Winning really isn’t everything, but... More money issues

Poorly performing teams should be placed aside to afford other sports a chance at competing

The Athletics Department at Pierce College must implement a system among the school’s sports teams, to promote or demote them based on their overall performance at the end of the year.

Currently, the school fields 11 athletic sport teams. During this semester though, Athletic Director Bob Lofrano, announced the addition of a women’s Water Polo team in the fall.

Although Pierce has enjoyed an impressive tradition of playoff competition and winning teams, not many of those fulfill the requirements of what exactly a winning team represents.

The women’s volleyball team, for example, has won the state championship the past two seasons while competing in the playoffs in ten of the last 11 years.

Women’s soccer has won their division eight times out of the last 11 years, winning six straight Western Southern Conference championships in the process.

Although the football team had somewhat of a disappointing season last fall, the reason mainly being the lack of a stadium to play at, they’ve won their conference two years in a row before that.

However, the rest of the teams do not enjoy that level of success.

Men’s basketball made the playoffs during the 2009-10 season, but it’s the only time since 1983 they’ve done it.

Both the men and women’s basketball teams were t eliminated from playoff contention this year with records of 10-13 and 11-17, respectively.

Meanwhile, the softball team is currently in one of their worst seasons posting a record of five wins and 24 losses, with five games left in the season.

To guarantee competitive team performances, the athletic department should have a system in which the team that performs the worst during that year should lose their intercollegiate competition privileges for their next season. This opening would give way for a new team, as well as an opportunity for the newly formed team to create a legacy of their own.

For example, if the softball team ends up with the worst record among Pierce teams, under this system, they should be demoted and consequently not have a season next semester so they will have time to practice, recruit better players, and get better overall, given that the class itself would not be cut or the team dismantled.

The open spot left by the team demoted should be filled with another team sport that could potentially have more success competing in a intercollegiate level like women’s tennis, golf, wrestling, or men’s soccer.

The promoted team would not have their existence guaranteed as all Pierce teams will have to be ruled under the same standards.

This process should be repeated every year so the teams demoted have a chance to come back and prove everyone wrong.

Not only the school’s sport teams will increase their motivation to perform better and save their sport from oblivion for the whole year, but the coaches would look more into better

Pell Grant restrictions hurt students

The new limitations placed upon the Pell Grant should be revoked.

As of July 1, 2012 students will only be eligible 12 semesters during their lifetime for the Pell Grant.

recruits to be able to improve their rosters and really compete for a championship. This will lead to stronger teams, more championships, more student athletes being recruited from Pierce to higher level institutions, more scholarships being awarded to students so they can complete their education, and hence higher enrollment for semesters to come.

The Basic Educational Opportunity Grant Program, or simply the Pell Grant, was created in 1972 to help undergraduate students with the cost of going to school.

According to the Federal Education Budget Project, recipients received an estimated average Pell Grant of $3,711 for the 2011-12 school year, when Congress had set the maximum grant at $5,550.

Determining the eligibility of a student is simple.

If a student is not able to match the maximum amount set by Congress that year, they receive a Pell Grant in order to meet the basic necessities.t Students use this money for things like books for classes, gas for their cars, and even rent.

With tuition going up and classes being cut the odds of students getting in and out of college in less than six years is slim, and now they have began to cut financial aid.

Personally, I work at a restaurant and make minimum wage, but I am barely able to make it through because of the tips I make.

Financial aid such as the Pell Grant help me make it on months that I have unexpected expenses, like the month that I needed new tires for my car.

Students are coming to school to get an education, but with education becoming more expensive, financial aid is not a choice; it is something we have come to rely on.

The Roundup recently ran an article about the high salaries of college presidents.

It is interesting how California has money to pay the presidents of these public institutions but can not find the money to help students in financial troubles.

This is one of the many changes that will take effect on July 1.

Stafford Loans, verification for FAFSA, the automatic zero EFC, the Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver Program will also be changed due to the Consolidation Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2011 by President Obama.

To learn if your financial aid will be effected reach out to Financial Aid office on the second floor of the Students Services Building or by visiting the Pierce College website and clicking the financial aid tab.

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