Men’s NCAA gymnastics is now in even greater peril.
Inside Gymnastics has been on the phone. Interviewing Tim McNeill, Barry Weiner, Mark Williams and Justin Spring.
Reaction on Berkeley Athletic Director Sandy Barbour announcement today:
… At the end of this academic year, baseball, men’s and women’s gymnastics, and women’s lacrosse will no longer represent UC Berkeley in intercollegiate competition. …
The number of varsity sports at UC Berkeley will be reduced from 29 to 24 under the new plan. A total of 163 student-athletes of the more than 800 currently participating are directly impacted by the decision – 38 in baseball, 19 in men’s gymnastics, 15 in women’s gymnastics, 30 in women’s lacrosse and 61 in men’s rugby – as well as 13 full-time coaches. …
Andrew Hampy of Cal Gymnastics Forever:
… This is a done deal. There is no possibility of the program’s ever returning again. …
Even if we said, ‘We will fund the entire program [and] it will be zero cost to university,’ you can’t do it, because now Title IX comes into the picture, and they have to reinstate women’s teams too. Title IX was one of the big elements at play here. …
read doom and gloom on Inside Gymnastics – CAL GYMNASTICS CUT
… What Men’s team will be next to feel the axe?
Only 16 NCAA schools will field MAG varsity teams for the 2012 season, down from 129 in 1970.
Last faint hope … What if donations could fund both the Women’s and Men’s teams at Berkeley?
Gymnastics Coaching.com 