Post by aggierattler on May 9, 2011 23:04:38 GMT -5
From WTVR-TV Richmond: www.wtvr.com/sports/local/wtvr-saint-pauls-athletics,0,4460354.story
St. Paul's To Shut Down Entire Athletics Department
LAWRENCEVILLE— In an extremely rare move made in the interest of "financial stability", the board of trustees at Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville has voted to shut down it's entire athletic department effective July 1st.
The school said Saint Paul's president Dr. Robert L. Satcher and his executive cabinet are studying implementation of a full-scale program of intramural athletics. The school also said "consideration will be given to reinstating the athletic program" once financial stability is achieved.
The decision was made last Thursday, and athletic department employees were notified of the layoffs Friday afternoon at 4pm.
"My initial reaction was: it's very disappointing" said former sports information director Bianca Warren who was among those employees laid off. "We were very shocked by it, but we understand why".
The 123-year old school fielded 7 men's and women's teams and was a member of the CIAA, which has the following message posted on it's website:
"It is with much sadness that the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has learned of the dissolution of the athletic program at St. Paul's College. The CIAA remains dedicated to the welfare of each affected student-athlete and will make every effort to protect their interests.
In anticipation of the discussion of this matter at the CIAA Board of Directors' meeting slated for this week, the conference and Commissioner will wait to make any official comment until after its conclusion."
Warren estimated that about two-thirds of the nearly 750 students at Saint Paul's were part of the athletic program. "We pray that everything works out in [the players] favor."
It is not immediately known if those student-athletes scholarships will be honored or if they can immediately transfer and be eligible to play for other programs.
Two years ago, the football team had to forfeit their season opener with less than 72 hours notice because their uniforms and pads for the season had not arrived on campus.
St. Paul's To Shut Down Entire Athletics Department
LAWRENCEVILLE— In an extremely rare move made in the interest of "financial stability", the board of trustees at Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville has voted to shut down it's entire athletic department effective July 1st.
The school said Saint Paul's president Dr. Robert L. Satcher and his executive cabinet are studying implementation of a full-scale program of intramural athletics. The school also said "consideration will be given to reinstating the athletic program" once financial stability is achieved.
The decision was made last Thursday, and athletic department employees were notified of the layoffs Friday afternoon at 4pm.
"My initial reaction was: it's very disappointing" said former sports information director Bianca Warren who was among those employees laid off. "We were very shocked by it, but we understand why".
The 123-year old school fielded 7 men's and women's teams and was a member of the CIAA, which has the following message posted on it's website:
"It is with much sadness that the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has learned of the dissolution of the athletic program at St. Paul's College. The CIAA remains dedicated to the welfare of each affected student-athlete and will make every effort to protect their interests.
In anticipation of the discussion of this matter at the CIAA Board of Directors' meeting slated for this week, the conference and Commissioner will wait to make any official comment until after its conclusion."
Warren estimated that about two-thirds of the nearly 750 students at Saint Paul's were part of the athletic program. "We pray that everything works out in [the players] favor."
It is not immediately known if those student-athletes scholarships will be honored or if they can immediately transfer and be eligible to play for other programs.
Two years ago, the football team had to forfeit their season opener with less than 72 hours notice because their uniforms and pads for the season had not arrived on campus.