STEROIDS PART TWO: COA AND CITY COLLEGE AT ODDS

Supplement Saga Continues: Administrators voice concern over no state-wide policy

BY DAN VEREL
Editor

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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been sharply criticized for his role in the nutritional supplement industry and BALCO still beleaguers baseball behemoths, but the California Community College Commission on Athletics has no policy on steroid use or performance-enhancing supplements.

The COA, which oversees roughly 25,000 athletes annually, has not adopted a policy that would explicitly outline ramifications regarding steroids. Instead, they insist that each member school throughout the state be held accountable to the policies set forth by their districts.

COA Director of Communications and Media Relations David Eadie stands by the organization’s position.

“It is the philosophy of the COA that member institutions are responsible for compliance of all COA rules and regulations,” he said. “The COA does not have a compliance or enforcement body.”

City College Athletic Department Chair Dan Hayes said he would absolutely be in favor of a statewide policy, but that the COA should be the ones to enforce it. “The more the COA can do, the more we can do for our athletes,” Hayes said.

California State Senator Jackie Speier joined the anti-steroid campaign by sponsoring SB 37, a bill that would require high school coaches to complete a comprehensive education program that includes a component on steroids and performance-enhancing supplements. Speier, however, did not include two-year schools on the bill despite the COA having no formal policy.

“We have not followed their policies on this issue,” said Tracy Fairchild, a spokesperson for Speier. But she added, “Senator Speier absolutely believes that the COA should adopt a strong policy requir-ing strict penalties for steroid use if they don’t have one today. She would be supportive of legislation requiring this if the COA fails to do this on its own.”

Fairchild said Speier did not consider two-year schools mainly because it is too late to make major changes to the bill, as the current session ends Sept. 9.

Several administrators at City College said they would like the COA to take a more active role.

“If there were a state-wide pol-icy, every school would have to adhere to the same standards,” Hayes said. “Right now, it’s kind of every school for themselves.”

Chancellor Philip R. Day, Jr. was more blunt in his assessment.

“The fact is, for too long the COA has distanced themselves,” he said. “They need to address this issue.”

Eadie, in response to such claims, said City College administrators have not voiced their concerns with his organization, but encouraged them to do so by taking part in the legislative process in the COA. “In my time at the COA — four and a half years — I am not aware of any City College administrators speaking to this topic at any COA meetings,” Eadie said.

Day said he would like to see a policy by the COA that had a “menu of penalties.” He was also careful to point out that he “would not like if they mandated a policy to drug test,” citing cost as the primary deterrent.

Day added that he and the athletic department are working closely to introduce an effective alternative on their own, including education, counseling and identifying some of the “dos and don’ts” of steroids.

“In place of [a policy], the local districts have to do it on their own turf,” Day said. “That’s precisely what we’re doing.”

“Since the NCAA has guidelines, the next likely progression would be two-year schools,” City College Women’s Athletic Director Peg Grady said. “The community colleges should all have the same guidelines under the direction of the COA so they could be uniformly enforced.”

e-mail: sports@theguardsman.com

WOMEN'S SOCCER DEBUTS WITH WIN

BY SHAWN LIU
Staff Writer

As the third-ranked goalie in the state last season, not much gets past sophomore Gabriel Lopez. PHOTOS BY PETER VARSHAVSKY / SPECIAL TO THE GUARDSMAN

Women’s soccer arrived at City College on a high note as the Rams kicked off their first season with a 2-0 win over College of Marin on Aug. 30.

“It was a lot of fun; we rose to the occasion,” said freshman forward Lindsey Offenbach, who scored both goals in the Rams’ season opener at home. “I’m looking forward to many more games just
like this.”

“For a city and college this size, it’s time for us to have our own women’s soccer team,” said Athletic Department Chair Dan Hayes. “It’s great for our whole institution, and most importantly, it’s great for the young ladies who get to play soccer here at City College.”

Head tennis coach Cassandra Cunningham, named Coast Conference Coach of the Year last season, will play double duty this season as head soccer coach as well.

“The biggest challenge right now is to get things organized,” Cunningham said. “We have to take care of uniforms and all the small things. Once we get through the irst year, we will be fine.”

“We have high hopes for Cassandra. We are very excited about her, and her ability as a coach,” Hayes said. “I believe the players will be well coached and well respected.”

The Rams have 20 players on their roster, most of whom started training five days a week starting in July at City College’s soccer class.

Offenbach pointed to fitness as the team’s biggest strength, which she said was a direct result of Cunningham’s pre-season work-outs.“We can definitely outrun a lot of teams,” Offenbach said.

“They are all special,” Cunningham said of her players. “They all want to train hard and are very excited about playing soccer.”

The men’s soccer team, 70 years and three championships ahead of its counterpart, is also ready for a new season.

The Rams won the Coast Conference title in 2000 and 2001. With returning starters and strong acquisitions, the 2005 men’s team is looking to get back to the top of the conference.

First-team all-conference goalkeeper Gabriel Lopez will return for his second year with the Rams. Lopez was ranked third in the state in goalkeeping in 2004, with only 11 goals allowed in 1,415 minutes played.

“He has very good instincts for his position,” Lucarelli said of his goalkeeper. “He has cat-like reflexes.”

Lopez focused on improving his distribution during the summer. “I expect myself to play hard and help the team win,” he said. “I want the guys to know that they have the support from me.”

Yuen Klopatawski is also returning as last season’s leading scorer with 14 goals.

New players such as Mike Truman, a transfer from Shasta College, are expected to contribute as well. “Truman has good knowl-edge of the game and clear vision of the field,” Lucarelli said.

With success in previous years, expectations are high for the men’s team.

“Every year, our goal is to win the conference,” Lucarelli said. “We want to place ourselves well to compete in the playoffs, and hopefully win the state championship.”

e-mail: sliu@theguardsman.com

SCOREBOARD

Football

In the season opener, the Rams defeated Cabrillo College 24-12. Starting off quickly, the Rams put the first points on the board, scoring on their opening drive. Quarterback Andrew Strom connected with receiver Jomar Drake who dashed for a touchdown to put the Rams up 7-0.

In the second quarter, the Rams tallied up two more touchdowns: a one-yard rush from Strom after a blocked kick by Larry Grant and an acrobatic catch and stretch into the end zone by Maurice Purify. After a field goal, the Rams led 24-12 at halftime.

However, the score remained the same for the remainder of the game. Despite using three different running backs —Tyreece Jacks, Demetrius Crawford and Angelo Jeffrey — the Rams were unable to score again. Strom was sacked nine times while attempting to scramble, forcing the Rams to punt.

The Rams’ defense held Cabrillo scoreless in the second half. Backed by impressive tackles by Grant and Perseus Robinson, the Rams went back and forth with Cabrillo. Neither team scored in the half.

“It was a horrible performance,” Purify said. “The offensive line needs to make improvement, so Andrew can have more time to pass.” — Miles Harwell