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App State Athletics Announces Program Changes; Discontinuing the Varsity Sports of Men’s Soccer, Men’s Tennis and Men’s Indoor Track & Field

 

In response to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to position App State Athletics for future success, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Tuesday that the department is reducing its operating budget and discontinuing the varsity sports of men’s soccer, men’s tennis and men’s indoor track & field.

Effective immediately, the three sports are being discontinued following a detailed review of the university’s sport offerings and the long-term budget implications of supporting the current number of student-athletes. The decision was supported Tuesday by Chancellor Sheri Everts and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.

“This is a very difficult day for the entire App Family,” Gillin said. “Our mission is to guide and support our student-athletes in their quest for excellence academically, athletically and socially. After careful and thoughtful review, we determined that we could no longer sustain 20 program offerings in a fiscally responsible manner. Since the move to FBS, App State has sponsored the most sports in the Sun Belt and among the most in the Group of Five. This will bring us in line with most of our peer institutions.

“We appreciate everyone who has supported these Mountaineer programs over the years, including current and former coaches, current and former student-athletes, their families, donors and fans. Your legacy is important to us.”

Scholarships will be honored for affected student-athletes who wish to return to App State, as well as for incoming signees. The department will provide support to student-athletes who would like to transfer to another institution.

With the change, App State will now sponsor 17 NCAA Division I sports (seven men’s sports and 10 women’s sports). The Mountaineers will continue to compete in men’s cross country and men’s outdoor track & field.

Sport reductions are part of a 20 percent overall reduction to the athletics department’s budget for fiscal year 2021, which equates to an approximate $5 million reduction. In mid-March, the department limited all remaining operating expenses for fiscal year 2020, which ends June 30.

Gillin also announced that current athletics staff openings will not be filled, and the athletics department is exploring additional personnel actions, with guidance from the university.

“We take all these measures with heavy hearts, but with the long-term sustainability of App State Athletics at the forefront,” Gillin said. “The App Family is known for its strength and resilience. This is a pivotal moment for App State Athletics. It is in this moment that we must take responsible action to ensure our athletics department’s ability to fulfill our purpose and mission for years to come.”

Message from Doug Gillin, Director of Athletics

App Family,
 
Today we announced an extremely difficult decision to discontinue three of our intercollegiate varsity sports – men’s soccer, men’s tennis and men’s indoor track & field – as well as other aggressive cost-cutting measures.
 
We take these measures with heavy hearts. After a detailed review and in consultation with Chancellor Everts and the Board of Trustees, we determined that these actions are necessary to weather the current financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to position App State Athletics for long-term sustainability.
 
Our mission is to guide and support our student-athletes in their quest for excellence academically, athletically and socially. We can no longer sustain 20 program offerings to pursue this mission in a fiscally responsible manner. By taking these measures, we move closer to our conference peers in the number of sports we sponsor, and we make significant progress toward the projected $5+ million operating deficit we face in fiscal year 2021.
 
I want to thank each of the young men who chose to be Mountaineers and committed to giving their all for App State. They have put forth great effort in the classroom and in competition and have represented App State the right way. These decisions are the hardest an athletics director will have to make. We thoroughly considered all options during the decision-making process in these unprecedented circumstances we’re facing.
 
We will honor scholarships for those who wish to return to App State and will provide support to those who would like to transfer to another institution. We are announcing these decisions now to allow affected student-athletes and staff time to pursue other opportunities before the next school year begins.
 
We appreciate everyone who has supported these Mountaineer programs over the years, including current and former coaches, current and former student-athletes, their families, donors and fans. Your legacy is important to us.
 
The App Family is known for its strength and resilience. This is a pivotal moment for App State Athletics. It is in this moment that we must make hard decisions and take responsible action to ensure our athletics department’s ability to fulfill our purpose and mission for years to come.
 
Sincerely,
 
Doug Gillin
Director of Athletics