Apr 7, 2010 8:31:03 AM

Donors at Wisconsin-La Crosse have raised enough funds to ensure that the baseball team will remain as a varsity program for at least five more years.

Chancellor Joe Gow on Sunday said because of the generosity of two anonymous donors and fundraising organizers, the Eagles' baseball team will not be discontinued.

"Massive state budget cuts forced us to end funding for baseball at the close of the 2008-09 academic year, and it appeared that we would have to end a key program with a long and rich history," Gow said in a statement. "Fortunately, many private donors came forward, and thanks to their kindness, the UW-L baseball program is able to operate during the current year.

"It is very difficult to recruit talented players to UW-L if there is no assurance that the program will be here throughout the entire length of a student's career. That's why we're very fortunate to have a wonderfully committed couple who have assured us that the minimum funds needed for the next five years will be raised and provided."

Gow added that a group called "Friends of Baseball at UW-L" is being formed to attempt to keep the program funded permanently.

Gow praised the fundraisers' generosity but could not reveal their identity.

"I wish I could tell you the names of the couple who have come forward to make such a kind and extraordinary commitment to save UW-L baseball, but they want our attention to be focused on the future of Eagles baseball rather than upon themselves," Gow said. "This is a remarkable display of modesty that can serve as an inspiration to us all."