President John Nunes has made the construction of a new track and field venue a top university priority. The $10-million facility would occupy an empty grass lot off Campus Drive directly south of Angel City Football Club’s training center, filling a void left when Cal Lutheran’s outdated cinder track was demolished in the early 2000s. By bringing training and competition back to Thousand Oaks, the project promises to strengthen recruiting and eliminate off-campus commutes for dozens of student-athletes.
|
|
|
President breathes new life into long-awaited track and field project |
By Kyle Jorrey Amid the splendor of Cal Lutheran athletic venues ― towering Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, artful William Rolland Stadium, idyllic George “Sparky” Anderson Field ― there remains one glaring absence: a track.
For more than two decades, the school’s sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers, throwers and distance runners have practiced off campus at Moorpark High School. For even longer, Kingsmen and Regals stars have been denied the singular thrill of climbing the podium in front of a home crowd. New university President John Nunes wants to change that.
Among the ambitious goals laid out by administrators during the annual State of the University address on Jan. 22: constructing a track and field venue in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in two years. |
|
|
| Alline Ballard Junior | Women’s basketball
Alline Ballard’s star is rising like a SpaceX rocket. Already SCIAC’s premier rebounder and defender entering the season, the Pasadena native enters the weekend leading the conference in scoring (15.6). Whether cleaning up a teammate’s near-miss or taking a defensive rebound coast-to-coast, Ballard has scored double digits in all but two of the Regals’ 19 contests. Her game log is eye-popping: 27 points and 12 rebounds versus Nazareth; 28 and 10 against Occidental; and a 24-point, 14-rebound, four-block performance at Redlands. Head coach Kelli DiMuro said the star forward has the personality to match the production. “She’s a gregarious person,” DiMuro said. “She’s such a dynamic personality, and you see that when she’s on the floor.” Ballard, who reached the 1,000-career-point milestone this month, has the 16-3 Regals believing they can make hay come March.
|
|
|
| Ze’ev Remer Senior | Men’s basketball
It’s been a challenging stretch for the defending SCIAC champs, who graduated 75% of their minutes and 90% of their offensive production this offseason. Amid the transition, point guard Ze’ev Remer has remained a model of consistency. “Our captains (Remer and juniors Matt Verkamp and Camden Hyde) have been great, they’re doing the right things ... but we’re still trying to find our way,” head coach Russell White said. An important contributor off the bench throughout Cal Lutheran’s three-year run of success, Remer has stepped into a starting role this year, shooting 90% from the foul line and maintaining a near 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Only one path remains for the Kingsmen to qualify for their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAAs: winning the SCIAC Tournament. Given Remer's big-game experience, fans can't rule that out.
|
|
|
|
Brendan Hom Junior | Men’s volleyball
Those predicting the Kingsmen would take a significant step back offensively following the graduation of all-time greats Michael Stahl and Jordan Cooper didn’t account for Brendan Hom. The transfer from Lewis University (Illinois) has turned heads with his raw athleticism and power, registering a team-leading 82 kills and 17 aces during Cal Lutheran’s scorching hot start. “He’s just got a crazy arm swing,” head coach Kevin Judd said. “He might even hit harder than Jordan Cooper did.” Judd initially recruited the 6-foot-5 Hom out of South Torrance High School before the talented outside hitter chose to attend Division I Lewis. “I think he’s happier being closer to home,” the coach said. A two-time member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association All-Academic team, Hom is majoring in marketing communications.
|
|
|
|
Victoria Lawrence First-year | Women’s swimming
Victoria Lawrence is off to a dizzying start. The Valencia native set a school record in the 1,000-yard freestyle in her first-ever meet last October against Pepperdine — and she hasn’t looked back since. She shattered that record again this month in a dual meet against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and La Verne, finishing in 10:35.90 and besting defending SCIAC champion Katy Shaw of CMS in the process. Through her first two semesters of collegiate action, Lawrence has racked up over 10 first-place finishes and moved into the program’s top five all-time in four different events. “As a freshman, she’s racing with the best people in conference. Her potential is just through the roof,” head coach Barry Schreifels said. Expect the exercise science major to make a major splash at next month’s SCIAC Championships.
|
|
|
Whether he is soaring for a rebound or leading a campus worship night, Camden Hyde represents the very best of the Kingsmen spirit. Boasting a 3.95 GPA, the Boise native is a two-sport standout in basketball and track. According to Athletic Director Howard Davis, Hyde’s influence extends far beyond the stat sheet: “He’s universally respected by everyone on campus, especially his teammates and coaches.” Photo: Mia Bertone
|
It’s not unusual to see junior Camden Hyde soaring above the rim to grab a rebound or throw down a ferocious dunk. While he embraces his role as a co-captain of the Kingsmen basketball team, his primary focus is on something much higher. “I am heavily involved in campus ministry,” he said. “I started my own group my first year called The Alternative that hosts Bible studies, worship nights and late-night hangouts.”
Since arriving on campus in 2023 from Boise, Idaho, the 20-year-old has been a force for good. He encourages teammates and classmates to see the bigger picture by sharing the Gospel and inviting students into a more intimate relationship with God.
