Facing Budgetary Issues, Delaware State Cuts Men's Tennis, Women's Equestrian
For the second time in as many years, Delaware State University will cut teams from its athletic profile. Men’s tennis and women’s equestrian are the latest to go, just a year removed from severing wrestling from the school’s sports slate.
“The five MEAC institutions that are below DSU in what they spend on athletics all have budgets that are $8 to $9 million this year,” said (DSU Athletic Director Derek) Carter. “Couple that with the tough economic times that this University is facing, it is impossible to justify such a disparity between DSU and the other top institutions’ athletics spending.”
The move saves money and enhances the university’s effort towards equitable gender balance in athletics. Even for a school that just sold its soul for half a mil, that’s a smart business move.
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This is a question that has come up since the announcement. I’ll be talking about this on the show this Thursday. Would love to hear your perspective.
Sinec budget was mentioned as the cause of this, anyone have any idea why DSU’s budget is so much higher than the others? They have the 3rd or 4th highest number of athletes in the conference and are the only one with an Equestrian team (which costs about $500k/year). Where is the other $2.3-3.3M going? Their football and basketball teams are basically the same size as all other schools. Are the salaries and/or scholarships that much higher than the rest of the conference?
The team was established, in part, as a means to address the Title IX issue that existed. In my opinion, yes it does jeopardize compliance.
A good point. I was thinking along the lines of having the number of women’s programs offering scholarships catching up to football, but you are right; the equestrian team offered a number of slots that went to enhancing that equity.
And since you’ve mentioned it, does this actually jeopardize DSU’s Title IX compliance?
I haveto disagree with part of the statement “The move saves money and enhances the university’s effort towards equitable gender balance in athletics.” How does cutting 21 women and 5 men address an already inequitable gender balance? According to the current rosters, there are 156 male and 109 female athletes. 16 more women would have been coming to DSU next year to participate on the Equestrian team, too. This would have helped to address the gender equity in athletics issue. Cutting the team surely doesn’t.
Either the Hornets’ athletic department is in worse financial straits than it let on, or they are just greedy. And I don’t think any program in this economy can afford to be greedy.
I thought the michigan game payout was going to solve all of the hornets financial woes…….lol….