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Compton College | Community Relations 1111 E. Artesia Boulevard, Compton, CA 90221 310-900-1600, Ext. 2968 | [email protected]

For Immediate Release: March 17, 2021

Compton College Announces Athletics Program Updates for 2021-2022 Adds Women’s and Chooses to ‘Opt Out’ for Late Spring

Compton College recently made the decision, along with all South Coast Conference colleges, to opt out of the Spring II sports season due to the pandemic-related conditions in Los Angeles County. Spring II sports at Compton College include badminton, , , and .

“This was a difficult decision,” said Dr. Keith Curry, Compton College President/CEO. “However, my No. 1 priority for 2020-2021 regarding COVID-19 is to ensure faculty, staff, and students are provided a safe and healthy environment. I look forward to working with the campus community and the Compton College Tartar Athletics Program to begin planning for the 2021-2022 intercollegiate athletic season.”

This follows a similar decision made in December 2020 when the presidents of the 12 South Coast Conference colleges unanimously decided to opt out of competition for the CCCAA Spring I season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected fall and winter sports. At Compton College, that included: (via the Southern California Football Association, American Mountain League), men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, and men’s and women’s basketball.

The good news is Compton College is adding women’s volleyball to its sports lineup, which will bring the total number of athletic programs to 13; six men’s sports and seven women’s sports. While still in the planning phase, Compton College is also exploring an intercollegiate esports program for 2021-2022 featuring competitive, organized team-based video gaming. And to support all of its student-athletes, the college will soon be breaking ground on an all-new physical education complex. Details of these new developments follow.

Women’s Volleyball Added Compton College will once again offer women’s volleyball as part of its Tartar Athletics Program. The college previously had a women’s volleyball team but suspended the program during the 2017-2018 academic year due to lack of interest. Beginning in 2021-2022, if conditions allow for in-person athletics to resume, women’s volleyball will be available at Compton College.

“Creating new opportunities to compete on the collegiate level will benefit area student-athletes looking to play for a college volleyball program while pursuing their academic goals,” said Andree Pacheco, Compton College’s director of student development and athletics. “This presents a great opportunity for area high school volleyball players to enroll at Compton College and build a new program.”

Construction of All-New Physical Education Complex As part of Phase 5 of the Compton Community College District’s Facilities Master Plan, a new physical education complex will be constructed for Compton College. This $45 million new construction project, currently in the preliminary planning phase, will include demolition of the current gymnasium, men’s shower/locker, V-row, pool, and women’s shower/locker buildings. “Using 2014 Measure C bond funds, the District is replacing outdated facilities and providing new spaces on campus, such as a new PE complex, to support our students,” said Sonia Lopez, Compton Community College District Board of Trustees president. “We thank the community for their continued support of Compton College.” Following the demolition, construction will begin on a new gym, locker facilities, faculty office space, pool, and physical education support space. This project will be funded by Measure C bond monies and state capital outlay funds.

Photos available online: PE Complex – East Facing: http://www.compton.edu/campusinformation/currentnews/Photos/2021/PE-Complex_East-Facade.jpg PE Complex – South Facing: http://www.compton.edu/campusinformation/currentnews/Photos/2021/PE-Complex_South- Perspective_Pool.jpg

Photo caption: Thanks to the passage of Measure C by area voters, Compton College is in the preliminary planning phase for the upcoming construction of an all-new $45 million Physical Education Complex. (Architectural rendering(s) provided by the Architect of Record, Struere, Inc.) # # #

About Compton College Compton College is the community’s education solution offering a full complement of transfer and degree courses, as well as career and technical education. Students may earn an associate degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year university or train for a career. Compton College is located at 1111 E. Artesia Boulevard, Compton, CA 90221.