Athletics remain uncertain for spring Several schools in other districts have opted out for next semester

BY FELIPE GAMINO

With new restrictions issued by local and state authorities, the question arises whether there will be sports next semester.

The California Community College Athletic Association Board of Directors decided at its last meeting to go by an opt-in or opt-out system to determine which schools will participate in competition.

On Wednesday, Dec. 2, Santa Barbara City College became one of the first schools to pull the plug for early spring. The sports included football, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, women's water polo, women's golf, women's volleyball and men's and women's cross country.

"Out of an abundance of caution, Santa Barbara City College will be opting out of competition," Santa Barbara City College Superintendent/ President Utpal K. Goswami wrote in a press release. "We are faced with continuously changing conditions and restrictions that post a significant challenge for our athletic teams."

Other schools that decided to optout include College of the Canyons, Chaffey College, Mendocino College and Citrus College.

Southern California Football Association Commissioner Jim Sartoris wrote in an email that several schools have already made their decision.

“It is very difficult to predict how things will work out,” Sartoris wrote. “We still hope we have enough schools that will opt in and the CCCAA allows those schools to play in the spring. But as you know things change almost daily as far as restrictions put on our communities and schools.”

Sartoris said they are not in liberty to announce which schools decided to opt-in or opt-out until after the Dec. 18 deadline. Football season is scheduled to potentially start in February.

Los Angeles Community College District schools are set to decide whether to opt-in or opt-out for early spring.

Pierce College President Alexis Montevirgen said he’s doubtful whether Pierce will bring back athletics in early spring.

“Even if for example we get to yellow, there would be limitations,” Montevirgen said. “And again I’m referring to only classes they would only be at 50 percent capacity. So while the state and county may say yes you can resume classes, it may not be feasible for us to do so.”

Montevirgen added, “I know it becomes somewhat contradictory even the CCCAA decision right now for them to go ahead and move forward with the contingency plan assuming all 24 sports including the fall sports that were delayed can continue in the spring. I have to be honest, I’m not as optimistic about that.”

Montevirgen said his main priority is the well-being of the student athletes, coaches, the faculty and staff.

Interim Athletic Director Susan Armenta said in a previous article, they will be fortunate to even be on campus next semester.

“Honestly, it depends on when we will be allowed to practice,” Armenta wrote. “If we have limited practice schedules, then the focus should be off of trying to win titles and more on getting back our fitness safely.

Yes, it will be great to compete, but the way things have been going in LA County, we need to be grateful for the opportunity to play at all.”

Armenta wrote they still have to deal with state and county guidelines, however mentioned that the athletic directors across LACCD with the athletic trainers intend to get creative to find a way to have student-athletes on campus.

“It's our hope that with a collective proposal we present to our respective college and District administrators, we can begin the process of getting student-athletes back on campus. It could be denied, but it's worth a shot,” Armenta wrote.

Armenta said LA County continues to be a COVID-19 hot spot.

“We need to show that we can provide safe face-to-face opportunities using the facilities that we have on campus - providing adequate distancing, using outdoor facilities like the stadium, small groups, and no to minimal equipment to start out,” Armenta wrote. “Lastly, we need to figure out contact tracing in the event there is a COVID-19 case. These are only a fraction of the elements needed to get back on campus safely, but if we can provide a solid plan, at least we can see if the college, District, and county would consider our proposal.”

The CCCAA has set a Feb. 26 deadline for schools to opt in or out of the later seasons which include baseball, softball, men’s volleyball, women’s beach volleyball, men’s golf, women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s track and field.

The pandemic has caused an undeniable ripple effect reaching the academic level. Still, other community colleges in the area have been able to avoid this extent of neglect between their counseling centers and student body.

“Getting appointments at SMC is super simple, especially during COVID-19,” Santa Monica College Student Melanie Mesropyan said. “You simply go to their website, log into your personal corsair, connect and make an appointment at least a week before the meeting.”

Yet, throughout this year’s fall semester, Pierce students have struggled to receive the minimum of a thirty-minute meeting with counselors.

During the fall semester and beginning of spring semester, eligible community college students work on their transfer applications.

“My first year’s and honors counseling appointments were all in August, and I pretty much missed out on all the honors classes,” Pierce student Maria Oorloff said in a phone interview. “The appointments come out at midnight every night and I don’t know if that’s a common knowledge thing.”

To assist prospective transfer students in their application process, a number of students who have fulfilled transfer requirements were automatically added to a Canvas course titled, “Applying to Transfer.”

While traditionally students would meet with counselors and receive professional advice and information, students have been hosting discussion threads within the tab to discuss the transfer process.

“I tried emails and tried Cranium Cafe but all counselors have been busy. I just gave up honestly,” Pierce Student Maria Galicia wrote under a thread titled, “Meeting with a Counselor Help.”

At Santa Monica Community College, students have shared different accounts of their transfer preparation process with counselors.

“One thing that [SMC’s counseling center] has done is that they have offered workshops for college applications virtually now. Here, students are able to make an appointment through Zoom and just show them your essay, share their documents with them so that they can go over them and make sure you’re all ready to transfer,” Santa Monica College Student Karina Karsanova said.

BY AURORA RIVAS

During the pandemic, surfing has become an increasingly popular outlet for people to go outside and be active.

On March 27, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health closed all beaches as a safety measure to avoid group gatherings to help slow the spread of COVID-19, and on May 13 public beaches reopened.

Since the pandemic started, beaches have been open for passive recreational activities such as surfing, swimming and walking, not allowing for group activities or sunbathing.

Many pick up surfing as a way to release anxiety, breathe fresh air and feel the ocean waves.

Social distancing and safety measures have made it hard for people to feel active or connected. A cost-effective and socially distant activity, surfing is bringing some normalcy in a time of uncertainty.

Those struggling with all of the changes the pandemic has brought have found a way to cope, with a surfboard and a wetsuit.

arivas.roundupnews@gmail.com