It’s Hard To Feel Safe For College Coaches

ST. CLOUD - St. Cloud State University and the University of North Dakota now have something in common after UND cut multiple sports in a cost saving move.

UND Athletic Director Brian Faison announced Wednesday that his department is cutting women's hockey and men's and women's swimming and diving. The sports were part a $1,300,000 cut from the athletics department ordered by school President Mark Kennedy.

Kennedy says the budget cuts are due in large part to the state's bleak financial picture.

UND hockey is considered one of the marquee programs in collegiate hockey . Though the women haven't seen the same success as the men, they have produced multiple Olympians.

St. Cloud State head swimming and diving coach Jeff Hegle says this is something all college coaches should be concerned with.

"I think it's an issue probably everybody is worried about. I don't think anyone should feel safe in that their sport is not going to get cut. In difficult times you don't know what decisions are going to be made but i think it should be a concern for everyone and not just a specific sport here at St. Cloud State."

SCSU recently cut men’s and women’s tennis, women’s nordic skiing, men’s cross country and men’s indoor/outdoor track and field.

Hegle was quick to say that there has been good dialogue between SCSU administrators and coaches to help with the recent budget cuts.

"The last six months our administration has been outstanding with an open dialogue with us."

Together they are hoping to avoid having to cut anymore sports by being more mindful of budgets and how they can trim any loose spending.

(Story contains contributions from the associated press)