Penn State Altoona rejects idea for Division III football

By GEOFF DODD
Collegian Staff Writer

Advisors from Penn State's University Park and Altoona campuses on Monday cancelled a long-standing proposal to incorporate a Div. III football program at Penn State Altoona.

The proposal, although taken seriously, never made it beyond the discussion table. A lack of funding was cited as the main reason for its rejection.

"There is not enough financial support to warrant it at this time," Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley said in a press release. "That doesn't mean that we may not explore it again at some time in the future, but for now it is not something we could justify doing at this time."

Of course, the implementation of a football program at any organization, even a branch campus like Penn State Altoona, would cost a great deal of money. The advisors could only speculate on the actual cost, which would have come from Penn State Altoona's budget as well as private funds.

With Penn State President Graham Spanier's disappointment with the lower-than-expected $306.5 million in funding provided by the state government, creating a new, multi-million dollar venture would be unlikely if not impossible now without hefty private donations.

"If you had the money you could do it in two years," said Allen Meadors, CEO and dean of Penn State Altoona. "You need $7 million in the bank to generate enough interest to fund the program.

"(The idea) came out of the football program at University Park. (Penn State football coach) Joe Paterno has been very supportive saying it's time for other campuses to get more active. Because of our low funding, however, we cannot afford to use any of our operational budget on those programs."

On top of that Meadors emphasized a need for equal spending in all areas of Penn State Altoona athletics.

If the school installed a football program, it would also need to set aside money for women's programs in compliance with Title IX. Passed in 1972, Title IX denies federal funding to any educational program that discriminates on the basis of sex.

"It would probably cost us $400,000 to (incorporate the program), and that would include some women's programs to balance out gender equity," Meadors said.

Although he did not elaborate, Meadors mentioned softball, golf and soccer as prime candidates for potential women's sports at Penn State Altoona.

It is not currently known if Penn State would pursue another women's program for Penn State Altoona in the wake of the cancellation of the football proposal.

"We look at these kinds of things all the time, and when there's an opportunity to expand resources, we try to move it forward," said Steve McCarthy, director of university relations. "Not all of them come to fruition. It's an ongoing process within the university. It's not just an athletic thing."