Cal Gymnastics reinstated

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who worked so hard to save Men’s Gymnastics at Cal State Berkeley.

… Monday’s announcement delighted coach Tim McNeill and his athletes – who recently finished fourth in the NCAA championships. It also excited a small army of parents, ex-gymnasts and fans who raised $2.6 million to keep the program alive. …

The fundraisers came up short of the $4 million officials said was needed to sustain the program for the next seven to 10 years. As a result, there will be no athletic scholarships to incoming gymnasts until fundraising allows such aid.

This year, the Cal men’s program split 4.7 scholarships among nine gymnasts; the NCAA allows up to 6.3.

At the current funding level, the 2011-12 team – in the program’s 100th season – would have three scholarships to split, because this year’s seniors account for 1.7. The fundraisers, however, are confident they can quickly push the program back to its current scholarship level. …

… philanthropist Doug Goldman recently offered to pledge $160,000 if four other donors pledge an equal amount. “We’re already gotten two of them,” Popovic said. …

SF Gate – Cal men’s gymnastics team will be retained

There’s more on Gymnastike.