University of the Pacific’s Cabinet, composed of the top executive leaders of the institution, has banded together to support the university’s NCAA athletic teams at an unprecedented level.

Inspired by the close-knit, supportive relationship fostered by First Lady Jean Callahan with the women’s basketball program last season, Cabinet asked “why not have similar liaisons for all 17 programs?”

“I’m so excited that our university leaders are expanding the #WomenSupportingWomen concept to adopt every one of our women’s and men’s teams for the new year,” the First Lady said. “It’s going to be a great new era for Tiger Athletics.”

The team ambassadors will attend as many games as possible and urge others to show up and support the teams. Additionally, many will stop by practices, talk to student-athletes about how things are going in class and generally offer encouragement.

The effort is the brainchild of Chief General Counsel Lauren Schoenthaler. She suggested having Cabinet relationships for all teams, and her colleagues responded with enthusiastic support.

Schoenthaler certainly is doing her part, signing up to support four athletic programs—golf, men’s and women’s swimming and women’s water polo.

“I love college athletics because it brings our entire community together in the shared goal of cheering the Tigers to victory,” Schoenthaler said. “As the mother of a recently graduated college swimmer, I know first-hand about the hours it takes to master a sport and the work needed to compete at the Division I level. Once a swim mom, always a swim mom.”

One of the frequent supporters of Tiger athletics is Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The university’s chief academic officer already has met with volleyball coach Greg Gibbons to discuss opportunities for the upcoming season.

“I got to watch some of their games last season. They are an exciting team and volleyball is a great game,” she said. “I played Division III volleyball in college, so I understand the sport. I also wanted to support women student-athletes and have them get to know how academic affairs and the provost are here to help them succeed.”

There is considerable change in the men’s basketball program under new coach Dave Smart. Two Cabinet members—Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations James Walsh and Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mary Lomax-Ghirarduzzi—are men’s basketball liaisons.

“I feel privileged to support men’s basketball as well as our women’s tennis team,” Lomax-Ghirarduzzi said. “I have had athletes in my communications classes and I enjoy my work with them.”

Vice President of Enrollment Strategy Chris Ferguson and Chief Technology Officer Rob Henderson will spend plenty of time at the diamonds. Ferguson is an ardent baseball fan and Henderson has a daughter who played on a softball travelling team for 12 years. He said he “loves the sport.”

Ferguson said: “I’m thrilled to connect with our new baseball coach Reed Peters. I’m looking forward to a great year.”

Roster of Cabinet sports liaisons

Men’s sports

• Baseball – Chris Ferguson, vice president for enrollment strategy
• Basketball – James Walsh, chief financial officer and executive vice president for finance and operations; Mary Lomax-Ghirarduzzi, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion
• Golf – Lauren Schoenthaler, chief general counsel
• Soccer – Rob Henderson, chief technology officer
• Swimming – Lauren Schoenthaler
• Tennis – Sallie Poggi, chief communications officer
• Water polo – Scott Biedermann, vice president for university development and alumni relations

Women’s sports

• Basketball – Jean Callahan, first lady
• Beach volleyball – Maria Blandizzi, vice president for student life
• Cross country and track – Maria Blandizzi
• Soccer – Ashley Williams, director of presidential strategic initiatives
• Softball – Rob Henderson
• Swimming – Lauren Schoenthaler
• Tennis – Mary Lomax-Ghirarduzzi
• Volleyball – Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs
• Water polo – Scott Biedermann and Lauren Schoenthaler