Pantagraph.com | Sports | Heartland athletics program takes flight with soccer victory

Reader comments on this story - 25 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

antihccgroup wrote on Aug 29, 2007 7:18 PM:

" I wish these ignorant anti-hcc, anti-athletics moaners would just GO AWAY. Thank goodness there are some people in this community with vision and leadership. No referendum - didn't get the signatures...protocol followed ..end of story. Wasting money on local education? How idiotic - HCC is a bargain and has students and staff we should be proud of. If you need to complain at taxes I could list a million ways your taxes are wasted AND education isn't one of them. congrats Hawks and congrats athletes. "

parent wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:18 PM:

" I think it's unfair to say that the student athletics are unintelligent and / or weren't good enough for a 4 year college. My daughter comes from a small town and chose Heartland because of the town and the school and yes I will admit, soccer scholarship. She had offers close to home but not yet ready for a 4 year college and also had an offer from a local community college but wanted to spread her wings a bit. I would like to point out that while these kids may have their tuition paid for, they are adding over and above that in money that goes back to the community. They still pay for books, they pay for rent, they pay for groceries and also for anything they do while there, this is all money goes back to the community. The program is there, it's not going anywhere, so come out and enjoy the fun, they are a great bunch of kids. GO HAWKS "

BE HAPPY wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:22 PM:

" First of all, the cost of tuition is very affordable at HCC and I do not believe tax payers money is going to waste, if it is being used at all. The soccer teams are playing at the Sale Barn Fields- (what else goes on a the Sale BArn Fields), the baseball and softball will be played at Mitsubishi fields and the pony league fileds on ireland grove road and last but not least, the athletic center to be built is a facility to be used by the students and faculty. So where is the waste. Where is the money being wasted. HCC is a different alternative for a student and stiudent athlete to get a head on their college experience before going to a 4yr institution. Adjustment and growth in learning, maturity, and athletically is what HCC offers. "

The Hawks wrote on Aug 27, 2007 6:59 PM:

" "Other people may not have had high expectations for me... but I had high expectations for myself." "

FYI wrote on Aug 27, 2007 6:47 PM:

" For all the people in B/N who think that Heartland is for kids who can't get into other schools you are so wrong! Actually...there are many student athletes at Heartland that have a good history in their school work. One of which is on the soccer team and is recieving the presidential scholarship!!!! nice try! "

A Heartland Athlete wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:33 PM:

" This is for "To Stop Complaining". Just so you know, there are plaenty of athletes at HCC that could play elsewhere.... and perform in the classroom as well. To say something like the HCC athletes "aren't talented enough or smart enough to play at a 4 year school" is just a simple view of your ignorance to the HCC athletics and your community. You have never seen an HCC event and probably never will. However, the athletics is what is drawing students in and developing some sense of pride in the school (which was really lacking by the way). Oh and by the way... I am a student who played at a four year university ON SCHOLARSHIP last season in Chicago but..... you know what I figured out? HEARTLAND is MUCH cheaper. So instead of being a mindless critic why dont you get out and learn a little about what you think you know so much about. Then you can say something! "

referendum wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:23 PM:

" What happen to the voters deciding what to do with the tax dollars? "

Dave wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:58 PM:

" To I'm guessing. Thanks for your response. You actually posted a good point. But I still wonder why they need tuition wavers? "

I'm Glad wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:57 PM:

" That these athletes get a chance to play on a college level. They are getting scouted by universities now. It provides more of a sense of communty to the students. To those who complain about having to play taxes...when it comes time for one of your loved ones or friends, or even yourself, to take a class at Heartland because you need to stay competitive in the workplace, you lost your job, or need more requirements to be met before you go to a university, you'll be glad you have to pay taxes. "

Dave wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:56 PM:

" It is real interesting the responses to people's opinions. You resort to name calling and assumptions about the people. What you don't do is explain why it is a good thing for taxes to be increased so that we can fund athletics at a community college. And don't say it is because everyone else does it. My children have taken and currently take classes at HCC and it has helped them. I see adding athletics and the way that it was done as a tarnish to an otherwise fine institution. And yes, I know all about athletics as a coach and official. I just don't personally think they belong at a community college. I also, don't expect everyone to have the same opinion. Nor will I call them names. "

