Brunswick County sports schedules to be shortened to save money

The Brunswick County School Board is finalizing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and that includes slashing funding for athletics.

Whether it’s North, South or West Brunswick, sports is a big deal in Brunswick County, but the high school sports schedule will soon be reduced.

“Baseball will be reduced from 23 to 21 games… along with softball from 23 to 21. Soccer will reduced from 23 to 21 along with basketball. There will a bit of a reduction in golf, no reduction in wrestling and none in indoor track,” explained Les Tubb, director of career & technical education in Brunswick County

Football fans don’t have anything to worry about. The length of the high school football season will not be reduced in Brunswick County because it’s a major revenue sport.

As mentioned earlier, baseball is on the list. Randy Fennell, head coach of the North Brunswick baseball team said, “We like to play as much as possible. It prepares us for the playoffs every time we play. It’s a little disappointing, but I understand cuts have to be made. Athletics needs to take the cuts just like everybody else.”

Student-athletes were not thrilled about the cuts. “I think they should keep soccer games, basketball games because sometimes that’s really what students are there for really, athletics.”

When you count travel, officials, and other intangibles the two game reduction plan will save Brunswick County around $43,000 a year.

Brunswick County is not alone; New Hanover is also considering a reduction in the sports schedules.