NCAA Softball and Covid-19 aftermath

[lewam3]

I hate to bring this up, but what are the chances of most colleges abandon low revenue sports going forward?
With the significant financial losses that most colleges will endure in the next few years, and the crushing loss of revenue from a potential cancelled 2020 football season, colleges will be forced to consolidate, hunker down and funnel all revenues to education and career training. Sports in college has been truly a luxury and not a necessity, and I fear that sports will be the first things to go. Unpopular as it sounds, this could really happen. Thoughts?

 

[DanMaz]

Urbana closed doors after being around since 2014. not a lot of students and low enrollment.... hope something like water polo or sand volleyball or even lacrosse gets cut b4 they cut the rope on any softball !!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't cut softball!!!!!

 

[Long Baller]

I hate to say it, but there is a chance that some very talented, "college committed" HS girls have played their last competitive softball game ever. And just think, a couple of weeks ago people were so happy that the NCAA was giving an extra year of eligibility to this springs roster. Quite a turn of events.

 

[daboss]

Urbana closed doors after being around since 2014. not a lot of students and low enrollment.... hope something like water polo or sand volleyball or even lacrosse gets cut b4 they cut the rope on any softball !!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't cut softball!!!!!

Some extra facts on the DanMaz post; Urbana U. has fielded athletic teams for years in the NAIA, then at the NCAA D2 level that I'm aware of. They've been in the education business for over 100 years before joining/merging with Franklin U. in 2014. They will cease to exist mainly due to Covid-19 as mentioned in the news release. All students will be given a chance to finish courses at the Columbus, Ohio campus while a large contingent of over 100 employees will lose their jobs.

Urbana U. fielded some wonderful softball teams over the years and have alumni still coaching, teaching, and training today.

 

[PaulP]

For colleges with football teams, Title IX will make it harder to cut softball. But I’m worried. It may be cheaper to have a women’s bowling team than a softball team.

 

[Coach Tony]

For colleges with football teams, Title IX will make it harder to cut softball. But I’m worried. It may be cheaper to have a women’s bowling team than a softball team.

At Division I, I believe that many programs first will see a reduction in paid and graduate assistant coaches, elimination of non-conference travel more than X amount of miles (no flying), reduction in equipment budget as well as a potential reduction in the number of scholarships a college will provide to softball players.

Title IX does protect female sports, but PaulP is SPOT ON: Sports like bowling and (dare I say) e-sports just got a whole lot more attractive to athletic departments as a very low cost way of providing female sports opportunities and thus complying with Title IX. While I think most softball programs are probably safe for now, these fringe sports will look more and more like viable alternatives as universities and their athletic programs have to deal with massive reduction in $$$.

By the way, unfortunately, mid-major college baseball is toast...

 

[CARDS]

MAC, C-USA, AAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt have requested to NCAA they be allowed to drop more sports.
The University of Cincinnati has dropped to the minimum 16 sports as has Old Dominion... look for others to follow...

If schools like UC are going to drop mens soccer in a town that has went crazy over FC Cincinnati or, relatively low cost wrestling at OD Softball is not safe.


https://www.espn.com/college-footba...ac-c-usa-ask-ncaa-relax-division-requirements

 

[DanMaz]

i dont know how this all works but i would assume that maybe the government can give school low interest rate loans... not grants but low or no interest loans to keep things rolling. ?? anybody have some insight here?

 

[CARDS]

i dont know how this all works but i would assume that maybe the government can give school low interest rate loans... not grants but low or no interest loans to keep things rolling. ?? anybody have some insight here?

The sad thing is Ohio is looking at major cuts in spending including education with a projected 3 billion budget deficit. The Federal government may step in but over the past 10 years they have stayed more with providing dollars for individuals and special projects and like the states reduced that.When you look at the performance indicators and outcomes of a lot of college / universities that could be a tough sell to get more federal dollars.

The location of a college or university could make a difference especially if located in low income areas where the school provides a positive economic impact to the area and local officials can sway state and federal officials .

What is more likely to happen is the small privates may consolidate and the larger schools with satellite locations reduce their options including athletics or just close them all together...

 

[yocoach]

Sent from the NFCA on Wednesday I believe.

Division I Coaches,


I know it has been a busy week already, but I wanted to take the time to share some important information with you from the NFCA office.

As you may be aware, last week the Group of Five Conference Commissioners submitted a waiver to the NCAA regarding financial relief during this time, including the ability to change current membership minimums needed to be considered for Division I status. Membership requirements include many components, but the one that is of primary concern, is waiving the sports sponsorship minimum that is presently 16. Reduction of this would give schools "carte blanche" opportunity to cut sports.


The NFCA, through our participation in the Intercollegiate Coach Association Coalition (ICAC), has opposed this waiver in an effort to show support and solidarity for all NCAA and University sponsored sports. We are not looking to spark fear in student-athletes who are already managing a stressful time period, but instead to give strength to fellow coaches during this time. Quite simply, we do not believe in limiting the participation opportunities of any student-athletes.


Last night a national "Save College Sports" campaign was launched on the Save College Sports website. The site includes communication to NCAA administrators, an open letter to the public, and the opportunity to sign a support petition. The purpose of this campaign is to draw attention to a proposal that could change intercollegiate athletics dramatically and do so before many people even realize that it is being discussed. The NCAA Division I committee and council meetings start today and are being held through next week when the NCAA Board of Directors meet. We fully expect the Group of Five relief waiver to be discussed during this time.


How can you help?


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  • Educate yourself by visiting the website and reading the open letter and the letter to the Division I Council
  • Sign the petition if you feel comfortable doing so
  • Share this information with your players, alumnae, and fans
  • Talk to your campus and conference administrators to voice your opinion
  • Reach out to the other coaches on your campus to make sure they are aware and engaged

If you have questions about this issue, please don't hesitate to contact me.




Sincerely,



Carol Bruggeman​