Mansfield eliminates football program

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Mansfield eliminates football program

Associated Press

MANSFIELD, Pa. - Mansfield University eliminated its football program Thursday, saying it didn't have enough money to continue the team that hosted the first night outdoor football game more than a century ago.

Mansfield president Dr. Maravene Loeschke said it was a difficult decision to cut the Division II program, especially with the school's long football history.

"Mansfield University is too small an institution to support a football program in the manner it deserves," Loeschke said in a statement.

The decision comes less than a week after the Mountaineers completed an 0-10 season.

Loeschke said academic programs form the school's foundations and would always be the first priority. The school has about 3,400 students.

"In this challenging budget climate, academic excellence requires making difficult choices," Loeschke said.

She said the decision was troubling to former Mansfield football players, but said the school would consider reinstating the program if it could raise an endowment to fund it.

"If we are able to raise sufficient funds in this way, we will open discussion about re-establishing a football program at whatever level - Division II, Division III, or Independent League - we can properly support," Loeschke said.

Mansfield, in north-central Pennsylvania, has played football since 1891, with the exception of three years (1943-45) during World War II. The Division II school was 2-29 over the last three seasons.

Mansfield is recognized by the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., as having hosted the first outdoor football game played at night. It was a scoreless tie in 1892 between Wyoming (Pa.) Seminary and what was then known as the Mansfield State Normal School.