After 35 years of fielding a varsity fastpitch softball team, Green River College has cut the program.
The financially-driven decision allows the college to increase its recreational sports offerings, giving more students the opportunity to get involved in athletic programs, said Bob Kickner, Green River’s athletic director.
“I would love to say that we would be able to offer all of the sports all the time, but we have to be financially responsible with our budget,” Kickner said.
Green River’s softball program, which started in 1980, competed in the Northwest Athletic Conference and won conference championships in 1983 and 1986.
The elimination of the softball program saves about $33,000 a year, which included coaches’ salaries, travel expenses, umpires, gear and facility rental.
“We don’t have our own softball field on campus,” Kickner said, adding that the team used the Service Club Ballfields in Kent.
Athletic programs are part of Green River’s 522 budget, funded by student fees.
A number of variables, including low turnout and coaching turnover, impacted the decision to cut softball, Kickner said.
“There were not enough scholarship athletes to make it viable,” he said.
The softball team competed last fall but forfeited the remainder of its season in the spring after losing several pitchers to injury and other factors, Kickner said.
Some softball players did receive scholarships, he said, but the financial impact on the student athletes will be minimal.
“The writing was on the wall,” he said. “Those (softball players) that were hanging on, made alternative decisions. Most of them found a job (to pay for school).”
Softball is not Green River’s first varsity athletic program cut over the years. Cross country and track and field replaced the men’s soccer program and tennis was cut.
“We just keep doing the best we can with resources available to us,” Kickner said.
The cheer program, which had a budget of about $3,000, was also eliminated but may continue in some capacity.
“We do believe we will find a way to keep the cheer program going,” Kickner said.
Recreational opportunities
While continuing to offer a number of varsity sports, Green River has put an emphasis on intramural sports – those played for fun against other college students – and recreational sports – where students compete in off-campus leagues.
“We have created a comprehensive and complete athletic program,” Kickner said.
The addition of the Mel Lindbloom Student Union, which opened in February on Green River’s main campus in Auburn, has increased the athletic opportunities for students.
The building, which is funded through a self-imposed student fee, includes a recreation center, complete with cardio and weight equipment, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts and an aerobics room.
Men’s soccer was the first recreational sport offered at Green River.
“We kicked off soccer last year before the (student union) building (opened) as a test case,” Kickner said. “It went so well we knew it was going to be possible.”
About 40 students took part in soccer each quarter, fielding two to three teams. Last fall, 27 countries were represented on the teams.
Basketball and volleyball came next, each capped at 13 athletes. Kickner said he hopes to add teams next year and not have a cap.
A dozen students participated in a rowing club, which practiced at the Renton Rowing Center at Lake Washington.
A coed recreation softball team had 18 participants, including some college employees.
“I believe over time we will see more faculty and staff involved,” Kickner said.
Offering recreational sports gives more of a “university feel” to Green River, Kickner said.
“It’s a game changer for the student on this campus,” he said. “Extracurricular activities are so important to higher education.”
Possible future recreational offerings include rugby, cricket, lacrosse and badminton.
“Ultimately any type of level of interest of sport or fitness or competition is likely to get an opportunity to cultivate with the student body,” he said.
BELOW: Members of Green River College’s recreation rowing team train on ergs, or indoor rowing machines. Heidi Sanders, Kent Reporter
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