SBCC Women's Lacrosse is in the news! The Western Women's Lacrosse League recentfly reported Southern California community college women's lacrosse growth in a feature story. The title of the article is California Community College Lacrosse Taking Off.  SBCC and Fullerton CC were the most prominent community college programs mentioned. The team at Fullerton is in the college athletic department and part of their gender equity equation for their California Department Of Education R-4 form for Title IX progress.

It is apparent in the WWLL article it's a big help for the Hornets women's lacrosse team to be recognized and supported by their school administration. They are a P.E. class, they have a paid coach and have a college provided operating budget so having varsity women's lacrosse helps Fullerton with their three Title IX Prong Requirements. The Hornets made their move for this progress in 2018-19. Here's the Fullerton R-4 form for reference. 

• Fullerton Community College R-4 Form

The SBCC team is persevering for the thirteenth time as a club in the Office of Student Life at SBCC. It's been tough sledding garnering support at the college but the 32 women athletes in the club remain undaunted. The team leadership continues to work with SBCC administrators Amy Collins, LaDeane Hansten, Ellen O'Connor, Kathy O'Connor and Paul Miller to get the support needed for their demonstrated interest in competing intercollegiately in women's lacrosse. Faculty advisor Raeanne Napoleon is helping as well but it's ultimately up to the SBCC Board Of Trustees for the next move to keep the college out of hot water with Title IX. 

There are three huge factors in favor of the team as relates to gender equity and Title IX.  The SBCC student body is 52% female but the varsity athletes are only 38% female. The school hasn't added a women's sport since beach volleyball in 2018-19. The WWLL is an intercollegiate league in Southern California for the team to play in and they're already members, along with Fullerton Community College. However, our Vaqueros women's lacrosse team are not yet getting support from SBCC equivalent to the precedent setting team at Fullerton or, even closer to home for example, the way SBCC women's water polo or women's soccer are supported.

Meanwhile, the team keeps growing and two more defenders recently asked if they could try out. Upon sucess the roster will grow from 32 to 34 players. There is at least that progress with the club a popular choice among women at SBCC and it shows the interest is not going away. 

Watch SBCC team leadership making their most recent request for intercollegiate support at the SBCC Board Of Trustees meeting on September 15, 2023.

The SBCC women's lacrosse club was accepted into the Western Women's Lacrosse League over the weekend during the annual fall meeting for the now thirty-five team league. The Vaqueros will compete in D2 of the WWLL along with two-year school counterpart Fullerton CC. The Hornets are varsity in the Fullerton Athletic Department while SBCC will be club but it's not going to slow down the Vaqueros.

The discussion at the WWLL meeting illustrated the continued growth of the sport. The information about a CCCAA institution supporting women's lacrosse at the varsity level to satisfy Title IX requirements was eye opening for everyone from SBCC listening. 

From the WWLL News Story,

"Two year college news includes SBCC joining Fullerton CC as one of two community colleges in the WWLL. Fullerton supports their program at the varsity level while SBCC will be competing as a club.  SBCC women's lacrosse president Taylor Ortiz relishes the idea of getting to play this year after laying the groundwork for participation during the 2021-22 school year. Community colleges compete in D2 of the WWLL and Glendale, Golden West, Grossmont, Moorpark and Santa Monica are also looking at either club or varsity level supported teams for 2023-24."

Click Here for the complete news story on the WWLL website.

The SBCC women's lacrosse club will be at the Office Of Student Life club day on Wednesday, September 7th. The school club day is outside the cafeteria on the Campus Center patio on the main campus from 10am to 2pm. Interested students may meet other players on the team and ask questions.

The SBCC Roster is taking on a life of its own even though club day tabling has yet to occur.  There are thirty-one students already signed up organically, without much recruiting. It's been word of mouth so far for the upstart Vaqueros.

Can't make it to club day?  Get on the contact list for more information by filling out the Team Interest Form.  Students may also contact any of the Club Officers directly. 

Club Officers

• Valeria Bond - vbond@pipeline.sbcc.edu
• Kiara Kofoed - kkofoed@pipeline.sbcc.edu
• Taylor Ortiz - tortiz11@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Or Instagram message to @sbccwomenslacrosse

The SBCC women's lacrosse club has their first team meeting on August 28th and it's in picnic and passing format at Pershing Park. The park is next to SBCC and is the home of SBCC baseball, softball and tennis teams.

Pershing Park
100 Castillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Meet in the public section of the park, under the trees, closest to the beach.

Interested students may bring something to eat and share along with their lacrosse sticks to play catch or just come to meet future teammates and friends.

The picnic and passing will be at 2:00pm on Sunday, August 28th. 

Can't make the meeting?  Get on the contact list for more information by filling out the Team Interest Form.  Students may also contact any of the Club Officers directly. 

Club Officers

• Valeria Bond - vbond@pipeline.sbcc.edu or instagram message to @sbccwomenslacrosse
• Taylor Ortiz - tortiz11@pipeline.sbcc.edu or instagram message to @sbccwomenslacrosse