Save roller hockey petitions seek support from Sweetwater district board after sport abruptly de-funded for 2026-27

by Phillip Brents

Monday’s upcoming Sweetwater Union High School District board meeting (Oct. 12) is shaping up to be explosive after the district abruptly elected to de-fund the sport of co-ed roller hockey for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Coaches, parents and players were made aware of the decision in an Oct. 6 bulletin distributed by the district. There appears to have been no prior public discussion of the matter, just a decision made after an internal review.

That has particularly upset roller hockey enthusiasts, who have gone grassroots in a bid to save their sport..

At least two separate online petitions have circulated. One has already gathered 700 signatures in just a few days.

Presumably, they will be presented by interested parties at Monday’s board meeting.

Roller hockey, which is unique among most education-based sports by including both males and female students together on teams, has been offered by district for the past 25 seasons. Enthusiasts hope to elicit enough support for the board to reverse the district’s decision and save the 2026-27 season.

The Metro Conference was the only athletic conference within the San Diego Section to provide a framework for the sport, though individual schools from outside the district also participated. Until just recently, the Metro Conference received strong membership support from a number of North County schools.

The section did sanction roller hockey as a CIF sport early on even though it is not on the state’s approved list of interscholastic sports. It was allowed to proceed by the state though the section did receive a slap on the wrist.

The Sweetwater district-sponsored league existed as the state’s only CIF-sanctioned roller hockey playing circuit in the state, if not the nation.

That status changed following the departure of the North County teams two seasons ago. Then section commissioner Joe Heinz said he had no choice but to take roller hockey off the section’s list of CIF-sanctioned sports with only South County teams playing. He said CIF status could be restored if more schools from outside the Sweetwater district elected to field teams.

Roller hockey was classified as a club sport within the district the past two seasons.

Teams continued to play at the district-maintained outdoor hockey rink at Castle Park High School.

The rink has been in continuous use for more than 20 years.

Part of the Sweetwater district’s decision to de-fund the sport related to lower participation numbers. Eight schools fielded teams last season, which featured Eastlake High School completing an undefeated 14-0 season to capture the conference championship.

In roller hockey’s defense, participation numbers were lowered across virtually all sports following the COVID pandemic.

Obviously, coaches, parents and players are disappointed by the district’s decision. They are taking action.

Martha Rañón, a parent of a roller hockey student at Bonita Vista High School, started the following online petition:

It reads:

“Hello fellow roller hockey families. I’m sure by now you have heard that there will not be a roller hockey program at any of the SUHSD schools. It is devastating that the team was not told before investing in uniforms, equipment and not to mention building the team for this upcoming season. From our athletes, I was able to see first hand how they were motivated to recruit students, helped each other to develop their skills and encouraged one another to do their best. From the coaches, staff and family members I saw boundless support, attention and care given to all the students no matter their abilities. This group as a whole embodied true team spirit and it is sad that they won’t be able to see the growth of all that effort.

“It is really disappointing and frankly unacceptable that this news was so abrupt, so close to the start of the season and without consideration for the time and money already invested. As of the creation of this petition, there has not been a formal message sent to the families or to the student athletes. To everyone I have communicated with, this news is devastating.

“I am calling on each of us to directly let our representatives at the SUHSD know our displeasure with the following:

The lack of formal communication by SUHSD
The abrupt manner this decision was made so close to the start of the season.
The lack of consideration and input from the parents, students, coaches and the high school community.

“The students are devastated and we are asking you to join us in signing this petition and attend the district meeting to let our voices be heard.

“There are two opportunities for the community to share our message.

1. Attend the Board mtg on Monday, Oct 12 @ 6pm location: 1130 5th Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91911. Arrive 30 minutes before. Get a speakers slip for public comment. You will have 3 minutes to state your message

2. Attend the Metro Mtg on Thursday, Oct 15 @ 8am location: 670 L st. Suite G Athletics Office. There will be an opportunity for public comment.

“Please join me in sending an email to the following SUHSD representatives as soon as possible and request a response.

Alex Estrada- Director of Athletics & Student Activities/Metro Conference President
Email: al**********@***************ls.org

Brianne Paxton- Program Manager
Email: Br**************@***************ls.org

Dr. Moises Aguirre-Superintendent

su************@***************ls.org

Arturo Solis-Board President

Ar**********@***************ls.org

Dr. Adrian Arancibia-Board Member

Ad**************@***************ls.org

Elva Lopez-Zepeda-Board Member

Email: el***************@***************ls.org