California Baptist University Restructures Athletics, Drops Men’s Swimming and Diving
California Baptist University (CBU) announced Friday it will discontinue its men’s swimming and diving, wrestling, and men’s golf programs following the 2025-26 seasons. The decision comes as the university prepares for a transition to the Big West Conference.
CBU officials stated the restructuring is a strategic move to enhance the university’s competitive position in the evolving landscape of Division I athletics. “We have closely monitored the shifting landscape of intercollegiate athletics that has affected institutions across the nation,” a senior university official said in a press release. “While we had hoped to continue offering our full slate of athletic programs in this new environment, it has become clear that changes are required to realize the university’s goal of achieving greater competitive excellence that the new Division I era demands.”
A Shift in Focus for the Lancers
The discontinuation of these three programs will allow CBU to concentrate resources on other athletic endeavors, particularly its women’s swimming and diving team, which will continue to operate. The university has committed to supporting the 24 male athletes currently on the affected teams, offering to honor existing athletic financial aid packages for those wishing to remain at CBU or providing assistance to those seeking to transfer to other institutions.
Recent Success and Historical Legacy
Despite the program cuts, CBU’s men’s swimming and diving team has enjoyed a period of recent success. Competing in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation this year, the team was a member of the Western Athletic Conference from 2018-2025, achieving consistent top-three finishes in the conference, including a second-place result last year. The program produced Remi Fabiani, who now competes at Arizona State, and sent him to the NCAA championships in 2025. Since elevating to Division I, the Lancers have accumulated 58 All-American honors from 12 individual athletes at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship meet.
Prior to its Division I ascent, CBU established a strong foundation in the NAIA, winning four men’s national titles and three women’s crowns before transitioning to Division II in 2011 and then to Division I in 2018. The program’s rich history will undoubtedly be remembered by alumni and fans alike.
Coaching Leadership
Jim Bossert serves as the head coach for both the men’s and women’s swimming teams, while Miranda King leads the men’s and women’s diving programs. Their leadership has been instrumental in the program’s achievements over the years.
The decision to restructure CBU’s athletic offerings reflects a broader trend in collegiate sports, where institutions are increasingly focused on maximizing resources and achieving competitive success in a rapidly changing environment.
