History
The Pilots started to gain attention when Clive Charles began coaching the women's soccer team in 1989. He already had been the men's soccer coach since 1986, and he continued to coach both teams until 2003, when he died. He was then replaced by the current coach Bill Irwin. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005, and were led by a slew of national-level players (see Notable Alumni Athletes section).
In addition to soccer, UP consistently has one of the top cross country programs in the nation. Their men's team, coached by Rob Conner, has won 32 straight West Coast Conference championships. The men's team has finished amongst the top 10 at the NCAA championships four times in its history. In 2008, the Pilots finished 7th, which is the highest they have ever placed. They also finished 7th in 2001. Also in 2008, David Kinsella finished 4th overall, the highest any Pilot has ever placed individually at the national championships.
The Pilots have had success in other sports as well. The men's basketball team has gone to the NCAA tournament twice (1959 and 1996). Their women's basketball team has gone to the NCAA Tournament 4 times (1994-1997) and the WNIT twice (1998 and 2009). Their baseball team has also gone to the NCAA tournament five times (1957, 1958, 1979, 1989, and 1991).
UP used to have a football team as well, but it was dropped in 1950 due to a lack of funding.
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“All objects, all phases of culture are alive. They have voices. They speak of their history and interrelatedness. And they are all talking at once!”
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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