San Francisco State University has announced plans to cut three of its athletic teams in order to save $1 million per year. The typically non-revenue generating teams, men’s baseball, men’s soccer and women’s indoor track and field, were called “money-losing” by the university due to their collective $1.2 million of debt.
According to ABC7 News, “men’s baseball and soccer is slated to end on July 1, while women’s track and field will no longer compete the current indoor season and will shift its focus during the outdoor season to distance events.”
The cuts are in line with California’s proposed 7.95% budget reduction for state universities.
Lynn Mahoney, president of SFSU said in a statement, “While I am hopeful that budget reduction will be less than forecasted, we must continue to take many significant, often painful, steps to align our spending with the current enrollment and budget realities.”
SFSU athletic director Brandon Davis shared his disappointment with ABC7 News, saying, “It definitely hurts. It’s heartbreaking. There’s student-athletes’ soccer, track and field, all the athletes. We’re one big family, so it’s difficult to have to do this.”
Related: Student-Athletes File Complaint Against Sonoma State University
The cuts to SFSU come in the wake of Sonoma State University’s decision to cut the school’s entire athletic department back in January. Current Seawolves student-athletes, faculty and coaches have continued to protest the cuts by filing petitions and civil rights complaints.
While SFSU will retain its remaining ten athletic teams, the loss of men’s baseball, men’s soccer and women’s indoor track and field is tough news for the university sports community.
Head baseball coach, Vince Inglima told Golden Gate Xpress, “I’m optimistic that we can still do good things and have a positive impact on student-athletes as well as the campus and the community.” The news hits especially hard to the men’s baseball team coming off of their victory at last season’s NCAA Division II Western Regional Championships tournament.
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