Athletic director proposes varsity letters for club sports such as beach volleyball and rodeo

Athletic director Josh McClurg proposed adding criteria to the athletics handbook so that club-sport participants (for example, boys beach volleyball and high-school rodeo competitors) can earn varsity letters if they meet practice, attendance, advising and competition requirements. McClurg said the change would not grant PE or sport credit, but would provide a pathway to recognition (Letterman's jackets) for students who compete in club-league schedules and meet standards similar to CIF bylaws (competing in at least 50% of available contests).

Board members asked whether club teams play organized leagues and how coaching and facilities would be managed; McClurg explained local leagues exist for many Santa Barbara schools and several volunteer coaches have already signed up. Trustees expressed enthusiasm for recognizing students participating in nontraditional sports, and the item was referred for handbook revision and later formal consideration.