University of Northern Colorado Athletics
UNC Discontinues Tennis Programs
6/24/2020 12:27:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
The University of Northern Colorado discontinues the men's and women's tennis programs as a part of athletics cost saving measures.
GREELEY, Colo. - The University of Northern Colorado announced Wednesday that, as a part of overall cost-saving efforts enacted as a result of budget shortfalls related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is reducing the number of sponsored intercollegiate athletic programs to 17 sports (9 women's, 8 men's). Effective July 1, 2020, the men's and women's tennis programs will be discontinued.Â
The reduction of intercollegiate sports programs is one of many cost-saving measures the athletics department will implement as part of an ongoing university-wide analysis. Other moves include department and sport budget reductions, regional scheduling and travel efficiencies for all sports, and furloughs. The university projects to save over $500,000 in combined savings from the Athletics' cost-saving measures to date. Â
"This is one of the most excruciating decisions you can be involved in as an athletics director," said Darren Dunn, Director of Athletics. "There is no right time or easy way to come to this conclusion. Many factors were involved in arriving at this difficult choice, one we had to make for the long-term sustainability of our athletics department. Unfortunately, due to facility and budget limitations, we cannot provide a championship experience for our tennis student-athletes."Â
In addition to the financial commitment and impact on the university, the availability and location of tennis facilities were factors in the decision. UNC does not have an indoor facility either on campus or in close proximity, which resulted in the teams frequently traveling to south Denver for practice and matches. The Big Sky Conference recently gave member institutions more flexibility in regards to which sports they must sponsor, allowing this decision to be made without changing UNC's status as a full-time member of the league and bringing the university more in-line with other conference peers.Â
"UNC is committed to providing support to our student-athletes and coaching staff who are impacted by this difficult decision and we are working with them to provide assistance, whether it is here at UNC or elsewhere," said UNC President Andy Feinstein. "We are grateful for our student-athletes, fans, alumni and donors, who have supported the tennis programs and the lasting legacy it leaves for UNC athletics."
The university will honor all scholarships of affected student-athletes who continue their studies at UNC. Under NCAA transfer rules, student-athletes are immediately eligible to compete for another institution and UNC will support them during the transfer process.Â
