U of Minn-Crookston Ends Football Program, Cites Costs

CROOKSTON -- The University of Minnesota-Crookston is eliminating its football program, citing costs.

The northwestern Minnesota school says the recently completed 2019 season is the last as a varsity sport. UMN-Crookston Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause says the decision to discontinue any program is "extremely difficult." But the school says the football program has faced serious challenges from lack of funding.

Director of athletics Stephanie Helgeson says discontinuing the football program was "the right decision" for the long-term health of the Golden Eagle athletics department.

St. Cloud State University also announced the school is eliminating its football and golf programs in 2020.