Golf team missing from fall sports season

9/14/2009
By Joe Stark
Sports editor

As many colleges, universities and high schools are cutting numerous programs because of the economic recession, it hit close to home this summer as the UW-Superior athletic department suspended its women’s golf team for two years.  

Because of the state funding reductions, athletic director Steve Nelson decided to reduce spending of the athletic department.  Contrary to popular belief, suspending the golf team had nothing to do with Title IX and trying to even out the intercollegiate sports that UWS has to offer.  

The golf program was suspended, not eliminated, as UWS wants to bring it back for the 2011-2012 season.  

The reason golf was chosen, and not hockey or basketball for example, is because it affects the fewest number of student-athletes.  The golf team usually consists of between five to seven women, fielding six golfers in the 08-09 season who showed improvement from years past.

“We were just starting to get better and improve the golf program, and I’m going to miss it,” said Roger Plachta, head coach of the women’s golf team. “Hopefully we will be back at it in a couple years,” he added. 

UWS still offers all of the other sports it had previously, including men and women’s cross country, track and field, basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball.