MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY - ’78 and ’79 Championship Teams Honored at Awards Banquet

In 1978, the Gauchos set the standard by capturing UC Santa Barbara’s first PCAA (Big West) Cross Country Championship. Then they returned the following year to win another title. To celebrate that achievement’s 30th anniversary, the UCSB cross country program honored the 1978 and 1979 teams on Jan. 17. Team alumni reunited with an alumni tour of the Mosher Alumni Building, an alumni social hour at the Gauchos Hall of Fame, and the 2008 Cross Country Awards Banquet.

MEN’S BASEBALL - UCSB Baseball Ranked No. 30 in Two Preseason Polls

Coming off a 35-win season, the UC Santa Barbara baseball team has recently been recognized by several publications as a team to watch this year. Collegiate Baseball’s preseason poll tabbed the Gauchos 30th in the nation, one of only three Big West teams to be ranked that high at www.baseballnews.com. Shortly thereafter, Ping! Baseball also ranked UCSB 30th in the country, also one of only three Big West schools to be ranked in the Top-30 at www.pingbaseball.com. UCSB opens its baseball season with two games on Feb. 22 before hosting its home opener against Westmont at 2 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

BASEBALL ALUMNI - Alum Michael Young Wins Gold Glove, Fielding Award

Former UCSB baseball player Michael Young won his first career Gold Glove and was one of four American League players to capture his first-ever fielding award. Starring as shortstop for the Texas Rangers, Young became the first infielder to win a Gold Glove from a team with the worst fielding percentage in the majors. In 151 games at shortstop this season, Young had a .984 fielding percentage, making just 11 errors in 669 total chances. An All-Star, Young also batted .284 with 12 home runs and 82 RBIs.

Former Gaucho Chris Valaika Named Reds’ Player of the Year

Former UC Santa Barbara baseball standout Chris Valaika was named the Cincinnati Reds’ Minor League Player of the Year for 2008. Valaika, 23, last season played at Class A Sarasota and Class AA Chattanooga. In 129 games the Florida State League All-Star hit .317 with 18 home runs, 81 RBIs and nine stolen bases. Valaika led all Reds Minor League batters in hitting and ranked second in RBIs. He played for the U.S. team in the prestigious XM All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAMS - Gaucho Athletes Get in Spirit of Giving

Gaucho Athletes Get in Spirit of Giving
The UC Santa Barbara men’s and women’s basketball teams provided 52 local underprivileged children with a Holiday SWishes and Baskets of Fun shopping spree on Dec. 15 as part of the Athletic Department’s Gauchos Give community outreach program.

Working with the Page Youth Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara and Goleta, the teams spent the evening with the kids, who were given $100 shopping sprees at Kmart in Goleta.

“We want our teams to get out and give back to a community that gives so much to us and also educate our student-athletes that there is something bigger out there,” said women’s head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.

In addition, UC Santa Barbara athletes, led by the Gauchos’ Student Athlete Advisory Board, raised more than $2,000 for its Secret Angels/Adopt-a-Family holiday project. The money goes directly to the purchase of Christmas presents for less fortunate families in Isla Vista, UCSB’s neighboring community.
— UCSBGauchos.com