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April 16, 2007
Release: #0708

News Release
For Immediate Release

Sacramento, CA . . . The Community College League of California Commission on Athletics (COA) ended its 10th Annual COA Convention with a new name, and a new direction.

The 2007 convention was held recently at the Doubletree Ontario Airport Hotel in Ontario, CA, and featured the theme "Ride the Wave!" Executive Director Carlyle Carter encouraged the COA membership to ride the wave of change that is occurring in the culture of athletics across California's community colleges, and to embrace the responsibilities inherent in a membership-organization through active participation in the legislative process.

Several pieces of landmark legislation were discussed and voted upon by the COA Management Council and COA Board. One item that was passed by both bodies included a name change for the "membership" organization. The COA Board will continue to be referenced as the "Commission on Athletics" and continue to fulfill their mandate to oversee and serve as the regulatory body for California community college athletics. The membership organization name will be the "California Community College Athletic Association" (CCCAA).

"I am excited about the direction that the membership and the Board have chosen," commented COA Executive Director Carlyle Carter. "By changing the name of the membership organization we will more clearly identify its purpose. By maintaining the Commission we will be able to allow the Board to function more like a Commission and less of a body that directly oversees a membership."

The COA enacted legislation to require compliance with Title IX in order to be classified as a member in good standing, which is a stipulation for participation in activities sponsored by the Association, including post conference events.

"If colleges in our system have not fully complied with a Federal Law after thirty four years, what excuses do we have?" asked Carter. "Many people in intercollegiate athletics did not aggressively pursue compliance because, I believe, they thought it would go away. There have been attempts to water-down the language that have failed. Title IX has been legally challenged at least nine times since inception and has been upheld each time. If one looks at what has happened in the areas of enforcement and aggressive review of programs in Washington, D.C. it is evident that not all administrations appear to place the same priority on this aspect of Civil Rights. People tend to forget what it was like for women in Education prior to Title IX passage and they seem to equate athletics with Title IX. In fact, Title IX was necessary due to a pattern of discrimination in Educational institutions where women were held to higher admission standards than men. In addition, women were not paid equally and often had difficulty climbing ranks through the tenure process, and some say that continues today. These archaic notions of the place of women in our society continue to plague progress in athletics and our society by not providing increased opportunities. Overall, the situation is better today than it was when Title IX was passed, but compliance is still not at the level it should be. I am extremely proud of the overwhelming support of the COA membership (186-10) and the leadership (unanimous) in enacting this legislation."

The legislation becomes effective August 1, 2009 to allow programs the ability for a full review and strategically develop plans as necessary.

Additionally, the COA Board approved moving the Competition Committee to Management Council oversight. Previously, the Competition Committee had been a sub-committee of the Board and will now function as a sub-committee of the Management Council moving the primarily "operational" work under the guidance and direction of the Management Council.

On Wednesday April 4, the "Honoring Our Own" Luncheon featured award presentations by the COA's affiliate organizations. The Pepsi Celebration of Student Athletes Luncheon on Thursday April 5 honored Jonathon Falcioni (Chaffey College) and Mary Hanley (Moorpark College) as recipients of the 2006 Pepsi Scholar Athlete Award, as well as 2006 Honor Roll members and Scholar Teams. The California Community College Academic Advisors for Athletes (3C4A) presented achievement awards to Jason McClellan (Citrus College) and Monica Macer (De Anza College) as well as special recognition awards.

On Thursday evening, the COA awarded its highest honor by inducting four new members into the COA Hall of Fame. The new inductees are: Zelda Bolden (Mt. San Antonio College/University of Washington), who over 20 years ago set, and still holds, the community college 100 and 200 meter dash records for an American; Denny Crum (L.A. Pierce College/UCLA/University of Louisville), the former UCLA player and assistant coach and head coach of two-time NCAA Men's Basketball Champion University of Louisville; James Newman (L.A. Harbor and Compton Colleges/Arizona State), a legendary player and coach who directed Compton College to an undefeated season in 1970; and Arnie Robinson (San Diego Mesa College/San Diego State), the long-jumper who was a 1972 Olympic Bronze Medalist (Munich) and 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist (Montreal) and coached at San Diego Mesa for over twenty years.

Each spoke to those in attendance about the tremendous opportunities that California's community colleges offered them early in their athletic and professional careers. For more on the COA Hall of Fame visit www.coasports.org/Hall_of_Fame.

About the COA
The Community College League of California Commission on Athletics (COA) is a non-profit organization per IRS Section 501 (c)(3). The COA establishes the rules and regulations to administer the athletic activities of the nearly 25,000 student athletes at California's community colleges. To view the latest news, information, and updates of all 23 COA-sanctioned sports visit www.coasports.org.

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