Earlier today, Appalachian State Athletic Director Doug Gillin announced in a message to the university that men's indoor track, men's tennis and men's soccer were being discontinued at App State effective immediately. Stadium's Brett McMurphy was the first to report the cuts.
According to the announcement, the loss of the three men's sports teams at Appalachian State was "In response to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic" as well as an effort to lower operating costs. Appalachian State's athletic department is aiming for a $5 million budget reduction for the 2021 fiscal year.
The announcement also notes that since moving to the FBS, App State had sponsored the most sports programs in the Sun Belt conference. Gillin stated that the decision to eliminate three of their men's sports programs brings App State "in line" with most of their peer institutions.
The announcement also mentions that scholarships will be honored for the effected student-athletes who return to App State, as well as the incoming signees.
Earlier this month, the men's cross country team at Akron and the men's indoor and outdoor track teams at Central Michigan were also eliminated. Florida International University also lost their men's indoor track team at the beginning of the month.