“Resolution” is a word that is thrown around a lot come January 1st. With a new semester beginning, such a word will probably be spoken of even more over the next few weeks. Maybe it’s your goal to achieve a 4.0 or the classic aim to lose 10 pounds. One to add to the list is to increase support of SLCC’s athletic programs.
It is one thing to support a team out of obligation when they are bad. Sympathy abounds for loyal fans of the Los Angeles Clippers (weird, but there are some), Cleveland Browns and fans of many other teams who suffer year after year trying to stay loyal to teams that are terrible. There is an entirely different story with the Salt Lake Community College Bruins though. Thanks to great athletes and first-rate coaches, good things usually happen come tip-off time.
A quick glance at a few of SLCC’s teams going into 2011:
• The volleyball team just finished up their season with a 4th place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournament. Look for them to continue getting even better next season, the 4th here at SLCC for coach Sue Dulaney.
• The Men’s Basketball team has become a consistent force to be reckoned with on the national stage under Coach Norm Parrish and this season is no exception. In his 20 year at the helm, the squad is off to a blazing 15-2 start, led by Alfonzo Hubbard and Patrick McCollum. A victory over the formerly top-ranked North Idaho College is a highlight of the season thus far.
• Their female counterparts are good, too. Under Betsy Specketer, who is in her 15 year as coach at SLCC, the Lady Bruins currently boast a 12-2 record, having recently beaten the 3rd ranked team in the nation, North Idaho. Leading the Lady Bruins in scoring is Haley Holmstead, with a solid cast behind her.
• Beginning their seasons in the fall, both the baseball and softball teams got off to solid starts before resting for the winter. Both squads will resume play on Jan. 28 with tournaments in Las Vegas.
Despite the incredible standard that SLCC Athletics sets, there is a continuous struggle to get fans knowledgeable about Bruin sports, and most importantly, in the stands. Before the baseball season had its first pitch in the fall, infielder Scott Manning commented that typical attendance at baseball games is about 150 people. What many students may be unaware of is that games are free with a OneCard. For other fans, such as family and friends, the price for tickets is cheap.
In the minds of the players, each game is important and students and the rest of the SLCC community can gain that same mindset as well. As soon as the community is as familiar with the name Jami Mokofisi as they are Jimmer Fredette, excitement across each SLCC campus can be generated so that instead of waiting for the Utes and Cougars to square off, the blood can get boiling with each Bruin game. Finally a New Year’s resolution that’s fun to achieve.
For a complete breakdown of ticket pricing, as well as all other Bruin information visit slccbruins.com.
The Week of January 12-19:
January 15: Women’s Basketball vs. Snow College – 3:00 p.m., Lifetime Activities Center, Taylorsville Redwood Campus
January 15: Men’s Basketball vs. Snow College – 5:00 p.m., Lifetime Activities Center, Taylorsville Redwood Campus
*At halftime of each game, Bruin alumni will be recognized as part of this week’s celebration of Betsy Specketer’s 15-year and Norm Parrish’s 20-year anniversaries as coaches of SLCC Basketball.
