“We don’t get fed!" senior varsity soccer player Daniel Arreola said.

    Budget cuts have had a dramatic effect on all student athletes, from not having enough equipment for the team to not being able to supply athletes with full meals after games throughout the sports season.

    “During the District season we only get $5.00 to spend for our food. That isn’t good enough anymore with this economy.  It isn’t enough for a meal on any menu," Arreola said.

    Budget cuts across the board have affected athletics as well as classrooms. Coaches along with teachers throughout the state believe that the legislature needs to re-examine its priorities.

    “I believe that the state legislature needs to be wiser in how they distribute the money and districts need to be cautious in how they spend their money," girls track coach Steve Golemon said.

    With only one fundraiser completed for the boys’ soccer team this season there has not been enough money to provide sufficient uniforms, new balls, and training equipment. 

    “All sports this year got 10% cut out of their budgets and have had to learn how to manage their money more cautiously," Boys Athletic Director Larry Prince said.

    With these cuts coaches and student athletes are learning to adjust to the new reality. All sports are having more fundraisers and reducing how much they spend.

    “This year we have had three fundraisers already which helped to pay for the softball girls' equipment, tournaments, and clothing," softball coach Roy Klein said. “We sold candles, shirts, and had a cancer awareness fundraiser at one of our softball games.”

    The dramatic budget cuts have made a big impact on all schools throughout Texas as well as in other schools across the country. However, schools are learning to overcome and work with these new changes knowing that more cuts are to come. 
    The proposed cut of more than $500,000, or 5 percent, from athletics is just a sliver of the projected $94 million budget hole for 2011-12, but district officials said all departments must help close the gap.