Phoenix College Athletics Podcast

#phoenixcollege​ #volleyball​ 

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#PHOENIXCOLLEGE #CHEJONES #SPORTS

Che Jones, has served as an assistant coach for both Men’s and Women’s Basketball, for the past 7 years.  Che has nearly 20 years total coaching experience and also brings work experience in student affairs at PC, in the area of Recruitment and Outreach, as well as having served as an academic advisor for Mi Casa Su Casa group home.  Che earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University, and his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.PHOENIX COLLEGE IS HERE FOR YOU!

Chat Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM M-Th, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Friday

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Matt Gordon currently works at Grand Canyon University where he is the Director of Club Basketball, where he oversees 3 Men's teams and 2 Women's Teams. Coach Gordon also works for the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association where he serves as the business director. 

Matt Gordon was the Head Coach at Phoenix College for 14 years before stepping down in 2018. In his 14 years at Phoenix College, he won over 300 games, and led the Bears to 7 NJCAA National Tournaments including 1 National Championship (2014), 3 Final Four appearances, 7 Region 1 Championships, 7 District 1 Championships, and 14 Region 1 Championship game appearances. Coach Gordon was named the Nation Junior College Coach of the Year by the NABC and the NJCAA in 2014. 

Coach Gordon also was an assistant coach at the University of Portland from 2001-2003, where he was in charge of player development and helped in recruiting. Coach Gordon also spent a year at Dominican University where he helped guide the Penguins to a 12-game increase in victories from the previous year and a spot in the league championship game.

Before going to Dominican, Coach Gordon spent a year at Cal State Northridge where he was part of a coaching staff that helped lead the Matadors to their first 20 win season.

Coach Gordon graduated from UCLA, where he was a Student Assistant for four years. During his tenure at UCLA, the Bruins went to four straight NCAA tournaments, reaching the Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen in two of those years.

Matt is married to Iris Gordon, and they have a 12-year-old daughter, Madison.

PHOENIX COLLEGE IS HERE FOR YOU!

Chat Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM M-Th, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Friday

We can help with your with questions about:

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#LEEHANCOCK #PERFORMANCECOACH #PHOENIXCOLLEGE

Dr. Lee Hancock is a Performance Psychology Coach and program creator that works with athletes, coaches, educators, students, parents, organizations, and other high level performers. Lee earned his Masters and PhD from ASU and is a tenured professor in Kinesiology at CSUDH. He has had a private practice for over 20 years where he has worked with everyone from Olympic to professional to youth athletes and from classroom teachers and students to parents of awesome kids.  Lee is also an internationally recognized speaker and author.  Most importantly he is a Dad of 3 high energy, competitive, caring boys.  Each time Lee engages with a person, or a group, the goal is always the same; to help them be more prepared to perform their best - when it counts!   

PHOENIX COLLEGE IS HERE FOR YOU!

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We can help with your with questions about:

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#PHOENIXCOLLEGE #PCPODCAST #COLLEGESPORTS

Gina VanArsdall, who last week helped pitch the Bears to their eighth National Junior College Division II Softball World Series championship.

PHOENIX COLLEGE IS HERE FOR YOU!

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#DARFUR #DARFURUNITED 

WEBSITE

https://darfurunited.com/

THE FILM

https://www.iact.ngo/not-just-football/

Not Just Football: from genocide to the World Cup is the incredible story of Darfur United, an all-refugee team from a forgotten region that has experienced “hell on earth.” This film—and the team—look to shine the spotlight back on Darfur, and it challenges you to SCORE A GOAL FOR DARFUR.

WHO IS DARFUR UNITED?

Darfur United is more than soccer. It is a movement for hope. In 2012, after years of visiting refugee survivors of a crisis that has been called “hell on earth” and genocide, iACT, a Los Angeles-based organization, co-created with refugees on the Chad-Sudan border the Darfur United Men’s Team and took it to compete in a World Football Cup. The formation of the team and its participation in a global tournament gave Darfuri refugees a world stage on which to represent their people—and all refugees—and bring attention to some of the most vulnerable and forgotten populations. In 2018, iACT listened to Darfuri refugee women and their aspirations to play, compete, and pave the way for a generation of girls in their community; and supported them in forming the first-ever Darfur United Women’s Team.

PHOENIX COLLEGE IS HERE FOR YOU!

Chat Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM M-Th, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Friday

We can help with your with questions about:

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#PHOENIXCOLLEGE #PCATHLETICS #PCSPORTS

Jenn Nez and Jimmy Berlin both work for student athletes at Phoenix College from eligibility, class registration and much much more!

