• Originally published May 5, 2008 at 7:07 p.m., updated May 5, 2008 at 7:07 p.m.

The on-the-field and off-the-field accomplishments have established a solid foundation on which to build our athletic program. Our softball team has received a berth in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Region VI playoffs to be held later this week. Meanwhile, our baseball team finished the season with an overall record of 33 wins and seven losses and an NAIA record of 29-5. The NAIA does not count games played against junior colleges as official games.

While many are disappointed both teams did not make the regional playoff tournaments, rest assured all was done to try to change a system that does not treat independent schools favorably.

Start-up athletic programs face many challenges: budget, scheduling and recruiting are just a few examples. These issues can be compounded when competing as an independent institution.

Without a conference alignment, scheduling is the most difficult obstacle to face. This season, UHV was at the mercy of the other teams. Those that wanted to play us did. Those that did not, including many of the top programs in the region, were not forced to do so. Some schools even went so far as to cancel games to serve their own interests and were able to do so without the fear of reprisal.

UHV President Tim Hudson has had many discussions with NAIA President Jim Carr to raise awareness to the successes UHV has had in spite of some of these hurdles. Many discussions have also taken place between athletic directors and coaches to try and address inequities in the way teams are rated and rewarded for their accomplishments on the field.

As a result, administrators from the NAIA and the conferences in the region, are reviewing how tournament formats are finalized and how the qualifying teams are chosen.

The results did not benefit UHV’s baseball team this year, but going forward the playing field should be level for independent schools, like UHV, and other schools that enter the NAIA.

What mustn’t be lost as we look back at our season is the fact it was a very successful athletic debut for UHV. The on-field accomplishments should be touted. But the in-class successes and communitywide impact our student athletes have had away from the field have been just as rewarding.

Playoffs or not, these Jaguars have been embraced by the community, and the result is a solid foundation for a lasting relationship between UHV athletics and Victoria.

As the spring semester draws to a close, I woule like to give a big thank you to Keri Lambeth, Terry Puhl, Tim Hudson, the UHV administration, Debbie Griffiths, our first Jaguar teams, our sponsors, volunteers, and fans who have made this first season a memorable one.

Ashley Walyuchow is the University of Houston-Victoria athletic director.

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