APRIL 16, 2014 • VOLUME 45 • EDITION 24
COMMUTER.LINNBENTON.EDU
MOVIE REVIEW PAGE 5
VOTE OR VOTE PAGE 3
LOCAL EASTER EGG HUNTS PAGE 12
EKPHARASIS II GALLERY SHOW PAGE 6
Boys Of The Diamond Are Back!
PHOTO: Dale Hummel 2013 Linn-Benton RoadRunners baseball team.
B
aseball will be making a comeback to LBCC next spring. This has come as a result of months of work with members of the community. These discussions have planned out a program structure that focuses on high completion rates for the student athletes, and generates involvement of the community to support the program. Dan Segel, a former Roadrunner baseball player and current president of the Corvallis Knights, was a part of the community group to bring back the program. Joining Segel was Steve Carothers, LBCC alum and owner of Relco Truss, and Dick McCain, retired LBCC athletic director and former LBCC baseball head coach; showing that the baseball program is valued by those who have been involved with it. “The plan, which uses athletics as a vehicle to promote student success and involvement, makes us very optimistic about the future of baseball and other sports at our college,” said LBCC President Greg Hamann. The decision at the end of the 2013 school year to cut baseball and women’s basketball was not easy. “There were no programs we wanted to cut,” said Hamann. “The size of the deficit forced us to make excruciating choices.” Last year’s baseball team made the decision even more difficult by having one of the program’s more successful seasons. The 2013 team made it to the NWAACC playoffs, as well as having numerous players receive post-season accolades. Through the hard work that the group of community
PHOTO: Michael Dechellis Roadrunner preparing to connect with the ball. members has done, $40,000 has been raised to support the baseball program. “The proposed budget for the baseball program is $85,000. With $40,000 being donated by members of the community,” said Dale Stowell. The major elements of the plan to reintroduce baseball to LBCC include: •A 50 percent college completion rate for athletes. LBCC’s current student success rate is above average for Oregon community colleges at about 22 percent, which combines the percentage of students who earn a degree or certificate with those who transfer to a four-year institution. •Significant numbers of local players. At least 40 percent of baseball players will be from LBCC’s service district or the district of a bordering community college. At least 80 percent will be from Oregon. •Better connections to the LBCC community. Athletes will better connect to the LBCC community to ensure it has a noticeable positive experience for all student athletes, rather than just student athletes. “The measurement chosen for baseball will guide other LBCC programs, both athletic and academic, as the college continues to strive for a 50 percent increase in its completion rate and increased community support and
PHOTO: William Allison The RoadRunner and Coach Hawk. involvement,” said Hamann. Through the support of the community LBCC baseball will get to continue its long and rich history, as well as create significant opportunities for student athletes and the community. With the community support, a framework for adding other programs to promote student completion is feasible. Not just being limited to baseball, a yet to be determined women’s sport will be added by the 2015-16 season to create gender equality with LBCC’s athletic programs. “I’m very proud of the direction we’ve set for ourselves with the help of the community,” said Hamann. “We’re excited and grateful for the opportunity this represents.”
STORY BY Devin Staebler