Cal Poly Humboldt Celebrates 50 Years as Title Defense Begins

09.29.2023College Men

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Cal Poly Humboldt is opening its 2023 fall season Saturday by hosting Nevada-Reno, the first step on a journey to repeat as national small-college champions.

The Lumberjacks surprised many with their run to the championship last year, and they return several key figures for this year's team, not least of which are No. 8 and emotional leader Latu Kolopeaua along with versatile and skilled Logan Zampa.

This is also the 50th Anniversary season for the Lumberjacks, and this weekend's game is part of several festivities, including an alumni game, the honoring of longtime volunteers and coaches, and a gathering of past Lumberjack legends.

Whether they played as Humboldt State or now Cal Poly Humboldt, the players and this team has a long tradition of embracing big challenges.

Who might challenge Humboldt this year? There's a lot of talk about Babson, and that's not unwarranted.

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But what about Furman, or Christendom, or event Humboldt's local rivals Cal Maritime? Endicott was a top four team in 2022, VMI has started really strong and so have UW-Stevens Point and UW-Eau Claire. Overlook Susquehanna or Ithaca at your peril. Humboldt's defense begins now, but it will be a tough road.

But with 50 years of history behind them, they will certainly be a contender.

Cal Poly Humboldt, NCR, Small Colleges

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