As a dear friend of the Men's Tennis team but also a fellow student-athlete here at AU, I was incredibly shocked with the decision to cut the tennis and golf teams after the 2005 spring season.
Being a relatively small campus and athletic program, we have formed a community within student-athletes. To see a large part of that community leave is not only shocking, but has also torn apart a family.
I understand that there may not be enough funding for these programs. True, tennis needs to pay for indoor facilities when the weather is below par. And obviously, we do not have a golf course on hand either. However, the influence that these teams have had on fellow athletes as well as other students should be enough to allow them the courtesy of at least finding another school to transfer to for next year.
With the deadlines for transfers fast approaching (just look at AU's priority deadline of March 1), there is not adequate time for these athletes to choose a school to attend, much less contact coaches and discuss financial situations elsewhere. Most athletic teams are done with recruiting for the 2005-06 school year, which makes it increasingly difficult for these athletes to find someone who is willing or able to offer them an athletic scholarship.
What I find especially disturbing is that on the athletic Web site, Athletic Director Joni Comstock said, "Through league championships, league tournament championships, and NCAA postseason play, AU athletics has enjoyed considerable success in recent years, especially since joining the Patriot League. To maintain this level of achievement, we must target our efforts into sports that will further augment our athletics profile, and will build support from our former student-athletes and friends." There are two parts of this statement that have added to my frustration.
First, she mentions league championships and the success AU Athletics has achieved in recent years. Men's Tennis has been Patriot League champion the past three years. Women's Tennis took home the Patriot League championship twice in the last three years. While golf has not gained a considerable amount of prestige for the university, tennis has been leading the way. To get rid of programs like these are to get rid of some of the athletic reputation AU has built. There are many remaining teams that have had less success over the years, so what is the fundamental basis for this decision? I guess the question is, how does getting rid of top teams maintain our level of athletic achievement?
Another point that really concerns me is that AU seems to focus more on former student-athletes rather than those who are currently attending AU. I understand that alumni are a large part of our funding here at AU, but does that mean if we do not have wealthy alumni, our program will get cut too? And where does the school think the alumni come from? AU speaks of building support from former student-athletes and friends, but is instead tearing down the support from current student-athletes. If the Athletics Department does not support us or our teams, how are we expected to support it back?
There are growing feelings of animosity toward the decision to cut the teams, especially since it was such an inconsiderate way to let them go. Not only was it completely unexpected, but the timing of it was also brutal. How am I to know that my team will not be the next one cut without warning? I feel betrayed by this decision because of the secrecy in which it was handled, and now teams are struggling to finish their seasons with this information hanging over their heads.
It has been stated by the Athletics Department that the tennis teams need to raise an amount that is much more than their budget (estimates in the millions). Currently, the Men's Tennis program has a budget of $200,000, which includes everything from the coach's salary to scholarships. But there also seems to be an underlying tone of whether or not they will return even if the funds are found. Why are we driving these teams out with such force? I think there are more options to getting these teams back, and we have not created a fully exhaustive list.
Regarding money, where are the funds for these teams going to go? Split among the remaining programs? I am almost 100 percent positive that any athlete at AU would rather have the teams return than take the money. In reality though, it is not about the money to these athletes whose programs have been cut. Otherwise, they would be content staying here and receiving their scholarship until they graduate without playing the game they love. They have invested so much time to their sport, and they just want to play.
Speaking as a friend and fellow student-athlete, I know these are not typical collegiate athletes who practice when scheduled and are on their way. They work hard in the classroom to represent AU athletics, and on the court they are the most driven people I know. Their nonstop work ethic has brought them to the top of the Patriot League and given them a reputation within the Athletics Department as being one of the most ambitious, determined and hard-working teams. Not only this, but every single one of their characters are the most kind, genuine and moral that I have ever seen, which has led them to be tremendously well-liked on campus. They have some of the best team camaraderie, and it breaks my heart to see them discussing options of breaking up and going to separate schools. I cannot express how much our university is losing because of this decision - infinite loss would not even describe it.
As a student-athlete who went through the recruiting process myself, I know how many other Division I programs are run. I know that being an expensive private school that focuses on academics and being in the Patriot League makes funding even tougher. However, being a Division I program, we have a minimal amount of sports after these cuts. The emphasis of AU athletics seems to be in the wrong place, since AU is not making its athletes and coaches come first, much less its athletic programs.
These athletes are owed an explanation of how and why these decisions have been made. Saying insufficient funds is just not good enough! How can we bring these teams back? I know there are many people out there who are willing to help in any way possible, and if there are any options, we are willing to try! These student-athletes deserve more commitment from the University after showing an endless amount of commitment and loyalty toward building AU's athletic and academic excellence.
Annette Scott is a freshman in the School of Communication and member of the women's soccer team.
