National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

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Apr 20, 2010 9:21:26 AM

UC Davis will eliminate four sports July 1 in an effort to address financial concerns caused by the national economic downturn.

Women's rowing, wrestling, men's swimming and diving, and men's indoor track and field will be cut, affecting 73 female student-athletes, 80 male student-athletes and the coaching staffs.

The reductions are expected to reduce costs by more than $5 million over the next five years. The athletics department already has instituted several across-the-board cost-savings measures, including employee furloughs, reduced travel and lost positions. Despite these measures, the department is running at a $1.4 million deficit for the current fiscal year.

Student-athletes in the affected sports will continue their annual grants-in-aid so long as they progress toward a degree. The school will assist student-athletes who wish to transfer.

Athletics Director Greg Warzecka said the decision, made by an eight-member team of faculty and staff, considered Title IX, NCAA and conference requirements and input from students, coaches and other sources.

The school will continue to offer 23 varsity sports, 14 for women and nine for men. The school last discontinued a sport in 1987 (men's gymnastics).

"What's happening here is a very real, very significant and very personal impact of the budget crisis in California and the resulting financial position of UC Davis," said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Greg Wood. "Our Aggie coaches and student-athletes are proud, talented and dedicated. Today, they are in mourning for teams and what those losses mean to them as individuals."