Bakersfield, CA – Bakersfield College Athletics has released a three-phase plan that will eventually lead to spectators returning to campus to watch athletics events in-person.

The plan follows the guidelines of Institution of High Education (IHE), which the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) has been following in strict measures since the early stages of the pandemic.

Currently, the college is still in Phase 1 of the three-phase plan, which states that no spectators are allowed. The three-phase plan is as follows:

Phase 1: No spectators allowed on campus at any athletic contest per IHE and CCCAA guidelines.

Phase 2: When IHE and CCCAA guidelines are changed or modified, each team will be allowed two spectators per student athlete. In addition:

• No spectators will be allowed for the visiting team.
• All spectators must adhere to the BC COVID on-campus protocol.
• Mask wearing, social distance and sanitizing is mandatory.
• Spectators will not be allowed to exit and re-enter the event.
• Spectators will have to sit in designated area(s) at the event.

Phase 3: With no restrictions from Kern County Public Health, IHE, CCCAA and California being fully opened, spectators will be allowed to attend athletics events in full capacity with a required mask mandate.

"We are hopeful to be able to welcome the most loyal fans in JC athletics back to campus soon," said Interim Dean of Kinesiology/Athletic Director Reggie Bolton. "Our top priority is to always keep our student athletes safe and we know by following the guidelines of the IHE, the CCCAA and our local health authorities, we will do just that."

Bakersfield College was one of first community college's across the state to welcome back student athletes to competition in the abbreviated Spring I sports season. The majority of community college's across California are only recently allowing student athletes back to campus to begin practicing in their respective sports.

Renegade Athletics, and the rest of the CCCAA came to a halt on March 19, 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 6, 2020 the CCCAA Board of Directors voted on to move forward with the Contingency Plan approved earlier in the summer, which provides CCCAA member institutions a framework for return to competition in the spring, while also providing decision-making guidance for institutions. The board also approved a motion to provide student-athletes a waiver of eligibility for any CCCAA competition during the 2020-21 athletic year in order to support the success, safety, and well-being of student-athletes.

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