Actually no they can't.

yeh, that Cross Country team, the 112 year-old program the AD is trying to cut this spring. They just posted one of the best GPA's in the entire school. But yeh, let's cut them??

https://www.saveclemsontf.com

Clemson University | Save Clemson TFXC

Help Clemson University understand why cutting men's track and field takes away opportunities from minorities to achieve a higher eduction. Save Clemson TFXC.

https://clemsontigers.com/cross-country-earns-pair-of-ustfccca-awards/

Cross Country Earns Pair of USTFCCCA Awards

USTFCCCA Awards Central NEW ORLEANS -- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Thursday that Clemson’s men’s and women’s cross country teams have each received the association’s All-Academic Team distinction. The Tigers’ cross country teams, led by head coach Vicky Pounds, received the honors after posting cumulative team GPA's above 3.00. Clemson's women's team has earned the honor for the second consecutive year following today's announcement. BYU’s Conner Mantz and Alabama’s Mercy Chelangat earned the Men’s and Women’s National Scholar Athlete of the Year awards, respectively. Northern Arizona University won the National Scholar Team of the Year award on the men’s side, while BYU earned the honor on the women’s side. The complete list of awards can be found here.

The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Thursday that Clemson’s men’s and women’s cross country teams have each received the association’s All-Academic Team distinction. The Tigers’ cross country teams, led by head coach Vicky Pounds, received the honors after posting cumulative team GPA’s above 3.00. Clemson’s women’s team has earned the honor for the second consecutive year following today’s announcement.

MEN Clemson University 3.51 Coach Vicky Pounds

Fluxus

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Joined: 9/4/03

TU and a few suggestions

Apr 2, 2021, 8:29 AM

I ran track and XC at Charleston Southern and competed against Clemson (which was a thrill for everyone in my family, who are all Clemson fans). So I am very sympathetic to your cause and want nothing more than for Clemson to keep their men's program.

I like that you have a group of former runners banding together to advocate for the program. And I wonder if you could get the support of former Clemson athletes that medaled in the Olympics? Shawn Crawford comes to mind. Having a recognizable spokesperson to rally troops to the cause would help a ton. CJ Spiller would be a great ambassador as well.

Your website messaging is taking 1 angle: Help save educational opportunities for people of color. I think that's a fair approach, but it should not be your only message. You are trying to influence decision makers of all races. It comes across to me like you're trying to 'social pressure' them into making a 'woke' decision. I get the whole Title VI of the Civil Rights act approach... and, in a war, I'm OK with any strategy that wins. However, if this is your only focus, the result may be that they dig in their heels and become even more resistant to your goals.

Another strategy would be to compare Clemson to local universities that are able to fund both Football and T&F/XC. Univ. of South Carolina and Charleston Southern come to mind immediately. How can these programs do something that Clemson cannot? Even Presbyterian can manage that. To me, it's a pride thing... and I think it will be for a lot of bigger donors as well.

Finally, I would attack the athletic budget as a whole. How much money does Men's Track and Field and Cross Country actually cost? They're keeping the women's program, so they already have to maintain the facilities. Shoes and gear should be free from sponsors like Nike. We're really looking at the cost of a scholarship. And that number is very fungible. What is the actual cost to the University? Then, how to we make up that number to keep the program funded? I would make creative suggestions... give them several other options, if only to make it clear that their decision here will clearly define the principles of Clemson University. How many phone calls did the administration make to see if they could get additional sponsorship from Nike or Adidas or UnderArmor to help fund the program?

Anyway, good luck to you and your fellow alumnus. I hope you guys win this race.