Boychuk is here to stay

Most college students have days when skipping class may seem like a good idea. The members of the Cal State long Beach Women's basketball Team have reason to think twice about skipping an occasional class. A 6-foot-2-reason. The Coach might show up to see if they are there.

Women's Head Coach Dallas Boychuk laughs at the growing legend of her spot checks on players. "It's important. I do check their classes to see if they are there," Boychuck said. "Last semester, they did excellent with their grades."

A player who is caught skipping class can expect extra running the next morning. Boychuk admits to "going a little overboard," but she thinks the academic results speak for themselves.

Building a good working relationship with her players was one of many new experiences Boychuk faces in her first season as head coach. She considers the team's 15-13 record a success, but she feels the team was close to better results.

The 49ers lost six games by three points or less and finished fifth in the Big West Conference. Boychuk said the team's Big West Tournament finish, a first round loss to Pacific University was disappointing since Cal State Long Beach defeated the Universi ty of Hawaii - the eventual tournament winner - by 15 points two weeks earlier.

She said many of the team's players, especially Ja'net Davis, stepped up the level of their play and had impressive seasons.

Even though it is the off-season for women's basketball, springtime is an extremely busy period for Boychuk and her coaching staff.

She was an accomplished recruiter as an assistant at Purdue University, prior to taking the CSULB job. As a head coach, Boychuk plans on remaining very involved in the process. "I like recruiting. The schools where the head coach does a lot of recruiting have an advantage," Boychuk said. "I get to know the kids and they get to know me."

Although the team will lose its three top scorersÑJa'net Davis, KIm Barfield and Akia HardyÑ to graduation, Boychuk is optimistic the team will improve next season. Starters Adara Newidouski and MIchelle Esparza will play a large role and Toby Metoyer fig ures to play significant minutes after missing part of last season with an injury. "We've got a good bunch coming back," said Boychuk.

In addition to receiving commitments from Monique Whitfield of Gahr High School and Rhonda Smith of Downey, Boychuk is pursuing top-notch preps in Southern California and throughout the country. "I try to stay in the area, but if we need a position, I'll go elsewhere," Boychuk said. "We're bringing in people [for recruiting visits] that a lot of other schools in the country are after."

Boychuk's long range plans include returning the team to national prominence and having the entire squad become more involved in the community.

"In seven years, I'd like to be in the top 25," said Boychuk. She did a lot of personal speaking engagements during her first year at CSULB and she plans on including the players in more community outreach. Visits to boys' and girls' clubs an stops at sch ools to promote staying in schools are in the future.

One thing not in Boychuk's plans is leaving CSULB. Although the athletic department has lost Athletic Director Dave O'Brien and Men's Basketball Coach Seth Greenberg in recent months, it should feel safe in regard to women's basketball. "I think this is a good place to be," Boychuk said. "I'm happy here. I want to build it back to where it was."

Boychuk sees the 49er women's program having a successful place in the growing popularity of women's basketball, pointing to the popularity of the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team, the emergence of a new women's professional league and the increased r atings of televised games. In contrast, the TV ratings of the men's Final Four was down this year.

Another plus for women's basketball is the absence of controversy and the bad media coverage that goes with it.

When asked to comment on the recent incidence between Magic Johnson and Nick Van Exel of the Lakers and referees, Boychuk said, "I guess I'm kind of shocked. I've been mad at a lot of referees before, but I've never thought about that."