St. Cloud State University football, golf eliminated: Here's what we know

Anna Haecherl | SCTimes

Show Caption Hide Caption St. Cloud State cuts football, golf programs: 5 things to know St. Cloud State University announced it will eliminate football, men's golf and women's golf, and add men's soccer in fall 2020.

ST. CLOUD — St. Cloud State University announced Tuesday it will eliminate football, men's golf and women's golf, and add men's soccer in fall 2020. Here's what we know so far.

Why?

The university gave three reasons:

1. To align St. Cloud State athletics with Title IX requirements. An August ruling in federal court required the university to provide its female students with equitable opportunity to participate in athletics programs under the 1972 Title IX law that bars discrimination based on sex in federally funded education settings.

2. To ensure financial sustainability for the university and its athletics programs. Fall enrollment at SCSU was lower than projected and the university is facing a deficit of around $5.1 million for the fiscal year 2020. Changes in the athletics lineup will reduce athletic department budget shortfalls totaling $1.6 million over the last five years and will save around $1.25 million annually.

3. To ensure compliance with NCAA bylaws. Division II schools must sponsor a men's or mixed-gender and a women's sport in each of the three school seasons (fall, winter and spring). Men's soccer will fulfill this requirement for fall.

What about adding more women's programs?

The university said it considered adding women's programs, but none of the potential scenarios would have brought its athletics program into compliance with Title IX and address St. Cloud State's financial situation.

What about the student athletes?

Around 115 student athletes are affected by the program eliminations. The university will help student athletes who wish to transfer and honor scholarships for up to four years.

The football team had 98 players on its roster this year

There are eight women and eight men who play golf at St. Cloud State. It's a fall and spring sport. Golf will continue through the spring.

The teams have 20 scholarships; some of those scholarships are split or shared among more than one student.

What about students who have signed letters of intent?

National Letters of Intent are void if a sport program is discontinued.

What about the coaches and staff?

A total of nine staff — seven coaches and two graduate assistant coaches — will be affected.

Football coach Scott Underwood reacts to football cut St. Cloud State head football coach Scott Underwood responds to the recent news of the football program being cut

What will happen with Husky Stadium?

Husky Stadium will continue to be used by the university's women's soccer, softball, baseball and the new men's soccer teams. High school football games will still be held at the stadium.

How will this affect homecoming?

St. Cloud State men's hockey and volleyball are scheduled for home contests during the 2020 Homecoming weekend.

Why men's soccer?

Division II schools must sponsor a men's or mixed-gender and a women's sport in each of the three school seasons and men's soccer will fulfill this requirement for fall.

St. Cloud State said the sport is one of the fastest-growing and requires a lower level of staffing, scholarship and operational resources compared to football.

When will soccer start?

The university said it will begin an immediate search for a head coach and intends to begin play in fall 2020.