Temecula board reverses plan to phase out girls field hockey after packed public comment

The Temecula Valley Unified School District Governing Board voted unanimously Tuesday to continue offering girls field hockey at Great Oak High School, Chaparral High School and Temecula Valley High School and directed staff to take steps to restore the program and support teams districtwide.

The decision followed a packed public-comment period in which 34 people — largely current and former players, parents and coaches — spoke for up to three minutes each about the program’s academic, social and college-recruitment benefits. “Field hockey has and will always be more than just a sport to me,” said Cali Gartland, a junior at Great Oak High School, during the public comment period.

Why it matters: speakers described field hockey as a pathway to college scholarships, a source of community and a place where students who had struggled elsewhere found belonging. Parents and coaches presented fundraising totals and participation numbers to argue the program was sustainable; one parent reported the team raised $20,323 this year and that the program had roughly $12,308 in its Go Pack account heading into next season.

What the board did: Board Member Dr. Joseph Kamrowski, who said he had read hundreds of emails from the community, told speakers, “I’m gonna fight for you and pull that burden off of you,” and proposed a set of immediate steps. The board’s motion directed the superintendent and business support staff to restore the girls field hockey program as historically offered (varsity and junior varsity, with potential freshman teams), to return the two coaches who had been let go, increase funding, and run a marketing outreach campaign to middle schools that feed the three high schools. The board recorded a 4-0 roll-call vote in favor.

Details from the hearing: dozens of current players described field hockey’s impact on mental health, leadership and academic performance; several students and parents said players regularly maintain high GPAs and earn scholar-athlete honors. Coaches and volunteers described the local feeder system and club partnerships, noting a consistent youth base of middle school players who attend clinics and camps run by local clubs. Former and current coaches and program boosters emphasized that field hockey produces NCAA recruits and that high-school seasons are important to the college-recruitment process.

Legal and governance notes: multiple speakers referenced the district’s authority over interscholastic athletics under California Education Code section 35179; a parent urged the board to use that authority to override an administrative recommendation to phase out the sport. At the meeting opening, board staff reminded speakers that, because this was a special meeting, public comments were restricted to items listed on the agenda — in this case, girls field hockey.

Implementation and next steps: the board’s motion included language directing district administration to implement the reinstatement and supports; board members said the specifics (hiring, budget adjustments, schedules, and outreach logistics) would be worked out by the superintendent and business support services. Board members also asked staff to notify middle schools about reinstatement to restore recruiting pathways that administrators said had been interrupted when two coaches were dismissed, reportedly the day before planned recruiting activities.

Voices at the meeting: dozens of student players gave personal testimonials about how the sport shaped their high school experience and future plans; parents, coaches and alumni reinforced those accounts with financial and program-history details. Multiple speakers urged the board to allow field hockey and the newly proposed girls flag-football program to coexist rather than eliminating one sport to add another.

The immediate effect: with the motion passed 4-0, the board directed staff to begin reinstatement and outreach. Board members said they would follow up on specific timelines and funding sources at subsequent staff briefings or regular meetings.

Ending: The board adjourned after the unanimous vote. Implementation details — including official rehire dates for specific coaches and exact budget moves — were left to district staff to define and return to the board for confirmation.