Delaware State will eliminate its wrestling program at the end of the 2008-09 academic year. President Claibourne D. Smith cited financial constraints and academic performance as  factors.

“Dropping the wrestling program was a very difficult decision influenced by several factors,” Smith said. “Like a number of programs around the nation being discontinued in these economic times, it is with regret that the university can no longer field a wrestling program adequate to university and NCAA expectations.”

Student-athletes receiving athletics aid will continue to receive the same dollar amount if they maintain good academic standing for the 2009-10 academic year. The school will also support any student-athlete who wishes to transfer.

Acting Athletics Director Candy Young-Sanders said state budget cuts further squeezed the department’s ability to supply resources needed to fix problems in the wrestling program. Young-Sanders also noted that the team had not achieved to expectations nor progressed in the Academic Performance Program, pointing out that even two years of perfect scores would not allow the team to avoid serious penalties.

Eliminating wrestling will also narrow Delaware State’s gender-equity percentages, Young-Sanders said.

The school sponsors 17 other sports.