Men’s track, tennis are among those in danger The University of Maryland took a major step toward reducing the school’s $3.5 million athletic department deficit with the recommendation that eight teams be dropped.
A committee formed by President Wallace Loh identified the following men’s sports for elimination: cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, tennis and swimming and diving. The proposed cuts among women’s sports are acrobatics and tumbling, swimming and diving and water polo.
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Loh will gather feedback on the recommendations and make the final decision.
“I recognize that the recommendation to reduce the number of intercollegiate sports is distressing and saddening to the student-athletes, their families, coaches and supporters,” Loh wrote in an announcement posted on the school website. “My intention is not to unduly draw out this time of uncertainty. However, this is a most difficult situation that demands the most careful consideration.”
Among the Maryland teams considered in danger but spared in the report were men’s and women’s golf, women’s tennis, softball, baseball and wrestling.
Loh formed a 17-member president’s commission in July to address the budget problems. Its recommendations were sent to Loh on Friday.
The committee recommended that the programs be discontinued as of July 1, 2012, but that athletic scholarships will be honored through graduation, including those of incoming athletes set to arrive at Maryland in the fall of 2012.
The commission also recommended revamping fundraising. Revenues have plummeted dramatically from $15.2 million in fiscal year 2008 to $9.1 million in FY 2011.
Increased athletic expenditures in recent years have created a growing deficit. For several years, foundation reserves were tapped to balance the budget. But the reserves have been depleted, forcing Maryland athletics to become self-supporting.
According to the report, expenditures exceeded revenues by $7.8 million in FY 2011, more than twice the shortfall in any of the previous five years.
The school has 750 athletes competing on 27 teams. If all eight teams recommended for elimination are cut, the number of athletes would drop to below 529. Boston College (31) and North Carolina (28) are the only ACC schools that offer more sports. Georgia Tech (17), Wake Forest (18) and Miami (18) offer the fewest.
According to the commission, the reduction in athletes would allow Maryland to invest more in its athletes who remain. Maryland invests $67,389 an athlete, the least of any ACC school. The measures recommended by the committee would allow for an expenditure of $107,849 an athlete, which would bump Maryland to sixth in the 14-team conference.
“By putting into place a balanced and sustainable fiscal and programmatic plan, Maryland Athletics will be able to support the 529 student athletes on these teams at a proper level to ensure their success in competition and in their studies,” the report said. “This will include enhancements in academic support, health services and media relations.”
