At community colleges across the country, including College of the Redwoods, there has been a debate in recent years about whether athletics provides an additional educational opportunity outside of academic programming, or if it is simply an extracurricular activity. Advocates for athletics in community colleges argue that it enhances college life and brings students who may not have pursued higher education to our institutions. In 1991, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics concluded that athletics were integral to education, stating “games and sports are educational in the best sense of that word because they teach the participant and the observer new truths about testing oneself and others, about the enduring values of challenge and response, about teamwork, discipline and perseverance.”
Opponents argue that athletic programs are expensive and a misappropriation of funds that were meant to support academic programs that are the cornerstone and purpose of community colleges. Consequently, they believe that community colleges should redirect money away from sports and toward high-quality accessible and relevant transfer, career, and adult education classes.
While I understand this argument, I am a strong advocate for athletics in community colleges. I believe that the College of the Redwoods’ athletics program is an integral part of the education we offer. CR’s administration and coaches expect our coaching staff to encourage student-athletes towards personal development, self-efficacy, and a strong sense of community. We demand that what the student-athletes learn on the field or court is integrated into their overall educational experience. We also have high expectations for academic achievement from our athletes, and many of them do better academically, and graduate at higher rates, than the general student body.
I also believe that our athletic programs attract more students to CR and enhance pride in the college — both on campus and within the community. This latter point is particularly important to CR as we strive to capture enrollment lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the specter of economic uncertainty on the horizon, it is inevitable that the educational value of athletics will continue to be a topic of discussion at CR. The fiscal debate notwithstanding, CR’s current position is to encourage greater participation in athletics, either by starting new programs or revitalizing existing ones. However, the ongoing debate means that we will sometimes need to raise additional funding to ensure these programs thrive.
To make sure that our athletic programs continue to serve our community and support our student athlete’s academic and athletic success, we are excited to announce that the College of the Redwoods Dinner and Auction — a benefit for CR’s Intercollegiate Athletics Program, on hold since the pandemic, is returning on Aug. 11. This year it is more critical than ever that we raise funds for our athletic program as our reinvigorated football program will compete for the first time in fall 2022, following my decision to temporarily suspend the program in August 2020. We will also be adding a men’s and women’s wrestling program in the 2023-24 academic year.
This year’s auction will recognize CR’s 2006 Softball Team, which was the first CR team to make it to the Final 8 State Championship since the merger of the small school/large school format. I invite everyone to help us take our athletic program to new levels by participating in this year’s auction.
If you are interested in attending or providing silent or live auction items please email: marty-coelho@redwoods.edu or text 707-296-5626.
Keith Flamer is the president of the College of the Redwoods.
