Central Michigan Axes Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track In Cost-Saving Measure

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Universities across the country, particularly at the so-called "mid-major" level, are deciding what they can live without during a period of uncertainty due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

On Tuesday, Central Michigan cut men's indoor and outdoor track, effective immediately. DETROIT FREE PRESS

In the past week, the alma mater of Olympian Clayton Murphy, the University of Akron, cut its cross country program. Prior to that, Florida International announced May 6 that it would eliminate it's men's indoor track program -- reducing the number of men's teams on campus to just six. 

The decision to eliminate the two programs as Central Michigan impacts 36 student-athletes. The Free-Press, citing USAF Today, reported that the operating expenses for the cross country, indoor and outdoor men's teams was $761,825 during the 2018-19 fiscal year. Cross country has not been cut.

Central Michigan had not qualified a male athlete in any event to the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships since 2015. The Chippewas' last All-America first-team performer was Alex Rose, who placed fifth in the men's discus throw in 2011.

Senior Logan Targgart qualified in the men's weight throw for Central Michigan to compete at the Division 1 Indoor Championships, which were canceled March 12 by the NCAA, along with the entire spring athletic schedule as a result of the pandemic. Targgart was the first Chippewas' male athlete to advance to indoor nationals since 2012.