Tuesday, the university announced that it was restructuring its athletics program as part of its strategic plan to be more competitive at a national level.
The casualties of this move will be: the men’s indoor track and field, men’s outdoor track and field, and men’s golf teams. The change will impact one coach and 13 scholarship-supported student-athletes. The cuts are effective starting with the Fall 2012 semester.
Athletic Director Bill Hayes said they are asking the CIAA for waivers for the effected students who have scholarships. Hayes said even with the reduction of the three teams, WSSU athletics will still be above the minimum number of sports required for NCAA Division II and CIAA membership. He added that the elimination of these men’s teams will also improve the gender equity of the overall program.
“We have been trying to support 16 sports when the NCAA only requires that we field 10 teams,” Hayes explained. “If we want to be a DII national contender, then we need to focus our efforts on getting better at the things we do best.”
