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Sports | December 09, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 10

Monarch Athletics Through the Ages

After 58 years of athletics, Valley staff take a moment to look at the department’s success.

Located on the premises of what is now Van Nuys High School, it opened with no athletic department. Now, 60 years later, it serves 12 competitive sports teams, an Olympic-size pool, track and field, and premiere football field; this place is Valley College. 2 comments

Mallas and Company Practicing for Wins - Looking for Championships

After a losing season last year, the Monarch baseball team looks to reconcile.

Former MLB second baseman Roger Hornsby may have stated every baseball fan's sentiment best when he said, "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for Spring." As baseball season approaches for the Monarch baseball team, work will be their number one focus. 1 comment

SPORTS ANALYSIS: Times are Changing, But it’s All in the Head for Concussion Victims

As players, coaches, and trainers become more knowledgeable about concussions, awareness is the key.

An estimated 10 percent of all athletes participating in contact sports suffer from concussions, according to the Sports Concussion Institute of Los Angeles. As the physical trainers, physicians, and players of Valley College become more knowledgeable about the risks of these traumatic head injuries, treatment procedures are also fluctuating.

SPORTS ANALYSIS: University of Michigan Study Changes Thinking

University of Michigan study finds increased risk of dementia in retired NFL players.

The findings of a National Football League-commissioned and University of Michigan study on dementia risks in retired NFL players could have an impact on local college and high school sports programs, especially football. Football programs at the college level often take cues from the NFL on safety policies, while college and high school players often emulate the conduct of professional athletes.

Hall of Fame Shines Light on Success

The Hall of Fame Committee, is now in the final stages of narrowing down this year’s inductees.

Roughly five years ago, former Valley College Athletic Director Chuck Ferrero set out to establish Valley's first ever Hall of Fame. Approaching this summer's fourth induction ceremony the goals of the committee will once again be reached as they honor former outstanding athletes of the college.

Sports | December 02, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 9

TWO CENTS FROM SPENCE: Under Pressure

Former Head Coach Charlie Weis’ tenure was short-lived due to perception more than win-loss record.

The recent firing of former Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis and the resignation of former Florida State Head Coach Bobby Bowden show that image and speculation are just as important to college football as the win itself. Weis was fired after posting consecutive 6-6 records for the Fighting Irish.

Banquet Honors Monarch Athletes

The Monarch football team and members of the athletic department gathered in Monarch Hall last week to celebrate shared experiences and acknowledge the efforts of individuals both on and off the field at the annual football banquet. The team was treated to pizza, pasta, and salad before the speeches and awards presentation began.

Good Morals and Great Games

Coach Mallas believes in coaching more than baseball.

Dave Mallas is more than a baseball coach at Valley College; he is a life coach for many of his players and a moral compass for others. Mallas seizes every opportunity to help the young men who play for him succeed not only in baseball, but life in general. 1 comment

Physical Fitness for Every Body

The new Adapted Physical Education Center helps the disabled and elderly.

Valley College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently to formally introduce one of its newest facilities, the Adapted Physical Education Center. The center serves elderly, disabled or otherwise incapacitated students in conjunction with the Disabled Students Programs and Services program (DSPS).

Sports | November 18, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 8

Andrey Orlov Returns to Finish Business this Season

After a season-ending knee injury last season, Andrey Orlov returns to join his fellow teammates.

It's shoot-around time as the 6-foot-5-inch, 200-pound small forward Andrey Orlov, referred to as "Dray," sinks consecutive 17-foot jump shots at Valley's mid-day practice. Orlov was born in Moscow to an engineer father and an accountant mother. Eleven years ago they fled with their young son to escape inflation and a country whose economy was on the decline.

Players Look to Offseason, Fenwick Looks for Players

Valley struggled in their final game against Antelope Valley Saturday night in a 41-10 loss.

