University of Pittsburgh Director of Athleticsannounced today that women's tennis will be discontinued as an intercollegiate athletics program at the conclusion of its 2019 spring season."This was an extremely difficult decision that was reached only after considerable research and evaluation," Lyke said. "We have a responsibility to provide our student-athletes with the finest opportunities to compete and achieve at the highest levels. That, unfortunately, has not been the case with our women's tennis program. Our analysis concluded this is a hard but necessary decision to ensure the best student-athlete opportunities for growth and success in the future. I have personally pledged to each member of our tennis program that they will have our University's full support and assistance as they consider their future academic, athletic and personal pursuits.""These decisions are never taken lightly. They are also very difficult," Chancellorsaid. "We are attempting to balance what is best for the women in our tennis program with what is best for our University as a whole. And we've come to realize that continuing this program undermines our commitment to future student-athletes who should be receiving the highest quality opportunities to compete and win."Pitt's current tennis roster is comprised of seven student-athletes, four of whom are seniors. Each of the three underclassmen will be afforded the opportunity to remain on scholarship at Pitt provided they maintain academic eligibility in accordance with University and NCAA guidelines.Should the affected student-athletes desire to transfer, Pitt will assist them in their pursuit of academic and athletic opportunities at other institutions. The tennis program did not have any incoming prospects signed to National Letters of Intent for the 2019-20 academic year., head coach of Pitt women's tennis since 2013, is expected to remain with the program through the balance of the upcoming season.With the discontinuation of women's tennis, Pitt will field 18 intercollegiate sports programs for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years. This past November, Lyke announced that Pitt will sponsor women's lacrosse as a varsity sport beginning in 2021-22 Pitt last decreased its intercollegiate sports sponsorship following the 1994-95 academic year, when men's gymnastics and men's tennis were discontinued.