Marymount Receives NAIA Champions of Character Award

Marymount College has been named an NAIA Champions of Character Five Star Institution for 2011-2012. This marks the second consecutive year Marymount has been honored with this award. Each institution in the NAIA is graded on a scorecard and only those institutions that score 60 points or higher are given this prestigious award. The Cal Pac Conference has also been awarded as a Champions of Character Conference. For the conference to receive this award, all institutions within that conference must have qualified as a Five Star Institution.

 The NAIA Champions of Character program will create an environment in which every NAIA student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through the five tenets: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

Congratulations to our athletes, coaches, and supporters for helping us achieve this award! Visit the Marymount Mariners Website

Marymount College Mariners - Rieger and Guizar make History

11/2/12 Rocklin, California

History is in the books as Daniel Rieger (Palos Verdes, CA, Palos Verdes) becomes the first athlete in Marymount College's athletic history to qualify for an NAIA National Championship. Alongside Daniel will be Mike Guizar (Torrance, CA, South Torrance, El Camino Junior College) who also qualified for the championships. "Today was a tremendous day for Marymount College" states Athletic Director Gary White. Cross Country is a new sport at Marymount College this fall and becomes the first program to represent the College on the national level. Daniel Rieger (Palos Verdes, CA, Palos Verdes) placed 2nd and Mike Guizar (Torrance, CA, South Torrance, El Camino Junior College) placed 4th overall as 58 runners toed the line for the Cal Pac Championships. The top five finishers not on the winning team qualified as individuals. Daniel and Mike will travel to Vancouver, Washington on November 17th to represent Marymount. The future looks bright for Marymount athletics.

Marymount College Mariners - Rieger and Guizar make History

Interview with Marymount's Athletic Director Gary White

Marymount College’s new athletic director, Gary White, understands what it takes to develop successful sports programs, especially the character-driven kind that is required of schools in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). White developed athletic programs at small colleges in Missouri and Illinois and earned seven NAIA national titles along the way. After relocating to Marymount last summer, he has been diligently laying the groundwork for a comprehensive athletic program at the College.

Watch Gary White's interview with RPV TV Reporter Maria Serrao

Born and raised in Ohio, the seasoned athletic director has a manner that is friendly, straightforward, and expeditious. White has always coached at NAIA schools. Most recently, he was at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois where he began their cross-country and track and field programs, as well as McKendree’s intercollegiate bowling program, a first for a midwest school. Last year, his women's team won the inaugural NAIA Bowling National Title. Before then, White led his track and field teams to six NAIA national titles, four of them consecutive indoor titles for his women’s team.

These are exciting times as Marymount’s athletic identity comes into being. Marymount joined the NAIA in February 2010 as it was transitioning into a four-year institution. In January, Marymount joined NAIA’s California Pacific Conference, or “Cal Pac”. This particular conference is mostly California schools and one in which Marymount is already competitive with its soccer program. “With these [NAIA] schools, the student-athlete is the focus,” said White. “Note the word student comes first.”

With the cross-country program due this fall, White will also coach the men’s and women’s teams. “We are finding that recruits are excited to be part of the first team,” he said. In the spring of 2013, the golf and track programs will begin, with White coaching the latter. At that time, there will be four NAIA sports and a total of eight varsity programs at Marymount, with men’s and women’s teams counting as two sports. (The NAIA requires Marymount to have six sports by 2015 so the College is well ahead of schedule.)

So, besides the great weather, why head west? White also looked to California because his son lives in Whittier with his family; White and his wife, Margaret, wanted to be nearby.

As Marymount’s new athletic director, Gary White wears many hats and takes it in stride. He is well-prepared to do what he loves to do – develop athletic programs. “I’ve got the joy of knowing I have seven national championships under my belt,” he said. “One more would be nice, but it’s not the focus.” The reality of his job includes working with students wanting to transfer in or out, working with the NAIA on all reports for athletics, developing athletic budgets, and hiring new coaches. There’s also dealing with injuries and tracking athletes’ academic progress. But it’s “par for the course” given White’s history - “It’s been a challenge and a lot of fun,” he said.

Marymount College Receives Honors for Athletes of Character and Academic Achievement

Marymount College Palos Verdes has earned top honors from the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).  The NAIA, a governing body for college athletic programs, awarded its “Five Stars” honor to Marymount College for achievement in the NAIA’s Champions of Character program that instills character development and academic achievement in student athletes.

The college was evaluated through the measurement of its athletes’ conduct in competition and for the athletic teams’ leadership that fosters in student athletes the importance of academic achievement and the demonstration of outstanding character.  Marymount College’s success was for its men and women soccer program.

To receive this award, colleges and universities must score 60 or more points on the NAIA Champions of Character scorecard. The scorecard contains measurable goals and monitors progress towards advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by obtaining zero ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

Five Star Award recipients are recognized on the NAIA Champions of Character web site and receive a special web banner and certificate noting the honor.  College presidents and athletic directors will be recognized at the NAIA national convention in April 2012.

Marymount College intends to continue leading its athletic programs under the values of the NAIA ‘s Champions of Character program.  In 2012, the college will begin a men’s and women’s cross country team and has plans to add a track & field and a tennis program in the future.

Marymount College is one of two Catholic, coeducational colleges in Los Angeles County. Offering bachelor’s degrees in Business, Media Studies and Liberal Arts the college has locations in Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro.  In the spirit of its founding order, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Marymount challenges its students to pursue lives of leadership and service, and strives to graduate students who embody the virtues of integrity, respect for human dignity and commitment to justice.

Marymount announces additional athletic teams!

Athletic Director Gary White has announced that Marymount College will start women’s and men’s Cross Country in the fall of 2012 and is making plans to start Tennis and Track & Field in the near future.

It is an exciting time at Marymount and the new opportunities for all student-athletes states Gary White. Recruiting is currently underway for the new athletic programs. The growth of the athletic department is an opportunity for all students to get involved if they choose.  If you would like more information please contact the Admissions Office or Athletic Director Gary White.

Marymount College Wins NAIA Champions of Character Five Star Award!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When it comes to advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics, NAIA members are making the grade, according to results of the 2010-11 NAIA Champions of Character Scorecard released today by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

 

“In today’s complex college athletic environments – where success is sometimes only measured by wins and losses – strengthening effective athletic departments and leadership is key to advancing character-driven intercollegiate athletics,” said Kristin Gillette, NAIA Director of Champions of Character. “The Scorecard supports and recognizes member institutions and conferences using sport as a vehicle to teach life lessons. No doubt this is a point of differentiation in college athletics and making a huge impact on our 60,000 student-athletes.” read full story

Marymount College Men's Soccer Highlights 2010

Marymount College Soccer Banquet

Marymount Soccer Teams celebrated the end of the season with a banquet at the Los Verdes Golf Club on Nov. 19th. Families, staff, coaches and the players had a great meal and celebrated the inaugural NAIA season. The coach, Ben Graham handed out awards and thanked the staff, families and the players for making this a memorable season. Below is our award winners, if you see them on campus make sure you congratulate them on their hard work and dedication.

Left to Right: Jay Lambert-Player of the Year, Michelle Granillo-Player’s Player of the Year

Scott Smith-Player’s Player of the Year, Andrea Poeschel- Player of the Year

I would personally like to recognize the efforts of everyone on campus for helping make this first season a success.

It has truly been a team effort. Thank you!

Go Mariners!!