Iowa To Discontinue Four Sports Programs

The coronavirus pandemic has canceled more of our normal activities.  This time, it's canceled them till further notice.

The University of Iowa announced that at the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year  men’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s tennis will all be discontinued.

In an open letter, President Bruce Harreld and Gary Barta, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a financial exigency which threatens our continued ability to adequately support 24 intercollegiate athletics programs at the desired championship level. With the Big Ten Conference’s postponement of fall competition on August 11, UI Athletics now projects lost revenue of approximately $100M and an overall deficit between $60-75M this fiscal year. A loss of this magnitude will take years to overcome. We have a plan to recover, but the journey will be challenging.

The four programs will have the opportunity to compete in their upcoming 2020-21 seasons.  All existing scholarships will be honored through graduation for those student-athletes who choose to remain at Iowa. The contracts of affected coaches will be honored.

In the open letter Harreld and Barta discuss the financial challenges and state that while they appreciate all their donors, the decisions are final.