The blocking sleds were without pads, and silence surrounded the practice field Monday afternoon, after a 44-10 loss to Antelope Valley Saturday night concluded the Valley football season. "We look at ourselves," Head Coach Jim Fenwick said. "We're just so darn thin, it leads to some guys maybe not confident about their assignments," Fenwick said about several players stepping into positions they are unaccustomed to due to injuries this season.

Sports | November 04, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 7

Women’s Water Polo Can’t Hang With Citrus College

It wasn't a good week for the women's water polo team as it dropped three straight matches, including a Western State Conference match against Citrus College. The team also dropped its only two games over the weekend at the Fullerton Mini-Tournament. The team entered its match against Citrus with an overall record of 4-16 and a 0-3-conference mark.

Women’s Basketball Team Looking for Success On and Off the Court

Newly appointed Head Coach Jay Warner looks forward to this season with his mostly freshmen team.

Emerald-white uniforms and sneakers ready, inspiration and determination will be the motto of this year's Women's Basketball team. First year Head Coach Jay Warner is not alone, joining a team made up of mostly freshmen athletes, with the exception of returning players Stephanie Woods and Floral Gabrielyan.

Soccer Match Turns into Defensive Practice for Monarchs

Despite 12 saves by Valley goalie Stephanie Ortega, the Monarchs fell to College of the Canyons.

The Valley College Monarchs (6-9-1) could not seem to find a way to take advantage of an under-manned College of the Canyons squad and returned home Friday from Santa Clarita with a 5-1 loss. By the day's end, the Cougar players showed the stamina and skill level needed to pull off a lopsided win against the Monarchs and kept themselves in playoff contention.

Defense Faltered in Saturday’s Game Against Pierce College

Monarchs’ 475 passing yards last Saturday night was not enough to beat the Brahmas’ explosive offens

This one falls on the defense. Despite 447 passing yards against Pierce College Saturday Night, the Monarchs 28-points was no match for the 690 total offensive yards the Brahmas put up in a 45-28 victory over Valley. "We've had trouble all year having balance on our defense, defending the run and pass," Valley Head Coach Jim Fenwick said whose team is now 3-5.

Sports | October 21, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 6

Homecoming Not So Sweet for Monarchs

The East L.A. Huskies ruined Valley’s homecoming by topping the Monarchs in a 41-40 thriller.

The smoke from the barbeques at homecoming Saturday night cast an eerie haze above Monarch field as Valley lost a 41-40-barn burner to the East Los Angeles Huskies. The teams combined for 1,141 yards of total offense, but the game was won on a late defensive rally when he Huskies were able to stop the Monarchs on their final possession of the game. 4 comments

Monarchs Lose 2-1 in Physical Game Against Santa Monica

Valley soccer loses 2-1 in a physical match-up Friday against the Santa Monica College Corsairs

In an emotional setting last Friday in the Women's soccer game, the Monarchs scored with one minute remaining; unfortunately, it would not be enough in a 2-1 loss against Santa Monica College. With minutes remaining in the game, Valley player Kayta Kroell attacked SMC player, Xochitl Salgado, by pulling Salgado's hair.

OPINION: Limbaugh Like A Fox

Rush Limbaugh's attempt to buy in as a minority owner of the St. Louis Rams falls short.

When I think of Rush Limbaugh, words like "conservative," "segregation," and "idiotic" come to mind. The talk-radio host can now add "unity" to his repertoire bringing NFL owners and players to universally reject his nomination as minority owner of the St. 3 comments

Valley Baseball Star Robert Ninfo Comes Back to Coach the Game he Loves

Former Baseball star Robert Ninfo retuns to Valley to lend hand in coaching the struggling Monarchs.

It was back in when Valley College went to the baseball conference finals;Robert Ninfo played second base. Now he's back, this time as an infield coach, with high hopes of helping Head Coach Dave Mallas lead Valley baseball back to the Western State Conference Finals for a chance at victory.

