University of New Mexico Ski Program Back on the Chopping Block

By Published On: July 20th, 2018Comments Off on University of New Mexico Ski Program Back on the Chopping Block

On Thursday afternoon, the University of New Mexico (UNM) Board of Regents unanimously approved a proposal submitted by UNM President Garnett S. Stokes and Director of Athletics Eddie Nunez to restructure UNM’s athletic department due to budgetary, Title IX, and Mountain West Conference alignment considerations, according to the University.

UNM’s men’s and women’s skiing programs are two of the four varsity sports proposed for elimination along with beach volleyball and men’s soccer. All four of these programs are scheduled to be discontinued on July 1, 2019. UNM has stated that any affected student-athletes’ scholarships will be honored by the University through each student’s graduation.

UNM skiing survived proposed elimination last May after the University initially announced that it would be ending the program due to budgetary concerns, aiming to save approximately $600,000 per year in operating budget, scholarships, and salaries.

“I was notified on Wednesday,” said UNM’s Head Alpine Coach, Joe Downing. “Originally, the plan was not to cut sports, but along that whole process, the athletic department did begin to talk about cutting programs. We have next year, no matter what. The ski industry here is in full support of us.”

According to the University, this year’s cuts are aimed at tackling long-standing financial sustainability issues within the athletic department, Title IX compliance issues due to the changing makeup of UNM’s student body, and becoming more aligned with the other schools in the Mountain West Conference.

In order for an institution to be compliant with Title IX, athletic opportunities for men and women must be substantially proportionate to the makeup of the student body. According to the University, UNM’s student body is currently 55.4% female while only 43.8% of UNM’s student-athletes are women. In order to become Title IX compliant, UNM must make up that 11.6% difference.

“The University is faced with very difficult decisions and tough choices, but we must act now to ensure the long-term stability of Lobo Athletics,” said Stokes. “Regrettably, the recommendations do include a reduction in sports, the least desirable measure but one that will help alleviate our financial concerns and work towards outing us in compliance with federal law. Our student athletes are talented, dedicated young men and women. The recommendation to discontinue sports weighs heavily on me.”

In addition to fully eliminating four athletic programs, UNM will also implement a roster management plan for men’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track & field, as well as phasing out the diving element of their swimming and diving program.

UNM has released an FAQ document about the changes here.

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About the Author: Sean Higgins

A Lake Tahoe native and University of Vermont graduate, Higgins was a member of the Catamounts' 2012 NCAA title winning squad and earned first team All-American honors in 2013. Prior to coming to Ski Racing Media, he coached U14s for the Squaw Valley Ski Team.