Florida International University announced on Thursday that it is eliminating its men's soccer program, which was one of FIU's five charter intercollegiate programs when the University opened in 1972.
The demise of Coach Karl Kremser's highly successful program coincides with the arrival of football to the FIU campus.
Fielding a football team, the most costly collegiate sport, often results in the elimination of other men's sports because — in addition to its strain on the athletic budget — it creates a gender-equity imbalance that makes meeting Title IX requirements difficult.
The university did not cite Title IX in its explanation for dropping men's soccer, however, FIU athletic director Rick Mello told the Miami Herald:
''We, as a university, have decided to use athletics as a vehicle to enhance campus life, draw alumni back, guarantee outside revenue, and increase media exposure, and football gives us the best opportunity to do those things.''
The FIU football team, which debuted at the Division I-AA level in 2002, posted a 5-6 record and averaged home crowds of under 8,000.
The Miami Herald reported that the cutting men's soccer will add $360,000 annually to the $9.5 million athletic department budget. It also reported that Mello admitted football was a long way from breaking even.
At the NCAA Division II level, FIU men's soccer won national championships in 1982 and '84. After moving to Division I, the Golden Panthers reached the 1996 NCAA final, where they lost to St. John's. It remains the only Division I final reached by an FIU team in any sport.
They are defending champions of the Atlantic Soccer Conference and advanced to the second round of the NCAAs last season. In 31 seasons, FIU has posted a 366-169-37 record.
FIU soccer alumni include Steve Ralston (New England Revolution), Robin Fraser (Colorado Rapids) and Tyrone Marshall (Los Angeles Galaxy).
Kremser's teams played some of the most entertaining soccer in the college game.