As a college graduate, many alumni have stories to share about their football and basketball teams. Whether it be Division I, I-A, II, or even III, athletics are a huge part of admissions for both athletes and spectators. I didn't go to a big name school by any means. Lock Haven University, a school in central PA, is the home to 5,000-6,000 students and offers a lot of great majors and programs for students to continue their education. I had the best four years of my life while I was there and was a part of many activities on campus, most notably as a sports reporter for the Eagle Eye (campus newspaper) and Lock Haven's marching band. Although I was not a student athlete, my activities were directly involved with football, basketball and softball for the most part. I was also a sport administration major and completed many hours of service for the athletic department.
Let's get to the main point here. Lock Haven's athletic director was involved in an article in USA Today in 2010 that accused her of being sexist against men's sports and men's coaches. Seems a little crazy, right? Wrong. Here are some facts. Throughout my four years, the LHU Softball team won two Division II Championships, the field hockey team went to four national tournaments and the women's soccer team has been more successful than the men's team. On the men's side, the basketball team has won only 13 games since November 2007 (including a 154-48 loss this season), the baseball team nearly got cut, and the football team has the longest running losing streak in Division II football at 32 games. Their last win...a 17-14 victory in 2007 against Clarion, also 0-10 at the time, in overtime.
This year, most remains the same. The football team went 0-11 and the men's basketball team is currently 1-10. I don't mean to sound sexist but the football and men's basketball programs are normally the main attraction for student spectators...it's just the truth for most schools. Lock Haven has failed to put together a successful football team since the 1980's and the men's basketball team's best season as of recent was in 2005-06 when they missed the playoffs by a game, going 12-15 on the year. The continued horrfic performances are taking a toll on the student body and now the administration.
A recent statement released by Lock Haven's interim president has put the university football team's future in jeopardy.
“Athletics is an essential component of Lock Haven’s mission and is integral to the university’s academic program offerings. Historically, student athletes have been major contributors to campus life and to the greater Lock Haven community. Our student athletes enjoy a wide array of opportunities, ranging from participation in intercollegiate sports to preparing for careers in fields such as athletic training, physical education and coaching.
“As we already have done with our academic offerings, athletic programs are being reviewed within the context of very challenging budget conditions. Over the next several weeks I will be soliciting input from key constituents and will weigh all options regarding the university football program. In this, as in all cases, decisions must be in the best interest of our students and the university. We will not act in haste, especially while the search for a new permanent president is in process, but will take the necessary time to determine our best course of action.”
The head coach of the team, John Klacik, recently "submitted his resignation" and has taken a job as an offensive line coach at Miami (Ohio) University. Many students involved with the athletic department claim that he was fired but it was said he resigned. Klacik, a Lock Haven graduate, went 5-60 in six seasons as the Bald Eagles head coach. He leaves a team that never showed any signs of consistent competitive play. The football team is an important part to a university's athletics and something here needs to change. Klacik has left and a new coach needs to be brought in that has an attitude to help improve the team and the recruiting aspect.
The atmosphere at the football games is also horrific. The stands are always empty, with the exception of homecoming, and most of the people are fans from the other school. It is a great stadium on a nice day and was recently resurfaced with turf. There are other athletic teams that use the field but to get rid of the football team would be a waste of a lot of the money spent to resurface.
My personal issue with this is the effect the loss of the football program will do to the music department. Lock Haven has recently added a music education major and still takes pride in their music performance major. It is not the best department by any means, but student enjoy participating in the ensembles. Here is the bottom line...if the football team goes under, the marching band goes under. The band consists of many students with different majors but a lot of musicians involved are majoring in performance or education. The loss of the football team would also push prospective music students away because there will not be a marching ensemble in the fall. Keith Miller, the most recent full-time Lock Haven president, loved the band and the football games are usually highlighted by the enthusiasm the students in the ensemble provide. I still have friends and fraternity brothers that participate in the band and this potential loss could be a huge hit to not only the athletic department, but the music department as well.
The athletic director, involved in a USA Today story, has been accused of being sexist and possibly even racist against the LHU Men's Basketball coach. In that article it is pointed out that "Women's teams at LHU have won nearly 70% of their contests in the last 10 years. Men's teams have won nearly 37% of theirs — and the football team hasn't won since 2007."
She has also been sued, along with LHU, by the men's basketball coach in federal court.
"I don't feel I get the same level of support from the athletic director as white coaches or coaches of women's sports," Wilson says. "It would make Sharon happy if I went 0-26."
The very well-written article by Erik Brady can be found here in its entirety: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2010-07-21-colleges-lock-haven-lawsuits-taylor-titleix_N.htm
Whether the athletic director gets fired or the recruiting gets better, something drastic needs to be done. The records of the women's and men's sports can be compared to show that there is a favoritism in the department towards women's sports. It may not be intentional, but USA Today noticed it. I am not holding anything against the university that gave me my education and some of the best times of my life. You can see the facts yourself. I am just an alumni hoping for a change so I don't have to feel embarassed whenever I talk about my alma maters football and basketball programs.
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