Baseball's grand closing at Bowling Green State University has been reversed to a grand reopening. After announcing in mid-May that the school was cutting the sports program due to budget restrictions, BGSU announced Tuesday that baseball was coming back.
"After very positive and productive dialogue with alumni and former student-athletes nationwide, Bowling Green State University is pleased to reinstate its baseball program effective immediately," the school said in a press release.
"In just days, our passionate baseball alumni and donors have committed $1.5 million over the next three years. During this time, the University, in partnership with a select group of baseball alumni, will pursue a long-term funding solution to sustain and support the program."
The money was reportedly raised rather quickly after the program announced its original intention to eliminate baseball. An effort to save the program raised $1 million in less than a week, and were able to resuscitate baseball in just 18 days, per Nicholas Piotrowicz of the Toledo Blade.
The initial decision to cut baseball was made after the athletic department was asked to cut $2 million. The elimination of the baseball program was estimated to save $500,000 a year. Players on the team were allowed to transfer out without losing eligibility, and players offered scholarships were allowed to select a different school to play for without penalty.
Piotrowicz reports that four players transferred out of the program as a result of that offer, though every player technically entered the transfer portal once the initial cut was announced. The rest of the team is allowed to withdraw from the portal and continue playing baseball at BGSU.
