1. Chico State Athletics
California State University, Chico
400 W First Street
Chico, Calif. 95926
November 1, 2014
Joseph Shufelberger
Lead Sports Reporter
Chico Enterprise-Record
Chico, CA 95926
Dear Joseph:
I hope this is finding you well.
I am writing to propose a story about the Chico State Athletics Department’s effects on the
Chico community by observing an athlete’s journey to history. I know how familiar you
already are with the department with the outstanding coverage you provide and feel you
would be interested in this story because of the care you take to highlight student athletes’
character in your interviews.
You described the Chico State Men’s Basketball victory over CSU, Stanislaus as, “some of the
most historic basketball played in Chico’s time.” This story allows readers to take a glimpse
at how that history was made by profiling recently graduated Center, Nate Appel, a young
man who is the very embodiment of the individuals the Department develops.
Profiling the individual student athlete I believe will benefit the Chico community because
it personalizes the experience of what it means to be a Chico student, which is often
wrongly portrayed by outdated reputations. Nate’s dedication to his team throughout his
time at Chico is inspiring because it is a value he believes is due to his choice to attend CSU,
Chico.
I believe your readers/viewers will benefit from understanding the journey Nate took to
reach the West Region Title game with his teammates. What you see through this story is
that for these young men their belief in each other was so strong they believed their victory
was fated. This passion would allow them to overcome every obstacle that game presented
them.

2. This story can also help inspire young individuals who dream of playing basketball at a
college level to understand it’s not about the popularity one can garner, but the experience
of being bound to your teammates and becoming a respectable individual. In short, it
accurately depicts what it really means to be a student at CSU, Chico – something this
community needs.
Please feel free to contact me if you need any more information by either email:
ntzoumbas@mail.csuchico.edu or cell phone: 6504545443. I am available Monday through
Thursday from 8am – 5:30pm, however if you need to schedule a later call that is always an
option. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Niko Tzoumbas, Director of External Communications
Chico State Athletics Department

3. Chico State Athletics
California State University, Chico
400 W First Street
Chico, Calif. 95926
‘ELITE’ COMPANY – A WILDCAT’S STORY
CHICO, Calif. - There is no feeling more pressing than when time is about to run out. Imagine an
entire year of will-testing work that you have put in every last bit of your energy and
commitment into, coming down to a mere 2 minutes and 48 seconds. In that time miniscule
space of time you have a mountain left to climb. The only way you can achieve that climb is to
sacrifice yourself as an individual and place your trust in the men you have been perfecting your
craft with all season long so that your names will hang from the rafters. Could you rise to the
occasion?
In March 2014, the CSU Chico Wildcats faced their mountain against CSU Stanislaus. The
Wildcats were in
search of what would
be their university’s
first West Region
Title, which would
crown them the
number one Division
II team of their
region. The Wildcats
were able to pull off

4. an inspiring win in seemingly improbable circumstances. The will power that these young men
showed, however, is not a product of just one outstanding year, but a foundation of
commitment set forth by the Chico State Athletic Dept.
Chico v. Stanislaus
Head Coach Greg Clink and his roster had the task of erasing CSU Stanislaus’ double-digit lead in
less than 3 minutes, which is no common feat in the sport. As the team broke their huddle,
what followed were some of the most stunning moments in the history of Chico State athletics.
“Even with that deficit, I had a gut feeling that we were going to pull it off,” recalls forward
Nate Appel. The Wildcats scored 20 points in the final 2:34, capped by Amir Carraway's game-
winning free throws with 1.9 seconds left in an 81-80 win that catapulted the 'Cats into the
NCAA Championship Tournament Elite Eight for the first time. Appel credited the ‘Cats
achievements with, “Every single individual trusting each other going into that game. I think just
seeing everyone fight back and using strength from each other is what made the difference.”
‘Motivated Individuals’
Senior Forward Nate Appel only needed a couple visits to the CSU Chico campus to know he
wanted to be apart of the Wildcat culture. The Wildcat culture is often depicted in the
mainstream media as the stereotypical college town party lifestyle, however Appel saw things
differently. “I knew that Coach Clink was looking for motivated individuals trying to help build
great teams. The camaraderie and chemistry between the individuals on the team was
apparent. That's what really sold me.”
Appel’s experience as a Wildcat highlights the culture of CSU Chico that is often overlooked.
“My time at Chico State helped me to realize what I could do as an individual to help other
people and organizations. I learned that whether you are the top dog, or the low man on the
totem pole, everyone has a purpose in the role that they are given,” says Appel. For Appel
being a student athlete at CSU Chico endowed him with life lessons he believes would have not

