Area Notebook: El Camino College football stadium ready for opener
When the El Camino College football team opens its season at home on Sept. 3 against L.A. Southwest, it is slated to do so in its brand new stadium.
The Athletic Education and Fitness Complex is a $48 million facility which replaces the original stadium built in 1949.
The stadium boasts 7,869 seats, has a synthetic turf field and a nine-lane running track with pole vault, high jump, long jump and steeplechase areas for track and field.
Naturally the facility includes modern locker, equipment and storage rooms, and the stadium has elevated viewing and a press box for both teams.
The new stadium has Wifi and a community walking trail, and comes equipped with audio and visual systems for special events.
The synthetic turf field next door, which was completed in 2013, continues to be of use to athletic teams.
First-year coach Gifford Lindheim looks forward to starting his El Camino career in the brand new stadium.
“It’s absolutely a beautiful stadium, the whole facility is top-notch,” Lindheim said. “The great thing about the El Camino community is they really love football, I’ve had all the support I could imagine, so it’s an exciting time.”
SERRA’S ARIZONA EXPERIENCE
The Serra football team took it on the chin in the second half of its season-opening 35-20 defeat in Arizona to powerhouse Scottsdale Saguaro, but it was not a complete loss. Serra stayed healthy and found some things out about itself.
“We’re young, not a lot of guys here who played a ton of minutes last year, I think in the end, that’s what got us,” Serra coach Scott Altenberg said.
Serra (0-1) took a 20-14 lead into halftime, but was shutout 21-0 in the second half.
“In the first half, we were the better team, but we left points on the field,” Altenberg said, “and in the second half we wore down mentally and made a lot of mistakes.”
Senior quarterback Jalani Eason was 10 of 32 for 221 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions and rushed for 106 yards.
John Jackson had two catches for 81 yards, Kobe Smith had a 45-yard reception, Bryan Addison had a 30-yard touchdown catch, Anthony Torres had seven carries for 45 yards and Randy Anyanwu had six rushes for 48 yards for Serra. Tamrick Ross sparked the defense with five tackles for loss, including two sacks.
“I still think we’ll be a very good team, but we need to grow up pretty quick,” Altenberg said.
AYSO VIP SOCCER
The AYSO Region 17 Very Important Player (VIP) soccer team begins the season on Sept. 10, and registration is open for players and volunteers at eayso.org. The VIP team is for all handicapped and disabled players from age 5 and older. Games are held each Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at Adams Middle School field in North Redondo Beach. The registration fee is $30 and all players will receive a uniform, photo and a trophy. Game day includes warm-up, drills and scrimmage. All players and volunteers are encouraged to join. Call Sean and Rosangela Kenney at 310-379-8466 with questions or for help with registration.
VISTAMAR SEEKING COACHES
Vistamar School is seeking a JV boys basketball coach and boys/girls varsity soccer coaches. Send a resume to Jim Drennen at [email protected]. These are paid walk-on positions.
