California Baptist Cuts Wrestling, two Other Men’s Sports Amid Division I Transition
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California Baptist university announced friday it will discontinue its wrestling, men’s golf, and men’s swimming and diving programs following the 2025-26 academic year, citing the need to prioritize resources as it transitions to the Big West Conference. The decision reflects a growing trend in collegiate athletics where institutions are re-evaluating program portfolios to meet the demands of the evolving Division I landscape.
A university release stated that officials had “closely monitored the shifting landscape of intercollegiate athletics that has affected institutions across the nation.” While the school initially hoped to maintain all athletic programs, a senior official explained that “changes are required to realize the university’s goal of achieving greater competitive excellence that the new Division I era demands.”
strategic Shift Towards Big West competition
the move comes as California Baptist prepares to join the Big West Conference in July 2026. According to the release, discontinuing certain programs was deemed necessary to ensure the remaining student-athletes and teams have the best possible chance for success. This strategic realignment underscores the financial and logistical challenges faced by universities striving for prominence in Division I athletics.
Why did this happen? California Baptist University (CBU) cut its wrestling, men’s golf, and men’s swimming and diving programs to strategically allocate resources as it prepares for full membership in the Big West Conference in July 2026. university officials stated the changes are necessary to achieve greater competitive excellence within the evolving Division I athletic landscape.
Who was affected? The decision directly impacts the approximately 75 student-athletes currently participating in the three affected programs. CBU has pledged to support these athletes through their transitions, including exploring options for continued athletic careers at other institutions.
What programs were cut? The university is discontinuing its men’s wrestling, men’s golf, and men’s swimming and diving programs following the 2025-26 academic year.
How did it end? The university announced the cuts Friday, citing financial constraints and the need to focus resources on programs deemed more likely to achieve success in the Big West Conference. The programs will complete the 2025-26 season before being discontinued.
Wrestling Program’s Brief ascent
The wrestling program, which transitioned from Division II in 2020, was beginning to show promising signs of growth. Last season, Hunter Leake became the school’s first two-time Big 12 placewinner, and nearly defeated eventual NCAA champion Lucas Byrd at the national tournament. The program entered the current season with aspirations of achieving further milestones at the Division I level.
“Every year as our recruiting picks up and picks up, higher-level mentality athletes are stepping into the room,” coach Derek Moore said in November. “So I think that has been one of our keys to our success as each of these guys are trying to do something that hasn’t been done before.”
The decision to eliminate these three men’s programs signals a arduous but intentional step for California Baptist as it navigates the complexities of intercollegiate athletics and aims to establish itself within the competitive framework of the Big West Conference.
