Cabrillo head basketball coach Tony Marcopulos was hired to lead the Seahawk program on April 3, 2000. In the twelve years since, he has built one of the oustanding programs in California. The Seahawks have won four Coast Conference South Champions (two back-to-back (06-07, 11-12)) in the last six and are primed to win three in a row. Prior to beginning his 13th season, he discussed his thoughts regarding Cabrillo College, his team, his program and just what can be expected:

Q: WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF THE STRENGTHS OF THIS COLLEGE?

MARCOPULOS: "The location of the campus and its close proximity to the beach obviously stand out as tremendous assets to this college. Cabrillo, as an institution of higher education, is one of the truly outstanding community colleges in the state of California. We have instructors here that are committed to the growth and development of students. Lastly, Cabrillo is the kind of place where a student-athlete can get an outstanding two-year education at an affordable cost, play intercollegiate athletics and enjoy college social life in one of the most beautiful areas of the country.”

Q: WHAT WILL YOU PROMISE A STUDENT-ATHLETE IF HE COMES TO CABRILLO?

MARCOPULOS: "What first comes to mind is what I will NOT promise. I will not ever promise a recruit playing time....ever. They are promised zero minutes. They will earn whatever amount of playing time they get. However, what I will promise is the following: One, I promise that they will go to class each and everyday. I will not promise that they will graduate even though we have had only one player who completed all four semesters with us not graduate. In my Nineteen years of collegiate coaching I have only coached five student-athletes who did not graduate who finished their eligibility. I promise they will attend and be in an atmosphere that will be conducive to attaining a degree. Second, I promise they will be a much better player when they leave Cabrillo than when they came. They will work harder on their game and be in better shape than they have ever been in their life. They will be coached everyday. Lastly, I promise they will be better people when they leave us than when they came. Not because they are hanging around me everyday, although I intend to have a very positive impact on their life, but because I will surround them with teammates that are good people. It stands to reason that if one is surrounded with good people, people of character, then it will impact one in a positive way. Clearly, the opposite is true as well. Our teams are recruited based in large part on an individuals character."

"Go to class, get better, be a better person. Other than that. I promise no promises."

Q: WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST STRENGTHS OF THE BASKETBALL PROGRAM?

MARCOPULOS: "Our commitment to the development of our players is easily our biggest strength. Student-athletes in this program will be challenged to excel in the classroom as well as on the basketball court. We make every effort to ensure that our players receive the best college basketball experience possible.”

Q: WHERE DOES CABRILLO RATE AMONG COAST CONFERENCE CONTENDERS?

MARCOPULOS: "Over the past decade the Coast Conference South division has been extremely competitive. We have either won the conference title outright or won a share of the title four of the past six years and the two years we didn't win it we came in second. As a result, I expect us to stay at the top of the conference and compete for the conference championship every year. Anything less would be well beneath what we are capable and that is unacceptable."