Indiana State will terminate its men’s and women’s tennis programs immediately. 

The decision, based on an institution-wide budget crunch, leaves the Sycamores with 14 NCAA sports, six for men and eight for women.

“This was a very difficult and much-discussed decision,” said Athletics Director Ron Prettyman. “I want to thank our tennis student-athletes, coach Malik Tabet and coach Martha Montoya for their efforts and dedication to Sycamore athletics and Indiana State University.”

Prettyman said the decision to cut the program would reduce the athletics budget proportionate to other reductions throughout the university. It also affects the fewest people.

“It allows for maintenance of operations budgets in other sponsored sports, which is critical to our future success,” he said. “We reviewed several options before reaching this conclusion.”

The school will honor scholarships agreed to for the 2009-10 academic year and will assist student-athletes who wish to transfer.