FAIRBANKS — University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen is pulling back on a proposal to cut sports programs at two campuses. The move comes after the NCAA failed to take action on the schools’ requests for a waiver to remain Division II institutions.
Johnsen had recommended getting rid of men’s and women’s skiing programs at both the University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks as a cost-saving measure. Officials had also proposed cutting men’s and women’s indoor track in Anchorage.
The proposal would’ve put both schools below the required minimum of 10 sports programs for Division II status.
After receiving a response from the NCAA, Johnsen said Thursday he’s no longer recommending the programs be cut. He says the sports organization won’t consider the waiver requests until UA actually drops the teams.
