With the recent cutting of men's track and field programs by several Mid-American Conference schools, mixed emotions have been displayed by the conference's coaches and athletic directors.
One thing most agree on, however, is that few benefit from these decisions.
Following the precedent set by Bowling Green a year ago, Marshall and Toledo also opted to cut their programs after the 2003 spring season. Ball State will also lose its program the following season, said Kathy Muffenbier, director of athletics communications and marketing. The reason, all agree, is money.
"We had some budgetary considerations to make," Marshall Athletic Director Bob Marcum said. "It was the consensus of the administrative staff that [track and field] would be cut. Did it solve our problems entirely? No. It was just one step."
Marcum said other sports were looked at, but track and field made the most sense.
Said MAC Commissioner Rick Chryst: "I don't think you can do things half-way, and I have to be honest with that. Track and field has a lot of layers to it, and either you're in or you're out. If you don't have the facilities or the members or whatever, you can't compete."
Chryst said because track and field requires a large amount of participants in many specialties, a lot of money is needed to remain competitive.
Ohio Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh, said despite his disappointment, the quality must be there. Boeh said Ohio is not considering cutting programs.
"I think it's truly unfortunate," he said. But what it comes down to is providing a good experience for a very little amount of students or a poor experience for many students."
The impact of MAC program cuts on Ohio recruiting
New Ohio track and field coach Clay Calkins must not only overcome adapting to a new program, but also find a way to build it, despite the negative attention the MAC has received for the cuts.
"I think it affects all recruiting in the MAC when MAC schools are being targeted for cutting men's or women's sports," he said. "I think athletes come out of high school and look at a conference, they don't just look at an institution. When they see those sports being cut, I think they have a tendency to look elsewhere."
Both Calkins and Chryst said this is not just a MAC problem, though Chryst said he understands the coaches' standpoint.
"I guess I can appreciate that as a concern," Chryst said. "But I think what's more of a fact of life is that this is happening all across the country. If a coach is concerned that it's just a MAC concern, that's not the case."
Ohio runner Craig Leon said despite other schools losing their programs, he does not worry about his status as a cross country and track athlete.
"I can see that our program is as strong as it gets," he said. "At least I hope. Yeah, it always is kind of a worry, cutting a program, but there's nothing we can do. As runners it's just our responsibility to go out and run."
After recruiting with now-retired track coach Elmore Banton, Calkins has spent one year facing this dilemma. But Calkins said there is a positive aspect.
"It does affect recruiting in a negative way, but there are more numbers out there now if you look at the broad spectrum," he said. "You're looking at just as many track athletes coming out of high school and less schools to go to. So when you look at it in that aspect, it actually probably doesn't affect recruiting in a negative manner as far as numbers are concerned."
Why track and field
Although men's track and field is not the only program being cut, it has become one of the most prevalent sports to cut. Toledo, for example, cut men's indoor and outdoor track after the 2003 season.
The number of student-athletes actually cut versus the amount of athletic participation makes the sports appealing to cut. Toledo's men's track program fielded 38 participants. But because those athletes are in both indoor and outdoor track, it is the equivalent of 76 athletes.
"You're taking the maximum number of athletes with the minimal amount of numbers," Calkins said. "You're taking away [twice as many] male athletes out of your program. So on paper it looks great."
In the MAC, there are six programs that all schools must have: women's volleyball, football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball.
"For whatever reason, track and field is a team sport and been trying to connect with the American fan," Chryst said. "We need to look at all aspects of the sport and try and manage it so it's viable and healthy. And I'm not sure how to do that."
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Kyle Jepson
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Ohio Junior Drew Frum leads stretches before cross-country practice last week. The number of cross-country teams in the MAC has decreased this year.
