Embattled HBCU Saint Augustine’s University is planning on bringing almost all of its sports back next season.
Dr. J Lin Dawson, SAU Director of Athletics, released a statement that the department would be fielding teams in 11 sports next year.
“SAU will compete in NCAA Division II competition across 11 sports this upcoming season. We are recruiting athletes ready to showcase their talent and dedication in sports offered for men and women, such as cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, basketball, and other sports, such as volleyball, softball, and golf.”
Noticeably absent from that list is football. Interim President Marcus Burgess stated earlier this month that the school would not be fielding a football team in 2024, confirming an earlier report by HBCU Gameday.
“The only sport that we are going to suspend is going to be football,” he told CBS17.
Saint Augustine’s University is facing a huge financial crisis thanks largely to a multi-million dollar tax lien and two years of not paying creditors, along with an accreditation loss.
SAU’s absence will mean the CIAA will be down to 11 football teams for at least one season. SAU was scheduled to play every team in the CIAA South (Fayetteville State, Johnson C. Smith, Livingstone College, Shaw and Winston-Salem State) as well as Elizabeth City State and Lincoln University.