PHOENIX COLLEGE IS HERE FOR YOU!

Chat Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM M-Th, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Friday

We can help with your with questions about:

• Admission

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Contact Us

Chat with us, or send an email to pc-admissions-chat@phoenixcollege.edu

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Christa Pfeninger is one of the assistant softball coaches for Texas Woman’s University. She is in her second year as the Pioneer’s bullpen coach. She was previously the head coach for South Mountain Community College located in Phoenix, Arizona. In her five year tenor with the Cougars her team competed in four regional playoffs finishing 2ndoverall to top rated Phoenix College in 2016. Before taking over at South Mountain Pfeninger spent ten-years as an assistant for Phoenix College primarily working with pitchers and catchers. In her ten-year stint with the Bears, she helped them to win 6 NJCAA Division II National Championships (2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004), two runner-up NJCAA National finishes (2013 and 2009), and won the NJCAA Division II Regionals eight times. She has appeared in ten ACCAC Regional Tournaments, finishing first in eight appearances. She has also been named Speedline Coaching Staff of the Year four times (2012, 2007, 2006 and 2005). Christa graduated from Horizon High School in Phoenix, Arizona. While at Horizon, she won the high school 5A State Championship in 1997 and was named Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year. She then continued her collegiate softball career at Div. I University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, playing one year for the Sooners and returning home the following year to attend Phoenix College. While at Phoenix College, she helped the Bears to win their first-ever NJCAA National Title in 2000, and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for both the ACCAC Regional and NJCAA National Tournament. Christa received NJCAA/NFCA 1st Team All-American honors as a catcher. She graduated from Phoenix College with an Associate’s Degree in Science. She then went on to play at Div. 1 University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, where she graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science. She earned her master’s degree online through East Central Oklahoma in Sports Administration.  

PHOENIX COLLEGE IS HERE FOR YOU!

Chat Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM M-Th, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Friday

We can help with your with questions about:

• Admission

• Enrollment

• Graduation

• Registering for class

• Veterans Services

Contact Us

Chat with us, or send an email to pc-admissions-chat@phoenixcollege.edu

www.phoenixcollege.edu

www.phoenixcollege.edu/chat 

www.phoenixcollege.edu/athletics

#PhoenixCollege #JessicaMcDonald #Sportsmatter

McDonald attended Phoenix College during her freshman and sophomore year of college where she played soccer, basketball and track and was a member of the honors program. She was named a first-team junior college All-America in soccer and National Junior College Player of the Year. McDonald earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors and was the single-season record holder at Phoenix College for goals and assists. Also continuing to excel at basketball, McDonald earned first-team all-region and all-conference honors and was the country's number one rebounder in junior college and among the Top 30 in scoring.

PHOENIX COLLEGE IS HERE FOR YOU

Chat Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM M-Th, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Friday

We can help with your with questions about:

• Admission

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• Graduation

• Registering for class

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Contact Us

Chat with us, or send an email to pc-admissions-chat@phoenixcollege.edu

www.phoenixcollege.edu

www.phoenixcollege.edu/chat 

www.phoenixcollege.edu/athletics

Lisa Ruiz and Mia Provenzano join the broadcast to discuss everything about PC Athletic Training.  Lisa & Mia experts in their field that put a lot of time and effort to help student athletes at Phoenix College reach their full potential.    

Kimball started his 16-year coaching career at the four-year college level, first at his alma mater, the University of Northern Colorado, as a hitting and outfield coach for 2 years. Following his stint with UNC, he then spent 3 years at Southern Illinois University.  Kimball officially donned a coach’s jersey for the first time in the “Grand Canyon State,” when he moved to Phoenix and promptly became the first varsity baseball coach in Westwind Preparatory Academy history.  Kimball’s name would indelibly be etched in Westwind’s record book, since he led them to their first-ever baseball wins in his lone season there.  He followed that up by overseeing the Verrado High School varsity baseball program the following year.  When that season ended in late spring, Kimball headed East to Massachusetts, for a summer, as an assistant coach (under Mike Roberts, father of former Orioles’ infielder Brian Roberts) of the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League. Where he worked with some of the top college talent from across the nation. Including current major leaguers Jason Kipnis (Cleveland) and Drew Storen (Kansas City).

