Mendocino College President Arturo Reyes has initiated a process to assess the vitality of the football program at the Ukiah school — a process that could culminate in the end of Eagles football.
“I think there’s a chance there will be no Mendocino JC football this fall,” Reyes said by phone. “At this point I’d say it’s probably a 50-50 chance.”
In a letter to the Ukiah Daily Journal, Reyes noted that students who play football at the school are succeeding at a lower rate, and acquiring degrees less frequently, than the general population of Mendocino College students. The letter also claimed that the college loses $19,000 per year on its football program.
Making matters worse is a housing crunch for the football players, most of whom come from out of state. The issue boiled over last summer when neighbors complained about a house on Hortense Street in Ukiah that had been packed with as many as 30 student-athletes.
Reyes said by phone that his office shared its findings with the athletic department two years ago, at which time the school hired a new football coach, Frank Espy, and laid out specific expectations. A more recent assessment showed that, in many ways, the situation had not improved.
Reyes’ recommendation will now wend its way through the college’s bureaucracy. The Educational Action Plan committee is expected to receive the proposal within a few days. After considering input, the EAP will forward a recommendation to the college-wide Planning and Budgeting Committee, which will in turn make a recommendation to Reyes.
“I think opinions are varied,” Reyes said. “But even those who are supporters (of the program) are very happy we’re addressing the issue, and that we’re making a decision hopefully in the best interests of students, the college and the community.”
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