CMU under federal investigation for decision to cut track team
Men's track and field was cut from Central Michigan University's Athletics on May 19, 2020.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Nearly two years after deciding to cut its men's track and field program, Central Michigan University is being investigated by the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to determine whether the university discriminated against Black students in its decision.
The choice to cut track and field was announced in May 2020, with the university citing that doing so would save more than $600,000 annually. Cutting the sport dropped CMU below the NCAA Division I requirement of 17 athletic programs.
After obtaining a waiver to remain compliant, CMU added men's golf to return to the required threshold in August 2021.
CMU responded to the investigation in a statement provided to Central Michigan Life.
"Central Michigan is in receipt of a letter, dated April 25, from the US Dept. of Education Office for Civil Rights, which includes notification of an allegation, made by a private citizen, of discrimination based on race related to the elimination of men’s track" the statement reads. " The letter further states that “opening an allegation for investigation does not mean that OCR has made a decision about the complaint. During the investigation, OCR is neutral; OCR will collect and analyze the evidence it needs in order to make a decision about the complaint.”
"CMU will fully comply with OCR’s investigation and we are willing to openly share data related to the decision-making process. In all we do at Central Michigan University, we are committed to the success of our students, to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion on our campus, and to being a welcoming and supportive community for every individual."
Russell Dinkins, the executive director of the Tracksmith Foundation, has played a role in recovering four track and field programs after they suffered the same fate as CMU's. Among these are Brown, William & Mary, Clemson and Minnesota.
When CMU first made the decision to cut the program, track and field parents and alumni quickly reached out to Dinkins asking for support. After looking into the matter, he filed a complaint against the university in October 2021.
The goal of the complaint is simple — get CMU to reinstate its track and field program. Though Dinkins anticipates a lengthy process, he said the investigation could go quickly with a resolution.
"This investigation would resolve automatically if the university decided to go into a mediation process with the aggrieved party or the person who filed complaint," Dinkins said. "Our ask is simple: We want the men's track and field program back due to the opportunities afforded along racial and socio-economic lines, and so it's really simple. The university, if they want this investigation to go away, they can make it go away tomorrow, they can bring back the men's track and field program."
Dinkins filed the complaint citing the effect the decision to cut track and field would have on Black student-athletes. He believes there is a strong case of evidence that shows CMU is at fault for discrimination in its decision-making.
"I submitted a lot of information to the Department of Education, and so they're gonna have a very thorough review," Dinkins said. "The university is going to have to answer all of those questions. They're going to have to provide documentation evidence to show that not only did the decision not have an outsized impact but that there was no sort of direct intentionality to hurt Black athletes.
A recent Letter to the Editor published in Central Michigan Life penned by CMU alumnus Chris Heggelund backed the efforts to reinstate the program. As a 1997 graduate, Heggelund ran track for the Chippewas and called out the university for its lack of interest in finding a resolution.
Heggelund listed a lack of transparency, unwillingness to have an open dialogue and dismissal of the large, diverse and influential alumni group among other reasons for his displeasure with the university.
"As a proud CMU alumnus, the current state of affairs and the decade of decline at my alma mater are deeply disappointing and troubling," Heggelund wrote. "I am part of a group working to reinstate the CMU men’s Track & Field team. Our experience with CMU leadership is a microcosm of the broader and much more far-reaching and serious issues we’re all observing."
Ted Rockett, another CMU track alum and part of the committee working to reinstate track, said the university could've reversed the decision after the change in athletic directors. Michael Alford, who made the choice to cut the sport, left for Florida State in June of 2020 and was replaced by Amy Folan.
"It's sad that it had to come to (an investigation) because they had two years to do the right thing," Rockett said.
Dinkins directed interested parties to the @ReinstateCMUTF account on Twitter, saying they would be providing updates throughout the investigation process.
