Purdue Fort Wayne to discontinue baseball, softball programs
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Purdue University Fort Wayne is immediately discontinuing its baseball and softball programs, the university announced Friday. The move is directly related to $6 million in budget cuts announced earlier in the week.
The university said the decision will create an expected cost savings of up to $1 million.
“This is one of the saddest days in my 25 years as a Mastodon,” Athletic Director Kelley Hartley Hutton said in a news release. “We know this news will upset our student-athletes, alumni and fans. It was not made lightly, and we are committed to supporting those affected through this transition.”
Purdue Fort Wayne said senior leaders from the university and the athletic department are working to assist everyone who has been affected by the discontinuation of both programs.
All student-athlete scholarships will be honored, and support will be provided to any student-athlete wishing to transfer, the university said. Those who transfer will be immediately eligible at their next school.
Hartley Hutton praised Head Baseball Coach Doug Schrieber and Head Softball Coach Amber Bowman along with the players of both teams.
“They have consistently over-performed their given resources, facilities, and scholarship levels,” she said. “We have not made the adequate investments into facilities and resources over the life of these programs, and when considering the current financial climate, it was determined that there was no feasible path to address those needs.
The move brings the number of NCAA Division I programs at Purdue Fort Wayne to 14.