Posted December 6, 2013

Temple Athletics reduces its varsity sports from 24 to 17

Temple University announced today that it will reduce the number of its intercollegiate athletic programs by seven, effective July 1, 2014. The action will mean a better and more sustainable experience for its remaining student-athletes and bring Temple into line with most other schools in The American Athletic Conference.

Athletics reduction FAQ

Q: Why is this being done?

A: The key factors are student-athlete welfare, financial commitments (scholarships, operating costs and salaries), facilities and Title IX. Temple does not have the resources to equip, staff, and provide a positive competitive experience for 24 varsity sports. Continuing this model does a disservice to our student-athletes.

Q: How were the sports to be eliminated determined?

A: This was an exhaustive process that looked at each of our Olympic sport programs. For the seven sports that are being eliminated, unavailability of appropriate facilities—and the lack of suitable alternatives—were major factors. For the five men’s sports, the need to address Title IX spending imbalances also played a part in these decisions.

Q: Why make this decision now?

A: Careful analysis made it clear we must right size our program to create a sustainable model for Temple University Athletics moving forward. There is no likely increase in either private or public dollars for these programs on the horizon. We need to make the tough call in fairness to our students, their families and our staff.

Q: Why make the announcement in December, just before finals?

A: There is no ideal time. This decision needed to become public now, so that our students can complete the fall semester, go home and discuss their future with their families over the winter break.

Q: Will student scholarships be honored?

A: Yes, absolutely. All students who remain academically eligible as Temple students will retain their scholarship. Students must meet all NCAA progress-toward-degree requirements and maintain good academic standing as determined by the university.

Q: Can students transfer to other programs?

A: Yes, under NCAA transfer rules, students are immediately eligible for competition when the students’ original institution discontinues the sport in which the student practiced or competed. Temple has granted written permission for coaches from other institutions to contact student-athletes about transfers, and we will help students transfer their credits, eligibility and scholarships if they choose to compete at another university.

Q: What will be done with the money that's saved?

A: We will enhance academic support for our student athletes, fully fund all NCAA permitted scholarships in the remaining women’s programs, and invest in under-funded Olympic programs. We must also improve outdated Olympic sports facilities, locker rooms and office space. This will enhance the student experience in all of Temple's athletics programs.

Q. Are Temple’s athletics programs funded similarly to other American Athletic Conference programs?

A. No. In terms of operating budget, 85% of our sports are in the bottom third of conference members. But the financial situation was only one factor. Our first and most important responsibility is to our students’ welfare – their academic and athletic experience. We must right-size our program in order to provide the kind of experience our students deserve.

Q. How many athletes are impacted by this decision?

A. There are 150 student athletes and 9 coaches who are affected.

Affected by the action are baseball, men’s crew, men's gymnastics, men's outdoor track & field and men's indoor track & field; as well as two women’s sports: softball and rowing. The action brings Temple's total from 24 to 17 varsity sports. Members of The American field between 16 and 19 varsity sports, except for the University of Connecticut, which has 24.

The decision is the result of a seven-month detailed analysis of Temple's athletics situation. The analysis looked at the Athletics budget and its ongoing expectations for support; the facilities currently being used and how much it would cost to upgrade them; a detailed comparison with other universities in the American Athletic Conference; and comparisons with other institutions of higher education similar to Temple.

Temple's mission is to provide its student-athletes with the high quality experience they deserve, but with the rising costs of doing business in intercollegiate athletics it has become impossible to achieve that mission for 24 varsity programs, said Temple Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin Clark. With limited funds and growing needs, this was a difficult choice that had to be made, he said.

“Temple does not have the resources to equip, staff, and provide a positive competitive experience for 24 varsity sports. Continuing this model does a disservice to our student-athletes," explained Clark. "We need to have the right-sized program to create a sustainable model for Temple University Athletics moving forward."

With operating costs rising, University budgets tightening and a growing need to improve or replace outdated Olympic facilities, this difficult decision was inevitable, Clark said.

"Reducing the number of sports will mean Athletics can invest more into the student-athletes, staff and facilities for the remaining Olympic sports, and offer the best possible learning and competitive environment,” said Clark.

Clark said the decision was being announced now to give student-athletes as much time as possible to consider their options and plan their next steps. The university has granted blanket written permission for coaches from other institutions to contact student-athletes about transfers. Temple will help students transfer their credits and eligibility if they choose to compete at another university.

"This is one of the hardest things I have had to do as an athletic administrator, as it impacts the lives of our student-athletes as well as members of our staff. However, this was an action that needed to be taken for the betterment of Temple Athletics. We all felt this decision needed to become public now, so that our student-athletes can complete the fall semester, go home and discuss their future with their families over the winter break," said Clark.

"Our first concern, now and in the future, is the academic and athletic experience of our student-athletes," Clark said. "We will work with those affected by this decision to ensure their success either here at Temple or at other universities."

Temple remains committed to the success of all student-athletes in these sports, and the university will honor its agreement with those student-athletes who have athletic scholarships, he said. In addition, all impacted student-athletes will have the full use of the Nancy and Donald Resnick Academic Support Center to ensure continued success in the classroom.

The recommendation was made by the Vice President and Director of Athletics and approved by President Neil D. Theobald and the Board of Trustees. Theobald, a long-time sports enthusiast, said the decision was not an easy one.

"Temple's student-athletes are extraordinary ambassadors for the university," said President Theobald. "This is an extremely difficult decision, but it is being done in the best long-term interests of our student-athletes."

The president noted that tightening budgets have resulted in unpopular decisions across the university, with cuts of more than $113 million in operations support in recent years.

In total, there are approximately 150 student-athletes in the seven sports directly impacted by the decision. Nine full-time coaching positions are also affected.

- Hillel Hoffmann