According to the Oneonta (N.Y). Daily Star, Hartwick is revamping All-Weather Field through a renovation project that includes Field Turf, improved spectator seating and press box improvements.
That’s good news for the Hawks who play football, lacrosse and field hockey at the facility. But the timing on this story is more than a little awkward for the college.
Just yesterday Hartwick announced it is cutting seven sports, citing finances and the “lack of on-campus facilities†among the factors. That looks a little odd next to the prepared statement by President Richard P. Miller, Jr. related to All-Weather Field (pictured above, pre-renovation) — “Recent improvements to our outdoor athletic facilities exemplify our commitment to athletics at Hartwick.â€
Both stories also cite fund raising efforts. Apparently Hartwick’s Division I men’s soccer and women’s water polo teams were able to raise funds to keep their Division I status. And the teams who play at All-Weather Field contacted alumni of those programs to solicit financial support for the field renovation efforts. But a parent of athletes on the eliminated men’s golf and softball teams implies they did not have a similar chance. “I think the student-athletes should have had the opportunity to save their programs.”
It’s a tough situation. I feel bad for the kids on the seven slashed teams. But I understand the budget problems that Hartwick faces and think they should have the discretion to act accordingly. Plus, without knowing details of the process, there’s no guarantee that the funds raised for All Weather Field could’ve helped teams who don’t play there.
That being said, I would’ve picked a different time and a different quote to announce the football stadium renovation.
All-Weather Field, not All-Sports Field.
Even though we don’t cover the seven sports that were cut by Hartwick, it’s a crying shame. I would say, “Recent deletions from our athletic programs exemplify our commitment to athletics at Hartwick.”
I’m tempted, sorely tempted, to say that perhaps Hartwick needs to do a partial Birmingham-Southern. Get rid of those D1 sports.
(But this is merely a temptation … I haven’t actually said so. The financial situation in Oneonta may well be more complicated than it appears.)
It is, Warren. It is. I know one of the senior administrators very well, and he’s told me a little. He’s a quality guy and a big athletics supporter–and I know that he almost single-handedly helped resurrect wrestling at another school he was at via his efforts.
I’m sure these cuts were as painful to him and the rest of the administration as they were to the students and parents affected. There are good folks running the place, though, and I’m sure their hope is that they can one day bring these sports back.
Did your Hartwick friend explain why the institution desires to continue D1 soccer? I suspect alumni pressure might be a contributing factor. That, along with the quest [hopes?] for a second D1 national championship, may well keep big-time competition alive.
Or perhaps explain the timing of it, that came so late in the annual cycle?
Fair question, but is there ever a good time to make these kinds of announcements or to have to make these kinds of decisions?
My guess is that the final decision was made at the summer board of trustees meeting, ergo the announcement this week.
One small correction. The photo above is not All-Weather Field, but is actually Hartwick’s soccer field, which is located near its gym. All-Weather Field is a smaller venue located down the hill from the gym.