Aug. 9 is a very important date for Dana Taylor, the new Cal State Stanislaus men’s soccer coach. That’s the day when his players, who will likely have high expectations, report for the first day of training for the upcoming season.
For Taylor, it doesn’t seem like enough time.
He has a lot to do until then. He’s just settling in after being hired on June 5 from Oregon State, where he was very successful in his 10 years. He’s selling his home in Oregon, and when he does, he will finally be joined by his wife, Lisa, and two of their sons, Brady, 15, and Bradlee 11. Brandon, the oldest son, is a junior on the Oregon State golf team.
Taylor is doing whatever he can to get himself more acquainted with his new community and its members. On Friday, he was busy at a fundraiser with athletic director Milton Richards. And he’s also busy answering the question he has heard several times after accepting his new position.
Why leave Oregon State, a Division I powerhouse?
There are plenty of reasons, he said. He likes Turlock’s warmer weather, which is not to say he didn’t enjoy the beautiful scenery the Northwest is famous for. He likes CSUS’s new on-campus stadium — which is a part of the Student Recreation Complex — that he will use to help recruit athletes (the Warriors will open their season with an exhibition game against Dominican on Aug. 23). He likes the promise of the soccer program, though CSUS went 4-12-1 overall last season.
And he enjoys being close to family, as he has in-laws in Palo Alto and a cousin in Modesto.
“I’m looking forward to the sunshine,” said Taylor, who’s living in an apartment until his family arrives. “This is an opportunity for my family as well as myself.”
Big things are expected from Taylor, who made Oregon State into a Pac-10 title contender. He directed the Beavers to two postseason appearances in the highly competitive Pac-10, as well as top 10 rankings in the nation. His team won a school-record 13 games in 2002, giving them their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance; he was named conference coach of the year for his efforts.
He then took the Beavers to the NCAA Men’s College Cup and another 13-win season in 2003.
He wants to bring that kind of success to Turlock.
“We are very excited about bringing a Pac-10 coach to our men’s soccer program, especially one of Dana’s caliber with such a dynamic record of achievements,” said Richards in a statement.
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
For Taylor, it doesn’t seem like enough time.
He has a lot to do until then. He’s just settling in after being hired on June 5 from Oregon State, where he was very successful in his 10 years. He’s selling his home in Oregon, and when he does, he will finally be joined by his wife, Lisa, and two of their sons, Brady, 15, and Bradlee 11. Brandon, the oldest son, is a junior on the Oregon State golf team.
Taylor is doing whatever he can to get himself more acquainted with his new community and its members. On Friday, he was busy at a fundraiser with athletic director Milton Richards. And he’s also busy answering the question he has heard several times after accepting his new position.
Why leave Oregon State, a Division I powerhouse?
There are plenty of reasons, he said. He likes Turlock’s warmer weather, which is not to say he didn’t enjoy the beautiful scenery the Northwest is famous for. He likes CSUS’s new on-campus stadium — which is a part of the Student Recreation Complex — that he will use to help recruit athletes (the Warriors will open their season with an exhibition game against Dominican on Aug. 23). He likes the promise of the soccer program, though CSUS went 4-12-1 overall last season.
And he enjoys being close to family, as he has in-laws in Palo Alto and a cousin in Modesto.
“I’m looking forward to the sunshine,” said Taylor, who’s living in an apartment until his family arrives. “This is an opportunity for my family as well as myself.”
Big things are expected from Taylor, who made Oregon State into a Pac-10 title contender. He directed the Beavers to two postseason appearances in the highly competitive Pac-10, as well as top 10 rankings in the nation. His team won a school-record 13 games in 2002, giving them their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance; he was named conference coach of the year for his efforts.
He then took the Beavers to the NCAA Men’s College Cup and another 13-win season in 2003.
He wants to bring that kind of success to Turlock.
“We are very excited about bringing a Pac-10 coach to our men’s soccer program, especially one of Dana’s caliber with such a dynamic record of achievements,” said Richards in a statement.
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
