Aside from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, California is home of the most Penn football players.
For these players from the Golden State, a Sept. 18 trip to Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., was going to be a chance to play in front of their families who cannot make weekend trips to Philadelphia.
However, the Quakers will not be taking on the Gaels next season, as St. Mary's College decided to eliminate its intercollegiate football program yesterday due to a lack of funding for athletics.
"Without question, the end of St. Mary's football brings sadness to many staff, faculty, friends and alumni of our College," said Brother Craig J. Fransz, president of St. Mary's, in an open letter to the St. Mary's community. "As a fan who has cheered many games from the sideline, I am saddened, too.
"At the same time, today's action allows us to improve all intercollegiate, recreational and club sports at St. Mary's. As such, it is an important step forward into a brighter, more competitive future for Gael athletics."
It is unknown as to what team will replace St. Mary's on the Quakers' schedule.
This would have marked the first time that Penn traveled to the Golden State since Oct. 1, 1955, when the Red and Blue fell, 27-7, at California.
Late last year, the St. Mary's Board of Trustees formed the Athletics Review Task Force, which, according to Chairman of the Board of Trustees Nicholas G. Moore, "studied all aspects of the athletic opportunities available to St. Mary's College students."
In February, the task force reported back to the trustees that it would be beneficial for the school to eliminate the football team. In Moore's statement, he noted three main findings by the task force -- the high price needed to maintain a competitive team and the extreme cost of football compared to the school's other 14 varsity sports, as well as recreational and club sports.
The final decision was made at a trustees meeting at 7:30 a.m. PST yesterday, and players were notified at 8:30.
According to St. Mary's Sports Information Director Rich Davi, a personal phone call was made to the Penn Athletic Department sometime this afternoon informing the school of the board's decision.
Penn football coach Al Bagnoli and Athletic Director Steve Bilsky declined to comment on the scheduling change until more information was known.
The Gaels went 1-11 last year. Just last month, they hired a new offensive coordinator and received commitments from14 recruits.
