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CSUDH News

The primary source of news and information about California State University, Dominguez Hills, its students, faculty, and staff.

Athletics

Fall Term Sees New Faces on Campus

September 6, 2023 By Philip Bader

Students walk on the CSUDH campus during the first week of the fall 2023 term.

In past years, New Student Convocation at CSUDH marked the formal start of the academic year. First-time and returning students joined faculty, staff, family, and friends to celebrate an exciting journey of personal and educational discovery. Energy, passion, and not a little swagger featured prominently in the festivities.

This important tradition was reluctantly cancelled this year after heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Hilary saturated the Activities Field on campus and made it unsuitable for the celebration. President Thomas A. Parham says that despite the cancellation, the underlying message of the event is something he wants all Toros to take to heart not just as the fall term begins but throughout the academic year.

Frankie Williams
Frankie Williams

“Convocation has always been an essential academic ritual for me. It’s a moment when we all come together and commit to a set of values and principles that guide this educational institution,” says Parham.

“More than this, convocation is a time when I assure our students that I see them and that they belong here at CSUDH. Some may feel excited about being admitted but might not be convinced that they really belong. I want them to know that they do, and that we’re ready to support them with everything from basic needs and mental health services to financial aid and individualized academic advising in our new Student Success Centers.”

Above all, says Parham, students need to have confidence in themselves and know that it is a sign of strength to ask for help when they need it. “Everybody is capable of succeeding. I believe that, and I need our students to believe that. If you find yourself struggling, remember that your time at CSUDH is not an individual effort but an exercise in collective survival. We are all in this together.”

The community of scholars beginning their academic journey this fall at CSUDH reflect a wide range of backgrounds and experience. Some have overcome steep barriers to the pursuit of their dreams. Others have faced physical and emotional challenges. All have worked hard to be here.

Diego Barahona
Diego Barahona

At 16, Frankie Williams is likely one of the youngest members of the incoming class. She graduated from Students on the Academic Rise High School in Lancaster with an associate’s degree from Antelope Valley College and begins at CSUDH as a Presidential Scholar.

Williams was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, crutches, and a leg brace to aid mobility. “It can be difficult navigating life with a disability,” she says. “People always look at you differently.”

Williams hasn’t let that hold her back. She plans to study art and might eventually pursue a career as an educator like her parents. “Right now, I’m just excited to see where college will take me. It’s kind of nerve-wracking because I’m adjusting to it at the same time as I’m adjusting to adult life and learning to do things for myself.”

Since about the age of five, Diego Barahona wanted to be a professional soccer player. He grew up in the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw area and attended Cathedral High School. “College was never really a part of my future plans,” Barahona says. 

Destiny Ramirez
Destiny Ramirez

After graduation, Barahona spent two years training with Major League Soccer teams, first with the LAFC and then with the Las Vegas Lightning. He worked out alongside international stars Gareth Bale and Deni­s Bouanga. “I was a little star-struck by Bale, but he gave me some great advice,” says Barahona. “He told me to keep my head down and work hard, and that nothing ever comes easy.”

At age 20, Barahona decided to give college soccer a chance. “I texted Coach Pat and Coach Eddie to let them know I was interested in CSUDH. I saw what they were trying to build last season, and I wanted to be a part of it,” he says, adding that his decision to major in communications might help him down the road with media sessions.

Destiny Ramirez says she chose to pursue a master’s degree in social work at CSUDH because of her own experience in the foster care system. “I spent about a year in the system. My teen years were hard. I had a social worker who helped me at a time when there was nobody else to do that,” she says. “I’ve seen the impact that social workers can have, and that has inspired me.”

Ramirez was raised in Montebello and earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from CSU Los Angeles. She hopes to work as a school counselor. “I’ve seen the impact that social workers can have in the lives of students, and that has inspired me to want to help others the way I got help when I needed it.”

Lorelei Fuller
Lorelei Fuller

Also a member of this term’s incoming Presidential Scholars, Lorelei Fuller says she’s always put her education above everything else. She graduated McBride High School in Long Beach as valedictorian and chose CSUDH over several other larger schools.

