⁍ A gap in resources widened by the coronavirus pandemic is leading Stanford University to cut 11 varsity sports from the school’s athletics program in 2021.
⁍ The school says because of the costs associated with running 36 varsity sports teams, the athletics program has been carrying an economic deficit for years.
⁍ The Cardinal sports teams to be eliminated are men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling.

– Stanford University announced Wednesday it’s cutting 11 varsity sports—including men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball, and wrestling—in 2021, the San Jose Mercury News reports. “This is heartbreaking news to share,” the university says in an open letter. “These 11 programs consist of more than 240 incredible student-athletes and 22 dedicated coaches. They were built by more than 4,000 alumni whose contributions led to 20 national championships, 27 Olympic medals, and an untold number of academic and professional achievements.” The university says the cuts are necessary because of a financial deficit caused by the costs of running 36 varsity sports teams.