Ria Quiazon Accepts Head Coaching Assignment at Oregon

June 25, 2009

(San Francisco) - Ria Quiazon has accepted the head women's golf coaching position at the University of Oregon as announced today by Oregon Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny. Quiazon spent two highly successful seasons with the University of San Francisco and propelled the Dons into the Golfstat Top-25 Rankings for the first time since the 2001-02 season.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ria for her efforts on behalf of USF Women's Golf," USF Athletic Director Debra Gore-Mann said. "In two short years she has prepared the program to compete on the national stage and the foundation is in place for continued success thanks to her tireless commitment. I wish Ria nothing but the best at Oregon."

Since arriving on the Hilltop in 2007, Quiazon has left her mark on the Dons golf program, guiding San Francisco to a record-setting season in 2008-09 and was recognized for her efforts when named the 2009 West Coast Conference Coach of the Year by her peers.

"I am so grateful for the opportunity that Debi Gore-Mann and USF has given me during the past two years," Quiazon said. "I feel very fortunate to have been able to work with some outstanding people surrounding the athletic community at the University of San Francisco and my only regret is that I wasn't quite finished with what I wanted to accomplish, but sometimes you just cannot choose the timing of these opportunities. There is no question that I will miss USF, my players, my family and this great city, but I am also excited to build my new life and the golf program at the University of Oregon. USF Women's golf has a very bright future and I am so proud to be associated with it."

With Quiazon's guidance, USF posted top-five finishes in every event it competed in during the 2008-09 regular season, including a pair of victories - the first in the Fall Season finale at the Kent Youel Invitational and then recorded a Spring win at the Oregon Duck Invitational. The Dons torched the field at the Duck Invitational winning by a whopping 15 shots against the tournament hosts.

Along the way USF shattered multiple program records in 2008-09 including average team score (300.19), stroke average (75.11) and top-five finishes (9). Under Quiazon's watch the Dons claimed two tournament titles, one dual match triumph and three tournament runner-up finishes. In 18 regular season tournaments under her direction, the Dons posted 16 top-10 finishes and cracked the top-five on the leader board 14 times.

In two seasons Quiazon worked with seven All-WCC First Team Selections - including 2009 WCC Player of the Year Danielle Cvitanov - five WCC All-Academic selections and three NCGA Academic All-Americans.

A national search for Quiazon's replacement will begin immediately.