Wright State cuts 3 sports as part of budget reductions; seeks waiver to remain in Division 1

FAIRBORN — Wright State University announced that three intercollegiate sports, softball, and men’s and women’s tennis, would be cut effective immediately.

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The move effects 39 student athletes and six coaches and will free up around $2 million in the budget for the athletic department, the university announced in a media release Wednesday.

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A WSU spokesperson cited the university’s budget overhaul and restructuring efforts as part of the reason for the cuts.

“Wright State is implementing a multiyear plan that will stabilize operations in the midst of lower projected enrollments and declining state support. The current COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for all areas of the university to reduce expenditures,” the spokesperson said in the release.

The cuts will put Wright State below the threshold for Division 1 NCAA athletics. Those member institutions are required to sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven for women, or six for men and eight for women. The university said they are seeking a waiver to remain in compliance and part of Division 1 athletics.

The university will honor the scholarships of the student’s whose sports were cut, if they wish to continue their studies at Wright State. However, if the student-athlete wishes to transfer, they would be immediately eligible to play for another school.

“This is extremely difficult because of our strong belief that athletics is an integral part of the educational work we do at Wright State — the education of the whole person,” Bob Grant, Wright State Director of Athletics said in the release. “Our main focus now is supporting the students and coaches impacted by this decision.”

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