Decision made because of flat enrollment, little state funding, sport uses up 20% of total athletic budget, and represents 50% of insurance costs

Football will no longer be a NJCAA sponsored sport at community colleges in Maricopa County after this fall season ends. The decision affects Phoenix College, Scottsdale Community College, Mesa Community College and Glendale Community College.  Matt Hasson, district communications director, said in a statement that the district arrived at the decision because of financial issues caused by flat enrollment and a lack of state funding.

The District also said that capital improvements needed to maintain the football programs could exceed $20 million. Furthermore, the football program at the four schools takes  up 20 percent of the total MCCCD athletic budget and represents more than 50 percent of the total insurance costs.

A task force that reviewed athletic  programs in Maricopa County recommended cutting football programs last year because of funding issues.  Maricopa is one of 65 of the 530 community colleges participating in the National Junior College Athletic Association that sponsored football programs.

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