SAINT MARY'S GAELS
Saint Mary's Brings Excitement to the Bay Area

The Saint Mary's men's basketball team won the West Coast Conference tournament championship for the first time since 1987. In doing so, the Gaels overpowered 14th-ranked Gonzaga 81-62 to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where they advanced into the Sweet 16.

The Saint Mary's Men's Basketball team takes a moment to enjoy winning the WCC Tournament Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Photo courtesy Saint Mary's Athletics.

Senior Omar Samhan and junior Mickey McConnell were named First Team All-West Coast Conference. McConnell was also awarded the WCC tournament MVP. Freshman Matthew Dellavedova was honorable mention All-WCC, and was named to the WCC All-Freshman Team.

Samhan's hard work in the paint earned him WCC Defensive Player of the Year. With over 240 blocks in his career, Samhan broke former teammate Diamon Simpson's career-blocks record. He also set Saint Mary's single-season scoring record, formerly held by Eric Schraeder.

Men's basketball general admission tickets for the 2010-11 season are now available. Adult seats are $125. Children (13 and under) and seniors (65 and over) are $80. Contact the ticket office for further information. Don't miss your chance to cheer for the Gaels in McKeon Pavilion.

Men's rugby returns to the pitch after a 2009 Sweet Sixteen appearance in Atlanta. With five players announced by USA Rugby to the 2009 All American roster, seven-year head coach Tim O'Brien continues to build a solid and competitive program. The Gaels opened their pre-season schedule with two hard-fought wins. Plagued with injuries up and down the lineup this season, the Gaels consistently play at less than full strength. Despite roster limitations, the only loss by Saint Mary's this season was to UC Davis. The Gaels will continue to hone their technical skills and tactical competency through the remainder of the season. Right now Saint Mary's is preparing for No. 1-ranked UC Berkley on Witter Rugby Field, March 20, at 1 p.m., and postseason play.

The Saint Mary's College baseball team coming off a 28-27 record in 2009, faces one of the strongest schedules in years. Head coach Jedd Soto has lined up nine games against 2009 NCAA tournaments teams, three series against 2009 conference champions and one series against 2009 College World Series participant Southern Mississippi.

The Gael to watch on the diamond is sophomore first baseman Troy Channing. Named 2009 WCC Freshman of the Year, Channing hit an impressive .375 and set the single-season home run and RBI record for Saint Mary's with 20 home runs and 75 runs batted in. He is the third player in WCC history to win the Triple Crown, was picked by Baseball America last year as a second-team All-American, and was also a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy. Coming off a monstrous freshman season, Channing was named a second team pre-season All American by Louisville Slugger.

Don't miss the chance to catch the Gaels live at Louis Guisto Field. General admission is just $7, and only $5 for children and seniors (18 and under and 65 and over). Hotdogs, peanuts and good baseball awaits.