Saint Augustine’s University won’t be playing football in the Fall. Per comments from interim president Dr. Marcus Burgess obtained by local affiliate CBS17, the institution is looking to have all sports but football.
“The only sport that we are going to suspend is going to be football,” he said in comments to CBS17.
The news of no football for Saint Augustine’s coincides with the institution’s efforts to reorganize operations amidst financial challenges. As reported by CBS17 classes have been moved online for the remainder of the Spring Semester and students are in the process of moving out of their dorms. Per the report, 120 students are still on campus as they let the university administration know that they desire to stay on campus to finish their senior year. These students had their high school experience interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to cancellations of traditional in-person events like prom and graduation.
Meanwhile, Burgess and the Saint Augustine’s administration tell CBS17 that they’re looking at ways to welcome back students in the Fall semester.
“We are looking at our fee structures. We are looking at what makes sense from a fiscal standpoint,” he said to the loach news affiliate.
Recently, Saint Augustine’s University’s appeal for accreditation restoration was denied by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission’s Board of Trustees, as reported by Judith Retana and Chris Clark of CBS 17. The university has been grappling with SACSCOC for a few years, starting with a probation in 2022 due to financial stability concerns.
In response, Burgess announced that he’s filing a lawsuit against the college accrediting organization.
“SACS prohibited us from showing them the new things we are currently working on. Thus far, the decision was based on everything that happened from Dec. 1 on back,..Students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters out there – we still have our accreditation and we’re going to continue to fight for this great institution. 157 years of great support, we’re going to continue [to] fight on.”
The football program had encountered challenges in the past year, with coach Howard Feggins leaving the institution last fall. While Saint Augustine’s stated that Feggins resigned, CBS17 reported that he was dismissed for fielding an ineligible player in the game against Virginia State on September 16th. The undisclosed player took part in three plays during the Falcons’ 55-12 defeat to the team.
Feggins has filed a lawsuit against the institution, claiming he was unlawfully fired and had issues with how he was made to manage the team. He also fought back against the allegation that his departure was due to playing ineligible players, per comments obtained by ABC11.
“It was a lapse on my part when we played Virginia Union, Kam Page, a student-athlete wore the jersey of a player who was no longer on the team and participated. He played three snaps on kickoff return,” said Feggins, who acknowledged he was aware that Page was not eligible. The second player is Nyron Campbell-Adams, who according to Feggins, the school claimed played in five games…For this type of violation, it’s very rare you would find someone let go, terminated immediately.”
The post Saint Augustine’s University to suspend football in the Fall appeared first on ClutchPoints.
