Shasta College Shifts All Sports To Spring Season

Shasta College is shifting all fall sports to a spring start to align with the California Community College Athletic Association’s (CCCAA) July 9 announcement for the 2020/21 athletic season. This decision ensures the safety and health of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff involved in those programs. Under the current plan cross country, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling will start practice in mid-January with competitions commencing in February. Baseball, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field will start practice in late March with competitions beginning early April. All sports will have a 30% reduction in the maximum number of contests or completion dates. State championships will not be played for the 2020/21 season.

Mike Mari, athletic director for the Shasta College Knights, commented about this recent decision, “I’ve been talking to our coaches and staff, and everyone recognizes that this is the right decision moving forward. Obviously, we were hopeful that a more conventional plan could have been possible, but the safety of our athletes and coaches is always our first consideration.” Mari finished by saying, “I know just how disappointed and impactful this is for our players, but we [the coaching staff] encourage our student-athletes to remain enrolled and engaged in their academic pursuits while we work with each athlete on their personal training plan during this time. We can still do a lot to help our athletes stay on top of their mental and physical preparation so that we are ready to go in the spring.” 

Shasta College administration and coaches will continue to monitor state and local health agencies closely, and maintain open communication with the CCCAA regarding the state’s COVID-19 reopening success for further decisions for the January start as spring draws closer. Shasta College has 17 sports programs that compete annually, with approximately 320 student-athletes participating in these programs.

For additional information or questions, please contact Mike Mari, Shasta College Knights Athletic Director at mmari@shastacollege.edu