Valley Cheer Team Never Loses Focus of School Spirit and Valley Pride

Even though the Monarchs lost their Homecoming football game against East Los Angeles College, Valley pride was still present as the Cheer squad kept the crowd involved with their booming cheers and valiant spirit. The team is a mixture of two individual squads: the Spirit squad and Cheerleaders. 1 comment

Sports | October 14, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 5

Limited World Cup Broadcast Leaves Soccer Fans in the Dark

The United States Men’s National Team qualified for its sixth straight World Cup Saturday.

When nay-sayers preach that soccer will never become a mainstream sport in the United States, fans of the sport need not look any further than Saturday night to see why. When the U.S. Mens National Team played Honduras at the Stadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sula this weekend in a game that decided the American's entrance into the world's largest sporting event, The World Cup, most U. 1 comment

Opening Their Eyes

As the Los Angeles Valley College baseball team hits its stride with pre-season workouts and practices, there is one thing they are trying to get out of their head: losing. Coming off a 10-32 overall record and a 7-22 Western State Conference South record, the Monarch team looks forward to spring to redeem its less than stellar previous season.

This Season: Losing Not Likely to Hinder Valley College Spirit

Although Valley athtletics have faltered the last few years, spirit & dedication to education hasn't

Valley College's school spirit isn't based on wins and losses. Spirit can be defined as the effort given or one's attention to detail. While Valley's win-loss record may be sub-par for now, the athletic staff at Valley has and always will make school spirit a top priority "I think we have a great athletics department and hopefully a great team soon.

Sports | October 07, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 4

Men's Water Polo Falls to Ventura in Western Conference Game

The Valley College men’s water polo team loses 10-15 away against Ventura College last Wednesday.

Squaring off against Ventura last Tuesday the men's water polo team did a good job of working together as a team, but could not keep it together against the Pirates, losing 10-15. "We're working hard and trying to get better every day, so it's a learning experience for us right now," said Valley Coach McMillan.

Valley Water Polo Coach Jim McMillan Just Loves Winning

Head Water Polo Coach Jim McMillan explains his love for coaching at the Community College level.

The rose-tinted glow that adorns Jim McMillan's face is clear evidence of a long career in the sunshine; Valley College's head water polo coach has trained student athletes outdoors for more than 20 years, and although the faces have changed, McMillan's goal to "mold student athletes into men" has not.

Pierce Too Much for Valley Soccer Girls

Sunny skies and perfect playing conditions were the backdrop for a long day of soccer as the Monarchs fell to the Pierce Brahmas on the road 5-0. Pierce, a perennial soccer powerhouse had too much talent, speed, and depth for the young team from Valley to handle.

MLS Playoff Race Heats Up

The L.A. Galaxy have clinched a playoff spot and Chivas USA are in position to do the same.

With only three weeks left in the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season, the Los Angeles Galaxy have secured a berth in the MLS Cup playoffs. On the other side of the city, the Chivas USA are within striking distance of the Western Division leaders.

The Real Sports President

President Obama shows why he is the real deal when it comes sports talk and jump shots.

It usually takes years for the media to sculpt an image of the president that burns itself in the general public's perception. We have Bill Clinton, the saxophone-playing Oval Office Casanova who didn't inhale, even once. Then there's "Dubya," the Harvard and Yale alumni whose jet fighter jumpsuit matches the dunce cap and perma-grin perfectly.

Monarchs Get Serious in Conference Openers

Valley football goes 2-0 in their division openers against Santa Monica & West Los Angeles Colleges.

Coming into the Monarchs' first two conference games of the season the team had fallen three straight, losing by a combined total of 122 points. With a losing season, on their heels and the weight of the Valley athletics leaning in on returning head coach Jim Fenwick, the team strung together back-to-back conference wins in their fourth and fifth games of the season.

Sports | September 23, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 3

Watching With One Eye Closed

Years of season-ending struggles leaves this Dodger fan clinching as the season comes to an end.

My first real Dodgers moment haunts me to this day. It was 1996 and the Dodgers had a two game lead over the San Diego Padres heading into the final weekend of the season. I was fortunate to be at the final game of the season to see the epic battle between the Padres and Dodgers for the NL West crown.

