They just cut it out of nowhere’: Calif. university axes sport after undefeated season in 2025.
“They Just Cut It Out of Nowhere”: Calif. University Axes Sport After Undefeated Season
In a shocking move that has left the athletic community reeling, Cal State Ventura, a respected university in Southern California, announced it was cutting its men’s lacrosse program just days after the team finished a historic undefeated season. The decision, made without prior warning or explanation to the athletes, coaches, and fans, has raised serious questions about the priorities of universities when it comes to student-athletes and the sustainability of college sports programs in a post-pandemic world.
For the players, coaches, and the lacrosse community, the news came as an abrupt and painful blow. What should have been a time of celebration—a crowning achievement of hard work, skill, and team spirit—turned into a devastating and confusing moment. The team had just secured its first-ever perfect season, marking a historic milestone for the university. But despite the triumphs on the field, the program was abruptly axed, leaving players, families, and the community at large grappling with feelings of betrayal and loss.
This decision raises more than just questions about the fate of the sport at the university. It touches on the broader issue of college athletics, university finances, and the treatment of athletes, especially in an era where many universities are prioritizing financial stability and public image over student experiences and tradition.
The Historic Season They just cut it
To understand the weight of the decision, it’s important to first consider the magnitude of the men’s lacrosse team’s achievement. In the 2024 season, the Cal State Ventura lacrosse team finished with a perfect 18-0 record, securing both a conference championship and a regional title. The team’s success was built on a foundation of discipline, strategy, and hard work, combined with the exceptional talent of the players. Their undefeated run was a testament to the strength of the program and its coaching staff, headed by Coach Michael Reynolds, who had transformed the team from a middling squad into a national powerhouse.
Players like Jake Montgomery, the team’s star attackman, and Tyler Sullivan, the standout goalie, became local heroes, celebrated not just for their skills but for their leadership and the camaraderie they had cultivated over the season. The team was poised to enter the National Collegiate Lacrosse League (NCLL) playoffs as one of the favorites, with many predicting that Cal State Ventura would make a deep run toward a national title.
The victory felt even more special considering the history of the program. Prior to this season, the team had faced numerous setbacks and struggled to maintain consistent success. But under Coach Reynolds’ leadership, the team had turned its fortunes around. The perfect season was not just a milestone for the current roster, but for generations of players who had contributed to the program’s growth.
For the players, the season was a culmination of years of hard work, grueling practices, and sacrifices. They had set their sights on a national title, but those dreams were dashed not by an opponent on the field but by the very institution they had worked so hard to represent.
The Announcement: A Shock to the System They just cut it
The news of the program’s termination came on May 5, 2024, when University President Dr. Helen Matthews announced in a statement that the lacrosse program would be cut, effective immediately. The decision was made due to a combination of financial difficulties, shifting priorities within the university, and a reassessment of the institution’s athletic programs. In the statement, Dr. Matthews cited the “need to realign resources in a post-pandemic world” as the reason for the decision.
“We deeply regret to inform you that due to unforeseen financial constraints and a re-evaluation of the university’s athletic focus, the men’s lacrosse program will be discontinued,” Dr. Matthews stated in her announcement. “While we recognize the dedication and hard work of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff, this decision was made in the best interest of the long-term sustainability of the university’s athletic department.”
The announcement came as a gut punch to everyone involved in the program. The players, who had just completed the most successful season in the university’s lacrosse history, were blindsided. The coaching staff, who had invested countless hours in developing the team, was left without jobs. The fans, many of whom had followed the team for years, felt betrayed and confused. The decision to cut a sport that was clearly thriving—both on the field and in terms of school spirit—was met with shock and frustration.
One of the players, Jake Montgomery, expressed his disbelief shortly after the announcement. “We had just finished the best season in the history of the program,” Montgomery said. “We were on top of the world. We were getting ready to make a run at a national championship. And then, out of nowhere, they cut the program. It doesn’t make sense. We gave everything we had, and they just pulled the rug out from under us.”
