Pioneer Athletics Hall of Fame
Though the Pioneers had teams taking part in intercollegiate competition in 1961 and 1962, the university made the decision to get serious about their athletic teams in 1963, when it chose to hire James “Lew” Comer as its first ever Director of Athletics. Comer, a 1948 graduate of Fort Hays State University, served as the Pioneers' leader for seven years, helping to build a program that would go on to win four national championships in the decade after his service. Comer oversaw a number of key developments in the early years of Pioneer Athletics, including the construction of a football stadium and gymnasium, establishment of both a football team and women's athletics programs, and the first national championship Cal State Hayward hosted. During that time, Comer also saw the Pioneer teams win their first ever Far West Conference titles. Comer was also the Pioneers first men’s track and field coach in 1964. He coached long distance specialist and Pioneer Athletic Hall of Famer John Lodin.
