The Southern California Football Association (SCFA) announced that PCC will be moved down from the National Division’s Northern League to the American League where the Lancers will join seven other colleges to make up the newly formed Metro League next fall.
This decision is part of a cycle that the SCFA goes through every two years so that there is a competitive balance between Southern California community colleges and to ensure that the needs of the student-athletes are met.
“Basically there’s a commitment by the SCFA to kind of reboot every two years,” said Athletic Director Tony Barbone. “Their criterion for those rebootings or assessment changes are maybe different, but most of them are geared around competitive balance and student success.”
PCC, along with several other colleges, appealed to be moved down from the National Division. The SCA unanimously approved the decision.
According to Barbone, the SCFA made the decision based on what they felt would be the best situation for the Lancer football team who had a 2-8 score at the end of last season.
Head football coach Thom Kaumeyer agrees with the SCFA’s decision to move the football team to a new league.
“Do we like going down? No,” said Kaumeyer. “I think we can compete at a higher level, but at this point we need to build that base back up.”
According to Kaumeyer, the Metro League will provide the Lancers with a chance to build a strong foundation on which their team can win.
“We want to get back into winning games,” said Kaumeyer.
Kaumeyer is counting on his first full year of recruiting to also help reestablish the football team in the community.
“I think it’s just something where we can get back on our feet, reestablish Pasadena football and then, maybe in two years if we’re ready to come back up we can come back up and compete at a higher level,” said Kaumeyer.
The Lancers football team will be reassessed during the next two-year cycle.
“There’s perpetual evolution,” said Barbone. “Nothing is stagnant. The opportunities for students are forever changing and increased.”
The 2016 football schedule will include four non-conference game and 10 conference games. The Lancers are not eligible to compete in the state playoffs while in the American Division.
- Former Olympic medalist to coach cross country - July 6, 2016
- Exchange program sends students to Germany and Japan - April 20, 2016
- Director goes extra mile for disadvantaged students - April 13, 2016