Will Private Fundraising Save Eliminated Sports at Cal?

As reported on September 30, 2010, the University of California, Berkley (“Cal”) intends to eliminate four (4) sports, baseball, men’s and women’s gymnastics, and women’s lacrosse, and demote men’s rugby to a varsity club sport.  Since the original announcement was made, Cal alums have banded together and raised substantial sums under the name “Save Cal Sports.”  It has been reported that “Save Cal Sports” has raised between $12 million and $15 million.  Cal has indicated that it is looking long-term to determine whether such amounts will translate into sustainability.  Cal Chancellor Robert Birgeneau has indicated that he is reviewing two main criteria to determine whether the sports can be saved: 1) whether the funds raised will operate the sports for the next five (5) to ten (10) years; and 2) whether there is a viable plan to build an endowment to fund the sports long-term.  A decision will be made as to the sustainability of the sports in the following weeks.

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