Stanford's status as one of the top athletic programs in the country is about to take a serious hit as the program announced it will cut 11 different varsity sports following the 2020-21 athletic season.
In an open letter from Stanford's leadership, including president Marc Tessier-Lavigne provost Persis Drell and director of athletics Bernard Muir, the university announced that it will be cutting 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.
"This is heartbreaking news to share," Stanford's leadership said in an open letter. "These 11 programs consist of more than 240 incredible student-athletes and 22 dedicated coaches. They were built by more than 4,000 alumni whose contributions led to 20 national championships, 27 Olympic medals, and an untold number of academic and professional achievements. Each of the individuals associated with these programs will forever have a place in Stanford’s history."
Athletes in all 11 sports will be allowed to compete in one last season before the sport is dropped – provided COVID-19 conditions permit – and Stanford will honor all existing scholarships to the student-athletes throughout their undergraduate time at Stanford.
Before the cuts, Stanford sponsored 36 different varsity sports. The only athletic program in the country that currently sponsors more varsity sports is Ohio State with 37.
In the open letter, Stanford explained that its model for supporting 36 varsity sports was not sustainable, with a projected deficit of more than $12 million in 2021, and that "the COVID-19 pandemic and associated recession have only exacerbated the gap."
Stanford has long enjoyed its position as one of the top athletic programs in the country, winning the Director's Cup, given annually to the nation's top-performing athletic department, for the past 25 years. After cutting 11 sports, that title is in serious jeopardy.
