Washington eliminated its men’s and women’s swimming programs in an effort to save up to $1.2 million, nearly half of the budget reduction the department is required to make.

Washington’s athletics department does not receive a subsidy from the university.

“Discontinuing a sport is one of the most difficult decisions we face in college athletics,” Athletics Director Scott Woodward said. “We have a number of serious issues that have arisen out of the recent economic crisis. It is with great regret that we are discontinuing our swimming programs, and we will do everything possible to assist the student-athletes and coaches who are affected.”

The department will honor existing scholarship agreements and assist student-athletes who wish to transfer.

The change leaves Washington with 21 sponsored sports and the Pacific-10 Conference with five men’s and eight women’s swimming programs. Washington does not have an on-campus facility that meets requirements for hosting intercollegiate competition. The school also does not sponsor diving, which puts the team at a competitive disadvantage in conference and NCAA meets that include both swimming and diving.