BRIEFLY : Pierce Drops Women’s Basketball Team

Pierce College eliminated its women’s basketball program a week before its first game of the season because it did not have enough players to field a team, Athletic Director Marian McWilliams said.

Only three women officially signed up to play, and several others who had expressed interest never showed up, McWilliams said.

In addition, Coach Suzette Curby was transferred to a teaching assignment at West Los Angeles College, forcing her to commute between jobs.

Pierce was scheduled to open the 1986-87 season Nov. 13 against Compton. It had scheduled 28 regular-season games.

“We felt it was better if we bailed out before the season started,” McWilliams said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to bring it back within a year or so, as soon as we have a chance to do some recruiting and get a solid coach on campus.”

The three players who signed up for the team--Nicole Bloss, Brooke Hoppe and P.J. Goldfinger--are immediately eligible to transfer to another school and play this season, McWilliams said.