Are there enough sports at MHCC?

In my five years of studies here at MHCC, I’ve witnessed the college’s attempt to ‘stay with the times’ and improve on the student experience on campus. While we have been able to enjoy numerous changes across the school, there is one area in which the student experience is lacking: sports.

As a sports enthusiast, I am surprised at the lack of athletic programs at this college. We have a football field used by high schools! Why are high school football games one of the most significant uses we get out of this field? Why can’t we put it to better use through other sports or recreational activities?

Please understand, I do not wish to steer anybody in the wrong direction. The achievements by the teams that play organized sports for this college are beyond great. The continued success of our softball and volleyball teams is extremely impressive, and more than appreciated. This is because of the family-like system that exists within the athletics department. The will to strive for excellence is passed on through generations of directors, teams, and their coaches. However, there is still improvement to be made, overall.

First of all, intramural sports here are an untapped resource. The college already offers ‘free play’ courses for sports such as basketball and soccer – where students can receive one credit for taking a class where they get to play sports for a few hours each week. This is an area I believe the college could take advantage of.

Intramural sports would be more of a benefit than a burden for the school. Why can’t we hold non-competitive, recreational sporting events for a slightly lower cost than a one-credit course (which runs around $170), where students can compete recreationally?

Sports offered as intramurals could include soccer, flag football, ultimate Frisbee and basketball, to mention a few. These games could be held weekly and the revenue gained from them would not only support the intramural program itself but also buffer the athletic department and other team sports. There is no need for official refereeing or coaching in intramurals. These sports could be conducted under the ‘spirit of the game’ – a term known well by ultimate players that supports fairness and respect for your opponent.

The last sport I wish to promote both as an intramural and as a collegiate level team sport is soccer. This follows tennis, in the idea that costs for the program would be lower than that of a football program, for example, with players supplying their own shoes and personal gear and the school paying for little more.

Soccer itself is one of, if not the largest, multicultural games all over the world, where people play ‘the beautiful game.’ On the local front, the Portland Timbers have found success under their new head coach Caleb Porter, rekindling Portland’s passion that has earned the label “Soccer City, USA.”

There could be both men and women’s soccer teams, and there are more than enough local athletes who ‘fall through the cracks’ after high school or choose other colleges because of the lack of a program at MHCC. This would not only support the overall growth that the soccer community in America is experiencing but also the diversity of programs offered at MHCC.

Already, there is a support system in place for “small colleges” to compete in a regional association or conference. Many Northwest schools already compete in one of two – either the CCC (Cascade Collegiate Conference) or the NWAACC (Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges). Schools such as Clark College, Eastern Oregon University, and Warner Pacific all compete on these levels.

To me, there is not a good enough excuse for why we haven’t begun to establish or support a more diverse selection of sports programs or activities.

MHCC dares us to be our dream; it’s my dream to bring more sports to MHCC.