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Track and Field

Track & Field

Students protest reconfiguration at Board of Trustees luncheon

By David Weissman | December 6, 2012

The University of Richmond board members were greeted Thursday on the third floor of the Tyler Haynes Commons by wraps, pasta salad, chips, brownies and about 50 students holding signs in support of reinstating the men's track and field and soccer programs. The Board of Trustees members, who made the decision in September to cut the two programs in favor of adding a men's lacrosse team, will meet again tomorrow, where board member Bobby Ukrop will present a case for the teams' reinstatement, said soccer alumnus Bret Myers. Track members originally decided to stage Thursday's protest when a source, who does not want his or her name shared, told the runners where and when the luncheon was taking place, said Kyle Ragan, a senior on the track team. Matthew Groff, a sophomore track member, thought the demonstration went better than expected, he said. "We didn't know how many people were going to come out," he said.

Track & Field

Soccer alumni will fight on following press conference

By Chrissy Wengloski | November 2, 2012

The press conference hosted by University of Richmond soccer alumni on Friday presented a question of right and wrong, said men's soccer coach Leigh Cowlishaw. Maybe the answer will not be reinstating soccer and track, but the decision certainly needs to be scrutinized with all the facts presented, he said. Soccer alumnus Scott Byrnes, '91, led off his speech by acknowledging that people might have seen the amount of work that has gone into fighting the decision to cut the men's soccer and men's track and field teams as overkill.

Track & Field

Live Blog: Carry the Flag Press Conference

By David Weissman | November 2, 2012

Computer dying so I'll end this now. Thanks for joining me, I'll provide a quick recap soon with any new information that may come. "You can put new people in their slots," Byrnes says in response to a comment about President Ayers and other board members. Byrnes answers my question about the Washington Post article released yesterday, saying it didn't include all the information he had hoped it would. "We're not gonna stop," Byrnes answers to a question from RTD. Byrnes now taking questions with two other soccer alumni, one of which is Jim Brady, '85. Byrnes finishes his speech, to a standing ovation, by pulling out a Richmond flag and saying, "Carry the Flag, boys." "I ask you to withhold your donations to the University of Richmond until the Board of Trustees makes this right." Byrnes now asking the board to reinstate the soccer and track programs as soon as possible. "You had an organized group of soccer alumni banging on your door to help, and you ignored us," Byrnes says, in spirit to Ayers. Byrnes says that if the soccer alumni had any idea the program was in jeopardy, they would've brought their arguments straight to the Board of Trustees before the decision was finalized, and the "lacrosse inner circle" couldn't afford that to happen. Major Donor refused to engage with soccer alumni because "it would be inappropriate" because he is a member of the Board of Trustees, Byrnes said. "Eliminating a men's sport will not be an option," Byrnes says, quoting an email about a conversation another soccer alumni had with VP of advancement Tom Gutenberger last summer. Neither Ayers or Miller here right now I don't believe.

Track & Field

Alumni highlighting deceit in effort to revive track and soccer

By David Weissman | November 1, 2012

The alumni of the recently cut Richmond men's soccer and track and field teams have continued their strategic planning efforts, with large parts of those efforts culminating right before Homecoming Weekend. On Tuesday, eight track alumni published and distributed a 28-page paper, titled "An Examination of the University of Richmond's 2012 Athletic Department Reconfiguration." In the paper, the alumni highlight why outdoor track should be reinstated, citing sources for all research and claims, while indoor track and soccer should be given an opportunity to raise the funds needed to remain along with the addition of a women's sport. "We're just trying to organize everything that we've heard from Dr. [Edward] Ayers and his chief of staff [Lori Schuyler] and [Athletic Director] Jim Miller," said Jon Molz, 2008 track alumnus and current assistant coach for the track and cross country teams.

Opinion

What if Richmond kept the track and field team?

By admin | October 25, 2012

I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was a crisp November afternoon and the fallen leaves were crunching beneath our feet as we made our way down Westham Station. I was out for a run with fellow Spiders Matt Llano, Jonny Wilson and Tim Quinn.

Opinion

Alumnus Wants Track Back

By admin | October 10, 2012

The Board of Trustees' recent decision to eliminate the men's track and field and soccer programs from the Division I athletic offerings has sent the university community into an emotional whirlwind.

Track & Field

Photo Gallery: UR Save Our Sports Forum

By Nabila Khouri | October 1, 2012

University of Richmond community members gathered in the Ukrop Auditorium Sunday afternoon to discuss the Board of Trustees' recent decision to cut the men's track and field and soccer teams in favor of adding a men's lacrosse team at a forum called UR SOS (Save Our Sports). President Edward Ayers spoke and answered questions about the decision and why it took place, while others spoke in opposition to the news.

Track & Field

Richmond community unites in effort to 'Save Our Sports'

By Erin Moyer | October 1, 2012

After the Save Our Sports forum, President Edward Ayers said the Board of Trustees' decision to eliminate men's soccer and track and field programs was final and would not be discussed further. The meeting was held on Sunday at Ukrop Auditorium in Queally Hall for those in opposition of the decision to voice their opinions and to discuss potential alternatives.

Track & Field

Rapid Reaction: UR Save Our Sports Forum

By David Weissman | September 30, 2012

What Happened: University of Richmond students, faculty, administrators, alumni and parents packed the Ukrop Auditorium Sunday afternoon to discuss, in a public forum, the Board of Trustees' decision to cut men's soccer and men's track and field to add men's lacrosse.

Track & Field

Community not accepting soccer and track cuts without a fight

By David Weissman | September 27, 2012

The announcement that the University of Richmond is cutting the men's soccer and men's track and field programs to add men's lacrosse has sent shockwaves throughout the university community, including alumni, athletes, students and faculty. The Board of Trustees ultimately made the decision, said Jim Miller, Richmond athletic director.

Track & Field

Men's track athletes not on cross country will remain at UR

By Chrissy Wengloski | September 27, 2012

Despite the announcement that their team will be eliminated at the end of the 2012-2013 season, the six men who are on the University of Richmond track team, but do not also hold spots on the cross country team, have decided to finish out their education at the university. Even though the majority of the track team members are also members of the cross country team, not all students appear on both rosters.

Opinion

Track Member: Students Don't Support Cut

By admin | September 27, 2012

[The following letter was written in response to an email from Jim Miller, the director of athletics, announcing that track and field would be officially cut from Richmond's sports roster. Right now it is 8:56 on a Saturday night.

Track & Field

Lacrosse players silenced in wake of promotion

By Katie Branca | September 26, 2012

Editors note: Senior Charlie Hudson spoke with The Collegian before the team was asked to not speak to the media. Yesterday, about three hours before the varsity club lacrosse team had its first practice of the season, Charlie Hudson, a senior player, sat down for an interview about the team's soon-to-be NCAA division I status. "It was definitely exciting," Hudson said, remembering how the team reacted to the announcement.

Track & Field

Richmond AD talks about decision to cut soccer and track & field

By David Weissman | September 21, 2012

Cutting the men's track and field and men's soccer teams in order to add men's lacrosse was not solely the athletics department's decision, Richmond Athletic Director Jim Miller said. "The decision was made at the Board of Trustees' level," he said. The university established the committee, which had a representative from the athletics department on it, in April of 2011 that was composed of faculty and administrators from across campus, Miller said. "[The committee] did a year-long study of what sports we should have, looking at budgets, admissions issues and everything else you could imagine," he said.

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