Saint Augustine's University (SAU) will not have any athletic competitions for the rest of the 2024-25 academic year, as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has decided to end its sports programs at the school. This move was confirmed yesterday by the association, CBS17 reported. The suspension, effective immediately, comes after the university failed to meet certain compliance requirements vital for maintaining competitive status within the conference.
Amidst the struggles to maintain financial viability, St. Augustine's not sponsoring softball in spring 2024, along with its decision to drop football and volleyball in fall 2024 has left the legacy institution barely clinging to NCAA Division II compliance standards that necessitate sponsoring at least ten sports, ABC11 reports, while the fate of its remaining sports for men and women, particularly cross-country, remains uncertain; it's still unclear whether they will manage to meet all obligations to stay on course for the next seasons.
The ramifications of the suspension are both immediate and significant: should SAU choose to continue its athletics program independently of the CIAA, the outcomes of said activities will be void of any impact on conference standings or seedings, and the institution will also be excluded from championship eligibility. To quote CIAA board chair Aminta Breaux in a statement obtained by The CIAA, "While it is disheartening to make a decision of this magnitude that impacts one of our member institutions, the decision was guided through a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process in efforts to determine what was best for the conference, while also protecting the wellbeing and holistic experience of the student-athletes."
The conference officials have extended a supportive hand toward SAU's future, recognizing the institution's longstanding role in the legacy of the CIAA; Commissioner McWilliams Parker emphasized the importance of SAU's wide community and stated, "Their administrators, coaches, students, student-athletes, alumni, and the SAU community are important and valued as part of the CIAA legacy. The CIAA will continue to support and rally around the Falcon family and President Burgess as they prepare to return for the 2025-26 season," according to ABC11.
