What We're Doing On Our Summer Vacation

The students are gone, the weather is warmer and there are many places that we would rather be other than at our desks and in front of our computers. While it is quiet, there is lots going on around the Pacific Athletic Center. It has been a very busy summer for Pacific athletics. Some of it is the normal preparation for the upcoming seasons, while there are a couple of special projects occupying our time.

Before we know it, August 15 will be here and we will be off and rolling with our fall sports. Until then, here is what some of our athletic department staff is working on...

• The start-up is well underway for the Pacific football program, which will take to the field in Fall 2010. The first step is to hire a head coach. A search committee has met over the last month, sifting through over 125 applications. The list has been narrowed to five finalists. Expect an announcement during the first part of August.

• Our third Pacific University Legends Golf Classic is coming up on Sun., Aug. 2, and Mon., Aug. 3. Hosted by KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer, the tournament has raised an astonishing $250,000 for the Pacific athletic department over the last two years. Many of us have been busy preparing for the tourney, whether it is in media relations, procuring auction items and prizes, setting up the golf and dinner rosters and so much more. There are still playing spots available, and you can sign up now at the tournament Web site. It will be well worth your money.

If you're in the Portland area, expect to see news about the tournament over the next couple of weeks. Our celebrities will be appearing on (among others) Sports Radio 95.5 The Game, KGW Newschannel 8 and KATU's AM Northwest. Stay tuned!

• The long awaited Thomas Holce Tennis Courts opened for play in June. The $1 million facility will be among the best in the conference, featuring six courts (including three covered courts). The facility is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Use is free for Pacific students, faculty and staff. Use for other community members is free through the summer. After Aug. 30, community members will have a chance to purchase a membership to the courts, which will include reduced rates on camps, clinics and tournament play opportunities.

• After 10 years, we have made the decision to discontinue production of our award-winning media guides. Simply put, we determined that we did not have the resources to continue expanding the guides to include all sports. More about the decision can be found in a post on my personal blog, Blake Timm's Sidelines. In their place, I have been hard at work designing a new set of recruiting brochures that we will produce for all 20 of our sports. Our coaches will begin using those this fall.

While the Pacific athletics facilities have been quiet in terms of Boxers, a number of outside groups have made use of our top-shelf physical plant. Among the groups that have made use of the PAC and the Lincoln Park facilities include Point Guard College and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In addition, the Pacific women's basketball, men's basketball, men's soccer and volleyball programs will hold annual camps by the time athletes return on Aug. 15.

Until then, those of us in the PAC will find time for a little vacation and time to spend with our families that can be hard to come by as the season begins. But we'll also be working hard to make sure all is ready for the time the fall seasons begin.