Birmingham-Southern College, a private liberal arts institution in Alabama, has faced financial challenges recently and is set to close on May 31. However, its baseball team has continued to excel in the DIII College World Series. The Panthers are scheduled to play in the World Series in Eastlake, Ohio on May 31 after defeating Denison University 7-6 on Saturday. Formed in 1918 as a result of a merger between Southern University and Birmingham College, Birmingham-Southern has 1,283 students and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Despite its strong academic reputation, the college has been struggling financially for some time. Increased operating costs and decreased revenues have taken their toll on the institution’s finances. These challenges were further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic when colleges lost expected revenue from housing and meal plans due to lockdowns and restrictions. Despite attempts to secure a $30 million loan from the state, the college was unable to secure funding. Alabama treasurer Young Boozer III opposed using taxpayer money to bail out the college, arguing that the financial problems stemmed from poor management by the school’s administration and board of trustees. In March, the board of trustees voted unanimously to close down Birmingham-Southern College.
However, despite these challenges, there remains hope for Birmingham-Southern’s baseball team as they continue to compete in the DIII College World Series. A GoFundMe page has been created to assist with travel expenses and championship rings for the team. By mid-afternoon on Sunday
