Due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases and current pandemic conditions in San Diego County, the leadership of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District decided to opt out of competition for the upcoming California Community College Association (CCCAA) Spring I season, which affects fall and winter sports.
"The decision to opt out of Intercollegiate Athletics was not an easy one and was made with careful deliberation. We will continue to put our student-athletes and staff's safety at the forefront. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, we will return back to the field, court, and pool to compete at the highest level," comments Grossmont College Associate Dean of Athletics and Athletic Director, Nedra Brown.
The Griffin programs that compete during fall and spring and are affected by this decision are football, women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's water polo, and women's volleyball.
The GCCC District also addresses the hard decision in a letter directed to student-athletes:
"Dear Student-Athletes,
For many students, athletics play a key role in their experience at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. Although fall and winter sports could not be played this year, the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) board voted to move the sports to the spring semester in what is being called the Spring 1 competitive season. Colleges were given until December 18 to decide whether to participate in this Spring 1 season competition.
Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges place a high priority on ensuring the health and safety of student-athletes and staff. Unfortunately due to the current state of coronavirus infection, we do not see a way that student-athletes can safely return to campus for practice or competition, and for that reason, we have decided to opt out of the Spring 1 season..."
The CCCAA COVID-19 contingency plan also calls for Spring II sports to have their competition windows begin on March 27, 2021, with April 10 marking the first day of official competition. The final date of regular season competition is slated for June 12.
The Spring II sports at Grossmont include baseball, softball, men's and women's tennis, badminton, men's and women's swimming, beach volleyball and men's volleyball.
The deadline to opt-in or opt-out of the Spring II portion of the athletic season is Feb. 26.
Sports competition came to a screeching halt at the California Community College level back in March when the pandemic forced a shutdown in the state.
For more information on the spring I and II seasons of competition, join our Virtual Athletic Forum Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.