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MARQUETTE -- The budget hasn't been finalized yet.  But a few weeks ago, in a continuing resolution, the B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarship program's funding at the USOEC in Marquette was cut.

More than 500 athletes have taken advantage of the scholarship since it began being funded in 2000.

For many of the student athletes at Northern Michigan University and at the three other training centers across the country, it would be impossible for them to continue to train for the Olympics while getting an education without those funds.

"Everybody's going to kind of have to think and reevaluate about what they want to do and what's most important to them," said USOEC athlete Mary Kelly.

Kelly also says many student athletes training at the USOEC would have to make a decision--either train or go to school--if funding from the B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarship program is cut.

"A lot of us actually train into our mid-twenties, early thirties, and really to try and start a life with no education at that point in time, it becomes pretty difficult," Kelly said.

And if the funds are not reinstated, it will have a significant impact on the USOEC’s budget, as well.

"We would lose approximately $350,000 a year in our budget, and that's more than 35 percent of our operating costs, so it would be a significant cut,” said USOEC Director, Jeff Kleinschmidt.  “Right now I’m not sure if the USOEC program could survive that cut."

If the USOEC program were to close its doors, 22 full-time jobs would be lost.  The closing would also have a devastating impact on Marquette.

"The local community would lose up to $28 million a year in a local economic impact," Kleinschmidt said. 

Many of the student athletes at NMU have written letters to our state's leaders in Washington, D.C. asking for the funds to be renewed.

If you would like to make your voice heard, USOEC Director Jeff Kleinschmidt asks that you do the same.