Thousand Oaks lacrosse club battling for CIF status

A local lacrosse club fighting to get CIF designation at Thousand Oaks High has been met with opposition from the school district's staff but could still be approved at a meeting next week.

After reviewing the Thousand Oaks High School Lacrosse Booster Club's proposal for CIF designation in 2010, Jeff Davis, Conejo Valley Unified School District's director of secondary education, gave it a thumbs down citing facilities issues.

"There were about 10 concerns voiced by principals and athletic directors," Davis said. "These concerns have nothing to do with not loving lacrosse. It's a great sport. But facilities are a big problem.

"Even the largest school (in the district)—Thousand Oaks— has difficulty finding practice space. It doesn't matter what season. It's a major, major concern."

Board member Michael Dunn pointed out that the proposal listed alternatives.

"Aren't they saying they can use other facilities?" asked Dunn, referring to Peppertree Elementary and California Lutheran University, which were listed in the packet.

De Molitor, president of the booster club, also dismissed the facilities issue.

"Today we practice at many fields," she said. "We already have access to lit fields from 7 to 9 p.m. several days a week. We've already accommodated those issues. We know we have strong support for lacrosse in this community."

But Davis fought back.

"We need to have facilities worthwhile for a CIF team," Davis said. "It's one thing to be a club team and play at a park. It's another thing to be a CIFSouthern Section team and be playing at second-rate facilities."

Despite Davis' opposition, CVUSD staff can only make recommendations to the board—the trustees have final say.

After listening to comments from the booster club members, some of the trustees decided to put the matter on the next agenda, despite staff's request for the board to drop the issue.

The board's vote to bring the item back could set the stage for a vote to approve the club's request to become CIF sanctioned.

Board member Betsy Connolly questioned whether Davis really believed that the players were better off on a club team. She also pointed out that because the team will be fully funded by the booster club, there will be no financial obligation to the district during the three-year pilot program the group has requested.

"If the parents are really willing to fund this, all of this is a nonissue," said board member Peggy Buckles. "Westlake didn't have a pool for years. They swam where they could."

But Davis said that because of the district's financial woes, he didn't see the team lasting more than a couple years, especially when the current players graduate, taking their supportive parents with them.

"I have a hard time committing to something I don't see as a long-term thing," Davis said.

Parents and organizers spoke in favor, some pointing out that they also had younger kids and would be around to support the team for years to come.

Davis also cited transportation costs, coaching costs and spring sport crowding as issues, all of which the lacrosse club seemed to be able to provide answers for.

There were a couple of speakers representing club track teams and youth football, asking the board to deny the lacrosse club's request to avoid more difficult scheduling issues.

"The (local) sites simply cannot house another team," said Lee Applebee. "The question is, do we really need another team sport?"

Jeff Patterson of United Track Club agreed, saying they were "already jockeying for space."

Superintendent Mario Contini sided with his staff.

"We have a good program here with good people who put together a good proposal," Contini said. "But staff feels we need to lay this one to rest at this time."

Contini asked the board to kill the issue, saying their recommendation won't change. But Buckles refused, with support from Connolly and possibly other board members.

The item is slated to be voted on at CVUSD's Feb. 17 meeting. Comments from the public will be allowed.