“I’ve been interested since high school in the inequalities of our society, and I want to find ways to serve communities of color, which so frequently get underserved by our justice system,” says Fuller. She chose CSUDH in part because of its commitment to diversity and social justice, and she hopes to continue her studies in law school after graduation.

Fuller admits to feeling a little anxious about college but says she’s ready for the challenge. “I think it’s time for me to do big things. I love being on campus. It just feels like the next four years are going to be very good.”

Being present and active on campus is something that Parham strongly encourages. “I don’t want our students to have drive-by interactions where they go to class, get a sandwich at the student union, and then drive home. I want them engaged in different internships and research projects. That’s all part of a robust college experience.”

Like Fuller, Parham sees good things ahead for CSUDH. “This is an exciting time in the Toro Nation. I am proud and honored that they have selected California State University, Dominguez Hills as the place that can nurture their dreams and aspirations.”

Toro Volleyball Ready to Bounce Back

September 1, 2023 By Nick Bulum

Toro women's volleyball players pose in the CSUDH gym.
Toro volleyball players (L-R) Kayly Pau, Kilyn Hayes, and Shelby Saporetti.

After a disappointing 2022 season, this year’s Toro women’s volleyball team is looking to turn the corner and return to winning ways. Head Coach Jennifer Adeva is confident that her squad has what it takes to put last season’s struggles behind them.

“We’re looking for improvement across the board,” she says. “We’ve got a good mix of experienced returning players and newcomers, and team chemistry is getting better daily.”

The team got off to a decent start last season, and had a 4-5 record when their season got derailed by a 10-game losing streak in the middle of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schedule. They ended up with a 6-19 record overall, with a 4-14 mark in the CCAA.

“We had a really young, inexperienced team last season,” says Adeva. “With nine first-year students and two transfers, we knew it would be a learning year for us. There was a lot of growth for that team from the beginning of the season until the end, and we’re looking to build on what we started.”

Adeva’s goal this season is to rack up enough wins to qualify for the postseason. The team brings back 14 players from last year’s team, including senior Shelby Saporetti, who joined the Toros as a first-year student in 2019, but transferred to Fresno City College (FCC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Saporetti returned to the Toros last season after helping FCC win the state junior college championship.

“Shelby really helped our team last year,” says Adeva. “I think her leadership, experience, and maturity are going to be keys to our success this season.”

Adeva also points out Ava Hurry, an All-CCAA Honorable Mention choice in 2022, and Bailey Fuches, who earned the same honor in 2021, as players she expects to have a major impact this year.

The Toros lost five players from last year’s team, but Adeva and her staff are excited about the six student-athletes who they’ve recruited for 2023. “I really like the players we brought in this year. They’re all great, hard-working young women who will help build the culture and bring some experience along as well.”

Bringing the most experience among the transfers is Kayly Pau, an outside hitter who spent the last three seasons competing in Division I as a member of the Boise State Broncos. Adeva expects her to make a positive impact on and off the court.

As the team rebuilds itself into a competitive powerhouse, Adeva encourages CSUDH students to come out to the Torodome and support the squad. “We’ve got a competitive, determined, and enthusiastic bunch of young players out there. Their fellow Toros will be proud of their fight and tenacity this season. It should be a lot of fun to watch!”

The CSUDH women’s volleyball team opens their home schedule against Stanislaus State on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Torodome. Their complete schedule is available at https://gotoros.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule.

Toro Women’s Soccer Looks for Turnaround

August 30, 2023 By Nick Bulum

Toro women's soccer players
Toros (L-R) Kylie Yuzon, Alicia Covarrubias, and Katie McDermott are eager to kick off the 2023 season.

The 2022 season didn’t go as planned for the CSUDH women’s soccer team, but Interim Head Coach Danielle Jones is ready to turn the page.

“We had a good group of young women last year, but we just didn’t click as a team like we had hoped,” says Jones, who is in her first year in charge of the squad. “We’re looking forward to changing that this year.”

