Clayton State University - Athletics

Athletics

Clayton State University is an NCAA Division II member, competing in one of the top conferences in the nation at that level - the Peach Belt Conference.

Clayton State University won its first national championship in school history when the Lady Lakers won the NCAA Division II women's basketball national title in 2011.

The Lakers have enjoyed much success in their 18-year history, capped in the last five years by finishing three times in the top three in the Peach Belt Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings.

Clayton State followed up banner 2004-05, 2005–06 and 2007 campaigns with another staunch performance in 2007-08. For the fourth straight season, the program finished in the Top Four in the Peach Belt, arguably the toughest Division II conference in the country. In addition, eight teams advanced to NCAA Division II National Tournament play, giving Clayton State an impressive ranking of 42nd in the final NACDA Director's Cup standings at the Division II level.

The fall of 2007 was a banner season for head coach Pete Petersen's Laker men's soccer team. Clayton State won its third straight Peach Belt Conference regular championship with a 14-4-2 record. In addition, the Lakers also won its second PBC Tournament championship in the last two years and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the third time in four seasons. In addition to men's soccer, head coach Mike Mead's Clayton State men's cross country team finished second in the Peach Belt Conference, and qualified for NCAA Division II Regionals as well.

The Laker basketball season had a "Sweet 16" appeal to it as both Clayton State men's and women's teams advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Head coach Dennis Cox's Laker women won their third Peach Belt Conference regular season championship in the last four seasons with a 20-11 mark and a fourth straight NCAA Division II National Tournament berth, while the Laker men under head coach Gordon Gibbons shocked the Division II basketball world by winning their first ever PBC Tournament championship to garner their second straight NCAA Division II National Tournament berth.

The spring of 2008 was prosperous for Clayton State, especially in women's tennis and men's golf. The Laker women, under head coach Tamas Szabados, recorded their first ever 20-win season, finished second in the Peach Belt Conference and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

Meanwhile, Clayton State men's golf, under the direction of second-year head coach Barry Harwell, had the best season in nearly a decade. The Lakers finished second in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, followed by a fourth-place finish in the NCAA Division II Regionals to qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships for the first time since 1999. At Nationals, the Lakers finished a strong 10th after leading the tournament following the first round.

In men's and women's track and field, head coach Mike Mead had five athletes qualify for the Division II National Championships, and one came away with All-American honors.

The 2006-07 campaign kicked off with a solid fall season as Clayton State garnered its second straight Peach Belt Conference regular season championship in men's soccer, along with a Peach Belt runner-up finish in women's cross country. However, it was the winter sports that drove the bus for the Lakers in the 2006-07 season.

Both women's and men's basketball enjoyed its best seasons in program history in 2006-07. Head coach Dennis Cox's Laker women finished its banner year 29-6 overall, setting the school record for victories in a season for a third straight year. Clayton State also swept Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships for the second time in the last three seasons and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for a third straight season. In 2011, the Clayton State women's basketball won the NCAA Division II National Championship.

In the "Big Dance", Clayton State played host to the Division II South Atlantic Regional, and the Lakers won three straight games to advance to the NCAA Division II "Elite Eight" in Kearney, Neb. Clayton State won its quarterfinal showdown 60-55 against Texas A&M-Commerce, but dropped a tough 61-57 decision against Florida Gulf Coast in the "Final Four."

Not be out-done, head coach Gordon Gibbons' Laker men's basketball finished 24-8 overall, winning 17 straight games to start the season. Clayton State was ranked nationally throughout season, including being ranked as high as second in the nation for seven straight weeks. The Lakers advanced to the Peach Belt Tournament championship game for the first time in program history, and garnered their first ever NCAA Division II National Tournament bid.

The successful 2006-07 season concluded with improved results from women's tennis and men's golf in the spring. Under new head coach Tamas Szabados, the Clayton State women's tennis team finished 15th in the nation in the final Division II Top 25 poll, and had the ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) Division II national runner-up in doubles with Julia Chergova and Anna Redecsi.

Men's golf, also under the direction of new head coach Barry Harwell, recorded eight Top 10 finishes in its 10 tournaments and won its first tournament championship in six years. Individually, sophomore transfer Will Wilcox finished Peach Belt Conference Tournament runner-up and qualified for the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.

In men's and women's track and field, head coach Mike Mead had three athletes qualify for the Division II National Championships, and two came away with All-American honors.

The 2005-06 season started with a banner fall campaign with Peach Belt Conference championships in men's cross country, men's soccer and women's soccer. In addition, both soccer teams won their respected Peach Belt Tournament championships, advancing to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for a second straight season. Also, the Laker men's cross country team finished third at the NCAA Division II South Regionals and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships for the first time in program history.

The men's soccer team was ranked 12th in the final Division II Top 25 poll, while the women's team was ranked 17th. The success continued in the winter. For the second straight season, the Laker women's basketball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament with a 25-6 record. Clayton State also finished a program-best 17-3 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Laker men also had a tremendous season, finishing 21-7 for its second 20-victory season in three years. The Clayton State men were ranked as high as 18th in the nation, and Clayton State women were ranked as high as 19th in the nation.

The Lakers women’s basketball team had the top finish in the 2004-05 season, capturing the Peach Belt regular season and tournament championships. The squad finished with a 25-7 record, the best record in school history. Clayton State advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, winning in the first round.

In the fall, the men’s soccer and women’s soccer teams also advanced the NCAA Division II National Championships. The men’s team finished the season ranked 15th in the nation, advancing to the "Sweet Sixteen" of the NCAA Championships. The women’s program made the national tournament for the first time, posting a school record.

In 2003-04, the men’s cross country team had Clayton State’s highest PBC finish, placing second in the conference. The men’s basketball program posted the school’s second best record at 22-8, while the Clayton State women’s tennis team advanced to the NCAA National Championship tournament for the third time in four years in 2004.

In 2002, the women’s soccer team had a runner-up finish in the PBC soccer tournament. CSU won two conference championships in 2001-02 in men’s soccer and men’s basketball and also had two runner-up finishes in women’s cross country and women’s tennis in 2001-02. In addition, the Lakers had a PBC regular season championship in women’s tennis in 2000-01 and a Peach Belt Conference tournament championship in men’s soccer.

The 1998-1999 men’s golf team produced Clayton State's highest NCAA tournament finish, placing seventh in the country and has advanced to the NCAA Division II South Regionals four of the last eight seasons. In addition to these NCAA accomplishments, Clayton State captured four conference or regional titles as members of the NAIA and of the Georgia Athletic Conference from 1990-1995.

Individually, the Lakers have had 40 All-Americans, including 32 within the last five years. Track and field athletes Kim Larry and Ahmad Rolle, women's tennis players Julia Chergova and Anna Redecsi, men's soccer player Jamal Geathers and men's golfer Will Wilcox were each selected All-American for the 2007-08 season.

Clayton State had a number of remarkable individual achievements in the 2007-08 season. In addition to the six All-Americans, Geathers and teammate Tonny Madegwa swept PBC Freshman and Player of the Year honors in men's soccer, while Petersen was selected PBC Coach of the Year in men's soccer. In women's soccer, senior Olaitan Yusuf capped off a brilliant career with PBC Player of the Year honors, while freshman Walid Berkhedle swept PBC Runner and Freshman of the Year honors in cross country. Wilcox, meanwhile, became Clayton State's first ever individual Peach Belt Conference champion in men's golf.