With great sadness and memory, Cal State East Bay Athletics mourns the loss of Dr. Cal Caplan, whose legacy will be forever carried in the Pioneer community. He was more than a coach as he bridged athletics and academics once he arrived on the Hayward campus.
Dr. Caplan started his time with the Pioneers in 1968 as he coached the men's water polo team until 1991. He led the Pioneers to a Far Western Conference championship in 1977 and 1981. In 1975, the Pioneers went 29-4 and achieved an NCAA Small College Championship.
Dr. Caplan was also a diving coach at Cal State East Bay, as his coaching produced divers competing at the national level including Pioneers Hall of Famers Lori Stilson and Jana Wilson.
Academically, he started the Exercise Physiology graduate program on the Hayward campus. Additionally, Caplan was involved with the faculty governance and local academic senate, as well as serving on several committees.
For 18 years, Caplan was on the coaching staff for Cal State East Bay women's water polo, which during that time, the Pioneers won the 2008 Collegiate III National Championship.
In 2006, Dr. Caplan was inducted into the Pioneers Hall of Fame.
Below are some reflections on Dr. Caplan's legacy to the Pioneer community:
Cal State East Bay water polo head coach Lisa Cooper:
"Cappy was a huge part of our program. He had an extreme passion for everything Cal State East Bay and loved kinesiology, athletics and water polo. He was my mentor for many, many years and I am going to miss talking with him every day about water polo and about life."
Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Allison Kern:
"Coach Cal has left an indelible legacy within the Pioneer Community. Generations of athletes, students, coaches and faculty members have been influenced by his leadership and commitment to growing people around him. We certainly wouldn't be where we are today without his selfless commitment to Cal State Hayward/East Bay."
A celebration of Dr. Cal Caplan's life will take place at a date to be determined. Prior to Friday's water polo match at Pioneer Pool, there was a celebration to honor Dr. Caplan, known as the "We Play for Cappy Game" when the Pioneers hosted Fresno Pacific.
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