Sports
Backers pledge $1.65M in push to save Iowa sports programs
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Supporters lobbying to reinstate four recently-eliminated University of Iowa sports programs say they have obtained $1.65 million and counting in pledges if the school decides to keep them going.
Save Iowa Sports, a group that includes hundreds of athletes, alumni and donors, said in a letter to Iowa President Bruce Harreld that the pledges have come together in a few days and are “just the beginning” of its fundraising campaign.
The university last month moved to abruptly eliminate men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s tennis and men’s gymnastics.
Athletic director Gary Barta said the cuts were “100% driven by” the coronavirus pandemic, which caused the postponement of football for safety reasons and tens of millions in lost revenue.
But current athletes and supporters of those programs say they were blindsided by the decision, and have been working to get the university to reconsider. So far, Barta and Harreld have refused.
Athletico Physical Therapy founder Mark Kaufman said Tuesday he hoped that pledges by him and others could allow for the sports to be reinstated while supporters develop a long-term plan to make them sustainable. Kaufman is an Iowa alum and longtime booster whose daughter is on the swimming team.
-
Local News1 week ago
Following a fatal crash, a Cedar Rapids man was sentenced to 25 years in prison with a 70% mandatory minimum after a deadly crash
-
Iowa2 weeks ago
Challenges and bans on books are becoming more common in Iowa libraries
-
Local News6 days ago
Cedar Rapids’ Cardboard Boat Regatta is coming back this summer
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Patients with AFib benefit from new technology developed at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Downtown Cedar Rapids sees the return of the Sapadapaso Parade
-
Local News1 week ago
Muscatine school nurse named Iowa School Nurse of the Year
-
Local News2 weeks ago
The renowned Marshalltown geese require additional water for their pond
-
Local News5 days ago
Throughout her tenure at Iowa, Caitlin Clark has generated millions of dollars in revenue for the state
Leave a Reply