College Of The Canyons

Additional damage from the Northridge earthquake has been discovered at College of the Canyons' sports stadium and will postpone its reopening until mid-October, college officials announced Tuesday. The delay changes the playing schedules of Santa Clarita's three high school football teams, which use the stadium for home games. The college has no football team. Geologic studies will begin today to determine the extent of the newfound damage, said Jorge Perez, COC's facilities director.

The lectures and the homework didn't keep Susan Ledoux from getting her teaching credential at Cal State Northridge, but 45 miles of freeway gridlock and the endless hunt for campus parking did. A new program closer to home changed her mind. She enrolled at a Valencia community college, where seven universities offer an array of degrees and credential programs.

A woman student at College of the Canyons apparently lost her footing and fell on a rain-slick incline Tuesday, then died of head injuries, authorities reported. Libertine Oxciano, 21, of Canyon Country, was dropped off by her brother at the community college minutes before students found her lying on the pavement next to a trash bin behind the bookstore at about 9:20 a.m., according to college officials.

A computer containing the Social Security numbers of 12,000 college students was stolen from a Santa Clarita community college. College of the Canyons spokeswoman Sue Bozman said Friday the theft involved a computer unit used to process student photo identification cards. The computer's hard drive contained names, photographs and Social Security numbers. The theft occurred Monday after a night worker briefly left the building.

Most cross-country runners don't play football, for obvious reasons. That alone would make Brian Spangenberg special. But the College of the Canyons freshman played his last high school football game 18 years ago. That, his cross-country teammates would agree, makes the 35-year-old Spangenberg extra special.

Reality jolted Michael Goldman too late. "To this date, I regret what happened," Goldman said. Goldman, a freshman guard at College of the Canyons, didn't mug anyone or get into drugs or microwave neighbors' pets. But Goldman made decisions that likely changed the course of his basketball life. He treated schoolwork in his junior year at Calabasas High like hazardous waste. And it cost him.

College of the Canyons 63, Mira Costa 60--James Mixon scored 16 and Vincent Ray added 14 to lead College of the Canyons over Mira Costa in the first round. Forward Ron Stapp hit two free throws with eight seconds left to put the game out of reach. Canyons, which improved to 4-3, will play host Cuesta today.

A partnership between College of the Canyons and Cal State Bakersfield could dramatically cut the commute time for some Santa Clarita Valley students pursuing a four-year college degree. Beginning in January, Cal State Bakersfield will offer classes at the College of the Canyons campus that will lead to bachelor's degrees in environmental resource management and liberal studies.

College of the Canyons will play Bakersfield for the Western State Conference Southern Division baseball title at 1 p.m. today at Canyons. Canyons (30-13) and Bakersfield (28-15) are tied for first place, each with a 17-8 record. Canyons is the defending divisional champion. The winner receives an automatic berth to the first round of the Southern California regionals Friday and next Saturday.

College of the Canyons is offering a weeklong Spanish Institute that features language immersion and a variety of activities to help students absorb the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Besides studying the language, students also will attend lectures on Latin American history, practice flamenco dancing and study the art of Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo. They will learn to make tortillas, watch a Spanish-language film and enjoy a Mexican-style breakfast of coffee and pastries.

Stephanie Blaire stands in the pitcher's circle, her thoughts drifting. She looks at the College of the Canyons catcher and the memories rush back, making it hard to see the flashing fingers through misty eyes. "Once in a while, I think of her when I'm out there, but it's getting better," Blaire said. Used to be that Blaire's focus never wavered. Used to be that some of her greatest happiness came while hurling a softball toward her sister Lauren, a catcher and best friend.

Nolan LeMar battled to resume his baseball career after suffering severe burns in a freak science class explosion 2 1/2 years ago. On Tuesday, friends and relatives were in mourning after learning that LeMar, a 19-year-old co-captain on the College of the Canyons baseball team, had been killed in a head-on collision with an alleged drunk driver in Santa Clarita. LeMar, who hoped to one day play professionally, was remembered as a leader by his teammates.

Among the hundreds of high school seniors who played football in the region last season, fewer than 35 will sign letters of intent with four-year schools on Wednesday. It's a day of excitement for the lucky few, a day of deep disappointment for many others. It's a day when dreams can be fulfilled or shattered. For those players feeling rejected, don't lose hope. Two years ago, Joshua Brandon and Omar Stewart were among the seniors left pondering uncertain futures.

Anticipating a repeat of its success with a pilot program last summer, College of the Canyons will again hold an Intensive Spanish Institute to teach professionals how to communicate in the language. The classes will be offered over five weekdays from Jan. 12 to 19, with no sessions Jan. 15 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

College of the Canyons and two conservation groups struck an agreement this week that will save 16 oak trees while allowing the burgeoning college to build a new 1,596-space student parking lot. Campus officials expect to begin grading for the lot in early spring. The agreement settled a lawsuit filed in July against the college by the Santa Clarita Oak Conservancy and the California Oak Foundation to block construction of the lot, which then called for the removal of 34 valley oaks.

Their backgrounds are as different as their ages and golf scores. But their competitive spirit and resolve are, pardon the pun, on a par. For Anna-Lena Gustavsson and Sandy Jocoy of Moorpark College, and Kathryn Abild, Susan Latch and Peg Stratton of Canyons, playing college golf has been equal parts challenge and breakthrough. Jocoy and Latch are the mothers of young children. Abild has two teenagers. Gustavsson and Stratton are grandmothers. None played on a college team until this season.

For the first time in its 23-year history, College of the Canyons will offer at least some classes in Canyon Country beginning Jan. 25. Under an agreement with William S. Hart Union High School District approved Wednesday by the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, the college will hold classes for students majoring in child development on the Canyon High School campus.

Two simple yet fundamental principles for a pass-oriented football team to heed: 1. Thou must have a quarterback who can deliver the ball with some zip and who can read defenses like Indiana Jones could read hieroglyphics. 2. Thou must have receivers who can catch passes, even in the midst of homicidal linebackers and safeties. At College of the Canyons, Jason d'Autremont fits the bill famously for the second requirement.