Division II Saint Leo University Announces Cut of Swim Programs
Division II Saint Leo University last week announced it would discontinue six athletic programs, including men’s and women’s swimming.
The decision is effective at the end of the spring 2022-23 season. Swimming falls to the axe along with men’s and women’s track and cross country. The school said the decision is to, “help ensure the strength and long-term vitality of the university’s Athletics program and is a part of Saint Leo University’s larger efforts to streamline and focus its program offerings.”
The decision effects 72 student-athletes on those six teams, including 13 male and 12 female swimmers. Four staff members are also affected.
The Saint Leo swim season ended on Feb. 19 with the Sunshine State Conference Championships, though two swimmers – freshman sprinter Lucas Minuer and junior Isabelle Sering – have been invited to the NCAA Division II Championships.
“For the past two decades, the university has provided a championship experience for our sports,” Saint Leo vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics Fran Reidy said in a press release. “As evidenced by our Mayor’s Cup trophies, Learfield Cup finishes, and NCAA appearances, Saint Leo has provided a broad-based athletic program. However, we cannot provide the necessary support to all our current programs. The university is committed to providing a great student-athlete experience for our student-athletes, but will need to do so with a smaller number of teams.”
Saint Leo University, a Roman Catholic school in the greater Tampa area with an enrollment of around 4,500 on-campus students, will sponsor 14 Division II teams for the 2023-24 academic year, plus an acrobatics and tumbling intercollegiate team.
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Shame on them, as the mother of a former swimmer it is an incredibly sad day for those student athletes.