UMaine Cuts Men's Soccer Program

Becomes 19th Division 1 School Since 1991 to do so

By Mark Goodman

April 16, 2009

The University of Maine has suspended its men’s soccer program, effective June 30, as a result of budget cuts being made across the university system.

Philip Reed was one of 21 underclassmen scheduled to come back to the UMaine men's soccer team in 2009. (Photo courtesy of UMaine athletics)

Facing a shortage of funds, all departments at the university are required to make cuts prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year, July 1.

The athletics department's share of that cut is $253,000, an amount based on its allocation of the university's base budget.

On top of that cut, the athletics department's budget is adversely affected by other economy-related factors, including endowment losses, reduced annual gifts, declines in ticket sales, and lower-than-expected merchandise receipts and other externally generated revenues. Those factors will create shortfalls totaling another $618,000 in the upcoming fiscal year, according to the athletic department.

All factors combined create an overall athletics department budget shortfall of $871,000 for the next year.

The school also suspended its women’s volleyball program.

“This is the option of last resort,” said Athletic Director Blake James. “We place a high value on the opportunities that all of our sports create for our student-athletes and we recognize the commitment of coaches, support staff and fans. We have taken these steps after exhausting every feasible option for managing these unprecedented budget challenges.”

UMaine says it will honor its scholarship commitments to current volleyball and men’s soccer student-athletes who wish to continue work toward a UMaine degree. Recruited scholarship student-athletes who have signed a National Letter of Intent to play one of these sports will be eligible for one year of scholarship funding if they choose to attend UMaine.

“Like every institution, business and family, UMaine is faced with very significant financial challenges that require substantial responses,” said UMaine President Robert Kennedy. “We regret the impact of this move on those individuals, especially our students, who are affected by this decision.”

The Black Bears went 5-10-2 last season.