College football program announces it has shut down amid 21-game losing streak
Occidental College, a liberal arts college in Los Angeles, has shut down its football program, according to a release by the university.
The Tigers have competed in Division III and even made it to the playoffs in 2004; however, the team has lost 21 straight games. Three years ago, the program shut down its season early because it couldn’t field enough players.
“Only after very careful consideration and a thorough review of past planning efforts, as well as with the deepest regard for the context and history of football at Occidental, do we make this decision,” college president Harry Elam said in a school news release on Tuesday night. “As difficult as this decision is, we believe it is the right one for Occidental.”
Elam further explained the shut down is part of the negative impact COVID-19 has had in 2020.
“We make this decision in the context of the major financial downturn the college has experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also as the result of many years’ ongoing study of the football program.”
Players reacted on social media to the news:
The boys and I are left with a bunch of what if’s. Disrespectful and heartbreaking. All love @oxy_football
— Gerardo Blanco Jr. (@GerardoBlancoJ1) October 14, 2020
My heart is broken for my @oxy_football brothers…you deserve better than this. Wherever you go, you’re always an OXY Tiger…anyone needs help I’m always there
— Billy Grossman (@44billyg) October 14, 2020