It’s sad news for SoCal football players as Los Angeles Pierce College announced Tuesday that it has made the “difficult decision” to place its football program on hiatus for the season.
The decisions to cancel the season stem from a lack of players, forcing student-athletes to transfer to other colleges if they want to continue playing football. But with the recent changes to the transfer portal rules and many colleges already starting fall camp, all athletes are put in a position where they may lose a year of eligibility without ever stepping on the field.
“College leadership monitored the football roster throughout the summer and delayed making a final determination for as long as reasonably possible,” the college said in a statement. “After careful evaluation, the College determined that the roster had not reached the size needed for the team to participate safely throughout the season.”
Pierce College, nicknamed the Brahmas, competes in the Southern California Football Association’s Pacific Conference rather than the NCAA. Its opponents include Victor Valley College, Santa Monica College and Grossmont College.
“Pierce College is working with the Southern California Football Association and other colleges to help students who wish to continue competing pursue opportunities with as little disruption as possible to their academic progress,” school officials said.
Pierce College is a 75-year-old public community college in Woodland Hills, in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. Its athletic programs also include men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, swimming and volleyball.
“We recognize that this news is disappointing for our student-athletes, alumni, supporters and the broader Pierce community,” the college said. “Pierce Football has a proud history, and we are grateful to everyone who has contributed to that tradition.”
