I would like to respond to Greg Mason's Letter to the Editor published in the April 5 edition of The Post. In his letter dealing with Title IX, he mentions that the decision to cut sports stems from a need to direct more money toward the deficits created by the 'revenue sports.' He goes on to insinuate that the cutting of four sports were in response to deficits created by bowl games that were supposed to bring in money.
I understand the anger and frustration of the athletes and parents affected by the cuts. But since the cuts were announced, I have read letter after letter mistakenly blaming the football program for what happened. It is time this misinformation was exposed.
For years, like at all mid-major schools, our football teams have been sent on the road to sacrifice themselves against the best programs in the country, so the pay-outs could fund the rest of the athletic program. Even this year, our football program earned $450,000 for playing Illinois and another $450,000 for playing Missouri. In the summer, the coaching staff was asked to add Rutgers for $500,000, and drop the Louisiana-Lafayette game. They voted to do this for the good of the entire athletic department. What I will never understand is how these detractors could begrudge these players a reward for a great season, after treating them like sacrificial lambs for so many years.
So for all of the people who have been affected by the cuts, I have a tremendous amount of sympathy for your situation. But dig a little deeper and work a little harder to find the culprit. As is typical with most problematic issues, the most obvious answer is not always the correct one.
Nate Saum is a sophomore education major.
17 Archives
Letter to the Editor