Despite starting last season with high hopes, the losses quickly began to add up. The team ended the season with a disappointing 1-13-4 record. “It was a rough, rough go,” admits Jones. “But we have a good opportunity now to rebuild the program. The assistant coaches and I have had a lot of time to think about all the things that we want to do in the future. I think we’ve put together a really good culture and a solid plan for what we plan to do this year.”

When Jones brought the team together for spring practice, the emphasis was on recapturing the joy of playing soccer. “We wanted the players to start having fun again,” says Jones. “We just let them play–they did small-side games, worked on fitness and technical things, and just let them be college athletes.

“I think that really helped. I saw a lot of growth from so many of them being able to find their voice or their playing style.”

The squad returns only ten players from last season’s team, but Jones and her staff have bolstered their ranks through a whirlwind recruiting process. Overall, the team is bringing in 21 new players from the junior college and high school ranks. “We did a lot of work to bring this squad together, and our roster is pretty stacked now,” says Jones.

Jones has spent the off-season meticulously planning for this year. “I feel like we’re starting from the ground up, in a very positive and methodical way,” she says. “I have all my practice sessions planned for months!”

This season will be one of transition, as the team adapts to new coaching and looks to get the program headed back in the right direction. “I’ll measure success as how we change the culture,” says Jones. “Is everyone bought into what we’re doing? Is everyone competing? As long as we’re competing every day and everyone comes in with intensity, that’s going to be a positive step.”

Jones knows that wins will be hard to come by in the ultra-competitive California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), but wants her team to embrace the challenge. “There are never easy games in our conference,” says Jones. “It’s high-level competition, and that’s what we’re trying to build here. This year, I just want our players to enjoy their experience, have fun, and be competitive. I think it’s going to be a turnaround season for us.”

She encourages Toro students to come out and support the squad as they rebuild a winning culture. “We’re going to be fast, aggressive, brave in the air–I’m very attack-minded and the team will always be looking to go forward. We’re definitely going to give you a show. We’re building something new and can use all the support we can get from the students!”

The CSUDH women’s soccer team plays their home opener against Concordia University Irvine on Friday, Sept. 8 at 5:00 p.m., at Toro Stadium. Their complete schedule is available at https://gotoros.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule.

Toro Men’s Soccer Aims to Build on Success

August 28, 2023 By Nick Bulum

Toro men's soccer players Zane Baumgardt, Sebastian Ascensio, and Ndifor Ginyui.
Toros (L-R) Zane Baumgardt, Sebastian Ascensio, and Ndifor Ginyui are ready to make their mark.

The 2022 CSUDH men’s soccer team may have won the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title and reached the third round of the NCAA Division II Championships, but head coach Eddie Soto can’t help but think about what might have been.

“There was a lot to be very, very proud of last season,” says Soto. “But in the end, we came up short. We missed our expectations, to be honest. We had a team that could have gone further. We all felt that way.”

The team’s dreams of reaching the Elite Eight were dashed with a third-round tournament loss to Northwest Nazarene University. Despite dominating most of the match and scoring a go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute, the Toros were beaten by a pair of very late goals. The 3-2 loss sent the Toros crashing out of the tournament earlier than expected.

“We were six minutes from the Elite Eight, and here we are ready to start a new season and that bad taste is still in my mouth,” says Soto, who heads the United Soccer Coaches (USC) 2022 West Region Coaching Staff of the Year. “I think it’s the same with the guys. I’m not taking anything away from what our players and our team did. It was great, we had a fantastic year, and we’re back on the national map, which is great.”

“But they had two goals in 58 seconds! You tip your hat to the other team. They were very resilient, they came back and beat us, but I think at the end of the day, we beat ourselves. I think everybody feels that way.”

Soto is determined that the squad learn from its mistakes last season. One of his favorite catchphrases is “Complacency Hinders Progress,” and the coach believes that was part of the Toros’ undoing in the tournament loss.

“I think our guys were thinking that the game was over,” says Soto. “They were already thinking of the Elite Eight, and then in one minute we lose the game. It was a tough lesson to learn, but I’m a big believer that you learn a lot from losing. Hopefully, we’ve learned that we can never feel complacent or comfortable with where we are.”