Smart Person wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:49 PM:

" Soccer is a sport using a ball. You kick it with your foot with a shoe on said foot. Ball goes in direction of kicking motion. Hands bad! "

Just A Guy wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:36 PM:

" Why is it that the people who are against the sports program at HCC the ones continually argued against and insulted? When HCC was founded it was touted as a "low cost alternative to education". Now, it is more expensive than other schools in the area. HCC was able to succeed for the last ten years without sports, so why the sudden need to have them? "

I'm guessing wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:04 PM:

" that people bashing on this athletic program don't have any idea what it is for. There are athletes that are not ready to attend a four year school, either academically and/or maturity wise. Heartland is the bridge. They have lost out of students because they don't offer athletics. There is a whole division- NJCAA, to govern what these athletic teams do, just like the NCAA. So, why would they make the NJCAA and Junior College conferences and programs and conference and Heartland not take advantage of the situation. Obviously, there's something there because I can tell you the athletes they already have on their teams are some of the best- kinda makes you wonder???? I guess people are either jealous of an opportunity they didn't get or bitter that their child didn't get that opportunity. "

to stop complaining wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:56 PM:

" I think a miracle has occured. I'm getting into shape WITHOUT the aid of the tax payers of McLean County. I joined a gym! How amazing is that! As for athletic competition, there are private clubs that, get this, don't use tax payer funding, either!! Heartland would be an even better place if their board focused on education AKA learning and not conference centers and warmed over high school jocks who aren't talented enough or smart enough to play at a 4 year school. "

Bloghog wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:27 PM:

" Always a number of negative comments regarding athletics but we know now that is to be expected from those who do not comprehend the impact of sport on society. CONGRATS HAWKS! "

To:All Critics wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:18 PM:

" It must be hard getting cut from all teams you tried out for as a youth. Just because you are not athletic, doesnt mean there should be no athletics at a CC. They are getting an education and are able to advance their athletic career. Be happy for them instead of picking your own nose and writing comments "

stop complaining wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:02 PM:

" Yeah, giving students an opportunity to stay in shape and compete is a terrible thing!!! For everyone that is upset that Heartland now has sports, get off your couch, put down the remote and do something productive with your lives instead of adding your own comments to a news article. Heartland is up and coming and a great place to be, you should be proud of it. "

horray wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:25 AM:

" I'm so glad that my already rediculous property taxes got to go even higher (without a vote) so that Heartland could pretend to be a four year school. "

Martin Corbin wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:24 AM:

" You can all complain until you are blue in the face... too bad you don't make the decisions around here and we are all thankful for that. "

To: Get On Board wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:18 AM:

" Good Job. I absolutely agree with you. GO HAWKS! "

Sports wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:52 AM:

" Are a waste of money in general! "

Get on board wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:28 AM:

" So the fact that 95% of all CC's have athletics would indicate that Heartland should NOT have Athletics? In a community as progressive as B/N, it is not only natural for HCC to have Athletics, but it would be a farce for them not to.......... Get behind the Hawks! "

Dave wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:57 AM:

" I agree with JC. Athletics has no place at a community college in my opinion. However, it is now here and all we can do is learn from it. I think this is a prime example why we need property tax reform or at least caps. Heartland did everything within their rules. Their previous tax increase authorizations allowed them to incorporate an expensive athletics program without the need of a referendum. Maybe if we cut their funding (or at least their future increases) they may need to cut programs in the future and the unnecessary athletics can be cut. I see that as our only recourse. "

Tax Dollars wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:49 AM:

" Nice way to waste property tax dollars. "

JC wrote on Aug 27, 2007 4:45 AM:

" There is no need for a athletics program at Heartland. It is an extra expense that benefits no one except a few administrators at the school. Heartland started out as a good idea, now it is nothing but another fiscal burden on McLean County's taxpayers - one that, like all other taxing bodies, will continue to spiral out of control with ever-expanding "needs." Maybe we need a referendum or state intervention to reign in this body that seems to truly want to become the University of Central Illinois at Normal. "

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