The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorns running back elects to transfer
01.17.2002 | Football
AUSTIN, Texas - University of Texas running back Sneezy Beltran (Abilene, Texas/Abilene HS), who just completed his redshirt freshman season at Texas, has elected to transfer to Abilene Christian University, head coach Mack Brown announced on Thursday. Beltran is enrolled at ACU and since it is a NCAA Division II institution will be eligible to play for the Wildcats next season.
Beltran served as a reserve tailback for the Longhorns the past two season and was given an unconditional release from his scholarship by UT. He came to Texas after rushing for 2,268 yards and 28 TDs as a senior at Abilene High.
"Sneezy is a fine young man and someone that worked extremely hard for us," Brown said. "We are sorry he elected to transfer, but he wants a chance to see more action right away and felt he had a better opportunity to achieve that at another institution. We wish him the very best of luck and appreciate everything that he has done for The University of Texas and its football program during the past two years."
"This was a difficult decision to make, but one I thought I had to make for my family and for the opportunity to be a featured back," Beltran said. "ACU is a great situation for me. My family will have a chance to see me play and I'll finally have the opportunity to play for Coach (Gary) Gaines. I also will be able to play right away and that's a big plus too."
Wildcats coach Gary Gaines was the head coach at Abilene High in 1995-96 before moving on to San Angelo Central High in 1997, Beltran's sophomore year and first season on the varsity. Gaines took over the ACU program two years ago.
"The coaches, staff and players at Texas were good to me and I wouldn't want to take that back. I'm glad I had the opportunity to have the experience of playing at UT. It made me a better person. I will miss everyone. We were all one big family. It's good to know I will always have friends to hang out with when I'm back in Austin. But, I'm really looking forward to my next challenge. I feel like I have a lot to prove to myself and hopefully I can do that at ACU."
