Some bonds can't be broken.

For two friends growing up in separate parts of California, it all came together at Cal State Hayward.

Lori Stilson was raised on a farm in rural Fresno. Chris Amaral is a Los Angeles native who initially wanted to play water polo close to home at San Diego State. 

But a combination of fate — and former swimming and water polo coach Cal Caplan — helped bring them together forever.

"I had never heard of Hayward, but (Caplan) was persistent," said Stilson, a former Pioneer diver who was inducted into the Pioneer Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000. "The only reason I came was because of him."

Meanwhile, Amaral accepted an offer to SDSU before the Aztecs dropped their men's water polo program in August of 1978. 

He briefly considered UCLA, before remembering the shoe box full of recruiting letters from Caplan.

"When (Caplan) said he was still interested in me on a Tuesday, I drove up to Hayward on a Friday," Amaral recalls. "I met with swim coach Jim DeLacy, who was also recruiting me. 
"I knew nothing about the school, but the view up the hill looking down was just gorgeous."

Stilson and Amaral met at Carlos Bee Residence Hall during their freshman year, forming a life-long friendship.

Since Stilson served as statistician for the water polo team, and also had several classes and side jobs with Amaral, the two had an instant connection.

"It's hard to pin-point one thing, but when (Stilson) walked into the room, the room became a little brighter," he said. "There was lots of joking around, conversations and getting to know each other."

Stilson added, "We went on road trips and made memories. But (Amaral) is the glue. He makes it all happen."


Chris Amaral and Lori Stilson

Amaral was a starter for Pioneer water polo as a true freshman in 1978, despite being on a team comprised mostly of juniors and seniors. He played every minute of every game the following year and was named team MVP for the first of three consecutive seasons, in addition to earning three-consecutive All-American honors.

He was second on the team in goals scored and first in assists as a senior in 1981, leading the Pioneers to a Far West Conference championship with a victory over rival UC Davis.

Although it turned out to be the final season of men's water polo at Cal State Hayward, Amaral began a club team for competition the following year while joining the men's swimming team for his final year on campus.

"We ended on such a great note my senior year," said Amaral. "We won the conference championship and then were told we had to cancel. 

"But I started a club team that next fall. It was fun to put together and keep the spirit."

 
Chris Amaral

Stilson began diving at the age of six-years-old, and was a natural talent.

She consistently won league championships throughout high school in Fresno, and eventually became a three-time All-American in 1-meter and 3-meter diving at Cal State Hayward from 1979-82.

Some of her famous dives included the flying squirrel and twister dive, as well as a one-and-a-half and a two-and-a-half. 

With a strategy of increasing the degree of difficulty on each dive in order to earn a greater amount of points, Stilson acknowledged it's much easier said than done.

"I hit my face on the water so hard one time I had two black eyes," she said laughing. "The key is staying focused, it's a mental sport.

"You have to run it through your mind before you do it."

              
Lori Stilson at the 1979 Diving National Championships.


Separately, Stilson and Amaral both wound up moving to Los Angeles in the years following graduation.

That didn't mean their friendship would automatically continue to grow. Like anything else, it still took effort.

However, the relationship was always natural and platonic.

"There were a lot of good phone calls, sending postcards and invites to barbeques," said Amaral. "(Stilson) has been a loyal and unbelievable friend. We got along so well, it immediately felt more valuable to have a brother-sister type of relationship. It has never been work. 

"Who knew that when we met in the Fall of 1978 that we would become life-long friends? I can't believe we've known each other 42 years."

Amaral was even the best man for Stilson's husband on their wedding day. Both are also God-parents for each other's children. 

"Lori has the greatest sense of humor, which makes her such a dear friend to many," said Amaral. "She is so endearing and committed to those that are dear to her.  

"She is one of the most loyal, helpful and sincere people I know."


Amaral as best man on Stilson's wedding day.

Although each has moved on with separate families and professional lives, Stilson and Amaral both express sincere appreciation for their time at Cal State Hayward and how it shaped their lives individually and as friends.

The also intend to continue supporting Pioneer Aquatics in the future.

"Looking back at our college time together, Lori and I could not have been more pleased with the outcome of our efforts, hard work and help along the way from so many people — scholastically, athletically and socially," said Amaral. "To think that after 42 years we would still be best friends is something that you could never imagine. It seems apropos that we met because of Cal Caplan and the Aquatics Program at Cal State Hayward. 

"While you're going to college you are living in the present and don't always recognize the gifts that you have been given along the way. That's why the Aquatics Scholarship Endowment is so near and dear to the two of us.  At the time, while going to college, when you are living in the present, you don't always recognize the gifts that you have been given along the way. 

"Had Lori and I not been part of the Aquatics program, there is a great chance we may have never met. We will continue to support the Pioneer Aquatics Program in hopes that it will continue to thrive and grow, just as our friendship has all these years later."