Budget concerns force Michigan State to cut winter sport
Michigan State will be cutting the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs at the end of the 2020-21 academic year. The school released a statement on the matter on Thursday afternoon.
In a statement released by the school, athletic director Bill Beekman cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a major factor in the decision to cut the program. Other schools in the B1G have been forced to make cuts to programs in light of the financial fallout from the pandemic, as well.
“It’s forced us all to evaluate not only our current place, but also our prospects for the future. Michigan State Athletics is not immune from those calculations,” Beekman said. “Sadly, as a University and an athletic department, we’ve reached a decision that MSU Athletics will no longer sponsor men’s and women’s swimming and diving as varsity sports following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.”
According to the Detroit Free Press, the sport is the first to be cut by Michigan State University since it eliminated its men’s lacrosse program in 1996.