Mission Bringing Back Athletics

Mission College is moving forward with plans to reinstate some sports programs by 2001, said Tom Oliver, the school’s interim president.

“I made the commitment nine months ago and we haven’t changed the commitment,” Oliver said. “It’s full steam ahead.”

Oliver reiterated the pledge Thursday, one day after making the same promise at a Los Angeles Community College board meeting at Valley College.

He said the goal is for Mission to field baseball, softball and men’s and women’s soccer teams by the 2001-2002 school year.

The college has to apply for readmission to the Western State Conference by May 1.

Oliver said Mission needs time to hire coaches, recruit players and secure playing fields.

“There are some natural delays,” Oliver said.

Mission disbanded its five-sport program in July 1997 for financial reasons.

BOXING

* Samuel Lopez of North Hills (6-0) remained unbeaten with an eight-round unanimous decision over Antonio Perez of Pasadena (4-4-2) in a bantamweight bout Thursday night at the Valencia Hyatt.

Juan Ruiz of Newhall won his pro debut in a unanimous featherweight decision over Terry Evans of Los Angeles (0-7-1).

Other winners were featherweight Arturo Flores of Pacoima (2-0), with a third-round technical knockout, and middleweight Richard Gonzalez of North Hills (5-4-1).

FOOTBALL

* Bruce Schaefer, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman from Notre Dame High, has accepted a scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

FYI

* A spring session of the Cal Lu Dawg Baseball Camp for players 6-15 is scheduled for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 24-26 at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks.

Instruction will be provided by Cal Lutheran coaches. Information: (805) 493-3398.

* Tryouts for the Southern California Diamonds 12-and-under fast-pitch softball team are scheduled for Saturday at Wildflower Park in Thousand Oaks.

Prospective players should have been 11 years old as of Jan. 1.

Information: Steve Polk, (818) 706-1469.

CHEERLEADING

* Michelle Kaufman of Oak Park High and Lyndsey Krantz of Agoura High have been selected to the all-state cheerleading team by the Golden State Spirit Assn.

The all-state team is composed of seniors and is selected by a committee of judges who evaluate each participant on cheerleading abilities, grade-point average, community involvement and leadership skills.