Buyouts, layoffs and budget cuts. That is the economic reality of most institutions of higher learning. That’s why it wasn’t a shock to hear Cleveland State is cutting three sports: wrestling, softball and women’s golf.

Cleveland State University will cut three NCAA sports programs as the school works to reduce its athletics budget. CSU announced Thursday it will discontinue its wrestling, women’s golf and softball programs after approval from the CSU Board of Trustees.

Coupled with decisions last year to layoff some staff and offer buyouts, the latest move is meant to trim the university's budget to address an ongoing deficit.

CSU said in a statement that the decision was part of the university’s strategic effort to address budget shortages across departments.

Cleveland State University is eliminating wrestling, women’s golf and softball at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year as part of the school’s broader cost-cutting measures.