GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA) — Regardless of a potential funding life saver, Limestone College’s future remains to be unsure.
On Tuesday, the college’s board of trustees mentioned they wanted extra time to provide you with choices to save lots of the varsity.
So, what’s subsequent for student-athletes?
Whereas athletic occasions are nonetheless underway at Limestone, student-athletes are involved with coaches at different faculties, attempting to determine their subsequent steps if the varsity closes.
The switch portal is a big facet of school athletics, however student-athletes at Limestone College should not coming into the portal by their very own alternative.
In response to a spokesperson for Limestone College, if the varsity stays open, athletics will proceed subsequent fall, however student-athletes mentioned time is operating out to decide.
“The college is generally made up of athletes and it’s so late within the sport and lots of people do depend upon scholarship to have the ability to go on to school and get that increased training and so do I,” mentioned Mariya Montgomery, a Volleyball participant at Limestone,
Competing for Limestone comes with a way of delight.
“I like Limestone,” mentioned volleyball participant Calie Covey. “The individuals make it ten instances higher. The athletics after all however I might do something to maintain it open.”
“Coming to Limestone was a giant change,” Limestone Volleyball participant, Jenna Szabelski mentioned. “I used to be undoubtedly scared to come back nevertheless it modified my life — it has been such an incredible faculty.”
Scholar-athletes mentioned competing as a Saint is greater than a quantity or identify on the again of their jersey, it is about being a part of a household.
“The chemistry is nice,” mentioned Evan Soeffker, a baseball participant. “A bunch of scrappy guys we’re a household on the market. Apply is nice and everyone is admittedly simply taking part in for one another.”
On the soccer staff, freshman operating again Myran Hunt mentioned he is entered the switch portal.
“It’s bizarre,” Hunt mirrored. “I really feel like I’m in highschool once more, beginning throughout, however all the pieces occurs for a purpose.”
A number of college students’ future profession in faculty athletics is unknown.
“It’s crunch time for individuals,” Covey continued. “Persons are closing rosters so I simply hope somebody will take me.”
For seniors heading into commencement, issues additionally really feel completely different.
“I undoubtedly really feel a number of guilt,” Szabelski defined. “I used to be proud to look at them subsequent yr and are available again and cheer them on and to see them undergo these arduous instances it’s actually arduous and actually unhappy.”
Head Baseball Coach Brett Harker is going through an oddly acquainted scenario. Harker was at Furman when the Paladins dropped their baseball program in 2020.
“What I’ve realized by all that is I’m performed with loyalties to universities or NCAA,” Harker mentioned. “My loyalty is to those gamers so simply figuring greatest serve these guys.”
Harker says essentially the most tough half is ensuring his gamers are taken care of.
“I’ve by no means had a college name me and invite me to their wedding ceremony or ship me photos of their first youngster, however during the last 14 years, I’ve gone to a number of weddings and get photos from proud dads,” Harker mentioned. “I discover myself at some extent now the place I solely care about them.
Linda Greenberg is the mom of a baseball participant at Limestone. She mentioned that she needed the college to be a house for her son.
“Everybody remains to be in shock and now panic has set in as a result of we have now to search out him a spot,” Greenberg mentioned. “He has to discover a place.”
By all of it, athletes like Soeffker, mentioned the problem has solely made them stronger.
“We all know this may very well be the final time we play collectively and a few of us ever see one another once more so we’re actually simply taking part in for one another,” Soeffker mentioned. “The man subsequent to you goes to get you recruited so that you simply play your greatest.”
Many athletes mentioned if Limestone stays open, they are going to stick round.
The query nonetheless looming is that if Limestone College will proceed on. A call on if the college will shut shall be introduced no later than April 29.