THIEL COLLEGE DISCONTINUES SIX SPORTS

Kevin Fenstermacher
Sports Information Director
75 College Ave.
Greenville, PA 16125
Phone - 724.589.2187
Fax - 724.589.2880
kfenstermacher@thiel.edu
www.thiel.edu/athletics

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2006

THIEL COLLEGE DISCONTINUES SIX SPORTS

GREENVILLE, Pa. (Feb. 10) – Thiel College announced Thursday the discontinuance of six varsity athletic programs, effective at the end of the current academic year. Eliminated will be men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s tennis.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision for the College, especially in light of the outstanding student-athletes who are participating in the programs,” said Thiel College President and CEO Dr. Lance A. Masters. “We are disappointed that we have to discontinue six sports but we think that at this time, it is a decision that needed to be made.”

“We arrived at our decision after evaluating our athletic program and our fiscal responsibilities,” Masters said. “The lack of participation and competitiveness, along with the rising costs of travel in order for our teams to compete, all played a part in the decision-making process.”

No coaching staff positions will be eliminated in this move, as the programs’ coaches also hold head coaching responsibilities with other sports.

“This decision will allow our coaches to focus their time and talent on serving their other head coaching responsibilities and enable them to concentrate on what they do best,” said Masters. “It is important that the college builds and maintains an even stronger overall athletic presence and we think that with our remaining 15 sports we will be able to do that. We are confident that, with this change, our coaches will strengthen our remaining programs.”

The men’s and women’s golf teams, along with the men’s tennis team, will complete their spring schedules this academic year.

“We certainly encourage students affected by this to consider forming their own intramural or club teams during the next academic year, and are prepared to help them do so. We strongly support extracurricular activities as part of the college experience,” Masters said.

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www.thiel.edu/athletics

		Kevin Fenstermacher Sports Information Director 75 College Ave. Greenville, PA 16125 Phone - 724.589.2187 Fax - 724.589.2880 kfenstermacher@thiel.edu www.thiel.edu/athletics

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2006 THIEL COLLEGE DISCONTINUES SIX SPORTS GREENVILLE, Pa. (Feb. 10) – Thiel College announced Thursday the discontinuance of six varsity athletic programs, effective at the end of the current academic year. Eliminated will be men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s tennis. “This has been an extremely difficult decision for the College, especially in light of the outstanding student-athletes who are participating in the programs,” said Thiel College President and CEO Dr. Lance A. Masters. “We are disappointed that we have to discontinue six sports but we think that at this time, it is a decision that needed to be made.” “We arrived at our decision after evaluating our athletic program and our fiscal responsibilities,” Masters said. “The lack of participation and competitiveness, along with the rising costs of travel in order for our teams to compete, all played a part in the decision-making process.” No coaching staff positions will be eliminated in this move, as the programs’ coaches also hold head coaching responsibilities with other sports. “This decision will allow our coaches to focus their time and talent on serving their other head coaching responsibilities and enable them to concentrate on what they do best,” said Masters. “It is important that the college builds and maintains an even stronger overall athletic presence and we think that with our remaining 15 sports we will be able to do that. We are confident that, with this change, our coaches will strengthen our remaining programs.” The men’s and women’s golf teams, along with the men’s tennis team, will complete their spring schedules this academic year. “We certainly encourage students affected by this to consider forming their own intramural or club teams during the next academic year, and are prepared to help them do so. We strongly support extracurricular activities as part of the college experience,” Masters said.






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