Son Eric currently pitching at Univ. of Nebraska - Kearney as the closer for the Lopers (short for Antelopes). Doing pretty well with a 1.96 ERA, with 19 K's over 18.1 innings, 1 Win and 5 Saves.
Here's the rub: about a month ago, the baseball team was informed that the 113-year-old program is being eliminated next year. Let that sink in a minute. They're also eliminating men's golf and men's tennis. Total savings from cutting these three sports is projected at $450,000. Well, the baseball team raised $150,000 totally on their own in one night at their baseball banquet a week or so before the administration's elimination announcement.
Apparently, there is a $3.4 million budget shortfall at the university. Pretty sure the announcement was intentionally delayed so that players had participated in too many games to "red-shirt" this season -- can't imagine administration didn't know this was coming well ahead of announcing.
Coaches are getting players in contact with other programs for next year. Eric has had contact from a Big 12 school and several from other D2 schools, including at least two written scholarship offers. Feel bad for the whole situation -- players, coaches, the school and the community.
If anyone knows of programs needing players for next year, UNK has some guys looking. I'll try to attach a couple of video links of Eric below.
Here's the rub: about a month ago, the baseball team was informed that the 113-year-old program is being eliminated next year. Let that sink in a minute. They're also eliminating men's golf and men's tennis. Total savings from cutting these three sports is projected at $450,000. Well, the baseball team raised $150,000 totally on their own in one night at their baseball banquet a week or so before the administration's elimination announcement.
Apparently, there is a $3.4 million budget shortfall at the university. Pretty sure the announcement was intentionally delayed so that players had participated in too many games to "red-shirt" this season -- can't imagine administration didn't know this was coming well ahead of announcing.
Coaches are getting players in contact with other programs for next year. Eric has had contact from a Big 12 school and several from other D2 schools, including at least two written scholarship offers. Feel bad for the whole situation -- players, coaches, the school and the community.
If anyone knows of programs needing players for next year, UNK has some guys looking. I'll try to attach a couple of video links of Eric below.
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