UVM absorbs fallout
of program cuts
By Patrick Garrity
Free Press Staff Writer
A day after five varsity sports were eliminated from the University of
Vermont's athletic program, some of those left standing quietly expressed
relief and resolve.
"I'm feeling OK, but nobody's in the mood to be celebrating
anything," said David Moore, men's tennis coach.
The trimming of men's and women's gymnastics, men's indoor and outdoor track
and women's volleyball is intended to relieve a burdened athletic budget. The
long-expected cuts also are intended to give UVM "a tighter focus and
clearer sense of priorities," said David Nestor, interim vice president of
student affairs.
Nestor confirmed Thursday the school chose to eliminate just five of its 27
varsity teams after contemplating wider cuts.
"We've considered a lot of different options beyond what the final
decision was," Nestor said. "Other minds prevailed in feeling that
this is the right step at this time."
Men's and women's swimming and diving, golf, tennis and men's and women's cross
country are the programs designated by the school as bottom tier sports that
survived.
Moore said he was convinced the men's and women's tennis teams would be among
the casualties. When he learned the programs would be spared, he said he felt
relief -- then sorrow for those not as lucky.
"I have mixed emotions, and I think everybody feels that way," said
Moore, starting his second season as head coach. "Things are really good
for us right now. I've got 12 guys, including six new guys, and I feel we
really have something to build on. I'm just very happy to get the opportunity
to do that."
Moore said he would work with university officials to try to make tennis a more
self-sufficient program not so reliant on the school's limited resources.
"I'm not going to now sit back and say, 'Well, I've got my job.' Any ideas
of how we might have saved ourselves before we can still employ to better
ourselves now."
Muff Parsons-Reinhardt has spent 15 years as women's tennis coach. She said her
foremost desire is for some good to come from the five teams' demise.
"It's very difficult, but I can only hope they're doing it for the right
reasons," she said. "I want to believe only positive things will come
of it."
Nestor said Thursday the school's priority for the athletic department now
shifts to fundraising and continual assessment of the scope, focus and quality
of the programs. He warned more changes could come if fundraising efforts fail.
"If we can't harness the financial support from outside the institution
that we think we can, we'll have to re-assess again," Nestor said.
The five teams will compete during the 2001-02 year. Volleyball's season
already has begun. The gymnastics teams are in the middle of preseason training.
Men's indoor track begins Oct. 15.
"It's a tough day for everybody at UVM," said Gordon Woodworth, the
school's sports information director who also serves as an assistant coach of
the golf team. "All the student-athletes have a bond with each other. I
don't think there's been any celebration or boasting. It's a tough day over
here all the way around."
Contact Patrick Garrity at 660-1868 or at pgarrity@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com