Winston-Salem State has decided to make cuts to its Athletic Department to reallocate funds.
You know what this sounds like to me; it sounds like they [Athletic Department] want to make the rich richer.
If you read the email that was sent on March 21 to the campus community, you would see that Athletic Director William Hayes said that they would be allocating fund to further support the remaining sports.
It seems like the football, basketball, and baseball teams will be getting more money so they can stay competitive nationally.
To reallocate money from three sports (men’s indoor and outdoor track and field and men’s golf) that have seen more success since the jump back to the CIAA than they did while the transition was taking place makes this team no different than any other program.
The men’s track and field teams have been successful since returning to the CIAA placing in the top three in the conference in the indoor and outdoor seasons since returning to the conference.
The golf team has seen some successes this season with one first place finish, two-second place finishes, and one-third place finish in seven events this season.
I can remember when WSSU was making the transition to the MEAC in 2006, and the only program that was competitive on any level was track and field and for it to be cut from the budget is more than a travesty; it’s a shame.
With that being said, I do understand that this is a business and that you make the moves you need to make to win championships and make money.
I understand that you always want to field the best team that you can.
But I do know this; if you know you cannot afford something you do not invest in it.
At the March 21 campus forum, all I heard was, “We are cutting the programs to refocus efforts in other sports.”
That is well and good, but when you recruit freshman with the hopes of being a champion and then after their first year of competition you take it away, THAT IS WRONG!
These athletes are given the chance to go to other universities and compete there. But think about this scenario: What if another school doesn’t pick up the player?
They will be left with dreams and a lot of “what if’s” and no one deserves that.
My prayer is that the athletes who lost their opportunity to compete as Rams find somewhere to go.
The results of this news could have led to a much worse outcome for WSSU athletics then it did.
The entire track and field and golf programs could have said that they were not going to participate for the rest of the season and forfeit the school’s final chance at a men’s golf or track and field championship.
Personally, I am glad they didn’t choose that option.
These athletes have handled this situation with grace and professionalism and for that I do say, “Thank you and Go Rams.”