That’s when Kimball crossed paths with current Gateway Head Baseball Coach Rob Shabansky, who invited him to come back to the college coaching level as the Geckos’ Associate Head Baseball Coach.  Kimball spent a pair of seasons in the Geckos’ dugout, helping them clinch the top seed in the Region I Division II Playoffs in his last season.  Kimball’s success at GWCC drew the interest of the Bears, who offered their open head baseball coaching job to Kimball in the summer of 2010, and the rest-as they say-is history.  Kimball has led the Bears to a pair of Region I Playoff berths in his first 5 years, and it was fitting that Kimball’s first trip back to the postseason as the Bears’ Head Coach pitted him against his old team, Gateway, in the 2013 Region I Semis.

Kristi Kincaid of Northern Montana College earned the Most Valuable Player Award at the NAIA Division II National Tournament in 1993 when Northern won it's first ever women's National Championship. A Junior College transfer from Central Arizona Junior College, Kincaid had played on their National Championship Team earning MVP honors there also. She came to Northern with two years of basketball eligibility and was selected as the Frontier Conference Player of the Week twice, and All Conference and National Tournament 1st Team in 1991-92. As a senior, she was an All-Conference selection, NAIA Tournament 1st team, and MVP of the 1993 National Championship team. She was a Kodak All-American and was selected for the Sports Illustrated "Faces in the Crowd" issue. Kincaid still holds the record for the highest field goal percentage for a season at 64.4 set in the 1991-92 season, and for the career field goal percentage at 61.6. Kincaid was also a volleyball standout and holds records for the most individual kills in a three game match at 25, most blocks in a single match with 12, and second in individual blocks in a season with 159 all set in 1993. She earned her bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in 1998 with a degree in Liberal Studies and Sociology.

Mark Mejia may go down as the last Head Coach at Phoenix College Football in the current situation of no football in Maricopa but Football lives on in Coach Mejia's eyes as he transitions to North High School to help the student athletes.  Mark currently serves as an Athletic Specialist at Phoenix College helping students with academic success, transfers and many other athletic logistics needed in the athletic department.  

Second-Year Phoenix College Volleyball Head Coach, Angela Franke, is no stranger to the task of coaching at the Collegiate-level. Franke (Pronounced Fran-Key) has been called upon at all levels, as player and coach, to lead her teams relentlessly. Most notably, during her time at Mississippi Valley State University (2011-2014) and at the helm of Loyola University: New Orleans (2014-2017). Where she made Conference Tournament appearances with both; while carrying a series of upper-classmen insuring veteran leadership on the court. Her biggest win came against Top-seeded Prairie View A&M University in the 2012 SWAC Conference Tournament where she also finished 3rd in the SWAC.

A Proud Phoenician, Franke grew up in the Phoenix-area, attending Washington High School; where she would end up playing Middle Blocker. A staple throughout most of her career. Following her graduation in 2001, Franke attended both Mesa Community College and South Mountain Community College; eventually receiving a scholarship to play at Jackson State University, where she also completed her Bachelor of Arts. She went on to receive her Masters of Science from Alcorn State University, three years later, while also serving as a Graduate Assistant for the team. Her first Head Coaching job came with "up-start" Scottsdale Preparatory in 2008. From there, she went on to make stops at McCook Community College and St. Andrews University, helping to set precedence at both schools, before arriving at Mississippi Valley State in 2011.

Prior to arriving at Phoenix College, Franke spent one-season at the University of Southwest, in Hobbs, NM. During her lone-season with the Mustangs, she led them to a 16-14 finish, and qualified for the RRAC Conference Tournament, as a No. 3 seed, with a conference record of 9-5. After joining the staff at Oklahoma-Panhandle State University, she was promoted to Head Coach following the resignation of the Matt Heffner, before being quickly lured away by the opportunity to coach in her home state and former conference-of-play. On top of all her Collegiate coaching achievements, she has also up-started numerous Club Volleyball teams in Louisiana and North Carolina, including the “Carolina Courts” and “Cajunland.” All while being mother to two children, Alyx (5) and Alijah (4).

Head Coach Men's and Women's Cross Country Phoenix College.  CoachUp #1 Running Coach 2019 & 2018. 2017 Coach of the Year Women's Cross Country. I've coached youth sports and fitness, youth club track & field, high school track & field, post-collegiate track & field and adult running since 2008. I am a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Youth Exercise Specialist; NFHS Certified Coach, USA Track & Field Level I Certified Coach and PCA Level III Certified Coach. I have coached athletes to national team spots - Team USA and Trinidad; Jr Olympic state, regional and national champions; high school state champions, and countless adult runners.

