College football is a billion-dollar-a-year industry that plays a part in the American sports landscape. According to the NCAA, college football programs had an average revenue of over $100 million in 2019. Like most things in 2020, the season was in jeopardy of being canceled due to the COVID-19. College presidents and athletic directors from different states came together via Zoom to save the season. “#We want to Play” tweets from the country’s most prominent college players, like Trevor Lawrence, and “we need college football” tweets from President Trump applied pressure to the NCAA Leadership to get a season started. The most glaring issue facing the decision-makers was the players' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Safety concerns over playing college football
NCAA
Nationally-ranked teams struggle from effects of COVID-19
As the stay-in-home order continues, athletes continue to circle around the questions that are on every athlete's and coach's minds: if all sports events are still banned for 2020-2021, will every sport be granted another year of eligibility? The athletic program on campus has taken off for Fall sports such as women’s volleyball and men’s soccer. Both teams had their best season’s in school history with women’s volleyball finishing at number one in the nation and men’s soccer finishing at fifth. These teams begin training for their season early August, but Governor Newsom listed the reopening of sporting events to occur at Stage 4 of the four stage process to phase out of … [Read more...] about Nationally-ranked teams struggle from effects of COVID-19
College soccer players express concerns for their coaches
As COVID-19 has effectively shut down all collegiate sports, coaches worry about their employment. Banned activities include practice, provision of any workouts and training exercises for their players, and recruitment of new players. Recruitment is the most crucial aspect of coaches’ job. It is what ensures that they actually have and maintain their job. Sebastian Ascensio, a transferring sophomore, was in the middle of the recruiting process when this pandemic struck and caused a nationwide stay at home order. Back in March, Ascensio was discussing possible scholarship money with coaches in order to support him and his family financially. With the stay at home order, Ascensio has … [Read more...] about College soccer players express concerns for their coaches
Coyotes’ basketball season comes to unprecedented end
Collegiate sports are on hold with no timetable on when they will resume. In sports, wins and losses are understood clearly. As of now, it seems like nothing is certain because of a global pandemic. The timetable for a return to normalcy is unknown. “It’s low key depressing, but I'm just continuing to work out and stay busy, I have weights and pull up bars here at home,” explains CSUSB star point guard, Jeremy Smith. Smith is a senior on the team who was awarded all California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) first team this year. CSUSB’s men's basketball team was set to make a deep run in the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament, only to find out that they … [Read more...] about Coyotes’ basketball season comes to unprecedented end
NCAA West Golf Championships
A new regional champion was crowned at this week's NCAA West Golf Championship, hosted by Dixie State University at The Ledges Golf Club in St. George, Utah. The tournament consisted of 28 teams - 20 of which qualified as teams and 8 players who qualified individually. Advancing from here to the National Championship in South Carolina next week are the top 4 teams and top 2 individuals. This weeks field was full of star-studded power like those of Western Washington University ranked 4 in the country, and Chico State University ranked 5th in the country. The CCAA conference had 6 out of 9 teams in the conference competing here this week. The Ledges Golf Club, a 72.7 rated, the … [Read more...] about NCAA West Golf Championships
Baseball seniors say farewell
By Lauren Jennings |Sports Editor| The time of year for teammates to say goodbye to their graduating seniors has once again returned, and the baseball team is getting ready to say farewell to 11 players. Dillon Fahr Fahr (No. 3) joined the Coyotes in 2015 after playing two years at Mesa Community College. His first year at CSUSB, he played in 36 games, starting 28 of them and batting .235. In his second year, he played just 10 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Fahr still made good use of what little playing time he had, hitting .241 and recording two doubles and a home run. Fahr hit .316 in his final year with the Coyotes, scoring a team-leading 38 runs. He led … [Read more...] about Baseball seniors say farewell
Coyotes celebrate Cherniss’ 600 wins
By Lauren Jennings |Sports Editor| The final win of the volleyball teams' 2016 season was a big one, both for the school and for head coach Kim Cherniss. The win against Central Washington University in the NCAA West Regional was Cherniss' 600th with the Coyotes. To celebrate such a historic moment, the Coyote Athletics Department hosted an event featuring a legacy video and an award presentation. Current and former team members attended the event along with coaches from other Coyote sports teams, the vice president of Student Affairs, Athletic Department employees and former university president Albert Karnig. "It's really a special today for me to have president Karnig and his … [Read more...] about Coyotes celebrate Cherniss’ 600 wins
Substance abuse among college athletes
By Diara Fowler |Contributing Writer| The use of steroids and other performance enhancers among athletes, especially collegiate athletes, seems to be an increasing issue. When it comes to being an athlete, competitiveness is a natural trait. However, there are times when an athlete is suddenly injured only days before an important game, or interested in gaining more muscle quickly. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has a strict no doping policy. Doping is when an athlete injects or orally consumes an illegal substance. This past year the program has tested over 61,000 athletes in over 300 different college campuses, according to Forbes. Androgenic steroids … [Read more...] about Substance abuse among college athletes
Men’s basketball halfway point
By Tyler Vanderelst |Staff Writer| The CSUSB Coyotes men's basketball team's hot start seems to be cooling off after being defeated in five of their last seven games. After starting the season with a record of 5-2, the Coyotes have fallen to 7-7 and 3-6 in conference games. The season has had its ups and downs due to some significant injuries, and new players getting adjusted to each other, which has led to a season record worse than the team would like to have. "This year we have shown glimpses that we have the ability to be one of the best teams in the nation," said center Phil Reed. "We haven't had the record that we wanted so far, but I am proud of my teammates because … [Read more...] about Men’s basketball halfway point
Major comeback for Alexia Gonzalez
By Megan Vina |Staff Writer| CSUSB soccer recruit Alexia Gonzalez is determined to get back on the pitch after her season ending injury. With two months of recovery ahead of her, she is ready to take on the 2017 season. Gonzalez tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just two weeks prior to the start of the 2016 season, which forced her to sit out the entire year. Gonzalez, a Bakersfield native and two-time first team All-American choice at Taft College, was eager to take her soccer and leadership skills to the Division II level. She was recruited to CSUSB by head coach LeBaron Hollimon, who stated that "she exhibits important character traits needed to be successful in … [Read more...] about Major comeback for Alexia Gonzalez