5. gained anywhere else. “The program showed me the core principles of teamwork and
unselfishness.”
The Student Athlete
Student Athletes are extremely valued on their campus because of their status as role models
in the community. Their work is not limited to just the court or the field because a necessary
component to athletic success is academic. What makes truly successful collegiate athletic
programs is the discipline of athletes’ academic performances. This principle is the backbone
that the CSU, Chico Athletic Program is built upon. “Each student-athlete is different in the
goals that they have, both short-term and long-term,” pondered Appel, “I think that time
management is crucial for any athlete.”
In Appel’s experience, being a Wildcat athlete boils down to one main point saying, “It was
unlike any experience I have ever been through.” College is widely regarded as an individuals’
primary period of self-discovery. What a student completes in college sets forth the blueprint of
the remainder of their life. When observing individuals such as Nate Appel, the world can see
how becoming an involved student is an experience that develops an outstanding strength of
character.
###
About Chico State Athletics
The Chico State Athletics Department is an integral part of the CSU, Chico community and one
of the top NCAA Division II programs around. Our athletes are some of the boldest and
brightest leaders of the campus community and are held to the highest standard both in the
classroom and on the court. Since 1998, Chico State’s athletic teams have won 99 NCAA
Championship berths, 40 CCAA titles, 24 West Region titles, and 15 National titles.
For more information please call (530) 898-6470 or visit http://www.chicowildcats.com/
Niko Tzoumbas, Director of External Communications

6. Chico State Athletics Department
Phone: 6504545443 Email: ntzoumbas@mail.csuchico.edu
Chico State Athletics
California State University, Chico
400 W First Street
Chico, Calif. 95926
CHICO STATE ATHLETICS BRIDGES GENERATION CULTURE GAP
In college culture, an average student holds a strictly information based relationship with
their instructor. College campuses are experiencing generation gaps between its faculty
and student population because of a lack of shared interests other than lectures and exams.
Intercollegiate Athletics are one interest, however, that unite campus communities through
fandom and various community engagement projects.
 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
 The SAAC is comprised of at least two representatives from each
of the department's 13 sports.
 Members participate in many community service events and act as
liaisons between their team and the athletic department
administration.
 Canned Food Drives
 The department collects canned food to donate to local charities
twice a year.
 In 2012-13, 465 cans were collected in October and were donated
to The Jesus Center.
 An additional 507 cans were collected in February.
 Chico State SAAC Relay For Life
 Relay For Life is an organized, overnight community fundraising
walk where teams of people camp out around a track take turns
walking around.
 In 2012-13, the department sold pink Chico State shirts at soccer’s
“Think Pink” game raising $160 for the SAAC Relay for Life team.

7.  “Kalaka Fund”
 A team effort with a local business, Tin Roof Café & Bakery, to help
raise funds for, James “Kalaka” Brittan, who sustained serious
injuries after being hit by a truck.
 The Department held a raffle each of two basketball nights with the
SAAC commitment to match whatever total was raised, netting
$390, totaling $780.
 Gobble Wobble
 An annual One-Mile Fun Run, 5k, and 10k race designed by CSU
Chico’s Administration and Sports Management class. The 2012 -
13 proceeds went to KIDS (Kids in Distress Situations).
 The SAAC, on behalf of the Athletic Department, donated a few T-
shirts and cinch bags to be used as prizes for those competing in
the race.
About Chico State Athletics
The Chico State Athletics Department is an integral part of the CSU, Chico community
and one of the top NCAA Division II programs around. Our athletes are some of the
boldest and brightest leaders of the campus community and are held to the highest
standard both in the classroom and on the court. Since 1998, Chico State’s athletic
teams have won 99 NCAA Championship berths, 40 CCAA titles, 24 West Region titles,
and 15 National titles.
For more information please call (530) 898-6470 or visit www.chicowildcats.com/
Niko Tzoumbas, Director of External Communications
Chico State Athletics Department
Phone: 6504545443 Email: ntzoumbas@mail.csuchico.edu