The University of Maryland athletic department is planning to drop its men’s and women’s swimming teams as part of a cost-cutting initiative, according to The Washington Post.
Earlier this summer, University president Wallace Loh reported that the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics had been spending more than what the department was earning over the past several years. A Washington Post report projected that Maryland was on track to lose $4.7 million this fiscal year, with the deficit nearly quadrupling in five years’ time.
President Loh appointed a commission to decide how the athletic department could stop the bleeding as well as generate revenues. While eliminating programs is seen as a last resort, the Post reported that offering women’s swimming resulted in a staggering net loss of $973,706. Maryland’s athletic department is, unlike other state universities, self-sustaining and is therefore required to pay for campus services (for example, time spent at the pool facilities).
Athletic director Kevin Anderson issued a statement claiming that no cuts have been made at this time, as they are awaiting a final decision by President Loh, which will be made by December 31:
The President’s Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics is in the process of reviewing the finances and operation of the athletic department. That report is scheduled to be delivered to President Loh by Nov. 15, so any comment at this time would be premature.
Maryland is not the first power conference Division I school to cut swimming in recent years due to budget shortcomings. Washington eliminated both their men’s and women’s teams in 2009, with Clemson following suit a year later.
Additionally, the Washington Times reports that Maryland’s women’s water polo team is also scheduled to be eliminated. Given the budget crisis at the athletic department, it unfortunately appears that this is only the beginning, as more Olympic sports are expected to be cut in the coming months.
The Maryland swimming and diving team has organized a Facebook page in an effort to keep the program alive. Around 6,000 members have already joined.
