Saint Augustine’s University, the embattled HBCU in Raleigh, NC, is battling for it’s accredidation and financial future. And the school’s athletics department is being impacted as well.
SAU had its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission pulled by that body’s board of trustees in December. That was decision was confirmed in February.
A source close to the football program indicates it is “99 percent likely” there will be no football for Saint Augustine’s University this fall as it is not currently going through spring football practice. SAU is an NCAA Division II program that competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
No announcement has been made regarding the long-term future of its football program, or athletics as a whole. Multiple sources have indicated that other schools within the CIAA are looking to find replacements for their games with SAU.
Saint Augustine’s University announced earlier this month that it would be moving classes strictly online for the majority of its student body starting April 1. It released the following statement:
“After receiving open dialogue, answering questions, and receiving feedback from students, parents, faculty, and staff, we decided to transition to remote learning for the remainder of the spring semester starting April 1st. While we strive to maintain the quality of education, it is also our utmost responsibility to ensure the safety, well-being, and dignity of the SAU community, especially our students. A select number of students, including student-athletes on the track team, international students, and students working internships will remain on campus until our commencement ceremony on May 4th. In addition, we will make accommodations to provide food service for the remaining students on campus.
We will remain in communication with all students and their families during this transition and handle all special conditions related to out-of-state students and additional inquiries related to housing, student accounts, and technology on a case-by-case basis.”
The softball program has not participated at all this spring, leaving other CIAA schools to adjust.
FieldTurf USA filed a $598,000 lien against the storied HBCU for failing to pay for a new artificial turf field in Dec. 2023. Former football head coach Howard Feggins is also suing the HBCU for Breach of contract, Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith & Fair Dealing, Fraudulent/Negligent Misrepresentation and Tortious Interference With Contractual Relations.
Saint Augustine’s University reinstated its football program in 2002 after cutting it back in 1967. It has not had a winning football season since 2012.
Multiple attempts have been made to speak with officials in the Saint Augustine’s University department of athletics.