Iowa to end several sports programs after 2020-21 academic year due to revenue losses
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The coronavirus pandemic and financial strain for universities across the country, including the University of Iowa, is prompting the campus to discontinue several sports programs.
According to a letter posted on Hawkeye Sports, men’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s tennis programs will end after the 2020-2021 academic year.
These teams will have one more chance to play for the university, if the situation surrounding COVID-19 precautions allow them to do so.
The statement can be read in full here.
The letter is signed by University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld and Director of Athletics Gary Barta.
We are heartbroken for our student-athletes, coaches and staff. We also understand how disappointing this is for our letterwinners, alumni, donors and community members who have helped build these programs.
Harreld and Barta said all financial options and programs were carefully reviewed.
They say these issues were also considered among other factors:
-Sponsorship at the NCAA Division I level
-Impact on gender equity and Title IX compliance
-Expense savings
-History of the sport at Iowa
-Engagement level
The UI has faced many challenges in its history. We are confident these changes, while difficult, create a path forward for Iowa Athletics to remain self-sufficient and allow our remaining programs the opportunity for sustained excellence and fiscal stability
