Another one bites the dust, Delaware Men's Xc and Track cut

Join the movement

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_124065287661773&ap=1

UD has a home meet this weekend and what a great time to show how many people are out there supporting this program. The Men's Basketball team averages just under 2500 a game (about50% capacity of the BCC) That should be the goal. So if you live close enough to the Newark campus, come show your support, 2500 would nearly overflow the fieldhouse and certainly make a statement.

Can we save UD Men’s Track and Field and XC programs?

Title IX is for gender equality enforced by the threat of lawsuits and control of federal funds to the university. Another source of funding is from the taxpayers of State of Delaware.

Can we work with the Governor and the State Legislature of Delaware to find a solution?

Governor Jack Markell is an Ex-Officio member of the UD Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees made the decision to axe the programs. The State Legislature votes for funding for UD.

My question to Governor Markell is:

“As an Ex-Officio member of the UD Board of Trustees and Governor of the State of Delaware are you willing to help save the UD Men’s Track and Field and XC programs and extend their 100 years of tradition?”

Ending the programs has an impact on the entire state, on the young athletes who compete and aspire to go to UD, on their family, friends, supporters, and coaches in high school. UD track and field programs are a resource for high school coaches and athletes all over the state. This is bigger than just the members of the track team, this affects the 1,000’s of young athletes now and in the future who compete in track and field and XC state-wide. Track and field is the second most popular sport by participation in Delaware.

If Governor Markell says yes, then, “What are our options?”

If Title IX is a percentage game, then could we save the programs by increasing the Women’s XC and Track and Field rosters and decreasing instead of axing the men’s rosters?”

The UD AD Bernard Muir claims these decisions were made because of Title IX even though there were no complaints and no apparent violations. UD is already on a path to add women’s golf to meet the requirements.

If it is dollars, then, since the teams’ costs are low and resources could be shared with the women’s team, could we look for corporate sponsorship, matching funds, redirection of some of the funds budgeted for athletics?

The UD XC and Track and Field programs are some of the least expensive to administer at the UD. Instead of cutting the entire program, couldn’t we look at trimming expenses and head count?

While I am not affiliated with the University of Delaware, I am interested in learning more about the reasoning for UD’s abandonment (reclassification) of the track/cross country programs.

I understand that people make mistakes. It is easy to make rash decisions without proper forethought.

When one does make a mistake, I hope that he/she is humble enough to do what is right (even if that involves the embarrassment of reversing a tough decision).

Des Moines, IA is a strong running community and many of us are upset about what UDelaware is doing to competitive running.

I hope that Mr. Muir is honest and does the right thing.

I would guess that the decision will not be reversed, at least for a few years. The AD has put itself in a position where if it reverses its decision it will be revealed as liars. They have been claiming that the cuts were necessary in order to comply with Title IX, and so if they reverse the decision they will basically be saying it wasn't due to Title IX.

You're from Des Moines???? Do you know Chris Bourke??? He was a handsome young man that was a blue hen harrier, and is currently becoming a doctor in Des Moines.

to address disappointed who wanted to knoe the REASONING of the athletic dept... the joke is the reasons they give(competitiveness in CAA/diversity/roster mgt... DON'T apply to track and field but DO apply to men's soccer, tennis, swimming, golf, basketball...

Maybe Delaware should use this new found money to hire some snow plows or hire some people competent enough to plow the goddamn roads.

I know this may go unnoticed, but it's worth a shot. UD is having it's last indoor home meet this weekend at the Delaware Field House on Saturday (1/29). It's been mentioned, but the men's team could really use the support. I'm not talking about sitting in the stands and cheering, but I mean moral support. If you're in the Newark, DE area and can spare a few minutes, please stop by and talk to the team and coaches. Even if you're just saying hello, it would really mean a lot to us. We can't thank everyone (letsrun, ESPN, various bloggers, the community, etc) for everything that they have done.

A talking jackass!

http://www.wdel.com/features/110119MuirTitleIXraw.mp3

I thought people would like to take a gander at this. It's on the front page of the UD Athletic Department website, titled "A Letter from Bernard Muir."

"In an effort to continue our long-standing tradition of success, it is essential we enhance our athletic facilities, support the academic success of our student-athletes, promote sportsmanship and leadership, and establish national recognition for the quality of our athletic programs. Our goals include achieving competitive success by consistently ranking in the top third of the Colonial Athletic Association and to routinely compete for conference championships and participate in NCAA championship.

I forgot to mention when he says athletic programs he means football and basketball.

wow i dont think one meaningful thing was said in that whole interview. I imagine that is what the meeting was like.

Bump

Newark's too far from me. But good luck to you all. Have a great finish.

I believe the alumni met with the AD tonight to discuss the situation. Any news on how this went?

Bump. Would like to hear about the meeting as well.

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Lest we Forget.

The meeting was only about 45 minutes long, as Muir and his people cut it after that despite many people still wanting to express opinions.

As usual, Muir talked around every question and didn't give any direct answers to all the points brought up.

The one thing that stood out to me was that the school had its, most likely grossly overpaid, lawyer at the meeting. When Muir was being overrun with questions and getting drilled about how UD is apparently going to be sanctioned, he turned to said lawyer. Mr. Lawyer said this:

"We are currently in compliance with Title IX. That is my stance and I won't say anything more."

Literally word for word.

There may be a video put up of parts of the meeting soon, hopefully.