BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A GoFundMe has raised over $68,000 to save the Boise State baseball season, but the school says the decision has, unfortunately, already been made.
In early July, BSU announced it is eliminating baseball and its swimming and diving programs due to the coronavirus pandemic. The cuts will save the university $3 million.
"While I feel deeply for those who have been affected by this decision, it will not be reversed," said BSU President Dr. Marlene Tromp.
Dr. Tromp released a statement of grief after reports that hundreds of thousands of dollars are being raised tosave the BSU baseball, swim and dive teams.
The GoFundMe "SAVE BOISE STATE BASEBALL" has racked up $68,191 in donations as of Tuesday.
The university has already announced the decision won't be overturned. But, the page is still up informing the generous givers their money will be returned if the plan doesn't work.
"Putting their dreams on hold for another year seemed damaging enough until Boise State University abruptly announced the cancellation of the program..." the GoFundMe continues. "It's time to take this into our own hands and bring back the sport we love."
The university still remains implicit that the teams will not return. Here's the full statement from Dr. Tromp and BSU:
"I grieve with the student-athletes and their families who are experiencing anger, grief, and loss as a result of the grave decision to eliminate athletic programs. We have heard directly from many of them, as well as from parents and members of the community. Each and every story is moving, and I understand that this decision and its timing have been burdensome and heartbreaking for many of the people involved. For that I am truly sorry. No university ever wishes to take such steps. I didn’t wish it, and neither did our AD. We took the only mitigating actions we could for the benefit of our student-athletes and their future: honoring their scholarships and putting into place resources to support them as they pursue their next steps.
Unfortunately, the university had to act quickly to address current budget challenges — which have been acutely compounded by COVID-19 and its attendant impacts — and to create a sustainable budget for the future. A decision of this magnitude required serious and sustained in-depth analysis in athletics and with senior leaders at the university and was not reached in haste or made lightly. Ultimately, in order to remain competitive at the highest level, we needed a realistic roadmap to a sustainable future for the University and its athletic department. While I feel deeply for those who have been affected by this decision, it will not be reversed."
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