Saint Leo announces discontinued athletic teams, student support
Saint Leo University informed student-athletes last week that six of the university’s NCAA DII teams will be discontinued after the Spring Semester. Student-athletes are receiving support through this transition, retaining their academic merit scholarships and receiving additional scholarships that will help toward their tuition.
A total of 72 student-athletes compete on the following six discontinued teams: men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s track. Of those 72 students, 24 will be graduating this spring.
This decision was made to help ensure the strength and long-term vitality of the university’s Athletics program and is a part of Saint Leo University’s larger efforts to streamline and focus its program offerings.
“For the past two decades, the university has provided a championship experience for 19 sports,” said Fran Reidy, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, speaking about how the university has helped many of its 21 teams compete at a level of excellence. “The university is committed to providing this same great experience for our student-athletes, but will need to do so with a smaller number of teams.”
Athletics staff, as well as staff in Student Affairs, have been available to support students during this transition—whether they choose to stay or leave the university.
In the 2023-2024 academic year, Saint Leo University will be home to the following 14 NCAA DII teams that compete in the Sunshine State Conference. These will include beach volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, and volleyball. The university also sponsors a 15th sport, acrobatics and tumbling, which competes in the National Acrobatics and Tumbling Association.
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