By Elizabeth Joy
Snickers and Gatorade was the recipe, said Las Positas College Men’s Soccer Coach Andrew Cumbo. Last week’s LPC Athletic Recognition ceremony, held on campus, proved there was a bit more to the recipe that led to the champion Hawks.
As the coaches from each team got up to proudly announce the award winners, their excitement and esteem for the athletics department as a whole, explained the true reason the Hawks came out on top.
The heights achieved by the faculty, staff, coaches and student athletes collectively working together, is the real reason rather than just Snickers and Gatorade, although they certainly helped.
The Hawks, comprised of men and women’s basketball, soccer, water polo, cross country, swimming and diving teams, together had an victorious season.
The multiple placements, awards and achievements by LPC’s athlete students exemplifies how diligent they have all been and why LPC’s Athletic Department and the Hawks shine bright in our community.
James Giacomazzi, LPC’s Assistant Athletics Director and men’s basketball coach, stated that it really does take a village, as he thanked all faculty, staff and students for the community effort that supported LPC’s Athletic Department this past semester, at the ceremony.
Giacomazzi announced that the men’s basketball team had a total of 18 wins this past season. They finished in third place in the North Coast Athletic Conference, which is the second highest rated conference in the state, and ranked as high as ninth place in California this season overall, the Hawk’s men’s basketball team excelled.
Having a 3.25 GPA or higher, eight of the 13 men’s basketball students made honor roll, and two had a GPA over 3.0. Maintaining such a high GPA, while adhering to the high level of commitment it takes to be on the team, speaks for itself as being impressive.
The women’s soccer team, described as the most successful women’s soccer team in LPC’s 26-year history, ranked 17th in the Nation as a result of their 15-2-2 record, scoring 61 goals, conceding only 12.
They went undefeated in the Coast Conference en route to a conference championship with 48 goals scored, and only four conceded. Battling with NCAA Division II schools such as Holy Names University and tying with California State East Bay, according to Paul Sapsford, the head women’s soccer coach.
Undefeated, throughout 15 games, the Hawks made the playoffs for the second consecutive season and hosted the first two rounds of playoffs. They finished this past season ranked 16, said Coach Cumbo.
2017 was the third year with Trevor Rose as the women’s water polo program coach. He said that the teams overall record was 10-9, finishing second in their conference division, with numerous Conference and Scholar Athletes over the years.
Las Positas Swim and Dive teams, racked awards as well. Winning the conference again for the fourth consecutive time, breaking multiple school records.
On its website, Las Positas’ Athletics mission statement says, “Las Positas College Athletics meets are student athletes where they are and empowers them to achieve their academic and athletic goals, by providing equitable athletic opportunities, leadership skills, team work, hard work, accountability and symmetry.”
These standards are met and obvious when observing the athletic department and its’ success as a unit.
What the mission statement doesn’t say is that sometimes a coach that cares enough to take the time to purchase over $400 worth of Snickers and Gatorade is putting action to words. Nurturing environments bring about unity, and unity cultivates teamwork.