Kutztown Becomes Cuts Town - Eliminates Swimming

Kutztown University President Dr. F. Javier Cevallos announced today the institution will discontinue its varsity men’s soccer and men’s swimming programs, effective immediately.  The decision is expected to save the university up to $150,000 long term.

“The current economic situation has forced us to make some difficult decisions,” Cevallos said.  “Our first priority is always to protect the core academic component of the campus.  I believe this decision allows us to honor that priority while maintaining our athletic integrity and competitiveness.  This move is ultimately a proactive attempt to reduce costs in the current economy based on the anticipated budget.”

The KU Athletics Department contracted Alden & Associates, an executive search and consulting firm specializing in higher education, to conduct a funding study on the intercollegiate athletic program.  KU’s Athletic Programs and Policies Committee gathered, discussed and shared data with the consultant. Six elements were considered for each of KU’s 23 NCAA Division II varsity sports programs, including athletic success, attendance, academic success rate, fundraising, facilities and media coverage.  As a result of the study and based on the data that was gathered, Greg Bamberger, director of athletics, and Dr. Charles Woodard, vice president for Student Services and Campus Life, recommended to Cevallos that discontinuing the sports of men’s soccer and men’s swimming present the right combination of financial savings, Title IX proportionality, and impact on the overall athletic program.  

“We used a very thorough process to come to this conclusion,” Bamberger said.  “Although discontinuing long-running programs is difficult, we are confident that this is the best decision at this time. Our immediate concern is to help the student-athletes directly affected by this decision.”
The university will honor current athletic scholarships for men’s soccer players and men’s swimmers who choose to continue their academic endeavors at KU.  Athletic scholarships remain in effect for the projected term of the recipient’s athletic eligibility. The athletic administration will also assist student-athletes from the two programs who choose to continue their playing careers elsewhere.  The two sports had 32 athletes (20 soccer, 12 swimming) who would have had eligibility remaining in 2009-10.

No head coaching positions will be affected by the decision.  Tim Flannery, head men’s and women’s swimming coach for the past 13 seasons, will remain on the staff as head women’s swimming coach.  Otto Ormosi, part-time head men’s soccer coach for the past 10 seasons, retired earlier this year.

Immediate cost reductions will result from the already vacant men’s soccer coach position and operating expenses.  Savings are expected to be $100,000 in the first year, to the aforementioned $150,000 annually long term.

The Golden Bear men’s soccer program began in 1971 and had some immediate success in its first decade, posting five winning seasons and advancing to the postseason three times.  Since 1980, the program has posted three winning seasons, and advanced to postseason play once.  The Golden Bears resurged under Ormosi from 1999 until 2004, posting a cumulative record of 62-50, including five seasons of .500 or above.  The program struggled since, posting a cumulative record of 8-65-4 over the past four seasons, including a mark of 2-15-1 last season.

Men’s swimming was first sponsored during the 1970-71 season and produced 22 winning dual meet seasons.  The program placed as high as 12th nationally twice (1977-78 and 1995-96), and peaked at third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship meet in 2003-04.  The Golden Bears were 6-3 last season in dual meet competition and placed eighth in the eight-team conference title meet.

“Our men’s swimming and soccer programs have produced some successes over the past four decades both on and off the playing venues,” Bamberger said.  “We have had many outstanding student-athletes come through those programs over the years, and they will always be a part of the Golden Bear family.

“We want all of our student-athletes to experience the opportunity to have academic and athletic success, including a chance to compete for a championship at some level,” Bamberger said. “Ultimately, we feel our 21 remaining programs have the resources to be competitive at least at the conference level and/or to contribute significantly to the quality of campus life.” 
How was the decision to eliminate these sports reached?
The KU athletics department contracted an outside consultant (Alden & Associates) to conduct a funding study on the intercollegiate athletics program. The athletic programs and policy committee gathered, discussed and shared information with the consultant. As a result of the study and based on the data that was gathered, Greg Bamberger, Director of Athletics, and Dr. Charles Woodard, Vice President for Student Services and Campus Life, made the recommendation to me to discontinue the sports. Considered were several factors, including competitiveness; academic success; facilities; and fan, donor and media interest. Men’s soccer and men’s swimming teams would require significant additional resources to become truly competitive at a conference championship level.
How much money will discontinuing these sports save?
It is estimated that immediate annual savings will be $100,000, with long-term annual savings estimated at $150,000.
Instead of cutting these sports entirely, why not implement across-the-board cuts?
Because we want to protect the integrity and competitiveness of the overall program. An across-the-board cut would also affect a much larger number of student-athletes.
Are any other varsity sports in jeopardy of being discontinued?
There are no plans for further changes in the varsity sports offered at KU at this time.
Is the elimination of men’s soccer and men’s swimming related to Title IX?
Title IX/gender equity was not a primary consideration. However, the requirement that an institution’s athletics offerings be in proportion to the overall proportion of the student body was considered when assessing the programs.
How many students will be affected?
The sports had 32 (20 soccer, 12 swimming) athletes on the 2008-09 rosters who would have had remaining eligibility (e.g. underclassmen) to compete next year.
What happens to the men’s swimming and men’s soccer student athletes?
If the affected student-athletes wish to transfer to another institution, we will do everything possible to help in that process. By NCAA regulations, all student-athletes affected by the elimination of their sport can transfer to another school and be immediately eligible for the 2009-10 season, providing they meet all NCAA academic eligibility requirements. If a student-athlete has an existing athletic scholarship and chooses to stay at KU, the scholarship will be honored for the period the athlete would have been eligible for competition, provided the student meets NCAA and university academic eligibility requirements.
Will the discontinued teams have an opportunity to become club sports?
Yes. Students would be able to organize a club sport through the university’s recreation services department.
What happens to the sports’ history?
The alumni of these sports will always be a part of the Golden Bear family. KU athletics truly treasures its history. The records and history of these sports will be kept on file in the sports information office. The alumni will be eligible for any appropriate alumni athletic awards and honors, most notably the Athletics Hall of Fame, just like any other sport.
When was the last time KU discontinued sports?
KU discontinued the varsity sports of men’s and women’s lacrosse and men’s golf in 1989-90.
What will happen to money donated to KU for these specific programs?
Depending on the requested use of the donations by the donors, the money may have already been allocated for scholarships or other sport specific needs. Remaining funds will be used to honor the remaining scholarship agreements with the student-athletes. Donors who have endowed scholarships for these sports will be consulted to determine their wishes for the funds’ future use.
Is it possible to reinstate these teams?
It is possible, but given the current economic status, it is also unlikely in the foreseeable future.