CSUDH Announces Suspension of Cross-Country Program

CARSON -- Cal State Dominguez Hills announced the suspension of its women's cross country program as part of an effort to reduce its budget, while at the same time maintaining the viability of the athletics department.

Athletics Director Patrick Guillen said the savings associated with this decision will help address budget shortcomings in the midst of unprecedented fiscal challenges.

"Knowing that we had to cut back, we looked at different scenarios," said Guillen. "Suspending the cross-country program was a very difficult decision, but the one at the end of the day that made the most practical sense. The challenge of the increased costs associated with travel and tuition over the last several years has made it very difficult to balance our budgets."

The suspension of the program will save approximately $70,000 in operational, salary and scholarship funding per academic year.

“No one wants to make decisions like this that limit opportunities for student-athletes,” begins Dr. Sue Borrego, CSUDH Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, “but during these tough economic times, there will be many difficult decisions and this was one of them.”

CSUDH Athletics has 200+ student-athletes with 104 who are on athletics scholarship. Of those, six were affiliated with the cross-country program.

"I would like to thank Head Coach Deann Schlobohm for her years of service to the cross-country program and our students here at CSUDH," states Guillen.

All affected cross-country student-athletes with remaining eligibility will be offered the opportunity to transfer or continue their education at CSUDH.

The suspension leaves the Toros athletics program with six women's sports (soccer, volleyball, basketball, indoor / outdoor track & field and softball) and four men's sports (soccer, basketball, baseball and golf).

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