The NCAA has been grappling a massive challenge in the pandemic. In NCAA D1 alone, nearly 100 athletic teams have been eliminated in the last few weeks. Four schools have cut at least three sports and a fifth, Brown, discontinued a whopping eight athletic programs.
According to one site tracking the cuts, more than 100 programs have been eliminated across all levels. “Hundreds more are sure to follow,” wrote the Dallas News in a recent story covering Texas Christian University.
Nearly 200 athletic programs were eliminated during the housing recession. And those schools and programs didn’t suffer from the loss of $375 million in revenue after the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament.
Tens of thousands of advocates have rushed to the sides of coaches and athletes of discontinued sports, challenging schools, signing petitions and raising funds.
They fear that the cuts are far from over.
Deficits in major athletic departments existed before the global pandemic struck. The shutdown of campuses and economic downturn has dramatically worsened the situation. It also gives cover to athletic directors already considering discontinuing programs.
Number of eliminated college sports programs nearing 100 https://t.co/glLPHleqPP #college #collegestudent #collegetalk #studentathlete #collegestudents #collegesports #HigherEd #studentathletes #collegelife
— College Counselors (@College_Experts) June 8, 2020
Higher education is bracing for a significant reduction in revenue from various sources. Cuts to state and federal funding; a decrease in institutional support; loss in ticket sales; and sponsorship revenue.
Fans of football are frightened that this fall could leave them without the holy grail of American sports culture. College football. CFB. The big dog on campus.
But even if D1 doesn’t play, I may have your solution.
Division 3 athletics. These unsung athletics heroes, volleyball players, soccer players, softball, baseball, hockey and football players produce a pretty amazing product. The main difference is that they don’t have a million dollar marketing campaign behind their talents.
The good news for worried football fans is that some of these schools are already planning to strap up and play this fall. Presidents from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association member institutions, announced on May 8th that they intended to return sports to MIAA campuses.
“It is with great optimism that we are looking forward to the next academic year,” said Penny Allen-Cook, MIAA Commissioner
Through their press release, the MIAA sparked national coverage. The conference office said in their release that a “new normal” will evolve as everyone continues to deal with the effects of COVID-19.
“This has been a very challenging time for winter and spring student-athletes as they saw their seasons cut short,” said Cook. “And our fall sports student-athletes have had to deal with the anxiety of not knowing their status for the coming year. In making this announcement today, we hope to provide some reassurance to MIAA student-athletes and their families.”
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has released the revised league schedule#Bulldogs #CFB #Football #Hope #MIAA #NCAA #Scots #Sports #Thunder https://t.co/lfYw319exI
— Midwest Sports Network (@MWSNsports) July 7, 2020
Cook also said in the release that MIAA member institutions understand that the final status of return to play is subject to state and local guidelines, along with the readiness of its members to return students to campus in the fall.
The MIAA is America’s oldest collegiate athletic conference. This year will be the 133rd consecutive year of operation. The MIAA is made up of Adrian College, Albion College, Hope College, Trine University, Saint Mary’s College, Kalamazoo College, Alma College, Calvin University and Finlandia University.
“The MIAA will continue to develop and perfect plans as the response to the pandemic evolves, and that everyone associated with the conference is excited about the prospect of providing a safe and practical competitive environment for student-athletes this fall,” said Cook
I believe we will see football this fall. It’s a tough thing to believe after such an uncertain year for all of us. I live in Michigan, and unlike parts of the country, we have been on lockdown. People are scared.
Hell, I’m scared.
But that being said, we have to go back to normal at some point. And certain things will come sooner than later. I believe sports is one of those things. I don’t believe we can afford to miss football this year. The financial impact alone would be devastating.
More and more colleges and universities athletic departments are cutting sports programs, as the financial impact of the pandemic is becoming devastatingly clear#CFB #College #Football #NCAA #News #NFL #Sports https://t.co/czRUYMxL4f
— Midwest Sports Network (@MWSNsports) June 18, 2020
I also personally remain convinced that fans will be allowed in some capacity to attend these sporting events. Especially at the D3 level. It may be very restrictive. Maybe just parents.
But if fans aren’t allowed in the stands. If D1 football programs sit this one out. If you’re craving sports, and a sense of normalcy, I am hoping to have yet another solution for you.
MIAA schools stream their games online.
For free.
I run Adrian College’s campus television station, and we are preparing to bring you a presentation like never before. With wireless transmitters, sideline cameras, replay, stats, graphics and more.
I hope that with or without D1 football, you’ll consider keeping an eye on the MIAA this season. You can follow Adrian College TV and the Adrian College Sports Network to keep up with our broadcasts.
Tune in live NOW as Adrian hosts Hope in the first round of the MIAA tournament from the campus of Adrian College#godawgs #bulldogs #actv #d3hoops #hoops #live #livetv #tv #freestream #basketballhttps://t.co/RzVV5hMwHi
— Adrian College TV (@AdrianCollegeTV) February 25, 2020
This article is comprised of media and information from an MIAA press release. For more sports, news and entertainment, follow us on Twitter@MWSNsports or like our page on Facebook.
