Athletics Could Be Hurt Most By Budget Cuts

While PCC is bracing itself for the budget cuts proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Physical Education department could be hit the hardest by the reductions.Schwarzenegger recently proposed to cut $178.4 million from community college funding. An overwhelming $120 million of that would come from a slash in funding for physical education classes.

The proposed plan would downgrade physical education classes to non-credit courses, which would require 40 percent less funding from the state.

PCC Instructor Skip Robinson felt that these cuts would be a knockout punch for not only PE, but would trickle down to athletics as well.

"It's like when the NCAA comes in and gives the death penalty to a team," said Robinson.

"This will totally destroy athletics because it affects coaches, trainers and everyone in the department, not just classes."

On Wednesday, PCC Dean of Athletics Beverly Tate assured that there is no talk of terminating any sports teams at PCC.

Before the proposed cuts, the California Community College Athletics Association already began to cut athletics costs by reducing the maximum number of contests for all sports.

PCC athletic teams will play 38 less contests total, beginning in the fall.

Notably, the basketball season will be reduced from 28 games to 24, the baseball season will only be allowed a maximum of 36 contests instead of 44 and the softball season will be trimmed to 40 games instead of 50.

"Until there's an actual budget, we are trying to hold our own and make cuts on contests, which will save money on travel, games and referee fees," said South Coast Conference Commissioner Rich Kollen.

According to Carlyle Carter, president of the CCCAA, there is an excess of 1,300 full and part-time positions in physical education in the state, and the cuts would most likely eliminate some of these jobs.

"Lose those individuals, and who coaches the teams or serves as assistants?" asked Carter.

There are concerns with the Los Angeles Community College District, which eliminated the second session of its summer school. The loss of the second session could cause eligibility issues for athletes in need of units.

On Monday, the Los Angeles City College Shared Governance Council voted to drop all athletics. The Council's decision will be taken to the CCCAA Board in the future.

Thirty-five-year PCC Instructor Jessie Moore commented on the ramifications of the proposed cuts.

"It will certainly affect the amount of time that future healthcare givers will spend in school. A lot of them spring from Kinesiology," said Moore. "This is what happens when a group of people in society think that certain segments of society are not important."

Moore also cited the intellectual advantages of PE.

"This is the only area [in which the] primary focus deals with the total person. We teach a person to balance themselves spiritually, cognitively and physically," said Moore.

Robinson cited Jackie Robinson, Michael Cooper and Darryl Evans to reiterate the success that community college athletics can have for its students.

Kollen commented on the reasons for athletics being targeted as the primary area for cuts.

"People who don't understand it are the first to cut it," said Kollen.