Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts, a small private liberal arts institution founded in 1946, officially closed its doors this spring, leaving behind an almost empty campus and a community grappling with uncertainty. While most students and faculty have departed, the college’s baseball team continues to practice and compete, pursuing their first-ever Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) title amid the institution’s closure.

The college announced its immediate shutdown a few weeks before the end of the semester, a decision driven by years of declining enrollment and mounting financial challenges. Anna Maria had seen a 14 percent drop in enrollment between 2020 and 2024, a trend reflecting broader demographic shifts and declining birth rates that threaten the viability of many small private colleges across the United States. Experts project that over 400 private nonprofit institutions nationwide may close or merge in the next decade, intensifying pressure on student-athletes who rely on these schools to pursue both education and competitive sports.

Despite the campus’s near-deserted state—dormitories, dining halls, and classrooms mostly emptied—the approximately 40 members of the baseball team remain committed to finishing their season. The team, which has fielded players since 1986 without having won a conference championship, found itself on the cusp of its best performance yet this spring, aiming for an NCAA tournament berth as they entered the MASCAC tournament.

Jonathan Guardascione, a 20-year-old designated hitter leading the team, described the season as a balancing act between chasing a lifelong dream and confronting an uncertain future. For Guardascione and many of his teammates, transferring to another institution to continue playing collegiate baseball is a pressing concern. Unlike Division I programs, Division III athletes, like those at Anna Maria, often rely on academic grants rather than athletic scholarships, complicating transitions and financial aid situations when a college closes. Additionally, many will have to choose between continuing their sport and completing their education, a dilemma highlighted by higher education experts studying the impacts of college closures.

Dan Briand, who served as the team’s head coach for nine years, has remained a central figure supporting his players through the transition. With the school’s facilities cleared out and trophies removed, Briand sees his role shifting toward helping athletes navigate the uncertain landscape ahead. “It’s hard watching your guys knowing this might be the end of all of their playing days,” he said, acknowledging that opportunities to continue playing will be limited.

Many players have begun reaching out to other coaches and schools, with mixed prospects. Worcester State University expressed interest in the spring but communication has since stalled. Guardascione eventually secured a spot at Worcester State, where he can transfer most of his credits and continue both his education and athletic career, though he acknowledges this happens against the odds.

For other athletes and students, the path forward remains unclear. Some will transfer and continue their studies; others may stop attending college altogether, underscoring the human cost of institutional closures often treated as routine administrative matters. Anna Maria’s experience reflects a broader crisis in American higher education as demographic and economic pressures reshape the landscape, forcing many small colleges—and the communities they serve—to confront uncertain futures.