For those of you who aren't aware, the future of the Men's Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field program at Lock Haven University is currently at risk. A recent proposal by the VP of our institution has stated that "...Lock Haven University is experiencing a financial crisis and can no longer continue to operate as it has for the past several years... and changes must be made." This statement was made directly to the Men's Track and Field Team as well as the Women’s Swimming Team, and we were informed of the proposal's potential to cut both programs.   We have heard that a decision will be made by Spring Break (March 13, 2017).  Therefore, we are attempting to raise awareness and support as quickly as possible. 

The Lock Haven Cross Country and Track & Field teams consistently hold among one of the highest GPA's of all sports on campus. On top of that, our Cross Country team has consistently represented Lock Haven at the national level. Both the cross country and track & field programs have produced countless All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American performers.  It is important to consider that it is difficult to convince recruits, especially distance runners, to participate in one season of running(cross country). Therefore, if the Indoor/Outdoor Track team were to be cut, the nationally recognized Cross Country team could be affected. 

Over the past few years, the student enrollment has seen a decline. It's projected that the university will see enrollment continue to decrease over the next few years. As a public university in which tuition and student fees help operate athletic programs, cutting programs is not the way to go about it. Once you start cutting athletic teams, it is highly unlikely the university will retain those student athletes the following year and more importantly, years to come. Less students attending the university=less money the university makes!!! *Again, we are a public university in which athletic programs largely operate though tuition and student fees. To give you an idea, Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field carries around 35 roster spots. That's not even including non-roster athletes (around 15). Women's swimming carries around 24 athletes. The total cost to attend Lock Haven is just over $19,000 for one academic year. If the administration were to cut these programs, the university will lose a SIGNIFICANT number of students attending the university. Again, the majority of these athletes will not attend LHU the following year and years to come which will result in a significant financial loss. In addition, if you're a current or prospective student athlete at LHU and this proposal doesn't necessarily pertain to your sport now, your sport will reap the detrimental short and long term effects.

Please show support for the survival of our program by tweeting the hashtag "#SaveHaven" and spreading the word to friends, family, and alumni of any university.

Finally, we ask that you take the time to email and/or call the following contacts and express your support:

Dr. Michael Fiorentino, Jr. - President (president@lhup.edu) 

Rodney Jenkins - Vice President
(rj2253@lhup.edu)     (570) 484-2253

LHU Council of Trustees
(gbechdel@lhup.edu)    (570) 484-2001

Dr. Tyana S. Lange - VP of Student Affairs
(tsl400@lhup.edu)       (570) 484-2087

State Representative Mike Hanna
(mhanna@pahouse.net)        (717) 722-2283

Please share this petition and spread the word. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and let's #SaveHaven athletics!