What process did the University use to reach this decision?
With the University athletics program running a significant annual operating deficit, the president and vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management created a task force to review budget challenges and propose a plan for a financially sustainable program. The task force met regularly throughout the summer of 2024 and submitted a proposal to the president in October 2024.
What teams are affected?
Baseball and men’s soccer are being eliminated as of July 1, 2025. Additionally, women’s track & field will no longer compete in the indoor season and will shift its focus during the outdoor season to distance events. For 2025-26, San Francisco State Athletics will consist of 10 NCAA Division II athletics teams primarily competing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
Who was on the Athletics Task Force?
- Director of Athletics
- Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities
- Faculty Member from the Department of Kinesiology
- Executive Director of Development for the Graduate College of Education and Gator Athletics
- Senior Fiscal Analyst for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
- Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
- Men’s Basketball Coach
- Administrative Analyst, Division of Student Life
- Interim Director of Campus Recreation
- Director, Dining & Event Services
- Head Women’s Basketball Coach
- Manager, Financial & Business Operations
- Director of Compliance, Athletics
The Task Force recommendations are public.
What other constituents were consulted?
The president, vice president for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management and/or the athletics director shared Task Force recommendation with the Extended Cabinet (which includes senate chair, chair of Staff Council and president of Associated Students), Associated Students, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the University Budget Committee, and the SFSU Foundation’s Committee on Athletics.
Are there other sources of revenue beyond the general fund (tuition and state dollars) that could be used to support these teams?
Gator Athletics is supported by general fund dollars and by a student fee. The IRA fee for athletics has remained unchanged for 15 years, despite growing costs and thus contributing to the difficulty in maintaining a robust athletics program.
For several years, the University has been working on increasing philanthropic support for Gator Athletics. While we have had great success at raising philanthropic dollars to support our academic programs (like the recent $25 million campaign for the Science & Engineering Innovation Center or the endowed chair on Asian-American Studies), we have not seen the donor interest materialize at the level needed to sustain these three teams.
How were the three teams chosen?
The review to determine which teams to eliminate included minimizing the number of students impacted, the cost to maintain the team and its facilities, the availability of sports within our athletic conference (CCAA), and availability of alternatives like robust club sports.
How will the 44 potentially returning student athletes impacted by this decision be supported?
We will maintain our commitment to the scholarships for continuing student-athletes. We will also assist those who wish to use the transfer portal to identify opportunities to transfer elsewhere to continue playing.
How much money does the University project will be saved?
The total savings will be between $800,000 and $1 million annually.