Athletic scholarships reinstated this AY with revisions in prerequisites, budget

Originally published in HF Volume 37 Issue 1

 

As sports programs in the University gradually returned, the Sports  Development Office (SDO) reopened scholarships for student-athletes and newcomers for academic year (AY) 2022-2023. The scholarship qualifications were modified and eased compared to the guidelines that were implemented during AY 2020-2021. 

One of the changes in the qualification is the requirement that student-athletes should pass 60 percent of the total units they are taking for a semester. This is a requirement for the major competitions the athletes would be joining, which are the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) and Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA).

“They are eligible for a scholarship basta they have to pass at least 60 percent of their total units…They have to pass 60 percent as long as they will finish their course in 5 years [kasi] ‘di naman pwedeng laging 60 percent lang,” SDO Director Gerardo Sergio III stated in an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO.

The benefits for student athletes under the scholarship program also had minor changes financially as nine sports programs were revived during the transition period, namely men and women’s basketball , men and women’s volleyball, badminton, table tennis, chess, athletics, and swimming.  Sergio disclosed that the P2,100 athletics provision before the pandemic dropped down to P1,500 for the current academic year. 

Besides the scholarship program, athletes also receive a monthly allowance apart from the allowances given whenever they participate in competitions outside the University. 

Regarding the funds for the athletic program, Sergio mentioned that there are  still adjustments on  the management’s end as the athletic scholarship program supports many athletes under nine different programs, which is why the office considers outsourcing as an  option to further assist the student-athletes.

“Ngayon, may mga talks. Tinutulungan tayo [SDO] ng Advancement Office, ng SCO [Strategic Communications Office], ng alumni, so may mga kakausapin na kaming mga tao na possible na tumulong sa ating program, and hopefully, maging okay.”  he added.

In terms of academic benefits, Sergio explained that there are arrangements between the SDO and the subject departments of National Service Training Program (NSTP) and Physical Education (PE) where student-athletes under the said programs shall only comply with certain requirements in order to pass. 

“So for PE classes, they are just required to attend the first three meetings, then just refer to their respective PE professor. For NSTP, attend the first three meetings, then submit two  enabling assessments,” Sergio furthered. 

According to the SDO director, there are two types of athletes: first, the recruited athletes who earn full scholarships and are scouted from outside leagues, and second, the walk-in athletes who willingly went to try-outs and were accepted to the team.

With more walk-in try-outs being conducted, Sergio mentioned that SDO is coordinating with interested students and introducing them to respective coaches so they can be assessed right away. Sergio emphasized that apart from the year-round try-outs, aspiring varsity players can also participate in the Intercollegiate Intramurals for their exposure.