Earlham College Suspends Football Program
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowEarlham College Interim President Avis Stewart has announced the suspension of the school’s football program for the 2019 season and has ordered a review of the program.
Stewart says the plan is for Earlham to field a team in 2020 after three conditions are met: determine the proper funding level and resources to support a football program outside the College’s current operating budget, hire a qualified head coach, and to recruit a fitting number of student athletes to field a competitive team.
"These three conditions must be met before we re-establish our program," Stewart says. "Our alumni will be instrumental in helping us attain these goals. A quality football program with the appropriate numbers has the potential to enhance the student experience, increase enrollment, and impact the College’s budget in a positive way."
Stewart has appointed a Football Review Committee comprised of current and former Division III football coaches and athletic directors, alumni, faculty and student-athletes who will study the financial ramifications of fielding a football team, along with taking into account the safety of student-athletes and the school’s troubles with recruiting and winning on the field. The team hasn’t won a game since 2013 when it went 2-8 under then head coach Neil Kazmierczak. Earlham hasn’t had a winning football season since their 6-4 2000 season.
The review committee will begin work in January 2019 and will be chaired by Vince Punzo, a professor of psychology and one of Earlham’s faculty athletic representatives. Earlham will help with any student-athletes transfer requests during the work of the committee.