Division-II St. Edward's University in Austin became the first Texas college to take significant action in response to the financial constraints of the COVID-19 epidemic. 

The Hilltoppers announced on Wednesday that they will cut six varsity sports: men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf and men's soccer, while cheerleading transitions to a club activity. With the move, SEU is down to 11 varsity sports. 

The athletes currently on scholarship will have their scholarships honored through the remainder of their undergraduate degrees at St. Edward’s. Any athletes wishing to transfer are granted an unconditional release and will be immediately eligible at their new programs. Coaches will be paid through the end of May before being terminated, per the Statesman. 

St. Edward’s has not sponsored an intercollegiate football team since 1939, before World War II. Only three athletic programs on campus even charge admission. However, St. Edward’s decision is a sobering indicator of what could be around the corner in college athletics. 

Multiple colleges at the major level have already taken significant steps in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. Cincinnati announced the closure of its men’s soccer program. Old Dominion cut men’s wrestling. One school – MacMurry College in Illinois –  has already been forced to close its doors after 174 years. 

On Wednesday, the “Group of Five” conferences in college football sent a letter to the NCAA asking for short-term relief on Division-I requirements, including softening of requirements on varsity sports offered and attendance requirements. 

St. Edward’s entered the Lone Star Conference in 2019 as a non-football member, along with seven other schools. The school still offers men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s track, women’s soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball and esports at the scholarship varsity level.

_____

Become a DCTF Insider today for exclusive insight from the best team of reporters in the Lone Star State! CLICK HERE!

Your subscription will include:

• Instant access to all of our content that is marked Insider at www.texasfootball.com.
  • Includes exclusive podcasts, recruiting news, and our full High School Football rankings and score predictors
• A mailed copy of the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preview 
• A mailed copy of the Recruiting/Rising Edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
• Access to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football vast array of archived magazines