Central Michigan University announced Tuesday that as part of its planning budget amid the coronavirus pandemic, it is eliminating its men’s indoor and outdoor track and field program, effective immediately.
The decision impacts 36 student-athletes and calls for the elimination of two full-time assistant coaching positions.
Scholarships for all men’s indoor and outdoor track and field athletes, including those who were enrolling for the fall 2020 semester, will be honored. Student-athletes are free to transfer to another college immediately without penalty.
“We did not make this decision lightly, but we are facing a new financial reality due to enrollment challenges and now COVID-19,” CMU Athletics Director Michael Alford said in a statement. “Hundreds of students have participated in this longstanding, successful program at Central Michigan, and we know this will impact them — and supporters of this program — greatly.
“My heart goes out to these student-athletes; I know this is incredibly difficult for them. We hope they continue their academic journeys at Central Michigan, but also wish them the best if they’re able to continue athletic pursuits elsewhere.”
The decision to drop men’s track and field leaves CMU with 16 intercollegiate sports programs: Men’s and women’s basketball, football, women’s soccer, women’s golf, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, women’s track and field, gymnastics, women’s lacrosse, softball and volleyball.
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