Men’s basketball head coach Russell White called Hyde, who finished third in the high jump at last year’s SCIAC Championships, “a true servant leader.”
“He does a ton of stuff outside of school just to do good deeds,” White said. “Amazing what he does with his 24 hours ... he just adds positivity everywhere.”
Here are some questions to better get to know the Kingsmen’s source of inspiration: |
|
|
Attendees of the inaugural Wine & Beer Walk fill the plaza between William Rolland Stadium and Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center last year. The 2026 walk is set for Friday, April 24. Tickets are $75 for Cal Lutheran faculty and staff and $99 for the general public. |
Victory Club wine, beer walk back for year 2
|
Proceeds from university plaza party benefit Cal Lutheran athletics |
The athletics department is throwing a party — and everyone’s invited.
Plans are beginning to take shape for the second annual Wine & Beer Walk, scheduled for Friday, April 24 at University Plaza. Among the vendors already committed: Sweetgreen, Tarantula Hill Brewing Company, Stonefire Grill, Cavaletti Vineyards and Enegren Brewing.
Guests, who will each receive a gift basket, are invited to enjoy the fresh air while listening to live music and sampling a curated selection of food and beverages. The event is the brainchild of Associate Vice President and Athletics Director Howard Davis.
“What’s better than wine, beer, great food and terrific music, all among people who care about and support Cal Lutheran University student-athletes?” Davis said. “If you’re a fan of Kingsmen and Regals sports, this is a can’t-miss affair.”
Every dollar raised by the walk directly benefits the Victory Club in its mission to support Cal Lutheran student-athletes. Among its vital functions, the club helps cover travel and lodging expenses for teams when they qualify for postseason play — an increasingly common occurrence.
“We want more parents of our student-athletes to come and enjoy some conversation with our coaching staff and administrators in a fun, social setting,” Davis said. “It serves as a terrific community event. Many neighbors with no ties to CLU came and enjoyed the evening last year.”
Tickets to the walk are $99 for the general public and $75 for Cal Lutheran faculty and staff. Children (10 and younger) are free. While the event is geared toward adults, there will be activities for young children, including a play area with games and a bounce house. |
|
|
Two-sport athletes are commonplace at Cal Lutheran, but a volleyball/diving standout? That’s something new. Camden Franjieh is testing the waters with impressive results. The first-year student-athlete out of San Rafael’s Terra Linda High School scored a 303.45 in the 3-meter dive at the Chris Knorr Invitational earlier this month, the highest mark in program history. Also an outside hitter on the volleyball team, Franjieh has already qualified for postseason competition in two diving events (1-meter and 3-meter), becoming the first Kingsmen diver to do so since 2016.
|
|
If Alline Ballard is the jet fuel, Janna Holley is the Valvoline in the Regals’ well-oiled machine. A three-year starter at point guard, the San Fernando Valley native recently joined the program’s 1,000-point club with a 19-point, seven-rebound effort at home against La Verne on Jan. 7. The dynamic ball-handler has a real chance to surpass Nicole Albert as the Regals’ all-time leader in assists (454), a record that has stood for 20 years. “She does all the intangibles well. ... She makes the other players better,” head coach Kelli DiMuro said.
|
|
|
Don’t let his size fool you: 5-foot-10 Tony Angelo is a big-time player. Relieving senior starter Ze’ev Remer at point guard for stretches at a time, the sophomore from Vancouver, Washington, is shooting over 50% from beyond the arc and regularly putting his teammates in a prime position to score. “He’s taking care of the ball at an elite level,” head coach Russell White said. “His assist-to-turnover ratio is like 4-to-1.” Angelo, already Cal Lutheran’s best on-ball defender, knows how to win: He led Portland’s Central Catholic High School to a state title in 2024.
|
|
After spending three seasons playing behind All-American Michael Stahl, Connor Crawford is finally getting his shot as a starter — and he hasn’t missed. The 6-foot-6 senior from San Carlos is “playing the best volleyball of his career,” head coach Kevin Judd said. Despite missing two matches with a concussion, Crawford ranks fourth on the team in kills (42) and is third in blocks (14). The captain set the tone in the Kingsmen’s sweep of Concordia Wisconsin on Jan. 16, registering a match-high three blocks to go along with seven kills and six digs. “We’re just real excited to see him lead the Kingsmen as far as we can go,” Judd said.
