After a year and a half of Bakersfield College being closed off to the general public, BC kicked off the Fall 2021 sports season with the 2021 BC Athletics Media Day on Thursday, August 12 at Memorial Stadium.

Moderated by Renegade Report host Kenny Calvin, Media Day started off with Bakersfield mayor Karen Goh expressing her joy and relief that sports are back at Bakersfield College.

“I love hearing ‘we are BC,’ but BC also resonates and says ‘we are community,’” Mayor Goh said. “We’ve been through it all together and I have seen BC helping and serving our community… I am so glad to be united through sports. BC loves our community, and in turn, BC is loved by the community.”

Men’s soccer coach Vayron Martinez was next up to speak, where he reflected on the excitement his team has shown for the upcoming season.

“So many young men in this community want to represent our institution and our program,” Martinez said. “When you see them show up the first day they were just excited to be there with each other. They don’t care that it’s 102 degrees out, it’s created a hunger in them.”

The women’s soccer coach was introduced as well, who expressed his gratitude and excitement at the opportunity to transition from being an assistant coach.

“We’re looking forward to having the community, who has been out here with us for years, back out there for us again,” he said.

Head wrestling coach Marcos Austin is aware of the big shoes he needs to fill after the resignation of former head coach Brett Clark last December.

“I was [Coach Clark’s] understudy as co-head coach and we did really well in 2019. We placed third in the state, and we believe Coach Clark would be proud of where we are at.” Austin said.

Reflecting on the death of former BC wrestler, 21-year-old Keithen Estrada, Austin said that Estrada was “definitely a presence in [the] room. He enjoyed [wrestling] and the wrestling community lost a really good athlete, friend, and mentor.”

Women’s volleyball head coach Carl Ferreira allowed 20-year-old volleyball player Aly Dees to address the media.

“We’re excited to play and we are extremely grateful to be able to play in the first place,” Dees said. “I cannot wait to play a full season again.”

“I appreciate the administration for opening the door for student-athletes,” Ferreira later said. “They give the opportunity and it’s the coach’s job to create a culture for athletes to grow and become better versions of themselves.”

Women’s golf coach Wes Coble then noted his team’s hard work and dedication.

“The fact that they have been gone for so long has made us that much more hungry,” Coble said. “Our men and women, especially the women, are extremely excited. They are out on the course right now, they are ready to go.”

As BC football coach R. Todd Littlejohn was called up to the table to speak, you could hear his team cheer for their head coach as they practiced on the field behind him.

“We’ve got a beautiful day. Everyone is working hard. I feel great” Littlejohn said.

When asked about what to expect from Bakersfield College’s football team this season, Littlejohn said that you could expect “The toughest, hardest working, most competitive team in the country.”

Media day was then wrapped up after comments by Renegade Athletics director Reggie Bolton, who expressed his gratitude to be back and his excitement for the future of BC sports.