Clarification: The program prioritization recommendation states that if Athletics cannot find a way to be more self-sustaining, “the department should consider eliminating a male, non-revenue sport,” according to the task force report. Only one sport may be eliminated. The headline has been changed to reflect this clarification.

The program prioritization administrative task force recommends a reduction or phase-out of all accredited athletic programs offered at NIU, according to the administrative task force report released today.

Each program was put into one of five categories: candidate for enhanced resources, continue with no change in resources, continue with reduced resources, requires transformation and subject to additional review; candidate for phase-out.

Sports programs put into the “continue with reduced resources” category:

• Football
• Gymnastics
• Men’s Basketball
• Softball
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Women’s Basketball
• Women’s Golf
• Women’s Soccer
• Women’s Tennis
• Cross Country

The task force recommends Athletics attempt to become more self-sustaining. All revenue-producing sports are in this category: football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball. These are the only sports that require tickets for entry.

Sports programs in the “additional review; phase-out” category:

• Baseball
• Men’s Golf
• Men’s Soccer
• Men’s Tennis
• Wrestling
• Cheerleading

All sports in the “additional review or phase-out” category, except cheerleading, carry the recommendation that if Athletics cannot find a way to be more self-sustaining, “the department should consider eliminating a male, non-revenue sport,” according to the task force report.

Cheerleading is also under the additional review or phase out category with the recommendation that cheerleading should be eliminated because “unlike some other programs (e.g., Compliance) in the intercollegiate athletics department, cheerleading is not essential,” according to the task force report.