UCI Students Protest Cutting of Three Men’s Sports Programs

About 100 UC Irvine students seeking reinstatement of three men’s sports programs protested in front of the university’s administration building Tuesday, rallying behind speakers at an open microphone.

But their protests apparently are falling on deaf ears.

Chancellor Jack Peltason, who was frequently singled out for criticism, had left the campus by the time the rally was under way to catch a 1 p.m. flight to Sacramento, where he is lobbying to keep state funding for the UC system at current levels.

Athletic Director Tom Ford, whose office is across campus from the administration building, said his staff is dealing with distraught parents and students “day and night.” But he said he does not believe protesters will be successful in their attempt to bring back the sports programs.

“No, I don’t see that we’re going to be able to do that,” Ford said. “Maybe someday. But (not now), with the prospects of what we’ve got to do this year and next year to balance the budget, and the following year to meet NCAA Division I criteria in 1994. . . . Right now, we can’t consider reinstating anything or it would continue to put us further behind. We’ve got to concentrate on the sports remaining.”

Irvine announced last week that it is eliminating baseball, men’s track and field and men’s cross-country because of a projected $319,000 budget deficit and substantial anticipated cuts in university funding. Ford and other officials also said gender-equity issues were one reason three men’s programs were cut while the university added women’s crew.

The protesters, who raised a chant of “Bring track back,” took turns at a microphone, expressing frustration and exasperation with the decision.

“There’s something wrong when you take the largest team on campus and cut it,” said Kevin Harris, a distance runner.

Among the speakers were a number of women track and cross-country athletes speaking in support of the men’s programs.

“Without a men’s track team, there is no reason for me to be here,” said Desiree Bracey, who holds the school record in the 100 meters and said she will transfer. Bracey and the other women sprinters are losing the men’s and women’s sprints coach, Danny Williams, whose title was women’s track coach and whose contract was not renewed.

Bracey charged the university with eliminating sports that had outstanding academic records, and diminishing opportunities for minorities.

“Our track team had everybody, people of every race, color and background,” she said. “There are no blacks on women’s crew, no Hispanics. There’s probably only one Asian. . . . They say it’s important to give people educational opportunities. They have turned this place into an elitist school.”

Rodney Curry, who ran track at the school and now is a counselor at the university working with low-income and minority students, called the moves aimed at gender equity “extremist.”