Because of the pandemic, students are having a hard time getting scholarships.
The outlook that athletes had towards obtaining scholarships from their skills within sports has changed; graduate students of 2020 and 2021 have had less of an opportunity then other athletes before.
Sierra Pacific High School football and track and field coach Dion Tate said the pandemic is hurting players’ chances of getting a scholarship.
“Being that we are a small school, it’s difficult for players to get notice,” Tate said. “This is making it even harder because there is no film this year.”
Tate also said “it’s taken a toll on students given it being already hard and now much harder for some of the players to be drafted.”
“It’s not really hurting the team right now, because most of our players will be returning for next year,” Tate said.
“The seniors that have opportunities to play in college are in decent shape, because they were all three year starters.”
Tate also said the seniors that didn’t play last year will probably have to go to junior college for another opportunity
Tate said “The main choice I have now is just to prepare for the future.” not much could be done other then prepare for the future and what is to come in the coming years.”
“A lot of the boys are working out by themselves, which is encouraging, but there is nothing like putting in the work with the team,” Tate said.
Tate also mentioned it’s hard to push yourself when you are alone.
“I believe the boys need each other,” Tate said.
“This is why it’s important to put in hard work early on. Colleges take notice of athletes that perform ALL the time.”
Sierra Pacific High School student and baseball player Mickey Lawrence Madruga said The pandemic delayed our schedule but not my chances of earning a scholarship.
“we’re set to start our season by March 23rd, and I’m on a 18U college scout team so my chances of getting scouted are very high, Madruga said.”
“It didn’t affect the team because now we’re starting to condition and workout more, I would say I thought we wouldn’t start this season but we have a start day and month so hopefully we don’t get shut down again,” Madruga said.
Madruga said “The choices I’ve made is to work hard and take in every moment I got left in high school baseball, because if I’m going to play in a D2 or D1 college, I have to work hard in high school and prepare myself.”
Madruga also said “ I’ve been working out on my own and maintaining myself since December and I’ve seen so much progress in my health, body, stamina, strength, and I’ve been hitting the ball way farther than I used to and throw the ball farther and harder and faster than I used to.”
This goes into the idea that some students are able to have the opportunity but only to an extent based on their skills and devotion to the sport.
