The longest serving head athletic trainer in SBVC Athletics history, Mike Sola, will be present this Thursday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, opening up the 2016 season. The new season will begin versus the Sylmar L.A. Mission Eagles at 2 p.m.

A large crowd is expected to welcome in the new season, updated facilities, and Sola, who has had a tremendously positive impact at SBVC, as a 34-year teacher of Sports Medicine.

Sola graduated from Long Beach State in 1980 with a Bachelor's in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sports Medicine and Azusa Pacific University in 1994 with a Master's in Education. Over the years, Sola has been a part of the 1984 Summer Olympics as a Trainer Coordinator, was the trainer for the European Tour of US Track & Field in 1985, was the Judo venue coordinator for the US Olympic Festival in 1986 and was the Trainer Coordinator for the 1994 World Cup.

SBVC lost both games of the home-at-home series last year with LA Mission. Since 1987, SBVC has a 12-10 record versus the Eagles and an 8-3 record in San Bernardino. Expectations are high for SBVC Baseball this season, after their third consecutive Conference Championship; SBVC is looking to get back into the post-season and is expected to compete with perennial Foothill Conference powerhouses Whittier Rio Hondo and Rancho Cucamonga Chaffey. Next season SBVC will move into the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference with Palomar, Southwestern, Grossmont, San Diego Mesa, Desert, Mt. San Jacinto, San Diego City and Imperial Valley.

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