The Student Government Association allocated almost $6,000 to several student organizations at last night’s senate meeting.The powerlifting team approached the senate for $799.20 to participate in the Collegiate National Championships in Alexandria.
“Ten of our lifters have qualified. Some of us have been training for over a year to make it. It’s the biggest event in the country,” Dino Pierce, powerlifting team member, said.
“We are really honored to have qualified and represent Nicholls State University. We’ve done a lot of recruiting this year and actually have about 13 athletes considering Nicholls just for powerlifting.”
Some senators expressed reservations.
“Why isn’t the athletic department funding this?” Jarrod Gonzales, education senator, asked.
“Powerlifting is not an NCAA sport, so we’re actually more of a club than a team,” Pierce said.
Matthew Ford, senator at large, said he had reversed his original sentiment.
“I’m a little concerned as far as how you’re raising the money and how much y’all did raise. No doubt I support y’all as a group, however, I think we’re not in a position where we can help every athletic group that comes up to us,” Ford said.
With a little bit of influence, Ford said, the SGA might be able to get Rob Bernardi, athletic director, to help the team.
“However, I know I mentioned last time the idea that I supported y’all, but from the things I’ve heard and seen since, I’ve definitely changed my mind,” Ford said.
Pierce reiterated that the powerlifting team should not be viewed in the same light as other sports teams.
Alcie Maxwell, arts and sciences senator, countered Ford’s funding claims.
“It shouldn’t be a question of how they raised the money because they’ve done it by the book,” Maxwell said.
“I think it’s a good motion. The concern, perhaps, would be the athletic department helping you out.”
Pierce said he had not talked to anyone in the athletic department.
“The coach of the powerlifting team is John Magendie, and he’s the head strength coach for Nicholls, so if anyone, he would have talked to someone. He works with every sport on campus,” Pierce said.
Dr. Eugene Dial, director of student life, said only official varsity sports can be funded by athletic department funds.
Scott Duplantis, SGA president, said the senate should put the NCAA issue to bed.
“Let me just remind y’all that we’re not up here discussing how they’re going through NCAA rules,” he said.
The motion passed.
In other business, the orientation team received $2,000 to attend the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop at Murray State University March 16-18.
“I can tell y’all that this is an important conference,” Becky Durocher, director of admissions, said.
“This is an investment in the professional development of the leaders here at the University.”
The Student Respiratory Therapy Association received $605 to attend the State Respiratory Therapy Convention in Baton Rouge.
The University’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People received $890 to attend a conference in Oklahoma City, OK.
