Push Continues to Save Sports at Rutgers

TRENTON, New Jersey, January 5. IN light of the fact that budget cuts of $66 million in New Jersey have led to the chopping of six varsity sports at Rutgers University, a group of athletes met earlier this week with state lawmakers and aides to governor Jon Corzine. The meeting was geared toward saving the sports set to get the hatchet. Aside from men's swimming, men's heavyweight and lightweight crew, men's and women's fencing and men's tennis are slated to go.

Since the announcement that several teams will be eliminated, athletes have been proactive in an attempt to save the sports on the chopping block. So, too, have regular students who have been faced with crowded dorms and dining halls. According to a story in the Star Ledger, students have traveled to the capital of Trenton with PowerPoint presentations. Later this month, athletes are expected to converge on the statehouse and present their issues to the state legislature.

The budget cuts to higher education not only have mobilized students, but could produce a long-standing group that fights for the good of students. The current group is hoping that a state-bond referendum might pass that would create greater support for higher education in the state. Whether the six sports can be saved is in doubt.

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