Fri., Nov 4th, 2011 [schedule] [roster]
El Cajon, Calif. --A new era has begun in the San Diego Christian College men’s basketball program, as longtime California Baptist University assistant Tim Cook has taken the helm as head coach for the Hawks. Cook comes in with a wealth of GSAC experience, including coaching CBU into the NAIA top 20 in five out of the seven seasons he was on staff.  

“The 16 years of experience as an assistant with great mentors has prepared me to be here,” said Coach Cook. “I feel blessed to be in this position.” 

Cook looks to bring back the winning tradition that has been absent from the SDCC campus in recent seasons. Following the 2007 GSAC regular season championship, the program has struggled, finishing in the lower half of the conference standings the past four seasons. 

“We have set out to change the culture that has developed in recent years,” said Cook. “Our focus is on what we need to do to bring the program back to prominence.”  

Cook and the Hawks will look to a combination of returners and new recruits to move the program back in the right direction. Returners include starters Tim Sanders (6.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Xavier Mylleville (6.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Benji Arvizu (7.0 ppg). Also returning are senior leaders Keenan Patterson and Calvin Seaberry. In addition, three redshirted players from last season return (Arturo Prieto, Ben Chung and Rafael Rodriguez). 

Cook complements the returners with six transfers. The newcomers include guards Toni Cali (Miracosta College), Johnnie Delbene (Colorado State), Ryan Rubino (LA Pierce College), and Kevin Dawson (University of San Francisco/LA Harbor College), forward Jacob Garcia (Rio Hondo College), and post Arash Riahi (Sonoma State). The Hawks also have three transfers that are redshirting: Garrett Elwood (North Texas), Kwaminique Brandon (Cal Lutheran), and Patrick McBride (Ventura College).  

“We set out to complement our returners and make sure each spot fit out system. We wanted shooters, play makers, and decision makers,” added Cook.  

The schedule makes the transition difficult, as SDCC will face five NCAA Division I schools, including UC Irvine (Big West Conference), Cal State Northridge (Big West Conference), University of San Diego (West Coast Conference), NCAA Sweet Sixteen participant San Diego State (Mountain West Conference), and Utah (PAC 12) in exhibition games.  The exhibition schedule rounds out with a road challenge against NCAA Division II Grand Canyon University. In addition, the Hawks have 13 games against NAIA teams with at 20 or more wins and 7 games against teams that qualified for the NAIA Championship Tournament last year.  

Cook added, “Some say this is the toughest schedule in the country at this level. I wanted to prepare us well for what we will see in the GSAC and not build a sense of false confidence.”  

Overall, the Hawks look to improve and bring back the winning tradition that has been absent in recent years.  

“The program and the student athletes are prepared to start a new era,” said Cook. “We embrace the tradition that SDCC basketball has and look to adding to that tradition for years to come.” 

“We are excited for college basketball season to start.”