Athletic Director Wes McCurtis working in his office.
STORY AND PHOTO BY LARISSA SAMANO
The Cypress College Athletics program continues to grow as Athletics Director Wes McCurtis enters his fifth year leading.
In the short time that McCurtis has taken on the role of Athletics Director, the athletics program has achieved the success that follows: 2023 3C2A softball State Champions, five 3C2A State Championship appearances, five OEC Conference titles, 39 postseason appearances, first men’s basketball appearance since 1997, and first men’s soccer appearance since 2009.
Before becoming head of the program, McCurtis played basketball and graduated from California Lutheran University with his BA in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing. He then got his BA in Sports Management from California State University, Long Beach leading him to Cypress College through an internship.
McCurtis knows what it’s like to be a college student-athlete and wants to ensure he uses his experience to make sure Cypress athletes have an even better one. McCurtis said, “It would be really cool to be able to help people that were in similar positions that I was in and make sure they have the support, services, and that community that I feel like I needed.”
He emphasizes the concept of creating a culture within the program that helps athletes strive not only on the court but in the classroom as well. He wants athletes to come in and enjoy their two years playing at a higher level because it will help them prepare for playing at a four-year university or continuing their degree.
The main goal McCurtis has set for Cypress Athletics is to become a “destination program.” He said, “A lot of people don’t realize the quality of programs at the two-year level and I feel like a lot of people see it as sort of an extension of high school but it’s another level.”
Additionally, he wants everyone to know about the Cypress Athletics program. Not just locally, but state and nationwide. The wins and losses each team brings will reflect the competition level and hopefully show people Cypress College will be difficult to beat across the board.
McCurtis sees his athletics program as a whole and gives attention to each sport to ensure progress in success so everyone builds together. “I try to make sure that I take the time to create relationships with all the teams and athletes that come through here,” said McCurtis.
What is different about the way McCurtis runs his athletics program compared to other colleges is that he cares not only about what is happening with the program now, but how his athletes are doing after leaving the program.
“They always have a home here at Cypress. I care about them, their experience here, and their success beyond here.”