Northeastern will not sponsor football in 2010, school officials announced this week.

“Our goal for athletics is to achieve sustainable excellence in all areas,” said Athletics Director Peter Roby, who was part of a group that recommended the cut. “We do not define success merely through wins and losses. Instead, we recognize that success comes from creating a positive student-athlete experience. The primary motivation for this decision was based on the significant obstacles to providing this experience for our football players.”

Players who complete their degrees at Northeastern will maintain their scholarships through graduation. Players and coaches were notified of the decision after a November 21 victory over Rhode Island.

A group of university representatives from all constituencies at Northeastern began studying the Huskies athletics program in early 2007 and determined that sustaining a competitive Division I football program would require additional, regular multimillion-dollar investments. The group ultimately decided that discontinuing football and focusing resources on academic and nonacademic programs was the right choice for the school.

“Successful athletics programs play a powerful role in the life of the university,” said Philomena Mantella, who as senior vice president for enrollment management and student affairs oversees athletics. “They bring us together behind the common pursuit of excellence and contribute to our sense of community. Our student-athletes learn valuable lessons outside the classroom – about perseverance, teamwork and personal achievement. We continue to focus on excellence in athletics as an integral component to enhancing the student experience.”

Northeastern is a member of Colonial Athletic Association in Division I’s Football Championship Subdivision. It will continue to sponsor 18 sports at the varsity level.