Athletics

Program Director or Chairperson:   Bobby Thompson

Program Description: The Athletics program attracts student athletes of very diverse backgrounds and experiences, who make up approximately 20% of Grossmont College's full-time student population. Participants in intercollegiate athletics at Grossmont College must maintain full time enrollment during each term at the College, and adhere to very tight time frames within which the academic work can be completed. Athletics staff closely monitors students' academic status. The Athletics program consists of 16 sports, each of which field strong competitive teams. The College has strengthened gender equity in athletics over the past four years. Coaching staff recruits student athletes through good relationships with area high schools and through community outreach through Sports camps, workshops and clinics. Athletic Department fund raising activities provide additional support for student-athletes. Over the next six years the athletic department will need to expand opportunities for female student athletes by possibly adding additional sports for women. Women’s golf or field hockey are possibilities. The department needs to add at least one full time coach/ES instructor for women’s sports to comply with Title IX guidelines. The department needs to build a sports complex that will accommodate men’s football, women’s soccer and ES classes with offices and dressing rooms plus storage areas. A new swimming facility is needed to handle both athletics and ES classes as the current pool is too small. A full time sports information director needs to be added to the department during this time frame. Additional financial support will be needed to meet rising fixed costs that the department has no control over.

Activity #1: Remodel 400 Building which includes lockers, showers, plumbing, lighting, restroooms, offices and classrooms.

Expected Benefit: This will help the college in moving toward compliance with Title IX/Gender Equity.

Activity #2: Replacement of the east bleachers in the main gym.

Expected Benefit: Installation of these bleachers will reduce potential liability issues for the college and the district.

Activity #3: Construct new swimming pool that meets competitive standards.

Expected Benefit: It will improve the academic offering by the Exercise Science Department and allow the swimming and water polo teams to host home events.

Additional Planning Activities

• Lights on tennis courts.
  
• Make 415 (Main Gym) ADA Compliant.
  
• Restroom Facilities at baseball and softball fields.
  
• Interest survey on capital campaign for football stadium & athletic facilities.
  

• New scoreboard in main gym
  
• Student interest survey on meeting needs of studentbody
  
• COA Compliance review completed
  
• Institutional research comparison of student athletes and other students continuing for future years
  
• Third year in a row National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete
  
• Student athlete and coaches handbook
  
• Four conference championships and one state championship
  
• 52 Student athletes transferred to four year institutions