How were the coaches and students notified?
When will the decision go into effect?
End of spring 2006 semester.
What is the reason?
The decision to discontinue programs was driven by the necessity to effectively manage the institution's fiscal resources in a time of significant budgetary constraints without eroding our commitment to quality. We have been evaluating our athletic program since 2001, listening to a variety of internal and external committees.
SRU has grown by 12 percent in those years to serve nearly 1,100 more students. We continue to grow in enrollment and in the quality of our students and academic programs. Despite those successes, Slippery Rock University is facing a third straight year of multi-million-dollar budget cuts as a consequence of mandated fixed costs and the erosion of revenue sources. During those years we have balanced our budget through reductions in management positions, non-contractual assignments of faculty and numerous other cost-cutting measures. This is not a case of saving money in one area to use it in another. It is a case of having less money available to run the University.
We have kept our focus on three major values: Raising the value of a Slippery Rock University degree; being a premier residential university; and managing our financial integrity.
Having the right-size athletic program affects each of these goals. Raising the value of our degree depends on continuing to strengthen our academic quality; that has to be our first priority for spending. Being a premier residential university involves having an athletic program that is funded so that those teams have the best chance to be competitive. And, managing our fiscal integrity requires wise decisions about resource allocation.
What was the process for making these decisions?
In September, the University Athletic Council, which includes a coach, faculty, student athletes and staff, began a series of meetings to discuss the financial viability of maintaining the current, full complement of sports. The council's report was delivered in mid-December. An external consultant's review in November reiterated the need to reduce the number of teams sponsored.
The work of the UAC was critical to this process. It was important to involve those affected as much as possible. Dr. Brian Crow, faculty athletic representative and chair of the UAC, and a student representative from the Student Athlete Advisory Council played important leadership roles in monitoring the decision-making process.
What criteria were used in deciding which sports teams to discontinue?
We considered cost-saving potential, necessary future investment in facilities--which particularly impacted the water sports-- the financial support over the past decade of alumni and external sources, as well as the competitiveness of the teams and the academic performance of the athletes. These cuts will result in estimated reduction of expenditures of $350,000. Even with the reductions, spending on athletics would still exceed what is typical at NCAA Division II institutions.
To be in line with typical NCAA Division II institutions we would have had to cut about $750,000 from our athletic budget. Our challenge was to impact the fewest number of athletes as possible while continuing to field a strong overall athletic program, which is why the reductions were held to $350,000.
How many students will be affected?
The total number of students affected in the sports discontinued is 122.
Will spring teams being discontinued still compete this spring?
Yes, we will complete spring sports schedules.
Is the future of the remaining sports secure?
With these changes, as painful and difficult as they are, we are declaring a five-year moratorium on any further reduction of sports because we have confidence there will not be a significant reduction in the other funding sources for athletics. This allows coaches to recruit athletes, alumni to contribute and students to participate without fear of another catastrophic change in their sport.
If an athlete in one of the affected sports has an athletic scholarship, will that still be honored?
Yes. Scholarships will be honored for the period the athlete would have been eligible, provided the student meets NCAA and University academic eligibility requirements.
Can affected athletes transfer and still have athletic eligibility?
Yes, and we will do everything possible to help athletes find a competitive place for their talents should they wish to transfer. The NCAA allows student athletes whose sport is discontinued at one institution to be immediately eligible at another institution should they transfer.
How are athletics funded at SRU?
Like most colleges and universities, funding for athletics comes from a variety of sources. In our case:
About $2 million comes from the University's budget.
About $1.8 million comes from contributions, corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, rental of facilities, and other sources.
About $500,000 is contributed from the Co-operative Activities Board, which is the organization that allocates student activity fees. We expect this allocation will remain substantially current to help support athletic quality.
Will the discontinued teams have the opportunity to become club sports?
Yes, provided the students organizing the club team follow university guidelines.
How were the coaches and students notified?
On January 30, 2006 President Robert M. Smith and Dr. Robert Watson, Vice President for Student Life, met with each individual head coach beginning at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m., President Smith and Dr. Watson met with coaches and students who desired to do so. Following these meetings a letter was sent to each student being affected.
Student athletes with questions concerning scholarship continuation, academic eligibility or transfer issues should contact Mr. Paul Lueken, Athletic Director, Room 102 Morrow Field House.
Other additional questions may be e-mailed to athletic.questions@sru.edu, or you may call Ross Feltz, director of University Public Relations, at 724-738-2919
We are discontinuing field hockey, golf, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's water polo, men's tennis, and wrestling
