BAC Blog!

Help Keep Water Polo at UC Santa Cruz!

June 2, 2008 on 7:36 pm | In Uncategorized |

Hello Water Polo Enthusiasts and Supporters…….  In the past 24 hours I have received numerous emails announcing the sudden cut of both the men’s and women’s water polo programs at UC Santa Cruz. UCSC currently has former BAC members in both programs who are devastated by the news and are asking for support. 

The primary reasons cited for the program cuts are financial strain, pool time conflicts, mandatory budget cuts, lack of local Division III competition, and the possibility of UCSC joining a conference in the future that includes other schools without water polo. The players met on Sunday, June 1, 2008, to brainstorm how they can continue this program which is so vitally crucial to each of them. They suggested funding the program through donations, fundraising, and players’ fees, as other sports – women’s rugby, for instance, do – and were told this would not be allowed. The athletic department needed to cut $50,000 from the budget, and by taking away the men’s and women’s water polo teams they got rid of $40,000. If the teams can provide the school with a check for that same amount of money they feel that they could save the programs. They have until Wednesday, June 4, (less then 4 days from when the decision became known) to show proof of pledges totaling $40,000. Anything that you can offer would be greatly appreciated, and your pledge could help buy another year of water polo for young athletes who truly love the sport of water polo.  

Additionally, the players are asking for testimonials, letters, and notes directed to the athletic director, chancellor, and powers that be about why the program should not be cut. It would be a great help if you could email a note to UCSC student-athlete Ian Horn at: ihorn@ucsc.edu showing your support for them to present when the athletes next meet with the AD and chancellor. You can also contact Ian to find out how to offer financial support.