NCAA Division II Transition:
Dustdevil athletics has been changing in the past months due to the university transitions into NCAA Division II.
According to Rafael Romo, interim athletics director, “it has been a smooth transition” with many rules and changes.
Romo says the time frame to get into the actual NCAA Division II could take anywhere from two to three years. The athletics department has hired consultants to help with the transition, said Romo.
“The transition affects the whole (university) community from the registrar’s office to student services to purchasing, every aspect of the university is going through this change,” said Romo.
“The whole university has been extremely helpful, especially Dr. Keck and Mr. Garcia.”
Another change is the addition of a baseball team.
“Baseball is an important sport for our culture with many little leagues and senior leagues in Laredo; LCC has a team as well. Baseball is going to make a good impact upon the whole university community,” says Romo.
“They (baseball players) do a lot of community work, they go to the hospitals and local schools and help out,” added Romo of the new baseball team.
Student concerns regarding the athletic department:
Some athletes* have mentioned that in the past they were being (verbally) offered four-year scholarships and were disappointed to learn that such scholarships do not exist.
When asked about these four-year offers, Romo stated that his staff has been made aware that such offers are not to be made. Romo noted if any four-year scholarships have been offered, it was in the past and that it is something his department is not offering.
“Scholarships offered by the university to athletes are only on a per-semester basis except for freshmen.”
Freshmen are the only ones that may be offered a one-year scholarship; after their freshman year, the university only awards scholarships per-semester.
Other players* had concerns regarding insurance. Currently athletes are covered by some insurance with a high deductible, “catastrophic insurance.”
Some athletes do not have personal insurance and if they were to become injured, the costs to cover their medical expenses would have to come out of their own pocket if it falls below the deductible.
Romo stated that the athletic department takes the issue seriously and is looking at different options.
When asked about player turnout, in particular over the past and current semesters, Romo said, “We try to provide a good respectable program that gives our players a sense of ownership.”
The university may spend up to $2000 recruiting per athlete, but that is not usually the case.
According to Romo, many players “walk-on” the teams because they are recruited locally or already attending the university when they join the teams.
When a player leaves or is not able to qualify to play for the university, there is more recruiting to be done.
“We do random testing (meaning that we can pick out athletes randomly and test them with less than a 24-hour notice),” said Romo in response to student* concerns regarding the current drug testing policy of the athletics department.
Some students*, however, have concerns over athletes having too much of a warning between drug tests, giving them enough time to mask and hide their drug use due to “detox agents” sold over the counter or on the internet.
Romo states that department efforts to have a drug free athletics program are serious and that if players test positive for any drugs (illegal or NCAA banned drugs) there are consequences.
Player treatment by coaches was also brought up due to audience observations during basketball games. Out of those asked, students and athletes* alike mentioned that to some extent certain coaches appeared to be too harsh on their players.
In response to these concerns, Romo said, “I am a very strict believer in respect. We do not condone foul language, grabbing or hitting players. Respect takes you a long way in life.”
“Our number one priority for our athletes is students first. We are trying to create professionals, good community citizens that will help the community in the future,” said Romo.
“I talk to the (athletes) everyday about how they are doing in (their classes) because I think that is very important; getting an education and making a good life for themselves.”
*The names of students and athletes that were interviewed for the second portion of this article are not provided to protect their identity.