At Cal Lutheran, athletics is a family business. 

Across the sports landscape, the university boasts a rich tradition of generational ties, with brothers, sisters, cousins and children of past greats currently competing.

Take, for example, Tyler Woodworth, the star wide receiver for the SCIAC title-game-bound Kingsmen football team. Tyler is following in the footsteps of his father, Brian Woodworth '03, who excelled at receiver and special teams for Cal Lutheran in the early 2000s, racking up 108 catches and averaging an impressive 40.44 yards per punt over just two seasons (2000-2001).

Brian, a father of four sons, described watching Tyler suit up for his alma mater as the joy of a lifetime. That Tyler is playing the same position makes it even more special.

"I get so excited seeing him out there. It's hard to explain," Brian said. "It brings life back to you … and memories. You always want your kids to do better than you did. In Tyler's case, I want him to move past me. I want the attention to be on him."

The senior Woodworth needn't fret: Tyler's incredible play this season has generated plenty of attention. The 6-foot-3 junior transfer from Ventura College has snapped up nearly every ball thrown in his direction, leading the Kingsmen in catches (39), receiving yards (608) and receiving touchdowns (3).

"If the game is on the line … I want the ball," Tyler said.

Brian insists he never pressured his son to choose Cal Lutheran, but the spirit of the purple and gold was a constant presence in the Woodworth home. Tyler recalled coming upon some of his father's old gear. 

"In fact, one Halloween I actually went as a Kingsman," said Tyler, who grew up in Ventura with one older brother, Kody, and two younger ones, Joshua and Trevor.

It wouldn't be hyperbole to suggest the four siblings are extremely grateful to Cal Lutheran. Otherwise, they might not be around. Brian met Robyn Frost '02, the boys' mother, while both were attending undergrads in Thousand Oaks. Frost was a member of the Regals' basketball team when Brian was playing football.

One thing Brian knew for sure about his son's decision to attend Cal Lu - he'd be in good hands in the sports medicine department. The university's longtime athletic trainer Kecia Davis helped keep Brian on the field as a student-athlete; now she does the same for Tyler.

"'Woody?" she replied when the name Brian Woodworth was brought up during a recent practice. "He was awesome."

Davis said it's no surprise that many children of successful Kingsmen/Regals student-athletes decide to come to California Lutheran. The 35-year school employee also worked with Ryan Huisenga '97, father of freshman linebacker Quinn Huisenga.

"When you were a student here, you felt cared for and loved and safe, and you want the same for your kids," Davis said. "They had a great experience, and they want their kids to have the same experience."

Rite of passage

Sophomore Madison Shaver, a member of the women's cross country team, grew up hearing about the experience of her grandfather, Gary McGinnis '72, a lineman for the 1971 Kingsmen team that won an NAIA national championship. 

"I can remember growing up seeing the black-and-white team photo of all the players in his office," Shaver said. "It's the same picture that hangs in the Hall of Fame."

The connections don't stop there. Shaver's grandmother was a Samuelson, as in Samuelson Chapel and Samuelson Aquatics Center. 

"You could say I grew up in a very pro-Cal Lutheran household," she laughed. 

It's hard to throw a rock around campus and not hit someone related to Shaver. In addition to her grandfather, two of her cousins attended Cal Lutheran, as did her mother, aunt, uncle and two great-uncles. 

This season, the McGinnises welcomed the entire cross-country team to their home in Thousand Oaks for dinner. Gary still bleeds purple and gold, serving as president of The Fifth Quarter, a group of unwavering Cal Lutheran sports supporters. 

Shaver said she has to smile when she sees her grandparents outside Kingsmen home games selling programs. 

"The thing about Cal Lutheran, it's just such a welcoming environment," said Shaver, who is recovering from a torn meniscus and didn't get to compete this season. "I've been welcomed with open arms by people who knew my family and those who didn't. Even it just being my second year, I've made some of the biggest connections I've made my whole life."

Athletic Director Howard Davis said phenomenal facilities and an impressive athletic history are what attract a student-athlete during the recruiting process, but it's something altogether different that makes them stay. 

"Once they spend time on campus, student-athletes realize that what really makes this university special is its people," Howard Davis said. "Our coaches are tremendous team builders, connecting student-athletes to each other, to the faculty and to the staff. So, of course, when it's time for a loved one to make a collegiate decision, our student-athletes become our best recruiters because of their experience at Cal Lu."

Sibling non-rivalry

Senior soccer star Tessa French followed her brother George French '18 to Cal Lutheran. Though the two are eight years apart - George played water polo for the Kingsmen between 2014 and 2017 - the talented defender turned to her older brother for advice when transferring from Boise State University two years ago. 

"I entered the portal and before I sent the email to CLU, (head coach) Frank (Marino) found me … and reached out right away," Tessa said. "George told me what a good person Frank was, and as I watched CLU win the NCAA tournament, I thought he must also be an amazing coach. … Now that I'm here, I've found both things are true."

From Oregon, Tessa was still in middle school and only had a chance to visit the campus once when George was a student.

"The main thing is the community," Tessa said when asked why so many relatives attend Cal Lutheran. "I have felt so welcomed since I transferred here."

Now a dentist based in Los Angeles, George was in attendance earlier this month on Senior Night against Whittier. The Regals won 2-0 with Tessa and the defense limiting the Poets to just three shots on goal. 

"It's great to have his support," said Tessa, who started all 20 games for the Regals this year and was named First Team All-SCIAC. 

Some family members get the unique joy of competing alongside their loved one. This year alone, there are at least three pairs of siblings suiting up for the purple and gold: Kalli and Brooke Strahm, softball; Caitlin and Tim Murphy, women's volleyball and football; and Jannah, Zeinah and Hannah Houwari (women's tennis). 

"Cal Lutheran is a special place," Howard Davis said. 

Pride and joy

Brian Woodworth grew up moving from one foster home to another. Cal Lutheran, he said, quickly became his "second family."

When his classmates went home for the holidays, he stayed back on campus, where Vanessa Webster-Smith, director of campus services, found him a job. 

"I usually worked," he said. 

Brian credits the university for turning his life around, for giving him hope where there wasn't any. That it now cares for and educates his son, brings Brian immense pride and gratitude. 

"Cal Lutheran was the start of this amazing journey," Brian said. "I was blessed to be able to be there, where everything happened for me. When I go back there now (to watch Tyler play) I get nostalgic. It's where it all started."