Feb. 12, 2009

BALTIMORE, MD -- Johns Hopkins Director of Athletics Tom Calder announced today that the university will discontinue sponsoring men's and women's crew as varsity sports effective at the end of the upcoming spring season. The decision was made after careful consideration and in close consultation with senior level administrators at Johns Hopkins.

Johns Hopkins currently sponsors 26 varsity athletic programs and continuing to sponsor crew does not fit with the current or future budget structure of the Department of Athletics. Administrators have determined that the department will not be able to sustain the programs at a competitive level and moving forward with the two teams is not in the best interest of Johns Hopkins University.

"This was a very difficult decision; one that was not made quickly and certainly not one that we would prefer to make," Calder noted. "However, in closely looking at the crew program, we feel that this is the correct decision. Maintaining a program that we are not able to support at an appropriate level is not something we are comfortable with. We are thankful to the many coaches and student-athletes who have represented Johns Hopkins University with pride and class. Their efforts and dedication have been exemplary."

The men's and women's crew teams at Johns Hopkins compete in the fall and spring at regattas and invitationals throughout the east coast. There are eight competitions on the 2009 spring schedule for both the men and the women and the teams will compete for the final time on May 8 at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia.

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