What’s next for Smith, ENMU soccer players?

Eastern New Mexico University dumped a lump of coal in the holiday stockings of former Valencia goalkeeper Benjamin Smith and the rest of his now-ex ENMU soccer teammates.

On the 12th day before Christmas, Friday, Dec. 13, Smith and the entire Greyhounds men’s soccer team were notified that Eastern was dropping the program, leaving the state of New Mexico without an NCAA men’s soccer team. The shattering news came in the form of an email from Kevin Fite, ENMU director of athletics.

“I am sure this will be very troubling information for many of you to hear,” the email began. “I have decided, with the support of ENMU President James Johnston and the ENMU Board of Regents, to discontinue the men’s soccer program, effective immediately.”

Not exactly the Christmas greeting Smith, a 2024 School of Dreams Academy graduate, was expecting.

“I was extremely irritated,” was Smith’s understated reaction.

In late November, Fite met with the team to look ahead to the next season after coach Brandon Misuraca announced his resignation.

“I asked him (Fite) what were the chances that the program would be dropped,” Smith recalled. “There is no plan to drop the program, at this time,” was Fite’s response, according to Smith.

About three weeks later came the bombshell, with Fite saying in his message to the players and one posted on the school’s athletic website, “We have seen limited competitive success, considerable roster turnover each year and limited participants from this state and region.”

To Smith, those explanations rang hollow. Smith emphasized the program, in its third year since being reinstated, had a better record than other fall sports at ENMU. The Greyhounds were 4-7-6 last season, while women’s soccer was 3-13-1. Football finished 3-8, and volleyball sported a 5-22 mark.

While much of the roster was filled with players from other countries, Smith said it not unusual for teams from the region.

“I think it’s all about money, personally,” Smith speculated. “He (Fite) is just trying to get rid of everybody so he can put that money elsewhere.”

Backing that belief up is part of Fite’s statement: “To minimize the impact of team and staff members, now seems like the most opportune time to initiate a transition to discontinue men’s soccer and explore using our resources to add other sports.”

Fite, who was hired in May, did not talk to the players face-to-face, according to Smith. There has not been a response from Fite to several News-Bulletin email messages seeking comment.

The decision was announced on the last day of the semester, adding to the despair and confusion.

“Timing-wise, it’s just a pain,” Smith said.

Fite wrote that the students could remain on their athletic scholarships, and he promised help in finding new soccer homes.

However, Smith, who was on an academic scholarship and red-shirted during his first season at ENMU, said many of the players were “having trouble communicating and working with Eastern’s staff” to get into the NCAA transfer portal. The players left campus, many heading to Europe or South America, without knowing their future.

After a stressful holiday break, Smith starts the new year with renewed optimism and a smile.

“I have committed to playing and continuing my education at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia,” Smith revealed late last week, thanking former Greyhounds coach Misuraca “with getting my name out” to other potential suitors.

Smith considered staying at ENMU on his academic scholarship, but he wanted to play soccer. The expense of leaving New Mexico was a major concern, but Bison coach Matthew Wolf “was very helpful and was able to work with the school to meet my price range to make Bethany a good option for me,” said Smith, who will be on athletic scholarship.

Smith’s long journey to West Virginia, and a fresh start, both academically and athletically, begins in February.