Schools
Maricopa Community Colleges Eliminate Football To Save Money
The Maricopa County Community College District is bowing to financial pressure and eliminating football at four schools.
TEMPE, AZ – Less than one year after vowing to continue football, the Maricopa Community College District announced Monday that the 2018 season will be the last. The football programs at Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Phoenix College, Scottsdale Community College are being discontinued.
The district cited money woes, particularly a loss of state funds, and stagnant enrollment.
Football programs eat up 20 percent of the district's athletic budget and more than 50 percent of its insurance costs. Keeping the programs active would cost more than $20 million in capital improvements and associated programs.
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No other sports are being affected by the cuts.
The schools compete in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, part of Region 1 of the National Junior College Athletic Association. The four schools are currently among only 65 out of 530 schools in the association with football programs.
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Photo via Maricopa Community College District.
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