Harrisburg Area Community College is planning to eliminate its entire athletics program as part of its 2026-27 budget — and the student-athletes were never consulted, never warned, and never given a chance to respond.
This is the same Men’s Basketball program that just broke the all-time attendance record in HACC history, filling the gymnasium to maximum capacity. The same program that brought Harrisburg children onto a college campus for Youth Community Days — many for the first time in their lives — and ran free Saturday basketball clinics to mentor area youth.
Last year, the Women’s Volleyball team competed at the NJCAA National Championship in Iowa, representing Harrisburg on a national stage.
The student-athletes have organized. They have a full business proposal ready showing how this program can become financially self-sustaining. All they are asking is the chance to be heard before a final decision is made.
We the undersigned call on the HACC Board of Trustees and President Daniel W. Lufkin to reverse the decision to eliminate HACC Athletics, meet with student-athletes before any final action is taken, and work with students and the community on sustainable solutions.
Harrisburg showed up for these athletes. Now it’s time to show up for them.