College Sports Face Permanent Elimination after COVID-19 Budget Cuts

Posted: July 23, 2020

Athletes, alumni and fans are rallying communities on GoFundMe to help college athletics stay afloat

Redwood City, California | July 23, 2020 — As the economic effects of the coronavirus continue to devastate communities, some college sports are facing permanent elimination while athletic departments grapple with budget cuts. Athletes and alumni are scrambling to save their programs and are turning to GoFundMe to generate support for university and college sports during coronavirus.

College sports ranging from the University of Alabama hockey to Winthrop University tennis to Furman University baseball to South Carolina State soccer are in danger of elimination, with some fighting back to be reinstated. The loss of college sports will leave many students unable to afford college, as athletic scholarships provide financial assistance that allows them to attend school. The programs also provide jobs to coaches, students and university faculty.

In response, many programs are rallying their communities and raising funds on GoFundMe to help their programs weather the economic turmoil. In May, University of Alabama in Huntsville Hockey nearly lost their program due to the school’s athletic budget cuts. They were given a chance to save their program and had only a few days to find the $1 million needed. Their GoFundMe campaign raised over $500,000 in donations in just four days, and paired with private donations, the team is now preparing for their next season.

Many other programs are hoping for this same outcome. Sports have a way of uniting communities but their future remains hanging in the balance. For more information about programs looking for support, and how alumni and communities can help college sports programs stay afloat, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/c/blog/help-college-sports-during-covid-19

About GoFundMe
Started in 2010, GoFundMe is the world’s largest free social fundraising platform. The GoFundMe community has raised over $9 billion from more than 120 million donations for people, causes, and organizations. GoFundMe is changing the way the world gives. Find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Media Contact
Madeline Purdue
mpurdue@gofundme.com
702-497-2270