Campus Community:
The below statements from Chancellor Sederburg and "Save UNCW Track" representative Roy Love, and the agreement hyperlinked below, will be released to media shortly. Thank you.
Statement from Chancellor William A. Sederburg:
Earlier today, we came to an agreement with the "Save UNCW Track" group, led by Roy Love, that would allow them a period of time to raise funds for a 2015-2016 season of track and field. While the decision to eliminate the program after the current season remains in place at this point, we are pleased that continued conversations with "Save UNCW Track" have been productive and enlightening for all involved. The details of our agreement are in the attached document, but I wanted to take this opportunity to applaud the incredible passion, commitment and staying power the running community has shown in support of the track and field program. It became clear to me that with that kind of drive, "Save UNCW Track" very well may be able to secure enough private funding, with administrative support from University Advancement and the Seahawk Club, to 1) sustain track and field for the 2015-16 season and 2) renovate the track facility to a suitable level for intercollegiate competition. I believe it is critical to have this matter resolved before a new chancellor takes the helm at UNCW, so he or she will be able to focus on the big-picture academic and athletic landscape for our students, faculty and staff. In the meantime, I sincerely wish Roy and the "Save UNCW Track" supporters luck as they kick off their effort to meet our agreed-upon financial targets.
Statement from Roy Love, "Save UNCW Track":
The "Save UNCW Track" Committee is excited to finally be given the opportunity by UNCW to raise the funds to sustain UNCW track field and cross country into the future. We take this responsibility seriously, knowing if we do not accomplish the agreed upon goals, UNCW has stated that it will not have the funds to finance the 2015-2016 track field and cross country seasons.
We need all of the community of track supporters in Wilmington and across the country, active lifestyle supporters and users of the UNCW track to help fund this worthy cause by going to
http://www.uncw.edu/supporttrackandfield and making a donation. We envision a track, based on the renovations that would be made possible by this fundraising, that will benefit the entire New Hanover community so the next generation of students will have a place to run, jump and throw.
