ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (KGO) — There’s anger and disbelief over this week’s bombshell announcement that Sonoma State College will eradicate all of its athletic packages and a few levels to deal with a looming finances deficit.
Now, we’re listening to from a well-known Sonoma State alum, turned Los Angeles Dodger who’s now decided to discover a answer.
“If I am being sincere man, it hurts for certain,” stated O’Koyea Dickson.
Dickson says it was a curve ball he did not see coming. He is a former Sonoma State baseball participant, who bought drafted by the LA Dodgers in 2011. He cannot imagine baseball and all sports activities will quickly be gone on the Sonoma State campus.
“I am annoyed and I understand how a lot Sonoma State meant to me in my profession as a result of if it wasn’t for Sonoma State, I do not know if I might have gotten drafted,” stated Dickson.
On Wednesday Sonoma State College introduced sweeping cuts, of packages, levels and college to deal with an almost $24 million deficit for the 2025-26 college 12 months.
“The explanation I’ve had a job is due to all the coed athletes,” stated Marcus Ziemer.
Zeimer is Sonoma State’s longtime Males’s Soccer Coach, quickly to be out of a job.
“I will be positive however the factor that actually guts me is this system’s gone. The historical past, we received a nationwide championship. All these gamers, coaches, I am unhappy for soccer and all of the sports activities, simply gone,” stated Ziemer.
MORE: California State College system might face $1 billion finances deficit, report says
Some educational packages have been chopped. Senior Jennifer Wiley simply utilized to the English Grasp’s program, which has now been eradicated.
“I am livid, I can not imagine they’d do that on the final minute to college students with no prior notification, they accepted the appliance and took the $70 payment,” stated Wiley.
Sonoma State’s President Emily Cutrer stated in assertion the transfer to shut the finances hole wasn’t a simple alternative however ABC7 Information has but to talk along with her in individual.
The Chancellor of the CSU system, Mildred Garcia stated she helps Sonoma State’s alternative to chop packages.
“Every of the CSU’s 23 universities’ finances circumstances are distinctive and every makes finances choices based mostly on their particular wants and priorities,” Garcia stated in a press release.
Within the meantime, Dickson says he plans to satisfy with different alumni, even the governor to discover a answer to maintain sports activities on campus. He made this promise to pupil athletes.
“So we’ll discover a method to determine this out for you guys, we’ll discover a method to ensure there’s baseball, basketball and every little thing else so that you guys nonetheless have a chance,” stated Dickson.
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