When freshman Jeff Kent committed to run cross country at Ball State, he thought he would be here for four years.
But his first season with the team became his last.
As a senior at Valparaiso High School, he choose Ball State because of the bond between the runners and the promise the team showed.
In late July, however, Kent discovered that his sport was the victim of budget cuts by the university. This would be cross country's last year at Ball State.
"At first, I felt like I was misled," Kent said. "It came as a surprise to the coach and the team and everyone else. But I know coach (Jim) Trautmann, and I know he wouldn't (mislead) me."
When he was recruited by then head-coach Jim Sprecher and assistant coach Trautmann, he was told that track, Kent's other sport, could be cut. But he was assured that cross country would be safe.
"I was very honest," Trautmann said. "I didn't want to mislead them. I told them track was on the line to be cut, but cross country was safe because cross country was safe.
"No one had ever mentioned cross country as a potential cut. Then, it's a month before the season started, when it's too late to make a decision. All the sudden, now cross country was cut.
"They were completely mislead by the university, and I feel horrible about that."
What made the news worse for Kent was that he had other schools recruiting him. He was offered scholarships from Eastern Michigan and Bellemont in Nashville, Tenn., schools where he could have ran all four years.
Although Kent knew he could only run for one year, he said Ball State was still his No. 1 choice. He said he chose the university for academics as well as athletics.
"I chose Ball State because of the running program, the team and their bond," Kent said. "And academically, I know it's a really good school. I really wouldn't want to go to any other school. If I went to any other school, it would be Bellemont, but they didn't have the major that I'm doing (criminal justice)."
From a coach's perspective, Trautmann said he is upset because this year's freshman class has potential to compete for the top positions on the team. Now, the six new runners are forced to take their skills elsewhere after this season or stop competing collegiately.
"We've finally built the program's reputation up to where we can get a real good freshman class, and we got a really good freshman class this year," Trautmann said. "There are three freshman that are going to challenge to be in our top five scorers. (Monday), we had our first difficult workout, and a freshman finished in our top three."
Kent said he'll use this season to improve his running and possibly transfer to another school next year. That is the best thing Kent can do, Trautmann said. This year will be beneficial for Kent, Trautmann said, because he can improve his stock and move on to a better program.
"This year he can basically build up his resume and be worth probably more money next year as a transfer," Trautmann said. "So it may work out to his advantage. The disadvantage is he may lose some credits when he transfers.
"And you like to go through all four years on the same collegiate team with the same people. You build up a bond, and that bond is going to be ripped apart. They're going to be torn to all different teams, and that sucks."
Kent said he wants to run competitively throughout college, but to do so, he must leave Ball State after this season.
He said, however, that his plans may change.
"I'd like to continue running," Kent said. "That's my plan, but I may change my mind. If I decide to stick with (cross country), I'll transfer. If not, I'll definitely stay."
Kent is staying optimistic, though what could be his only season of NCAA cross country starts Friday.
And although running has been taken away from him, he said this season will give him a unique opportunity.
"I think it's kind of cool to be part of the last team in Ball State history," Kent said. "I just look at everything in a positive way and try to make the best out of it."
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