The Phoenix College Women's Soccer Program prides itself on a strong work ethic both in the classroom and on the field. Over the last decade under Bears' Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Sagar, team has made eight Region I Playoff appearances, played in six Region I Semifinals matches, and one Region I Championship Match.

Over the last seven years, the Lady Bears have produced 20 ACCAC All-Conference Players, including the 2010 ACCAC Player of the Year (Kaila Cameli - 1st JC transfer at University of Portland) and the 2013 ACCAC Player of the Year runner-up (Jasmine Arollo), has moved 35 other players on to four-year institutions. The team received NJCAA Academic All-American Status in four of those years with 7 Bears having received individual Academic All-American Honors.

With the departure of long-time head coach, Matt Gordon, Second-year coach Duane Eason looks to keep a rich-basketball culture alive. It goes without saying that Phoenix College’s Basketball culture, and presence in the ACCAC, was felt year-in and year-out under Gordon’s reign. Nevertheless, we remain in good hands with a former two-star College Athlete and seasoned-Head Coach on the East and West Coasts.

It was humble beginnings for Coach Eason, who began his coaching career at a small start-up school, Christ the King Prep, in 2011. In his two and a half year stay at Christ the King, Eason took the charter school from a “club team,” to a contender in the NJSIAA. He also brought in nine, highly-touted freshmen; all ranked in New Jersey for Basketball. Following his departure in 2014, Eason had much of the same story with American History High School. In three years, he helped propel the charter school into a tournament threat in the NJSIAA. The Bald Eagles finished the season with a 14-15 record; and advanced to the fourth round of the 2015 NJSIAA Tournament, losing to eventual second-place finishers, University. The following season, the Bald Eagles’ record only improved, increasing to 17-11 overall. Eventually losing in the Sectional Semifinals to University.

One spring morning, the call came in from Matt Gordon. He needed “coaching assistance” during the second half of his 2015-16 season. Eason was warmly-welcomed to Gordon’s winning culture; a team that was wrapping up their 4th straight ACCAC Regular Season title. Eason got his first feel of a “winning culture,” as he put it.

His short-tenure as an assistant landed him as Head Coach of Mountain Pointe High School’s varsity program. After getting his feet wet in the college-circuit, Eason was ready to “breed a winner.” Mountain Pointe, although coming off a sub-par season and the retirement of long-time varsity coach Hosea Graham, the Pride was stacked with talent. In his lone-season, Eason led The Pride to a 26-4 record, and lined themselves up in the championship game, as a #7 seed against #2 Pinnacle High School: losing 77-60.

Coach Mueller enters his 29th season at the helm of the Phoenix College Softball Program. The 2019 squad had 3 sophomores who transferred to four year colleges on scholarships  The 2020 squad will have 11 returners  and  9 incoming freshman  making up the squad.

In 2019 Phoenix College ranked fourth in the nation in the final poll. 2019 squad also finished second at the NJCAA Nationals for the fourth time in their history. The Bears have won 8 national titles of them in the last 20 years. They have also won 17 region 1 titles within those years and were champions in the ACCAC with a overall record of 52-9 for the 7th time in their history. The team is consistently ranked in the top 30 of the nation academically with 3.00 G.P.A. or higher.

Coach Mueller laid the groundwork to establish the program in his first ten years and is considered by many to have one of the finest programs in the nation. He has won 1395 games and should win his 1400 game in the NJCAA in the 2020 season. He is first in games won by any active juco coach. He has coached 131 All-Americans and 80 Academic All-Americans and over 260 have received four-year softball scholarships, and over 275 have graduated from Phoenix College under his reign.

Coach Mueller received the NJCAA National Championship Coach of the Year eight times and his staff has received the NFCA Speed line Coaching Staff of the Year Award for the years 2005-06-07-2012.

Coach Mueller is a current member of the NFCA and NJCAA Coaches Association. He was inducted into the Arizona Softball Hall of Fame as well as the NJCAA Hall of Fame.. He is also a member of the Phoenix College Hall of Fame and the Athletic Hall of Fame. His latest induction was into the ACCAC/ Region 1 Hall of Fame last year. In December 2020 he will be inducted into the National Fast pitch Softball Hall of Fame. His entry means that he is considered one of the best college coaches in all divisions of play.

He is married to Janet Mueller and has one daughter Tina, two-step sons Jason and Ben with 7 grandchildren.