Dear campus community,

The University Budget Committee at SF State serves as a remarkably robust example of transparent budget planning. Last week's meeting was particularly difficult as we reviewed budget planning scenarios that all require deep budget cuts. We continue our advocacy against the state's proposed 7.95% reduction to the CSU budget. 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.

Last fall, the University formed an Athletics Task Force to address the ongoing budget shortfall in athletics and formulate a plan to create a sustainable model for Gator Athletics at SF State. The task force recommended we reduce our number of NCAA teams. After reviewing their recommendations in light of our current budget and enrollment projections, I have made the hard decision to eliminate three of our teams: Women's Indoor Track & Field, Baseball and Men's Soccer as of July 1, 2025.

I recognize this decision is particularly painful for the student-athletes it impacts, their families and their coaches – not to mention the countless alumni and supporters of these three teams. We are committed to assisting those who are impacted by this decision. For any of the 44 potentially returning students on these teams who may decide to remain at SF State, we will maintain our commitment to their existing scholarships. We will also assist those who wish to identify opportunities to transfer elsewhere to continue playing.

I want to explicitly thank the coaches who have been committed to the success of our student-athletes. Sadly, though, we must take this important step to give our athletics program an opportunity for long-term sustainability.

Details about the process and plans can be found under FAQs. I want to thank the Athletics Task Force for their hard work—work no one wanted to see done. Making these hard decisions together and transparently is critical.

While I know other difficult decisions lie ahead, I also believe we can do this work and ensure SF State continues to be a vibrant, expansive university with a mission that is essential to the success of our students and alumni, as well as the economic and social well-being of our region and state.

Best,

Lynn Mahoney, Ph.D.
President