Menlo College students rally to save football program

ATHERTON, Calif. (KGO) -- It is a decision that has stunned a small, mid-Peninsula college.

At the quad at Menlo College in Atherton, there was a last-ditch effort to save the football program, which was cut earlier this month.

Student Bianca Magpayo from Hayward says, "It was something that we looked forward to every Saturday."

On Super Bowl Sunday, Menlo College Trustees, in consultation with the president and the athletic director, announced the elimination of the football program.

Players and coaches say they were blindsided.

"As we found out, the entire student body found out, which I thought was really unprofessional, cause if you're going to do something, as far as cut our football program, the least you can do is tell us to our face, that this is what the situation is, before you release it to the entire school," said Marcus Mosi, a Menlo College football player.

Mark Grieb, former head football coach, said, "I didn't have any inkling that it was coming. I was definitely shocked by the phone call that I got."

College officials declined to speak on camera. But they did say scheduling issues as well as finances led to their decision. As California's only National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Football program, expenses have nearly tripled over the last five years, partly due to travel and insurance.

But many students say it was money well spent.

"I mean, it's not just another sport, this is huge. It's a seventh of the school's population they're diminishing and the admission numbers are going to go down. So from a business prospective, that's a poor decision," explained student Monica Montanari.

Montanari helped organize Friday's rally. "We can't just let that go without a fight," she said.

Some athletes have already transferred out, while others are waiting until the end of the school year.

Students say saving the program may be an uphill battle, but one they're willing to take on.

An online petition has already collected more than 1,700 signatures. Organizers hope to get that number up in the coming weeks.