizes one institution each year with the Sportsmanship Award. At the end of the season for each sport, the coaches of each college submit their top two choices for most sportsmanlike team in their respective sport. The institution with the most points at the conclusion of the sporting season wins the award. This is the eleventh year the Cal Pac Conference has granted a Sportsmanship Award.

"Pacific Union College represents all that is right in the Cal Pac, as their student-athletes exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship as they compete with passion,” said Cal Pac Commissioner Don Ott at the award ceremony. “I'm personally inspired when I see the consensus of the conference recognizing and applauding that core value at PUC. Along with speaking highly for the quality of the team members, it certainly reflects the leadership of the administrators and coaches."

This is the fifth time Pacific Union College has received this award, and the first time since the 2007-2008 season. Only Simpson University has won more times, with a total of six awards.