CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson is ending its men's track and field and cross country programs after this academic year.
The school announced the decision to cut the teams Thursday. Men's track and field has been part of the Tigers' athletic department since 1953, winning 23 combined Atlantic Coast Conference team championships all time.
Athletic director Dan Radakovich said the move came after months of studying the situation.
"We concluded that discontinuing our men's track and field program is in the best long-term interest of Clemson athletics,'' Radakovich said in a release.
The move affects 26 scholarship athletes and 25 more walk-ons. The school said all scholarship grants will be honored as long as those students remain on campus. All affected coaches' contracts will be honored.
Track is allowed 12 full scholarships. Clemson splits those among 26 athletes, 15 who are scheduled to graduate by August 2021.
At a university trustees meeting this summer, board members were told the school could lose $30 million to $50 million in athletic revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. Women's track and field and cross country remain part of the school's 16 athletic teams.
