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Cuts from COVID-19: University of Cincinnati discontinues men’s soccer program
After nearly five decades of Cincinnati Bearcats men’s soccer, the program was discontinued in April. (Photo: University of Cincinnati Athletics)

Cuts from COVID-19: University of Cincinnati discontinues men’s soccer program

CINCINNATI (BVM) – The world has been drastically changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has impacted numerous people, organizations, and different parts of our daily lives. But one of it’s greatest impacts has been to the sports world, whether it’s professional, collegiate, prep or youth sports.

In March, many basketball teams from colleges and universities across the country were getting ready for their postseason. But as conference tournaments quickly were canceled due to the threats of the coronavirus, so too was the NCAA Tournament for both men’s and women’s basketball, some of the biggest money makers in college sports.

Soon to follow was the official cancelation of spring sports; heartbreaking for athletes and again another hit financially to university athletic departments. With no sports being played since early March, and the virus still present to the point that fall sports remain in question, schools have had to scramble to stay afloat financially.

In order to do so, many have ended up cutting sports programs at their schools. According to the Associated Press, nearly 100 college athletic programs had been cut around the country as of early June. The majority of cuts have come from Division II, Division III, and NAIA schools. While no Power Five conference has made a cut yet, there still have been several program cuts in Division I college athletics as well.

The University of Cincinnati made one of the most notable cuts during the pandemic and was also one of the first to do so, eliminating their men’s soccer program in April. Bearcats soccer had been played since 1973. The program had an all-time record of 385-408-84, and made the NCAA Tournament in 1998, 2003, and 2006.

In 2019, the Bearcats were just 5-11-1, and have had just two winning seasons over the past decade. Their longtime coach of 19 years, Hylton Dayes, also stepped away from the program in March. It is possible these factors played a role in the discontinuation of the program, but it is hard to ignore the financial aspect. 

According to the NCAA financial report from 2019, Cincinnati’s men’s soccer program had operating losses of over $725,000. With such a significant financial loss, it is wholly possible that the university would have been looking to make this cut at some point soon anyways. But with the coronavirus shutting down college athletics, it may just have been the right time.

On the morning of April 14, University of Cincinnati Director of Athletics, John Cunningham, had a Zoom meeting with Bearcats soccer players. Cunningham, who was hired at Cincinnati in December to replace Mike Bohn, informed the players of the heartbreaking news that there would no longer be a men’s soccer team at the school.

Shortly after, a statement was released by Cunningham:

“This was a difficult decision, but one made with the long-term interests of UC Athletics at the forefront,” Cunningham said. “During this time of profound challenges and widespread uncertainty, I have engaged in a comprehensive and thorough review of UC’s sport offerings and long-term budget implications of supporting the number of student-athletes currently at UC. Based on this review, and in consultation with President Pinto and other University leaders, UC Athletics will no longer sponsor a men’s soccer program.”

“Our men’s soccer student-athletes have been outstanding representatives of the University in the classroom and on the field. They may not fully understand this decision, but I want them to know they were truly and conscientiously considered during my deliberations about the future of UC Athletics. We are making this decision now to enable our men’s soccer student-athletes to have an opportunity to play at another institution if they choose to do so.”

The university will honor scholarships for men’s soccer athletes for the duration of their academic tenures at Cincinnati. Cunningham also mentioned that student-athletes would be allowed to transfer immediately without penalty, and the school will help assist in the process.

But still, the sting of losing the program remains for many involved. While players can continue their careers elsewhere, they will have to leave the bonds and relationships they’ve formed at Cincinnati. 

Meanwhile, incoming recruits to the program are now left scrambling to get acclimated to an entirely new team by the time play is scheduled to begin in the fall. This move also affects future college soccer players, such as those at a notable high school in the area like Archbishop Moeller, who now might look to leave the state to pursue their collegiate soccer dreams.

The decision also surprised many locally, as soccer has recently increased in popularity throughout the Cincinnati area. The city was awarded an MLS expansion franchise in 2018, which has been popular in the city in its short tenure so far. Fortunately, soccer fans in Cincinnati will still be able to watch the pro team when the MLS returns this month.

This decision also has an effect on the American Athletic Conference. With the discontinuation of Cincinnati’s program and the University of Connecticut leaving for the Big East, the AAC will field just six soccer teams in their conference come fall. 

Although the University of Cincinnati was one of the first major universities to cut an athletic program, several others have followed suit. Some of the most notable include Old Dominion cutting its wrestling program, Furman discontinuing its baseball and men’s lacrosse programs, FIU eliminating their men’s indoor track and field programs, and Akron cutting men’s cross country, men’s golf, and women’s tennis.

Long-term financial impacts and the uncertainty that continues to surround COVID-19 ultimately led to the discontinuation of the Cincinnati men’s soccer program, and has caused many schools to make similar cuts in their athletic offerings. 

It is an unfortunate time for athletes, students and fans alike, and the future impacts the coronavirus causes within college athletics remain to be seen. But for now, all we can do is stay positive as we wait to see what continues to happen in the coming days, weeks, and months.