Santa Clara dominates outset of rivalry

By Bruce Martinez

The rivalry series between Santa Clara and neighboring rival San Jose St. has thus far failed to live up to its own definition. By winning all five of the school's head-to-head matchups this year, Santa Clara has proven that, beyond geograpy, there remains little to connect the two.

The rivalry series, which has yet to be officially named, was introduced prior to the start of the 2002-2003 academic year to build rivalry between the schools teams, bring attention to South Bay college athletics, provide a sense of pride to alumni, increase attendance at rivalry matches and build school spirit among the student bodies. This does not, however, mean the series has been a success.

"For the rivalry to really work you need interest between both schools and their fans," said Santa Clara senior Luis Lecanda. "The rivalry also can't just be one-sided. It requires both teams to be competitive."

In winning every matchup between the two schools, Santa Clara has dominated the rivalry series. The Broncos have taken a 13-0 lead in the point standings. This domination started with a 2-0 home victory for the men's soccer team at Buck Shaw Stadium, which quickly gave Santa Clara a 3-0 lead in the standings. The lead was doubled when the Bronco women's volleyball team beat the Spartans three games to two on Sept. 28.

In the week between Oct. 15 and 19, the Broncos effectively put the series away for the inaugural year. That week saw the Bronco women's soccer team work the Spartans over 5-0 and also had both Bronco cross country teams finish ahead of San Jose St. in the Bronco Invitational, pushing the Santa Clara lead in the series to 13-0. It also virtually eliminated the Spartans from being able to win the series.

If the Bronco men's basketball team wins their upcoming game with the Spartans, San Jose St. would have to win all the points the rest of the year to even tie. This is a near impossibility concontinued from back page considering Santa Clara's performance up to this year.

"It is not a rivalry when one team never wins, you need competition," said men's basketball play-by-play broadcaster Dave Lewis.

The men's basketball team doesn't seem especially interested in the rivalry series going into the Nov. 30 game.

"I don't know what the rivalry series really is, we are basically just cross-town rivals," said sophomore guard Ethan Rohde. "We always want to beat the local teams."

Across town, the Spartans seem even more unaware of the rivalry series than the Broncos.

"I really couldn't tell you about it, we take it one game at a time," Spartans basketball assistant coach Eric Matthews said. "We're not building it up with our guys as a big rivalry - it's college basketball."

This begs the question of whether or not the rivalry series has caught the imaginations of students at either campus. One field where apathy will be a minimum, however, is the baseball field where the teams will square off March 7-9.

Last season the Spartans whipped the Broncos 20-2 and 5-1 during their two matches. Members of Mark O'Brien's team have revenge on their minds.

"We want some pay back, getting beaten 20-2 really upped the ante," junior pitcher Pat McBride said. "When the guys hear about the rivalry series it will add extra motivation. It is a big deal for all of us."

Over at San Jose St. the battle on the diamond is also being savored.

"I haven't heard about the rivalry series. They don't tell us much out here," assistant coach Doug Thurman said. He added, "If we're part of the system then let's go get them."

The trophy for the 2002-2003 inaugural rivalry will be awarded at the final game between the two schools, which this year is currently scheduled to be a men's golf match on April 7 and 8. Off to a torrid start in this inaugural edition, the Broncos will look to hold on over the remainder of the season.