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For Immediate Release: May 25, 2004 Contact: Mike Chilson (Athletics) (607) 431-4703 Rob Clark (607) 431-4031 Hartwick Board of Trustees votes to retain NCAA Division I athletic programs (Men’s soccer and women’s water polo programs to remain Division I) ONEONTA, N.Y. - In light of an extraordinary outpouring of support for Division I sports at Hartwick College – matched by tangible success in fundraising – the Board of Trustees has approved President Richard P. Miller, Jr.’s recommendation to reconsider the migration of the Division I athletic programs to Division III. Therefore, women’s water polo and men’s soccer will continue at the Division I level for the foreseeable future. “I applaud those alumni and others who have spent considerable time and energy in their passion to keep Division I competition intact,” Miller said. “I had promised to reconsider our position if they were able to measurably affect the financial base for our Division I programs, and they have done so.” “The leadership of the College’s Alumni Board and of the Re-Ignite the Wick fundraising effort are to be applauded,” Miller said. “They have substantially met goals established for them for the next several years. Those involved have committed to continuing to work vigorously to assure continued fundraising into the future.” “In real terms they will have raised approximately $2 million of the $3 million goal set for them,” Miller continued. “This has been accomplished in just three short months. The funds raised will substantially replace revenues from the College’s unrestricted budget that were previously devoted to Division I sports. The funds replaced will be re-allocated to supplement budgets, in the Library and the Academic Center for Excellence, as well as general Student Affairs, and budgets of Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement.” “In sum, this is a win for the Division I supporters and a win for our financial planning as it affects all parts of the College community.” Financial considerations for Hartwick had prompted a recommendation from Miller, and a vote in January 2004 by the Trustees, to convert the two Division I sports to Division III. Division I participation costs the College approximately $590,000 per year more than playing at the Division III level. From Bob Hanft ’69, Board Chair “The role of Trustees is to assure that decisions are made in the best financial and academic interest of the College, taking into account the interests of all of the College’s constituencies. This happy decision meets that test and accordingly, as an alumnus, I am delighted with it.” From Ian McIntyre ‘96, Men’s Soccer Coach “I will return to Hartwick in the fall of 2004 with a commitment to lead our soccer program to continued national prominence. This decision provides me with that opportunity. The springboard provided by our wonderful record last fall is the base upon which we will build. I am delighted with this expression of enthusiasm for our program and hope that it is also reflected, not only in continued financial support, but in attendance next fall.” From Alan Huckins, Women’s Water Polo Coach “I am thrilled with the continuing opportunity, now that funding for Division I women’s water polo has been assured, to take our teams regularly into national competition, as evidenced by our NCAA final four appearance earlier this month. The women in the program and I will work diligently to keep our team at the very forefront of national competition.” From Cal Chase ‘71, “Re-Ignite the Wick” Committee Co-Chair “I don’t know that I have cared so much or worked so hard on anything as I have for the Re-Ignite the Wick effort. President Miller set a goal. While we didn’t meet it completely, the College was reasonable in its assessment of our success and I am deeply gratified. You can be sure that my interest and efforts will not wane.” From Alison Cox Woods ‘84, Alumni Association President “As president of the Alumni Board, I wanted to make sure that the alumni had an opportunity to be heard on this issue before it was finally resolved. They voted with their feet, with the fact that more than 400 contributed separate gifts above that which they were already sending to the College to support this continuation as evidence of their loyalty and interest. The administration and Trustees provided us an opportunity and we were heard. Accordingly, we are very pleased with the outcome and even more committed than ever to growing support for the College.” From Tom Sears, Faculty Chair “Faculty never speak with one voice. While most were concerned with the diversion of resources to our Division I athletic program at a time when other budgets of the College had been significantly reduced, many were sorry to see Division I sports lost to the College. Many faculty are regular attendees – both at soccer and water polo matches. This, from our perspective, is a good outcome. We will continue to have the affected sports, but at the same time, precious funds will be devoted back into College budgets in which the faculty have a great interest. I personally have great respect for both coaches and their student athletes who perform exceptionally as competitors and scholars.” From Renata Williams ’05, Student Senate President “The student body was concerned from the beginning that we were losing a program that enhanced the name recognition of the College, as well as something that the student body strongly supported. We were afraid that we were losing a part of our identity. At the same time, we recognized that the funds involved were important to the experience of all Hartwick students today and in the future. Accordingly, this seems to be a win/win. We get to continue the programs, at the same time important financial investments are being made in the Academic and Student Life budgets.” | ||
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