A History of Citrus College Football
Citrus College, a public community college located in Glendora, California, has a rich history dating back to 1891. Initially established as Citrus Union High School to serve students from Azusa and Glendora, the institution expanded its offerings in 1915 under educator Floyd S. Hayden to include a junior college. From 1915 to 1961, the Citrus Union High School District managed the school as both a high school and a junior college. Today, Citrus College stands as a comprehensive community college, offering a wide array of programs and services to its diverse student body. The college's athletic teams are known as the Owls.
Overview of Citrus College
Citrus College has grown significantly over the years. During the 2019-2020 academic year, the college enrolled 19,626 students, conferred 2,444 degrees, and awarded 2,175 certificates. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). Citrus College offers 65 associate degree programs and 88 certificate programs, as well as skill awards in career technical education programs.
The Haugh Performing Arts Center (HPAC), situated on the campus, is a 1,440-seat proscenium venue that hosts over 140 performances annually, drawing over 100,000 patrons. The college also runs the Citrus Singers program, which started in the 1960s and has provided a foundation for students to learn and perform music. Dale Salwak is a Professor of English at the college.
Early Football History
While specific details on the early history of the Citrus College football program are scarce in the provided information, it is important to understand the context of community college football in California. Community colleges have long been a stepping stone for athletes aspiring to play at four-year universities. These programs provide opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, gain exposure, and earn scholarships to continue their athletic careers.
Given that Citrus College has been operating as a junior college since 1915, it is likely that a football program was established relatively early in its history. However, without specific records or archives detailing the program's early years, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive account of its initial development.
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The Owls: A Tradition of Athletics
The athletic teams at Citrus College are known as the Owls. The college currently fields eight men's and eight women's varsity teams, indicating a strong commitment to athletics. This commitment suggests that football has been an integral part of the college's athletic program for many years.
Notable Football Alumni
While the provided information does not offer an extensive list of notable football alumni from Citrus College, it does mention a few individuals who have gone on to achieve success in their respective fields.
Dane Cruikshank: Cruikshank played football and went on to play at the University of Arizona.
Bill Kilmer: Kilmer is listed in the California Community College Athletic Association directory, suggesting a connection to Citrus College football.
Chris Limahelu: Limahelu, a record-setting kicker at USC, passed away in April 2010. His connection to Citrus College football, if any, is not specified in the provided text.
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Lionel Manuel: Manuel is listed in databaseFootball.com, indicating a career in professional football. His specific connection to Citrus College is not detailed in the provided text.
Facilities
The college has facilities for sports. This shows the college's commitment to sports.
Challenges and Triumphs
Like many community college athletic programs, Citrus College football has likely faced its share of challenges and triumphs over the years. These challenges may include funding limitations, competition for resources with other sports programs, and the transient nature of the student-athlete population.
Despite these challenges, the program has likely celebrated numerous successes, including conference championships, individual player awards, and the opportunity to help student-athletes achieve their dreams of playing at higher levels of competition.
Other Notable People and Programs
Citrus Singers program: The college runs the Citrus Singers program. The program started in the 1960s and has provided a foundation for students to learn and perform music.
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Dale Salwak: Dale Salwak is a Professor of English at the college.
Harvey Guillén: Star of "What We Do in the Shadows".
Ron Husband: Animator for Disney.
Lynsi Snyder Ellingson: Wealthiest Angeleno.
Campus Constitutional Rights
Citrus College faced issues related to free speech and constitutional rights. In 2003, under the pressure of litigation and FIRE's national campaign for campus constitutional rights, the Citrus College Board of Trustees voted to rescind most of the speech codes at the public institution. Citrus College was sued again by FIRE in the early 2010s when it reinstated its policy after a Young Americans for Liberty chapter, led by Gabriel Nadales and Vincenzo Sinapi-Riddle, was threatened with sanctions for not staying inside the "Free Speech Zone." In an interview with the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Greg Lukianoff, the president of FIRE, said, "Citrus College agreed to eliminate its restrictive 'free speech zone' in the face of a FIRE lawsuit back in 2003, but later reinstated its speech quarantine when it thought no one was watching … but FIRE was watching, and we'll continue to do so. Citrus College agreed to pay $110,000 to settle student's first amendment lawsuit.
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