At last week’s Bonita Vista High School football game, the team squeaked out a one-point win against Scripps Ranch High School.
But perhaps the Barons’ biggest victory was off the field and will probably be the biggest win of the season.
Days before the Barons took the field at Southwestern College’s newly minted $25 million DeVore Stadium, an agreement was made for the Bonita Vista Barons and their opponents to have access to the football field and its amenities.
The agreement came about after the team’s Sept. 12 home opener against Mission Hills High School when players, coaches, referees, personnel and the opposing team were reportedly locked out of the locker room during halftime and also did not have access to stadium amenities.
The Barons also didn’t have access to the training room, water, ice and the concession stands, said Sweetwater Union High School board president John McCann, who said he was present at the game.
McCann said the Bonita Vista Barons had to hold their halftime meeting in the stadium’s parking lot.
“It was very disappointing that the relationship we’ve had since 1970 with Southwestern College didn’t allow the players to even go into the locker room and go to the bathroom,” he said.
SWC and the Sweetwater district entered into a joint agreement in 1970, which allowed Bonita Vista High School access to its football field and amenities.
The Sweetwater district at the time had agreed to pay for DeVore Stadium’s lights in exchange for Bonita Vista having lifetime use of the facility. The agreement was amended in 1976.
While there was miscommunication for the first game, the second home game saw both teams have access to the college’s football facilities.
“We were able to work out the situation where I think it’s a win-win,” McCann said.
“Our students, not only our football team but our soccer teams and other individuals will have the ability to use the new $25 million renovation of DeVore Stadium and be able to use the facilities, which they deserved.”
McCann said an agreement was made where the Sweetwater district helps pay about $2,000 per game for security and traffic control during Bonita Vista football games. The money, McCann said, will come out of the athletic fund.
SWC governing board member Humberto Peraza said the agreement is pending approval of the governing board.
Peraza said SWC shoulders the blame for the situation.
“There’s certainly lots of fault on our end and we needed to rectify that from our end and treat Bonita Vista the way that they’re supposed to be treated as a partner,” he said.
SWC admitted fault in the situation and posted an apology letter on the college’s website.
“We want to apologize to each of you in attendance Friday at the Barons’ first home game at Southwestern College’s newly renovated DeVore Stadium,” the letter states.
“The Southwestern Community College District and the Sweetwater Union High School District value the long-term relationship we have had, and specifically the Southwestern College relationship with Bonita Vista High School. That was not apparent for the Barons’ first football game at DeVore Stadium. As hosts, we could have done better. We accept responsibility and want to reassure you that a number of steps are being taken to ensure a quality experience for fans, players and school community.”
For the past three seasons, the Sweetwater district partnered with SWC so that SWC could play their football games at Olympian High School while DeVore Stadium got renovated.
The renovation was part of Prop. R, which was a school bond that was being paid for by taxpayers who live in Bonita.
Peraza said Bonita Vista should have never been locked out of the locker rooms or not have access to its facilities.
“Bonita Vista and the Bonita Vista community, they’re partners with us. We need to work with them,” he said.
SWC also had a small problem on its hands when players at Grossmont College, during halftime at the Sept. 6 game, created a five-inch hole in the hallway outside the locker room either by punching the wall or banging their helmet against the wall, said Steven Crow, vice president of business and financial affairs.
Crow said things like this happen in the heat of competition.
“This kind of stuff happens at football games,” Crow said.
Crow said he couldn’t estimate the cost of the damage but did say that it is “easily repaired.”
He also said Grossmont College is working something out with SWC to repair the hole.
“We have a really good relationship with Grossmont (College),” he said. “I’m sure we will sort that out.”
A spokeswoman for Grossmont College did not return phone messages seeking comment for this story.
