USIU Coaches to Appeal Athletics Cuts to Trustees

U.S. International University’s board of trustees might have terminated the school’s athletics program for cosmetic reasons. At least, that is what some of the university’s coaches, athletes and parents are saying.

They claim the trustees’ action to shut down the school’s 12 Division I sports programs may be more symbolic than economic and suggested the primary intention was to show good faith toward the academic faculty and staff, many of whom face salary cuts and increased work loads as a result of the bankrupt university’s economic restructuring.

Baseball Coach George Kachigian and softball Coach Ray “Gunney” Hewitt, after making appeals to university President Kenneth McLennan on Monday, will present the trustees today with separate proposals to play their 1991 seasons at no cost to the school.

Both are prepared to argue that they should be allowed to continue under such an agreement. But they have already suggested the USIU administration might have wiped out sports too hastily.

“(McLennan) is usually a fair guy,” Kachigian said when he learned his program had been cut Friday. “But I don’t think in this case there’s any fairness.”

“It was just as fair as it could be,” said trustee Ted Vallas, a USIU alumnus who owns two golf courses. “You’re going to see a much better situation come out of this.”

Kachigian, however, argued that his program was so tightly budgeted he can raise the $24,000 in operating costs himself. Yet, if the trustees stand pat on their decision, Kachigian said USIU could lose $51,000 in enrollment revenues if all of his 25 players withdraw from the university.

The first day of class for the next quarter at USIU is Jan. 7, but many athletes are awaiting the results of today’s appeal before they return.

“If money is the factor, then there is no problem with the proposal,” said Robert Kennedy, a parent who helped Hewitt draft a plan by which the softball team could play 32 games for $6,000. “The parents are willing to back the program, financially, and in whatever other manner is needed.

“If it’s not money, then it must be pressures from non-athletic factions in the university.”