Cleveland State to Discontinue Wrestling Program and Two Other Sports

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Jan. 23, 2025) — Cleveland State University (CSU) has announced it will discontinue its three NCAA sport programs in wrestling, women’s golf and softball, following the approval of the CSU Board of Trustees at their meeting on January 23, 2025. CSU made the difficult decision to discontinue these sport programs at the conclusion of their respective seasons this academic year as part of a strategic effort, which began in 2023, to address budgetary shortfalls across the University. In addition to the discontinued programs, the CSU Board of Trustees approved relocating the University’s Esports program from CSU Athletics to CSU’s Washkewicz College of Engineering.

These recommendations resulted from a thorough review of CSU Athletics programs by a working group comprised of representatives from CSU Athletics, CSU faculty and the Cleveland community. The difficult decision to discontinue programs was made after careful consideration in keeping with the guiding principles that the working group identified, including aligning with CSU’s commitment to upholding a transformational student-athlete experience and positioning CSU Athletics for long-term success in the classroom, in the community and in competition.

“Over the past several years, one of our primary goals has been to restructure our financial model and to evaluate where our students are engaged academically, socially and competitively,” said CSU President Laura Bloomberg, PhD. “As a result, our athletics department, like many other departments at CSU, has had to make difficult decisions regarding the programs we offer.”

CSU has assured the impacted student-athletes that they will retain their athletic financial aid while they are students at CSU, and CSU Athletics will support student-athletes as they navigate this transition. Prior to the discontinuation of these three sport programs, CSU provided proportional athletics participation opportunities and expects to continue to do so after these changes.

“It is a tough day for Cleveland State Athletics,” said Kelsie Gory Harkey, director of CSU Athletics. “The student-athletes and coaches in the impacted programs have been an important part of the Cleveland State community, and the decision today is not a reflection of the commitment or passion they, our staff or our alumni have to our program.” She added that CSU will be doing everything it can to assist and support the student-athletes in deciding what is best for them to meet their academic and athletic needs.

Cleveland State has no plans to discontinue any of its remaining 15 athletic programs. CSU is an active, engaged member of the Horizon League athletic conference and is committed to participating in Division I Athletics.

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About Cleveland State University
Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution located in the heart of Northeast Ohio with 14,000-plus students, ten colleges and schools, and more than 175 academic programs. Find more information at csuohio.edu or contact pr@csuohio.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which sports have been discontinued? What does it mean if my sport has been “discontinued?”
CSU has announced it will discontinue NCAA sport programs in wrestling, women’s golf and softball. These sports will no longer be offered at CSU after their seasons in the 2024-25 academic year, and CSU will not recruit student-athletes into these sports moving forward.

Why is CSU discontinuing three sports?
Since 2023, Cleveland State University has been evaluating its program offerings in areas including academic affairs, student services and athletics, in an effort to address budgetary shortfalls across the University. CSU made the difficult decision to discontinue three athletic programs in order to align with its commitment to upholding a transformational student-athlete experience and positioning CSU Athletics for long-term success in the classroom, in the community and in competition.

Prior to the discontinuation of these three sport programs, CSU provided proportional athletics participation opportunities and expects to continue to do so after these changes.

How was this decision made?
This decision was made after a thorough review of CSU Athletics programs by representatives from CSU Athletics, CSU faculty and the Cleveland community. Following that review, recommended changes to CSU Athletics were approved by President Laura Bloomberg and the CSU Board of Trustees.

Why was this decision announced now?
CSU made the announcement now in order to provide as much time as it could to impacted student-athletes and coaches as they consider their next steps. CSU announced the discontinuation of these sport programs on the day that the CSU Board of Trustees approved these actions.

How many student-athletes and coaches are impacted by the decision to discontinue programs?
Approximately 60 student-athletes and seven coaches are impacted by this decision.

How is CSU providing support to impacted student-athletes?
Staff in CSU Athletics will assist impacted students in navigating this transition, including the transfer process. Impacted students who receive athletic financial aid will continue to receive aid while they remain students at CSU through current degree completion.

What will happen to the coaches and staff in impacted sports?
CSU’s Department of Human Resources will work with all impacted employees to address their needs and support their career transitions. CSU is grateful for the time, energy and enthusiasm of our coaches and athletic staff.

How will this decision impact incoming students in discontinued sport programs?
Staff in CSU Athletics will assist incoming students whose sports have been discontinued. Impacted incoming students will receive their athletic financial aid while they remain students at CSU through current degree completion.

Will CSU discontinue more sports?
Cleveland State University has no further plans to discontinue any additional athletic programs at this time.

If my sport has been discontinued, can I still compete?
Yes, student-athletes in discontinued sport programs will compete in their seasons as planned.

Can CSU and CSU Athletics fundraise to keep these sport programs?
Gifts to CSU and CSU Athletics are always appreciated and welcome. However, each sport program requires annual funding in perpetuity. The decision to discontinue these programs is final and would not be impacted by additional funding.

Why is Esports moving to the Washkewicz College of Engineering?
Due to its academic focus and emphasis on innovation, the Washkewicz College of Engineering is best positioned to support students in CSU’s Esports program.