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Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Towson athletic department recommends cutting baseball and men’s soccer

Tyler Austin, a four-year pitcher for Towson who graduated in the spring, found out about the decision via Twitter prior to going to work this morning. He said former baseball players were also going to try to rally to save the program, after they were given assurances by the athletic department in the spring that the sport was safe.

“It’s completely unexpected for us,” said Austin, who led the Tigers in appearances in 2011. “We made the playoffs last year and set a record for fielding percentage. We were successful. It’s unbelievable that this could happen. It’s ridiculous. Baseball is America’s pastime.”

This is a couple of days old, but it didn’t get posted at the time, so I figure it’s fair game.

So long to the Tigers program that produced Chris Nabholz and Casper Wells.

Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: October 09, 2012 at 02:44 PM | 13 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: college, general, history, maryland

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1. Neutral Milk Dotel (Dan Lee) Posted: October 09, 2012 at 05:03 PM (#4260851)

Maybe they should just do everybody a favor and kill off their pathetic men's basketball program.

I love baseball and I hate to see schools drop it, but if I'm being honest, it does make a lot of sense as a sport to drop of you need to cut the budget. Unless you're in one of a select few conferences, there's almost zero chance it's anything but a financial black hole, there's a relatively large number of scholarships, and there's virtually no way to increase revenue substantially.

2. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: October 09, 2012 at 05:17 PM (#4260868)

Townson's pathetic men's basketball program came to GW once, and they announced the starting five and then "Towson is coached by Mike Hunt." The reaction in the stands was, as you might imagine, tremendous. I gather he usually goes by Michael.

3. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? Posted: October 09, 2012 at 07:58 PM (#4261077)

Austin graduated in the spring and already has a job?? Quit'cher b****in' then!

4. McCoy Wilfong for Money Posted: October 09, 2012 at 09:16 PM (#4261218)

I would imagine cutting the baseball team and soccer team makes it a lot easier to be in compliance with Title IX than cutting the basketball program.

5. Bob Tufts Posted: October 09, 2012 at 10:28 PM (#4261309)

But they aren't cutting men's sports to be in compliance with Title IX according to those proponents that demand no changes in the law. They told me so! :<)

6. Belfry Bob Posted: October 10, 2012 at 01:12 AM (#4261422)

My alma Mater the University of Richmond (Fellow CAA football member with Towson) recently sent out an e-mail to let supporters and sports team alums that they were also dropping Men's Soccer, and Track - and picking up Men's Lacrosse. Between Title IX and soaring costs, I imagine we'll see stories like this more often. I feel for the players. UR has stated that all scholarships will be honored, but it's got to be tough to lose your team.

7. Athletic Supporter gangnam style Posted: October 10, 2012 at 01:18 AM (#4261424)

Perhaps I'm missing something, but what is stopping these schools from fielding the teams and just not giving out scholarships for them? How much of the cost of, say, a baseball team is the scholarships, anyway? Gloves and balls can't be that expensive and I thought the whole point of conferences was to geographically minimize travel time.

8. Robinson Cano Plate Like Home Posted: October 10, 2012 at 01:30 AM (#4261430)

Read up on Title IX.

9. Barnaby Jones Posted: October 10, 2012 at 02:25 AM (#4261442)

So long to the Tigers program that produced Chris Nabholz and Casper Wells.

Not to mention, John Schuerholz.

10. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: October 10, 2012 at 07:51 AM (#4261457)

the university of wisconsin cut the baseball team almost two decades ago and refuses to consider bringing it back.

11. BDC

Posted: October 10, 2012 at 09:25 AM (#4261510)

set a record for fielding percentage

Yet another victim of the sabermetric disdain for traditional statistics: Towson baseball.

12. DL from MN Posted: October 10, 2012 at 09:38 AM (#4261521)

The school undoubtedly can field club teams but the university can't pay for the equipment, travel, etc.

I think we're going to see a huge change in the higher education system which will lead to a reduction in colleges that offer athletic programs.

13. boteman Posted: October 10, 2012 at 09:56 AM (#4261533)

Maybe they should consider "fielding" video game teams? I hear there's good money if you can make it as a pro.

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Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Towson athletic department recommends cutting baseball and men’s soccer

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