The Ateneo is a university that prides itself on a higher standard of both academic and athletic excellence. It is an institution which considers the top rung of every ladder home. Academically, mediocrity is met with probation at best, and expulsion at worst. It is that very standard that has inspired this article.

Varsity?

As an athletic program, Ateneo Chess has unfortunately been unable to achieve this standard.

Having come last in UAAP Season 72 and 5th in Season 73, the Blue and Lady Woodpushers have a long way to go before they live up to the name they carry.

When asked about his team’s performance, Coach Idel Datu replied, “I felt proud of my players. They were facing difficult odds.”

Yes, the rise in ranks is an improvement, and 5th is much better to look at than last, but it is, at best, below par.

The chess team is diligently working towards an improvement in their overall performance, and in time, this hard work will pay off.

However, one must remember that despite their current standing, the chess team still has the honor of being known as a varsity squad.

They still receive funding for uniforms, a training room and even scholarships.

These are all amenities which the team is privy to, due to their varsity status and the fact that the Ateneo believes they will still improve, given enough investment.

Hopefully, in the coming years, the community gets to witness a stronger Ateneo Chess Team. After all, ours is a school which prides itself on having the cream of the intellectual crop.

What better sport displays this than chess?

Varsity…

If athletic funding could be purchased in the currency of medals and trophies, the Ateneo Powerlifting Team, Muay Thai Team and Jiu Jitsu Team would have full scholarships for all their athletes, and private ping pong rooms to boot.

These teams have excelled far beyond their expectations, and compete in tournaments which are not restricted by collegiate rules. These athletes compete against full grown men, making their accomplishments that much more impressive.

Like officially recognized varsities, these teams follow strict training schedules. Like varsities, these teams diligently sacrifice time in order to bring home medals and trophies.

However, despite their dedication to excellence, their consistent pursuit for glory, and the blood, sweat and tears that have literally stained the mats they train on, these teams are not considered official Ateneo varsities.

These teams fail to meet certain varsity qualifying requirements, the most prominent of which is that, in order to be considered a varsity, five other UAAP schools must have a team practicing the sport in question.

The prevailing implication is that, because these athletes are collegiate pioneers of their sports, and because other schools have not caught up, they will not be recognized as official members of Team Ateneo.

Furthermore, these overlooked sportsmen actually pay Ateneo in order to use school facilities. These athletes received no funding, no uniforms, no transportation funds and no consideration for specialized enlistment. As a result, these students not only make the same sacrifices that normal student-athletes make, but must do so with no consideration from the campus whatsoever.

Varsity.

Juxtaposed against Ateneo Chess, the comparison to any of the three previously mentioned teams would be unfair, as they differ immensely in training and competition style.

However, to deny the evident truth―that all three teams work hard, that all three teams deserve varsity status and that all three teams make extraordinary sacrifices that go largely unseen―would be rather ignorant.

With enough time and effort, Ateneo Chess will improve. Perhaps, in the future, the Blue and Lady Woodpushers may even become the country’s best team.

Nevertheless, that is the future; it is also important to look at the now. Now is the time to recognize the efforts of those who train just as hard yet go unnoticed. Now is the time to bring attention to individuals who live up to the promise of magis.

Varsity status? By all means. They deserve it.