by Stacey Mleczko
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne is a great place to receive an education, but students need to get away and replenish their spirits once in a while.
The Snowboard Club introduces students, who are avid skiers and snowboarders to each other and aides in associated activities throughout the winter and spring snow seasons.
The club debuted last year, after being proposed by 1998-1999 senior President Tyson Dusch and junior Vice President Veero Der-Karabetian. They successfully planned a trip to Mammoth and a local trip to Snow Summit, which all members are encouraged to attend.
This year, the club’s existence was threatened after its founding president graduated. In a rescue attempt, sophomore criminology major Lina Gonzalez took the abandoned club under her wing and joined forces with three freshmen: Brian McGee, vice president, Stephanie Pedroza, secretary, and Chad Harp, treasurer.
Junior Rob Philpott is the club’s Associated Students Federation (ASF) Forum proposal representative.
“They have really given me the support I’ve needed to get things started and I really appreciate it,” said Gonzalez of her officers.
The five officers network together to present members of the club with sensational opportunities.
At each meeting, uniformly held on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. in Mainiero Building room 156, equipment and essential gear is raffled off to those in attendance.
Last week, Nray Lavit won a snowboarding jacket courtesy of Active Rideshop in San Dimas.
The raffle items are among many of the benefits to belonging to such a club. Flyers and posters advertise huge discounts on group lift tickets, upcoming trips and special store discounts from local sponsors.
Active Rideshop, Chicks Sporting Goods, Utility Board Shop, Jer’s Board Shop and Gouge Clothing are all participating merchants offering special discounts during “College Nights,” which are designated for college clubs and organizations featuring 50 to 75 percent off of the retail prices.
The club prides itself in providing huge discounts on lift tickets, lodging, equipment rentals and lessons, but also strives to bring snowboarders together in a motivational setting.
The future goal of the club is to intrigue experienced snowboarders and form a competitive racing team.
Once the assemblage is complete, competitions will be organized between Chaffey, Citrus and Saddleback Community Colleges, as well as California Polytechnic State University, Pomona whose current team, the Ridge Riders, competes on a regular basis.
Many of the competitions take place at Mountain High in Wrightwood.
If one places, prizes are paid in forms of scholarships, clothing, snowboards and other equipment.
University-student members were encouraged to celebrate Wednesday, March 15 after ASF joined the sponsor bandwagon and allocated $1,500 to the club in support of a weekend trip to Mammoth and Lake Tahoe.
The trip, which was scheduled for this weekend, would have included the opportunity to see the band Pennywise play at the snow resort.
However, complications have occurred and the Forum is now concerned with insurance liability for those who attend the trip.
Senior ASF senator of community awareness, Araceli Esparza said Ruby Montaño-Cordova, associate dean of student affairs, pointed out the possibility of injury and liability ASF would be responsible for in supporting the trip.
The organized trip is scheduled to proceed at a later date pending a waiver agreement.
Currently, the club receives support from about 20 consistent students. If anyone not involved in the club is interested, feel free to attend any of the meetings or contact Lina Gonzalez at (909) 947-8957 or e-mail her at lgonzale@ulv.edu.
Stacey Mleczko
