Towson to cut teams

As the “Gangnam Style” craze fades into a YouTube-chronicled oblivion, a new craze is sweeping the area: athletic departments cutting sports teams to maintain financial stability! Take that, flash mob!

A Tuesday announcement from President Maravene Loeschke recommended the school cut their men’s baseball and soccer teams, causing an uproar from the Tiger community. In her online letter, Loeschke wrote, “I recognize how disappointing and difficult these discussions are for our student-athletes, alumni, families, supporters, and the entire campus community.”

But Tigers in Baltimore County don’t have to worry their pretty striped heads in their cozy Tiger beds. For the athletic department will bring back a sport if the recommendations are adopted. And which athletic endeavor will fill the emotional voids left by baseball and soccer?

Men’s tennis, naturally.

The sport of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer was cut in 2004, according to the report, but has to be brought back so Towson can have the minimum number of six NCAA men’s sports. Funding will also be increased for women’s sports to adhere with Title IX standards.

Tony the Tiger declined to comment on the cuts.

We here in the livable community of College Park are no stranger to cutting athletics (seven is a lucky number, right?). And financial reasons, of course, were a highlight of Towson’s announcement, with a projected $800,000 in net savings by the end of fiscal year 2018.

Fear not, though, Towsonians, for the wise officials at Towson University have formed a task force to study the recommendations. They will even have a public comment meeting AND you can submit your thoughts online!

Will Towson’s teams meet the same fate as so many of their Terps counterparts? Tune in next week on “As the Athletic Departments Turn Their Budgets Around”!

weyant@umdbk.com