Penn cuts its varsity hockey program

Athletic Director Andy Geiger admitted Thursday that the University is terminating its hockey program, effective next year. The cut was one of several sports reductions announced by Geiger. In light of the University's predicted financial shortfall for next year, and because the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics ran a record $500,000 deficit last year, Geiger is also forced to eliminate the women's hockey club, men's and women's gymnastics, women's badminton and one more minor sport to be named later. "We are making major savings, especially in the non-teaching programs," University President Martin Myerson said Thursday. "We have been proud of what we did in hockey, but we had no choice but to cut sports." "As you know, I have been suggesting that we go to a sports club format," Myerson continued. "I imagine now we will go to a sports club in hockey." "It's part of a general cost-cutting commitment," Geiger said, "that I think is going throughout the school. All managers on this campus are asked to make choices. It is not a happy time." The cut affects more than 90 athletes and at least four full-time coaches, most of whom learned of the decision Thursday. "We were ready to go full tilt," hockey coach Bob Finke said Thursday. "But I guess it didn't make any difference, the writing was on the wall." "I can't believe after having spent $25,000 on equipment last year, they decided to cut the program," women's gymnastics coach Janet Cantwell said Thursday. "The equipment will last a long time, and it was the only major expense in the program. We had a great set-up here." In the case of the hockey team, it had access to the Class of 1923 Rink, which was first used in the fall of 1970. The largest donation ever given to the University, the rink was built mainly to house the hockey team, which had played varsity competition since the fall of 1966. But the program's high budget and low revenue made it a prime sport to be eliminated when the Athletic Department was forced by the University to make financial cuts. For 1977-78, the hockey program's total budget was $70,000 which includes salary, income and expenses, but the teams were only projected to earn $15,000 in income. When asked Thursday whether that figure had yet been reached, Athletic Department Business Manager Reid Howard said, "The season isn't over yet." "It wasn't that you had to cut programs, but that you had to cut money," Howard continued. "If you want to maintain the whole program, something had to be done. There are other ramifications, but the main thing is financial." The cut will balance next year's budget. The $70,000 for hockey will not be budgeted to the Athletic Department by the University. "The decision is defining the program," Geiger said. "It is deciding what we are going to support in a meaningful way. I am willing to erode everything to save the whole athletic program. If I had my choice, we wouldn't cut anything." "It was my final decision to decide what went out. If you want to blame anyone, blame me." The fate of most athletes and coaches is uncertain, though there remains the possibility of club sports replacing the eliminated varsity programs. Whether the decision will set a precedent, or set the tone for the future of University athletics, Geiger refused to speculate. "It all depends on the general economic situation of the University," Geiger said. "But I am secure in feeling the cuts that have been announced is as far as we will go." It seems nothing else could be done, and the University administrators decided to concentrate on non-academic areas for cuts. Geiger had no choice but make a decision. "We all play the game of why this was chosen, why didn't we chose this," Geiger said. "We can all have endless discussions about somebody as to make a decision. The decision is made, and has been announced." Myerson agreed. "It was the recommendation from every side," he said. "It was a package that Andy Geiger came up with. He had been running a program with a high level of enthusiasm. Today is a sad day."