 Hartwick College
has announced that they will drop their Division I Men's Soccer
program to a Division III program. Even though history was on
its side Hartwick's soccer program could not survive in today's
money-driven Division I college sports world. The date of when
the program will allocate to Division III was not released.
"After a
great deal of study and reflection, and consultation of others,
I have recommended, and the Board has approved, the decision to
migrate our Division I athletic programs in men's soccer and
women's water polo to Division III status as soon as as that can
be practically accomplished." Hartwick President Richard
Miller.
For sometime
Hartwick College has been trying to gain back the national
prominence it once had.
"Without the Hatfield's
there would be no McCoy's" said Iain Byrne, Head Soccer
Coach Oneonta State, "together we have built Oneonta
into a soccer paradise."
"...feeding
off each other is what really fueled our rivalry over the last
few years ... we have two storied programs striving to gain the
national respect we both once had," stated Byrne.
Hartwick Men's
Soccer program was once one of the top soccer schools in the
nation - winning the National title in 1977.
Hartwick
along with SUNY Oneonta soccer is and was one of the main
reasons why the National Soccer Hall of Fame was located in
Oneonta, NY.
Hartwick suffered
mind blowing news back in November when they were not selected
for the College Cup despite holding a 15-2-1 record and being
nationally ranked for most of the season.
"Again, the
institutions that today command the lead in Division I
competitions have resources that far outstrip those available to
us. The uphill battle we have fought for national prominence
will become an even steeper and expensive climb" Richard
Miller, Hartwick College President. |
