Petition nets over 10,000 signatures after cuts to St. Edward’s athletic programs

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following an announcement from St. Edward’s University to cut six sports programs, alumni, athletes and parents are banding together.

The small private school in South Austin announced Wednesday that it’s getting rid of nearly half its athletic programs in response to the economic impact of COVID-19.

The men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf, men’s soccer and cheer will be cut from the athletic department budget. Cheer will move to a club sport distinction and be funded under the RecWell Department.

“I am deeply grateful to the coaches who have worked diligently over the years to build nationally recognized and well-respected programs,”said Debbie Taylor, associate vice president for Athletics. “As we make this difficult transition, I know that all of our coaches and staff members have our student-athletes as a top priority and will work closely with them to support their needs.”

In response to Wednesday’s announcement, a petition to reinstate the programs gathered more than 10,000 signatures by Saturday afternoon, from when it launched Friday. The petition was launched by Nico Ciavaglia, a junior golfer from Rochester, Mich.

“This new year was supposed to bring victories, defeats, joy, laughter and a drive to be part of something bigger than just sports here at St. Edward’s University. This new year was supposed to bring a family,” said Nico Ciavagila. “Instead, we have been given a year filled with disappointment and sorrow with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Christopher Hill coaches for the St. Edwards men’s golf team. He says the outpouring support from the community has been overwhelming, but the inevitable still stands.

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with every past player that I can,” said Hill. “These kids deserve to be at St. Edward’s for a great education. They want to be at St. Edward’s getting their education, while playing golf. I’m pretty sad, and devastated.”

Hills says the cancellations couldn’t have come at a worse time. The transfer portal, which is the avenue for players to release themselves; essentially becoming free agents is open. The NCAA granted every Spring athlete another season, meaning the transfer portal is busting at the seams.

“I’m in touch with a lot of NCAA officials. Teams aren’t adding players right now,” said Hill. “It hurts, because I worked hard to recruit all 15 of these athletes, and now they have no where to go. They have no where to play college golf.”

Hill says he’s built a program that has the ability to win the first ever National Championship in St. Edwards history. That title is something Senior Golfer Ryan Mcginley has dreamt about his entire life.

“It’s crushing to see how bad the coronavirus got, our season got canceled right after we were gaining momentum to go after the national championship,” said Mcginley. “It was understand that we had to cancel the season, but then we got an extra year of eligibility. College golf has always been my dream. Never in a million years did I imagine that my Senior year would end like this.”

Coach Hill says he’s working with a committee he and the woman’s golf coach put in place to help solve the issue. The committee consist of various alumni members.

“Cutting a sport is not the way to save money. There are other ways to raise money, we are working on ways to raise money,” said Hill.

Until then, the student athletes and coaches brace for what’s next.

All athletes with scholarships will have them honored throughout their undergraduate time at the school. Those who want to transfer and play for another school will be given their full release.

St. Edward’s will remain part of NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference.