and Greg Armstrong
IV Leader Sports Editors, Feb. 21, 2003
Since dismissing football and adding golf nearly five years ago, IVCC has offered students the opportunity to compete in eight athletic programs. And at the conclusion of the Wednesday board meeting the college offers the same — for the time being.
According to Vice President of Student Services Bob Marshall, the board was given a proposal in which $80,000 was to be cut from the 2002-03 athletic budget, which totaled over $325,000, a recommendation that he an Athletic Director Mike Riley collaborated to present.
This proposal included the discontinuation of men’s and women’s tennis and men’s golf, as well as considerable cuts from each of the five co-existing athletic programs.
Marshall said the pair of tennis programs were chosen to be eliminated because of the eventual cost to repair diminishing playing surfaces and it not being an official Arrowhead Conference sport.
On the other hand, golf was elected to be abandoned based on the fact that it is the most expensive sport per individual that the college currently offers, as well as it most recently being added.
Before board members met privately to discuss the presented issues, each sport was given an opportunity to speak of its own behalf.
IVCC tennis coach Eric Perez solely defended what he considers to be an important contribution to its school.
In just his third year, the coach reasoned that both men’s and women’s tennis have become nationally recognized as quality programs.
“I will be willing to waive my salary in order to continue the program at this school,” said Perez.
In comparison, six freshman golfers, who could ultimately suffer the most, attended the meeting in order to back their sport.
Team member Brad Pinter said, “If golf is cut, it will be virtually impossible for me to find another school this late in the year, with most application deadlines being March 1.”
After the first closed door session, a motion was made to table the decision until the board’s March 18 meeting.
Riley said, “I would hate to be the one making that decision. I can’t imagine the stress that those individuals are going through. It’s just an unfortunate situation for everyone involved.”
Riley went on to say that each of the school’s departments will be hindered in one way or another do to the failure of the Nov. 5 referendum.
“Obviously I would like to see minimal cuts in the area of athletics, but, at the same time, I understand that given the current situation there is just no feasible way to reach this number without each sport being affected to some degree.”
In agreement with Riley, Marshall was quick to comment on the importance of the athletic programs to IVCC.
“Athletics are an important component to any college’s public appeal,” he said. “They provide the community with a positive reflection of college life outside the classroom, and that is why (IVCC) exists, to serve the community. Athletics are an important part of the Illinois Valley, so these programs enrich our college. And they bring students here, to IVCC, who otherwise may not come.”
With the hesitant decision to delay the proposed budget cuts for 26 days, the jeopardized sports will live to play another day.
Board Chairman William H. Franklin Jr. said, “I don’t agree with it, but I’ll go along with it for now.”