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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS-AMHERST BACKGROUND On March 11, 2002 the Chancellor and Athletic Director made the announcement that both men's and women's programs were being eliminated because of budget cuts. UMass gymnastics has a 40 year history of rich tradition and many of the current coaches and officials in the New England area graduated from UMass. An all out effort to save the programs ensued, but the departure of the Chancellor and the Athletic Director complicated matters. The UMass Gymnastics Foundation was formed to keep the fight alive and attempt to re-instate the programs as donor based. The efforts continue to this date with the great hope that the programs will be re-instated for the upcoming 2003 season. UPDATES OUTCOME - PROGRAM LOST we were not able to recover it and the gymnastics facility became a weight room for the football team.
UPDATES (2002) Nov 7th - The UMass Gymnastics Foundation received the news they did not want to hear in the following e-mail from John Dubach - assistant chancellor Oct 18th - The UMass Gymnastics Foundation has presented their financial plan to the administration at UMass. It is a good, viable plan to bring back both the men's and women's programs at UMass. The Foundation could use your help in sending a simple e-mail that reads: 'Please give the UMass Gymnastics Foundation a chance!' to chancellor - John Lombardi, deputy chancellor - John Dubach and athletic director - Ian McCaw Oct 7th - The UMass Gymnastics Foundation continues their work of formulating an acceptable financial plan to keep both programs alive and bring them back. The administration at UMass is at least listening to the proposals, and a new pledge form has been mailed and sent around for those willing and able to contribute to this worthy cause. July 17th - The UMass Gymnastics Foundation is still feverishly working to save both programs at UMass. As of this date they have raised upwards of $105,000. They still need your help, and if you can make a pledge (any pledge), the information is below. A new Athletic Director has been named. Formerly of Northeastern University, Ian McCaw is taking over the reins at U-Mass. In the press conference quotes , the third question from the media was about reinstating gymnastics. New Chancellor John V. Lombardi provided a non-commital answer. Press release on McCaw May 22nd - News from the UMass Gymnastics Foundation is
that they have received some positive feedback and there seems to
be support from administrators, including the incoming chancellor,
with regards to the men's and women's programs. The committee's
plan is to raise the operating budget for 02-03 of $200,000 by
August 1st, 2002. This is not an unreachable goal. The committe
is hopeful that raising the money would buy time for the
committee to come up with a permanent funding plan to keep the
programs alive at UMass. Please contribute if you can. As the
committee targets corporations and businesses, they also need the
help of private donors like us. If you can contribute to this
worthy cause, please do so. You can either send a check or your
pledge to: An official website with information is forthcoming. Any questions can be directed to Anne Vexler at Hampshire Gymnastics - 413/256-6990. If the goal is not reached, all money will be returned, but be positive, pro-active and help us reach this goal May 9th - Men's coach Roy Johnson is quoted on a big TITLE IX article which appears on the New York Times May 6th -College GymFans.com continues to report the exodus of women gymnasts out of U-Mass. Katie Teft and Megan Donoghue to Central Michigan and Danielle Clarke to URI. May 1st - Earlier rumors are confirmed as Athletic Director Robert Marcum announces his retirement. Article below goes out of the way to praise Marcum for his accomplishments at U-Mass but makes no mention whatsoever about the recent slashing of the program. April 17th - There has been a new chancellor appointed at U-Mass. The U-Mass Gymnastics Foundation has been formed in the state and as soon as any news comes out from that committee it will be posted here and e-mailed to the 'save-gymnastics' e-mail list. Please click here and send a message to join the e-mail list if you are interested. The rumors continue to be that the A.D. Robert Marcum (no longer there) is going to take early retirement. The committee which he allegedly formed has not wanted to confirm whether they in fact, ever met as a committee. The members are John Nitardy, Jeff O'Malley, Al Rufe, Elaine Sortino , Bill Strickland , all of who work for Bob Marcum and whose interest would be to not speak up against him. The general feeling is that Bob Marcum chose the sports to cut on his own. March 11th - Official Announcement |
