The Massachusetts Maritime Department of Athletics announced earlier today that it was suspending operation of the Buccaneer Softball program for the upcoming 2009 season.
The suspension was the result of a low number of participants on this year's squad, which was scheduled to play 28 games, including 14 in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference. Less than nine percent of the total student-body at the Academy is comprised of women, and Director of Athletics Bob Corradi pointed to several factors that led to today's decision.
"The primary concern we have is the overall health, well-being and safety of our student-athletes," Corradi said. "The low number of participants on this year's softball roster would make it impossible for us to field a competitive team and complete our schedule, and we have far too much respect for the MASCAC and to our non-league opponents for that to take place."
"I want to thank (Head Coach) Christine McCarey and the members of our softball team for their efforts in the off-season, as they were fully prepared to go forward if circumstances had allowed," Corradi continued. "We have already put a plan in place to move forward and resume full competition for our softball program for the 2010 season."
Corradi emphasized that the suspension is strictly temporary, as McCarey will continue in her role as Women's Athletic Recruiter and Head Women's Soccer Coach at the Academy but has resigned her softball coaching position. Massachusetts Maritime will conduct a search for a new Head Softball Coach in the coming weeks.
"The Academy remains fully committed to women's intercollegiate athletics, and while the suspension of our softball program is just a temporary measure, we will continue to move forward and ensure that all of our women's teams have all positive and successful playing experiences in both the short and long terms," Massachusetts Maritime President Admiral Richard G. Gurnon said. "With the addition of soccer and the continued growth of sports such as volleyball, female students at the Academy have unprecedented opportunities to be a part of athletics."
Though the sport of softball is suspended for the coming spring, Massachusetts Maritime offers a total of eight intercollegiate athletic programs for women, as cross country, crew, sailing, soccer, volleyball, outdoor track & field and rifle join softball on that list.