WINONA, Minn. — Little did Saint Mary's University nordic ski coach John Skemp realize that the recent regional championships not only marked the final chapter in the 2002-2003 season, but it also marked the final chapter in the sport's history at SMU.

Citing lack of participants, snow and competition as the main issues, Saint Mary's University athletic director Chris Kendall announced Wednesday that the school is dropping nordic skiing as a varsity sport.

"At this time, we just don't feel we can justify keeping it as a varsity sport," explained Kendall. He noted that dwindling numbers over the past five years — from highs of seven members on the men's and women's teams in 1998-1999, to just one athlete this year — was certainly a contributing factor, as was the fact that the MIAC no longer recognizes nordic skiing as a championship sport. "This year, we only had one individual competing, and because of the lack of snow in the area, we spent far too much time traveling to places like the upper peninsula of Michigan to compete."

Kendall added that it is the school's plan to continue to offer nordic skiing as a club sport, while Skemp will continue on as SMU's head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach.

With the elimination of nordic skiing, Saint Mary's now competes at the varsity level in 19 sports, including baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, hockey, soccer, swimming/diving, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track on the men's side, and hockey, basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, volleyball, and indoor and outdoor track for women.