Wichita State shuts down both golf programs, citing finances

May 6, 2026 - 23:05

Wichita State University has permanently closed both its men's and women's golf teams, with the decision taking effect immediately. The school made the announcement on Tuesday, citing ongoing financial pressures as the primary reason for the move.

Athletic director Kevin Saal stated that the department faced difficult choices in balancing its budget. "This was not a reflection on our student-athletes or coaches, who have represented the university with class and integrity," Saal said in a release. "However, we must allocate our resources in a way that best supports the majority of our 400-plus student-athletes."

The golf programs had been part of Wichita State for decades. The men's team last won a conference championship in 2019, while the women's squad had shown steady improvement in recent seasons. Both teams were competing in the American Athletic Conference.

The university did not specify the exact amount of money saved by the cuts, but officials indicated the funds would be redirected to other sports and to general athletic operations. Current players on the golf rosters will be allowed to transfer without penalty, and their scholarships will be honored if they choose to remain enrolled at Wichita State as non-athletes.

The decision follows a national trend of smaller athletic departments trimming non-revenue sports to stay afloat. Wichita State now sponsors 14 varsity sports, down from 16. No further program cuts are planned at this time, the school said.