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California Community College Commission on Athletics
(COA)
The Commission is comprised of 108 community colleges throughout the state, with 102 colleges offering intercollegiate athletic programs. Nearly 1.5 million students attend California's community colleges annually, and approximately 30,000 student-athletes annually compete in intercollegiate athletics in California's community colleges. Each year, the COA sanctions nearly 100 regional and state championship events in 20 sports, an annual convention, numerous committee meetings and workshops, and more. From an historical athletic sense, some of the greatest student athletes and coaches of the 20th century have been produced by California's community colleges; individuals who have gone on to win Olympic medals, star in professional sports and be inducted into college and professional sports halls of fame. A number of female athletes have blossomed through the California Community College system, such as tennis star Rose Casals, track and field sensations Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Ruth Wysocki and Olympic swimming and diving legends Debbie Meyer, Pat McCormick, Shirley Babashoff, and Susie Atwood. During the 1994 academic year, the COA established a task force on gender equity in athletics that created a vision statement and advised member colleges on meeting gender equity goals. The COA established a standing committee on gender equity in January, 1995. This committee created four gender equity goals and a State Code Section 1.015 which affirmatively defines the environment of equitable athletic opportunities to all students. The STATE ATHLETIC CODE INTRODUCTION is as follows: "The COA is committed to the value of gender equity for both men and women in intercollegiate athletics through its structures, policies, and procedures. The Commission and its colleges shall act affirmatively to assure gender equity in the quality and quantity of participation in athletics". COA Gender Equity Goals: Goal 1: The COA will provide statewide leadership in addressing and establishing gender equity within California community college athletic programs. Goal 2: The COA will assist member colleges to achieve athletic program gender equity. Goal 3: The COA will strongly advocate and review the colleges adherence to creating gender balance through hiring practices. Goal 4: The COA will assert that all member college districts will, by academic year 1999-2000, achieve within an eight percent margin, a percentage of intercollegiate women athletes as indicated by the initial fall and spring eligibility reports that is proportional to the number of women enrolled in twelve (12) units in the college districts. In addition to its gender equity initiatives, the COA annually sponsors a Hall of Fame Award and several individual and team Scholar Athlete awards. Each year, these highly prestigious awards are presented to those who have historically served for the betterment of athletics and those who are designated as scholar athletes. The COA administrative office is located in Sacramento, CA and is under the guidance of the state athletic commissioner. Additional staff members include an associate commissioner and additional staff that focus on administering post conference competition, sports information, and general administrative services. For more information on the COA, its initiatives and athletic programs visit COA Sports Online at coasports.org. [Source: COAsports.org]
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Copyright Women'Sports Services ©1995-2002
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HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA.
Intercollegiate athletics has been and remains a critical element in the historical success in California. Coupled with its preeminent public educational institutions, the
California Community College Commission on Athletics (COA) and its athletic programs have long been recognized as a leader in creating new opportunities for its citizens through athletic programs
expressly designed by area community colleges.