
Wright State University announced Friday morning that it is cutting it’s women’s and men’s swimming and diving programs “effective immediately.”
Located outside of Dayton, Ohio, Wright State’s women finished seventh in the eight-team Horizon League championships this year, and the men were fourth out of seven teams. But the program will cease to exist immediately. All student-athletes will be allowed to transfer without penalty, and scholarships will continue to be honored.
Both the University of Buffalo and the University of North Dakota have cut their swimming programs this spring, leaving athletes little time to find an institution to transfer to. Wright State swimmers wishing to continue their careers will be at an even greater disadvantage, as their news did not break until late May.
Wright State University announced today that Intercollegiate Athletics will implement cost-cutting measures that will eliminate men’s and women’s swimming & diving, effective immediately.
Athletics expects to save approximately $500,000 annually in scholarship costs, salaries, team budgets, travel and facility maintenance, once all of the cutbacks are fully realized. The department will continue to honor the financial aid of all student-athletes affected until they graduate. These student-athletes will be permitted, by NCAA rules, to transfer to another institution without penalty.
“This is the most difficult decision I have been involved with since it will have such a large impact on the lives of our student-athletes and staff,” Wright State director of athletics Bob Grant said. “These student-athletes have been great ambassadors for the University, in and out of competition.”
“We have spent the past few months working with the University leadership to find ways to help with the financial crisis on campus,” Grant said. “Unfortunately, in these difficult times, we need to do what is in the long-term, best interests of the University.”
Grant met with the coaches involved in the decision yesterday, and the student-athletes were informed this morning.
Read the full press release from Wright State here:
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