College athletes have a lot on their minds: class, practice, games, planning their post-graduation lives… But one thing they never expect to worry about is a tornado destroying their athletics facilities.
But that’s the situation for Ursuline College athletes. In July 2013, a twister wrecked the Ohio school’s sports complex, which housed a basketball court, locker rooms, 4-lane indoor pool and other amenities. Ursuline teams that relied on the center have been forced to play home games at a nearby university as they await a settlement from their school’s insurance company and then a re-build.
“This is our reality and we’re making the best of the situation. No excuses,” said Shannon Sword, Ursuline’s women’s basketball coach, in a News-Herald article.
School officials are hoping for an equitable settlement, and are working to raise money to erect a new sports complex.
“In my perfect world, we’d break ground yesterday. In my real world, we hope to get underway sometime next year,” said Diana Stano, president of the women’s liberal arts college. In the gutty spirit common in student athletes, Ursuline players are keeping a good attitude in a tough situation.
“We get in vans every day and drive to practices and games. It’s what we do. No big deal,” said freshman basketball player Erica Huber.