Sacramento, CA . . . The Commission on Athletics (COA) has acknowledged the 2001-02 sport season as the 25th year of women’s participation in California Community College athletics. This milestone will be highlighted at the COA’s 5th Annual Convention at the Peppermill Hotel in Reno, NV, March 20-22.
An important component of every COA convention is the special Awards Brunch, held this year on Friday, March 22. This annual event recognizes a select group of individuals for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to COA affiliate organizations. This year’s brunch, titled “Celebrating Women’s Athletics – A Silver Anniversary Awards Brunch”, will feature an exposition honoring women’s athletic leaders, past and present Hall of Fame recipients, sport teams, former coaches, and others who were integral in the development of women’s athletics at COA colleges.
One of several featured speakers at the 2002 event will be Jill Angel, a 1999 inductee into the California Community College Sports Hall of Fame.
Jill Angel competed in women’s basketball and softball and Orange Coast College from 1976-78. She was named “Most Inspirational” during each of her softball seasons at OCC. Angel went on to earn a B.S. in Physical Education at Cal Poly Pomona and later taught at Bishop Amat High School, where she also served as Athletic Director.
Angel returned to community college sports when she became the head women’s soccer coach and assistant softball coach at Fullerton College. However, as funding for physical education programs throughout the country were declining, Angel began to reassess her career goals.
“I saw a billboard advertisement featuring a female CHP officer, and the slogan The CHP wants you”, Angel recalled. “I knew right away, that was for me.”
In 1983, she graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy and that same year was selected as the CHP’s first female spokesperson. In 1987, Angel finished second in the “Toughest Female Cop Alive” contest, and in 1990 won the California version of the contest. In 1998, Angel became only the fourth female in CHP history to attain the rank of captain. Last year, she was promoted to chief.
Angel fondly remembers her time at Orange Coast College. “Those were the most exciting years of my life,” Angel said. “When I recall my days at Orange Coast, I remember that our coaches and teachers took an active interest in our lives. There is a real mentoring element at the community college level that you won’t experience anywhere else.”
To purchase tickets for the Silver Anniversary Awards Brunch, please print, complete and return the convention registration form available at www.coasports.org. Tickets are $25 prior to March 1, and $30 after March 1. Tickets will be on sale until the event begins on Friday, March 22 at 9:45 a.m.
For more information on the COA Annual Convention, and for the latest news, information and updates of all 23 COA sanctioned sports, please visit www.coasports.org.
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