The non-NCAA sports of men's rowing, sailing, men's and women's squash, and the NCAA sports of men's indoor track, men's tennis and women's water polo will have the opportunity to compete in their upcoming 2020-21 seasons, if it becomes safe to do so, but they will be discontinued at the conclusion of their respective seasons. You won’t do it alone: We support our student-athletes from recruitment to Commencement and beyond with an emphasis on individual responsibility and pride in academic accomplishments.
By the spring, this work had become imperative, as we strained to manage the current and projected financial impacts of COVID-19, which this fiscal year will create a significant gap between expected revenues and expenses of at least $200 million.Having now concluded our review of all programs and with the urgency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are writing today with difficult news. For more than a century, our Athletics Department has helped to develop countless student-athletes who are role models in competition and in the classroom, and they have served as leaders on our campuses and beyond.
Give to GW Virtual Tour Athletics. Although we value the breadth of our offerings and the opportunities they have created for many, they have increasingly strained resources, limiting support across all programs and creating growing financial concerns. However, should any student-athletes from the affected teams choose to transfer to another institution, we will support them in every way possible. Before long, you’ll raise high the buff, raise high the blue, as if you’ve been doing it your entire life.Playing a Division 1 sport in a high-profile city is an exciting opportunity. We will enhance the recruitment and retention of our student-athletes, better support them in achieving the highest levels of success, and improve club sports opportunities for all students. That’s quite a record in any arena.In 2018, the GW Women’s Basketball team won its third consecutive A-10 conference tournament title in the last four seasons. However, it is impossible for these areas to produce the funding necessary to achieve the long-term success that our students, alumni, and supporters deserve.We believe this path will secure a more sustainable financial future that will allow GW Athletics to better fulfill its mission. With an Army of fans loyal to GW, it’s no surprise our teams have thrived in the Atlantic 10 conference and across the country.In the classroom and in competition, our athletes excel: More than 350 student-athletes make the Dean’s List each semester with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Archive photo via George Washington Athletics More College Still, we felt it important to talk directly with those affected to provide as much flexibility as possible to plan for the coming academic year and beyond, and to communicate transparently with our broader community. We hope that our students continue their education at GW. The George Washington University. 1918 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20052. 600 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052 / 202-994-1000At GW, athletics is one of our most visible displays of discipline and excellence. In consultation with the Board of Trustees and GW leadership, we have determined that we must reduce our athletics teams from 27 to 20, effective at the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year. To the George Washington University Community: At GW, athletics is one of our most visible displays of discipline and excellence.
You don’t have to be a varsity athlete to love the game. As a Colonial, I have learned the significance of teamwork. As hard as this decision was, we believe it is necessary to strengthen athletics and position our programs for future success with the resources we have.