Cauldron

Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: Sports & Clubs

Media Credit: Donald Lefeber Basketball players prepare for a free throw during one of the club's on-campus practices.

The UST basketball team will work to increase membership to prepare for the formation of the National Association of Intercollegiate Association accredited basketball team next year, according to senior international studies major Fidencio Leija, team vice president.

Currently, there are 13 players on the team's roster. Leija said that it is important for more students to participate. "Coach C.H. is coming in from an assistant coaching position at Rice, is going to look first at the club for players," Leija said.

Coach John Herndon, or as the players call him, C.H., was hired this year to coach part-time. Once a week, Herndon trains the team, practicing various drills and plays, Leija said.

Senior business administration major Tominique Roots, basketball club president, said he hopes the new team will increase interest in basketball on campus.

"I started the club three years ago because there were many students who wanted to play basketball, but they didn't have a way to," Roots said. "I think when we have the real team, people will be more dedicated."

Roots said he and his co-founder, senior marketing and business administration major Shohan Rahman, have been taking steps toward improving the club and increasing participation.

"These two committed individuals have really done a good job in promoting the program each year and also in making adjustments to make our organization better," senior international studies major and team member Donald Lefeber said. "For instance, this year we had real, official jerseys."

While the club plays against other Houston universities in a men's league, UST's basketball club has one female member, sophomore mathematics major Shawna Boothe.

"Honestly, I don't feel any different than any of the other male players," Boothe said. "They all treat me like a ball player, not a girl." Boothe said she has felt discriminated against, though not by the other players.

"On one occassion, the organizer of the league refused to let me play in the league anymore based on the fact that the title of the league clearly defines it as a men's team," Boothe said. "However, our coaches stood up for me and explained that, although it was a men's team, nowhere in the rules did it state that only males could participate in the league. I would have to say that this is one of the best groups of team members I have ever played with."

Boothe said she hopes that the team can count on the support of the student body at upcoming spring semester games.

Though the club is not an official team, the feeling of camaraderie is always present, Leija said. "My favorite thing about the club is that it goes through transition and cycles where at certain points we are cohesive and at times we break down," he said. "But when it comes down to the game, I think we unite in order to get something accomplished. That's coming together to win it."

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