@ShamefulSheamus
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During the spring recess, the College of Wooster Athletic Department completed major revisions in its 2014-2015 budget. While the majority of the changes affect internal operations, the most serious amendment diverted a substantial amount of money normally spent funding the football program to the 2014 College of Wooster ultimate frisbee team.
According to an ESPN report in January, the College of Wooster spent $633,340 funding the 2013 football program. $320,000 was used for stadium maintenance and the remaining $313,340 was used for the coaching staff, new equipment, incentives and cable TV.
In 2014, $600,000 will be reallocated to the ultimate frisbee coffers, leaving $33,340 for the football team. Additionally, the ultimate team will play all its games Saturday morning in John P. Papp stadium. The football team will sometimes play its games at the Wooster junior high school field but mostly in the residential quad.
While it is standard for the athletic department to make revisions to its annual budget, this massive change is unprecedented.
Otherwise known as “Ram Jam,” the men’s ultimate frisbee team has had a storied history here at the College. As the first organized sport on campus, the team has played nearly 96 seasons for the College. However, while the team has had some great practices in the PEC, they have had little success in inter-collegiate competition. Since 2009, the team has amassed an overall record of not-so-great. Many students and faculty members question the team’s value to the College and the positives of it receiving such massive funding.
These questions are made even more puzzling by the recent success of the football program. After finishing the 2012 season with a record of 2-8, first year coach Frank Colaprete led the team to an impressive 7-3 in 2013, with three players named to All-Region teams and one named as an honorable mention All-American.
The reasons for the major revisions in the 2014-2015 budget remain unknown. No official statement or draft of the revisions has been released by the college. When asked to comment on the new budgetary revisions, the chairman of College of Wooster Athletic Administrative Board, Ron Paul, was unavailable.
Student response to the changes has been mixed with equal support for the football and ultimate frisbee teams alike.
Those in favor of the new changes were excited by the progressive approach the athletic department is taking for the 2014 season.
“Have you ever been to an ultimate game?” commented notable ultimate enthusiast John Koniarczyk ’14. “They are dope, cool and sweet.”
“Cha I’m on board with these changes,” commented Phil Charnley ’15. “Honestly, they needed to happen because as an institution fundamental change is necessary if we are going to lead the way in 21st century higher education.”
“I’m sorry, who will be ramming who?” said Aleksi Pelkonen ’17.
However, those students who value football as the traditional fall college sport were upset with the new changes.
“Only the strong survive and the Ram Jam frisbee flyers are weak,” commented Ethan Flack ’14. “Pain is love and it is as simple as that my friends.”
“Athletics are all about fellowship,” said Wes Patterson ’15. “Daddy just doesn’t see the fellowship in ultimate frisbee.”
While these changes are not yet final, they are set to become official in August. A board will revisit the new budget and make a final decision on May 32.