JWU Announces Decision to Realign Varsity Athletics
Story by JWU Media Relations , on Aug 6, 2020 2:19 PM
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — August 6, 2020 – Johnson & Wales University (JWU) today announced plans to realign its varsity athletics through the discontinuation of Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Volleyball, and Club Football.
Campus leadership evaluated each varsity program in consideration of facility resources, Title IX, NCAA regulations, alumni support, recruitment strength, and community engagement.
“Similar to schools across the nation, JWU has had to make difficult decisions related to athletics,” said Providence Campus President Marie Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D. “Over the past decade, we have expanded Providence Campus athletics to 23 varsity programs, investing in team-based programs with strong recruitment potential. This growth in programs has stretched our resources to a point where it is no longer feasible to maintain the current varsity portfolio, particularly with the financial pressures presented by COVID-19.
“We remain committed to a strong and vibrant varsity athletics program at JWU, and we are confident that these changes will position JWU for sustained excellence and leadership in athletics,” said Bernardo-Sousa.
JWU’s remaining 16 varsity programs will continue to receive the same level of mentorship and support from the university’s full-time coaches.
About JWU
Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers degree programs in arts and sciences, business, culinary arts, design and engineering, education, health and wellness, hospitality, nutrition and physician assistant studies. Its unique model integrates arts and sciences and industry-focused education with work experience and leadership opportunities, inspiring students to achieve professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth. The university’s impact is global, with alumni from 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. For more information, visit jwu.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT Ryan Crowley, communication & media relations specialist, 401-598-2752. Follow @JWUnews