May issue.pdf - Wingspan

16Wi n g s pa nopinionMay 4, 2009lccc.wy.edu/wingspanDear Editor:Travis Ward, theLaramie CountyCommunity Collegevolleyball coach, isthe most negativepoint of the last fallsemester when wewere studying andliving in Cheyenne,Wyoming.We are internationalstudents fromBrazil, and we playedvolleyball for LCCC.Living in a differentcountry and having tolearn a new languageand a new way of lifewere already really difficult,and Travis madeit “a lot worse” for us.Travis made us crymore than a coupleof times because ofthe way he treated us.During the season, hewas really rude, mean,and he kept using thename of our countryand our language atpractices and games todiscourage us, and hedid it disrespectfully.Also, he used cursewords toward us andscreamed things like:“You are not in Brazilanymore, stop playingyour Brazilian volleyball!!!”or “Can youunderstand me or doI have to translate it toPortuguese for you?”He forbade us to talkin our language and/or stay at the sameroom in trips. In ourfirst tournament inIdaho, he also didn’tallow us to staytogether betweengames or to make thewarmup together.He didn’t give usopportunities to playand help the team asmuch as we could.Although, saying thatwe were between thebest girls on the team,he didn’t let us play.Also, he tried toput us against eachother, pressuringus to tell him whichone of us was betterplaying volleyball atcertain positions andrarely putting us toplay together at thesame time on thecourt.After the end ofthe season, I, Natalia,asked Travis to helpme to find a new collegebecause I am asophomore. However,he didn’t even giveus the videos of thegames that we neededto send to othercoaches. He told us togo ask the managerfor the home games,and those were theonly games that wehad access to.I, Natalia, hadto send e-mails tocoaches from schoolsthat we playedLetter to the editorInternational players critical of v-ball coachagainst, askingfor the DVD of thegame. I was reallydisappointed whenI watched the gamesbecause I didn’t havethe opportunity toplay to my full capability.Because of that,I didn’t have gamesthat were goodenough to show toa four year schoolcoaches. So, I hadto ask Dayane tohelp me to record anew video showingmy volleyball skills.We sent e-mails toschools all around thecountry.I, Natalia, sentmore than 130 e-mails, and I couldn’tunderstand why I wasnot having positiveanswers from thecoaches that I sentthe e-mails to, noteven ONE school.After a while, wefound out from oneof the coaches whocalled Travis to knowmore about us. Thecoach from the othercollege told me thatTravis didn’t say goodthings about me, andbefore this Travis hadtold me that he talkedto a lot of schools thatcalled him to knowmore about me.Then, I realizedwhy I was notreceiving positiveanswers from any ofthe coaches that I hadsent e-mails to.Also, the coachfrom the other collegetold me he had tocontact a coach froma team we playedagainst who, by theway, was the one whotold him how goodplayers we are.That made us reallyfrustrated and sadbecause a coach fromanother team was tryingto help us; however,our own coachdidn’t even try to helpus to get a scholarshipin a new college. Henot only didn’t helpus but he also made itmore difficult.Now, I have oneoffer from a collegein Texas, and Dayanehas signed with theUniversity of WestAlabama. I think thecoach from the collegein Texas didn’tcall Travis. That’s whythey are still offeringme the scholarshipthat I need to finishmy major and to getmy degree.I want to leavehere clear that I’mnot writing all thisin order to damageTravis’ image or anything.I just would liketo let what happenedand is still happeningbe known to thepeople who are ableto change that.We do not agreewith coaches thinkingthat they are doingus a favor as if we donot have any otheropportunities here orin our home country.Because of that, theythink they can dowhatever they want.So, we really thinkthe coaches should notbe permitted to bringinternational playerswithout being able toaccept their culture,their language, andtheir differences. Theyshould know howto communicate, torespect and to be responsiblewith playersfrom another country.Thanks for yourconsiderations,Natalia AssisDayane SouzaApril 8AssaultIn the Residenceall, two studentsere involved in ahysical altercation. Thearamie County Sheriff’separtment was called,nd the investigationas turned over to them.April 9Alcohol incidentTwo studentsere drinking in theesidence Hall; oneas underage. Thearamie County Sheriff’separtment was notifiednd issued a citation forminor in possession.April 10Criminal mischiefA student walkingy purposely activatedan emergency call box;however, there was noemergency. The individualwas then explainedthe seriousness of theoffense.April 13Suicidal ideologyIn the InstructionalResource Center, a nonstudentindicated sheintended to harm herself.The Laramie CountySheriff’s Departmentwas called and assumedthe investigation.Criminal mischiefAn individual urinatedall over the WestResidence Hall elevator.April 14Medical assistA nonstudent contactedCampus Safetyand Security and saidhe needed help becausehe was unable walk. Hismother was contacted,and she took him home.Suicidal ideologyIn the CampusChristian Center, astudent stated shewanted to harm herself,and then she got into averbal altercation withanother student. TheLaramie County Sheriff’sDepartment was notified.This person hassince been barred fromcampus.Medical assistIn the cafeteria, awoman collapsed onthe floor. EmergencyMedical Services arrivedand determined she didnot have to be transportedto the hospital.Agency assistCampus Safety andSecurity was requestedby the Residence Hallcoordinator to assist insearching a student’sroom for medicinesthat could be used in asuicidal attempt.April 18Alcohol incidentCampus Safety andSecurity was contactedabout a student drinkingin the Residence Hall.The person becamebelligerent, and theLaramie County Sheriff’sDepartment was notified.The person wascited for a minor in possession.April 19Hit and runA student returningfrom a trip noticed theright side of her vehicle,parked in Lot D, hadbeen dented. Therewere no suspects. TheLaramie County Sheriff’sDepartment was notified.April 20Accident/propertydamageTwo vehicles collidednear the east entranceon the north loop road.There was very minimaldamage.April 22Accident/propertydamageIn the Residence Halleast parking lot, a residentreported someonestruck her vehicle. Shecontacted the individual,who refused toprovide insurance information;however, after adiscussion with CampusSafety and Security, sheagreed.April 22DisturbanceIn Lot B, an argumentoccurred between aformer couple. Five maleindividuals also wereinvolved, and they werecited for trespassing.April 23Suspected drugincidentCampus Safety andSecurity was contactedby member of theResidence Hall staffinvolving a suspiciousmarijuana-like odor—the officer couldn’t smellit.April 24Suspicious eventIn the HealthScience Building,Campus Safety andSecurity was notifiedthat someone got intothe files of the directorof nursing and removedinformation.April 24ThreatsCheyenne policenotified Campus Safetyand Security of a studentwho broke up with hisgirlfriend, texted herand left voicemails thathe wanted to shoot her,her friends and himself.The individual was noton campus at the time.Police contacted theindividual, and he saidhe didn’t want to shootanything.April 25AlcoholCampus Safety andSecurity was notified ofa person drinking in theResidence Hall. Uponquestioning, he producedwhat he was drinking, butbecause he was of age, thealcohol was just poureddown drain.Assist outsideagencyCampus Safety andSecurity was notifiedby a deputy that hebelieved a runaway wasbeing harbored in theResidence Hall. Theindividual was contactedand admitted the personwas in his room. Adeputy took the personinto protective custody.April 27Criminal mischiefIn the lowerEducational EnrichmentCenter, an individualurinated all over a restroom.