|
|
|
Our rundown of the can’t-miss Kingsmen and Regals action at home |
|
|
Men’s Basketball vs. Redlands |
Backdrop: With a month left before the SCIAC Tournament, there’s still time for the 9-10 Kingsmen to right the ship. After defeating Whittier on Wednesday to snap a five-game losing streak, head coach Russell White’s squad welcomes rival Redlands (17-2) to Gilbert Arena this weekend for a shot at revenge. The No. 7-ranked Bulldogs throttled Cal Lutheran by 35 earlier this month, a game in which nothing went right for the purple and gold. If the Kingsmen want a different outcome, they’ll need to rekindle some of their offensive magic of a season ago. The team is currently averaging just 72.4 points per game, a significant dip from the 82.1 mark they posted in 2024-25. Photo: Mia Bertone
|
|
Women’s Basketball vs. CMS |
Backdrop: In a clash that could decide the regular-season SCIAC title, the Regals (16-3) will face the Athenas (15-4) with payback in mind. Cal Lutheran’s high-octane offense — led by Alline Ballard, Janna Holley and Kaiya Mack — met its match in a 59-48 defeat at the hands of CMS two weeks ago. Don’t expect a repeat. The Regals have beaten their opponents by an average of 16 points despite shooting less than 31% from three-point range. If Cal Lu finds its stroke in time for postseason play, the sky’s the limit for the defending conference champs, who start only one senior. Prior to the game, the team will welcome fans for a meet and greet in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Photo: Kayla Bell
|
|
|
Swimming/Diving vs. Chapman |
Backdrop: The Kingsmen and Regals are making waves. Two freshmen have already broken program records, including diver Camden Franjieh (shown above) and phenom Victoria Lawrence. Head coach Barry Schreifels said his team wants to join the ranks of perennial SCIAC leaders Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer. “They’re the two strongest teams. ... it’s clear they do a great job, and we aspire to that,” he said. Cal Lutheran welcomes Chapman next week for Senior Day in a dual meet the home team is favored to win. Among the seniors to be recognized — Madi Bodhidatta. The pride of Bangkok is poised to cap off a stellar collegiate career with a third consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships. Photo: Jennifer Vreeke
|
|
Men’s Volleyball vs. UCSB |
Backdrop: Returning just two starters from last year’s NCAA semifinal team, the Kingsmen promptly began 2026 by winning their first 18 sets of the season. Head coach Kevin Judd continues to show a Midas touch in the transfer portal. Juniors Brendan Hom and Tyler Linville have quickly established themselves as Cal Lutheran’s top weapons. Linville, a graduate of Thousand Oaks High School, tallied a match-high 10 kills in a sweep of No. 7-ranked Vassar this month in Hawaii. “He can jump out of the gym,” Judd said of Linville. Next week’s showdown against Division I UC Santa Barbara could speak volumes. The Kingsmen (7-1) have yet to lasso the Gauchos in four tries, a streak they’re eager to snap.
|
|
|
Photographer Mia Bertone (@momentsbymiabertone) celebrated the highly anticipated return of Kingsmen baseball with this perfectly framed shot of superstar outfielder Lucas Danielewicz during the team’s alumni game on Saturday, Jan. 24, at George “Sparky” Anderson Field. The purple and gold open the regular season at home against Top 25 McMurry University (Texas) in a three-game series starting Feb. 6. |
|
|
After five years playing abroad, former Kingsmen point guard Caleb Richey is now coaching his alma mater, Bishop Diego High School in Santa Barbara. With the aid of assistant coach and fellow Cal Lutheran alum Stephen Davis, the 30-year-old has led the Cardinals to a 19-3 record. Just how impressive has Bishop Diego been under Richey, who still holds CLU’s single-season record for assists. The Cardinals have outscored their Tri Valley League opponents by an average of 31 points (7-0).
|
Another promising coach has emerged from the 2016-17 Cal Lutheran men’s basketball roster. Former Kingsman standout Caleb Richey ’20 has the Bishop Diego High School Cardinals flying high. Richey, who was a teammate of current St. Bonaventure (Ventura) head coach Wolfgang Wood ’18, is in his first year leading the Santa Barbara private school program, his alma mater. “We are competing at a high level despite being a young team,” said Richey of the squad’s 19-3 record. “I truly believe we have a championship-caliber team, but of course, we have to continue to prove that.”
Richey has a history of making an immediate impact. In his only season at Cal Lutheran, the lightning-quick playmaker was named SCIAC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SCIAC. He also shattered a 20-year-old record for assists in a season — 202 — a mark that stands to this day.
After graduating with a degree in criminology and criminal justice, the father of one chased his professional dreams abroad, playing in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“Helsinki, Finland, was my favorite place,” the 30-year-old said. “That experience was a culture shock for me. Being from California and going somewhere that challenged me on and off the court every day was great for my mental well-being.”
Richey returned to the U.S. in 2023 and was hired as Bishop Diego’s assistant coach in 2024. He took over the head coaching job this season, promptly tapping recent Cal Lutheran alum Stephen Davis ’25 to join his staff. The connection runs deep: Richey played for Stephen’s father, Patrick, during his own high school career. “(Patrick) would bring Stephen to the games, and he would sit with us on the bench,” Richey said. “So, I’ve known Stephen for many years. Stephen is smart, and having him on the staff was a no-brainer. He’s going to be a great head coach one day.”
While Richey would love to see his players secure a CIF championship, the young coach hasn’t lost sight of the bigger picture. “Ultimately, whether we get there or not, I hope at the end of the season the players learned how to be winners in life and not just on the basketball court,” he said. |
|
|
© 2026 California Lutheran University |
|
|
|