The Toros start the 2023 season with renewed expectations, and were voted tenth nationally in the annual USC preseason poll–the highest-ranked team in the CCAA. Soto doesn’t want to get ahead of himself, though. He knows that the CCAA is a minefield to traverse over the course of the season.

“It’s always tough,” he says. “We’re the ACC of Division II. It’s the toughest conference in the country. I don’t see it being any different from last year. Every game is going to be a battle. That’s why recruiting is so important. You can’t rely on what you’ve done in the past, it’s always about here and now. On any given day, any team can win in our conference. You can’t underestimate anyone.”

The Toros lost several key contributors from last season’s squad, including CCAA Male Athlete of the Year Sulaiman Bah, who transferred to Cal State Fullerton along with fellow Sierra Leone native Alpha Sowe. Replacing them won’t be easy, but Soto and his staff have had a great recruiting year and expect many of the new Toros to make a big impact.

“Depth is going to be very important, especially in the CCAA, where the season takes a toll on guys–physically, mentally, and emotionally,” says Soto. “Our number one goal when we were recruiting was to improve our depth. I feel that we’ve done that in every position. We have a lot of talent on the team. Now it’s about who’s going to adapt, to compete, to be consistent, and at the end of the day, who’s going to produce?”

Soto has big expectations for the squad this season, but stresses that the Toros can’t get ahead of themselves. “For us, it’s about who are we playing on that given day, and all our concentration and focus is on that. That needs to start with me and my staff, we’re not going to look ahead. We can’t. We’ve got to focus on the moment.”

The team and coaching staff are excited to get the season started and see how far they can go. “We have some really dynamic and athletic guys who are also technically skilled,” says Soto. “I’m really excited to see if we can put all the pieces together. That’s the hard part.”

The CSUDH men’s soccer team plays their home opener against Azusa Pacific University on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6:00 p.m., at Toro Stadium. Their complete schedule is available at https://gotoros.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule.

Athletics Offers ‘Wider Lens’ on Academic Excellence, Says CSUDH AD Eric McCurdy

June 1, 2023 By Kandis Newman

Athletics Offers 'Wider Lens' on Academic Excellence, Says CSUDH AD Eric McCurdy

For CSUDH Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Eric McCurdy, intercollegiate athletics are more than just an entertaining diversion–they’re a way for universities to spread the good news about what they’re doing everywhere on campus.

“Athletics are the front porch of any university,” says McCurdy. “There’s an entire section of the newspaper dedicated to what we do. Any time we get a chance to highlight our athletic success, it gives people an opportunity to look deeper and see the university through a wider lens.”

McCurdy sees the athletic department as an extension of the CSUDH mission. Successful teams bring alumni and the community onto campus, maybe for the first time in years. “Athletics gives you an opportunity to showcase the remarkable things that are happening on campus. We want people in Carson and the surrounding communities to stay home and say, ‘This is my number one educational choice.’”

“When you talk about sports, people get excited,” he adds. “We want to make sure that we’re doing things the right way, so that we can showcase everything else going on at the university, far beyond what we’re doing in athletics.”

Born in Waco, Texas, McCurdy grew up in Tulsa, Okla., with his parents and sister. His grandfather and father (a doctor of veterinary medicine), attained degrees at the Tuskegee Institute, known today as Tuskegee University. As McCurdy puts it, “Education is the foundation within my family.”

McCurdy’s father instilled a strong work ethic in both of his children. “My father was an average student who studied hard to get straight A’s. He believed that for every hour of class time, you would study for two and a half hours. He took that same philosophy in sports to develop my sister and I.”

That effort and attention to detail resulted in both McCurdy and his sister becoming top-flight soccer players and athletes. “I’m dating myself here,” he laughs, “but we would watch VHS tapes on soccer skills, and for every hour we watched, we put in two and a half hours practicing those techniques.”

All of that hard work paid off, as McCurdy became one of the top high school soccer players in Oklahoma. He was the state’s leading scorer during his senior year, which led to a scholarship to play at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB).

Even with that success, McCurdy says he still wasn’t the best athlete in his family. “I don’t say it often, but my sister was a better athlete than I was,” he laughs. “She broke a state record in track, played softball, and was an All-American in soccer.”

