The September announcement that the College of Santa Fe plans to revive its athletic program — largely dormant for the past two decades — came as a surprise to a lot of folks and left more than a few scratching their heads.

Could a small, financially struggling liberal arts college with fewer than 700 traditional students sustain collegiate sports teams? The administration's recent decision to cut some academic programs could leave skeptics even more confused.

Administrators have decided to move away from an overall liberal-arts approach and focus on creative art offerings. Will students interested in the school's moving-images or visual-arts offerings also want to play competitive soccer or tennis?

Stuart Kirk, the school's president, believes they will. He's so convinced, it's one of the key ways he hopes to increase enrollment, and with it, tuition revenue.

Kirk said the school based the decision on interest and support from some alumni and students as well as on the experiences of similar schools he said successfully added sports programs.

Although sports programs are widely recognized as a bridge with alumni for colleges and universities, the College of Santa Fe disbanded its previous athletic program — which included basketball and volleyball — in 1986. The administration at the time cited financial reasons for its decision.

Kirk estimates the school could make about $1 million in tuition during the 2008-09 school year as a result of adding sports.

The school has already hired an athletic director and plans to offer men's and women's soccer, tennis and golf, along with baseball and softball, in the 2008-09 school year. It will compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Kirk said it will cost the school about $300,000 — coming primarily from donors — for the first year. Those costs would grow in subsequent years, said Marcia Sullivan, vice president of administration and communication.

They admit they were skeptical about the idea when they first heard about it, but some faculty members said it's worth trying if it will mean more kids.

And since the programs would be supported by donor money, not school funds, it's worth the risk, they said.

"I've talked to my students, and some of them are excited about sports," said Rick Fisher, an art professor.

He conceded the school probably would not be a sports powerhouse, but it has the potential to attract more students — students like Tom Trudeau, perhaps.

Trudeau is a freshman majoring in politics and secondary education, but almost didn't come to the College of Santa Fe because he wanted to play soccer. "I actually gave up the opportunity to play soccer at other schools," Trudeau said. "It would be something that I would love to do."

Trudeau said he thinks adding sports is a good thing, even for students who won't be playing. "It's something that will create a very good community," he said. And other students "will still be able to support the teams," Trudeau said.

Contact John Sena at 986-3079 or jsena@sfnewmexican.com.