e kporfs important at CCC?
Students, faculty debate athletics
By Harry Bielskis
News Editor
n a panel discussion last week entitled
ie Role of Athletics in the Community
lege,]' two faculty members and two stu­
nts debated the importance of athletics
tfclacKamas Community College and in
community.
The discussion, second in a series of
gUms, was interesting and many signifi-
’ t questions arose, but the representa-
jji was slightly lopsided, with Chuck Hud-
3 j, athletic director; Michael Ayers, stu-
it body president; and Brad Boyer, stu-
it government's business manager, op-
>ing John Hooley, chairman of the Divi-
*h of Humanities and Social Science.
oley is against athletics in the commu-
y college.
"We've reached the time in our school's
torylwhere our growth has slowed down
d in fact has been reduced," said Hooley.
low is a good time to look at some of the
ograms that have gotten out of control,
d 1 think the athletic program is a prime
ample," he said.
Hooley then listed some objectives he
It were necessary to correct that situ-
ion. One was to stop misleading the
ibliC’about the sports program. Another
as to stop the athletic abuses at CCC. A
oposed 1.2 million dollar wrestling-gym-
' isticsgymnasium, a bleacher addition next
jar and a scheduled basketball team trip
) Haj/vaii are factors Hooley believes will
roduce many irate taxpayers.
"What chance do you think we'll have
..f passing a building-bond levy if it's known
e're «planning
to build a $1.2 million
ymnasium," Hooley said. Of the basket-
all trip to Hawaii, Hooley remarked, "I
on'tfcare if it doesn't cost the taxpayer a
"ent. They aren't going to believe that and
-jy the time we get that rumor stamped out,
-Ve could lose our budget election."
"In the number of years I have been
-with this college, there has always been a
jumber of rumors connecting the athletic
program with budget cuts," said Hudson.
'These rumors are constant. Just because
aur Basketball team chooses to pay their
own way to Hawaii, the budget is supposed
to fail, but the budget has never gone down
due to the athletic program, and will not
now."
Hudson then explained how an athletic
program benefits an individual. "These peo­
ple t|ave a skill they can use to their ad­
vantage in the professional world," said
DO YOU NEED EXTRA MON­
EY WHILE GOING THROUGH
COLLEGE?
Perhaps Len Monroe, dean of student
Hudson, "and if we can help them succeed
services, summed up the forum best with a
and give them a sense of value, then we
statement he made at the end of the meet­
have succeeded in our roles as educators."
ing.
Boyer believes a competative sports pro
"The very fact that we had such a large
gram is necessary in order for the college
turnout here indicates the importance of
to continue. "The first thing many high
this topic. There are other studies going on
school students consider when looking at a
in regard to athletics and the results of
college is its sports program," said Boyer.
these studies will give us an idea of what
"There are a lot of students that wouldn't
the athletic program is doing on campus.
be going here if it wasn't for the athletic
This, is a comprehensive community col­
program. I know I wouldn't."
lege that is supposed to be doing many,
Another argument Hooley had against
many things for students, and athletics is
the athletic department, and the football
just a part of it. We have had a little bit too
program in particular, was the lack of in­
much division in our thinking about 'what
district players as a result of poor recruiting
I like, what I like, and the hell with the
practices. "We should drop the football pro­
other program.' This attitude is something
gram," Hooley said, "because we can't get
in-district players. Looking at a 1976 fooV\ which can separate us here at this institu­
ball schedule, I found only six out of sixty 7 tion, from department to division. I would
like to see the day when we could always
athletes from this area."
'
talk
constructively about every program on
"\Ne try our darndest to get in-district
this campus."
students when we recruit," said Hudson,
"but when our supply of in-district recruits
runs out we'll look for out of district
players. In most cases we never have to
look further than the Portland metropoli­
tan area, but because the area is out of
Clackamas County, a lot of people have the
misconception that we're ignoring this dis­
trict and giving out of district recruits first
consideration. This is false."
Ayers also defended the athletic pro­
gram. "Why should the coaches at this col­
lege, or any college, have to defend their
position," said Ayers. "No emphasis is put
on the athletic program but the pressure is
surely felt by these people. Everybody is
ready to tear down the walls but nobody
wants to support or improve them."
The forum itself did not provide a lot or
answers but did bring a long-controversial
15717 McLoughlin Blvd,
subject to light. Much of the audience was,
in GG's Mall
divided in its views, as a large number of thy
Milwaukie
faculty and some administrators came jio
654-0323
the forum to state their views.
/
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Thursday, December 9, 1976
* !
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