Sunbird Family,

As we prepare to welcome students back to campus in August, there is tremendous excitement surrounding Fresno Pacific Athletics. Throughout the summer, we have continued the significant facelift of the Special Events Center and Steinert Athletic Complex. Looking back to last summer this includes new seating, lighting, sound, a beautiful 8-by-40-foot video board, and new lighting, paint, and ceiling in the lobby of the SEC. At the Steinert Athletics Complex, we installed a road from Dan Martin Stadium out to the track and Ramirez Field, installed new turf on the soccer practice field, and continued small improvements throughout the complex. These projects represent an important investment in the experience of our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and fans.

The improvements also reflect the momentum created by an exceptional year for Sunbird Athletics. Together this year, we:

• Increased operational revenue by 55% over last year and up 386% since 2023.
• Recorded our highest Learfield Directors' Cup finish since transitioning to NCAA Division II, finishing 92nd nationally.
• Finished second in the PacWest Commissioner's Cup, the best conference finish in school history.
• Became official members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association and prepared for our first season in the CCAA.
• Won PacWest Conference Championships in women's volleyball and men's track and field.
• Women's tennis qualified for the National Tournament. 
• Earned six PacWest postseason tournament berths.
• Watched volleyball win the regular-season and conference tournament championships, advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, and finish ranked in the national Top 10.
• Launched STUNT, which finished third in the conference and earned a Top 20 national ranking during its inaugural season.
• Celebrated more than 40 Academic All-District honorees, including one Academic All-American, while graduating 65 student-athletes and maintaining a department-wide 3.30 GPA.
• Started or completed new team rooms for men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, and STUNT.
• Completed significant renovations to the Special Events Center with new seating, upgraded lighting and sound, and a new video board.
• Relaunched the Sunbird Golf Classic and introduced our inaugural Week of Giving.
• Shared the work being done at Fresno Pacific on the national stage through presentations at BOSCA and NACDA.

This fall will also mark the return of the Fresno Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame for the first time since 2019. We look forward to honoring Cheyenne Coffman, Orlando Ramirez, Shu Liu, Case Rigby, Ashley Sherr, and five championship teams (2003 Soccer, 2011 & 2012 Men's Swim and Dive, and 2014 & 2015 Baseball) whose accomplishments helped shape the proud history of Fresno Pacific Athletics. Their induction gives us an opportunity to celebrate our past while connecting it to the future we are continuing to build.

Everything we have done is result of outstanding student-athletes, coaches, staff, university leadership, alumni, donors, and supporters who believe in our mission. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." That verse reflects the spirit behind the work taking place throughout our department. While we are proud of the championships, academic achievements, revenue growth, and facility improvements, our purpose remains much greater. We are committed to developing young men and women of character, strengthening Fresno Pacific University, serving our community, and honoring Christ in all that we do. As our Sunbird Creed states, we do all things "By God's Grace & For God's Glory." 

There is still plenty of work happening throughout our facilities as we prepare for the return of our students and our first season in the CCAA. We are grateful for the momentum, excited about the year ahead, and thankful to everyone who continues to invest in Fresno Pacific Athletics.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Kyle Ferguson