Pima Community College Aztec Basketball

Don't miss the Padres' last homestand, September concerts at Kino Sports Complex

Don’t miss your last chance to watch the Triple-A Tucson Padres play in Tucson this season.  Head to Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way, any night through Sunday, Aug. 28, to watch the Padres play the Reno Aces.

Games start at 7 p.m. except on Thursday, Aug. 25, when a doubleheader starts at 6 p.m.  Gates open one hour before game time.

All college students will be admitted to the doubleheader for $4.50 with a school ID.  Former University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson will be signing books and UA items all throughout the first game and throwing out the “first pitch” for Game One .

Friday, Aug. 26, is Teacher Appreciation Night .  All southern Arizona teachers will receive a complimentary family ticket.

The last post-game Fireworks Spectacular of the season will be Saturday, Aug. 27.  For Padres tickets, call (520) 434-1367, visit www.tucsonpadres.com or visit the stadium box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. or before each game. Parking is free.

A series of concerts, Pima Community College football games, and an international baseball tournament in September and October make Kino Sports Complex the place to be as the weather cools down.

Lil’ Jon and Rusko headline N9NE Fest – a concert for all ages – on Friday, Sept. 9, on Field 9.  They’re joined by The Eye, Silver Medallion, Prototype, DJ Abate and Soulman.  Gates open at 6:30 p.m.  Buses will run between the event and the intersection of East Sixth Street and North Euclid Avenue from 6:15 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (passes must be purchased in advance).  Tickets, bus passes and more information are available at www.n9nefest.com .  Parking is free.

Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson bring the Xtreme Muzik Tour to Kino Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10, with special guest Cowboy Troy.  Also appearing are Bradley Gaskin (Mr. Bartender), Greg Hanna, and Nathan Dean and The Damn Band.  The show starts at 4 p.m.; gates open at 3:30.  Tickets and more information are available at www.clickjab.com .

PCC hires former Yavapai assistant coach to head men's basketball ...

Story and photo by JAMES KELLEY

Pima Community College has picked former Yavapai College assistant coach Gabriel Van Guse as its new men’s basketball head coach.

On July 14, the PCC Board of Governors approved the selection of Van Guse to be the Aztecs’ third coach in three years. Yavapai eliminated its men’s and women’s basketball programs last February because of state budget cuts.

Van Guse replaces Roderick Gary, who stepped down after one season. Gary replaced Karl Pieroway, who resigned after two seasons.

Van Guse will be a part-time employee.

At Yavapai, Van Guse was in charge of the Roughriders’ defense and coached the guards. He was also in charge of recruiting, looking for players in Washington, Oregon, Northern California and Arizona. Pima does not recruit out-of-state athletes.

Last year, the Aztecs went 5-23 and 2-20 in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference. They lost to Yavapai (11-19, 8-14) 103-95 in Prescott and 80-75 in Tucson.

Van Guse was an assistant coach at YC for two years, after leading the Prescott (Ariz.) High School boys’ varsity squad and the Joseph City (Ariz.) High School team.

Van Guse graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with a degree in philosophy, and attended Tacoma Community College.

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