McCurdy graduated from UAB with a BS in psychology and a minor in physical education. (He later went on to graduate cum laude with a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University.) He went right to work in the UAB athletic department after graduating, where he was mentored by legendary basketball coach Gene Bartow, the school’s athletic director at the time.

“He was known as Clean Gene,” says McCurdy. “He made sure that everything I learned was aligned with character and integrity. He was all about doing things the right way and making sure that you really were student-athlete centered.”

McCurdy brought the same nose-to-the-grindstone approach to his work as he did to his soccer career. “For me, success is all about two things that have nothing to do with athletic ability – attitude and effort,” he says.

After a few years at UAB, McCurdy moved to Houston to work with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, spearheading their youth soccer programs. He helped develop a club soccer program called the Houstonians for the city’s top “at risk” youth players. “I’m very proud that during my time there, we were able to get 18 student-athletes on full-ride university scholarships,” he says.

He then moved up the street to the University of Houston, where he served as the men’s basketball director of operations/athletics. “The last six years I was there, we had the highest men’s basketball GPA for a semester and a year in the history of the university. And we didn’t just excel academically, but athletically. We went to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 18 years. Now they’re a powerhouse!” he adds.

In 2010, McCurdy moved to Seattle, where he took the executive director of athletics position for Seattle Public Schools. He also served as the President of the city’s Metro League basketball program, a hotbed of talent that has put several players into the NBA, including 2023 Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, and current Denver Nuggets starter Michael Porter, Jr.

McCurdy credits his time in Seattle with helping him better understand the needs of modern students. “We created a forum for student-athletes, where they had a voice and were able to tell us what was happening in their world,” he says. “This is where education and the NCAA are moving now. You’re outdated if you don’t listen to students and understand them and their needs.”

Before coming to CSUDH, McCurdy spent four years founding and running his own consulting firm, aiding mission-oriented organizations and advising on improving learning and working environments. He also provided guidance for potential student-athletes and their families through the NCAA recruitment and transfer portal process.

McCurdy sees himself as the perfect fit for the role of CSUDH associate vice president/director of athletics, due to its focus on student success. “As I look around this university, everybody cares about one thing – the students,” he says. “The leadership here is phenomenal, and I appreciate how faculty and staff collaborate to support the students in every way. I’ve worked at three Division I schools but haven’t seen anything like it.”

While acknowledging that attaining resources will always be an uphill battle at a Division II school, he is thrilled at the potential he sees at CSUDH. He is excited about the university’s plans for a new health and wellness center, which will give students a place to exercise and work out without leaving campus.

“I think it’s going to be a game changer for us,” he says. “We’re changing from a commuter college mentality to a destination university. We are improving our housing as well, so now students will have quality facilities for a well-rounded campus experience. Our leadership at CSUDH is changing the landscape for a student body that is one of the most diverse in the western region. Eventually, students will be able to go from class to playing a little ball, swimming, or lifting weights to the dining hall and then back to their dorm. The future is bright.”

McCurdy’s connection with students is what keeps driving him forward, and his goal is to ensure that Toro student-athletes “have the best experience in the world,” he says.

“What excites me is getting up every day knowing that we’re making a difference with students who are going to transform lives out in the world,” says McCurdy. “Students come here when they’re 18 years old, and are here until they’re 22 or 23. They become young men and women under our watch. We’re shaping young men and young women to be the future.”

Fun Facts About Eric McCurdy

Favorite movie:
The Shawshank Redemption

Favorite book
The Bible

Favorite song
“Can You Stand the Rain” by New Edition

Cats or dogs?
Dogs

Favorite food:
Tacos

Least favorite food?
Vegetables

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you?
Denzel Washington

Favorite childhood memory?
“Going fishing with my mom, dad and grandmother.”

What’s a place you’ve never been that you would most like to travel to?
Turks & Caicos

What’s something interesting about yourself that others may not know?
“I am a Star Wars fanatic!”

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
The power to make people happy.

Describe yourself in three words:
“Focused, structured, and routine.”

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