The Task Force on the Future of Athletics at SFSU invites all who are interested in athletics and sports programs at the University to present their ideas and concerns at a town hall meeting, Friday, October 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Nob Hill Room of the Seven Hills Conference Center.

The group is charged with reviewing the future of student athletics on campus in an era of reduced state funding. It is exploring ways to structure and fund athletics so that the greatest number of students will benefit, and lifelong enjoyment of sports and athletics are promoted.

Alternatives being considered include reducing or eliminating intercollegiate athletics, developing a club sports program, developing an expanded intramurals program, and eliminating all sports and athletic programs.

"This meeting is key in our information-gathering stage," said task force chair Gary Hammerstrom, professor emeritus of business analysis and computing systems. "We want to hear from students, and also the alumni, community members, faculty, staff and administrators who have opinions and suggestions for the future of our programs.

"We invite people to step up to the microphone for two-minute presentations, or to present written comments at the meeting or by e-mail," Hammerstrom said. The e-mail address for sending comments is atfinfo@sfsu.edu.

The task force is also conducting a random survey of student opinion regarding the nature and funding of athletic and sports programs.

President Corrigan determined last academic year that, in light of reduced state funding, General Funds should be devoted to the instructional mission of the University and would no longer be used to support intercollegiate athletics. Students were asked to support a $32 per semester increase in the student athletic fee that would have maintained the historic level of commitment to athletics on campus, but the referendum was narrowly defeated.

The task force was created by President Corrigan to explore options going forward and will present recommendations to the University administration at the conclusion of the fall semester. It is made up of students, including student-athletes; faculty, including a coach; administrators, including the director of athletics; and an alumnus who is a former student-athlete.

-- Ellen Griffin