- The Record Archives
- Volume CXVIII, No. XXI - November 17, 2005 - news
Sitting on the sidelines
Insurance is too costly for international students, some say, which means they aren't allowed to participate in sports
The Record
On Saturday, the SJU soccer team lost 3-2 in two overtimes to the University of Chicago in the first round of NCAA Division III Tournament.
Many international students could have potentially played on that team, but chose not to because of the high insurance cost they must pay to participate in varsity athletics.
"Even if I had the money, I think it is too much for a dream," said Samba Traore, a first-year from Mali who had aspirations of playing soccer before coming to St. John's, which were sidelined when he found out about the high insurance cost.
"When I heard about the high cost of the insurance and realizing I couldn't play, it felt like having cancer," he said.
Most domestic students have insurance coverage from their parents.
However, international students typically don't, and under NCAA regulations they must have some form of medical insurance to cover them and the liability of the school if they endure an injury.
This insurance is currently $900, and this must be paid to even try-out for a varsity sport.
Most of these students can afford the fee, but they choose not to pay because they believe it is too costly.
They feel paying would create a damper on their families and the money should be spent on more important needs.
Terry Lee Kam Chung, a student from Mauritius, believes this.
My parents will have difficulty paying this, but they can however, Lee Kam Chung said. However, he said, spending this money on other, more important things such as textbooks, school and other daily time would be more beneficial.
However, some of international students decide that paying so much is worth the return. First-year Juan Hernandez from Guatemala was on the SJU soccer team this year and sophomore Devin Santos from Trinidad played for the team last year before injuring his knee.
"It was worth it. It was really fun. I had a great time," Hernandez said.
First-year Alpha Sarr said he paid the insurance to play basketball, but did not make either the varsity or junior varsity team. If everything works out Sarr said he will get back about half of his money. Javari Southard from the Bahamas did make the junior varsity team.
SJU Basketball Head Coach Jim Smith said the program has had many international students, primarily from the Bahamas and Europe, play on both the varsity and junior varsity teams in the past. However, recently there has been a decline in the number of internationals coming out for basketball.
Smith believes this is happening for a number of possible reasons including: more schools are recruiting these players and St. John's cannot offer athletic scholarships, international students need time to adjust to life in the United States and financial strain from insurance as well as other costs.
"I know it [insurance] has been an obstacle and it is unfortunate this is the case," he said.
Many of these international students along with other students play pick-up and intramural soccer and basketball games, as well as other sports. Dan Philippe, who tried out for this year's soccer team but did not make it, plays with these students. He said causing students to not play varsity athletics is detrimental to the program.
Without international students a lot is lost, he said. They bring so many other things to the game, he said.
SJU soccer coach Pat Haws agrees.
"I wish we would have more internationals with us," Haws said. "I think it is really fun to have people from around the world in the world's game."