 "Photo: Derek Lee/Poly Post")
Tennis athlete and third-year architecture student Keith Boggero will continue his academic career at Cal Poly after the tennis program was cut this year.
Boggero ended the 2010 season with a 7-5 overall record and is not pleased that he will not be returning to the court next year.
Last March, the tennis program was cut by the Cal Poly administration due the state budget crisis.
The school will save anywhere from $175 thousand to $200 thousand a year as a result of the cut, beginning in the 2010-11 school year.
“I am not happy with the decision to cut tennis, but I accept what I cannot control,” said Boggero.
By remaining at Cal Poly, Boggero would like to keep the tennis program alive on campus, but believes that it is out of his control. He would like to see something done about the cuts that have been made to the program but said it is something that cannot be changed overnight.
“I alone do not have enough power to change the outcome, so I try not to think about what could, should or might be done,” said Boggero.
Head Coach Sandy Kriezel is also disappointed about the changes that are taking place in the Athletic Department.
She is saddened that Boggero, along with the rest of the team, will not be able to finish out their tennis careers at Cal Poly and show the campus what their abilities are on the court.
“Unfortunately, tennis has been cut on campus so we will never know his potential as a Cal Poly athlete,” said Kriezel.
Tennis, however, was not the only thing that brought Boggero to Cal Poly.
The architecture program also brought him to Pomona.
As with any athlete, obligation to the tennis program and maintaining grades are top priorities and Boggero does his best to balance both.
“I sacrifice some class time for tennis and some tennis time for class,” Boggero said. “I do whatever I can to stay loyal to the tennis team as well as to my academic obligations.”
Although his tennis playing days are over at Cal Poly, he admires all the significant things that tennis taught him.
“The most important thing about being on tennis is how so many positive attributes can be built up all the same time in a fun way,” Boggero said. “Playing tennis with the team promotes teamwork, leadership, friendship, trustworthiness and a healthy lifestyle.”
Boggero’s college experience is now going to be different going into his senior year. One thing that he will have more time for is his classes.
“Although it is often a hassle to balance the two, my time on the tennis courts really helps to get my mind off my other obligations for a while,” said Boggero.
Kriezel said that Boggero is a team player on and off the court 100 percent of the time and has many qualities that will benefit him in the future.
“He has a strong work ethic,” Kriezel said. “He is kind, generous, honest and coachable.
He brings friendship, support, competitiveness and a big smile. Keith loves the game of tennis and will be successful in anything he chooses to do.”
Without the tennis experience, Boggero believes that he would have not enjoyed his time at Cal Poly as much as he did while he was balancing time in the classroom and on the court.
“If I did not have tennis, I would have more time to focus on my classes, but I wouldn’t have met so many people I am glad to have met,” Boggero said. “I would not have kept a healthy lifestyle and would not have had such a great time throughout the school year.”
Even with all the hardships throughout the year, Boggero still stays positive about the whole experience.
“It was great while it lasted and I would love to have that opportunity again,” Boggero said.
“Unfortunately, I do not feel like there is anything I can do to keep the tennis program alive at Cal Poly. I just hope it comes back in time for me to play one more year.”
Reach Regina Keller at: sports@thepolypost.com
Be the first to comment on this article!