Wednesday Ball State University announced it will discontinue its men's cross country, indoor track and outdoor track programs in the 2004-2005 academic year. Men's cross country and track and field head coach Jim Sprecher, apparently on vacation with his family, has not been contacted directly about the cut, athletics director Bubba Cunningham said.
The decision to cut cross country came as a major surprise to assistant coach Jim Trautmann.
"I was very disappointed," Trautmann said. "We were told that there was the possibility of being cut, and we were told that it would be track and field and not cross country."
Trautmann's feeling of disappointment was shared by the men's cross country and track athletes.
"My gut reaction was to cry," distance runner Steve Samuel said. He will be a senior in the fall. "We love what we do. We had great opportunities here, and it really is sad that people can't get those opportunities anymore."
Senior-to-be hurdler Jonathan Lamb was not satisfied with the way the Ball State athletic department handled the situation. The athletes on the soon-to-be eliminated teams reportedly learned of the decision earlier that morning.
"I don't think the information has been presented well," Lamb said. "I think the athletic director and the president had several bold-face lies on camera."
For many involved with the cuts, the logic and math behind the decision were not totally clear considering men's track carries the second largest roster at Ball State but has the least cost per athlete to run. In response to that subject, football was a target of many of the athlete's comments.
"Football is off budget every year by several hundred thousand dollars," Lamb said. "What it amounts to is what they are off budget, and what it costs to keep all three of these programs is very equal. I think they should just make football be on budget and keep all three sports."
Both Trautmann and the athletes said they do not feel their sports being cut will be the end of the athletic department shake up at Ball State.
"I don't know what those reasons are that we were singled out, but I think that Ball State is headed down a perilous path," Trautmann said. "There is still more sports that can be cut. I think that this is just a Band-aid. I think there is a lot more that can be done. There can be a lot more efficiency and organization."
Samuel says the budget problems expand outside of Ball State. He also said the NCAA has switched its focus from what is good for student athletes to purely financial matters.
"The NCAA needs to look at their values," he said. "They need to say that it is not about money, and it shouldn't be. It is about student athletes. It is about enriching their lives and giving them opportunities. "
In the light of having his sport discontinued, Samuel emphasized how enjoyable running at Ball State has been. He also expressed sympathy for those who were forced to make the decision.
"I don't envy them one bit," Samuel said. "They had a tough decision. It just really is terrible that it had to come to this. It is not their fault, but it did come to this. "
In addition to informing athletes who are off campus this summer, the Ball State coaches also have to tell the recruits they have just recently signed. It is a task that Trautmann is not looking forward to.
"They chose to spend the next four years running cross country here at Ball State," he said. "Now a month away from the season starting, we have to tell them that they have one year and then it's done. Obviously it will be very painful. They are going to feel that they have been lied to. I haven't even decided yet what I'm going to tell them."
The teams will compete next season, but the feeling on the squad will be much different, Trautmann said.
"I'm going to do what I can for our athletes," Trautmann said. "This next season is about them. It is not really about the university; it is about them, and I'm going to do what I can."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
