Sports teams lose funding

Athletic cuts mean fewer away games, slashed travel expenses

Alex Smith / Roundup

Pierce College has been forced to remove 50 percent of funding from the athletic department due to the California’s state budget crisis, according to Pierce’s athletic director.

Victory: The Pierce College football team celebrates its third consecutive win and claims ownership of the victory bell. Football is one of several teams to lose 50% of its funding.

Angela Tafoya / Roundup

The 72 schools in the California Community College system have had their funding slashed by $400 million.

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has struggled to provide funds for its colleges after having its budget slashed by $28.9 million.

Supplies, traveling expenses and money for meals will no longer be provided by the athletic department because of the funding cuts.

Each team has been actively fundraising to attempt to make up for the lost money.

“The athletic department always has a big X on its back when it comes to budget cuts,” said Athletic Director Bob Lofrano. “Athletics is a big part of American culture and it is my belief that if a school is going to have a program, it is their responsibility to fund it.

Our goal as a department is to not lose a sport. ”

Donations made to the volleyball and soccer teams have been used to fund overnight stays and meals that have been cut out of their budget.