One of the most successful seasons in the history of Colorado men’s tennis, and nearly $600,000 in pledges, weren’t enough to save the program.
CU athletic director Mike Bohn finalized his decision to eliminate men’s tennis Wednesday after determining $594,608 in pledges received in an effort to sustain the program were not enough.
“The guys are in shock,” Buffs coach Sam Winterbotham said. “They saw all the support that we were receiving, and they were doing their part on the court and in the classroom. They are great student-athletes who have given everything they have for the institution, and now they’ve been told there is no longer a place for them.”
Bohn’s initial decision to ax the program was made March 23, one measure taken to stem a looming $7 million budget deficit in the athletic department.
At the time, Bohn offered a challenge to Winterbotham and the tennis community, setting a goal of raising $1 million in order to finance the program for three years. The men’s tennis budget for the 2005-06 fiscal year was $324,975.
“It’s really hard to describe my feeling about having to do this,” Bohn said late Wednesday night. “Being in this business, what we take great pride in is supporting student-athletes.”
Later, he added: “Our budget situation is serious. We exhausted every option.”
Collected funds intended to save the men’s tennis program will be returned to donors. All pledges will be nullified.
Colorado qualified in the NCAA team tournament for the first time since 1998. The Buffaloes’ No. 23 national ranking is its highest in the program’s history.
Scholarships will be honored through the end of each player’s eligibility.
Winterbotham earned coach of the year honors for the Big 12 Conference and the Mountain Region. CU lost 4-0 to No. 10 UCLA on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating No. 43 Arizona 4-1 on Saturday.
Winterbotham will complete his duties next week when he accompanies CU’s top player, junior Eric Molnar, to the NCAA singles tournament in Palo Alto, Calif.
According to research by the school, Colorado has fielded a men’s tennis team since 1914. The elimination of the program leaves CU with 16 NCAA sports, the minimum number to maintain Division I status.
Winterbotham said as many as five of the 11 players on the roster may choose to remain at CU. He said he will seek another coaching job in intercollegiate tennis.
“Sam has been a professional in every way, shape and form through all this,” Bohn said. “I don’t think there will be any question that somebody will want to get him as their coach.”
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
