Stanford announces 11 varsity sports have been discontinued by the school
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The economic impact of the coronavirus has hit Stanford’s athletics programs.
That’s the latest out of northern California as the school announced on Wednesday that 11 varsity sports are being discontinued effective by the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year.
Stanford had 36 varsity sports programs prior to this news. This decision will affect 240 student-athletes and 22 coaches.
The programs cut by Stanford churned out 20 national championships and 27 Olympic medals during their run at the school.
Here is a portion of the lengthy statement issued by Stanford on Wednesday:
“In consultation with the Board of Trustees, we have made the decision to reduce the breadth of our athletics programs and staffing. Stanford will discontinue 11 of our varsity sports programs at the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year: men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling. All of these teams will have the opportunity to compete in their upcoming 2020-21 seasons, should the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 allow it, before they are discontinued at the varsity level. Regretfully, 20 of our support staff positions are being eliminated as part of this realignment.”
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
