OLYMPIA, Wash. – Entering a new digital era, the Evergreen Geoducks are proud to announce the launch of www.gogeoducks.com.  The site launched Thursday and will be the new home for Geoduck fans to follow their favorite teams.

“Our fans and student-athletes have been asking for a more dynamic presence on the website for years and we are excited to finally be able to provide that,” said sports information director Chris Thompson.

Evergreen teamed up with Sidearm Sports to design the site, which will feature new photo and video content.  The site also features an easy to easy adaptive site for tablets and phones.

The Geoducks are the ninth of 10 schools in the Cascade Conference to launch a site with Sidearm, who also hosts the site for the CCC.  A total of 742 schools across North America currently work with Sidearm to host their athletic website.

While the site is launched and ready to go for the fall, fans should check in often as new content is expected to be added on a regular basis.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – As part of Return to Evergreen festivities and in honor of a tenure that lasted over 20 years, The Evergreen State College officially dedicated the Costantino Recreation Center on Saturday evening in honor of retired Vice President for Student Affairs Art Costantino.

On hand to help dedicate the building was Vice President for Finance and Administration John Hurley, current Vice President for Student Affairs Wendy Endress, Director of Recreation and Athletics Matt Newman, Assistant Athletic Director Monica Heuer and former student-athlete Jackie Robinson.

The building, which was officially renamed the Costantino Recreation Center on June 13, 2013 by the Board of Trustees, is home to Geoduck intercollegiate athletics, wellness/recreation classes, club sports, The Outdoor Program (TOP), camps, clinics and general recreation use by student, faculty and members of the community.

Costantino served as Vice President for Student Affairs from July 13, 1992 until June 30, 2013, making him the longest-serving vice president in the history of The Evergreen State College.  His tenure was marked by a record of accomplishment that has transformed the student experience at Evergreen, including the expansion of intercollegiate athletics.  Under his leaderships, Evergreen began men’s and women’s basketball in 1997 and women’s volleyball in 2001.

When Dr. Les Purce traveled to Kansas City last weekend for the 2013 NAIA Convention, he do so not just as President of The Evergreen State College but as the Chair of the NAIA Presidents Council.

“The NAIA provides those of us who share common values with an opportunity to work together in a community with like-minded institutions that value autonomy, student-athlete welfare, character, and athletics competition as a component of our institutions’ missions to build better citizens of the world,” said Purce in his opening remarks at the convention.

His term officially began on January 1 and shortly after that, NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr made the trip to Olympia and Evergreen to spend two days with Purce, as well as learn more about Evergreen and the Cascade Conference.  The visit also allowed Evergreen staff to meet with Carr, who was able to share his goals as head of the NAIA.

It also allowed Carr to experience the uniqueness of Evergreen and to understand the distinct challenges faced by the liberal-arts college in Olympia, Wash.  He shared his vision for the future of the NAIA and allowed the Geoducks an opportunity to understand the inner-workings of the national office.

The appointment of Purce to the position by his peers brings considerable pride not just to Evergreen but the Cascade Collegiate Conference as well.

“The Cascade Conference is very excited that President Purce has been elected by his peers to serve as the NAIA Council of Presidents Chair,” said CCC commissioner Rob Cashell. “His passion for the overall student-athlete experience in academics, as well as athletics, along with his considerable leadership capabilities will no doubt serve the association well.”

Joining Purce in Kansas City will be Evergreen Director of Recreation and Athletics Dr. Matt Newman.  Newman, who is in his second year at Evergreen, understands the significance of having such an important role filled on campus.

“Having President Purce serve as Chair of the NAIA Presidents Council is a feather in Evergreen’s cap, for sure, as well as being quite beneficial for the Association overall,” said Newman.  “Les was a student-athlete himself, and throughout his career in higher education he has been an advocate for all the positives that college athletics can represent and the NAIA provides the proper structure for those types of institutions and programs.”

In addition to Purce meeting with his fellow presidents to discuss the future of the NAIA, the convention has a number of legislative proposals that will be voted upon by the membership.  Among them is the creation of a national program for recognition of institutional and conference letters of intent as well as a number of amendments dealing with the eligibility process.

“I’m excited to be here, and I’m excited about the role intercollegiate athletics plays, not just in our Association but in the democracy of our nation,” Purce said. “And I’m excited about the role our student-athletes play, not just in the future of our institutions but in the future of our country.”

While his term only lasts until the end of 2013, Evergreen is very proud to have President Purce in such a high profile position.

“At Evergreen, we continue to appreciate his ongoing support of student-athletes, and we’re very proud that he’s chosen to take the time to serve the NAIA in this important role.” added Newman.