By Alana Pelosi, Sports Editor
Next fall James M. Shuart Stadium will host football, but to the chagrin of many athletes, students and alum, it won’t the Pride running out onto the field. 69 years old, the Hofstra Pride football team ceases to exist after a decision to cut the program came about last Wednesday evening after the Broad of Trustees meeting.
In a whirlwind of events beginning the following Thursday morning, the news was broke to Coach David Cohen around 9 a.m., was then delivered to 60 of the teams’ athletes around 10 a.m., and became made public at an 11 a.m. press conference.
At the meeting, the 60 players who were able to attend were sat down by Athletics Director Jack Hayes and told the news. The other players who were not present had to take the bad news from their teammates. Junior lineman Omar Jacobs said he was unable to attend because his phone was off, but once a teammate called his room line, he was in shock. “I didn’t believe my teammates and then when I didn’t believe it I called Coach and he confirmed it.”
For many of these athletes, not only are their athletic careers at Hofstra done but their academic careers are as well. “It was really a shame to see something like this happen and its really going to be a shame to see them all go elsewhere,” said Stefanie Feinstein, a senior softball player.
Billy Morgan, who got off to a great start as a freshman with the Pride did not think twice about his decision to keep on playing. Having already received offers from the University of Rhode Island and Stony Brook, he has even greater potential in CAA greats Delaware and New Hampshire, and has also been talking to FBS Maryland. For Billy, his frustration with the situation stems from a long list of reasons. “I feel betrayed from the people at this school, said Morgan, “We signed a letter of intent to play football at a school that was chosen over various others.”
Morgan also raised the point that while he has been in contact with other teams, sometimes timing is everything and the whole situation is going to be rough on a number of players.
“The timing of the whole situation is bad.” Said Morgan. “Exams are coming up, college football teams have already committed to certain recruits [which leaves] us out to dry, and no one really wants seniors who have only one year left.”
Players Brian Hanley, whose brother Chris played for Hofstra, and transfer Devin Pruett are just as clueless about their futures. While Hanley remains undecided Pruett said he was transferring back home to California and would figure things out then.
For many players past and present, they feel scorned by President Rabinowitz. Former football player Herve Damas said he “found the actions to be very disingenuous and beneath the standards we’ve always held.”
While most athletes are remaining mum on the matter, but many of those have expressed their remorse for the football players and were equally as shaken. As Feinstein explained, “I am friends with most of them and hearing the news was pretty upsetting for me as well, just because I know what they go through day in and day out to be the best that they can.”
While the direction and the paths the players will take are still uncertain, there has been a push to strengthen the lacrosse and basketball programs. “I want to be in the Final Four in basketball. George Mason should of been us.” Rabinowitz said. “And we will be in the Final Four soon- in basketball and lacrosse.”

Uunderclassmen have the option of transferring. (Sean M. Gates/The Chronicle)