Letran overhauls sports program due to losses amid pandemic

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Colegio de San Juan Letran had hard decisions to make involving their sports program and athletes.

To continue recovering from their losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Letran rector and president Fr. Clarence Marquez wrote a letter addressing the school’s athletic department to reduce operations, cut budgets, control cash flow, and limit resources.

In the letter, Letran should send their student-athletes home during their third term, (June-July 2020) to save more money from dorm and meal expenses.

Regarding the athlete’s scholarships, those not included in the official lineup passed to the NCAA committee and the Juniors Basketball Team B will not be granted anymore.

Moreover, for the eligible student-athletes, the athletic scholarships will only be given to a maximum of 372 students and the Letran screening committee will have to re-evaluate and make sure to hand out the scholarships to the most deserving ones.

Lastly, the school will be withdrawing from the following sporting events: Seniors’ Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Football, Swimming, Track and Field, Taekwondo, Juniors’ Track and Field, and Taekwondo.

“It is with a heavy heart that we are deciding on this matter. We continue to pray for the good health, safety, and well-being of all our student-athletes and coaches,” wrote Fr. Marquez.