Eight Athletic Programs to be Cut from UMd.

University of Maryland President Wallace Loh announced in a letter to the UMd community this morning that eight athletic programs would be cut from the campus.

The announcement comes a week after a commission appointed by Loh  to help balance the athletic department's budget. It was a recommendation that spurred several , and lots of .

Those teams are: men's indoor and outdoor track and cross country; men's and women's ; women's water polo; women's acrobatics and tumbling; men's tennis.

The letter follows:

Dear University of Maryland community:

It is with regret that I announce my decision to accept the recommendations of the President's Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, delivered a week ago, that eight athletic teams be discontinued as of June 30, 2012. Of course, all scholarship commitments and coaches' contracts will be honored.

The Commission's recommendations -- reluctantly reached in a time of constrained resources -- will restore Maryland Athletics to financial health and sustainability by 2019 and will enhance the support for student-athletes in the remaining 19 teams so that they can excel in the classroom and on the field.

The fact that Athletic Director Kevin Anderson, the University Athletic Council, and the M Club (alumni letter-winners) also endorsed, with regret, the Commission's recommendations, did not make my decision any easier.  My conversations with the affected student-athletes and coaches, and my communications with their parents, alumni, and supporters, were fraught with anguish and sadness.

Our student-athletes are some of the most impressive young men and women I have encountered in my career.  They love the University of Maryland.
They are proud ambassadors of the institution.  Their coaches are talented and dedicated professionals.  It is our student-athletes'
passion, resiliency, maturity, and commitment to their University, their teammates, and their sport that I will always value.

I would like to share with you the facts and reasons for my decision.
My full statement is available on the president's website at:
http://www.president.umd.edu/PCIA/pdfs1121/president_loh_response_FINAL112111.pdf.

You may also read the report of the President's Commission, as well as the written responses to that report by Director Anderson, the University Athletic Council, the M Club, and the University Senate Executive Committee at www.president.umd.edu/PCIA.

I want to express again my appreciation to the President's Commission and to the aforementioned groups for their diligence, wisdom, and advice to ensure the success of Maryland Athletics.  And I want to thank you for your continuing support of our student-athletes and the University of Maryland.

Sincerely,

Wallace D. Loh
President
University of Maryland