The Bold Type with Dan Butterly: August 12, 2024

Good morning to all!? ?

The legal and financial ramifications of the NCAA-House settlement continued to take significant focus last week, but I am very excited to welcome the 2024-25 competition season with women’s soccer officially kicking off this week.? ?

I want to send a very big WELCOME to all our new student-athletes in The Big West, and to our returning student-athletes, WELCOME BACK!?I ask our returners to show our new Big West family members how best to compete in The Big West with positive sportsmanship, respect for game officials and your opponent, and showing the next generation that is watching you what it is like to compete to win while enjoying the game.??? ?

Good luck to all our student-athletes in 2024-25, and welcome back to campus! ?

Song of the week is the “Peter Gunn Theme"? from The Blues Brothers soundtrack. The?soundtrack?from this movie rates as one of the best all-time in my opinion.? From Cab Calloway, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles to The Blues Brothers, the music is outstanding. ?

And to any student from a Big West institution competing in the Drum Corp International Championship Finals last weekend in Indianapolis –?congratulations!? (LINK) ?

Let’s get to The Bold Type!

? ?

WELCOME TO THE BIG WEST CU1!? ?

The Big West and Van Wagner just announced a major new partnership with Credit Union 1 as the official banking partner, official financial services partner and official credit union of The Big West!? Credit Union 1 will become the presenting sponsor of The Big West Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships in addition to a strong year-round presence on Big West marketing platforms including student-athlete financial wellness programs. Students, faculty, staff and alumni at Big West member institutions will have access to best-in-class banking and financial services benefits. Learn more about CU1 and the partnership here >>> ?

CONGRATULATIONS!? ?

To the 22 individuals who were named 2023-24 Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year!? Two student-athletes from each institution – one male and one female – were honored by their institutions and the conference for their accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in their communities. (LINK)The Big West Academic Honors premieres on ESPN+ at Noon on Wednesday, August 14. Join host Chlo? Clark from the campus of CSUN as we celebrate the accomplishments of all 22 Big West scholar-athletes of the year.

To all twenty-seven athletes and coaches from The Big West participated in the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, also known as the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France. See how each competitor fared here >>>

A special?congratulations?goes out to all our medalists! Read more about:

Cal Poly alum?Taylor Spivey?who captured the silver medal in the triathlon mixed relay event at the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, also known as the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Read more >>>

The four Big West men’s volleyball alumni who took home hardware at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Kevin Tillie (UC Irvine) of France climbing to the top of the podium for the gold medal. The US trio of TJ DeFalco (Long Beach State), Taylor Averill (Hawai'i) and David Smith (UC Irvine) also earned bronze in the competition. Read more >>>

Hawai'i alum?Maartje Keuning who was a member of the Netherlands team that won the bronze medal in the women's water polo event at the Paris Olympics. Read more >>>

2021-22 Big West Player of the Year and Hawai’i alumna Amy Atwell who claimed a bronze medal with the Australian Opals in the women's basketball competition. Read more >>>

OLYMPIANS FROM THE BIG WEST? ?

UC Irvine alum Greg Louganis OLY is a four-time Olympian, five-time Olympic medalist and four-time Olympic gold medalist diver. Heralded by some as the “greatest American diver and greatest diver in history”, the former Anteater shared some of the memories and experiences of the?Olympics with The Big West’s Chloe Clark. Read more >>>

THE BIG WEST READIES FOR FALL COMPETITION? ?

• Women’s Volleyball?- The 2024 Big West women’s volleyball conference schedule is out, featuring an 18-match league ledger and the culmination of the season at The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2024 Outrigger Big West Women’s Volleyball Championship on Nov. 27, 29 & 30, from the Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif.? Read more >>>
• Men’s Soccer?- The Big West is proud to unveil its 2024 men’s soccer conference schedule, featuring a nine-game format culminating in the 2024 Big West Men's Soccer Championships Nov. 6-16. Read more >>>
• Women’s Soccer?- The Big West unveiled its 2024 women’s soccer conference schedule today, featuring a 10-game round-robin format culminating in the 2024 Big West Women's Soccer Championship on Nov. 3, 7 & 10.??Read more >>>
• Men’s Water Polo?- The Big West announced its 2024 men's water polo conference schedule featuring a 15-game conference?format for each team competing in the 2024 Big West Men's Water Polo Championship, hosted by UC Davis at Schall Aquatics Center on Nov. 22-24.??Read more >>>
• Cross Country - On your mark! The Big West cross country season gets underway in approximately three weeks with several teams competing on Friday, Aug. 30, the first allowable competition date set by the NCAA.?This year's Big West Cross Country Championships will be hosted by UC Riverside on its Agricultural Operations (Ag/Ops) Course on Saturday, Nov. 2. Read more >>>

?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK? ?

“You cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore” by French explorer, Andre Gide.? ?

This quote conveys a powerful message that?emphasizes the importance of having courage when moving forward into the unknown. ?

Please be sure to provide your athletic trainers and SIDs with a pat on the back and word of encouragement in the week ahead as they start their 2024-25 journey.?A smile, respect, encouragement, handshake/fist bump, and a bit of motivation can help all of us to keep moving forward, but these two groups of leaders are truly deserving every day.? ?

Have a momentous week ahead!

Dan Butterly