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Cost-cutting move cancels sports at Muscatine Community College

MCC is dropping sports after the upcoming season in a cost-cutting move.

Each crack of the bat is the sound of tradition.

"It's a great program," said Kolby Reed, 18.

But that program is ending at Muscatine Community College.

MCC is dropping sports after the upcoming season in a cost-cutting move.

Reed is thinking about his friends on the team.

"For the players, it's really, really hard," he said.  "They're putting their heart and soul into this.  To have it taken away like that is kind of hard."

While the college is down to just baseball and softball these days, it will still save an estimated $500,000.

"To be fair to all of our students, we really needed to look at spreading these resources," said Interim President Ellen Kabat-Lensch.

When 65 student athletes arrive later this week, they'll prepare for a final season.

But even though sports will be ending, the college will continue their scholarships or help them to transfer.

"We really wanted to focus on education," said Kabat-Lensch.

Muscatine Community College isn't alone. Clinton Community College also dropped sports last year.

Championship awards decorate the MCC library.  Sports success dates back decades, but this era will be ending.

"We've been through a lot of budget problems out here before," said student Alan Stalkfleet.  "Why cut this now?"

Since generations of Muscatine kids looked up to the Cardinals over the years, it's also a blow to the community.

Tom Bruner Field will be a lot quieter when they record the final out.

There's still a season to play, but the dugout already feels empty.

"I think, personally, they're going to lose a lot of good students," said student Zach Strong.

For Central College-bound Reed, some sentimental swings on Monday.

"It's hard to see that go," he concluded.

 

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