UAA nordic coach Andrew Kastning may have a new baby and a new job search arrive at the same time next spring. His athletes may need to apply to college again for the second time in two years. Behind the dollars and cents, the human cost of the proposed end of UAA skiing.
University of Alaska officials previously suggested that all sports had been viewed equally as they attempted to balance the budget. But new documents appear to suggest that men's ice hockey is more equal than others.
As news spread of the pending end of Alaska's two NCAA ski programs, prominent alumni and local skiers begin to weigh in. Brian Gregg, Sadie Bjornsen, Holly Brooks, and others share their reactions.
The University of Alaska president has recommended two options that could preserve the future of intercollegiate skiing at one or both of Alaska’s NCAA member schools – but both options may be without precedent in modern NCAA history. The final decision will be made by the Board of Regents in mid-November.
Facing drastic cuts to Alaska's state budget, a review team has proposed several options, some of which would end Division I college skiing at one or both of Alaska’s two NCAA schools in Anchorage and Fairbanks. “It’s scary not just for us, but it can start to be scary for the rest of the college ski teams around the country,” UAA Nordic Head Coach Andrew Kastning said.
There will be a fully funded cross-country ski team at the University of Alaska Anchorage this school year, but all bets are off when it comes to evaluating priorities across the athletic department for next year. That’s the word from University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) officials as the Alaska Legislature drags through its latest special session with no final budget yet approved.
As the 2016 special session of the Alaska Legislature comes down to the wire, it's clear that state funding for Alaska's two NCAA cross-country ski programs is going to be substantially reduced as part of widespread cuts to the state university system. But by exactly how much and with what effects are all still up in the air.