*Guest Commentary by Peninsula College Associate Dean for Athletics Rick Ross.

PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College Pirates’ athletics has been sailing through the Northwest Athletic Conference for the last 14 years as one of the most successful and consistent programs, even landing in the national spotlight with No. 1 rankings.

The landscape, however, has shifted and Peninsula’s coaches and athletic administrators are sounding an alarm.

“We’ve been a leader in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) for more than a decade, with 15 NWAC championships and 32 league championships, and so many players going on to the next level, but we’re now in a position for the first time since 2010 where we could fall behind,” said Peninsula’s Associate Dean for Athletics Rick Ross.

The presidents of the 34 community and technical colleges in Washington voted in the fall to allow their athletic programs to provide waivers up to 100 percent of tuition, which matches what Oregon is currently allowed to offer. The NWAC is mainly made up of schools in Washington and Oregon, but it also has a handful of schools in Idaho and British Columbia.

Ross, who serves as chair of the NWAC executive board, led an NWAC effort to support the presidents’ decision by passing a new code that allows for the increase, effective for letters of intent going out now.

Previously, state community colleges were limited to offering athletic aid totaling 65 percent of tuition.

“The adage that you should be careful of what you wish for is real, but this community has been so supportive for so long, we’re confident we’ll get there,” Ross said.

“This increase is so important for student athletes. It’s expensive to go to college, especially when you have to move away from home. It’s the right thing to do for our kids, and we’re determined to find a way to do it.”

Donors to fill gaps

Due to the current state budget climate, Peninsula may not be in a position to increase the waiver portion of that athletic aid, which it currently funds at 25 percent of tuition, Ross said.

“We totally understand that,” he said. “It may not make sense to bump up financial support for athletics and possibly have to cut a program or lay someone off, but we’ve already heard from other Washington colleges that they’re going to 100 percent, so we’re going to try to make up the difference with fundraising.”

That’s why the 2025 Pirate Casino Night fundraiser on Feb. 7 is more important than ever, Ross said. Pirate Athletics typically raises about 70 percent of its scholarship funds from that single event. The other 25 percent comes from corporate sponsorships, boosters and the annual golf tournament, he said.

Maintain the standard

Peninsula’s head coaches are worried.

“We have been able to stay at the top of the conference because we have been able to be the best destination for top athletes,” said women’s soccer coach Kanyon Anderson, whose Pirates won the NWAC in November and finished the year ranked No. 1 in the nation. “We are excited to see this improvement in the entire league, but we will need do some heavy lifting to maintain our high standard.”

Women’s basketball coach Alison Crumb Rose echoed Anderson’s comments.

“In my opinion, we’re the best in the Northwest, and to continue to provide student athletes the best experience and competitive chance to win a championship is what we are about. It’s who we are at our core, and if we aren’t that, then we should be doing something different,” Rose said. “Our athletes provide so much to this campus and community and are fortunate enough to receive a program that is better than the rest. We have to continue to be that gold standard or we lose the essence of Peninsula College.”

Ross praised the community for its part in lifting Peninsula College athletics to the highest tier of the NWAC, but he said he’s looking for help from people who are new to the community who appreciate the dedication and life-changing experience that comes from college athletics.

“It may not the best time to ask our current sponsors and boosters for more, or to find others in the community who might want to join this effort, but that’s honestly what we need,” Ross said. “We just lost a long-time major corporate sponsor due to financial woes in the banking industry and that alone is a huge hole to fill. Our ship isn’t sinking, but it’s taking on water.”

Tickets/tables available

Pirate Casino Night is set for Feb. 7 at 7 Cedars Casino, where participants will be treated to a buffet dinner and an open bar. The night will feature both a silent and live auction. Supporters of Pirate Athletics can contribute by buying tickets to attend, donating auction items, sponsoring tables, or bidding on auction items. Details are available at gopcpirates.com/events.

Also, corporations or individuals wanting to support Pirate Athletics outside of Pirate Casino Night are encouraged to reach out to event organizer and head men’s basketball coach Bryce Jacobson at bjacobson@pencol.edu, or Ross at rross@pencol.edu.