RAMS DEFEAT CHALLENGES ON THE FIELD AND IN THE COURTS: Legal Counsel Grabs Temporary Victory

BY SHAWN LIU
Staff Writer

En route to a 62–13 romp against Sacramento, defensive end Julian James (in air) stifles the Panthers rushing game with the help of linebacker Todd Beck. COLLEEN CUMMINS / GUARDSMAN

As the Rams continue their undefeated season on the football field, City College scored another victory off the field as the Sacramento Superior Court once again ruled in favor of the college in their legal fight with the Commission on Athletics.

“Every step along the way, when football is used as a metaphor, it’s a slam dunk for us,” Chancellor Philip R. Day, Jr. said.

The conflict began in 2004 when the COA accused City College’s football team of illegal recruiting during a summer trip to American Samoa in 2003.

Observing its legal policy to not discuss pending court cases with the media, the COA declined to comment on the issue.

The court’s latest tentative ruling compelled the COA to cooperate with City College’s interrogatories inquiring the COA’s authority to regulate intercollegiate athletics of California community colleges.

“In every stage of the litigation so far, the court basically has ruled in favor of us,” said Christine Maloney, chief attorney for City College versus the COA.

Rams head coach George Rush also preferred not to comment, but did say he is confident the legal counsel at City College is well-equipped to combat the COA’s accusations. His sentiments were similar to Maloney’s.

“So far, the court record speaks for itself,” he said.

The Rams were placed on probation and were in jeopardy of being banned from the postseason in 2004.

On April 12, 2004, the San Francisco Community College District filed a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of the COA’s ruling.

A “due process” — which allows colleges the chance to defend themselves facing penalties — is protected by a private contract between the COA and its member colleges. City College alleged that a due process never took place.

Exactly six months later, the court ruled the COA’s binding arbitration procedure “unconscionable and unenforceable.” Maloney said this ruling is significant and could benefit other schools who seek to challenge penalties.

The court also issued a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of penalties, which ensured City College’s right to participate in the postseason until the trial.

The Rams lost a bitter battle to College of the Canyons last year at the state championship game — but the fight in the courtroom waged on.

“Since obtaining the preliminary injunction, we have been seeking discovery from the COA in order to prove our claims,” Maloney said. “The COA has refused to provide any discovery and had to be ordered by the court to do so.”

The court’s tentative ruling on Sept. 2 granted City College’s request for admission, special interrogatories and form interrogatories and denied the COA’s motion for protective order. The ruling requires the COA to provide documents City College demands in preparing for the trial set for this February.

But Chancellor Day said he expects the COA will settle the case before then. “I think [a settlement] is the best outcome for everyone — as long as they pay for my legal bills.”

“They have tried various ways to slow down the procedure,” Maloney said, “but they have not been successful.

“They are trying to overburden the college. But sooner or later, they will realize they are not going to win.”

e-mail: sliu@theguardsman.com

RAMS DEFEAT CHALLENGES ON THE FIELD AND IN THE COURTS: Relentless Squad Off to a Perfect Start

BY MILES HARWELL
Staff Writer

After starting their season with a perfect 6-0 record, the Rams earned the No. 1 ranking in Northern California, placing them on the path to win their eighth national championship.

“We have a strong apprenticeship for freshmen, so they can move in as starters when they become sophomores,” head coach George Rush said.

“Team speed is the best factor right now,” said linebacker Larry Grant, who has 37 yards off three interceptions this season. “Everything’s been working out. We’ve played well enough.”

The Rams struggled against Cabrillo in the first game but still came out on top. Since then, the Rams have outscored opponents by an astounding 313-27 over the course of five games, two against ranked teams. The Rams defense posted two shutouts in the process.

Laney posed a challenge for the Rams in game five, but the Rams overcame an early deficit with
solid offensive play. They con-tained Laney’s strong rushing attack, winning 27-8. The game ended as the Rams’ defense held Laney at the 1-yard line to prevent another touchdown as time expired.

“‘They’re not scoring’ was all I was thinking,” Grant said.

Quarterback Andrew Strom sat out against Laney and saw less playing time against Sacramento, but has still been an offensive threat this season, passing for 832 yards and eight touchdowns and rushing for 177 yards and six touchdowns.

“The line opens up holes and is getting better week by week,” Strom said of his rushing success, “and I worked with my receivers a lot in the off season.”

Freshman Tyreece Jacks has become the Rams’ main rushing option. Utilizing strength, tackle breaking and the ability to read blocking, Jacks is nearly unstoppable out of the snap with 97 rushes for 605 yards and six touchdowns.

“It feels good,” Jacks said. “Most freshmen don’t get to come in and start.”

Maurice Purify has remained impressive as a receiver, totaling 515 yards and 10 touchdowns off 27 catches.

“Speed camp with coach Balano helped me get faster,” Purify said. “I also went to a lot of film sessions on routes and what defenders are going to do.”

With only half the season left, the Rams are poised to vie for the championship.

