The proposal proposed redirecting the funds allocated to the Midland gridiron program to other athletic activities. Kitzelman thought this was laughable because the Council did not poll the student body before making the proposal, and the offer was premature.

The root of the issue may have been due to the football team being winless during the 1968 season. Kitzelman pointed to player ineligibility and losing some key players to other sports. Things did not improve in the 1969 season for Coach Kitzelman's team as they finished the year with a 1-7 record, good enough for a 4th place (of 6 teams) finish in the 1969 Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings. The football program continued in 1970, but Coach K left for the sidelines. Midland was 3-7 in 1970.

Losing isn't fun, even at an NAIA Division II school.

Source - The Midland Atchison, Kansas · Friday, March 28, 1969