Saints were 0-11 this season

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Siena dropped its football program Wednesday after a meeting with athletic staff and college administrators.

The decision to cut the NCAA Division I-AA program affects 69 students, two full-time coaches and three part-time coaches. Siena plans to honor the terms of the coaches' contracts, and assist any student wishing to continue his football career elsewhere.

The Saints were 0-11 last season.

The $200,000 the school spent on the non-scholarship program will be dispersed to others areas, including coaching, athletic academic advising, sports medicine and general recreation.

"In light of the college's strategic plan, enhancing the football program is not in line with the athletic department's or the college's strategic direction," athletic director John D'Argenio said. "Our focus now is to accommodate the student athletes and coaches."

Rich Ensor, commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, said the NCAA requires six members to be classified as a I-AA football league, so the loss of Siena means the MAAC will be reclassified as I-AAA.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press

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