Duquesne University, President Dougherty and the athletic department struck out big time when they eliminated the baseball program and several other sports that don't make money for the school like basketball, which had a disappointing season after all the hoopla and hype.
Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote a poignant story today about the baseball team's final game. It reminded me of how Duquesne was so inept and insensitive in the way it informed athletes and their families about their money-driven decision to send the baseball team to the dugout permanently. The administration hid from the media for several days and then emerged with a written statement that lacked any shred of concern or compassion for the affected athletes. The school and the athletic department need a lesson in honest, open and transparent communications.
Now that baseball, wrestling, men's swimming and golf are extinct at Duquesne, what sport is next to go? You can bet it won't be basketball. I am starting to wonder about some of the so-called "student athletes" that Ron Everhart has recruited over the past few years to turn the program around. Some of them have seemed like rental players who were more interested in being on the court than being in the classroom. Good to see exceptions to the rule like Jason Duty.
Let's hope Duquesne learns from its mistakes and does a better job the next time they cut any program in athletics or academics. The university is teaching students that greed is good when it comes to the business of college sports. And when it comes to communicating with its stakeholders, this university is still in the minor leagues.
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