SEPT. 6, 2011 | FORUM
THE REPORTER
15
// FORUM Jessica Medina, Forum Editor //
T (305) 237-1254
//
B jessica.medina008@mymdc.net
MDC SOCCER
STUDENTS SUFFER FROM LACK OF SOCCER TEAM MIAMI DADE COLLEGE STUDENT ATHLETES ARE MISSING OUT ON THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING ON A COMPETITIVE COLLEGIATE TEAM.
By Jessica Medina jessica.medina008@mymdc.net
Bureaus ——————————— North Campus Bureau covers North, West, MEEC and Hialeah B 11380 NW 27th Ave. Room 4209 Miami, FL 33167 T (305) 237-1254 ————————————————— Kendall Campus Bureau covers Kendall and Homestead B 11011 SW 104th St. Room M239 Miami, FL 33176 T (305) 237-2157 ————————————————— Wolfson Campus Bureau covers Wolfson, Medical and InterAmerican B 300 NE Second Ave. Suite 1610 Miami, FL 33132 T (305) 237-3368
Editorial Board ———————————
Miami Dade College is part of the National Junior College Athletic Association, and since the institution’s initiation in 1952 the college has won a total of 34 titles, 21 in men’s sport and 13 in women’s. It is safe to say MDC has a solid athletic program, but why does it lack a soccer team when it is based in a city teeming with athletes and fans? The question has been left unanswered for numerous semesters now. While intramural soccer clubs can be set up in each campus on a semester basis, the athletes of MDC would love to see a successful soccer team bloom like the other sports at our beloved college have. Whether funding is the root cause of this problem or the administrative staff is not aware of the sporting needs of the students, the solution does not seem to be in sight. The NJCAA has placed MDC in region eight, with Broward College as the only current men’s soccer team and three other colleges
with a current women’s soccer team in Florida. The closest two regions have a total of 21 competing teams in women’s soccer and 19 in men’s. A national championship is also sponsored by the NJCAA for both men and women. Why haven’t we joined the friendly competition? It can’t be the lack of talent in South Florida. After all, there is a plethora of high schools in the immediate MDC feeder pattern with soccer teams. It would be an asset to Miami Dade College to have a soccer team for various reason, the first
being that a soccer team promotes school spirit and involves the student body with the college. Of course, the potential accolades the college may receive from fruitful competition is always a plus. A soccer team would give to some student athletes the competitive college experience they would not receive otherwise. There are cases every year of student athletes who excel above and beyond their expectations because of the opportunities MDC has offered them through their sport of choice. Numerous stu-
dent’s even receive scholarships at major universities. Now, how is this problem solved? The only logical solution is to band together and continue creating intramural teams on each campus, maybe even a little petitioning could go a long way. If this is a benefiting addition to Miami Dade College then it should be a priority. But priorities are not made on a whim and a shout, they are made by constant pressure from athletes who wish to see this project become a reality.
VOX POPULI
Student’s views on Soccer—and lack thereof—at Miami Dade College.
“I am thinking that it would be so cool to have Miami Dade known for their soccer team, that would be really cool! It’s different, it makes us stand out, this school really stands out, compared to the other community colleges nearby.” ———————————————————————————— Patricia Romaniuk, 35, Biotechnology and Chemical Technology major at the Wolfson Campus.
“I think a soccer team would be a good idea since we have so many students that are into soccer. I took part in the intramural league we had last semester, and it was pretty much a success so it would something nice to have. I think it would be beneficial to the college because you could compete as a school.” ———————————————————————————— Nicholas Pendas, 20, Architecture major at Kendall Campus.
Monique O. Madan Editor-in-Chief
Mark Pulaski Wolfson Campus Bureau Chief / A&E Editor Melissa Adan Kendall Campus Bureau Chief / Briefing Editor
ILLUSTRATION BY LAZARO GAMIO / THE REPORTER
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE “I think MDC should have a soccer team because it’s a great way to interact with people from different countries and socialize more with other students.” ———————————————————————————— Mauricio Cadavid, 27, ESOL Student at Kendall Campus.
The Reporter is the free biweekly student newspaper at Miami Dade College. All content is produced by MDC students. The opinions in this newspaper do not necessarily represent those of the administration, faculty, or the student body.
“No, we already have enough sports as is. If anything, why not have a football team?” ———————————————————————————— Zandria Rumph, Psychology major at North Campus.
Jessica Medina Forum Editor
Art Department ——————————— Lazaro Gamio Interim Art Director Gregory Castillo Photo Editor Akeem Brunson Multimedia editor Josue Molina Videographer Sebastian Restrepo, Joanna Ruffin, Rocio Sevilla | Designers
Issue Staff ——————————— Natalie Abramson, Igor Argibay, Akeem Brunson, Stteffanny Cott, Elias Cruz, Brittany Esquijarosa, Annaliese Garcia, Morena Guerrero, Jaime Gutierrez, Monica Kelly, Shannen Mirarchi, Bernard Noel, Gabriela Reyes, Kirsten Rincon, Jael Teme, Ralph Tur, Daniela Valle, Paul Vila, Justin Williams, Amy Zuckerman Manolo Barco Media Adviser B mbarco@mdc.edu T NORTH.........................(305) 237-1255 T KENDALL......................(305) 237-2323 T WOLFSON....................(305) 237-3477
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