SGA considers intramural sports field complaints

Student Government Association members agreed Thursday to investigate complaints about the lack of “green space” available for recreational sports.
Three students said collegiate sports teams receive preference to use the soccer practice field and other facilities, leaving intramural and club sport teams in the backseat.

“Coaches always say we have to be students first and athletes second. But we’re not even getting a chance to be athletes,” student Tim Records told SGA members during the organization’s weekly meeting. Records joined students Chris Stonestreet and Dean Mize in telling representatives they are disappointed in the way scheduling is being handled so far this semester.

The student retold accounts in which flag football teams were asked to leave the practice field so collegiate teams could use the facility. Mize said there also have been instances were intramural softball teams were asked to leave the baseball/softball fields even though they were scheduled to be there.

The teams have been unable to use  Citizens 1st/Perkins Soccer field because of recent rains and poor drainage, recreational sports coordinator Jameson Adams told SGA members. He said a “trickle down” effect happens when collegiate athletes are unable to use their own facilities and must be switched to others for practices.

Athletic Director James Vilade told the Patriot Talon poor drainage has been a problem with the soccer field since it was built. Last year, officials had to use a helicopter to dry the field for a men’s soccer playoff game. Four soccer games were moved last week to Bullard because the field was still soaked from recent rains. “We are always trying to resolve the issue,” Vilade said.

The students who addressed SGA members said their teams deserve equal treatment since they also pay student fees to use sports facilities.
Students and SGA senators agreed stricter and “less tentative” scheduling times for all sports teams would be ideal or finding addition “green space” to use.

Senator Cameron Leger made a motion requesting the SGA form an ad-hoc committee to investigate the conflict and report back to the organization. The SGA approved the measure with a unanimous vote. “This is the first big step we can take to resolve the issue,” Leger said.