Franchot Meets With Towson University President

Towson University President Maravene Loeschke met Wednesday with one of two top state officials who delayed a contract because of elimination of two athletic programs.

Loeschke, accompanied by members of her staff, attended the afternoon meeting in Comptroller Peter Franchot's office in Annapolis. William E. Kirwan and P.J. Hogan, chancellor and vice chancellor respectively of the University of Maryland System, were also present.

Details of the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, are scarce and sets up next week's public meeting between Loeschke, Franchot and Gov. Martin O'Malley.

"The comptroller has a policy of not discussing the private meetings," said Len Foxwell, chief of staff to the comptroller. "He did appreciate the opportunity to meet with President Loeschke."

Even so, it appears that the meeting appears to have done little to assuage the comptroller.

"The comptroller continues to be deeply concerned and frustrated by the decision to eliminate the men's baseball and soccer programs and the manner in which the parents, athletes and staff were treated in making these decisions."

Foxwell said Franchot continues to "hope the president will reconsider" her decision.

A spokeswoman for Loeschke could not be reached for comment.

Last week, Franchot and O'Malley expressed concern over the cancellation of the programs and delayed the vote on a construction contract involving a building on the campus of Harford Community College.

O'Malley said last week that he would defer the contracts so Loeschke could "come down here" and explain her decision.

The elimination of the two Towson University men's programs is not the first experience Loeschke has had with cancelling men's athletic programs.

In 2007, Loeschke was president of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania when she ended the institution's football team citing budgetary issues. She also led faculty retrenchments in 2010 that led to a vote of no confidence from professors at the university, according to a report in the Sun Gazette.

Loeschke, in interviews and statements released by her staff, has said ending the teams at Towson was the result of federal Title IX requirements.

Franchot and O'Malley last week expressed disbelief over that explanation.

Some political insiders have suggested that Loeschke has a predisposition for ending men's athletic programs. Others believe the true motivation was to absorb a deficit that has been approaching $1 million since Mike Waddell took over as university athletic director.

Both theories could be discussed when Loeschke appears before the Board of Public Works on April 3.

That meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live over the Internet.