COLLEGE PARK. Md., (WUSA) - "This is perhaps one of the most painful and heart wrenching decisions I've made," explained University of Maryland President Dr. Wallace Loh about his decision to cut eight sports teams. To be cut are both men's and women's swimming and diving, the women's water polo team, women's acrobatics and tumbling, men's tennis and men's track.
The athletics department is more than $4 million in debt, and Dr. Loh says hat deficit would keep growing if the cuts were not't made.
"We have a responsibility a fiscal responsibility... to live within our means and not keep kicking the can down the road," said Loh.
He said past decisions, such as expanding Bryd Field and letting coach Ralph Friedgen go, along with his large boat had little affect on the financial burdens of the athletic department. He said the model with has the football and basketball teams as the only revenue source for all the other teams, is not a viable one.
Athletic Director Kevin Anderson said the decision felt like losing a loved one. He is hoping a major fundraising effort can save the sports teams.
Here's the plan:
- They need $ 11. 6 million to save swimming, $9.5 million to save men's track and acrobatics, and $8 million to keep women's water polo and tennis.
Jamie Burke and Jordan Sender are on the top rated Acrobatics and Tumbling Team. They say there is no other school which has team as good as their team, and they plan to raise the money and stay.
Written by Peggy Fox