ORONO – In the wake of passionate pleas from members and former members of the University of Maine men’s soccer and men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams to spare their programs the budgetary ax, the institution’s Athletic Advisory Board voted unanimously Thursday to recommend retaining those programs.

The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to UMaine President Dr. Peter Hoff and he will make the final decision. Accompanying the recommendation was a request by the AAB to establish a period of two years during which revenue-raising measures should be implemented.

If, after two years, the revenue isn’t sufficient to sustain the existing 19 athletic programs, all athletic programs should be re-examined.

There were 24 AAB members at Thursday’s board meeting at the Dexter Lounge in the Alfond Arena, although some of them aren’t voting members. The board is composed of students, faculty members, athletes, administrators and people from the community.

Approximately 350 people attended a public forum on campus Wednesday night to voice their support for the programs.

“I’m obviously very happy,” said Maine men’s soccer coach Travers Evans. “There are a lot of great people on the Athletic Advisory Board and when they looked at all the facts and figures and took everything as a whole, they made a real sound decision. I have faith in the president to make a good decision as well.”

Jeff Wren, who has coached swimming at Maine in some capacity for 31 years, said “I wish I had confidence this was going to pass the next step. I’m still in a wait-and-see [mode]. But I certainly feel a lot better than I did.”

He praised the board, saying it was “supportive all the way through, Dr. Slott in particular.”

He was referring to board chairperson Dr. Kathryn Slott, a UMaine French professor.

“Personally, I’m very pleased,” said Dr. Slott. “The arguments were made last night why these sports are as important as the other sports. If it comes down to revenue, get the plan in place, get the people in place and raise revenue. Now that the public has been sensitized to the issue and made aware, if we have to raise ticket prices, if we have to ask for more donations, if we have to fundraise, people understand that it’s a real need and it’s a real plea.”

Thirteen months ago, Hoff asked the Athletic Budget Advisory Committee to produce savings and revenue of at least $487,000 over the next two years and beyond.

Seven budget-cutting options were proposed including the elimination of the men’s soccer program and the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams.

“All of the options had reasons attached to them stating what was bad about that option,” Slott said. “So here are seven options, this is what you’ll gain and this is what’s bad about that option. The committee, in its thoroughness, was reluctant to cut this sport or that program because none of the options provided a satisfactory answer.”

“I wasn’t shocked to see the motion pass but I didn’t know it would be unanimous,” added Dr. Slott.

Slott said she and other members of the AAB were “very proud of our student-athletes and of the coaches. The coaches did an incredible job lining up their people and getting them to write letters and send emails” as well as turn out and voice their opinions at Wednesday night’s forum.

“A lot of people spoke to me after the public forum and mentioned how well organized it was,” added Dr. Slott.

Former UMaine athletes from as far away as Alaska came to voice their opinions.

Dr. Slott also said it was important to give Paul Bubb, the university’s senior associate athletic director for advancement and finance over the past six months, and administrator Jeff Mills, the opportunity to raise funds. Mills, who oversees the UMaine Alumni Association, has had his role expanded.

“If you listen to Paul Bubb, he brings a very dignified presence and command to the situation,” said Wren. “I have confidence in him and what he has to offer.”

Wren, who has survived two other attempts to cut his program, said the overwhelming support showed by the coaches and athletes of other Black Bear teams at Wednesday’s forum was greatly appreciated.

Outgoing athletic director Sue Tyler said, “I have never seen the coaches and athletes in all of the sports come together like they did on Wednesday. That’s what it is going to take to make this thing work. Not just one person.”

Evans said the entire athletic department is “like a team” and this situation will serve as impetus “for all of us associated with the department to step up and raise more funds.”

Wren added that he hopes Dr. Hoff makes his decision quickly so his current swimmers and incoming recruits are reassured that there will be a program next year.