“I’ll do anything I can to get us there,” Purify said. “Last year was a disappointment.”

“This is unfinished business,” Grant agreed. “Last year we let the championship slip away. We have to take it all this year.”

e-mail: mharwell@theguardsman.com

LOSS OF VISION LEADS TO HEIGHTENED SENSES IN JUDO

BY DAN VEREL
Editor

Rendon says judo and jujitsu have helped him regain balance. DAN ELDRIDGE / GUARDSMAN

George Rendon never expected he’d become a judo enthusiast or an active member in a yoga class. He never envisioned jujitsu being a part of his daily routine, nor did he see swimming as an important exercise. Then again, he never thought he would lose his sight or temporarily lose his ability to walk.

Rendon, 31, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2002. The disease left him legally blind.

“At first, I was just wallowing in it,” he said of the troubling diagnosis.

Before MS, Rendon led a seemingly normal lifestyle working as a bartender in the Lower Haight.

With Chinese character tattoos and a pack of cigarettes, Rendon more closely resembles a Haight Street hooligan than an avid judo or jujitsu participant.

Discovering he had MS compelled him to change his outlook on what is not just a hobby, but a new “stress point.” He developed a newfound appreciation for something he once considered poppycock.

“I hated the idea of martial arts,” Rendon said. “I thought it was silly. I thought it was crap.”

“It might have been beneficial before [the diagnosis], but I was too thick-headed,” he added. “I was too busy drinking and smoking.”

Prior to being diagnosed, an array of health issues had Rendon wondering what lay in his future. The only thing he knew was that he had lost control of his legs and hands and felt numbness and twitching.

“It’s hard to stay positive when you don’t know what’s going on with your body,” he said.

After regaining the ability to walk, which he said was the most challenging aspect of MS, he decided to enroll in judo, jujitsu and yoga classes for physical stimulation to help him cope with the disease and loss of vision.

“You’ve got to stay active,” he said. “Otherwise you turn into a slug.”

Judo and jujitsu rely more on feel unlike other martial arts that are more visually oriented. Because of this, Rendon can compensate for his visual impairment with a heightened sense of feel.

Judo instructor Mitchell Palacio said Rendon’s disability is actually the exact opposite of a handicap.

“He’s got an advantage because sight can be a misnomer in judo,” Palacio said.

Rendon also said judo is unlike other sports and that trust is an important factor.

“It’s not just all macho …” he said. “You have to be able to trust the person who’s choking you, so you can choke them.”

Rendon has been able to blend in without being singled out for his disability — something he feared would happen.

At City College, roughly 174 students have a visual impairment, and about 938 suffer from other health-related disabilities, including MS.

Palacio said most students didn’t even realize Rendon was legally blind.

“He doesn’t encourage me anymore than anyone else in the class,” Rendon said of Palacio. “He’s been pretty even-handed.”

Although Rendon dealt with an extraordinary setback three years ago, he now has a casual, almost humorous outlook that was absent before judo, yoga and swimming became a part of his routine.

“It could always be worse,” he said. “I could not be able to walk … so it’s not so bad.”

e-mail: sports@theguardsman.com

SCOREBOARD

Football

In his first start as a Ram, second-string quarterback Jimmy Collins was named Player of the Week by the Commission on Athletics for his performance against Laney College.The 6-foot, 180-pound freshman passed for 218 yards, filling in for the injured starter Andrew Strom. Despite being sacked three times for a total of 10 yards lost, Collins threw two touchdowns to receivers Maurice Purify and Aaron Straiten on 12-for-22 passing. Against Sacramento, Collins started again and completed 14-of-21 passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns. Collins added 38 yards rushing on seven attempts for two touchdowns in the Rams’ 62-13 win. — Miles Harwell

Men's Soccer

The men’s soccer team has struggled lately, going winless in their last five games. Most recently, the Rams tied Evergreen Valley — Kentaro Futushima scored the only goal. In the previous game against conference rival Skyline , starting goalkeeper Gabriel Lopez received a red card in the first half. The Rams played short-handed for the rest of the game, losing
2-0. Despite the loss, coach Adam Lucarelli is confident as the Rams head into conference play, noting that the Rams have already played some of the stiffest competition. Injuries still plague the Rams, with starting center forward Nate Manna still out with a strained quadriceps. Their overall record is now 2-6-3. — Dan Verel

Women's Soccer

The Rams snapped their 10 game winless streak in dramatic fashion by annihilating a hapless Mission College team, 10-0. Despite the sub-par competition, coach Cunningham is pleased with the overall progress of her team, particularly the defense. Lindsey Offenbach netted five goals in the game and Diana Samson added three goals and three assists. Veronica Gonzalez and Matezsa Cheatham accounted for the other two goals. Cunningham said the biggest challenge lies ahead this week, when the Rams face conference rivals Cabrillo and Chabot, both of whom defeated the Rams earlier this season. Their overall record is 2-8-3. — Dan Verel