Welcome!!! to the Bring Back Track website dedicated to the reinstatement of WMU Men's Cross Country and Track & Field. As you can guess, this site has no official connection with Western Michigan University. But there are many unofficial connections. Many of us are donors to the University. Many of us support and participate in University functions. All of us pay taxes that are used to support WMU and its academic purpose. Many of us are alumni.
[Organization...]
What Happened?? In 2004 Western faces budget shortfalls. Cuts in expenses were needed. The athletic department was asked to cut $500,000 and a Sports Review Committee was formed to make a recommendation on how to make the cuts. The committee's charge was to preserve Division I and MAC status and comply with Title IX while enabling the sports to remain competitive [See article on debunking the myth that athletic success favorably influences alumni giving.]
The committee determined that across-the-board cuts would decrease competitiveness, hence a sport or sports had to be eliminated. The charge essentially protected all women's sports along with Men's Football, Baseball, Hockey, and Basketball. The remaining sports were Men's Soccer, Tennis, Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field and Outdoor Track & Field. The committee argued that because men's xc/track teams had more athletes than soccer or tennis their elimination would have the greatest positive impact for Title IX considerations.
They also stated, "...the community hosted tournaments and commitment to both tennis and/or soccer would make it difficult for the University to eliminate either of these sports without the significant risk of negative impact to the community."
You can read their entire report by clicking here!
The only option we are currently considering is restoring the Division I status of Men's Cross Country and Track & Field. We (former coaches, althletes, alumni, and members of the community) are putting several strategies in place to achieve this. Please join us!
Timeline of Events leading to decision of the Board of Trustees
Why is the Decision Wrong? [More...]
What to do Now?
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