Matador Hall of Fame Spotlight: Patricia De La Riva

One of the most prominent members of the CSUN women's basketball team in the early days of the program is Patricia De La Riva. A 2001 CSUN Hall of Fame inductee, De La Riva joined the program in time for the 1978-79 season, the fifth for the Matadors.

"The recruiting process back then was not as robust as it is now," De La Riva said. "I had no idea how to navigate the student-athlete process. When I was honored as one of the "The Los Angeles All-City Girls Basketball Team" members in my senior year in high school, I believe there were 10 of us. It became clear to me that I perhaps could play at the collegiate level. I reached out to USC since I was already accepted academically, but the coach had already filled her incoming freshman class. I reached out to Coach Dr. Judy Brame at CSUN which was close to home and she was thrilled to bring me into the program. She offered me financial assistance. She said I would still have to make the team. Back then, everyone had to try out for the team every preseason, even though you knew you were on the team. I will always be grateful for Coach Brame for taking a chance on me and her leadership. She was a great role model for women in sports."

As a freshman, De La Riva helped the Matadors to a 14-14 record before setting a program record for games played in a season as a sophomore when she took part in all 35 games as CSUN went 17-18.

"Let me first start with my freshman year," said De La Riva. "Back in the day, we had both a freshman and varsity program. I was a starter on the freshman team - along with a couple of other All-City players. I had double practices several times per week with both teams. Leslie Trampnell, who had played at UCLA, was the freshman coach and was Dr. Brame's assistant coach with the varsity team. I learned the details of the game both defensively and offensively to take during my freshman year. I had never worked so hard as a student-athlete. I was allowed to travel with the Varsity squad and toward the end of the season. I earned several minutes of playing time."

"Dr. Brame handed the Varsity team to Coach Trapnell in my sophomore year," De La Riva continued. "We had an excellent team. We had a couple of transfers that rounded out a talented team. I think the reason I started and played in every game was that I would play any position asked of me. There is nothing like court time that can bring your game to the next level."

With Dr. Brame returning for her junior year, the Matadors went 10-18. De La Riva became a featured player for the Matadors as a senior. She averaged 16.1 points per game, becoming the second Matador (the first was her teammate Paula Moran, 1,230, 1975-79) to score at least 1,000 points (1,122). Playing in the first year in which the CCAA sponsored women's basketball, De La Riva was named first-team All-Conference as CSUN finished with a 15-14 mark. She later added Academic All-District honors, the first by a CSUN women's basketball player. Upon her graduation, she held six season and five career school records.

"In my senior year, Dr. Brame was back at the helm as our head coach," De La Riva said. "We had recruited local talent and a few of us were now seniors and had experience under our belts. We had a very quick team and I was the recipient of unselfish players (Teri Gallus and Shelli Mosbi) passing me the ball on fast breaks. I also was not shy to take an open shot when given the opportunity. There was very special chemistry with that team both on and off the court. Many of us were serious about our academics, also had part-time jobs, and worked very hard on the court."

"In addition, Dr. Stutts had helped us with sports psychology, she taught us how to use imagery as a means to prepare for our games," De La Riva continued. "We could see ourselves being successful on the court. I used this technique when I went on to medical school and residency training. Thank you, Dr. Stutts!"

Upon graduating, De La Riva entered the medical profession after becoming interested in becoming a doctor while playing for the Matadors.

"I initially thought I wanted to be a chiropractor. "Doc" helped me with some overuse injuries when I was at CSUN," De La Riva said. "I also enjoyed working with children. I worked for LA City Recreation and Parks part-time while in college. I realized that pursuing a degree in medicine would allow me the opportunity to be both a healer and a teacher. I am a pediatrician with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group aka Kaiser Permanente."

As a medical professional, De La Riva has been on the front line of the worldwide pandemic that has affected every portion of life as we know it.

"We are in unprecedented times," De La Riva said. "This worldwide crisis has created both fear and opportunity. We acknowledge the fear of our patients and health care workers. We are ensuring everyone feels safe with the proper screening at our medical facilities, proper use and supplies of personal protective equipment, ensuring social distancing, and good handwashing/hygiene. The inpatient health care workers are amazing and doing a great job providing excellent care. The opportunity to deliver medical care in the ambulatory setting in the virtual space has been incredible. We have always offered the telehealth option; we have expanded it beyond our greatest imagination. The frontline has been amazing and committed. They are everyday heroes. The COVID Pandemic is a marathon! We have just begun the race...."

De La Riva and her husband Carlos Fuentes, a former Matador baseball player, have remained active with the Matadors and the university via the alumni association. This allows the couple an opportunity to continue to give back to CSUN.

"Carlos and I both come from similar backgrounds," De La Riva said. "Our parents were hard working-class Latinos. They instilled in us the importance of higher education. CSUN allowed us to realize our dreams as student-athletes and earn our degrees. Many other Latino leaders paved the way for us and we believe you must pay it forward."

Nearly 40 years later, De La Riva is proud of the role she played in the history of the CSUN women's basketball program.

"I would also like to acknowledge all the players, coaches, and support staff that were involved in the CSUN women's basketball program during my four years at CSUN," said De La Riva. "A few of you that I have stayed in touch with (Janine, Anita, Gwen, and Pam), others that I have seen at CSUN women basketball alumni events and to those that our lives have not crossed. Always remember that paved the way for our current CSUN Women's Basketball Program and other female student-athletes that have competed at the collegiate level. I humbly thank you ALL! "Once a Matador, Always a Matador."

~#UniteTheValley~

California State University Northridge Athletics

Matador Hall of Fame Spotlight: Patricia De La Riva

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