ORONO — As part of its response to budgetary issues necessitating expenditure reductions of $8.8 million for the next fiscal year, the University of Maine will suspend its volleyball and men’s soccer programs, effective June 30, 2009.

The soccer and volleyball program suspensions will result in a projected first-year saving of approximately $600,000 and eventual ongoing annual savings of more than $900,000.  The rest of the first-year budget reduction total ($271,000) will be met through internal revenue-generating and cost-saving procedures, such as schedule reductions, guarantee games and other adjustments.

“This is the option of last resort,” says Athletic Director Blake James.  “We place a high value on the opportunities that all of our sports create for our student-athletes and we recognize the commitment of coaches, support staff and fans.  We have taken these steps after exhausting every feasible option for managing these unprecedented budget challenges.”

UMaine will honor its scholarship commitments to current volleyball and soccer student-athletes who wish to continue work toward a UMaine degree. Recruited scholarship student-athletes who have signed a National Letter of Intent to play one of these sports will be eligible for one year of scholarship funding if they choose to attend UMaine. 

Per NCAA guidelines related to discontinued sports, UMaine will grant any institution permission to contact an affected student-athlete by circulating an all-inclusive transfer release message to NCAA member institutions.  In addition, NCAA
guidelines allow student-athletes who transfer to be immediately eligible for financial aid, practice and competition provided they meet all academic requirements and are not under disciplinary suspension.

In 2008-2009, the Black Bear men’s soccer had 26 players on its roster; the volleyball team had 15.  Soccer provided 7.5 scholarships; volleyball, 12.  The savings will result from those scholarship budget lines, in addition to operating costs
(coaches’ salaries, recruiting expenses, travel expenses and other miscellaneous expenditures).  Each team had one head coach and one assistant coach.

“Like every institution, business and family, UMaine is faced with very significant financial challenges that require substantial responses,” says UMaine President Robert Kennedy. “We regret the impact of this move on those individuals, especially our students, who are affected by this decision.”

James says that the decision follows his review of all Black Bear sports, looking carefully at issues such as gender equity and requirements related to NCAA and conference membership.  Seventeen Black Bear programs remain following the suspension of these two sports.