Tripped Up: Runners stunned by loss of UTC men’s track

Track Talk: Comments on UTC eliminating men’s track and field

Dwight Thomas 2000-2001 “It was not the decision that makes the least amount of impact. I think the AD, over the last 24 hours, is finding that out. It has an impact on those of us spread across the world doing things that we couldn’t have learned without wearing blue and gold.” Ian Mayne 2001-2006 “You don’t want your records to stand. You want people to make the program better and see your records broken. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen.” Chris Berry 2007-2012 “It’s a shame that future guys won’t get to experience what I and many others did. There is no future for the program.” Patrick O’Brien Class of 2015 “It’s a sucker-punch. We’ve all been hurt. Growing up in this rich running community makes it harder. I feel bad for people who are going to miss out.” Bill Gautier UTC coach “These guys live, eat and breathe running. We wake up and run together, go to class together, go home together. A lot of runners made Chattanooga very proud.” David Blackburn UTC athletics director “You don’t ever want to go through this. Ultimately, you’d like to grow revenues and add a female sport. You want to grow instead of diminish. But to keep in line with the federal law, it’s something that had to happen.” Chas Webb Former president of Chattanooga Track Club “I’ve talked with most of the officers, and the consensus is that this is pretty sad. The Chattanooga Track Club has supported UTC running for many years, and we give usually around $1,500 to the team. They’re an important part of the community.”