CHICAGO (August 31, 2018) – The University of Illinois at Chicago announced today that the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will reduce its sport offerings by two at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season.
The affected teams are men's and women's gymnastics. This shift in the department's sport offerings will impact 11 female student-athletes and 25 male student-athletes that will have eligibility beyond the 2018-19 season.
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This change will right-size the department for long-term sustained success and bring UIC's total sports sponsorship from 20 teams to 18. The other nine members of the Horizon League sponsored an average of 18 programs in 2017 according to NCAA data. NCAA Division I schools that do not sponsor football, such as UIC, support an average of 17 teams.
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Across the NCAA's Division I level, there are currently 15 active men's gymnastics programs. In that group, 86.7 percent are sponsored by either Power Five athletic departments (10) or U.S. Service Academies (3). There are 61 active NCAA Division I women's gymnastics programs. More than half, 54 percent, are sponsored by either Power Five athletic departments (32) or U.S. Service Academies (1). No Horizon League peer institution currently supports men's or women's gymnastics at the varsity level.
"This is an exceptionally difficult decision for all of us, and one that we have come to after careful thought and consideration," said UIC Chancellor
Michael Amiridis. "The reality is that the costs associated for varsity athletic teams to operate at a high level is rapidly rising with no sign of slowing down. Today is undoubtedly a challenging day for our student-athletes, coaches, alumni and all of us at UIC. We will make sure that all of those affected will be provided with our full support with whatever is needed in the days, weeks and months ahead."
"This is the most difficult decision I have had to make in my career as an athletic administrator," said UIC Director of Athletics
Garrett Klassy. "I know that it impacts many people who have invested much of their lives into UIC gymnastics and our entire athletic department. However, this was a move toward progress that needed to be taken.
"The landscape of college athletics is evolving at a rapid pace," said Klassy. "It is our responsibility to keep up with these changing times. We are choosing to take steps that will allow us to strengthen the overall well-being of our department and continue to grow our relevancy on local and national levels.
"We are committed to providing a world-class experience for our student-athletes complete with the resources necessary to compete for championships, receive a top education and prepare for life after UIC," said Klassy.
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"Our current model does not allow us to offer the tools to provide a positive experience for 20 teams and continuing to operate in such a way is irresponsible to all of our student-athletes.
"As currently constructed, we have limited space in our athletic training and strength and conditioning facilities," explained Klassy. "Our staff in all support areas is stretched thin and we must better utilize what we have in order to provide the championship-level experience that everyone at UIC deserves."
The outcome was reached by the Department of Athletics following an internal review of a comprehensive recommendation from an outside firm that was submitted in February 2017. In reaching this decision, UIC considered the following factors: budget, conference alignment, the right size of the department for sustained success, the facilities available to current and future student-athletes and the value of the overall student-athlete experience.
UIC will grant permission to all affected student-athletes to contact any other school for the purposes of transfer. The university will continue to honor all scholarships of impacted student-athletes who want to continue their studies at UIC and who remain eligible in accordance with departmental standards and policies.
Beginning in 2019-20, the UIC Athletic Department will sponsor the following 18 teams: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field (indoor and outdoor), men's and women's tennis, women's golf, softball, volleyball and baseball. All programs will compete as members of the Horizon League.
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