6 Sports Dropped After Bloomfield College Merges With Montclair State

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Bloomfield College is putting six of its 13 athletic programs on an indefinite hold as administrators continue to look for “duplicate” services to chop after last year’s merger with Montclair State University.

Bloomfield College of Montclair State University will suspend six NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics programs beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year. There is no timetable for the programs to return.

The list of sports that will be suspended includes the men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s cross country, and the women’s soccer and women’s bowling teams.

The six part-time coaches currently leading the programs will not have their contracts renewed on July 1, administrators said.

The decision is impacting 23 student-athletes, including 18 receiving partial scholarships, NJ Advance Media reported.

University administrators said they will review each student’s individual situation to “ensure they receive all financial aid for which they qualify.” Athletes will also have the opportunity to participate in open tryouts for Montclair State University’s NCAA Division III teams in applicable sports at the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Administrators will also provide assistance to any students wishing to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

“The suspensions come as part of an ongoing review of all Bloomfield College of Montclair State University programs and operations, which includes evaluation of student demand for programs and services and whether there are duplicate programs, among other factors,” administrators said Thursday.

When the merger took place last year, administrators released the following statement about the future of sports at Bloomfield College:

“For at least the next academic year, the Division II athletic programs of Bloomfield College of Montclair State University will continue to operate and compete, and will remain separate from Montclair State University’s athletic programs. Thereafter, a determination is dependent on the NCAA. We will continue to communicate updates as they become available through our regular communications channels.”

Bloomfield College of Montclair State University Chancellor Marcheta Evans said the school continues to evaluate its programs and operations to “ensure a sustainable model for the future.”

“Decisions like this are never easy, and we understand the emotions students and staff are feeling,” Evans said. “We will do all we can to ensure the athletic and academic progress of our students will not be impeded by this decision, and we thank our coaches for their leadership and contributions to these programs.”

• See Related: Montclair State, Bloomfield College Merger Finalized (What To Know)
• See Related: Some Staff Will Lose Jobs In Bloomfield College, MSU Merger: Report

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