LUFKIN, Texas (East Texas News) – Six senior-year athletes from SFA appeared in federal court on Wednesday, fighting to keep alive the sports recently cut by the university.
The athletes represent the school’s volleyball and bowling teams, and they appeared before the court for a preliminary hearing on a motion for a temporary restraining order. The hearing was a step in a broader lawsuit to preserve the women’s sports that SFA had cut as a cost-cutting measure: beach volleyball, bowling, and golf. If granted, the temporary restraining order would require SFA to restore these sports temporarily until the lawsuit is resolved.
On Wednesday, inside the courthouse, the athletes testified about how they were on summer break and learned, via a virtual meeting, that their sports had been cut. SFA has kept scholarships for those who choose to stay, but most opted to transfer to other universities to continue their athletic careers. However, the six named plaintiffs — Sophia Myers, Kara Kay, Ryann Allison, Elaina Amador, Berklee Andrews, and Meagan Ledbetter — decided to remain at SFA to finish their final years.
SFA representatives argued that it would be difficult to field full teams and hire coaches on short notice if the court grants the injunction.
The hearing is scheduled to run through Thursday.
