CSU Budgets: SFSU says its eliminating 3 sports teams as Sonoma State rallies against program cuts

ByABC7 Bay Area Digital Staff and Cornell Barnard

Friday, March 7, 2025

SFSU, Sonoma State communities face severe budget cuts

SF State said it is cutting 3 sports teams to save up to $1 million a year. Meanwhile, Sonoma State faculty and students rallied against budget cuts.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco State University announced it will eliminate three of its 13 athletics teams this summer in an effort to save up to $1 million a year.

The university made the announcement on Thursday, saying the athletics program faces a $1.2 million debt from overspending on scholarships alone.

SFSU plans to eliminate men's baseball, men's soccer and women's indoor track and field. Men's baseball and soccer is slated to end on July 1, while women's track and field will no longer compete the current indoor season and will shift its focus during the outdoor season to distance events.

"While I am hopeful that budget reduction will be less than forecasted, we must continue to take many significant, often painful, steps to align our spending with the current enrollment and budget realities," said SFSU President Lynn Mahoney in a letter addressed to the campus community.

Mahoney indicated these cuts come as the school continues to advocate against the state's proposed 7.95% reduction to the CSU budget.

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"It definitely hurts," said SFSU Interim Athletic Director Brandon Davis.

It's tough news for Davis and the university's sports community.

"It's heartbreaking. There's student-athletes' soccer, track and field, all the athletes. We're one big family, so it's difficult to have to do this," Davis said.

SFSU said it is committed to assisting students and faculty impacted by the decision. More information can be found here.

Meanwhile, Sonoma State is facing its own budget crisis.

Employees marched on campus Thursday, carrying boxes representing 144 faculty and staff facing layoffs.

All sports programs have been eliminated, and some academic courses have also been cut.

"If these cuts are implemented, it would be the beginning of the end for Sonoma State. We don't accept and we need to fight back," said Andrea Skinner from CSU Employee Union.

The cuts were announced in January by Sonoma State's president. The university is facing a nearly $24 million budget deficit.