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Wanna go to March Madness? Better pony up.
The University of Antelope Valley in California saw both of its basketball teams qualify for their respective conference tournaments, but there’s a problem: The school is closing. Jordan Mast, the men’s coach at the NAIA school, told ESPN he has until Sunday to raise $40,000, or both teams’ seasons will be canceled.
Mast said he was aware of the school’s financial struggles but didn’t realize their severity until school officials notified him last week. Students have until Sunday to leave their dorms and team facilities. No alternate housing has been offered for the affected athletes.
“All we know is we’re supposed to be out by Sunday,” Mast told ESPN.
Mast said school officials gave him the green light to try to fundraise, and it appears both teams will be playing in March. The GoFundMe page for the effort is $45,400 as of Monday afternoon. Mast said he was told by the school $40,000 would cover both teams in their respective postseason tournaments and that if he didn’t raise enough for both programs, they would be taken out of their respective tournaments.
The UAV men’s team has already won the Cal Pac Conference championship, which gives it an automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament. The women’s team will clinch a conference championship if it beats Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Saturday. Even if it loses, the women’s team will still have the chance to win its conference tournament and secure a berth.
