TOWSON, Md. (Oct. 2, 2012)—On Wednesday, September 26, 2012, the President’s Council and I received a report from Director of Athletics Michael Waddell recommending a reconfiguration of the intercollegiate athletics program currently offered at Towson University.
The recommendation considered three guiding principles:
Establish long-term financial stability of the athletics program;
Increase the competitiveness of the athletics program;
Maintain compliance with federal law concerning female-to-male athlete proportionality.
After a great deal of discussion and examination by Mr. Waddell and his senior leadership team, the report recommends the reinstatement of the men’s tennis program, the discontinuation of the university’s NCAA Division I sponsorship of the men’s soccer and baseball programs, and the roster expansions for select women’s teams. No other teams were recommended for discontinuation or reinstatement.
I respect the thought and care Mr. Waddell and his team put into this recommendation and its alignment with the economic challenges that institutions of higher education across the nation continue to face.
Our Towson University community holds a great deal of pride for our baseball and men’s soccer student-athletes and the legacy they have established with Towson University. I recognize how disappointing and difficult these discussions are for our student-athletes, alumni, families, supporters, and the entire campus community. In these challenging economic times, it is sometimes necessary to recommend approaches that, although troubling to many, may be in the best interest of long-term stability.
I have asked David Nevins ’76, chairman of the Towson University Board of Visitors, to lead an Athletics Task Force charged to provide an external review of the recommendation and receive input from on- and off-campus constituents. The task force will include the faculty athletics representative, student and alumni representatives, and additional members of the community. All input will be reviewed in the context of the three issues facing the athletics program: financial stability, competitiveness and compliance.
The task force will host a public forum on Monday, October 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Unitas Stadium Field House, Minnegan Room. There will be a forum for students to share their comments on Tuesday, October 23 from noon - 1:30 p.m. at the University Union, Chesapeake I.
Over the next month, I will keep the university community updated on the progress of the task force on a weekly basis. We have set up a form to accept comments about how we can continue to ensure the health and future of our athletics program. I will be monitoring all of the comments and concerns that are being shared in our community and through the website. I assure you, I am listening.
The task force will make their recommendation to me and I will announce my final decision by mid-November.
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