SCFA Denies Bakersfield College Appeal of Athletics Sanctions
Yesterday, Bakersfield College received official word from the Southern California Football Association (SCFA) that the college's appeal of sanctions to athletics was denied. The communication came via a 9:55 AM email memo from SCFA Commissioner Jim Sartoris to Bakersfield College president Dr. Sonya Christian.
On June 12, Bakersfield College filed an appeal of what Christian had deemed “unfair, unreasonable, and unwarranted” sanctions in relation to the revealed violations. As a result of an ongoing, self-initiated investigation, Bakersfield College uncovered that there were no violations of California Community Colleges Athletic Association (CCCAA) bylaws regarding subsidies or recruitment inducements. This evidence was presented in the appeal document submitted to the SCFA Appeals Board for consideration.
Throughout the investigative process, Bakersfield College leadership has maintained that any appropriate penalties should be levied on the institution only, and not on the student athletes who maintain high standards of excellence in the classroom and on the playing field.
“We seek a fair and just outcome for the Bakersfield College Renegades—from our state champion football players, to every student who attends Bakersfield College, to our alumni and community supporters,” said Christian. “We have always maintained that appropriate sanctions against the college are understandable but those against our students are not justified, even by the rules and regulations of CCCAA.”
In the documents filed during the appeal, Bakersfield College requested the opportunity to present the new evidence to SCFA at a full testimonial hearing. In the appeal, Christian wrote: “it is only through direct engagement in a hearing that the details of the issues can be appropriately explored, and a suitable level of sanctions be determined that accurately fits the nature of the infractions involved.”
SCFA denied the testimonial hearing and reached its decision via conference call.
According to the SCFA memo on June 24, Bakersfield College has ten working days to submit an appeal to the CCCAA. At this time, Bakersfield College is preparing the appeal to the CCCAA.
“We will continue to reinforce a campus environment of compliance with rules and regulations, working as a team of faculty, classified, and management staff who are united in our focus on the success of our students,” added Christian.
On May 14, Bakersfield College received a communication from the Southern California Football Association, and a second from the California Community College Athletic Association, requiring the college vacate all wins of the 2011 and 2012 football seasons, including the 2012 state championship. The Bakersfield College football team has also been placed on a post-season ban for the 2013 season, and will be on probation for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
#####
Story picked up by:
- KGET-TV 17 NBC (Bakersfield College football appeal denied)
- The Bakersfield Californian (BC's appeal of football sanctions denied)
- KBAK-TV 29 CBS (Bakersfield College's appeal to football sanctions is denied)
- KERO-TV 23 ABC (Bakersfield College appeal of sanctions against football program is denied)
- First Look with Scott Cox, KERN-AM 1180 ('First Look': Roundtable tackles BC sanctions, cyclist safety and trash)
- Bakersfield Observed, FindLaw.com: (Is Bakersfield College athletic director Ryan Beckwith being set up to be fired?)
- The Bakersfield Californian (SCFA denies BC's appeal of sanctions)
- The Bakersfield Californian (LOIS HENRY: Quit the sobbing, BC--you know you screwed up)
- KERO-TV 23 ABC (BC not quite finished with its appeals regarding sanctions to the football program)
- First Look with Scott Cox, KERN-AM 1180 ('First Look': First News for June 26)
- First Look with Scott Cox, KERN-AM 1180 ('First Look': Lois Henry's opinions on BC sanctions, feral cat policy)
- The Bakersfield Californian (Sanctions out of whack with sporting world)
- KERO-TV 23 ABC (BC appeal slapped down by SCFA)
