Division I National Finish
Three Consecutive top 25 NCAA Division I Academic finishes for the last three years
2009- Finished 19th in Division I academically
2008- Finished 13th in Division I academically
2007- Finished 13th in Division I academically
1999- Finished 18th in Division I academically
1998- Finished 25th in Division I academically
38 Pac-10 All Academic Team Members (Last year we had 7; the most for 1 school)
3rd most behind Stanford and Oregon State (40)
2009 Graduate Thomas Kimbrell
PHD Grad Student
2009 Pac-10 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, presented by Toyo Tires ($1,000 presented to CSUB's Athletic Scholarship funds)
2009 Thomas Watts Peace Foundation Award in Political Science & History
2008 President's Award for Best Research Paper
McNair Scholarship Recipient
Acceptance into McNair Scholars Program for PhD candidates
2008 2nd place in the university-wide student research competition
2007 Inducted into the Alpha Chi Honors Society
2-time Division I Academic All-American
4-time Pac-10 Academic Team
| NCAA Div I Team Trophy | 1 | 3rd Place(only 14 Schools have earned a trophy) |
| Pac-10 Conference Champion Trophy | 2 | (Only CA team to win the Pac-10 Conference tournament) |
| NCAA Div II National Champ Team Trophy | 8 | Tied with Cal Poly for most National ChampTeam titles in Div II |
| NCAA Div II Team Trophy | 11 |
| NCAA Division I All Americans | 43 | Tied 21st Nationally Among Div I Programs-1928 |
| NCAA Div I National Champs | 9 | Tied 19th Nationally Among Div I Programs-1928 |
| Pac-10 Conference Champions | 27 | |
| Pac-10 Conference Placers | 158 | |
| Olympians | 10 | 1 World Champion, Most Outstanding Wrestler in the World |
| NCAA Div II All Americans | 87 | 9th Nationally Most All Americans |
| NCAA Div II National Champs | 30 | Tied 2nd Nationally Most National Champs |
When I was 6 years old, I knew that I would someday win the Heisman trophy, and then be drafted #1 into the NFL. Then a few years later, I would be named MVP for my game winning touchdown catch with time winding down in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, the last football game of my life was to be played in high school, so proclaimed my high school football coach. That screwed up my dreams, but I was able to keep them alive as a wrestler at CSUB.
The wrestling coaches told me that they believed that I would someday play in the NFL after I shared with them that this was my first love and true desire. At CSUB Coach Kerr said that if you give 5 years of your life to this program, your dreams would come true and you could become a National Champ. I gave 5 years to this program, and so far this is what I have received: 4x All American, 2x National Champion, 4x Academic All American, Dan Hodge Trophy winner (Wrestling's Heisman), USA Open National Champ, Pan-American Champion, World Wrestling Champion, Most Outstanding Freestyle Wrestler in the World in 1999, 9 years in the NFL, and winner of 3 Super Bowl Championships. Therefore, what CSUB wrestling has done for me cannot be summed up in words. All I can say is "Thank You" for changing my life, and I am still waiting for my Super Bowl winning Catch and MVP.
After my Athletic career is over, I will use the skill set I obtained from my academics studies at CSUB to embark on my 2nd or 3rd career !! In coaching or teaching children to live their dreams, because I believe they are obtainable no matter the odds!!
Signed Stephen Neal Starting right guard New England Patriots NFL Who never played one college down in football , but had a dream !!!!!
The opportunity to wrestle for California State University, at Bakersfield was simply a life changing experience. As the young boy of a high school dropout, and often-unemployed alcoholic father, I was destined to a life of dysfunction. However, the Roadrunner student athlete experience exposed me to a number of great coaches, teachers, and mentors who helped shape and mold me into the community asset that I am today.
As a first generation college graduate, and only one of six in my family to attend college, I am thankful that the CSUB wrestling experience helped me to break the generational chains of dysfunction. Working as the Principal of Fred L. Thompson Junior High School, I understand first-hand how important it is to encourage, support, and provide opportunities that capitalize on the hopes and dreams of America's youth.
In 1969, wrestling in the community of Bakersfield needed a college. Forty plus years later, the Bakersfield area is rich with former CSUB wrestlers that are now teachers, coaches, principals, firefighters, police officers, businessmen, and a variety of other careers. In the year 2010, having demonstrated what wrestling does in one's life, and their community, it is enormously clear that the college now needs wrestling.
I have felt very fortunate being of Greek heritage to have been given an opportunity to be part of the beginning of an academic/athletic experience at Cal State Bakersfield in 1972. My career decisions were based upon the guidance from professors/coaches at Cal State Bakersfield.
The lessons and values of discipline, integrity, responsibility, and loyalty from my experiences at Cal State Bakersfield, have allowed me to develop/guide young student/athletes to become productive members of our community and society.
"It is important to champion role models rather than accomplishments."
The value of Cal State Bakersfield's wrestling program will never really be understood... until it is no longer available for future generations!
Sincerely,
Bill Kalivas
Bakersfield College, Head Wrestling Coach
2x national JC coach of the year.
The oldest of three children, Alan Paradise was raised by his mother in a single parent household in Iowa City, Iowa. His mother worked part time while attending college and the family survived with the benefit of welfare and the free lunch program. He worked various jobs from a young age to help the family make ends meet and he grew up under the guidance of a few key teachers and his wrestling coaches.
Growing up in Iowa City, he competed for West High School and became a two time state qualifier in wrestling, placing 5th his senior year. After high school, Alan moved to Visalia, California, competing for Steve Hitchcock, at the College of the Sequoias where he became a two-time Junior College State Finalist and his second year was an undefeated State Champion. Alan transferred to Cal State, Bakersfield, wrestling for T.J. Kerr and numerous assistant coaches including: Tim Vanni, Danny Cuestas, Jessie Reyes, and Lou Montano. A Division II All-American, he became the first PAC-10 Champion for CSUB when the sport of wrestling moved into Division I.
Alan began teaching and coaching at Hanford High School and, after two years, returned to Bakersfield to teach history and lead the Foothill High School wrestling team from 1991-1998. It was at Foothill where he met his future wife Ana, a new teacher at the school. A few coaching highlights include: The Bakersfield Californian "Wrestling Coach of the Year" for 1996-1998, Third place team finish at the C.I.F. State Championships in 1998, as well as coaching individuals standouts like: Lalo Moz, Anthony Adame, Angel Calderon, Chad Rasmussen, Brandon Evans, Brad Hansen, Dustin Odom, Max Odom, Kirk Moore, Adrian Diniz, Ryan Meloche, Bernardo Salcido, Ray Mooney and many others.
Alan has worked with Lou Montano and Todd Tomazic as the tournament director for the CIF State Wrestling Tournament since it came to Bakersfield in 2004. The Greater Bakersfield Visitor and Conventions Bureau estimated that the tournament brings in nearly a million dollars to the local economy each year.
Alan is currently the Director of Pupil Personnel for the Kern High School District and has been appointed Principal of North High School starting July 1, 2010. Alan and Ana have three children named Andre, Erica, and Jacqueline, ages 12, 10, and 5.
