Volume 59, Issue 9  - October 16, 2006

Recruit local talent for soccer program
By Carlos Centeno
Columnist

Carlos Centeno

Many dreams came true when UTB/TSC approved a men’s and women's soccer program last spring. Brownsville and the rest of the Rio Grande Valley are known to have a great passion for this sport.

The first part of the soccer program has been completed successfully, which was getting it approved. Now we face a more complex and difficult task: the actual development of the program.
Many resources, both human and economic, are needed to get the soccer program up and running. This is why I support the proposal by Intercollegiate Athletics Director Daniel Huntley to conduct a referendum on a $7-per-credit-hour athletic fee. On Sept. 28, Student Government Association voted to support a referendum on the fee. That referendum will take place Nov. 14-15.

The increment would benefit all sports fans, because not only would it help out the soccer program, but it also would aid other sports programs and help in the creation of new ones.

 There is just one request I have for the Intercollegiate Athletics Department and for the people in charge of the soccer program: When you are out there looking for the soccer players who will be part of the first UTB/TSC soccer team, your first priority should be local talent.

The UTB/TSC volleyball and baseball teams have a high percentage of talented players who are not locals. I am not entirely against this.

This request for local talent for the soccer team is not unsubstantiated; it's backed up by solid evidence. The talent of our local players is obvious. We have two local state champions, Lopez High School, and recently, Gladys Porter High School. We have several competitive amateur leagues, where local players get vast experience in the sport. All you have to do is visit Morningside Park, Oliveira Park or the soccer fields of Club de Fútbol Barracudas, located on FM 511 to see the incredible talent and competitiveness.

 Also, having local talent would benefit everybody, from the community to the players and, most important, the university. It would benefit the players because now they will have an option of staying home and playing their favorite sport. They wouldn't have to leave the Valley to get a four-year scholarship to play a sport they love. And, the institution would gain unlimited support from the local community, which is a great step for the future of the university.

 Hopefully, UTB/TSC will become a starting point for local soccer players with higher dreams, such as the opportunity of playing in professional teams in both U.S. and international leagues. Local players are eager to succeed, so let's try to make UTB/TSC that catalyst Valley soccer players need to reach success.