Nov. 21, 2005

Princess Anne, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Executive Council recently reviewed the findings of a study of the feasibility of reinstating football and voted unanimously to recommend to President Thelma B. Thompson that the effort not be undertaken at this time.

The principle finding of the report was if football is to be reinstated at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, it must be financed by the alumni, student, local businesses and the community at large. The report estimated the cost of reinstating football at $2.5 million and $1.5 million per year to sustain the program operations.

The football feasibility study committee, chaired by UMES alumnus Armstead Ward, was appointed in October, 2004. They presented their report to President Thompson in June, 2005 and made it available for several months of campus review.

The study revealed certain dynamics and concerns that directly impact the interest level of the various constituents groups that responded to the interest polls and surveys conducted. Key among those concerns were:

· Overwhelmingly, the respondents chose NCAA Division I-AA as the priority level of competition; · Although 95% of the respondents stated that they favor the reinstatement of football and 66% indicated they would financially support football, only 14% indicated that they would contribute $500 or more to the reinstatement effort; · The study acknowledged that successful fundraising at UMES has been difficult to achieve.

"Taking these facts into consideration, as well as the current economic, social and political factors that will directly effect any decisions that place an extra financial burden on the student body, the Executive Council's deliberations were thorough, but direct," said UMES Director of Athletics Nelson Townsend. The Council also cited the lack of facilities, such as a stadium, team training and dressing rooms, office spaces for coaches, equipment and storage space as considerations in their decision. The UMES Executive Council is made up of faculty, staff and student representatives who meet monthly to review and discuss critical university issues with the president.