Furman University's administration has doubled down on its plans to eliminate baseball and men's lacrosse from its athletic program.
The FU Baseball Alumni Association, a non-profit group that was formed last month to save the baseball program, said Thursday night it had received an email from Furman president Elizabeth Davis re-affirming the school's decision to eliminate the sports. FUBAA had met with Davis and other school officials on May 29 hoping to get a chance to save the program.
More: The day Furman baseball died: Players, parents recount the emotional ending to program
“We are extremely disappointed in President Davis’ response, and we feel she is hurting the future of the Furman family with her decision,” said former Furman baseball player Dominic Franchin, organizer of FUBAA. “Our petition to save Furman baseball has garnered more than 13,000 signatures in a matter of days. All we are asking for is a chance to raise the funds required.
"If this is related to Title IX, we are also willing to look at ways we can support our female athletes in the process. We just want an opportunity. It’s unfortunate President Davis and the administration will not consider a path forward for us to maintain Furman Baseball and at the same time financially support the University."
The alumni association said it will continue its fight to save the baseball program and plans to announce a fundraiser soon in hopes of swaying the university's opinion.
On May 18, Furman announced that because of the financial implications of COVID-19, the school was eliminating its baseball and and men's lacrosse programs. In addition, school officials cut the salaries of the president and senior administrators, implemented furloughs and enacted budget reductions.
More: Alumni group forms with goal of saving Furman baseball
In the days and weeks following the decision, there was a large movement to petition the university to reconsider their decision. The FU Baseball Alumni Association held an event at Fluor Field to bring program supporters together.
Parents of baseball players also rallied around the program. Linda Kelly, the mother of freshman outfielder Mason Kelly, started a petition in support of reinstating the program. The petition surpassed 10,000 signatures after an initial goal of 7,500.
The school's administration has said it would honor existing scholarships for any players who wished to remain at Furman. During the first two weeks after the announcement that the program would be eliminated, eight members of the 2020 team and two signees for 2021 announced moves to other schools. On Wednesday, four more players announced commitments elsewhere: senior catcher Dax Roper of Honea Path (Creighton), junior pitcher Matt Lazzaro (Houston), freshman pitcher Spencer Marinac (Jacksonville) and freshman pitcher Dominic Pianto (Michigan State),
More: Clemson among the destinations for displaced Furman baseball players
Several other schools around the country have announced in recent weeks that they were dropping sports, including Bowling Green State (Ohio) University, which announced May 15 it would eliminate baseball. However, after working with alumni and support groups, BGSU decided to bring the program back. Organizers of the fund-raiser, comprised mostly of former baseball players, met with BGSU officials and came to an agreement on the terms for funding the team: $500,000 per year through 2023.
You can connect with Kennington on Twitter @SkinnyKenny_ or email him at kennington.smith@independentmail.com
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