Community College Athletes Face Stiffer Academic Rules

The ruling body of California community college athletics voted Friday at its annual meeting at the Irvine Hyatt to stiffen the academic requirements for athletes.

The Commission on Athletics’ rule will require student athletes to take at least nine units of classes per semester that count toward graduation with an Associate of Arts degree or a certificate program as defined by the college’s catalogue.

The rule omits physical education classes in the sport they play as a core class.

Currently, athletes are required to pass 12 units in any subject to be eligible. The new rule will also require students in their second season of competition to have passed 24 units, 18 of which count toward graduation.

The rule goes into effect July 1 for all incoming students, but those currently enrolled will not have to comply until July 1, 1994.

“This all came about because the desire of the system is to see that our students are students first and athletes second,” State Commissioner Walt Rilliett said. “We have very strong competition in the state, but what we are worried about is what happens once the competition ends. Our student-athletes should be able to stand on their own two feet.”

While most agree with the rule, the Orange Empire Conference, which includes all seven Orange County colleges, was not in favor of one part of the rule.

Golden West Athletic Director Tom Hermstad is overall in favor of the decision, but was sorry about the ruling against athletic classes.

“I see lots of athletes’ transcripts,” Hermstad said. “I would say that of the 400 or so athletes here at Golden West, only eight or 10 are abusing it. But overall, the rule gets people to make progress toward a degree and that is the reason they go to college.”