After careful review and evaluation, West Virginia University Institute of Technology will continue its football program for at least another season, President GalanLannyJaneksela announced today (Dec. 3).

Community members and alumni have expressed a strong commitment to work with Tech to maintain football on a permanent basis,Dr. Janeksela said.The institution wants to give these highly motivated parties ample opportunity to raise the funds that are necessary to field a competitive football program.

WVU Tech will continue to evaluate its athletic program in light of Title IX requirements and budgetary matters, Janeksela said.

And, a new Tech president, who will likely arrive no later than July 1, will certainly want to be involved in reviewing all budgets, including athletics, and make decisions which ensure the quality and reputation of all of WVU Techs programs,he added.

The possible elimination of WVU Techs football program was included in a list of recommendations released in August by a strategic planning task force. Since that time, an Athletic Department Strategic Planning Committee along with the administration has been reviewing the issue along with other athletic programs at Tech.

The administration and Tech Board of Advisors support keeping football at Tech until a new president has had time to further study and evaluate the situation, Janeksela noted.