UNCW Eliminates 4 Athletic Programs
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 11:31 pm
Its not football but just as devastating for UNCWs athletics.
WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) -
University of North Carolina Wilmington Athletic Director Jimmy Bass announced Monday night that the school will be cutting four sports programs.The cuts will include men's outdoor track and field, women's outdoor track and field, women's indoor track and field, and men's cross country. The cuts will mean the elimination of four coaching positions. Bass says the cuts will be effective for the 2015-2016 academic year."It's always very, very difficult to make decisions that I know will have a serious impact on student-athletes and employees," explained Bass in a statement released by the UNCW Athletics Department. "However, I felt it was important to communicate this decision to these student-athletes and coaches as soon as possible -- before the holiday break, to try to avoid an atmosphere of hearsay that would only add to their anxiety; so they could use that time to discuss the matter with their families; and so our student-athletes could explore possible transfer opportunities."
Student-athletes said they were notified to attend a mandatory meeting today, where Bass read a report detailing the decision. "There was silence for a little bit," said Mikayla Kinlock, a member of the Women's Track and Field Team. "I feel like everyone didn't understand that we had just been hit with a brick in the face. There was silence, and then as he read the rest of this report you could slowly see the wheels turning in some people's heads like we actually are not going to be back for next season."
"I was in disbelief," said junior Alyssa Omile, another member of the Women's Track and Field team. "I couldn't believe they are taking away something really important to me."
Interim Chancellor William Sederburg released this statement about the decision:
“AD Bass's recommendation to eliminate these sports is not one he took lightly. I know he and his staff, with the collaboration of our business affairs team, have made every effort for some time to avoid this outcome. I commend him for making such a difficult decision for the long-range benefit of the Athletics program. His report is comprehensive in its analysis of our Title IX obligations and how they've driven this decision, as well as the financials and facility conditions that have left AD Bass no choice but to make this recommendation. Our primary concern is addressing our student-athletes' needs, academically and otherwise, and answering any questions they may have about this development. I'd like to thank this community in advance for their understanding of the circumstances we find ourselves in, and ask them to continue to support Seahawk Athletics at every opportunity.”
According to Bass' statement, UNCW will continue to honor scholarship commitments to the affected student-athletes through their scheduled graduation dates.
To remain in compliance with Title IX, UNCW will add Women's Sand Volleyball.
To read the entire report, click here: http://bit.ly/1se43oq
Copyright 2014 WECT News. All rights reserved.
http://www.wect.com/story/27578590/uncw ... s-programs
WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) -
University of North Carolina Wilmington Athletic Director Jimmy Bass announced Monday night that the school will be cutting four sports programs.The cuts will include men's outdoor track and field, women's outdoor track and field, women's indoor track and field, and men's cross country. The cuts will mean the elimination of four coaching positions. Bass says the cuts will be effective for the 2015-2016 academic year."It's always very, very difficult to make decisions that I know will have a serious impact on student-athletes and employees," explained Bass in a statement released by the UNCW Athletics Department. "However, I felt it was important to communicate this decision to these student-athletes and coaches as soon as possible -- before the holiday break, to try to avoid an atmosphere of hearsay that would only add to their anxiety; so they could use that time to discuss the matter with their families; and so our student-athletes could explore possible transfer opportunities."
Student-athletes said they were notified to attend a mandatory meeting today, where Bass read a report detailing the decision. "There was silence for a little bit," said Mikayla Kinlock, a member of the Women's Track and Field Team. "I feel like everyone didn't understand that we had just been hit with a brick in the face. There was silence, and then as he read the rest of this report you could slowly see the wheels turning in some people's heads like we actually are not going to be back for next season."
"I was in disbelief," said junior Alyssa Omile, another member of the Women's Track and Field team. "I couldn't believe they are taking away something really important to me."
Interim Chancellor William Sederburg released this statement about the decision:
“AD Bass's recommendation to eliminate these sports is not one he took lightly. I know he and his staff, with the collaboration of our business affairs team, have made every effort for some time to avoid this outcome. I commend him for making such a difficult decision for the long-range benefit of the Athletics program. His report is comprehensive in its analysis of our Title IX obligations and how they've driven this decision, as well as the financials and facility conditions that have left AD Bass no choice but to make this recommendation. Our primary concern is addressing our student-athletes' needs, academically and otherwise, and answering any questions they may have about this development. I'd like to thank this community in advance for their understanding of the circumstances we find ourselves in, and ask them to continue to support Seahawk Athletics at every opportunity.”
According to Bass' statement, UNCW will continue to honor scholarship commitments to the affected student-athletes through their scheduled graduation dates.
To remain in compliance with Title IX, UNCW will add Women's Sand Volleyball.
To read the entire report, click here: http://bit.ly/1se43oq
Copyright 2014 WECT News. All rights reserved.
http://www.wect.com/story/27578590/uncw ... s-programs