Last week Yuba College opted in for participation in phase two sports in the Bay Valley Conference. So what that does mean exactly? It does not mean that sports at Yuba are now back to normal, however it does mean that Yuba College has cautiously taken the next step in getting their athletes the involvement they’re seeking for their spring semester.
Yuba College’s sports seasons are divided into 2 phases. Phase one has football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball and phase two has baseball, softball and men’s/women’s track and field. In December 2020, YC, along many other colleges in the region opted out of participation in the phase one sports. Now though, our college has decided to opt in for phase two sports in hopes of making the best of the rest of this semester.
Even though YC has opted in, several factors are still in play and may yet interfere. One such obstacle will be the number of Covid cases not just within our own county, but within all the counties of the Bay Valley Conference. In order for play to resume, players and team personnel will be bound by health safety guidelines that may or may not allow phase two sports to commence. And even if they do, fans and spectators are not expected to have access to viewing sports live. One advantage YC does have, however, is the ability to conduct regular Covid tests through a state commissioned facility. This will go a long way in being able to comply with restrictive guidelines.
Ultimately Yuba College will participate in spring sports this semester if at all possible. Athletic Director, Eric Burns, described the prospect of another lost spring semester as nothing short of a “tragedy”. He also commented one motivation he has for ensuring phase two sports is the student athlete involvement that correlates to academic success. He stated that getting these athletes with a degree “is our ultimate goal” because that has a longer lasting and sometimes more beneficial outcomes than playing time.
Currently the schedule for this semester’s sports is unofficial but may be released by the end of the month.
Yuba College doesn’t know if phase two sports will happen this semester. However, Yuba College will be making every possible effort in making it a reality once again.
Hello! I am a very invested student of Yuba College. I used to tutor English and writing at the WLDC and I still do tutor math/chem in the CSC along with being a Peer Mentor and the President of our student body government. I am a Pre-Med student working on transferring to UC Davis and then, Lord willing, on to Med School
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