Massachusetts will eliminate its men’s and women’s skiing teams beginning with the 2010 season.

The department will also make administrative reductions, cut operating costs and use other sources to make up for an $850,000 shortfall.

“This is an extremely difficult decision,” Athletics Director John McCutcheon said. “The skiing programs have been a big part of the athletics history at UMass. We want to recognize the contributions that those associated with the programs – both past and present – have made to the university.”

Both teams will transition to club status. The decision is the result of a review of all sports, including issues such as gender equity, Title IX compliance, competitive aspirations and NCAA and conference membership requirements. The Minutemen and Minutewomen last participated in the NCAA championship in 1997, finishing 18th.