Justin Slife on Chalk Bucket posted the plea from a gymnast on the team, Bridget Hild:
… Thorr Bjorn began the meeting by stating that, “there is no easy way to say this, so I will just say it. The university has decided to discontinue women’s gymnastics and replace it with Women’s Lacrosse.”
Leaving us stunned and upset he tried to explain that it was because we were not a part of the Atlantic Ten Division. Seeing as football is a part of CCA we thought that this was not a justified reason.
He then told us that it was a Title IX issue and that the Lacrosse team would add eight more roster spots for compliance. The final explanation was that the sport of gymnastics is dwindling. After about 10 minutes the meeting came to an abrupt ending and the administrators left the conference room. They left a team of twenty girls and two coaches devastated, angry, and confused with many unanswered questions.
read the rest of Bridget’s letter that include a list of people to email – Chalk Bucket
Rhode Island is choosing to drop a high profile sport for an up-and-coming sport. Sitting here, it’s hard to know the real reasons for that kind of choice.
Check this CBS news story for more detail on the University’s decision.
I do feel terribly badly for the gymnasts and their coaches.
Rhode Island Women’s Gymnastics – official website
PS
I want to write about a University planning to ADD an NCAA Gymnastics Team? Perhaps a Canadian University.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 