The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

Students athletes find balance

Being a college athlete is a full-time commitment to say the least.

City College student athletes dedicate countless hours to practice during the week, play games on the weekends, and juggle a full-time student schedule and social life.

To compete as a Vaquero, athletes must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in their second year, and pass at least 24 units.

City College coaches constantly emphasize the importance of education, and try to improve their athletes just as much off the field as they do on the field.

Story continues below advertisement

“Ninety-nine percent of my athletes here at SBCC will not go on to become professional athletes,” said cross-country head coach Scott Fickerson. “I push them to stay focused on academics and make that their highest priority.”

Coach Fickerson’s encouragement has had a huge impact on his athletes, as the men’s and women’s cross-country teams were nominated for the State Scholar Team Award last year, as well as his women’s track team last spring.

Along with the women’s track team, the men’s and women’s tennis team and the men’s golf team have all exceeded a 3.0 cumulative team GPA. The men’s tennis team, coached by Don Lowry, is also up for the award.

Although many athletes try to transfer for their sport, hard work in the classroom at City College gives athletes a better chance to transfer for academics as well.

Ingrid Schmitz, City College special programs adviser, is involved with keeping over 400 student athletes on track with their classes. Through communicating with coaches and professors and staying on top of grade reports, Schmitz insures that student athletes are excelling in the classroom.

“We’re always working to improve the sports department’s overall GPA,” Schmitz said.

City College offers a student athlete achievement zone along with Gateway tutoring, where athletes spend time getting assistance for their classes when they’re not on the court or the field.

“I have the utmost respect for student athletes,” said Counselor for Student Athletes Scott Brewer. “They are among the hardest working students on campus, and I’m proud of SBCC for expecting nothing less than the very best for our student athletes.”

Captain and leader of the Vaquero women’s volleyball team Jessica Tune has lead the Vaqs to an 11-1 record to start the season. Her hard work doesn’t stop on the hardwood. The sophomore outside hitter maintains a 3.37 GPA to go along with her leadership on the court.

“Volleyball usually takes over three hours of practice on a regular day, and games are even more time, especially when we have to travel,” Tune said. “There are definitely times when I come home from practice and just want to go to sleep, but I try to keep up on my school work during my breaks in the day or on weekends.”

Tune is one of many athletes who excel in the classroom at SBCC. Men’s soccer player QiDian Liu maintains a 4.0 GPA when he’s not out on the field making plays for coach John Sisterson’s soccer squad.

There are plenty of players worth mentioning for their athletic and academic success, but all Vaqueros deserve praise for their diligence and dedication to being a student athlete.

More to Discover