Rutgers Athletics Eliminates Six Sports
Jul 14 | General
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - The Rutgers Board of Governors today approved a university-wide budget for the 2006-07 academic year that includes $52.4 million in spending cuts to programs, staff and services that will affect virtually all academic and administrative operations at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The board approved the university's 2006-07 spending plan in the wake of the recently adopted state budget, which significantly reduced funding for higher education and left Rutgers with an unprecedented shortfall of $80.4 million.
The university-wide cuts will include position eliminations, layoffs, cuts in courses and course sections, as well as the elimination of six intercollegiate sports, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-07 season. The affected sports are: men's heavyweight crew, men's lightweight crew, men's fencing, women's fencing, men's swimming and diving and men's tennis. These sports will compete during the 2006-07 season. All scholarship commitments made to any of the affected student-athletes will be honored. It is expected that many, if not all, of the affected sports will be offered as part of the university's club sports program. Official Rutgers News Release
STATEMENT BY ROBERT E. MULCAHY III, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS, ON RUTGERS UNIVERSITY'S DECISION TO ELIMINATE SIX SPORTS FROM THE INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS PROGRAM
This action was an extremely difficult and painful one to make. Anytime you're put in a position of denying opportunities for students, it's a heartbreaking situation. Every student-athlete in our program is a valuable member of our athletic and university community.
But this action is absolutely necessary when faced with our financial challenges. The decision to eliminate six of our athletic teams is part of the university-wide effort to cut costs in the wake of the recently adopted state budget, which significantly reduced funding for higher education and left Rutgers with an unprecedented shortfall of approximately $80 million that has resulted in position eliminations, layoffs, and reductions in courses and services offered.
Every possible alternative was evaluated. In the end, however, there was no other choice. An overriding goal for us is to find the balance between providing opportunity for as many participants as possible, while ensuring the best possible experience for our student-athletes. It became increasingly apparent that, in our present fiscal situation, we could not guarantee all of our participants the rewarding and meaningful experience that a student-athlete at Rutgers deserves.
With a 30-sport program, Rutgers was one of a few among the NCAA's 119 Division I-A institutions to offer 30 or more sports. Even with the reduction of six sports, Rutgers will continue to field 24 varsity sports, which, along with the University of Connecticut, is the most of any program that competes in Division I-A football in the BIG EAST Conference. The Rutgers intercollegiate athletics program will continue to provide opportunities for approximately 600 student-athletes in its varsity programs. By taking this action, we will become a stronger, more efficient program, and one that can better meet the needs of our student-athletes.
There were many factors considered to determine the sports to be eliminated, including conference affiliation, facility restrictions, and compliance to the guidelines of Title IX. Only two of the six affected sports compete in the BIG EAST Conference.
It should be noted that the university considered eliminating these sports effective today, but we worked with the administration and the Board of Governors Athletic Committee to reject that action. We simply felt it would be unfair to our student-athletes to cancel their 2006-07 seasons at this late date.
We are fully prepared to assist our student-athletes in whatever way we can, to help them in this transitional period. The university will honor all scholarship commitments made to any of the affected student-athletes. Athletics administrators are available for all student-athletes to discuss whatever concerns or questions they might have.
We have also been working with the Rutgers Recreation Department, and many, if not all, of the affected sports will be transitioned into the club sports program.
I am saddened that this action had to take place, but it is important that we work with our affected student-athletes to make this transitional period as smooth as possible.
