Wright State Closes Softball Program

[Passion4theGame]

Wright State has announced They have officially closed their Softball program.

 

[Dawgsdad]

Wow!

 

[Passion4theGame]

That’s the word on the streets. Anyone have any extra info on this?

beautiful facility. Great camps. Sad news.

 

[Passion4theGame]

Our team recruiting coordinator informed me a few minutes ago. Not sure if they have went public yet.

 

[Bean2019]

The university administration failed the program! players (and I assume coaches) found out about it this afternoon. 2 other programs were cut as well but I'm pretty sure one of them wasn't the baseball program. Heart broken for my daughter and the rest of the players and coaches! Was really looking forward to where they were headed. Three freshman were in the top 10 of most of the statistical categories in the Horizon league!

 

[Bean2019]

https://wsuraiders.com/news/2020/6/3/general-wright-state-athletics-announces-program-changes.aspx
The announcement. the other 2 sports were men's and women's tennis. This drops Wright State out of compliance with being in div I. I hope that the NCAA does not grant a waiver!

 

[DanMaz]

The university administration failed the program! players (and I assume coaches) found out about it this afternoon. 2 other programs were cut as well but I'm pretty sure one of them wasn't the baseball program. Heart broken for my daughter and the rest of the players and coaches! Was really looking forward to where they were headed. Three freshman were in the top 10 of most of the statistical categories in the Horizon league!

mens and womens tennis was also cut

 

[TheSoftballZone]

That really sad new, I love that place we went there three year in a row with my 16u, 18u ASA Gold teams and scrimmages with their non-starters. We would combined all the player together and spent half a Saturday playing ball and afterword the girls would go cleam up then go eat someplace. Always a great time also the first place my daughter and two of are players were made offers.

I'm not sure if anyone does that any more, may make for a good discussion.

 

[Passion4theGame]

From Wright State Website

DAYTON, OH – Wright State University announced Wednesday it is reducing the number of its intercollegiate athletic programs by three, effective immediately.

The action is being taken as part of the university's overall budget restructuring efforts. Wright State is implementing a multiyear plan that will stabilize operations in the midst of lower projected enrollments and declining state support. The current COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for all areas of the university to reduce expenditures. Today's announcement is part of a plan for a $2 million reduction in the operating budget of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Affected programs are softball, men's tennis and women's tennis. The move affects 39 student-athletes and six coaches. Wright State will now have 11 sports (six women's, five men's). In addition to the elimination of sports, several other measures will be taken to reduce athletics spending.

"This is extremely difficult because of our strong belief that athletics is an integral part of the educational work we do at Wright State — the education of the whole person," Wright State Director of Athletics Bob Grant said. "This affects the lives of students who make up a group of some of the highest achievers on this campus. A group that is achieving at record levels academically, giving back to the community, and is strongly engaged with the university. Our main focus now is supporting the students and coaches impacted by this decision."

NCAA Division I member institutions are required to sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven for women (or six for men and eight for women) with two team sports for each gender. Wright State has been in contact with the NCAA and will pursue a waiver to remain in compliance.

"These events are devastating in that they impact the lives of both our students and staff in a very negative way and cut deep into the fabric of supporting our students for success," said Wright State University President Sue Edwards. "These circumstances we find ourselves in are ones that all universities across the country find themselves facing. We are sadly going to have to make more decisions moving forward that will be difficult, but the long-term sustainability of the organization is key. I am personally very disappointed. Our students are the whole reason we are here, and our employees are the fabric of our institution, and this is truly painful to our Wright State family."

The university will honor all scholarships of affected student-athletes who want to continue studying at Wright State. Under NCAA transfer rules, students are immediately eligible for competition when the students' original institution discontinues the sport in which the students practiced or competed.

Wright State Athletics and university staff are committed to providing support to these student-athletes through the transition process. Members of the athletics compliance staff, academic staff and leadership team are available to discuss scholarship, transfer information, academic advisement and counseling resources.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Unfortunately I think this will happen a lot more. It just sux.

 

[sftball follower]

Yep and if football isn't played with full stadiums this fall in college this is just the beginning.

 

[Stedman00]

wonder if they cut into the men's basket ball coach's $500K salary??

 

[daboss]

Sad news. I agree with others, this may only be the beginning of a trend we will endure as other schools re-evaluate their budgets since covid-19. It's all about the money. With football carrying the financial load and as mentioned the possibility of a season without full stadiums this could effect many programs nationwide. Some programs may only exist thru private donations to offset costs.

I hate it for the kids. We've seen this before during the big war. We survived. We will again.

 

[DLamb]

You know...to fill the stadiums, let’s plan a peaceful protest and watch the game. Seems we are allowed to do as we please if we are protesting. I’ll call dibs on Ohio State - Xichigan this year. This will let money flow like it needs to do. I’ll pay to protest at a football game.

 

[yocoach]

I wonder how this will affect their athletics program in general under Title IX. Waiver or not from the NCAA, they still need to stay in compliance.

 

[sftball follower]

I wonder how this will affect their athletics program in general under Title IX. Waiver or not from the NCAA, they still need to stay in compliance.

This is speculation on my part, but I would think the administration, or whomever would've made sure this was covered.........but you never know

 

[yocoach]

This is speculation on my part, but I would think the administration, or whomever would've made sure this was covered.........but you never know

You would think. But I've run across more than my fair share of brainiacs that overlook the glaring obvious. Just because they have a piece of paper from some college saying, "Diploma" doesn't necessarily mean they have common sense In the 30+ years of being an Industrial/Commercial Electrician for new construction and remodels, I can't tell you the number of times I've caught mistakes that made it not only through a slew of Electrical Engineers, but a board of Architects as well.

 

[PaulP]

NCAA has already granted waivers recently for other colleges that cut sports. I hope this isn’t the start of a trend.