Athletic cutbacks target football team

The decisions made by the Council of Ivy Group Presidents in mid-June will not go unnoticed on Penn's campus this fall and in the upcoming years.

In fact, Penn head football coach Al Bagnoli was outright disappointed by the decisions made.

After months of counseling and research, the Ivy Presidents ruled to implement cutbacks in the athletic departments. These initial cutbacks specifically target football, as many believe that there exists an unfair connection between athletics and admissions.

After the June decisions became public, University President Judith Rodin previously told The Daily Pennsylvanian that these changes "focus on the issue of time commitment." "It's about whether in the off-season, for those sports that have off-season, that there couldn't be a little more time off for the students to focus on their academic work fully," Rodin said.

Beginning in the fall of 2003, the number of recruits who may enroll at an Ivy school in a four year period will drop to 120, averaging out to 30 per year. In the past, squads have been allowed to recruit 35 players per year, without exceeding 140 players in four years.

"Its not a healthy situation," Bagnoli said. "But I don't think you're ever surprised by the decisions. I don't agree with the changes, but I'm not really all that surprised."

"[The changes] have some long-term ramifications that are not in the best interest of athletes. I understand the issues, the admission slots, the Title IX implications, but we are a unique league here."

Ivy League football programs, which are unable to offer any athletic scholarships to prospective athletes, rely on intense recruiting to field competitive teams year after year.

"I think this really hurts Penn, and the reason I say that is that some of the schools in our league, you really have to cultivate interest levels," Bagnoli said. "Most schools that our athletes look at are maybe a little bit more prominent [athletically], and naturally attract kids."

The Council changes will also affect the Quakers' coaching staff. Also beginning in the fall of 2003, the number of football coaches will be limited. Currently, each Ivy school is allowed six full-time and six part-time coaches.

However, a year from now, each squad will be allowed seven full-time and only three part-time coaches. The changes will force Penn's football staff to completely restructure in the coming year.

"Its certainly got our office concerned and a lot of football offices concerned and athletic departments," Bagnoli said. "Its not a healthy situation."

Bagnoli agrees that these cutbacks may just be the beginning of a new trend in the Ivy League. He noted that these decisions came after at least two years of discussion. Football coaches, athletic directors and student-athletes were all polled and asked to reevaluate.

"We spent a whole year trying to draft proposals, along with the athletic directors, and really take a hard look at some of the issues," Bagnoli said."But the Presidents make the final decision."

"I think there is always the potential to look at things further," Bagnoli added. "I don't think its just going to be football, I think its going to be a lot more sports."

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