‘It’s life-changing': UWM Club Football team revoked by university weeks before first game, players appeal
UWM Club Football MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – This time of year, players with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Club Football are normally practicing for their first game. This year, the goal post has shifted.
Club President Angel Renteria and Vice President Ethan Scott-Brown are both players on the team. They were sent an email on Aug. 11 by Danny Sweeny, the Supervisor of Sports Clubs at UW-Milwaukee, informing them the team was revoked.
"This decision follows an extensive safety and risk assessment,” the email said. "The university's foremost responsibility is to ensure the health, safety, and long-term well-being of all students. Based on the findings of the review, continuing to recognize tackle football as an official sport club is not consistent with that responsibility."
Scott-Brown and Renteria said they were shocked and disappointed with the notice in their inbox. Players were practicing before their scheduled first game on September 19.
“To me, it’s life changing. Being here, playing football in college, it's another opportunity, and that’s how every athlete feels here,” Scott-Brown said. “It’s not fair that we are being singled out. Obviously, there are other clubs such as hockey and rugby, all the club sports here on campus I’d say are pretty safe. We’re just getting our opportunity snatched away from us.”
“It really caught us by surprise, if anything else, it hurt us a lot,” Renteria said.
The team has filed a letter of appeal. In the letter, Renteria says he believes it is unfair the club was shut down due to possible safety concerns with the policies they have in place.
Both players also expressed that the club’s importance goes beyond just the ability to play the sport they love.
“Football, you could just look at it as a rough sport where people are hitting each other, but it's more about the people you meet,” Renteria said.
“It’s just the love of the game as well as the brotherhood that comes along with it,” Scott-Brown said.
CBS 58 asked a spokesperson with UW-Milwaukee for comment and they declined while the appeal is in process.
