Chancellor: UNCW track discontinuation is final

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — At a UNCW board of trustees meeting, Interim Chancellor William Sederburg announced the discontinuation of the track program at UNCW is final. This announcement comes after meetings and fundraisers with supporters of the track program.

The announcement was made in early December. The school will no longer offer women’s outdoor track and field, women’s indoor track and field, men’s cross country and men’s outdoor track and field. The cuts also mean the elimination of four coaching positions.

Since that announcement, supporters have started a website to raise more than $140,000, rallied to keep the programs and met with university leaders to show how they can continue to raise money to keep the program.

“Advocates of track and field have made a spirited and heroic effort to raise money to sustain track and field,” Sederburg said. “Unfortunately, as I analyze the situation, UNCW would need an endowment of at least $6 million to fund a track program at its present inadequate level and closer to $10 million for a decently funded program. Recent private pledges amounting to $142,743 in one time gifts plus $20,200 (as of Jan. 22) for a multi-year commitment are far below what is needed.”

Sederburg also said in a statement that UNCW ranks last in total athletics expenses per student-athlete, in comparison to CAA member schools. He said only three CAA schools sponsor men’s outdoor track and field programs, and the track facilities are outdated and in of total renovation.

To make sure the school is in compliance with Title IX requirements, the school plans to add women’s sand volleyball. That would bring the total number of sports to 15, which is one more than the minimum NCAA requirement.

In terms of issues with the track program affecting diversity on campus, Sederburg agreed.

“UNCW is not as diverse as it should be,” Sederburg said. “There is no way around the fact that this decision does not help increase the number of minority students at UNCW. However, I conclude that administrative decisions cannot be made based on the racial composition of teams or academic programs. Moreover, diversity is not an athletics issue; it is an issue for the university as a whole.”

Sederburg said he and the UNCW board of trustees are recommending a student fee increase to assist with athletics ($28 per student in FY 16 and $42 per student in FY 17).

“There is no way to sugarcoat the pain that is felt by many as we proceed with this decision,” Sederburg said.