This week, Florida International University (FIU), a public research university in Miami, Florida, eliminated its cheerleading team as part of an effort to cut $1 million from its athletic budget for the coming school year.
The school is facing a $35 million budget gap. FIU is increasing tuition by 15%, laying off staff, and eliminating some degree programs. The athletics program, with an overall budget of $15 million, is facing reductions across the board. State funding for the school has dropped significantly for the third consecutive year.
The marching band will also be dropped; however, band members have been collecting money in an effort to sponsor themselves in the fall.
Pete Garcia, the director of FIU’s athletics department, said in a press release that “the economy has forced us to make some very tough choices. Unfortunately, FIU athletics is neither immune to the current economic conditions nor to the fact that the university, in general, has had to cut prominent programs across the board.”
The cheerleading team, currently ranked the fourth best in the country, costs approximately $45,000 annually.
The coach of the cheerleaders, Maria George, former Miami Dolphins cheerleader, was incensed that the administration didn’t announce the plan until after the team finished recruiting for the coming year, a process that requires extensive tryouts and interviews.
“All FIU now has is a mascot and a dance team,” George told the Miami Herald. “They’re cutting the college pageantry out of college sports.”
George reportedly offered to work for free and finance the team through private sponsorships and donations. She believes $25,000 would be enough to keep the cheerleading program going through the 2010 academic year.
Last year, the school opened a new $50 million on-campus football stadium. Earlier this year, FIU hired Hall of Fame basketball player Isiah Thomas to coach the men’s basketball team.
The athletics website makes no mention of the plan to cut the cheerleading team. It still contains an announcement hyping the cheerleading team’s high national ranking: “[They] are exceptional student-athletes who exemplify school spirit while serving as ambassadors of Florida International University.”
The Herald quotes George as calling the school’s budget cuts ‘ridiculous.’
“These kids are athletes. They need to be supported by their school,” George said.
George has been the cheerleading coach for eight years, during which time the team has become respected across the country. This year, the team was slated to double to 46 students.
Our take:
It seems odd that FIU would cut the cheerleading team before other athletic services. FIU was already unique in being one of the few universities that does not offer a full scholarship to its cheerleaders.
Interestingly, the school received millions of dollars in donations this past year; however, all the money was given to the medical school. Maybe FIU should appeal to some of its notable sports alumni, such as Olympic swimmer Joel Armas, two-time Olympic medalist Tayna Lawrence, and Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox.
