George Washington University in Washington, DC will cut varsity women’s water polo at the end of the 2020-21 scholastic year. The school made the announcement on Friday after a “comprehensive review” of its athletic offerings that began prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. GW leadership cited an estimated shortfall of $200 million in revenue for the current fiscal year due to the shutdown.
…we are writing today with difficult news. 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. 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.
The Colonials ended the shortened 2019-20 season with a record of 5-7. They leave the Collegiate Water Polo Association with six Division I varsity programs.
There are now 64 active varsity programs in the U.S. Two Illinois schools, Millikin University and Augustana College, will raise the figure to 66 when they begin competing in the 2020-21 scholastic year.
