Cal State East Bay Athletics Remembers Dr. Cal Caplan
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.
Latest Women's Water Polo
- Cal State East Bay Announces Discontinuation of Women’s Water Polo Sponsorship
- Announcing the 2023-24 Pioneer Athletic AwardsOn Monday, Cal State East Bay hosted its Pioneer Athletic Awards Banquet on Monday inside Pioneer Gymnasium. Student-athletes from Cal State East Bay were honored for athletic, academic and community impact. Below are the recipients of the 2023-24 Pioneer Athletic Awards.
- Pioneer Water Polo Falls to Biola in WWPA Championship MatchLA MIRADA, Calif. – The 2024 WWPA Women's Water Polo Championship Match took place Sunday, as Cal State East Bay women's water polo lost 12-11 to Biola in a back-and-fourth battle at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center.
- Pioneer Water Polo Reaches WWPA Final With 10-4 Win on SaturdayLA MIRADA, Calif. – The semifinals of the 2024 WWPA Women's Water Polo Championships took place Saturday from Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center. Cal State East Bay women's water polo advanced into Sunday's championship match with a 10-4 victory over McKendree.
- Pioneer Water Polo Advances to WWPA Semifinals After 14-5 Win on FridayLA MIRADA, Calif. – The quarterfinals of the 2024 WWPA Women's Water Polo Championships took place Friday from Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center. Cal State East Bay women's water polo dominated the action with a 14-5 victory over Salem and advanced to Saturday's semifinals.
- Four Pioneers Receive All-WWPA HonorsVISTA, Calif. - With the 2024 WWPA Women's Water Polo Championships on the horizon, the postseason honors were announced by the conference on Thursday. Four from Cal State East Bay women's water polo garnered postseason recognition, including Alex Andrist, Daniela Passoni, Luna Sarmiento and Elise Whitworth.