MELBOURNE, Fla. — Officials at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne said the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to shut down their football program for good.
The school’s president announced the end of the program Monday.
“The unprecedented uncertainty created by COVID-19 makes these moves prudent, but no less painful,” said Dwayne McCay, the school’s president in a letter. “We must do what is necessary to preserve resources critical to our educational mission and ensure our ability to successfully serve students when face-to-face instruction resumes this fall.”
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McCay said the move will save the university money so it can support its academic goals.
The football program was founded in 2011.
Players who were on scholarship will still be able to keep their scholarships for up to four years. The school said 120 student-athletes will be affected by the removal of the program.
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The university is also cutting some staff, and closing its center for textile arts.
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