For many players, the decision also meant the loss of their scholarships. Tyler Sullivan, the goalie who had been with the team for four years, shared the emotional toll it took on him and his teammates: “It’s not just about losing a sport—it’s about losing your identity. For a lot of us, lacrosse was more than just a game. It was our future. It was how we were going to finish school and start our careers. Now, everything is up in the air.”
Financial Pressures and Athletic Priorities They just cut it
The university’s reasoning for cutting the lacrosse program centers on financial difficulties, a concern that has plagued many colleges and universities, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused widespread disruptions to college athletics, with schools facing lost revenue from ticket sales, merchandising, and sponsorships. Additionally, the shift to remote learning and the cancellation of sports seasons led to an overall decline in revenue streams.
However, many argue that the decision to cut lacrosse seems counterintuitive given the team’s success. Lacrosse, a relatively niche sport in college athletics, had seen steady growth in popularity over the past few years. Cal State Ventura’s men’s lacrosse program had grown in prominence, drawing fans from both the local community and across the state. The team had a strong social media presence and was becoming a staple in college sports coverage, with future stars emerging from their ranks.
In the face of these financial pressures, many universities have had to make tough decisions about which sports to continue funding. However, the decision to cut lacrosse while continuing to fund more mainstream sports like football and basketball has sparked significant criticism. Many argue that the financial cuts were made with little regard for the impact on student-athletes, particularly those in smaller, non-revenue-generating sports like lacrosse.
Dave Jenkins, a former college coach and sports commentator, expressed his disbelief at the decision: “The lacrosse program at Cal State Ventura wasn’t just surviving—it was thriving. They had a perfect season! The idea that the university would choose to ax a program that was bringing so much pride to the campus is just mind-boggling. There are other ways to address financial difficulties without cutting the lifeblood of the school’s athletic culture.”
Many also argue that the decision to cut lacrosse highlights the growing commercialization of college sports, where money, revenue, and TV rights increasingly take precedence over the holistic development of student-athletes. When it comes to college sports, particularly at larger universities, the emphasis is often placed on programs that bring in revenue, such as football and basketball, rather than on nurturing lesser-known sports.
The Fallout: Reactions from Players, Coaches, and Fans They just cut it
Following the announcement, the backlash was swift and intense. Alumni, many of whom had been involved with the lacrosse program in the past, took to social media and public forums to express their outrage. Some alumni even threatened to withdraw donations or to actively discourage prospective students from attending Cal State Ventura.
“It feels like they’re betraying everything we built over the years,” said David Reynolds, a former player and the son of Coach Michael Reynolds. “The team was on the rise. It was about more than just winning games—it was about being part of a community. Cutting this program feels like they don’t care about that legacy.”
Fans of the lacrosse team, who had packed the stands all season to watch the team compete, also voiced their frustrations. The decision to cut the program felt like a direct slap in the face to those who had supported the team through thick and thin.
In the days following the announcement, some players explored options to transfer to other universities with active lacrosse programs, though many were left with few options. For others, the loss of lacrosse at their university meant the end of their college athletic careers.
Coach Michael Reynolds, who had poured his heart into the program for years, was also left grappling with the decision. “I’ve dedicated my life to building this program and helping these young men grow both as athletes and individuals,” he said. “To see it all end so suddenly is devastating. But what hurts the most is the way the university handled it. They didn’t give us a chance to understand the reasoning, and they didn’t give the players a chance to process what was happening. It was like it came out of nowhere.”
Looking Forward: A Call for Change They just cut it
The decision to cut the lacrosse program at Cal State Ventura may have been a financial one, but it has sparked a larger conversation about the future of college athletics. What role should universities play in nurturing student-athletes, and what happens when the economic pressures of running an athletic program outweigh the values of education and community?
For now, the future of Cal State Ventura’s lacrosse program remains uncertain. Players, coaches, alumni, and fans are left grappling with the aftermath of a decision that many see as short-sighted and poorly handled. But as the debate continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the game has changed, and the priorities of universities may not always align with the dreams and aspirations of the student-athletes who give everything for the game.
In the end, the biggest casualty is not just the sport, but the spirit of collegiate athletics itself—where dedication, sacrifice, and passion should always come first.
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