FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen is pulling back on a proposal to cut sports programs at two campuses. The move comes after the NCAA failed to take action on the schools’ requests for a waiver to remain Division II institutions.
Johnsen had recommended getting rid of men’s and women’s skiing programs at both the University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks as a cost-saving measure. Officials had also proposed cutting men’s and women’s indoor track in Anchorage.
The proposal would have put both schools below the required minimum of 10 sports programs for Division II status.
After receiving a response from the NCAA, Johnsen said Thursday he’s no longer recommending the programs be cut. He said the sports organization won’t consider making an exemption to the 10-team requirement until UA actually drops the sports programs.
“The NCAA’s response indicated that it would consider a waiver request only after the university reduced the number of teams below the 10-team minimum,” Johnsen said in a statement. “We know that such a step would risk a wide variety of financial and programmatic NCAA sanctions.”
The removal of the skiing and track teams was expected to save an estimated $700,000 from UAA’s athletics budget and about $400,000 from UAF’s athletics budget.
The universities had also considered an alternative plan to save money and preserve Division II status by merging the teams. That option will also not be pursued at this time, Johnsen said.
UA is now turning to the community for help in ensuring the longevity of its sports programs.
“I will suggest we tap into the large outpouring of support from our student athletes, our communities and our alumni,” Johnsen said. “Given the volume of voices of support for athletics and the passion of their arguments, we will recommend instead to engage with these supporters to invite and encourage their financial support for the athletic programs they value so much.”
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