Just one year into the rebuilding effort of the Portland State tennis program, head coach Steven Ascher has resigned to take a similar position at Big Sky Conference rival Montana. After being hired in 2006 to resurrect the tennis program that was discontinued in 2002, Ascher recruited all of the current Vikings players during 2006, and coached the men’s and women’s teams last season.
When the Portland State volleyball team began their fall practice earlier this week, they did so with a freshly painted target on their backs. For the first time in school history, the Vikings were selected as the preseason conference favorite to win the Big Sky Conference.
Depending on whom you ask, suburb living is either the first step toward establishing a stable, safe and secure lifestyle or a ghastly proposition that should be avoided at all costs.
With his unique blend of humor, storytelling and subtle belittlement of some of his players, head football coach Jerry Glanville commanded attention at his Monday press conference. Remarking that if they were cutting players after their performance on the first day of camp, his roster would be 55 players lighter, Glanville quickly won over the gallery of sports reporters from the local television, radio and newspaper outlets.
After just three years at the helm of the Portland State softball team, Amy Hayes has resigned to take the head coaching position at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. Hayes’ departure comes on the tail of one of the most successful seasons for Portland State since it joined the Division I ranks in 1999.
On paper, the recent decision of head football coach Jerry Glanville to not renew at least eight members of last season’s football squad seemed routine. Traditionally, many new coaches have felt the need to purge their rosters when arriving at a new destination, particularly when installing new systems on either side of the ball.
After earning their first trip to the NCAA Tournament four months ago, Portland State will begin its quest for a repeat conference championship and return to March Madness. Prior to defending their Big Sky Championship in conference play, the Vikings will look to prove themselves against several of the premier teams in the nation.
After earning their first trip to the NCAA tournament four months ago, Portland State released their 2008-09 men’s basketball schedule. Prior to defending their Big Sky Championship in conference play, the Vikings will look to prove themselves against several of the premier teams in the nation.
Fueled by the recent decision of head football coach Jerry Glanville to not renew the scholarships of at least eight players, Portland State student government is striving to improve the way student-athletes are treated. According to ASPSU President Hannah Fisher, student-athletes are being used for their athletic ability and graduate without the opportunity to fully exercise their intellect or find their passion for their future.
Eight players that suited up last year for Portland State’s football team will likely not return for the 2008 season after their scholarships were not renewed for the 2008-09 academic year. In early June, each of the players were informed by the athletic department in a letter that their athletic scholarship would end at the end of spring term. They also each met with either their position coach or head football coach Jerry Glanville. Three of the players who did not have their scholarships renewed confirmed for the Vanguard Monday the names of all eight of the players. The players named are as follows: Matt Bramow, Ronnie Fa’avae, Reggie Joseph, AJ Nielsen, Tristan Patin, Matt Smith, Scott Stone and Marcel Thompson.