Yes, it is heartbreaking and I think Johnson and crew pulled a fast one and sacrificed these sports.  But ... I have to wonder if the UAA ski team coaches deserve some blame.  Look at the ski team roster: http://www.goseawolves.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13400&SPID=6369&SPSID=58420

23 skiers on the UAA ski teams, and only 1 Alaskan.  Having so many non-Alaskans on a UAA ski team can't help their cause.  They likely should have recruited more Alaskans.  If only one Alaskan skier loses a scholarship, that makes it too easy to cut a program.