The EIU men’s and women’s tennis programs will be cut effective immediately, Eastern Illinois University announced in an email this afternoon.
The cost and demands of both teams being in separate conferences are “no longer sustainable,” the email wrote. All impacted students will keep undergraduate athletic scholarship aid and support for up to eight semesters.
According to President Jay Gatrell, reduced NCAA funding distribution from the House v. NCAA settlement is the main reason behind the cut.
The nearly $2.8 billion case was settled last summer and will back-pay athletes who have competed since 2016. Eastern will receive $200,000 less in funding for the athletics budget for the next 10 years.
Of the 18 students on the tennis teams, two graduated this year and 16 remain.
More information will be available later.
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