For the second year in a row, Pacific Union College’s Pioneers basketball team received the “California Pacific Team Sportsmanship Award.”

“I think it shows that we are representing PUC in a positive manner," coach Robert Castillo told the Napa Valley Register newspaper in an interview. "I think it speaks very highly of the type of student-athletes and coaches that we have here. It’s definitely nice to be recognized for that.”

The sportsmanship award is given to the team that displays outstanding sportsmanship and exemplifies the purpose of the “Champions of Character” program set up by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes. Member coaches of the CalPac Conference vote on the award, which is based on character and personalities of the athletes as well as athlete conduct during winning or losing game situations.

"The Sportsmanship Award tops off what was a truly amazing season for the PUC Pioneers," said Castillo. "They made their first appearance in the conference playoffs and played a first-round game in the CalPac men’s tournament against Simpson College."