Hofstra ends football; cites costs, weak interest

Dec 4, 2009 - 3:44 AM By FRANK ELTMAN Associated Press Writer

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.(AP) -- With costs growing and few students even bothering to go to the games, Hofstra shut down its football team.

The decision came in a unanimous vote by the board of trustees Wednesday night, jolting the players and marking the end of a sport at the school that had been around since the university's founding in 1937.

"The cost of the football program, now and in the future, far exceeds the return possible," Hofstra president Stuart Rabinowitz said Thursday.

He added that despite Hofstra having sent several players to the NFL, the team does not attract enough national attention. The $4.5 million spent annually on the team will be used on scholarships and other priorities.

"Given that, along with the low level of interest, financial support and attendance among our students, our alumni and the community, the choice was painful, but clear," Rabinowitz said.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris, who played at Hofstra from 1994-97, called the move a "sad state of affairs."

"It was weird because it kind of happened out of nowhere," he said.

Rabinowitz noted the scant interest on campus in the team. He said students were offered free tickets to games, but an average of only 500 attended games at the 13,000-seat campus stadium, and that included cheerleaders and a pep band. Hofstra has a student body of 12,500, but only 4,200 live on campus. The average attendance this season - students and nonstudents - was 4,260.

Rabinowitz said the stadium will still be used for NCAA lacrosse matches, where crowds sometimes top those at football games. It also will be used for high school football playoff games and possibly outdoor concerts.

The decision follows a two-year review of sports spending at Hofstra. Rabinowitz said there are no plans to cut any other sports at the Long Island school.

Last month, Northeastern University in Boston dropped football after 74 years. Northeastern, like Hofstra, plays in the Colonial Athletic Association. Four of the final eight teams left in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs are from the league.

Hofstra was 5-6 overall and 3-5 in the league this season. Northeastern went 3-8, 3-5 in the CAA.

"We know this is a difficult time for our football team members, their dedicated coaches and loyal fans, and we will do everything we can to help them navigate this transition as smoothly as possible," Rabinowitz said.

He said the 84 players were informed Thursday and were told they can keep their scholarships if they remain at the school. Those who transfer will be eligible to play immediately.

"It's devastating," redshirt junior linebacker Rashad Swanson of San Francisco said. "Football is pretty much our lives here. There's some guys who are thinking about staying. But me, personally, I'm thinking about leaving. I can't be here if I can't play football."

Keith Ferrara, a junior from Queens, said his teammates were shocked.

"It was the last thing I was expecting them to say," he said. "I had no idea it was coming. I want to play football, so I'm probably going to transfer out."

Four former Hofstra players are now in the NFL: Kyle Arrington of New England, Stephen Bowen of Dallas, Willie Colon of Pittsburgh and Marques Colston of New Orleans. One of the best-known Hofstra players to have played in the NFL was receiver Wayne Chrebet of the New York Jets.

"I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the university, my coaches and my former teammates and I am sure that they share in my disappointment," Colston said.

While Hofstra and Northeastern are dropping football, 13 new programs have been announced, including six next season.

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AP Sports Writer Fred Goodall in Tampa, Fla., contributed to this report.