Athletics Task Force

Updates

A Message from President Loeschke

November 19, 2012

On Friday afternoon, I received the final report of the Athletics Task Force. After spending hundreds of hours collecting and analyzing data, budgets, rosters, and Title IX regulations, exploring 13 alternative options, and listening to concerns expressed in open forums and emails, the task force has endorsed the athletics leadership’s proposed recommendations.

The task force concluded that the discontinuation of men’s soccer and baseball is the most viable way for Towson University to achieve compliance with Title IX requirements, long-term financial stability and competitiveness. The report includes a minority opinion expressing concerns that are counter to the majority recommendation. The full report can be found here.

• Athletics Task Force Final Report (PDF)

I thank the members of the task force for their time and thorough review of this issue. I also appreciate and respect the leadership of Athletics Director Mike Waddell and his team. Their work began more than 18 months ago and they have worked diligently to provide information and clarification to the problems identified several years ago.

I have carefully reviewed the Task Force Report and determined that I will not be making a decision this week as originally anticipated. I require more time to review all of the information put forth to carefully render this important decision for the university.

Over the next several weeks we will reconfirm all data, facts and budget projections used in the athletics proposal and task force report. It was, and remains, my intention to put this matter to rest in a timely manner. It is my hope to issue a final decision as soon after the winter break as possible.

Title IX compliance and whether the athletics program has serious short and long-term financial challenges is not open for debate. The reality of the serious financial state of affairs facing our athletics program will require tough decisions to be made.

It has been reported that Towson does not have Title IX challenges. This is completely inaccurate and I will address this misperception, as well as others, in my final decision.

I want to say directly to our student athletes that I am distressed by the continuous upheaval and disruption our current situation has placed on you. You have behaved admirably. I realize that the extension of a final decision makes transferring difficult. I am committed to move forward as quickly as possible and do what is in the best interest of Towson University.

A Message from President Loeschke

November 14, 2012

The Athletics Task Force is now in its final deliberations on the athletics leadership’s proposed recommendations.

After speaking with the student athletes, it is critical we make a timely decision. With that in mind, I have closely followed the task force’s progress while simultaneously conducting my own extensive review. We have an efficient timeline in place. I anticipate their final assessment within days, which I will review carefully. I will then move quickly to announce my final decision shortly thereafter.

Thank you for your respectful participation in this process and your continued understanding of the complex nature of achieving the three goals: long-term financial stability, proportionality and increased competitiveness. We will keep all of you posted as soon as there are new updates.

____________________________________

A Message from President Loeschke

November 2, 2012

On Thursday, November 1, nearly 150 people were in attendance as the Athletics Task Force heard public commentary for two hours on the recommendation to discontinue men’s soccer and baseball.

I want to thank all of the parents, alumni, hall of famers, student-athletes, community members and friends of Towson University who attended the Athletics Task Force’s public forum last night. Your comments were thoughtful, creative, passionate, and most of all respectful of the complexity of three issues facing the university: financial stability, competitiveness and compliance. I am appreciative that many commented on the long-standing academic excellence of our student athletes and their exemplary behavior through this difficult process.

The university’s Board of Visitors, my senior advisory board, also met yesterday prior to the public forum to discuss the recommendation, ask questions and provide guidance.

The task force convened immediately after the public forum to continue their discussions and review the plethora of information received in the last month. They will meet again next week and move toward their final deliberations.

Thank you for your scheduling flexibility during this week’s weather-related delays. We will do our part to keep you informed through the Athletics Task Force website, where you may continue to provide input.

____________________________________

____________________________________

A Message from President Loeschke

October 26, 2012

This week the Athletics Task Force made significant progress in their independent review of the recommendation from athletics leadership, and they continue to be on track to make a final recommendation to me by mid-November.

I was pleased to see the students attend the student forum earlier in the week. Both the task force and I appreciated hearing directly from them and listening to their own creative ideas and solutions in the context of the three issues facing the university in athletics: establishing long-term financial stability, achieving proportionality, and increasing competitiveness of the overall athletics program. I want to thank all of the students who attended for expressing their concerns and comments with both civility and respect. I respect how difficult this time is for many student-athletes, parents, alumni and coaches.

The public forum will take place on Monday, October 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Minnegan Room of Unitas Stadium Field House. The format and guidelines will be the same as the student forum. More information is available on the public forums page. Anyone unable to attend either of the forums may submit their comments on the website which we are continuing to monitor.

Thank you again for your respectful participation in this important process. I will continue to deliver updates on a weekly basis as new information becomes available.

____________________________________

A Message from President Loeschke

October 19, 2012

This week the Athletics Task Force gathered independent information on Title IX, financial data, and the overall competitiveness of the athletics program. The task force also met with the coaches and student-athlete representatives of the men’s soccer and baseball teams and  heard their concerns and their proposed solutions to the three challenges: establishing long-term financial stability, achieving long-term proportionality, and increasing the competitiveness of the overall program. Any solution must resolve all three challenges.

The task force will hold open public forums on Tuesday, October 23, and Monday, October 29. These forums will allow interested parties to voice any concerns they have regarding this recommendation to the members of our task force. These forums are meant only for comments, and those with questions should refer to our newly updated frequently asked questions.

Please continue to submit your general inquiries and comments through the comments form. We will be responsive and disseminate new information through the website as it becomes available.

I appreciate and respect the wide array of perspectives and opinions on the athletics recommendations. Many of you understand the complexity of addressing not one, but all three of the challenges before us. I am confident that the task force will be thorough in their analysis, but will also move swiftly for an outcome that is in the best interest of all students and student-athletes for the long-term.

Thank you for your continued input and involvement as we work together to shape the future of Towson’s athletics program.

____________________________________

A Message from President Loeschke

October 10, 2012

View the video message from Towson University President Maravene Loeschke on the proposed changes to Towson Athletics.

Last week, I shared the news of an athletics recommendation from Director of Athletics Mike Waddell to reinstate men’s tennis and discontinue men’s soccer and baseball.

In the past week, I have heard from a number of groups and individuals, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, coaches, Hall of Fame members, donors, community members and friends.

But most importantly, I’ve heard directly from the student-athletes impacted directly by this recommendation. I had the chance to talk with members of the men’s soccer and baseball teams to hear their concerns, frustrations, and hopes for the future.

I am most respectful of the young men on our men’s soccer and baseball teams, and how they have conducted themselves. They have behaved with civility and respect during an extremely difficult week.

To each of those young men, I’m proud of how you are representing yourselves, your team, and this university.

Over the next weeks, the task force will receive feedback and review the recommendations.

Please continue to send your input directly to our comments form. The comments will be reviewed by the task force and by me.

____________________________________

A Message from President Loeschke

October 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.

• Recommendation to the President (PDF)

The recommendation considered three guiding principles:

1. Establish long-term financial stability of the athletics program;
2. Increase the competitiveness of the athletics program;
3. 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.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

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.

• Public Forums

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.