Stanford University cuts 11 varsity sports programs due to coronavirus pandemic

Stanford is the first major program to make some tough decisions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The stability of college sports remains in the balance due to COVID-19, but even before the season begins, Stanford University made the virus’ impact very clear.

Of its 36 varsity sports programs, Stanford will cut 11 — 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 — after the 2020-21 academic year in what seems to be a permanent move due to the financial losses of the last few months and those expected for the future.

Very bluntly, Stanford stated, “The financial model supporting 36 varsity sports is not sustainable. The average Division I athletics program sponsors 18 varsity sports.” A problem did not come to the surface until the finances became one.

It is a massive blow to the nation’s premier collegiate athletic program, losing over 240 of its student-athletes and 22 coaches among sports that have accumulated a significant number of national trophies and success on the field.

What does Stanford’s move mean for other collegiate athletic programs?

It is also perhaps the direst sign yet of the impact of COVID-19 in college sports. Many ideas have been floated around for sports to continue amid the pandemic, fearing the repercussions of an absence of the most lucrative ones, notably football and basketball.

Most concerning, Stanford holds a significant endowment of almost $28 billion, which unfortunately can only be applied to specific places. Imagine how other schools with far less in comparison may suffer.

Some may see Stanford’s move as unique to a prestigious academic institution, but it values sports as highly as many others. We can expect numerous other schools to follow suit over the coming months, especially so if college football is sidelined for the upcoming year.