Day of Giving Comes to VC Athletics Tuesday Dec. 1

After Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the VC Athletic Department is hosting a Day of Giving on Tuesday Dec. 1. The fundraiser conducted through text messaging or online will benefit Pirate Athletics, or any of VC's 19 sports teams. The goal for the day is to have at least 50 individual donors and raise $1,000 or more combined.

The easiest way to donate is by text message. Donors can text the keyword WePlayHard to 41444 to make a donation to the Ventura College Athletic Department, or designate any of VC's 19 sports as a beneficiary of the donation. Fans can choose to make a $25, $50, or $100 donation, or choose their own amount to give to the Pirates.

Online, supporters can log on to https://app.mobilecause.com/form/97TZew?vid=e9beo to make their donation.

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on all segments of society, and Pirate Athletics is not immune. The VC women's basketball team had its state tournament cancelled in March and all 10 of the Pirates' spring sports were abruptly cancelled in the same month. This fall, all sports have been delayed to a hopeful beginning in January. Meanwhile, the business of the athletic department continues.

Last spring when classes moved online, Pirate student athletes continued to achieve academically. 107 student athletes were named to the Dean's List with at least a 3.5 grade point average, while 47 student athletes posted a perfect 4.0 GPA. Meanwhile, 83 Pirates transferred to four-year schools with 60 moving on with plans to continue their athletic careers.

This fall, all 19 Pirate sports began meeting online, and moved to outdoor, on-campus conditioning in September. The California Community college Athletic Association continues to move forward on its modified plan to conduct a limited sports season in the spring semester. Hope is that fall sports will begin practice on January 18 with limited schedules beginning in February while spring sports would begin practice in late march with contests beginning in April.

Ventura College athletics has been fortunate to have strong community support for nearly a century. We thank you all in advance for your continued support as we move through this difficult pandemic, with hope of better times in the near future.