And So It Begins...

It's not the most exciting way to herald the start of the season, but the 2009 Pacific fall sports seasons have officially commenced with a sit-down meeting.

Trialists for the Boxers' men's soccer, women's soccer and volleyball squads met in the University Center on Thursday afternoon for their official welcome to campus. Players received their Student-Athlete Handbooks, filled out required NCAA eligibility paperwork and filled out biographical forms for the sports information office.

The on-the-field and on-the-court action begins on Friday. Women's soccer players rise early for 8 a.m. practice at Lincoln Park Stadium. Volleyball gets underway at 9 a.m. and men's soccer follows at 10 a.m. All three teams will also participate in a second session in the afternoon, with two-a-day practices running well into next week. The teams will have their first day off a week from day, Aug. 27, when New Student Orientation gets underway.

Cross country does not begin their practices until Aug. 31, the first day of classes for the fall. By then Head Coach Tim Boyce will be back and recovered from his trip to the IAAF Track & Field World Championships (yes, he saw Usain Bolt run both of his astounding world records).

It's hard to believe that the game schedule begins in just 12 days. Join us for the trifecta on Sept. 1 as the women's soccer, men's soccer and volleyball squads all play at home.