51ĀŅĀ× Board of Trustees Approves Recommendations to Reduce Athletics Budget
CLEVELAND, Ohio (Jan. 23, 2025) ā 51ĀŅĀ× (51ĀŅĀ×) has announced it will discontinue its three NCAA sport programs in wrestling, womenās golf and softball, following the approval of the 51ĀŅĀ× Board of Trustees at their meeting on January 23, 2025. 51ĀŅĀ× made the difficult decision to discontinue these sport programs at the conclusion of their respective seasons this academic year as part of a strategic effort, which began in 2023, to address budgetary shortfalls across the University. In addition to the discontinued programs, the 51ĀŅĀ× Board of Trustees approved relocating the Universityās Esports program from 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics to 51ĀŅĀ×ās Washkewicz College of Engineering.
These recommendations resulted from a thorough review of 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics programs by a working group comprised of representatives from 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics, 51ĀŅĀ× faculty and the Cleveland community. The difficult decision to discontinue programs was made after careful consideration in keeping with the guiding principles that the working group identified, including aligning with 51ĀŅĀ×ās commitment to upholding a transformational student-athlete experience and positioning 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics for long-term success in the classroom, in the community and in competition.
āOver the past several years, one of our primary goals has been to restructure our financial model and to evaluate where our students are engaged academically, socially and competitively,ā said 51ĀŅĀ× President Laura Bloomberg, PhD. āAs a result, our athletics department, like many other departments at 51ĀŅĀ×, has had to make difficult decisions regarding the programs we offer.ā
51ĀŅĀ× has assured the impacted student-athletes that they will retain their athletic financial aid while they are students at 51ĀŅĀ×, and 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics will support student-athletes as they navigate this transition. Prior to the discontinuation of these three sport programs, 51ĀŅĀ× provided proportional athletics participation opportunities and expects to continue to do so after these changes.
āIt is a tough day for Cleveland State Athletics,ā said Kelsie Gory Harkey, director of 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics. āThe student-athletes and coaches in the impacted programs have been an important part of the Cleveland State community, and the decision today is not a reflection of the commitment or passion they, our staff or our alumni have to our program.ā She added that 51ĀŅĀ× will be doing everything it can to assist and support the student-athletes in deciding what is best for them to meet their academic and athletic needs.
Cleveland State has no plans to discontinue any of its remaining 15 athletic programs. 51ĀŅĀ× is an active, engaged member of the Horizon League athletic conference and is committed to participating in Division I Athletics.
###
About 51ĀŅĀ×
Founded in 1964, 51ĀŅĀ× is a public research institution located in the heart of Northeast Ohio with 14,000-plus students, ten colleges and schools, and more than 175 academic programs. Find more information at csuohio.edu or contact pr@csuohio.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sports have been discontinued? What does it mean if my sport has been ādiscontinued?ā
51ĀŅĀ× has announced it will discontinue NCAA sport programs in wrestling, womenās golf and softball. These sports will no longer be offered at 51ĀŅĀ× after their seasons in the 2024-25 academic year, and 51ĀŅĀ× will not recruit student-athletes into these sports moving forward.
Why is 51ĀŅĀ× discontinuing three sports?
Since 2023, 51ĀŅĀ× has been evaluating its program offerings in areas including academic affairs, student services and athletics, in an effort to address budgetary shortfalls across the University. 51ĀŅĀ× made the difficult decision to discontinue three athletic programs in order to align with its commitment to upholding a transformational student-athlete experience and positioning 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics for long-term success in the classroom, in the community and in competition.
Prior to the discontinuation of these three sport programs, 51ĀŅĀ× provided proportional athletics participation opportunities and expects to continue to do so after these changes.
How was this decision made?
This decision was made after a thorough review of 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics programs by representatives from 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics, 51ĀŅĀ× faculty and the Cleveland community. Following that review, recommended changes to 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics were approved by President Laura Bloomberg and the 51ĀŅĀ× Board of Trustees.
Why was this decision announced now?
51ĀŅĀ× made the announcement now in order to provide as much time as it could to impacted student-athletes and coaches as they consider their next steps. 51ĀŅĀ× announced the discontinuation of these sport programs on the day that the 51ĀŅĀ× Board of Trustees approved these actions.
How many student-athletes and coaches are impacted by the decision to discontinue programs?
Approximately 60 student-athletes and seven coaches are impacted by this decision.
How is 51ĀŅĀ× providing support to impacted student-athletes?
Staff in 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics will assist impacted students in navigating this transition, including the transfer process. Impacted students who receive athletic financial aid will continue to receive aid while they remain students at 51ĀŅĀ× through current degree completion.
What will happen to the coaches and staff in impacted sports?
51ĀŅĀ×ās Department of Human Resources will work with all impacted employees to address their needs and support their career transitions. 51ĀŅĀ× is grateful for the time, energy and enthusiasm of our coaches and athletic staff.
How will this decision impact incoming students in discontinued sport programs?
Staff in 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics will assist incoming students whose sports have been discontinued. Impacted incoming students will receive their athletic financial aid while they remain students at 51ĀŅĀ× through current degree completion.
Will 51ĀŅĀ× discontinue more sports?
51ĀŅĀ× has no further plans to discontinue any additional athletic programs at this time.
If my sport has been discontinued, can I still compete?
Yes, student-athletes in discontinued sport programs will compete in their seasons as planned.
Can 51ĀŅĀ× and 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics fundraise to keep these sport programs?
Gifts to 51ĀŅĀ× and 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics are always appreciated and welcome. However, each sport program requires annual funding in perpetuity. The decision to discontinue these programs is final and would not be impacted by additional funding.
Why is Esports moving to the Washkewicz College of Engineering?
Due to its academic focus and emphasis on innovation, the Washkewicz College of Engineering is best positioned to support students in 51ĀŅĀ×ās Esports program.