Office of the Chancellor

Addressing Budget Challenges in Athletics

May 23, 2025

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:

I’m following up on yesterday’s message to campus regarding the financial challenges we are actively addressing at Purdue Fort Wayne.

The $6 million in budget cuts we announced includes a $1 million reduction in our Department of Intercollegiate Athletics annual budget. Unfortunately, a reduction of this magnitude has a significant impact with real consequences. Therefore, effective immediately, we will be discontinuing the university’s baseball and softball programs.

We know this news will be disappointing to our student-athletes, alumni, and fans. The decision was made only after carefully evaluating many options, especially highlighting those with the least impact to students.  

Budget challenges across the university, in combination with a turbulent NCAA landscape, led to the need for candid assessment of the long-term viability of multiple programs. The decision to eliminate baseball and softball was made following this evaluation. The university simply has not been able to make adequate investments in facilities and resources over the life of these programs, and when considering the current financial climate, it was determined that there was no feasible path to address those substantial needs.

We are already working to assist those individuals who have been affected by the discontinuation of the two programs and are committed to supporting them through this transition, especially our student-athletes.

All scholarships will be honored, and support will be provided to student-athletes wishing to transfer. Those who choose to transfer will be eligible immediately at their next institution. Mental health resources are also being made available to all student-athletes. 

I want to stress that Purdue Fort Wayne remains fully committed to competing at the highest level of NCAA Division I athletics as a member of Horizon League and Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. This decision is rooted in the responsibility to maintain a stable, equitable, and high-quality athletics environment for all of our student-athletes.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff who contribute so richly to the student experience at Purdue Fort Wayne. These changes, while painful in the short term, will only strengthen our 14 other NCAA Division I teams.

Sincerely,

Ron Elsenbaumer

Chancellor