After making it to the Idaho state wrestling finals last spring, Ken Staub '15 was recruited by schools across the country, including Brown. "When I went to the Brown campus, I got a feeling that this was the place for me," Staub said. But with his decision already made and Brown's wrestling team in danger of being cut, Brown may no longer be the ideal fit.
With the wrestling team, men's and women's fencing teams and women's ski team in danger of being eliminated, Staub and 11 other recruits are now facing a decision they never thought they would have to make when schools were courting them just months ago — whether to go to a college that might not have their sport.
"They put their goals in line, everything set. Now, all of it is shattered — destroyed," said fencing Head Coach Atilio Tass.
Most of the recruits found out about the potential cuts after the Athletics Review Committee released its recommendations last Thursday. Wrestling Head Coach Dave Amato called each of his seven recruits to break the news.
"I had to let the players and parents know," he said. "They were devastated. I had moms crying, dads crying, people yelling. It was a nightmare."
Many of the athletes were early-decision applicants and applied to no other universities. For those who did apply elsewhere, they have until this Sunday to determine if they want to accept Brown's offer. Some have already turned down athletics scholarships, even full rides, to compete for the University next year.
The recommendations, if accepted by President Ruth Simmons, will be sent to the Corporation at its May meeting. In the meantime, the fates of the four teams and the 12 recruits hang in the balance.
"I am definitely considering Harvard and (Boston College) now," said Nika Rosenthal '15, a skiing recruit. "Skiing was a huge part of my decision to come to Brown."
Skiing Head Coach Michael LeBlanc said some of his recruits may have fewer choices. "The options for a great school with a competitive program is limited," he said.
"I really like Brown. I love the campus, the no requirements," Rosenthal said. "I am still deciding if I like it enough without the skiing."
Wrestling recruit Zack Tanenbaum '15 — who applied early decision — is not sure if he has other options. "I'm really uncertain," he said. "If they cut the program, I might go somewhere else."
The Athletics Review Committee report said the University would help student-athletes interested in transferring if the cuts go through, but the implications are unclear for recruits.
Of the three coaches and four recruits interviewed, none knew whether recruits who had already committed would be able to shift schools at the last minute.
As their senior years of high school wind down, many recruits are scrambling. "What are they going to do?" Amato asked. "They feel like they have nowhere to go right now."
