Pagliacci Pizza & Seattle University Athletics

We could not be more excited about our newest partnership! Pagliacci Pizza is now an official sponsor of SU Athletics.  Seattle University competes in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) at the Division I level and has competitive teams in nine men’s sports (baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and track & field) and eleven women’s sports (basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball).

After 33 years, Seattle University returned to the Division I level of intercollegiate sports in 2012. The school attracts top athletes and the programs continue to build. This year’s men’s soccer team recently completed an outstanding season, finishing in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time in Division I history. It was their first appearance in the tournament in 46 years. They defeated perennial powerhouse UCLA in the Round of 32 to advance, before losing to a tough Syracuse team. The SU women’s soccer team also had a great season, finishing the 2015 season with a 14-3-3 record, including an 8-0-2 record within the WAC that enabled the Redhawks to win their third straight regular season conference title.

In basketball, the Seattle University men’s team is in the midst of Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play. The squad returned several starters from the team that won 18 games last year, including victories against Colorado and Pepperdine. Men’s basketball games are held at Key Arena. This year the women’s basketball team moved back to their home court at the majestically renovated Connolly Center on the Seattle University campus and is also in the midst of WAC conference play. On January 9th Head coach Joan Bonvicini earned her 700th career victory in a 59-45 win over Chicago State, making her just the 17th Division I women’s basketball coach all-time to reach this milestone.

Sports are a valuable part of education, whether it is rooting for a favorite school team or as a participant. From track & field, to gymnastics, rowing, soccer, and basketball, most student athletes put hundreds of hours into training and competing with little to no hope of going pro. And many of us root for them as vigorously as we root for our favorite professional teams. There is something beautiful about collegiate athletics. The athletes walk the hallways and sweat the same mid-terms as the other students. We admire their competitive drive and their love of the game.

Seattle University is one of the top universities in the West offering undergraduate degrees and a range of master’s degrees and doctorate programs. With the recent success of their athletic programs, their growth as a university, and the way the school is integrated into the heart of Seattle, we feel a kindred spirit. We are grateful for this opportunity to support its athletic programs and the passionate dedication of the athletes.

Go Redhawks!