UVI’s male basketball team let down fans and coaches with a 10-game losing streak in the 2014 basketball season

SHARI CHRYSS ALFRED|

ST. THOMAS- School spirit remains low as the University of the Virgin Islands’ male basketball team ended the season losing all of the 10 games played.

With a team of only eight players, the Bucs faced many struggles this season that may have contributed to the 10-game losing streak, disappointing fans, coaches and the university community.

Due to many last years’ team being no longer qualified to take part in the Inter-university  Athletic League, coaches recruited as many  as 25 potential athletes during the summer and fall semesters.

Twenty students attended the tryout but out of the 12 that were accepted as players, many failed to meet the academic participation requirements of the league.

According to the IA League, each player is required to earn 12 credits each semester and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Additionally, the university requires that each player is required to attend a mandatory study session of an hour and a half, but questions have been raised to whether or not this is sufficient when practices are held for at least three hours three to four times a week.

Additionally, former captain and shooting guard Salim Ross suffered a major torn knee ligament, in the second quarter of the pre-season 2013 Paradise Jam game against the Gators of Universidad Metropolitan.

This was the first preseason home game in the last five years that the Bucs have lost. Ross took a leave of absence from school to complete necessary surgeries and rehabilitation sessions.

“It is a very hurtful experience for me knowing that I cannot help my teammates,” said Ross. “Hopefully I will be able to recover quickly and be a able to get back on the court.”

Game statistics show that the Bucs came very close to winning many of the games, including their final home game on March 8 against the University of Puerto Rico-Central Bayamon, which they lost by only two points. They also lost to the Owls of the University of Puerto Rico-Humaco by two points.

“We normally beat these two teams, but the chemistry wasn’t there,” said Melvine Adams, junior forward/center. “Team ball beats individual ball any day.”

UVI is no stranger to losses when it comes to basketball, but after making it to the playoffs last season, fans who had built up excitement and expectations were disappointed once again.

Though disappointed, Interim Athletic Director Curtis Gilpin expressed faith in the team.

“It was a disappointing season for all,”he said. “I’m pretty sure we could’ve done much better.

The varsity basketball games are one of the few options that students have to participate in athletic activities that can encourage school spirit on campus. Last semester, the Athletics Department in conjunction with the Student Government Association Sports Committee hosted a Pride Day with a pep rally to introduce all athletic team players and to encourage students to attend the first home game of the school year, but few students attended.

“The school spirit is so low and many students don’t participate and it’s probably because we lose continuously,” said Andrew Authurton, chairperson of the SGA Sports Committee. “It’s a big risk planning events but we have to hold one head and hope that student participation will increase in upcoming years.”

Head coach Ryan Skinner could not be reached by press time.