Stanford reinstates sailing program

(May 18, 2021) – Stanford has reversed a decision it made last summer and will not eliminate 11 varsity sports, the school announced today.

The decision comes after months of pressure from high-profile alumni, students and coaches, as well as a fundraising effort — spearheaded by a group called 36 Sports Strong — aimed at helping the sports become financially self-sustaining.

“We have new optimism based on new circumstances, including vigorous and broad-based philanthropic interest in Stanford Athletics on the part of our alumni, which have convinced us that raising the increased funds necessary to support all 36 of our varsity teams is an approach that can succeed,” Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne said in a statement.

Roughly 240 athletes who participate in men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling were set to be impacted by decision. – Full report