LINCOLN, NEB. — Facing possible NCAA sanctions and an ever-tightening athletic budget, Nebraska is cutting men's swimming and diving.
The athletics department estimates the move announced Sunday could save $500,000 a year and keep the school in compliance with Title IX. Women's swimming will remain a varsity sport at Nebraska.
"These are not easy decisions," said athletics director Bill Byrne, who had not cut any sports since coming to Nebraska in 1993.
Both the men's and women's programs are the subject of an internal investigation, which is scheduled to go to the NCAA in the fall, but Byrne said the decision was based mostly on finances. The non-revenue men's and women's swimming and diving programs cost the athletics department a combined $1.3 million a year.
Kansas also is dropping its men's program, leaving the Big 12 with just four schools that sponsor men's swimming and diving.
The cut will leave Nebraska with 13 women's varsity sports and 10 men's teams.
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