ATLANTA, Ga. – After reviewing the impact on the institution and the department of athletics, Clark Atlanta University has opted to suspend Men’s Track and Field. The resulting reduction will bring the number of sponsored sports at CAU to 10 – four men’s and six women’s sports.
“For the next few years, Clark Atlanta University has suspended the Men’s Track program after evaluating the entire athletic program” stated CAU Athletics Director J. Lin Dawson. “Suspending or reducing a varsity sport is not an easy decision. The decision to right size the department was based on resources, competitiveness, gender equity, and facilities.”
The men’s cross country team and women’s running sports will not be affected and will continue to compete.
“Several young men will be impacted. These young men give their hearts and souls in representing Clark Atlanta University. The Men’s Cross Country program is still a varsity supported sport at CAU.”
“We will continue fundraising efforts to install a new track and to create a sustainable competitive program. While the Men’s Track program is suspended, although a small consolation, the University will work to provide opportunities for young men to run unattached at several meets where CAU competes.”
Clark Atlanta University had 3,500 students for the 2015-16 school year with roughly 74% of the enrollment base as female students.
Administrators and Boards need to decide whether they are going to fund HBCU sports or just become only an academic center. These continued actions are not helping the quality or legacy of the schools.