Photo by Victoria Gracie/Cuestonian
By Victoria Gracie
Staff Writer
Cuesta College is home to a variety of sports teams, however men’s soccer is not one of them.
As soccer season approaches Cuesta College still does not offer intercollegiate play for male athletes.
Rules and regulations from Title IX restrict the college from offering the sport. Not having a specific sports team could potentially be a waste of talent for the school.
Pedro Leonardo has been playing soccer for the past ten years of his life, and it is unfortunate that he is not able to play on a intercollegiate soccer team to further is soccer career.
“We have so much talent and potential in the player’s that have come out and give it a try but we need a more formal program in order for them to stick around,†said Leonardo, a second year business administration major.
This affects certain student athletes because of their huge interest in playing soccer for the school.
“It is difficult to offer every sport, due to budget limitations and Title IX restrictions,†said Bob Mariucci, athletic director of Cuesta College. “I have a lot of pride and respect for the club teams at Cuesta College such as the men’s soccer club and men’s & women’s rodeo clubs to name a few.â€
Title IX is an act requiring an equal amount of sports teams for men and women.
Although Cuesta does not have a soccer team for men, they do have a club team.
“The Cuesta College men’s soccer club has proven to be a very competitive club team throughout the state and has been sustained by good numbers of incoming and returning student athletes year after year,†Mariucci said. “It would be great for the College to be able to offer Intercollegiate Men’s soccer within our current program.â€
Although Cuesta does not have a men’s soccer team, they do offer soccer for women.
“I think it would be cool to switch it up certain practices and have a day to scrimmage the boys,†said Chloe Holstine, a second year women’s soccer player for Cuesta.
The women’s soccer team would benefit from having a men’s team because they can scrimmage against each other and have a different type of competition to help on the field.
“When playing against guys it is a different type of scrimmage because they are faster and stronger and it can potentially make us better because of this,†said Brooke Canepa, a second year soccer player for Cuesta.
Title IX also protects all students from sexual assault on campus. This includes domestic violence and stalking, according to the Cuesta College website.
Students feeling sexually harassed are encouraged to contact authorities on campus, according to Cuesta’s website.
Cuesta’s website also lists steps that one should take if this happens to them.
Going to a safe place, calling for help, getting medical attention and preserving evidence are all recommended steps for a victim of sexual assault.