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April 2009
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Western Washington University football players and fans are getting some tough news today, the football program will be no more. Western Washington University officials announced today that its football program is ending, following a careful evaluation to determine how best to ensure the excellence of all University intercollegiate sports. "I have made this decision with a heavy heart as I am well aware of the profound consequences it has on the student-athletes on the football team, their dedicated and hard-working coaches, and on our passionate supporters on campus, in the community and region and on our alumni," said Western President Bruce Shepard. "I feel strongly that we need to offer a high-quality program of intercollegiate athletics that is commensurate with our status as a premier university. It is the focus on maintaining overall intercollegiate program quality and doing so at a time when we and all universities are being challenged financially that drives the recommendation of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and my decision to accept that recommendation," Shepard said. The coaches and players were notified by University officials that the football program had ended. All current student-athletes will be allowed to retain their scholarships if they remain in school and those transferring to other schools will be eligible to play immediately. Former Vikings Receiver Mario Casello told me, this is a very sad day. A lot of hard work and dedication will be lost. 3 Comments |
Why are they ending the football program? Why can't they choose another sport to end?
Very sad indeed. This is a program that has virtually been in place for 100 years, with a fierce in-state rivalry and even has a current NFL player to its credit (Michael Koenen, Punter/Kicker, Atlanta Falcons). Of course this news tugs at me harder as a Western alum who covered Western sports as a journalism student. Western football was a much bigger deal than simply cutting the program implies. I wonder if Western will also end their summer football camps for high school teams. That was also a popular program.
Chris,
I remember my father was a coach in several sports at Western. He was an assistant football coach the year the flu hit the team so hard, they barely had enough players to field a team for the championship game. I beleive Time Magizine or some big magizine came and took pictures of my father and the players left to play. The head coach was ill so my father took over the duties for the game. This was back in the late 50's. My father went on to coack track, rugby and took his 57 Baseball team to the Small College World Series in Alpine Texas. They finished fourth at the Small College World series. I was the disapointed bat boy he left home to not miss school. I was in third or fourth gade at the time. My father and former Western assistant football coach is Rowland P. "Red Smith, who just completed his 62 year in coaching. Sincerely,Greg E. Smith 721 South 16th Street,Shelton,WA. 98584 Home phone 360- 426-7565