UMPI’s decision to cut Casavant a costly step backwards

UMPI’s decision to cut Casavant

a costly step backwards

To the editor:
    I respectfully submit this letter as an alumnus of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, who proudly watches the university grow and deliver quality education to the citizens of Maine and to other students from the region and beyond. 

    I recently learned of the decision the university made to terminate the position of Athletic Director, Bill Casavant. I find this decision questionable and difficult to understand and can only see this cut in leadership in the department as a major obstacle to providing quality and competitive athletic programs in the future. The role of the athletic director not only provides essential leadership and guidance to both student athletes and coaches but is an ambassador of the department and university. Mr. Casavant, in my opinion, had executed all these duties and responsibilities above and beyond expectations when he was hired just two years ago.
    Prior to Mr. Casavant’s appointment I would categorize the state of UMPI athletics as being in “disarray” with a declining local interest, decreasing reputation and an increasing lack of student participation. To a point, local Aroostook county athletes were not viewing UMPI as a serious option to consider participation in continuing their collegiate athletic aspirations.
    Mr. Casavant’s appointment was a positive step in the right direction. It showed the university’s commitment to the athletic program and, in a very short period of time, had made significant positive strides. The hiring and retention of quality coaches and, as I observed, the recruitment of local athletes on many of the sport teams, created interest county-wide and had resurrected a sense of pride in UMPI sport teams. Interest in UMPI athletics was back!
    This progression and growth was made under Mr. Casavant’s watch. His leadership, reputation with local and statewide coaches and athletic directors were paying positive dividends for the university. Quality coaches and student athletes resulted in positive publicity. Just one example of this was the New York Times article surrounding the men’s baseball team. Obviously, Coach Saucier deserves much of the credit for this positive article, but I know the coach would be the first to tell you that Mr. Casavant’s support and many hours behind the scenes placing/receiving phone calls, scheduling games in the vicinity of the ESPN home station was essential to allow the team and the college the ability to be interviewed and speak positively of the wonderful opportunities of attending and playing sports at a small northern Maine university.
    I am very disappointed with the university’s decision to terminate Mr. Casavant’s contract. I understand that the decision was a financial one, but I sincerely hope the monetary savings the university hopes to save doesn’t mean a significant step backwards in the athletic programs and a return to the “pre” Bill era when UMPI sports were not taken seriously by prospective student athletes and lacked local and collegiate enthusiasm that I had witnessed just prior to Bill’s hire.
    The positive ground and interest the university gained with Mr. Casavant’s appointment just two years ago, I feel will ultimately cost UMPI tenfold negatively for years to come with the public termination of such a well-known state and local person that is admired by many.