Budget concerns cited in decision to eliminate one of the university's four sports teams

"I take full responsibility for this decision, and for the factors that led up to it," Gary said on Wednesday. "Our budget position for athletics is very tight right now. Due to the size of the schedule, the amount of travel, equipment needs, and the number of players, baseball is the most expensive of our four programs to maintain. To ensure the overall health and longevity of our athletic program, some very tough cost-saving decisions needed to be made."

The decision to drop baseball came after the RedHawks posted a 2-43-1 record in the 2010 campaign, in what was Coach Dan Soria's first full year as the team's skipper. But Gary emphasized that his decision was not based on the team's on-field performance, and he praised the dedication that Soria, his assistants, and his players have shown to the RedHawk baseball program throughout the past year.

"Did I have faith in our baseball team? Yes. Did I fight to try and find a way to keep our baseball program? Yes," Gary said. "I have been very impressed with how competitive our team has been against more experienced lineups, and I have no doubt that they would have continued to improve next season.

"As for Coach Soria, he has dedicated countless hours to recruiting, to improving our home field, and to coaching this team of promising young athletes in the fall and spring," the athletic director said. "I have nothing but the highest respect for Dan and what he has accomplished during the past year. I wish that we could have done more justice to the commitment that he and his team brought to our athletic program."

Gary noted that he recently received a letter of commendation for the team from an umpire who officiated at one of the RedHawks' road series in Iowa. That official remarked on the team's poise, professionalism and respectful demeanor. Feedback like that, Gary said, made the decision to eliminate the baseball program only more difficult.

"Bottom line, it's a dollars-and-cents issue," he said. "Nobody here is happy about this. Budgets are tight throughout higher education right now. We just don't have the money to do justice to four athletic teams. This move will accommodate existing budget shortfalls and give us more flexibility going forward to support our basketball and volleyball athletes."

In a letter sent to players and coaches on Tuesday, Gary took personal responsibility for the budget shortfall facing the athletic department in the coming fiscal year. He said other Student Life and Athletics programs would also feel the effects of the crunch in various ways.

"I recognize that you have invested time, energy and resources into building the RedHawk baseball program, and I want you to know that your contributions are appreciated," Gary told the players in the letter.

Gary attributed his department's budget headaches in part to his zealous attempt to build a thriving sports program quickly at an institution that had little prior athletic tradition on which to build.

Gary took over the department in 2008 and has added a number of popular elements to the program, including two very successful homecoming events during the past two basketball seasons. He has also significantly increased the program's funding for scholarships.

But those ambitions clashed with the realities of declining state revenue and a mandate from Indiana University for all of its campuses to increase their operating efficiencies. By eliminating baseball, Gary said Wednesday, the RedHawk program is simply sharing in the pain felt by many university departments as they look for ways to do more with less.

"We all have to live within our means," he said. "We're dedicated to supporting a competitive and exciting athletic program here, but we have to do so in a way that is financially sustainable. And sometimes that means making tough decisions like this one."

IU Northwest fields NAIA Division II teams in women's volleyball and men's and women's basketball. The Lady RedHawks basketball team went 24-12 and made the university's first-ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament in March.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Diane Hodges expressed regret for the loss of the baseball program, and she thanked the players and coaches for their hard work and dedication to the team and to the university.