FRESNO, Calif. - Due to recurring athletics department budget shortfalls and the State of California budget crisis, the Fresno State athletics department will be restructuring its sports offerings. The changes include eliminating the sports of men's soccer, the men's cross country and indoor track & field programs and the women's swimming & diving team. In addition, beginning in 2004-05, the school will offer women's golf as a varsity intercollegiate sport.

These changes will go into effect for the 2003-04 academic year and will save the department an estimated $557,000 in the first year. The athletics department must reduce expenses by a total of nearly $700,000 in order to submit a balanced budget to the university by next month's deadline.

"We had to make some extremely difficult decisions," said Scott Johnson, Director of Athletics. "Last year we made several administrative reductions and asked each of our departments and sports to cut 5 percent from their budgets. We felt at the time that was going help our budget. However, with the continuing economic troubles in the state, we have to create a plan that is going to help us be competitive in the future. I didn't feel like we could continue to water down all of our programs and expect them to remain competitive."

Fresno State will honor scholarship agreements for all affected student-athletes through the 2003-04 year. Beyond that, student-athletes may receive scholarships until their eligibility expires as long as they satisfy NCAA and WAC eligibility standards. The coaching contracts for those affected will also be honored.

"We are committed to make sure those individuals who are affected by these reductions will have a chance to retain their scholarship and graduate," said Johnson.

For the seventh consecutive year, the Fresno State athletics department has failed to post a balanced operating budget, including last year when significant budget cuts implemented failed to achieve the objective. Among the changes last year included slashing the budget and not hiring replacements for all open staff positions. In addition, several administrators were not replaced while current staff members assumed their responsibilities.

"Even after last year's cuts, we had such a small margin for error." Johnson said. "Our ticket revenue was less than expected. We had insurance and security costs rise significantly and unexpectedly. We can no longer continue to play shell games with a tight budget. We need to be realistic and address our problem. The problem is that we don't generate enough money to run the 20 sports we've been sponsoring. History proves that and it's time to take action and make the appropriate changes for the financial security of the athletics department."

The California State University system is expecting a $447 million budget reduction for 2003-04. Most areas on campus will undergo mandated budget cuts. In addition, a statewide tuition and fees increase is expected next year.

"We took a lot of things under consideration before making these changes," said Johnson. "We have a strong commitment toward equity and fairness and that will always be a consideration. These were also budget decisions implemented for the long-term growth and prosperity of our entire program."

Athletics Department Operating Budget Deficits

Fresno State Sports Recommendations

Projected Savings

Fresno State Participation Percentages

Fresno State Participation Projections

Fresno State Sports Offerings