COLLEGE: Hartwick men's soccer remains Division I

• by Soccer America , May 27, 2004

Hartwick College's Board of Trustees, citing ''an extraordinary outpouring of support'' for Division I sports at the Oneonta, N.Y., campus, has reconsidered its plan to move Division I men's soccer and women's water polo to Division III. Division I participation costs the college about $590,000 per year more than playing at the Division III level, but the College's Alumni Association Board and of the Re-Ignite the Wick fundraising efforts raised about $2 million towards maintaining Division I status.

''I applaud those alumni and others who have spent considerable time and energy in their passion to keep Division I competition intact,'' Hartwick President Richard P. Miller said. ''I had promised to reconsider our position if they were able to measurably affect the financial base for our Division I programs, and they have done so.''

Hartwick currently competes at the D3 level in all other sports.

Hartwick College has been one of the most famous names in college soccer. Longtime men's soccer coach Jim Lennox left after the 2002 season. He had led the 'Wick to the 1977 NCAA Division I title. It reached the final four seven times in 22 tournament appearances.

The team is currently coached by Ian McIntyre, a key figure in the fundraising effort.