Broncos win rivalry series over Spartans

By Mike Ferdinandi

The Santa Clara athletic department was honored last Wednesday with a victory barbecue after winning the newly-developed rivalry series between the Broncos and the San Jose State Spartans.

The barbecue, which was hosted by the San Jose Sports Authority, took place at Jerry Kerr Alumni Park, which is adjacent to the Leavey Center and Buck Shaw Stadium. Bronco coaches, staff, and representatives from each sports team were present along with the San Jose Sports Authority Board of Directors.

Repeating last year's performance, the Broncos beat San Jose State rather handily this year, 22-10. The win follows last year's 20-10 victory. à

Each winning team is awarded points in competition during the match-ups of 13 different sports. à

This year, Santa Clara earned points for winning volleyball, men's and women's cross country, women's soccer, men's basketball, softball, baseball, women's tennis, and men's golf. The Spartans took the head-to-head competitions in men's soccer, women's golf, women's water polo and women's basketball. à

Last year, the Broncos were victorious in all sports except for men's basketball, baseball, men's golf, and women's water polo.

The loss with the greatest impact on Santa Clara during the 2003-2004 season was in men's soccer, when the Spartans stunned the Broncos, 2-1. à

The loss proved to be one of the few blemishes on what was an incredible year that saw the men's soccer team reach the Final Four.

The rivalry series was devised before the 2002-2003 season by Santa Clara Associate Athletic Director Richard Kilwien and Josh Francois of San Jose State University. à

The goal of the series is to bring attention to athletic competition between Santa Clara and San Jose State. à

The series creators hope that the rivalry series will spark the interest of faculty, students, fans and alumni, which could eventually contribute to a stronger sense of school spirit, something currently lacking at Santa Clara.

Santa Clara Director of Athletics and Recreation Cheryl Levick was on hand at the barbecue.

"This rivalry series puts an added emphasis on the importance of college sports in the South Bay and everyone associated with Santa Clara athletics really looks forward to continuing our healthy rivalry with San Jose State," Levick said.

The large number of alumni from both schools in the area enables the series to be embraced by many in the local community, Levick said. à

And many students who have done undergraduate work at Santa Clara have gone on to graduate school at San Jose State. à

According to Levick, the rivalry series has been a positive venture due to the increased interaction among coaches and staff at both universities.

When developing the idea along with Francois, Kilwien looked to other regional collegiate rivalries such as the "Big Game" between California and Stanford, the "Civil War" between Oregon and Oregon State, and the "Carlyle Cup" between Duke and the University of North Carolina. à

Although the Santa Clara-San Jose State rivalry is nowhere near as intense as the rivalry between Duke and North Carolina, proponents of rivalry consider the series to hold great promise for the future. à

Kilwien considers the current lack of a solid rivalry as another reason for the new series. à

"You really have to look back to the meetings between the football programs of Santa Clara and Saint Mary's to see a big school rivalry," Kilwien said.

Followers have had to look to competition in sports other than football, since Santa Clara doesn't have a football team, and the football program at San Jose State had to be cut due to funding problems.

According to Kilwien, a rivalry-like sentiment currently exists between the men's basketball teams of Santa Clara and Gonzaga University, but he hopes that a rivalry between Santa Clara and San Jose State could encompass all sports.

Mike Zozos, co-president of the Ruff Riders next year, also notes certain sports in which rivalries exist. à

According to Zozos, there is great intensity when the women's soccer team plays North Carolina and Portland. He anticipates that the rivalry with San Jose State will result in another intense competition.

"This rivalry with San Jose State can be enjoyed by the entire school and can encompass all athletes," Zozos said. "It can create a spirit for the region."

Involvement on behalf of the San Jose Sports Authority has been crucial to the success of the series.àExecutive Director Dean Munrow looks at the rivalry series as a natural fit for the two schools, and a relationship that "makes all the sense in the world."

According to Munrow the entire community could benefit from the rivalry series between the two schools, which both have deep roots in the community.à

Although the series will likely take several years to develop, Munrow is optimistic that with active involvement by both schools, the series could expand, and have a huge impact on school spirit.

SJSA is highly active in promoting sports in the south bay, and was involved in hosting the NCAA regional at the HP Pavilion several years ago.

ààààAccording to Mark O'Brien, head coach of the Bronco baseball team, Santa Clara and San Jose State have potential to evolve into an intense rivalry.

As a member of the baseball team at San Jose State, O'Brien remembered the added sense of importance and excitement felt when the Spartans faced the Broncos on the diamond.

As a coach, O'Brien is also familiar with school rivalry.

Before coming to Santa Clara, O'Brien was an assistant coach for the baseball team at Stanford.àHe remembers the buzz around campus whenever the Cal Bears were playing the Cardinal. The legendary "Big Game" is one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in all of college sports.

"Everybody knew when we were playing them," O'Brien said.

As a result of his experience with rivalry play both when he was playing at San Jose State and later coaching at Stanford, O'Brien is in a prime position to prepare his team for intense competition.

This past season, the Bronco baseball team won two of three games against San Jose State and earned three points toward the rivalry series victory. à

"I think this series is a great thing and I know my team and I look forward to doing our part to help Santa Clara keep the trophy here on our campus," O'Brien said.

Continued O'Brien, "Rivalries are part of the reason why college sports are so special."

With continued support by the Santa Clara and San Jose State administrations, as well as active participation by teams and their fans, the rivalry series may very well evolve into a bigger competition and could provide a necessary boost to the currently lackluster school spirit.