By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Big 8 Conference Opts Out Of Fall Sports
mjc

Modesto Junior College student athletes will be impacted by a recent announcement regarding their conference contests.

This past week, the Big 8 Conference announced its decision to opt out of the California Community College Athletic Association’s (CCCAA) adjusted traditional fall sports that were postponed and scheduled to begin Jan. 18, 2021. Mike Liddell, Commissioner of the Big 8 Conference, stated the decision made to opt out is based on concerns for the health and safety of student athletes and staff dealing with COVID-19.

All California community colleges were given a deadline of Dec. 18 to submit their decision regarding their participation in fall sports, also referred to as Spring One. MJC submitted its decision to opt out based many factors, including the ever-changing requirements and information regarding COVID-19 testing, ever-changing state higher education requirements for college athletics, and the inability of many colleges to physically be on campus. Every college included in the Big 8 Conference elected to opt out.

The Modesto Junior College sports affected by the decision to opt out of Spring One are: Men’s and women’s basketball; men’s and women’s cross country; men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s water polo, women’s golf, women’s volleyball, wrestling and football.

MJC has been one of only a few colleges included in the Big 8 Conference able to offer strength and conditioning courses in the fall. Working within county and state guidelines to protect students and staff, MJC plans to continue offering conditioning courses in the spring. The MJC Athletics department is also looking at innovative ways to showcase student athletes to four-year colleges in the spring with the potential of practice, intrasquad, scrimmages, and competition.

At this time, no decision has been made regarding spring sports that are scheduled to begin March 17, 2021.