Cougar Athletics
28 NAIA National Championships
93 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: Redshirt sophomore Mike Van Gorden returns to wide receiver after transferring to Azusa Pacific last year as a quarterback ... An outstanding athlete with good speed ... Will press for playing time as he adjusts to the new position.

2006: Was a late-summer transfer to Azusa Pacific, wanting to play quarterback ... Did not get into any games.

MONTANA STATE: Signed with Montana State out of high school ... Moved to wide receiver to take advantage of his athletic skills ... Redshirted the season.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 3-sport standout at South Tahoe High ... As a 2004 senior was named All-Northern Nevada 4A and All-Sierra League first team after throwing for over 2,400 yards and a school-record 27 touchdown passes ... Rallied the Vikings from a 21-0 deficit by throwing for 5 TD passes and 360 yards in a 42-41 victory over Carson ... The following week, threw another 5 TDs in a 52-35 win over North Valley High ... Played 2 seasons of varsity football, serving as the starting QB both campaigns ... Also lettered 4 years in track & field (sprints), clocking personal bests of 11.23 (100 meters) and 52.12 (400 meters) ... Ran a leg on the school-record 4x400 that clocked a 3:24.64 ... Played 2 seasons of varsity basketball (forward) ... Named the Tahoe Daily Tribune Male Athlete of the Year for South Tahoe High.

PERSONAL: Born July 30, 1987, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., to Doug (water company) and Roberta (pharmacist) Van Gorden ... Majoring in graphic design ... Would like to be an architect.