Sonoma State University, an NCAA Division II school, is one of 22 campuses within the California State University system. Located 48 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma State is situated among the rolling hills and vineyards of the largest wine producing region in the United States. Although the immediate area is predominately rural (Rohnert Park population 40,000), the University is only seven miles south of Santa Rosa (population 130,000) and less than an hour from the major metropolitan centers of San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley.
Sonoma State University is an expanding institution with 505 faculty and a current enrollment of approximately 7,000 students. The average class size is 20 students and fewer than 5% of the classes have over 50 students. Presently the University is organized into five schools; Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Education, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. Also, within the University's traditional structure, Sonoma State is home to the interdisciplinary Hutchins School of Liberal Studies. The University offers bachelor's degrees in 66 fields and master's degrees in 22.
The average first time-freshman accepted into Sonoma State University has an overall high school GPA of 3.4 and a combined SAT score of 1150 - second only to Cal Poly San Louis Obispo among California State Universities.
Sonoma State University's President Rubin Arminana has implemented a program titled "Public Ivy". His mission is to raise the level of academic standards at Sonoma State University to that of Ivy League Universities while maintaining the accessibility and affordability guaranteed by the CSU charter. This ambitious plan has raised the admissions standards at SSU drastically over the past five years guaranteeing that a degree from Sonoma State will only gain value in the future.
Sonoma State is on the frontier of computer-enhanced education. As a result, Sonoma State University currently requires all first-time freshmen to own or have access to a computer. The 1999-2000 academic year will represent the fourth year of this program. Consequently, SSU is on the forefront of electronic research and information. All on-campus dorm rooms are furnished with ethernet ports wired directly to the campus' main servers and many classroom have been and continue to be upgraded to support computer aided instruction.
Currently, Sonoma State has broken ground on two impressive projects that are certain to enhance a student's experience at Sonoma State. The first and most important is the $43 million Charles Schulz Information Center. A state-of-the-art library and computer center, the Schulz Center will insure that SSU students have access to the most recent and relative information available as well as access to the latest improvements in computer equipment and technology. Along with SSU's computer requirement, a graduate of Sonoma State University is sure to have the computer skills necessary to succeed in today's world.
The second project currently under construction is a $25 million on-campus student apartment complex. The new complex will double the current capacity of on-campus housing and offer residents the opportunity to live in single-occupancy rooms with private baths, a shared kitchen and a shared living room. Currently, on-campus housing consists of double and triple-occupancy condominium-style dormitories and apartments with private baths and living rooms for every 4 or 5 students (no gang showers or toilets).
Other projects scheduled for construction in the next two years include a $25 million music hall and conservatory as well as a $20 million university center. Generally, this sort of building schedule is indicative of a growing student body, however, in keeping with President Arminana's "Public Ivy" concept, the total number of students attending SSU is not expected to rise dramatically. These improvements are being made in an effort to raise the quality of education for the current student body while developing a stronger reputation for the University and its graduates.
Even for the out-of-state students, the price of such a fine education is surprisingly affordable. Current California Residents do not have to pay tuition but must pay University Fees every semester. Currently, SSU fees are $999.00 per semester. In addition to fees, out-of-state students must also pay a tuition of $246.00 per unit.
The lacrosse program at Sonoma State is now entering its sixteenth year and is rapidly becoming the most popular sport on campus. Attendance at home games ranges between 200 and 500 fans per game and the team enjoys a large following wherever it travels. As a member of the 22 team Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL), Sonoma State regularly travels from the Oregon border to Arizona for inter-league games and tries to travel to more eastern destinations every year.
Sonoma State Lacrosse boasts a record of 146-57 (.719) over the past fifteen seasons and a 69-22 record (.758) during Coach Hughes' eight years as head coach. SSU finished the 1999 season with a record of 15-4 (.789).
#3 in the Nation, #2 in the WCLL, #1 in the Power Rankings
Sonoma State finished the 1999 season third in the nation after beating Cal in the third-place game and falling one goal short to eventual champion Colorado State in the semi-finals of the United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates (USLIA) National Championships.
In the 1999 WCLL Finals, SSU finished second to NCAA Division III Whittier College.
Currently, Power Lacrosse, the ranking system employed by the USLIA to assist in ranking collegiate club teams, ranks Sonoma State University #1 in the nation among all USLIA teams.
With perennial West Coast powerhouse Whittier College leaving the WCLL in favor of an all-varsity schedule, SSU will be a front runner for the 2000 WCLL Championship and another bid to the USLIA National Championships. Returning 7 of 10 starters from the 1999 team, SSU is proud to add a talented freshman class of 9 athletes who will try to fill the gaps left by 3 seniors who graduated in the spring.
John Hughes will be returning for his ninth year as head coach of the Sonoma State University lacrosse team. Joining him, in his fifth year as first assistant and offensive coordinator, will be Jeff Hughes. Also assisting the Cossacks will be SSU's 1998 and 1999 Team MVPs, Marco Cano and Joe Latulippe, respectively.
In his fourteenth year as academic advisor, Mike Annala will help insure that the lacrosse players at Sonoma State University maintain a high standard of academics as well as an acceptable course toward a timely graduation.
• Jamie Bowen, 1991 Graduate, was selected to the 1998 Canadian World Team and recently played for Canada in the 1999 World Cup of Lacrosse.• Daren Fridge, 1991 Team MVP, was selected as the 1996 MILL Rookie of the Year.
• Derek Malawsky, 1996 Standout, was selected 11th overall in the 1997 National Lacrosse League draft by the Ontario Raiders.
• Graham Elsdon, 1999 Graduate, was selected to the 1999 All-USLIA Team.
• Joe Latulippe, 1999 Graduate, earned Academic All-USLIA Honors.
• Senior Attackman, Ryan Horn, 1999 All-USLIA Team, has lead the team in scoring for the past two seasons.• Senior Long-Pole Middie, Dallas Hartley, 1999 All-USLIA Team, was selected First Team All-USLIA Tournament.
• Sophomore Middie, M.J. Crickmore, was selected First Team All-USLIA Tournament.
Obviously, team talent is reaching new heights and defying common misconceptions about West Coast lacrosse.
Needless to say, with this year's 7 talented freshmen and 15 experienced sophomores, combined with the loss of only 5 seniors at the end of 2000, SSU's freshman class in the fall of 2000 will be certain to be on one of the most powerful collegiate club teams in the nation in 2001 and for years to come.
Despite where you attend college or university, we have learned that incoming freshmen should keep a few things in mind:
• First and foremost, keep your grades up.• Apply to Sonoma State University on or after November 1st, but no later than November 30th. Out-of-state and Canadian students will generally be allowed a little leeway with this deadline.
• Study for and take the SAT no later than early December of your Senior year.
• As soon as possible after you are admitted to the university, be sure to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM).
• Finally, if you are interested in Financial Aid, be sure to apply as soon as possible after January 1, 2000. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, along with most of the information you will need, can be picked up at your high school's counseling office.
As an incoming freshman to Sonoma State University, you can look forward to the quality of a small-school education and the experience of big-time lacrosse. Sonoma State University's Lacrosse team is unwilling to rest on its current record and is looking forward to winning both a WCLL championship and a USLIA National Championship. The team is committed to building the strongest lacrosse program on the West Coast and encourages prospective student athletes from all areas with strong study habits and a reasonably high level of athletic ability to seriously consider Sonoma State University for both its academic excellence and winning lacrosse program.