When it comes to academics, Evan Guzman is a normal college student who attends class and jots down notes, but when it comes to athletics, his story is anything but ordinary. In the recent decision to cut the men’s indoor track team he not only is the proud captain of the squad; he also serves as the team’s passionate spokesperson.
Guzman was born in New Jersey but was raised in Franklin, Tennessee, where he went to Franklin High School. Guzman’s sophomore year of High School is where his running career started. Guzman’s older brother ran cross country at the time, and in the spirit of sibling competition, Guzman naturally wanted to outdo him.
“I came here [ETSU] in 2021 in the spring. I got my classes scheduled last minute and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve made some positive changes in my running career and school.” said Guzman.
In his first year at ETSU, he was both an Indoor and Outdoor SoCon All-Freshman team selection. As if track and field was not enough, he also ran cross country where he earned Second Team All-SoCon honors and was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team. Moving into 2022, Guzman began the indoor season at the ETSU Track and Field Invitational, where he had a second-place finish in the Mile (4:11.79). Guzman was also a part of the Distance Medley Relay team that placed 1st (9:51.15).
Personal accolades aside, men’s track and field at ETSU was seemingly on the rise, specifically the indoor track team. In the 2022 Buccaneer Indoor Track and Field Invitational Guzman and the team had an impressive showing and finished second overall. Next year, in 2023 at the Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, the ETSU men’s squad finished in a highly respectable third place.
However, in June of 2023 Guzman and his fellow teammates were given a week’s notice about a team Zoom call. This Zoom call featured ETSU athletic director Dr. Richard ‘Doc’ Sander and other administration personnel and ended in the decision to cut the men’s indoor track team. The decision was made due to a decline in male enrollment at the college and the need to make modifications regarding Title IX.
“It basically means that Title IX is supposed to even out the playing field to make sure everyone has equal opportunities. Opportunities is what you count instead of roster spots in college, that’s how the NCAA counts equality. However, the point of title IX is to not break down other sports it’s to lift others up.” Guzman said.
While members of the men’s indoor track team are able to compete for a national championship and have previously beaten some of the biggest schools in the nation, cutting the team can certainly have its consequences when facing other strong competition.
“We still have to compete with the best teams in the nation that have indoor seasons. When you look at it like that, indoor is important. We’re at a disadvantage and we have to find a way to get back.”
After initial frustration, Guzman and his team have decided to keep a positive attitude about the situation and are not going to let it get in the way of the hard work they have put in to achieve both team and personal goals, personal goals for some members that include aspirations of being an Olympian.
“We are so dedicated and will continue to be dedicated no matter what. We have Olympians on the team, in the sense of the Olympian spirit and that is where we have always operated from. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to this season.”
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