The volleyball community and the world mourns the monumental loss of Elissa Sato (84). The volleyball matriarch and mother of six (Gary, Glenn, Scott, Liane, Eric, and Tedi) was a staple to the community. She is remembered for her loving personality and dedication to both her children and the sport.

College athlete recruitment is yet another process significantly impacted by COVID-19. Coaches have had to change the way they recruit for their teams.

"When a womxn steps on a skateboard she is overcoming fear. The strength that's gained is one more tool that's now available to boost her self-confidence as she navigates other challenges in life. That tool is not only useful, but fun and liberating. She can be whoever she chooses to be," said GRLSWIRL co-founder, Julia Ama.

Since the ongoing pandemic began in March, live sporting events inside stadiums have been cancelled for fans in Los Angeles. However, some L.A. sports organizations have come together to repurpose their stadiums to serve as polling places. Athletes have also taken part in voter advocacy, with many famous sports stars educating communities and motivating them to hit the polls in order to participate in the upcoming general election.

In a unique situation, Head Coach Brian Eskridge has taken control of Santa Monica College (SMC) men’s and women’s water polo teams. He is a veteran water polo coach, starting with SMC in 2009, more than fit to take on the challenges that come with coaching both teams.

After a solid win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs’ Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers won an emotional Game 2 that was capped off with an Anthony Davis three-point buzzer beater shot with 1.7 seconds left on the clock.

At the age of 50, playing a physically demanding sport such as football isn’t the most ideal thing you’ll see. For 50-year-old Santa Monica College (SMC) football player R.C. Everbeck, he is the rare exception.

Turhan Douglas, head coach of the Santa Monica College Women’s Volleyball team, is a decorated champion who holds an impressive trophy cabinet that he has earned throughout his volleyball career, both as player and coach.

On June 9, the California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) unanimously agreed upon a three-part plan, and announced the resumption of athletics for the 2020-2021 season. After a long two months and 21 days following the cancellation of spring season, the CCCAA Director of Sports Information and Communication Mike Robles assured the public that “the health and well-being of our student athletes has been at the forefront of all of our decision-making and planning.”

As stay-at-home orders ease, California Governor Gavin Newsom has given Californians an indication of when professional sports can reopen. In a statement by Gov. Newsom, he announced that pro sports could make a return as early as the first week of June without the attendance of fans.

As people across the country are searching for ways to stay active in quarantine, Santa Monica based fitness studio, BoxUnion, has found a way to bring their classes straight to their community members homes.

In a month where many professional and college athletic events would be held, this past April has been met with empty stadiums, and postponed seasons. Due to Covid-19, almost all major league sports have been put on hold. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is still suspending their season indefinitely. The National Hockey League (NHL) also suspended their season, while their proposal is pending on an expanded playoff format.

Santa Monica College (SMC) basketball head coach Joshua Thomas was named one of 50 most impactful Junior College basketball coaches nationally. This achievement comes on the heels of coach Thomas finishing his third season leading the Corsairs

Across the Santa Monica College (SMC) Athletics Program coaches and athletes are looking to move forward and continue to adapt to the restrictions that were put on the sports world.

The goal of the majority of community college athletes is to earn a scholarship to a Division I College by the end of their sophomore season. Take sophomore Point Guard, and Santa Monica College (SMC) budding prospect Teddy Parham after finishing an exceptional season.

The English Premier League (EPL), like all the other leagues around the world trying to cope with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, is still trying to figure out how to finish the 2019-20 season gracefully. 

Ja'Shawn Chisel, 20, is a basketball player from Denver, Colorado currently playing for the Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs and stepping into his sophomore year. 

As COVID-19 continues to make an impact throughout the nation, the sports world come to a halt as it infiltrates professional and collegiate athletics. While Pro leagues like the NBA, NHL, MLB are able to suspend play indefinitely, the NCAA and the CCCAA are cancelling the rest of their winter, and spring sports.

Santa Monica College’s (SMC) women’s softball team loses against Allan Hancock College (AHC), with the score of (14-0) on March 5. Moving SMC’s record to (1-15) on the season.

In all too familiar territory on March 7, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs once again faced off against Riverside City College Tigers in the Regional Finals of the State Playoffs. Last season, these two teams competed against each other in the same round (SMC won 66-54), which brought more anticipation to the match. For Riverside, they were back with vengeance facing an opponent from last year. For SMC, it was simply about getting to the next round, with big aspirations to get to the Finals of the State Playoffs.