Champs throw out first pitch at Mariners game

Submitted by admin on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 9:48am

The Western Washington University men's basketball team, 2012 NCAA Division II national champions, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Seattle Mariners' April 14 home game against Oakland.

The Vikings became just the second collegiate men's basketball team in the state of Washington to capture a national title, and the first in 36 years, with a 72-65 win over Montevallo (Ala.) on March 24 at Highland Heights, Ky. They won a school-record 31 games while also capturing the regular-season Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and earning a trip to the Elite Eight by winning the West Regional championship.

Jackson was the consensus NCAA II National Coach of the Year, being honored by both the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Division II Bulletin. He has won 518 games, the third-highest total by a collegiate coach in the state of Washington, in 27 years directing the Vikings' program.