UCU Discontinues Swim, Tennis Programs

BARBOURVILLE, KY – Union Commonwealth University has announced the discontinuation of its men's and women's swim & dive and tennis programs for the upcoming academic year.

While both programs have seen competitive success in recent seasons — with strong showings at national events and impressive rankings — the decision stems from a deeper analysis beyond athletic performance alone. As part of a recent institutional audit, Union evaluated each athletic program based on a combination of factors including enrollment impact, scholarship awarding, operational costs, and overall sustainability. In this review, both swim & dive and tennis were identified as underperforming programs relative to the university's long-term planning.

This initiative is part of a larger campus plan at Union to execute a balanced budget without the support of endowed funds in the next academic year. Union leadership plans to save over 3 million dollars as part of its overall cost-reduction strategy heading into the 2025-2026 academic year.

"This is a deeply difficult decision, and I know it brings real disappointment and heartbreak for our student-athletes, coaches, and the alumni and supporters who have championed these programs," said Dr. DJ Washington, Union Commonwealth University President. "But what our students and alumni need is transparency. We have to acknowledge that Union has not been the best version of itself in a long time. We aim to look at all aspects of our institution and make difficult, yet honest decisions on behalf of our key constituents. Like many institutions across the country, we are navigating a challenging moment in higher education that requires thoughtful evaluation and careful stewardship of our resources."

The discontinuation of the swim & dive program is also aligned with the pending sale of Union's off-campus aquatic center.

As part of this transition, Union is honoring athletic scholarships for affected student-athletes — up to $22,000 per student.

Additionally, Union is committed to working closely with all affected student-athletes during this time to support their goals, whether they remain at Union or choose to pursue opportunities elsewhere.