Coach Rick Pardy's long-range plan was for the 1996 season to be a breakthough one for Bates football. Had the team stayed healthy, the talent which Pardy had stockpiled during five seasons at Bates would have shined. Unfortunately, key players were either sidelined or not playing at their peak levels because of injuries, and the team labored through a difficult season.

"The most difficult growth processes have already been weathered," says Pardy. "The foundation for success has been laid and it is very solid. The athletes are committed to turning the Bates football program into one of the finest in NESCAC." Hence the sign that has hung in Pardy's office since his arrival at Bates: "Tough times don't last. Tough people do."

Where the 1996 team had lost just two starters from the year before, the 1997 squad faces losing several key members on both sides of the ball, including Bates's all-time leaders in passing yardage and tackles. The defense will see the return of two former NESCAC Rookies of the Year in defensive back Enrico Herring '98, who won the offensive award in 1994 as a running back, and Frost Hubbard '00, who won the defensive award last year at linebacker. The defensive line will be anchored by senior co-captain Brendan Cullen '98.

Offensively, running back P.J. McGrail '98 has been the team's leading rusher the past two seasons, and will try to return to form after an injury-plagued 1996. Chris Snow '98, having split time at quarterback over the past two seasons, will battle with Matt Basirgan '00 for time under center. They will throw to a talented young corps of wide receivers, led by Jason Coulie '00, Paul Erickson '00 and Paul Fantasia '00. An experienced offensive line features three returning starters, Pete Marino '98, co-captain Dave Barbour '98, and Chris Patuto '00.

Womens' soccer: Eighth in Division III

The Bates women's soccer team saw a banner year in 1996 and with just five seniors departing, coach Jim Murphy seems to have a dynasty in the making. After finishing with an 11-2-1 record in the regular season, the Bobcats returned to the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time since 1993. They won their first two games, 2-0, on the road, reaching the quarterfinals. Their eighth-place national ranking to end the season is the school's highest ever in any sport. Initially ranked 17th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America national preseason poll, the team has again risen to an eighth-place national ranking on the strength of encouraging preseason play.

Kate O'Malley '00 was the Bobcats' main threat this year, scoring more goals and points in a season than anyone in school history. She was the school's second first-team All-American and, along with teammate Colleen McCrave '99, one of two underclassmen on the All-New England first team. The Bobcats were also bolstered by the goalkeeping of Susie Arnold '99, who posted an 0.60 goals-against average.

Men's soccer

In the office of Bates College men's head soccer coach George Purgavie, a sign reads: "I have simple tastes; I only want the best." It is an attitude he tries to make the hallmark of his program, and in 1996 it paid off with the school's second-ever post-season berth, a trip to the ECAC tournament.

The 1996 season saw some outstanding play from the Bobcats, starting with a 2-1 victory over defending national champion Williams, snapping the Ephs' 46-game regular season winning streak. The Bobcats ended the regular season on a seven-game unbeaten streak, including shutouts over rivals Bowdoin and Colby, securing their first CBB title since 1989. Though the Bobcats lose a pair of All-New England selections in back Tom Murray '97 and goalkeeper Mike Marsh '97, four of the top five scorers return in 1997, including co-captains Matt Ferrigno '98 and Chad LaFauci '98.

Field hockey

After a start in which coach Stacey Watts' young team had yet to come together, especially against fierce NESCAC competition, the 1996 field hockey team rebounded to win four of its last six games and finish at 6-8. Included in that final stretch were wins over Maine rival Colby, field hockey's first since 1992, and ECAC tournament qualifier Southern Maine.

Only three seniors are lost from the 1996 squad. Returning are the two leading scorers from the past two seasons, 1995 Maine Rookie of the Year Rosie Lenehan '99 and Amanda Schall '99, as well as last year's leading goal scorer, Jessica Klein '98. The Bobcats are outstanding on defense, with two returning starters both in the midfield and at halfback. The goaltending spots will primarily be held by co-captain and starter Wendy Zimmerman '99 and Pricilla Bloomfield '99. "The 1997 season may be one of the best ever at Bates, with a majority of the team returning and a promising first-year class," says Watts.

Men's cross country

In two seasons as head coach of Bates cross country, Al Fereshetian has kept Bates's standards high. In 1996, he earned his first State of Maine championship and the school's first in four years. The team finished fourth at the NESCAC championships and tied for third at the New England championships. They were ranked as high as twentieth in the country during the season. For his efforts, Fereshetian was named New England Coach of the Year in 1996.

The Bobcats return five of their top seven runners, including three All-New England performers: ECAC Robbins Scholar Athlete Justin Freeman '98, who will go for his fourth straight All-New England performance; Matt Twiest '00, a high school Reebok All-American and an NCAA qualifier who was the first first-year student to finish at the national championships; and Michael Danahy '00. All three were also All-State performers, while Twiest and Freeman were AllNESCAC. The entire team was honored as a national All-Academic squad.

Women's cross country

With two juniors from 1995's NCAA qualifying team returning from a year abroad, the women's cross country team has an outstanding chance to return as a team. They will have the added indivdual NCAA experience of Adelia Myrick '99, who became the school's fourth cross country All-American when she finished fifteenth overall at the 1996 Division III championships, the top New England finisher. Between Myrick, junior Abigail Phelps '98, both of whom are two-time All-New England performers, and the return of Melissa Leier '98, an All-State and All-New England performer in 1995, the Bobcats could well return to the NCAA championships.

Women's tennis

Under the guidance of first-year head coach John Illig, the Bates women's tennis team had a 6-5 record, the program's first winning record in five years. "This will be the start of our climb," said Illig. "We are on a mission. Three returning starters plus a handful of talented incoming players should make 1997-1998 a success."

The Bobcats defeated Mount Holyoke, 8-1, and Clark University, 9-0, last spring. The momentum gained from an undefeated spring season should lead into a successful fall. Co-captains Emily Kleinman '98 and Natalie Herald '99 will lead the spirited 1997-1998 team.

The Bobcats play both a fall and a spring season, including an annual second semester spring break team trip to Hilton Head Island, S.C. Fall events include dual matches versus NESCAC opponents such as Amherst, Tufts, Bowdoin, and Colby, as well as the Rolex Division III New England individual championships, the Maine Open, and the New England Women's Intercollegiate Division III team championships. The NCAA Division III team and individual championships take place in the spring.

Women's volleyball

In 1996, for just the second time in the past seven seasons, Bates volleyball failed to reach the postseason. It was especially frustrating for the Bobcats's two departing seniors, who were part of the 1993 team which was one of the first in school history to attend an NCAA championship. The Bobcats will miss the skills of three-time All-NESCAC setter Tasha Hawthorne '97 and outside hitter Sundra Durkis '97, but they will look forward to a healthy season from

hitter Amanda Colby '00, who missed time with a wrist injury, and Liz McDonald '00, the team's lone NESCAC AllTournament selection. On a team without a returning starter in the Class of 1998, the Bobcats have a few years to work together to return to playoff form.

Several members of the Class of 2001 show potential to have an impact on the team. Setter Kate Hagstrom will try to fill the void left by Hawthorne, while middle hitter Amanda Webb is another six-footer to complement Amanda Colby.

Golf

In 1996, the Bates golf team reestablished its position in Maine and the NESCAC by regaining the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin title and placing fourth at the conference championships, their highest finish ever.

Captain Tim Sargent '98 is the team's top returnee and will be the captain for the second year in a row. A forward on the men's basketball team, Sargent tied for both NESCAC and CBB medalist honors at the end of regulation. The Bobcats return all of their top five players, so the program should remain strong.