FIU cheerleading squad part of school cuts

MIAMI, June 25 (UPI) -- The athletics director of Florida International University said the school's cheerleading squad and marching band were eliminated as part of budget cuts.

FIU Athletics Director Pete Garcia said in a statement the decision to cut the cheerleading program, which was ranked fourth nationally, was part of a series of "tough choices" by university officials amid the ongoing recession, The Miami Herald said Thursday.

"This economy has forced us to make some very tough choices,'' Garcia said. "Unfortunately, FIU athletics is neither immune to the current economic conditions nor to the fact that the university, in general, has had to cut prominent programs across the board."

Cutting the cheerleading squad will help FIU officials save an estimated $45,000 annually, the Herald said.

But cheerleading Coach Maria George told the newspaper her squad represents more than just funds to the world of college sports.

"All FIU now has is a mascot and a dance team,'' said George, who had offered to work for free to save her squad. "They're cutting the college pageantry out of college sports."