COC HAS TARGET DATE; SCHOOL DELAYS START OF WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM UNTIL THE FALL OF '98.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer

College of the Canyons doesn't have enough time to implement women's soccer for this fall, officials said, so the program will begin in fall 1998.

According to college trustee Michelle Jenkins, the idea of starting soccer this fall first was discussed in the spring, when it was thought there was enough time.

Now, with less than two months before the season would start, Jenkins said the Western State Conference schedule is set, making it too late.

At a board of trustees meeting two weeks ago, college president Dianne Van Hook expressed that very concern. Former athletic director Beth Asmus said the conference sets the soccer schedule right after the season ends.

``We'll just proceed with getting the soccer team on line for next year,'' Jenkins said.

As a result, the college has about a year to hire a coach, field a team, secure equipment, uniforms, practice time and space and schedule matches.

There also will be time to build up community support. Jenkins said it's important for the area high school seniors to be aware they will have a local collegiate soccer option.

It pleases Hart senior Mandy Stupar. She is considering Canyons.

``If I want to go to a JC down here that has soccer, I'd give COC a chance,'' said Stupar, who also is considering attending several University of California schools. ``It's closer to home than Moorpark. It gives me a better outlook on the school.''

Hart girls' soccer coach Oliver Germond, who wants to be the school's first coach, also was pleased the college is waiting a year.

``It's better for the program,'' he said. ``They'll have more time to think about it.''

Unlike football, which also is scheduled to begin in fall 1998, women's soccer is not nearly as expensive to start or maintain. Figures provided by the school put the start-up costs at $14,287 and the maintenance costs at $22,762.

The board has asked the college foundation to head the fund-raising responsibilities for the entire athletic department. The foundation's board met Thursday night to decide if it would assume the task and, if accepted, set goals.

Women's soccer has been selected as a new sport for several reasons: It's cheap, there is widespread interest in soccer in Santa Clarita among people under 18, and a women's sport is required to help the college meet federal gender-equity regulations.

Jenkins said the plan to increase opportunities for women in the existing sports - basketball, softball, swimming, volleyball, track and field - will begin this fall. It also will help meet Title IX guidelines.

However, Jenkins said starting soccer and football at the same time is more complicated.

``This is going to be a big task,'' she said, ``but this college has accomplished a lot of big tasks before.''