UC Santa Cruz athletics program on the chopping block

The UC Santa Cruz athletics program is on the chopping block as the university is looking to save money. University officials said the decision will ultimately be up to the students. UC Santa Cruz is considered one of the most prestigious research universities in the U.S. but when it comes to sports it doesn’t really rank. So next year, UC Santa Cruz could be known as the first university in the state to get rid of its athletic program.

“The campus spends roughly $1 million on athletics every year and it serves about 250 students and at this point the campus is looking at some better ways to spend some of its money,” said UC Santa Cruz spokesperson, Scott Hernandez Jason.

So now the future of the athletics is in the hands of the students. This year, they’ll vote on whether they think it’s worth keeping the Division III sports around. If they vote yes, students will have to pay an extra fee to fund it. If they vote no, next year will be the last year for the athletic department.

“I support the athletic teams here on our campus but personally just the expenses that we have as college students I don’t think I would be able to afford that extra fee that they would be charging us because at the end of the day it’s not even decided what exactly that’s going to be,” said UCSC student, Margarita Yanze.

“Many other campuses have significant student fees to help with their athletics programs. Students at UC Merced, the newest campus pay $150 every year. Students at UC Santa Cruz currently pay $15 every year,” said Hernandez-Jason.

About 900 students are involved in the schools club sports and those would still be offered. However, cross country, swimming, diving, and women’s golf, track, and soccer will get the axe if students don’t want to pay the fee. It’s a change that would disappoint 300 athletes at the University but it would also mean no more division three games on this field.

Brandon Flores plays on the university’s soccer team and said he’s dedicated most of his life to the game.

“I have one more year playing with the team which is very great and like the risk of not having it as I said is just like you don’t want that to happen. It just motivates you to go out every day, practice hard do good in school,” said UCSC athlete, Brandon Flores.

Flores said he’ll continue lacing up and hopes the students will vote in his favor come May 11. As for how much the athletic fees could be, the University said it’s still working that out.