Compromise Gives Towson University Baseball Extra Innings

UPDATED (9:08 p.m.)—The fat lady may not have sung for at least one Towson University sports program eliminated last month by President Maravene Loeshcke.

The Towson University men's baseball program could receive an additional $300,000 in each of the next two years under a supplemental budget proposed today by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

The budget does not include additional money for the men's soccer program. That program was also eliminated by Loeschke last month.

The money proposed in O'Malley's supplemental budget, which needs to be approved by the General Assembly by midnight April 8, will not save the baseball program forever, according to Raquel Guillory, an O'Malley spokeswoman.

"This is a compromise that gets them two years to create a program that is more sustainable," Guillory said.

Marina Cooper, deputy chief of staff to Loeschke, did not respond to a request for a phone interview or answer emailed questions.

The proposed additional funding comes after a private meeting last week between O'Malley and Loeschke.

"The governor and Loeschke had a very productive meeting a week ago and as a result of that meeting, the governor included the funds in the supplemental [budget]," Guillory said.

Details of the meeting between O'Malley and Loeschke were not made public.

In statement emailed to reporters, the university said the agreement reached by the Loeschke and O'Malley guaranteed that the baseball program would continue for two more years.

“No leader seeks to make a decision to disappoint young people who have a passion, whether it’s a sport or an academic discipline.  I thank the Governor for helping Towson address this Title IX issue through his supplemental budget—a move only he could make,” Loeschke said in the statement. “I am pleased that he heard my strong desire to not resolve this issue solely on the backs of students with a large student fee increase and I applaud his continued commitment to keep college affordable in Maryland.”

The university release said that the additional money proposed by O'Malley will not be enough to save the baseball program in and of itself. The university will impose a student fee increase of 1 percent. The statement released by the university said baseball program supporters will also be required to raise $100,000 annually.

Mike Gottlieb, baseball coach at Towson University, told WBAL 1090 AM he learned of the governor's budget request from the media and was "happily shocked."

"It's better than the alternative was," Gottlieb told Brett Hollander on WBAL. "If I sound shocked, it's because I am."

Gottlieb said it "will be nice going to bed tonight knowing I have a job for the next couple years."

There was no explanation in the statement as to why one program was saved over another. Cooper did not answer emailed questions.

Guillory referred questions about the soccer program back to the university saying it was up to Loeschke and her staff "to address why [baseball] but not [soccer]."

Last month, Loeschke announced that she would end both programs. That announcement drew the attention of O'Malley and Comptroller Peter Franchot. Both delayed a decision on a university contract and asked Loeschke to appear before the board this week to answer questions.

Loeschke also met with Franchot last week. Details of that meeting were not made public. A spokesman for the comptroller said Franchot hoped Loeschke would reconsider her decision.