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National Team alum among those fighting to save community college football in Arizona

By Brent Glasgow | Posted 2/28/2018

Photo via Scottsdale Community College Athletics

Four Arizona colleges could soon lose their football teams, and a former U.S. National Team player is helping to lead the fight to save them.

The Maricopa County Community College District announced Feb. 5 it would discontinue football at its four colleges that currently play it - Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale community colleges.

Anne Ryman and Richard Obert of AZ.com report the ruling was based solely on financial concerns, stemming from the state's decision to eliminate funding to the community colleges years ago. District officials say football accounts for 20 percent of its athletic budget and half its insurance costs, and that ongoing expenses are in the $20 million range.

"Although this is a disappointment to our student athletes, coaching staffs and football fans, it is ultimately the right decision for the district and the long-term success of students," district spokesperson Matt Hanson said with the announcement. "As an essential resource to the community and businesses, MCCCD must be responsible for the financial resources it has been entrusted with."

Since word came down, those impacted have rallied in an effort to save football at the schools, including Santa Cruz Valley High School (Eloy, Arizona) senior and International Bowl alum Alec Meza, a Scottsdale Community College signee who was understandably jarred after the initial announcement. 

"I was mad, but also sad, because I know and have met so many people who took the junior college route," Meza said. "Without it, they wouldn't have gotten their associate's degrees or gone to a four-year university. Everybody who has anything to do with junior college football is distraught, because it affects so many lives."

RELATED CONTENT: U.S. National Team program kicks off 2018 with 24 regionals

Last fall, Meza averaged 13.0 yards per carry en route to 1,109 rushing yards and 19 total touchdowns, and tallied 52 tackles at linebacker, as the Dust Devils went 12-1 in a memorable Conference 2A state runner-up campaign.

Alec Meza USA Football

Meza, part of USA Football's U.S. National Team development program since he was at the Under-14 level, had a TD run in the U.S. U-19 Select’s 48-13 win over Team Nordic at January's International Bowl IX. He committed to the Scottsdale C.C. Fighting Artichokes on National Signing Day.

Last Tuesday, he joined dozens of fellow athletes-turned-activists, coaches and others at district headquarters for a march and meeting, to show their passion and commitment to keep football there alive.

"There were a lot of people there, current players and alumni, guys telling their stories about how junior college helped them," Meza said. "We're just expressing our concern. They're taking away our opportunities, so our voices need to be heard."

Also there was Scottsdale head coach Doug Madoski, who in 13 years has seen more than 95 percent of his players land scholarships at four-year schools.

"He's doing a great job representing all of us, not just Scottsdale," Meza said. "He took the junior college route, so it means a lot to him."

Madoski and players past and present had plenty to say about the benefits of Juco football. 

 

Mesa's intention has always been to eventually take his game to the NCAA Division I level. That will remain the case, no matter what happens after the 2018 season.

"My goal is to be at Scottsdale as long as I need to be to get a D-I offer," Meza said. "If it doesn't work out how we hope, I'll do what I have to do on the field, be a December grad, take care of my grades and take an offer that comes in and go from there."

Over the weekend, Meza got some great news while helping coach young players at the U.S. National Team regional in Phoenix.

 

TagsBlog College football International Bowl National Team Coach Football Parents Fan/enthusiast
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