UDC cancels men's and women's basketball season
November 18, 2004
Citing concerns over the recruitment,
academic eligibility and financial aid provided to several
players on the men’s and women’s basketball team,
University of the District of Columbia President Dr. William L. Pollard announced
today that the University will cancel both the men’s and women’s
basketball programs for the 2004-2005 season.
This move
is part of the University’s ongoing internal investigation into the operations
of the Division II institution’s Intercollegiate Athletics program.
In announcing his decision, Dr.
Pollard emphasized that all contractual obligations made by the University with
both students and staff will be honored, but stated that the decision to cancel
both programs for this season reflected a decision “to take the high road under
difficult conditions.”
“This is a painful decision to make
in the life of the University,” said Dr. Pollard. “But our internal
investigation leads me to look not only at the future of intercollegiate
athletics, but also the future of the University as a whole. This is the
best course of action available to the University. We do not make this
decision lightly, but this is the right thing to do.”
The University’s men’s basketball
team finished the 2002-2003 season with a record of 18-9 and a berth in the
National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division II East Regional
Tournament. The women’s basketball team finished last season with a 13-14
record.
The University is continuing its
investigation into possible violations of NCAA regulations. Due to the
privacy rights of individuals involved, the University is unable to release the
names of those involved.
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