Bowling Green State University has reversed its decision to end its baseball program after alumni and donors committed $1.5 million over the next three years.
In the press release announcing the decision the university said the reversal came after talks with alumni and former student athletes and a fundraising campaign that lasted “just days.”
Over the next three years, the release stated, “the University, in partnership with a select group of baseball alumni, will pursue a long-term funding solution to sustain and support the program.”
The elimination of the program was part of $29 million in spending reductions, which included cutting 119 faculty, administration and staff positions. At the time of the announcement of those reductions, BGSU President Rodney Rogers spoke of a lack of “student engagement” in the sport and its cost. In the end, he said, “this was a financial decision.”
The statement on reinstating the Division I sport concluded: “BGSU is grateful for its alumni and friends who have stepped up during this difficult time to ensure their alma mater is positioned to thrive on the other side of the current COVID-19 crisis. We are inspired by the efforts of our baseball alumni, and we look forward to continuing to cultivate and reinvigorate all BGSU alumni. We are excited for Opening Day in the spring. Ay Ziggy Zoomba!”
