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U. To Discontinue Men's Track/Cross Country Program
5/18/2005 12:00 AM | Cross Country
May 18, 2005
SALT LAKE CITY -- The University of Utah has discontinued its men's track and field and cross country programs in a move designed to redirect funds to help strengthen other sports, Director of Athletics Dr. Chris Hill announced today.
Scholarships for the discontinued sports will be honored should the student-athletes choose to remain at Utah. Releases will be offered to those who wish to transfer to other schools, where they will be eligible to participate immediately.
"We have never been able to fund men's cross country and track at a level that would allow us to have realistic team goals. The reality is that we believe a reallocation of resources will strengthen our other programs that we believe have more potential for success. Some of our programs are not fully-funded and this will give us a chance to get closer to that goal," said Hill. "The timing of this decision may seem unusual since we are in compliance with gender equity, but after a careful review of our athletics program, we felt a change was needed for our overall well being."
The move will free up five scholarships, as well as travel, equipment and coaching dollars for other sports. The U. will sponsor 18 sports starting in fall of 2005: 11 for women (basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, gymnastics, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis and volleyball) and seven for men (baseball, basketball, football, golf, skiing, swimming and diving and tennis).
A national search will begin immediately for a director of Utah's women's cross country and track and field programs.
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