AWC to keep football in 2019

Arizona Western announced on Thursday that it is committed to keeping football in 2019, squashing any potential speculation that the Matadors could follow five other Arizona junior colleges’ lead and drop the sport after this season.

The Maricopa Community College District announced earlier this year that it would be eliminating its four football programs (Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale), as did the Pima Community College District with its program.

“As I have watched this unfold, I have worked with (athletic director) Jerry (Smith) to consider the viability of our program,” AWC president Dr. Daniel Corr said in a press release issued by the school Thursday afternoon. “The implications for both ending and continuing the program are many, and were not taken lightly. The most important consideration as we move forward as responsible fiscal stewards is what is best for both our students, and the communities we serve.”

Eastern Arizona, located in Thatcher, and Snow College, located in Ephraim, Utah, are the only two WSFL members besides AWC set to return next year.

Corr initially announced the news in an email sent to AWC faculty Thursday morning. In that email, obtained by the Sun, he wrote in part: “Today I am announcing that AWC is committed to play both a 2018 and 2019 season, with no new budgeted funds. That means that our program can plan for two years of football while we explore options to sustainability.

The only path forward to sustain our program includes either a reconstitution of the Western States league, or membership in another existing league, with no additional travel costs.”