Mike Bokosky

The Chapman men's and women's basketball teams open their seasons with games Friday. The men's team, coached by Mike Bokosky, hosts L.I.F.E. Bible College at 8 p.m. in Hutton Sports Center. On Saturday, the Panthers host Southwestern College of Phoenix, also at 8. Bokosky will begin his seventh season without the bench support he had last season.

The Chapman men's and women's basketball teams open their seasons with games Friday. The men's team, coached by Mike Bokosky, hosts L.I.F.E. Bible College at 8 p.m. in Hutton Sports Center. On Saturday, the Panthers host Southwestern College of Phoenix, also at 8. Bokosky will begin his seventh season without the bench support he had last season.

Mike Bokosky was hired Tuesday as an assistant basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton, a little more than a month after he was informed that his contract would not be renewed at UC Irvine. Bokosky has been an assistant coach at Irvine for the past 11 seasons and was a candidate to replace Bill Mulligan, who resigned as head coach at the end of this past season. But the school hired Rod Baker, an assistant from Seton Hall, on April 11. "This will be an easy transition for me," said Bokosky, 36.

Mike Bokosky stuck it out for 10 years as an assistant basketball coach at UC Irvine in hopes he would be the one to replace Bill Mulligan when Mulligan retired. Mulligan retired in 1991. Bokosky didn't get the job. Bokosky then stuck it out for one year as an assistant basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton--which only seemed like 10--and hoped he would be the one promoted after John Sneed was fired. Bokosky didn't get that job, either.

Mike Bokosky stuck it out for 10 years as an assistant basketball coach at UC Irvine in hopes he would be the one to replace Bill Mulligan when Mulligan retired. Mulligan retired in 1991. Bokosky didn't get the job. Bokosky then stuck it out for one year as an assistant basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton--which only seemed like 10--and hoped he would be the one promoted after John Sneed was fired. Bokosky didn't get that job, either.

Mike Bokosky, longtime member of the UC Irvine basketball coaching staff, was appointed assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton.

Junior point guard David Neal has left the Chapman men's basketball team after accepting a lucrative modeling contract, Coach Mike Bokosky said Wednesday. Neal, who played at Orange High and Cypress College before sitting out two seasons to work in the modeling and entertainment businesses, started eight of 11 games this season for the Panthers, averaging 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Reserve shooting guard Damon Williams also left the team over the holidays, citing personal

UC Irvine has narrowed its list of candidates to six and expects to name a men's basketball coach sometime after the conclusion of the Final Four, probably Wednesday, school officials said. Former UCLA Coach Walt Hazzard is one of the six, sources said.

Throughout the season, the priorities of the Chapman University men's basketball team have changed. And after Saturday's 77-56 loss to UC Riverside at the Hutton Center, those priorities likely will change again. The loss left the Panthers (5-16, 2-7) two games out of fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn., in which the top four finishers make the conference playoffs.

Chapman University took a 20-point lead in the first half and held on the rest of the way, winning its home opener, 89-70, over Whittier College Tuesday night. The Panthers (4-2) made their first nine shots and led by as many as 25 points in the opening half. Stefan Mumaw led the way, hitting all five of his shots and getting 12 points. Aaron Cornell was hot from the outside. He made three three-pointers in the first half. He finished with a team-high 17 points, including five three-pointers.

Mike Bokosky was hired Tuesday as an assistant basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton, a little more than a month after he was informed that his contract would not be renewed at UC Irvine. Bokosky has been an assistant coach at Irvine for the past 11 seasons and was a candidate to replace Bill Mulligan, who resigned as head coach at the end of this past season. But the school hired Rod Baker, an assistant from Seton Hall, on April 11. "This will be an easy transition for me," said Bokosky, 36.

Chapman had little difficulty building a big lead early against Claremont College on Tuesday night but holding on to it proved to be much tougher. The Panthers finally emerged with an 83-74 victory in Orange to run their record to 7-4. Chapman took a 15-2 lead on Greg Reynolds' three-point basket with 14:52 left in the first half and cruised to a 38-31 halftime lead.

Terry Boesel, assistant coach of the Chapman men's basketball team, has been hired as men's basketball coach at La Verne. Boesel spent three seasons at Coach Mike Bokosky's top assistant coach. He also taught physical education classes and last year coached the wide receivers on the Panther football team. "It was a tough decision," Boesel said. "I've enjoyed every minute of my time here at Chapman," Boesel said. "I really hated to leave." Bokosky is interviewing candidates to fill the position.