Tom Box has emerged from a nationwide search to be named Seattle Pacific University's new athletic director. Box, who began his duties July 1, served as director of the SPU Development Office for the past nine years.
"Tom is precisely the right person to give us leadership into the future," said President Philip Eaton in making the April 20 announcement. "He has the passion, the savvy and the leadership skills to take SPU athletics to the next level of excellence."
"I've been an avid fan of Falcon athletics for many years," says Box, "and my move to Brougham Pavilion offers me the chance to become a full-time advocate for student-athletes and coaches.
"I think athletics excite our campus and bring people together. I also want us to reach out to the community through athletics and acquaint people across the state with this great university."
Box replaces Alan Graham, who resigned in December after three years at the post.
Basketball playmaker Debbie Miller and record-setting gymnast Deni Boswell shared 1998 Seattle Pacific University Athlete of the Year honors at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet June 2.
Miller, a senior from Tacoma, energized SPU's best-ever season and was recognized as one of the most versatile and talented players in the nation. When Seattle Pacific advanced to its first-ever appearance in the Elite Eight, Miller was named most valuable player in the NCAA West Regional.
Boswell nearly led her team to a repeat of their 1997 national championship. SPU finished second to Texas Woman's University for the USA Gymnastics Collegiate team title, but Boswell captured individual championships in the all-around and uneven bars, and senior athlete of the meet honors.
Five seniors received the school's highest career honor, the Falcon Award for Excellence, which recognizes athletic, scholastic and leadership achievement. They were Stephanie Andrews (gymnastics), Rachel DeVine (cross country and track), Lisa Malmin (track), Ben Scheffler (basketball) and John Zapata (crew). Andrews and Malmin, both Academic All-America selections, were also awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.
The spring was a great one for Seattle Pacific University's women's teams. The gymnastics squad won its second straight conference championship and was narrowly defeated by Texas Woman's University at nationals. Earning All-America honors were Deni Boswell, Georgianne Smith, Stefanie Thompson, Kim Carey and Kathy Siwek.
In crew, the women's lightweight, eight-oared boat rowed to fourth place in the grand final of the Champions International race May 2. It was the best national finish for a women's crew in 17 years.
The year was completed at the May 21-23 NCAA Track and Field Championships, where the SPU women took 22nd. Earning All-America distinction were Linnea Jarvits, Julie Swann and Susie Jacobsen. On the men's side, Kyle Gough was a decathlon All-American for the third year in a row.
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