Sonoma State University to Reinstate 10 NCAA Division II Sports in Fall 2027
Sonoma State University will bring back most of its NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports teams in Fall 2027, more than two years after the university eliminated its entire athletics department to address a significant budget deficit. The university will reinstate…
San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, July 28, 2026 — Sonoma State University has announced plans to reinstate the majority of its NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports teams starting in Fall 2027. This decision comes more than two years after the university initially eliminated its entire athletics department in an effort to address a substantial budget deficit.
The university is set to bring back 10 sports programs. These include men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, basketball, and golf. Additionally, women’s softball and women’s volleyball will be reinstated. However, the baseball program will not be among those returning.
The initial elimination of the athletics department in January 2025 prompted significant reactions from the campus community. Following the announcement of the cuts, student-athletes and coaches initiated campus-wide protests. These actions also included the filing of a federal civil rights complaint and a lawsuit by affected student-athletes and coaches.
The university’s most recent decision to reinstate these teams marks a shift after the previous financial measures led to the disbandment of all athletic programs. The timeframe for the return of these sports is set for Fall 2027.
Story summarized from the original created by Steph Rodriguez on ww2.kqed.org, see more information here.
Media gallery
