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Thousands of former and current Loyola Marymount University athletes have signed an online petition calling for the reinstatement of several sports programs that will be cut by the end of their respective seasons.
In an open letter accompanying the announcement, Athletic Director Craig Pintens said the cuts are part of the administration’s plan to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of college sports, especially in terms of name, image, and likeness. NIL) and the impact of transfer portal rules. .
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“While this decision is difficult, it puts our department and the rest of Division I sports in the best position for success,” Pintens wrote. “The NCAA landscape is rapidly changing and schools of all sizes must adapt to become even more competitive while providing the best possible experience for our students and athletes. LMU is no exception.”
A total of 6 programs will be removed.
- men’s cross country
- Men’s rowing competition
- men’s track and field
- Women’s rowing competition
- women’s swimming
- women’s track and field
Approximately 100 student-athletes will be affected by this change.
The athletes claimed they were given three hours’ notice to attend a meeting that would ultimately tell them the fate of the program. Many cried when they learned they would no longer be able to compete for college.
“We were all in hysteria,” sophomore Leah Murray said. She said: “No one knew what to do with themselves and no one seemed to be trying to help.”
Murray added that she saw many people fall to the ground crying after the meeting. Her sophomore student, Alena Sharpe, described the aftermath of her girlfriend as the “most soul-crushing” thing that has happened to her this year.
“I am shocked by the news,” she said. “Being in that room with the students who decided to go to the meeting we were called to and seeing their faces instantly fall was one of the most soul-destroying things I’ve seen this week or this year. It was a breathtaking sight.”
Sharp, who transferred to LMU this year, added that she wouldn’t have done so “if I hadn’t fallen in love with the school.”
“All I felt was a stab wound from behind,” Sharp said. “I came to this program to swim, and they promised to support me in my future and my plans the way I wanted them to.”
Former and current student-athletes denounced the move, with more than 2,000 of them signing a petition asking the university to reinstate six programs created by Sharpe.
LMU said it would honor its athletic funding if all those affected remained at the university to complete their studies. Officials also said they will provide transfer assistance for those who wish to continue their athletic careers in college.
However, the administration’s moves made the LMU experience worse for some athletes.
“We were considering the option of graduating early,” junior Ryan Doris said. “We can’t imagine our days at LMU without swimming. So in terms of athletics, our careers were sadly cut a little short.”
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