Walla Walla Football To Continue Program Troubled By Murder Arrests To Get Strict Scrutiny

Walla Walla Community College will continue its troubled football program this fall, the board of trustees has decided.

But the program’s future after next season remains in doubt.

“My impression is that a significant number of staff have serious doubts about the viability of the program,” school president Steve VanAusdale said Tuesday.

Questions about the program arose after two players were arrested recently and charged with murder for separate incidents in Tacoma.

The trustees on Monday set eight conditions for keeping the program alive this fall:

Reducing the team to 80 players from 90.

Each new player will complete an application and provide a letter of reference from his high school coach and an educator who was not a coach.

All players will be advised the program may not survive after this season.

A strict code of conduct will be enforced.

An advisory committee of community and college staff, including some police officers, will monitor the program and report on findings at the end of the season.

An athletic director will be named so football coach Mike Levens, who now serves as A.D., can concentrate on coaching and teaching.

An additional part-time coach will be hired.

The dean of students, athletic director, head coach, team captains and chairs of several committees will meet with the president each month to discuss the program.

VanAusdale would like trustees to make a final decision on the football program before the end of winter quarter.