Working Towards His Goals - Leading By His Actions

Sophomore starting center Erik Jusko shows his passion for football and overall love for people.

At age 19, Erik Jusko has figured out more about life and the plans that lay in store for him than most people will ever know or care to find out. As Valley football's starting center and long snapper, it is apparent Jusko has a deep passion for the game, his education, and most importantly, for people.

Monarchs Scoreless Against Roadrunners Last Friday In A 3-0 Defeat

Valley soccer falls once again in their Friday matchup against the Rio Hondo Roadrunners.

The Roadrunners were too fast for the Monarchs last Friday, during the women's soccer game at Rio Hondo College. On a warm and sunny day, with perfect conditions, not even the weather was enough to motivate Valley to beat Rio Hondo –losing in a shut-out, 3-0.

Drew Brees: The Number One Quarterback in NFL

Two weeks into the 2009 NFL season a few things are evident. Tom Brady still needs to shake off a little rust after being injured last year. Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning, just nearing the end of his career. Tony Romo still can't win the big game, and Ben Roethlisberger can pump-fake while taking a hit. 2 comments

Cougar Speed Too Much For Valley Pride

Saturday night’s game resulted in another Valley defeat - scoring only one touchdown in a 59-7 loss.

In their first home game of the season last Saturday, the injured Valley team looked to reconcile their first two frustrations of the season by beating College of the Canyons. Unfortunately for the Monarchs, the Cougars looked their usual self with a 59-7 victory in the third week of the season.

Sports | September 16, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 2

Showdown Between Royalty Results in Draw

Last Friday’s matchup between the Monarach’s and San Diego City College Knights results in 2-2 tie.

It was a gloomy day at Valley College on the Monarch's home field last Friday when the women's soccer match fell short from both team's expectations ending in a 2-2 tie to the San Diego City College Knights. Both Valley head coach Shane Watkins and San Diego City head coach Andi Milburn, agreed this wasn't the teams best game.

The Advantages of Being an Athlete

Athletes for Valley College are often given a pass on more than just the fields they play on, an advantage over your average student. The advantages range from financial aid paperwork being processed faster, access and first enrollment to certain "sports friendly" professors' classes who will help players pass classes, and shorter waits in the lunch room. 4 comments

Renegade's Roll Through Monarch's

Walking off the field Saturday night the Valley College Monarchs managed another personal best in their second came of the season, overcoming their 22- point loss to Ventura with a crushing 48-point loss against the Bakersfield Renegades. "Last Saturday's loss was a very physical game and we are not a very deep team," said Valley head coach Jim Fenwick.

Silver Lining to Media Thunderstorm

For all the controversy and discussion surrounding Oregon University running back LeGarrette Blount's haymaker heard ‘round the sports world, the media frenzy has yet to focus on the one bright spot in this sad sucker punch of a story: Chip Kelly.

Sports | September 09, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 1

Valley's Dedicated Voice: Dale Beck

Valley College has gone through a face-lift over the last few years, but as you survey the new landscape, and take in the newly constructed buildings on campus, there is one fixture that remains the same; Dale Beck. Beck is returning for his 15th year as Valley's sports information director.

Monarch's Fall Short in Score But Not in Learning

Stepping onto the field in the Monarch's 2009 football season opener Saturday night, the team was greeted with a large crowd, fireworks and a World War II P45 Mustang fly by at the newly constructed Ventura College football complex. Though the team also met defeat losing 35-13, Coach Jim Fenwick and company are not looking to grieve their loss, but to learn from it.

The NFL Preview That Puts Reality Television to Shame

When David Bowie famously sang, "turn and face the strange, ch-ch-changes," he didn't exactly have the NFL on his mind. Fast forward 38 years and here we stand at the start of the 2009 season feeling slightly odd. Nothing seems out of place with the almost ritualistic nature of the sweat pants and team jerseys on Sunday, nor does the ungodly price for DirectTv's NFL Sunday Ticket.