Chichester is now in control

Steve Virgen

Since Oct. 14, 2002 Bob Chichester has been finding his way and

making a name for himself at UC Irvine. This fall, Chichester will

complete his first year as athletic director of the Anteaters, and

needless to say, the first 10 months have been a learning experience.

He has spent most of his time familiarizing himself with his

staff, the university and the surrounding community. On top of that,

he has had to deal with the state’s budget cuts and going one-on-one

with every detail of UCI’s budget.

Amid the number-crunching and fact-figuring, Chichester has kept

in mind one of the main reasons he wanted to become an AD. He has

always been fascinated by student athletes and the many personalities

that are presented throughout the athletic department.

Today’s Checking Out series features the UCI women’s teams and

Chichester’s first year.

Before the summer began, Chichester took time out to express his

views of what he has seen throughout his first months on the job.

“I’ve been pretty anxious to get to this point to sort of get a

sense of what all our programs are like,” Chichester said. “I think

we’re really fortunate here with the type of people we have involved

in our program. I have a real positive feeling about so many people.

From that standpoint, it’s been a good experience. We’re excited

about the near-term future for several of our programs.”

Chichester and his staff, which also includes senior associate

athletic director Petrina Long among others, have been working

diligently to meet the challenges that will be produced by UCI’s

budget for the upcoming year. Chichester said he has tried to find

methods to reduce expenses.

Long-term contracts will not be the norm for coaches at UCI. Last

year, Mark Adams, the women’s basketball coach, signed a one-year

deal. After a successful season that has breathed life into Adams’

program, he will have to sign another one-year deal in the coming

months.

Some administrative decisions are not based on finances, and that

was seen when UCI fired Julie Swail, the former women’s water polo

coach. UCI has not filled the position yet.

Water polo is one of 11 women’s sports fielded at UCI, where the

Anteaters appear eager for the upcoming school year.

Coach Marine Cano’s soccer team has the potential to produce a

special season that could fan the flames of soccer popularity in

Irvine and improve the already heated rivalry with Cal State

Fullerton. Last year, the Anteaters finished with a record of 8-10-1,

5-3-1 in the Big West. However, Cano has been trying to keep his cool

with the belief his team will be much improved this season.

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work with Coach Cano,” Chichester

said. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet the women on his team. I

think he has really neat young ladies, athletically and academically.

I am personally excited about the team. I have an expectation that

they will do quite well. I know how competitive Coach Cano is and so

I can tell you I’m anxious for women’s soccer to start.”

Also this fall, Coach Charlie Brande’s volleyball team will have

similar expectations. Last year the Anteaters showed signs that they

were moving in the right direction as they finished with a 19-11

overall record, 10-8 in the Big West for a fifth-place finish. UCI’s

19 wins marked the second-highest victory total in school history.

The ‘Eaters also put together a winning conference record (10-8) for

the time in 19 years of Big West action.

The UCI volleyball team will play its home games in Crawford Hall,

which will have new seating after renovation was completed recently.

The Anteaters’ basketball team has been reconstructing itself as

well. UCI had to act fast after its starting point guard Lisa

Faulkner transferred to Vanguard. Incoming freshman Shayna Stanley,

out of Westchester High, might have to step up quickly.

The Anteaters finished nine games better than their 8-20 season

the previous year. UCI earned a 17-12 record, which was the most wins

since 1994-95 when the team finished 19-11.

This fall, in cross country, Coach Vince O’Boyle will definitely

have his team in contention for the Big West championship.

In golf, it was difficult for Coach Kelly Crawford to duplicate

what took place in the Anteaters’ inaugural year in 2001-02, when UCI

won the Big West championship. However, UCI will have this year to

try to match that finish again.

Coach Mike Edels’ tennis team lost its first three games but ended

the season winning nine in a row before losing its final match to

finish 17-7. With 10 returnees for the upcoming season, the Anteaters

have the opportunity to actually improve from last season.

Brian Pajer, who was an All-American at UCI in 1989 and 1990,

coaches the swimming and diving team, which includes sophomore

sensation Lara Bjargardottir, who broke several school records last

season.

Chichester said UCI met Title IX requirements in the 2002-03

school year, yet the final breakdown of gender equity will be

submitted to the NCAA in October.