Maine community college suspends athletic program

The high cost of athletics has caused Eastern Maine Community College to suspend its sports program for the 2015-16 school year.

College President Larry Barrett said a committee will be created to examine the program in hopes of returning to competition for the 2016-17 season, according to the Bangor Daily News. The announcement was made Monday in a letter to the college’s employees.

From the Bangor Daily News:

“An evaluation of costs associated with the program including travel, salaries, supplies and facility upgrades in conjunction with the current unknowns of our budget for the upcoming academic year made this decision necessary,” Barrett said in the letter.

…

Barrett also said EMCC would attempt to assist any students who wish to pursue athletics at another school in finding them a place to study and play.

“As a big advocate of athletics on campus, this decision was not an easy one and one that I struggled with for the past few weeks,” Barrett said.

Rising costs, especially those associated with travel, have caused many athletic departments to drop sports from their offerings, but it’s rare to see a school cut its program all together.

EMCC’s athletic program isn’t that large. Last season, only 68 students participated in the college’s 11 varsity sports — six men’s and four women’s with one co-ed team.

The article did not note how many coaches will be affected and whether their positions will be cut. It’s possible that those who also teach would keep their jobs.

Click here to read the full statement from Barrett.