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UB cuts four athletic teams effective after the spring season

Posted at 9:43 AM, Apr 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-03 17:49:31-04

The University at Buffalo announced Monday morning it is taking away four of its intercollegiate athletic programs at the end of the spring.

UB's total sports sponsorship will be reduced from 20 to 16. The teams getting cut are men's baseball, men's soccer, men's swimming and diving and women's rowing.

The 16 sports remaining include: football, softball, women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, wrestling, women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, women's soccer and men' and women's track and field (indoor and outdoor).

"This has been a very difficult decision made only with extensive deliberation," said UB President Satish Tripathi. "The unfortunate reality is that we no longer have the resources to support 20 competitive Division athletic teams. I know that this is a difficult day for our student-athletes, our coaches and the entire athletics program and university. We will work very hard to provide our student-athletes and coaches who are impacted by this decision with the support they need."

The decision to reduce the number of teams at the university better aligns the school with its Mid-American Conference peers in regards to the types and total numbers of sports teams sponsored by the university. According to the NCAA rules for Division I FBS schools, the university must sponsor football, men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball.

According to Athletics Director Allen Green, deciding which teams to cut was based on a comprehensive review and analysis of the athletic department's budget and programs. Rising costs affecting athletics programs nationwide was also considered.

The university says it also considered program costs, athletic facilities, Title IX, geographic location and a comparison of sports in the Mid-American Conference.

UB says student-athletes affected by this change have permission to contact other schools to transfer and will release any national letter of intent signee who decides to pursue other intercollegiate athletic opportunities.

For all those student-athletes affected but who choose to continue their studies at UB, the university says it will honor their national letters of intent and scholarships.