AVC NOTEBOOK: `PAG' SIGNS OFF AS SOFTBALL COACH.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

All good things must come to an end.

And such is the case for Gene Pagliaro, who coached his final game Sunday as Antelope Valley College lost 3-2 to Cuesta in the Southern California Regional softball playoffs at Cypress College.

Pagliaro's tenure with AVC was a tribute to longevity - he's been with the program since its inception in 1988. And his teams have done well over the years, winning eight Foothill Conference championships and making the playoffs in 11 of his 15 seasons.

``I've been lucky,'' Pagliaro said. ``We've had a great run throughout the years with a bunch of women who've prided themselves on excellence. And I think that's indicative of our program.

``It's funny, I began coaching football here at AVC in 1969. And at the time, I was told they needed a softball coach for just a couple of years. Well, it seems like I've been doing it for a hell of a lot longer. And I don't even feel old.''

``Pag,'' as he's known by most, is young at heart and this year's AVC team responded to his youthful exuberance. The Marauders finished 33-13 overall and 14-0 in conference, just the third time a Pagliaro-coached team has gone undefeated - the others being 1989 and 1996.

``I can't say enough about this year's team without getting all choked up,'' Pagliaro said. ``Going undefeated in conference was a great way to go out with a great bunch of players.

``I've always thought of myself as an educator first and a coach second. And to be quite sincere, I was fortunate to be at a good school with good assistant coaches and a supportive group of administrators here. So, I think I'll still be around here doing something - just not coaching.''

And to think, AVC thought it was going to get rid of him finally.

--Quarterback controversy? The football team began its spring practices two weeks ago and it appears several candidates have a chance at the vacated starting quarterback position.

This was made possible by the departure of Cory Allred, who broke several of the school's passing records in his two seasons with the program and is now at Tusculum College of Tennessee.

Jamar Culver, a 6-foot-3 Desert Christian High of Lancaster graduate, seems to have the inside track considering he understands the system, having split time with Allred in 2001.

But Chris Ford, who backed up Allred last season, returns for his sophomore season. And according to coach Brent Carder, Jarad Romo, Andy Marsh, Justin Dion and Jason Carr will each have an opportunity to earn playing time.

--Hoopla: Men's basketball coach Newton Chelette calls this year's class of incoming freshmen the best he's had in recent memory. And it could get better.

Rosamond High's Brandon Murray, Brian Waugh (Desert Christian) and Johnny Holland (Antelope Valley) have already enrolled for the fall semester, and Ollie Bradley (Antelope Valley) and Mike Webb (Lancaster) could do the same in the coming weeks.

``It's early, but I'm very happy with what we have here,'' Chelette said. ``And there's no doubt about it, the competition and work ethic has been very good around here lately.''

According to Chelette, Bradley and Webb are waiting for the results of their SAT tests to find out if they meet four-year-college eligibility requirements. If not, Chelette would be ``more than happy'' to have them at AVC.