Mixed Messages: The Sean Davila Story

Sean Davila has quite an impressive track and field resume. In high school, he was named All-American his junior and senior year. He ran the 400-meter in a quick 49.8 seconds, and an even faster 22.2 seconds in the 200-meter race. On top of all this, he was able to be a part of the sixth fastest 4x400 meter race in the nation his junior year with a combined time of 3:14.82 in 2006. After all these accomplishments were compiled, Robert Terelle, the track and field coach at Middlesex County College, had his sights set on adding Davila to his team.

After being recruited to join the track team by Terelle in the fall of 2007, Davila decided he would run for MCC and then transfer and continue to run at Rutgers University. "I really had high hopes after talking to coach Terelle," said Davila. "Little did I know I would be completely misled and lied to about everything MCC had to offer track-wise."

Davila said that he spoke with Terelle prior to joining MCC on many occasions and that he left out many valuable pieces of information that would have changed his mind of enrolling at MCC.

"He told me we had a strong team and that I would really be able to contribute a lot at track meets. Then when I went to the first day of practice he told me I would have to pay for my own track meets, and also supply my own uniform," said Davila. "He then proceeded to tell me that MCC doesn't officially have a track team, but instead a track club. I came here expecting great things, and was left with nothing."

Even after bypassing all of the negatives, Davila still tried to compete at MCC. "I went to the first practice and they made us run around in circles around the gym when there was a track right outside. The worst part about all of that was when the wrestling and basketball teams needed the gym, coach Terelle canceled practice because it was cold and he didn't want to stand outside and watch us run," said Davila. "After I left high school, I really hoped MCC would help me continue to improve my abilities, but I guess I was completely wrong."

Terelle acknowledged the fact that he contacted Davila from high school about running track for MCC. When confronted with what Davila said about being misled, Terelle said, "this is what happens when you don't come around enough during practice -- you don't know that December is for open runners," said Terelle. "We are not sponsored by the school until later in the year. When it comes to having to pay for uniforms, is it really that big of a problem to come with a uniform of a shirt and shorts?"

Davila said he was never informed that the team was set up this way.

The over-crowdedness of the gym Davila referred to was also upheld by Terelle. "With all of the sports at MCC, we really have no ideal situation when it comes to the gym. Also, the track outside is not in great condition so it makes it really hard to use. I'm planning on having set practices for both sprinters and long distance runners this year down at Edison High School's track. "

Terelle also went on to say that, "Davila never made any effort. He would come late to practices and failed to make up a missed class during the winter session of that semester."

Despite the two having opposing stories, Terelle said he still hopes for Davila to come out for the team in January because he knows he can help the team by gaining valuable points in all of their meets.

Davila responded by saying he has no interest after everything that had happened.