The MAC is run, by and large, by a bunch of lunatic ADs chasing the pipe dream of being competitive with Power 5 schools in football and basketball. Yes, they will sometimes knock off a B1G team in FB and occasionally win a game or 2 in the NCAA hoops tourney, but that certainly does not justify the fiscally irresponsible habits they have developed at the expense of Men's Olympic sports (primarily).
A once strong conference in XC/TF has been reduced to a shell of its former self. Teams, some of which have produced Olympic medalists have been eliminated (Bowling Green, Western Michigan, Ball State, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Ohio U) and many others saddled with severe roster restrictions.
Not only is deficit spending irresponsible, but it flies in the face of the traditional conference philosophy regarding athletics. None of the MAC schools profit on FB, yet they continue to overspend. If someone did that in the personal life, one would have to question their sanity. Why are these ADs and Presidents not held accountable? My own MAC alma mater cut men's CC, but eventually brought it back. While that's good, their outdoor facility sits in such a state that renders it useless for a conference championship. That despite the fact that many alums have offered to help spearhead fundraising for a new facility. Meanwhile, the football and basketball facilities are enjoying multiple upgrades. It'd be a joke if it were actually funny.
Football in the MAC should be FCS (what used to be known as 1-AA) so that there would be 22 less scholarships to be offered. That would cover at least 2 other sports and the outlandish spending on football and basketball coaches who are primarily using the MAC schools as a stepping stone could be greatly reduced. An argument could also be made for the conference becoming D2, but that's probably a discussion for another thread.
My sincere sympathy to the students at Eastern affected by the cuts. What a crappy thing to do even if they are honoring scholarships.