TERRANCE PHILLIPS -- The Harbor Column

It’s pronounced “you sea eye” -- a great university in nearby Irvine.

You see, I think UCI is best known for its commitment to academia.

Although they offer traditional sports programs, events and activities,

let’s face it, the “Anteaters” are better known for their preponderance

of gray matter than muscle tissue.

When you think about it, their name itself would never strike fear

into the hearts of sporting opponents.

Anteater, not really too scary is it?

As compared to the Fighting Irish, Buffalos, Trojans, Bruins, Bears,

Seminoles, etc., an anteater eats tiny creatures considered to be only

pests. On the other hand, Trojans were gladiators; Bruins, bears and

buffalos all great fighting beasts; Native Americans forging their way

through adversity, the elements and social strife; and the fighting

Irish, people who can actually see leprechauns -- how many pints does it

take to see little green people anyway?

Although the Anteaters have produced several talented athletes in

soccer, basketball, cross-country, track, field and other traditional

sports, there is one activity where they, year after year, continue to

make a splash in the record books. In fact, it’s the reason why the

school is nicknamed, U “Sea” I.

For 35 years, UCI has been extremely dedicated to its sailing program.

As amazing as it may seem, the Anteaters have produced 43 All-American

Collegiate inductees, won countless Pacific Coast Championships and six

National Collegiate Championships.

On Oct. 21, the program celebrated its outstanding accomplishments and

tradition in sailing with a breakfast at the Balboa Yacht Club. The

well-attended event featured many alumni guest speakers and was followed

by the Intercollegiate Pacific Coast Sloop Championships.

Jay Glaser, a UCI alum and an Olympic silver medalist in the Tornado

class, as well as the 1972 National Collegiate champion, addressed the

audience of about 100 guests. Glaser coached his wife, Pease Glaser, to a

silver medal this summer in the 2000 Olympics. After breakfast, seven

college teams of three participants -- representing the best sailors on

the West Coast -- sailed Shield keelboats off the Balboa Pier. The

Pacific Coast Sloop event was won by UC Santa Cruz, with USC second and

UCI third.

“The sailing program at UCI has enjoyed outstanding success as

evidenced by our record,” varsity Coach Jonathan Posner said. “It’s

gotten to a point where high school sailors that a few years ago used to

look at schools like Tufts, Boston College, USC or UC Santa Barbara, take

a much harder look at UCI. We have much to offer. Things like the UC

system itself, varsity status, tutoring and assistance in getting into

UCI.”

The team of 10 men and four women sail in about 20 regattas each year.

The West Coast district includes all schools in California, Oregon,

Washington and Hawaii. With five events completed, UCI is in a good

position to place high in the ranking once again.

In spite of its name, the UCI sailing team members are definitely

warriors on the water.

TERRANCE PHILLIPS is the Daily Pilot’s boating writer. You can reach

him via e-mail at [email protected].