Hollins Restructures Athletic Offerings

            Roanoke, Va. – Hollins University is restructuring its athletic program to more effectively meet the needs of current and future students, and enhance overall support for its intercollegiate sports. The changes, which become effective in the fall of 2005, provide an optimum balance of high-growth individual and team sports during each season.

The revised slate of offerings will include basketball, equestrian, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and tennis. Cross country, field hockey, and volleyball will be phased out and financial support reallocated to the new slate.

A review team composed of students, faculty, staff, trustees and administrators considered the viability of approximately 25 sports, including the ten currently offered at the university, in determining its recommendations. The team drew upon extensive research that included student surveys and focus groups, financial reviews, participation levels, and an analysis of historical trend data for each sport at the high school and college levels.

   “The athletic mix recommended by the review team is the best combination of sports to further the university’s mission and enhance quality of life on campus,” said Lynda Calkins, Hollins’ associate dean of students and director of physical education and athletics.

In addition to balance, the new slate enables Hollins to staff full-time coaches for all sports and maximize the use of available athletic facilities.

Calkins added that students would be able to pursue club status for those sports not included in the revised intercollegiate slate. “Just because a sport did not make the final list of recommendations does not mean it should not be offered at Hollins,” she explained. “Students interested in organizing a non-collegiate sport can petition the Student Government Association.”

In conjunction with the changes in the athletic program, Hollins’ office of development has announced it is establishing a “Friends of Athletics” fundraising effort. The initiative will provide additional financial support for both intercollegiate and club sports.