SMU considers axing men's track
Athletic director cites financial reasons for cut
By Emily Powell
Managing Editor
February 19, 2004
Head Coach Dave Wollman and Athletic Director Jim Copeland told members of the men’s track team Wednesday evening that their team was to be cut from the university’s athletic program.
Junior Hannes Hopley, who won the men’s discus at the 2003 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, said the athletic secretary called to tell him about the mandatory meeting.
“Everyone knew something was wrong. I mean, they told us to skip class to come to the meeting,” he said.
Sophomore Michael Robertson, who finished third in the 2003 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and claimed All-American honors, said, “The coach just came in and sat down and told us the team had been cut.”
Hopley said Wollman was emotional because of the decision’s short notice. Officials told the coach at 2 p.m., less than five hours before the meeting.
Copeland cited financial reasons and the lack of a strong fan base for the decision to cut the men’s team. The women’s track and field team will remain active.
“[Copeland] said they’d crunched the numbers, and track just came out on the losing end,” Hopley said.
Some runners also felt the university’s desire to comply with Title IX influenced the decision, referrng to the new addition of the women’s equestrian team.
Title IX is the portion of the Education Amendments of 1972 that prohibit sexual discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds. The educational institutions must provide opportunities for both male and female students in proportion to their respective enrollments.
“They really downplayed the Title IX issue,” Robertson said.
The team will finish out the rest of the season, and members of the team agree that they should still try for a strong finish.
“All of us need to get together and concentrate on winning this year’s NCAA championship,” Robertson said.
The men’s team finished in the top six at the NCAA Indoor Championships in four of the last five seasons and finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in five of the last seven years.
Members of the team will retain their scholarships until the end of their athletic eligibility.
Robertson said his future was still uncertain.
“We all just have to block this out. I’m concentrating on winning the NCAA championship and doing well at the Olympic trials,” he said.
According to members of the team, Copeland said the final decision would be announced Friday after meetings with the Board of Trustees.
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