The California Community College Athletic Association’s Board of Directors has unanimously decided to postpone all Fall athletics to Spring of 2021. The decision was made to protect the health of student-athletes and coaches.
A Contingency Plan released by the CCCAA had initially allowed non-contact athletics such as cross country and golf to begin in the Fall, but the plan has since been revised so that all athletics would return in the Spring. Some athletics may start as early as January if state and local health ordinances rule it safe to do so.
The diversion from the normal athletics schedule has affected approximately 24,000 student-athletes across CCCAA’s 110 member colleges.
Head football coach Ron Ponciano explains the challenges this decision has created for the Citrus College Owls.
“I think it would benefit the student-athletes just getting them back on campus” said Ponciano, “It is the starting point of them getting their daily routine done.”
Ponciano adds that with some states already practicing, there is a possibility of a training gap when the team is finally allowed to compete.
He said hypothetically that “a football game with one team that’s been practicing for several months” and a “team that’s been brought together four weeks ago” would be highly unfair.
Despite the doubts and challenges, Ponciano remains hopeful. “I choose to stay optimistic, and I choose to believe that my guys aren’t giving up on their future.”
Head cross country coach Alan Waddington believes that there have been some positive effects of this situation.
“It really forced me to focus on the individual more,” Waddington said.
He uses Strava to track the progress of runners and holds weekly Zoom meetings.
“We’ve really individualized the workouts which has been cool, and then some of the guys have been really taking off,” Waddington said.
Coaches Ponciano and Waddington remain hopeful that sports will be allowed to return in the Spring.
