We all know what it’s like to be the new kid on the block, not knowing where to go or what to do. When you are the new kid on a sports team it does not make it any easier. However, these student-athletes are not new to the game, just new to the scene.
Maryville University welcomes several new athletes to the Saints family. Brittnye McSparron, a transfer from Drake University, joined the Women’s basketball team this year and seems to be fitting in very well.
“Everyone is nice and accepting not only on the team, but at the university as a whole,” said McSparron. “I only have one year left to play and I want to enjoy it with good people.”
Maryville’s athletic department has been beaming with pride after their success in multiple programs this past year. From a Great Lakes Valley Conference championship for the Women’s basketball team to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament appearances from the wrestling team, Maryville has been on the come up in athletics. What better way to spice things up than by adding new talent to an already talented student-athlete population?
“There is a sense of camaraderie here and I think that’s what drew me to Maryville in addition to academic excellence,” said McSparron. “I wish all the other student-athletes the best of luck in their upcoming season.”
Tonya Charland, Maryville’s director of compliance, has the task of making sure these new star pupils are eligible for competition, which isn’t a walk in the park. Seeing that Maryville belongs to the NCAA, she must abide by the rules and regulations of the NCAA. According to the NCAA, a transfer is not eligible to compete during the championship segment if the athlete has competed at the previous college in the same sport during that segment of the same academic year. However, athletes who transfer in the middle of the year must wait until the following academic year. All of this and much more is taken into consideration before accepting transfer student-athletes.
“It’s weird going through the NCAA process twice,” said McSparron.” There is a lot of paperwork, but once it’s all done you can breathe and just play ball.”
Jumping on the bandwagon in favor of the new additions was athletic director, Marcus Manning who responded with a simple fist pound and a smile saying, “Get excited Saints Nation because this is going to be an amazing year of sports; so grab your black and red and fill the stands. Go Saints!”
Maryville Pawprint Maryville Pawprint, Maryville University's Student Newspaper
