Palomar College defends decision on gay linebacker

Jamie Kuntz, an openly gay linebacker from North Dakota, wants to play college football. His attempt to find a school has created a stir on the Internet. Kuntz’s search included Palomar College, initially making contact Jan. 12 by email with an attached link to a YouTube video that showed him on the playing field, according to Laura Gropen, director of communications at Palomar. Comets football coaches responded Jan. 14, with more correspondence later that week. Initially, the coaches liked what they saw of the 6-foot, 215-pound Kuntz and started a recruiting process. Not long afterward, however, the coaches discouraged Kuntz from trying out for the team, but the school says it had nothing to do with Kuntz being gay. Palomar, like all community colleges in California, does not offer athletic scholarships. Palomar does accept out-of-state players with 15 on the roster last season at its San Marcos campus. They must pay out-of-state tuition, which runs $176 per unit as opposed to $46 per unit for California residents. Out-of-state players must also pay for housing and food.