A Case Of MIstaken Identity

Did you know that the Pacific softball team will play Texas on Mar. 14? That's what I thought. Neither did I. And neither did Head Coach Tim Hill.

The University of Texas' Sports Information Office was kind enough to send us three copies of their softball media guide the other day (nice cover, by the way). Sure enough, their schedule has the Longhorns playing Pacific at the Judy Garman Classic Tournament in Fullerton, Calif., on Mar. 14. The funny thing is that our schedule has Pacific playing a home doubleheader against Puget Sound that day.

Oh wait. Texas is playing the University of the Pacific.

My bad? No, this one is on Texas. The sports information contact didn't realize that there are two Pacifics out there: the Division III school that we reference here and the the Division I school in Stockton, Calif. The media guide even lists yours truly and the Pacific University Web site for media contact information (click on the link to see the page).

Unfortunately, this is a common problem for us. I get at least one call or e-mail a month asking for information regarding the Pacific Tigers. Most of the time, I politely tell them that they have reached the wrong school and that they need to contact the Division I school.

This case of mistaken identity reached a fever pitch in 2004 when the Pacific Tigers won the Big West title and advanced to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The day after the selection show, we received no less than 50 calls with ticket requests and film exchange. Ken Schumann, who was men's basketball coach at the time, even received a congratulatory fax from then-Kentucky coach Tubby Smith.

While I would love to know that other media relations professionals would do their homework, I know that there will always be confusion between us and University of the Pacific...unless one of us changes our name (we don't plan on doing that anytime soon).

Back to softball for a moment...the Boxers will not be playing a Division I opponent anytime soon. The closest Pacific will come is when they take on Simon Fraser in the Northwest Cup Tournament on Saturday in Portland. Simon Fraser played UCLA on Tuesday (yes...that UCLA), losing 6-3 and 13-2. That's a strong performance for a NAIA school and a sign that the No. 20 ranked Boxers will have their hands full. It will be a good test.