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Today at noon, George Washington University joined the list of NCAA institutions that have reduced their athletic offerings by removing seven teams from varsity status. Among the sports being cut by the university is the men’s indoor track and field program.
The university will continue offering men’s cross country and outdoor track as well as all three seasons for their women’s teams. The Colonials compete as part of the Atlantic-10 Conference.
All seven sports being removed from varsity status will be allowed to compete at a varsity status for their 2020-2021 seasons, “if it becomes safe to do so, but they will be discontinued at the conclusion of their respective seasons,” according to the official GW Athletics Statement.
All scholarships associated with these sports will continue to be honored through the graduation of the affected student-athletes.
George Washington joins Central Michigan, Akron, and UConn (amongst others) that have disbanded a men’s cross country or track and field team in 2020. The university cited a $200 million gap between "expected revenues and expenses" due to the financial impact of COVID-19 as a reason behind the demotion of these sports from varsity status.
The complete list of sports removed from varsity status includes the NCAA sports of men’s indoor track, men’s tennis and women’s water polo.
The non-NCAA varsity sports of men’s and women’s squash, men’s rowing, and sailing have also been demoted to club status, although this will not affect the sport’s ability to compete in the highest level of inter-collegiate competition offered in those sports.
It should be noted that George Washington does not sponsor football as a varsity sport.