St. Aug's students, alumni react to abrupt firing of head football coach
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- St. Augustine's University's ongoing major financial overhaul is aimed at keeping the doors open at the 147-year-old institution, and the school made clear this week that its football program will not be immune from the budget cutting.
The St. Aug's Falcons held their first practice Tuesday afternoon since school officials announced head coach Michael Costa had been fired after 12 seasons. Saturday's opening season loss was Costa's last game.
St. Aug's Athletic Director George Williams said in a statement that "the school thought it best to go in a different direction."
However, the move came just hours after the team returned from a road game where questions surfaced about the financial stability of the football program.
St. Aug's undergrads like Avon Thomas have heard the rumors.
"It's just like, we don't have any money," Thomas said.
Concerns were aired over the weekend by players and parents. They were complaints that St. Aug's might have had to forfeit its road game in Pennsylvania because of a lack of team buses.
The game went on as scheduled, but Williams addressed the concerns on Facebook this week saying players and parents had been misinformed about the number of buses. However, he acknowledged the entire athletic budget is being trimmed along with university-wide budget cutting. The school will cut down on overnight stays and will travel with fewer players to cut back on transportation costs.
There's still no word when the school will be able to open its newly-constructed football stadium for games. Finishing touches are on hold because of the university's financial woes.
"As of right now, school spirit isn't really there. Because for one, the football game this Saturday is going to be at Enloe High School, instead of right there [at the stadium]," Thomas said.
Many students and proud alumni believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Interim President Everett Ward is overseeing a wave of cost-cutting measures aimed at saving the university from closure. Four percent of the school's workforce has been eliminated so far.
"[Ward] is definitely saying the right things," said St. Aug's freshman Joshua Daye. "I believe [school finances] will be in the right direction soon."
While time will tell if St. Aug's financial turnaround is a success, the football team will play on. The Falcons have a new head coach, a smaller budget, and a Saturday home opener that will be played at Enloe High School.
