Saint Mary's should rethink decision
Mike McCarthy
sophomore
Tuesday's controversial decision to eliminate the track and field program at Saint Mary's College was one that was undertaken in a hasty and sudden manner. Saint Mary's College President Marilou Eldred gave her not so popular final answer to cut the program after receiving the recommendation of athletic director Lynn Kachmarik. It is obvious to me that neither put much thought into the process.
The individuals who made this bold decision apparently had some second thoughts of their own considering they did not inform team members of even the possibility, let alone the final decision to, terminate the program at season's end. I would like to make several points as to why the track and field program should be kept running, no pun intended.
First, track and field is an activity which individuals compete in because they love it. It is not easy, practices are not fun and the sport enjoys little fanfare from outsiders. The point is that those who stay with the sport love it deeply and to take away that extracurricular option for current team members at Saint Mary's is wrong. It does much more than take away one activity from the day, it takes away a big part of who each team member is.
Secondly, financial concerns were given as the primary reason for cutting the program. It was estimated that the school could save $13,000 by cutting the program, and this money could be allotted to other sports. I know Rick Pitino is available, but I am guessing he needs more than five figures to make him the new Belles basketball coach. In short, $13,000 is not enough to make a significant difference in the sports program at Saint Mary's College.
Track and field is the largest high school participatory sport in America, and Saint Mary's can use it as a recruiting tool for athletes who may not have the chance to run at a Division I school, but can come and compete in the sport they love at the Division III level. I think it would be in Saint Mary's best interest to diversify the number of sports they have to offer, rather than to specialize in only a few.
Third, how can anyone expect head coach Larry Szczcho to motivate his runners for the upcoming campaign. With no future to work towards, with each meet meaning the team is closer and closer to the end, how can any coach be expected to produce great results, and how can the athletes create the usual feeling of optimism heading into a season? The will to compete, a big part of the sport, will be lost.
Finally, adequate practice space was addressed. Saint Mary's has long jump, high jump, shot put and discus areas on campus. I am an assistant track and field coach at South Bend's Saint Joseph's High School, and we have allowed the Belles track team use of our facilities during the season. The one mile jog down to the track is like a stroll to the dining hall for these athletes, so distance can not be a concern.
A new facility may not be feasible, but cutting a sport altogether is not the answer. This shocking decision was done without a careful look into the future, without any input from the student-athletes effected by it and with financial considerations taking top order.
In my opinion, it is in the best interest of Saint Mary's to rethink its decision to cut the track and field program.
Mike McCarthy
sophomore
Siegfried Hall
February 1, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, February 2, 2001
