Radford University announced today it is discontinuing several sports at the end of the current school year. Here is a portion of the Radford statement:
“As a part of a realignment in the Athletics offerings at Radford University, the Board of Visitors voted Tuesday to confirm the addition of women’s lacrosse as a varsity sport for the Highlanders. This reconfiguration also discontinues the University’s varsity sponsorship of the field hockey, swimming and diving, men’s indoor track and field, and men’s outdoor track and field programs effective at the conclusion of their 2013-14 seasons, respectively.
“That assessment involved more than a year of extensive study and strategic analysis which considered many factors, including competitive success, high school and college sports participation rates, and resource requirements. It focused on the most effective means for fulfilling the University’s athletics strategic plan, which includes a commitment to enable our Student-Athletes to achieve ambitious academic, athletic, and personal aspirations, and to compete successfully for conference championships and national recognition. The analysis also evaluated the Athletics budget, its ongoing expectations for support, the facilities needs for the entire department, and the costs associated with providing appropriate venues for competition in each sports program.While this reconfiguration serves the best interests of the majority of our current and future Student-Athletes, we recognize how disappointing this decision is for our affected Student-Athletes, their families, coaches, and alumni. This is an extremely hard decision to make. The University and the Athletics Department are proud of the Student-Athletes who have competed on these teams as Highlanders. We are equally grateful to them and the coaching professionals for their many contributions to Radford University.”
